Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Flashback Prologue

The sky burned orange as flames engulfed the sprawling estate of the Lee mafia family. Screams echoed in the night as Seungmin’s grandfather, Kim Sang-woo, led the assault with cold precision.

"Leave no one alive," Sang-woo commanded, his tone as sharp as the blade in his hand.
The Kim mafia men executed his orders ruthlessly, their weapons cutting down anyone in their path. Amid the chaos, a young Minho clutched his mother’s hand tightly as they ran through the smoke-filled halls.
"Minho," his mother whispered urgently, crouching down to meet his terrified gaze. "You have to survive. Do you understand? Go through the passage that I showed you before ___ and remember, don’t look back."
Minho hesitated, his small hands trembling as tears blurred his vision.

"I’ll find you," she promised, pushing him toward the hidden passage behind a bookshelf. "Be strong, my love."

He crawled through the narrow tunnel, biting back sobs, and emerged outside the estate just in time to see flames consuming the building. That was the night Minho lost his parents, his home, and his identity.

---

Present Day

Seungmin stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his high-rise office, gazing at the city below. The skyline sparkled with life, but his thoughts were steeped in the weight of his family’s past.
He swirled the amber liquid in his whiskey glass, his expression unreadable.

"Kim Sang-woo’s legacy," he muttered under his breath, the words tinged with bitterness. His grandfather’s ruthless methods of revenge had secured their family’s dominance ___ but at what cost?
Before his thoughts could wander further, his phone buzzed on the desk.

"They’ve agreed to the meeting," his consigliere reported. "Their Second-in-command, Lee Minho, will be there."
A faint smile ghosted across Seungmin’s lips. "They even send the famous Lee Minho. Good. Good. Let’s see if the Lee family’s loyal dog has learned some new tricks."

---

The grand restaurant was cloaked in shadows, its opulence understated but undeniable. A long table dominated the room, flanked by bodyguards on both sides. The atmosphere was electric with tension.

Seungmin arrived first, exuding calm authority as he took his seat. His sharp suit was immaculate, and his piercing gaze made even his own men shift uncomfortably.

When Minho entered, the air grew heavier. His presence was commanding, though his slightly undone collar and relaxed posture seemed designed to mock the formality of the occasion.

"Nice to meet you, Kim. You look younger now that I’ve seen you more closely," Minho began, pouring himself a glass of wine without waiting for permission.
"Honestly, negotiating peace? That doesn’t sound like the family that turned our people to ash."

Seungmin’s expression remained unreadable, “I heard the ship transporting our weapons was intercepted by the authorities this morning. Half of the cargo belonged to your family. We both lost millions, yet the shipping company walks away unaffected. That’s why I’m proposing an alliance—a truce that benefits us both.
Or are you so desperate to cling to scraps that you’d rather continue this feud?"

Minho leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Scraps? You underestimate us, Seungmin, Kim."

Seungmin leaned forward slightly, his tone cold and cutting. "I don’t underestimate anything, least of all your people. I also believe your family will have many doubts. But tell me… do you really believe in your family’s strength, or are you just playing the part your boss assigned you?"
Minho’s smirk faltered for a split second. His eyes flickered, almost imperceptibly, to Seungmin’s lips before he regained his composure.

"You’re bold for someone sitting on a throne built on the blood of numerous people," Minho retorted, his voice sharp.
"And you lash out like someone who’s still trying to find his place in his own family," Seungmin replied smoothly, the faintest hint of amusement in his tone.
The tension between them was thick, charged not just with animosity but something darker, something unspoken.

Finally, Minho stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "This was a waste of time," he snapped, grabbing his glass of wine and throwing it against the wall. The glass shattered, its shards catching the dim light.
Guns were drawn on both sides, bodyguards aiming without a word. Yet it was the two leaders, staring each other down with razor-sharp eyes, who made the room feel like it could explode at any second.
As Minho stormed out, Seungmin remained seated, his expression unchanging. But his fingers tightened around the edge of the table, betraying the storm brewing inside him.

---

Later that night, Minho sat in the study of their mafia family, his Boss’s cane tapping rhythmically against the wooden floor.
"You’ll have to prove your blood, your loyalty, and your power to stand on your own, Minho," the old man said, his voice steady but firm.
Minho straightened, his jaw tightening. "Prove it, how?"

The Lee Mafia Family Boss regarded him carefully, his weathered face unreadable. "Seungmin Kim is a threat to everything we’ve rebuilt. If you don’t act, you’ll risk everything—even the parts better left unsaid _ at least for now."
Minho hesitated, his fists clenched. "I understand," he said finally, his tone low.

Lee Hyun-jae placed a hand on Minho’s shoulder, his grip surprisingly gentle. "You belong to the family, same as me, Minho. Everything I’ve done is to protect our people. Don’t let anyone take that from us."
Minho nodded, the weight of his Boss’s love and expectations heavy on his shoulders.

As he walked out of the study, his thoughts returned to the meeting earlier that day. He could still see Seungmin’s cold, unyielding gaze, and it made his chest tighten with something he couldn’t quite name.

"You always get under my skin, Seungmin," Minho muttered to himself, shaking the thought away. He refused to dwell on it, but deep down, he knew—this wouldn’t be the last time they clashed.

---

This is the first chapter of my fanfic. Welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

The sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the grand hall of the Kim mansion, the air alive with music and the hum of conversation. Chandeliers glittered like constellations above the elegantly dressed guests.
Seungmin stood at the head of the room, his suit perfectly tailored, his expression unreadable as he nodded at another toast in his honor.

But behind the opulence, in the hidden corridors of the estate, shadows moved.
Minho pressed his back against the cool stone wall, his breathing steady, but his heartbeat racing. The black suit he wore blended into the dimly lit halls, and his gloved hand tightened around the hilt of the daggers hidden beneath his jacket.
Minho had carried out missions like this before — all for the sake of preserving his family’s power. But this time, something felt wrong. Even after going over every part of the plan to eliminate the heir of the most powerful mafia family, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off… like the situation was quietly unravelling beyond his reach.

He paused at a corner, listening for footsteps, his senses on high alert. You can do this, he told himself, though the knot in his stomach told a different story.
As he crept through the hall, his thoughts betrayed him.
Why does this feel so wrong? His grip on the dagger faltered momentarily. You’re doing this for the family. For justice. For everything he took from your family.
He shook his head, clearing the hesitation. Now wasn’t the time to lose focus.

From the ballroom, Seungmin’s voice carried, clear and composed. "Let us toast to strength, loyalty, and the future of the Kim family."

Minho froze, his jaw tightening at the sound of Seungmin’s voice. He hated how calm and collected the man always seemed, as if nothing in the world could touch him.

“You’ll pay for what your family’s done,” Minho muttered under his breath, pushing forward.

---

The study was dark, lit only by the moonlight spilling through the tall windows.
Minho slipped inside, closing the door silently behind him. His eyes scanned the room, landing on the desk at the center, papers neatly stacked as if untouched by the chaos of the outside world.
He approached cautiously, pulling the dagger from his jacket. His steps were light, each movement deliberate. But before he could reach the desk, a voice broke through the silence.

“You’re late,” came the calm, unshaken tone.

Minho’s blood ran cold. He spun around, dagger raised, his body tensing for a fight.

Seungmin stepped out of the shadows, his hands in his pockets, an almost amused expression on his face. “I was beginning to think you’d gotten lost. It’s a big house, after all.”

“You knew I was coming,” Minho said, his voice low but edged with fury.

Seungmin shrugged, calm but sharp, “Naturally. I told you — I don't take your family lightly. So, of course, I’ll be ready when their most feared assassin comes for me.
‘Because when talks fall apart, the Lee Family doesn’t send a message — they send you.’ Isn’t that right, Second-in-command Lee Minho?”

Minho’s eyes widened slightly as the young man before him met his gaze—a rare moment where Minho’s secret, known to almost no one outside and even hidden from some of his own people, was exposed.

Seungmin winked cockily and smiled with confidence, “You really think I’d let someone like you slip in unnoticed? Your reputation precedes you, Lee Minho.”

Minho lunged without warning, the dagger slicing through the air. Seungmin sidestepped effortlessly, his movements calculated and precise. Seungmin threw the dagger out the window smoothly and caught a fist coming from Minho with his other hand.
“Impatient as ever,” Seungmin remarked, dodging another strike. “Is this really the best the Lee family has to offer?”

Minho didn’t respond and pulled out another dagger from his jacket, and his focus was entirely on his attacks. He was fast, agile, but Seungmin matched him move for move, his calm demeanor never faltering.
The fight was intense. Minho’s frustration grew with every failed attempt to strike down the man before him. Seungmin, however, remained focused—careful not to be seriously injured by the deadly dagger, yet moving with a teasing ease as if toying with Minho.

Finally, after Minho managed to draw blood, bruising Seungmin’s left hand and causing it to bleed heavily, Seungmin made his move. With lightning speed, he pulled out his gun and fired a shot into Minho’s shoulder.
In a swift follow-up, Seungmin disarmed him, twisting Minho’s arm and forcing the dagger from his grasp. The weapon clattered to the floor as Seungmin pinned Minho against the desk, their faces inches apart. “You’re reckless,” Seungmin said, his voice barely above a whisper. “That’s going to get you killed one day.”

Minho glared up at him, his chest heaving. “Better to die trying than to let someone like you win.”

Seungmin’s eyes flickered, a shadow of something unspoken crossing his face. For a moment, the tension between them was almost unbearable—anger, defiance, and something else neither of them dared to name.

Seungmin straightened, releasing Minho but keeping a firm grip on his collar. He turned to his crew, who had entered the study silently during the fight.
“Take him to the guest room,” Seungmin ordered.

One of his men hesitated. “Shouldn’t we… deal with him here? He’s a threat—”

Seungmin cut him off with a sharp look. “A dead pawn is useless. Let’s see what else he’s good for. Send Hyunjin to check his shoulder—and make sure Hyunjin treats him well. And remember, no one outside of my crew needs to know about his capture, Understand?”

Minho struggled against the men dragging him away, his voice sharp and filled with venom. “You’ll regret this, Seungmin! I’ll make you pay for this humiliation!”

Seungmin watched silently as Minho was pulled from the room, his expression unreadable.

---

Alone in the study, Seungmin picked up the dagger Minho had dropped, turning it over in his hands. “He’s bold,” Seungmin murmured to himself, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “But reckless.”
He glanced toward the door Minho had been taken through, his thoughts lingering. Why does he get under my skin so easily?

For a moment, he stood there in the quiet, the weight of the encounter settling over him. Then, with a sigh, he wiped the blood off Minho’s dagger, tucked it under the cabinet, and left the room—his mind already racing to the next move in this deadly game, completely ignoring the pain in his bleeding hand.

---

This is the second chapter of my fanfic, welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.
Prepared for next week guys.

Chapter Text

Minho woke up alone. When he looked at his shoulder, he saw it was bandaged with careful treatment—far better than anything Yongbok had done for their own bruises, wounds, and cuts. He was even wearing comfortable clothes. Glancing at the calendar nearby, he realized it had already been two days since that night.

Lee Minho, Lee Minho, you’ve become so weak that after getting shot in the shoulder, you slept for two days and don’t even know who changed your clothes. And look at you—too comfortable in the den of lions. Lee Minho, how tired must you be to sleep like that?

The room was beautiful—too beautiful. The kind of beauty that only mocked its prisoner.

Minho paced across the plush carpet, his sharp eyes scanning every detail of his luxurious prison. A grand piano stood against one wall, its polished surface reflecting the soft glow of the chandelier above. Shelves filled with books lined another wall, their spines tempting him with worlds he couldn’t escape to. And the massive window, which overlooked the beautiful red roses in front of the manor, could be seen—but the window was sealed shut, a cruel reminder of freedom just out of reach.

"Luxurious prison," he muttered bitterly, running his fingers along the edge of the piano. "Leave it to Seungmin to make even captivity look glamorous." He tugged at the cuffs of his shirt, his movements restless. His pride stung more than his body ever could.

Seungmin hadn’t just defeated him—he’d humiliated him.

I should have used a gun to make sure he was dead, instead of getting caught like this. The boss was right about him. I took it too personally and chose a dagger to kill that son of a bitch. Who knew he was so strategic?
No wonder he took his father’s position at such a young age, according to the sources. Ah, I am so angry.

I should have run away. Brother is coming back in six months, and if he can’t find me, that will cause serious problems—and he’ll be worried sick.
At least the boss is busy dealing with the new casino opening abroad. I’m so ashamed… how could I lose to that guy? No, no, no—I even left bruises on his hand with my dagger. That idiot used a gun against daggers. At least I’m not too badly hurt, so it’s still a win-win situation.

Why do I have to run? The thought crossed his mind as he sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees. If he wants information, I’ll give him nothing. And I... I can still get something from him.
The corners of his lips twitched into a humorless smile. If Seungmin thought he’d captured a helpless pawn, he had another thing coming.

---

The door clicked open on the third day of his captivity. Minho didn’t look up.

"You’re eating well, I see," Seungmin remarked, stepping into the room.

Minho leaned back against the couch, a hand draped lazily over the armrest. "What can I say? You’ve got great taste in chefs. Maybe I’ll ask for the recipe before I leave. I even read many of the books over there, but there’s a really small number of adventure books—no fun."

Seungmin’s lips curled into a faint smile, though his eyes remained sharp. "And here I thought you’d be more grateful for the accommodations."

"Grateful?" Minho’s tone was dry, his gaze narrowing. "Oh, yes, thank you, Seungmin, for the gilded cage. Truly, I’ve never felt more free."

Seungmin stared intently at Minho’s shoulder, “What about your shoulder? Is it okay?
Sorry about that day—I shouldn’t treat my special guest so harshly, right? You were taking your sweet time, and I still had a meeting that night.”

Minho hissed through gritted teeth, “And what about your hand? As a special guest, I made sure to leave a few memorable cuts on it—so neither of us will forget my little visit here.”
Seungmin smirked, lifting his hand as if showing off his wounds, “Touché, Second-in-command. Seems like we’re even... for now.”

After that, Seungmin approached slowly, stopping just short of Minho’s personal space. His presence was commanding, his gaze steady and unyielding. "Your tongue is as sharp as ever, I see. But I’m not here to spar with words."
Minho tilted his head, a challenge flashing in his eyes. "Then why are you here? To interrogate me? Because I can save you the trouble. I’m not saying a damn thing."

Seungmin didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he studied Minho, his silence unnerving.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "You’re not in a position to make demands." Minho leaned forward, his smirk defiant. "And yet here I am, still standing. Maybe you’re not as heartless as you want everyone to believe."

The flicker in Seungmin’s expression was brief but telling. He turned abruptly, walking toward the door.
"You’re lucky, because I’m enjoying you like a beautiful bird in a cage. Enjoy your stay," he said over his shoulder before leaving the room.

Minho watched him go, his smirk fading as the door clicked shut. What was that? He couldn’t shake the way Seungmin’s expression had faltered, however briefly.

---

Seungmin entered the room, his usual composed demeanor masking the storm Minho’s defiance had stirred in him.

Minho sat on the windowsill, the manor lights flickering beyond him, but his sharp gaze was locked on Seungmin. "Here to interrogate me again?" Minho’s voice was laced with sarcasm. "Or maybe just to remind me that I’m your prisoner?
As a prisoner, shouldn’t you tie me up and torture me? Not very fun. Your family is really weak—can’t even compare to mine."

Seungmin shut the door behind him and walked to the center of the room. “You should consider yourself lucky, Minho. If it were anyone else, you wouldn’t even have the luxury of standing here.”

Minho scoffed, stepping off the windowsill. “Oh, how merciful of you, Seungmin. Remind me to send you a thank-you card once I’m free.”

“You won’t be free until I get what I need.” Seungmin’s tone was calm but cold, each word measured. “So why don’t we skip the theatrics and get to the part where you actually cooperate?”
“Cooperate?” Minho crossed his arms and took a step closer. “You want me to hand over my family’s secrets on a silver platter? Keep dreaming.”

"Yes, talking shit," Seungmin's hands gripped Minho’s neck tightly as he said, "Beauty, answer my questions obediently." Even though Minho was suffocating, he looked at Seungmin intensely, showing that he didn’t care at all.
"Tell me, your family is behind that foreign shipping company, right? According to my sources, the losses because of that shipping incident were much less for your side than ours. Lee Minho, talk.”

Lee Minho looked at him but didn’t answer. Seungmin stared at the beauty in his hands and said, "You know, you're making me lose patience. Do you believe I can destroy more than ten of your bars and casinos while you're stuck here, Second-in-Command Lee? So, tell me— your family is behind this."

"No." Even though he was trembling from Seungmin’s strong grip choking him, Minho stayed stubborn and refused to say more.

Seungmin’s eyes narrowed. "You act like this is a game, but every move you make has consequences. Your silence is costing lives." Then, Seungmin released Minho’s neck and shoved him away. Minho’s back slammed into the bookshelf behind him.

Minho’s jaw clenched. “And your family’s hands are so clean? Spare me the lecture, Seungmin. We both know your precious legacy is built on blood.” For a moment, the air between them crackled with tension, neither willing to back down. Minho could feel the heat of Seungmin’s gaze, but he refused to look away.
“You talk like you’re better than me,” Seungmin said, his voice low and dangerous. “But deep down, you’re just like the rest of us. Desperate to survive, willing to do whatever it takes.”

“And what about you?” Minho shot back. “Hiding behind your family’s name, acting like you’re untouchable. Do you even know who you are without it?” Seungmin’s lips curled into a faint smirk, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “You think you know me, Minho? You don’t. And you never will.”
Minho stood and came a step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Maybe not. But I do know one thing—your family is terrified of the truth. That’s why they silence anyone who threatens to expose it.”

Seungmin stiffened, his smirk fading. Minho seized the moment, his tone sharper now. “Why did your grandfather order the deaths of our Boss’s heir and his wife?” Minho’s words hung heavy in the air. “You know why, don’t you?”
Seungmin’s expression remained stoic, but something flickered in his eyes—an emotion Minho couldn’t quite place.

“Answer me,” Minho pressed, his voice trembling with restrained anger. “What did they do to deserve that? Or does your family just kill anyone who stands in their way?” Seungmin turned away, his back to Minho. “This conversation is over.”
“No, it’s not,” Minho said, stepping closer. “You’re running away because you know I’m right. You can hide behind your power, your family’s reputation, but deep down, you know the truth will come out one day.”

Seungmin’s shoulders tensed, but he didn’t respond. The silence was deafening, and it only fueled Minho’s frustration. “You’re a coward,” Minho said, his voice low but cutting. “Just like the rest of them.”

Seungmin turned back sharply, his gaze icy. “Be careful, Minho. You’re walking a fine line.”

Minho’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Fine. Keep your secrets. But remember this—one day, someone’s going to make you pay for everything your family has done. And when that day comes, I hope you realize how wrong you’ve been.”

Seungmin didn’t reply. He simply stared at Minho for a long moment before turning and walking out of the room, the door clicking shut behind him. Left alone, Minho exhaled shakily, his mind racing. The question remained unanswered, but Seungmin’s reaction told him everything he needed to know—there was more to this story, and Minho was determined to uncover it.

---

Late at night, when the house was silent and the guards were stationed outside, Minho slipped from his room.

He moved like a shadow, silent and deliberate, avoiding detection as he explored the mansion. The hallways were expansive, lined with ornate paintings and doors that led to secrets he was desperate to uncover.

He found an office filled with documents, but nothing that revealed why his boss's family had been targeted. Another room housed weapons, but they were heavily secured.
Frustration burned in his chest as he returned to his room hours later, undetected but no closer to the truth.

---

On the morning of the seventh day, Huang Hyunjin entered the room with a newspaper in hand. "Your family business made the headlines," Hyunjin said, tossing the paper onto the table.

Minho picked it up, his eyes scanning the front page. The headline read:
"Some of the illegal drug dealings near the border have been intercepted by the special investigation team. According to them, a whistleblower from one company has been informing the team in advance about these activities.
Because of this, the suspects were quickly identified, and the team was able to stop millions of dollars’ worth of drug trafficking and prevent the trades from happening within the country"

His stomach dropped. The job wasn’t directly under him, but he had still been involved. He had assigned the responsibility to someone who worked under the boss—someone specifically handling the drug routes. Minho had double-checked everything. He had even told his personal associate, Han Jisung, to ensure nothing would go wrong. And now, this had happened.
His family had been attacked, and he hadn’t been there to protect them.

When Seungmin entered the room hours later, his expression was colder than usual. "I guess you’ve already seen the result of staying silent," he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Seungmin continued, "You think only your family lost something? Not just yours—my family’s construction projects in another country were shut down starting today. When I investigated, the civilian shipping company testified that unqualified raw materials and products were used in construction. We lost millions, too. Again."

Minho set the newspaper down and stood up to meet Seungmin’s gaze. "You think this is their doing?"

Seungmin stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "Who else? Don’t play innocent with me, Minho."

Minho clenched his fists, his voice rising. "You really think I had anything to do with this? We lost millions too—and I’ve been locked up in your gilded cage for days. Or did you forget?"

The tension between them was palpable, their emotions raw. Seungmin’s jaw tightened as he held Minho’s gaze. "Maybe I should’ve killed you when I had the chance," Seungmin muttered.
Minho took a step closer, their faces inches apart. His voice dropped, taunting. "Then why didn’t you? What’s stopping you, Seungmin? Afraid you’ll regret it?"
For a moment, neither moved, the air thick with unspoken words and emotions they couldn’t name.

---

This is the third chapter of my fanfic, welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

Seungmin entered the room with his usual air of authority, his tailored suit immaculate, but there was a flicker of tension in his sharp gaze. He placed a file on the table in front of Minho, who lounged lazily in his chair, twirling a pen between his fingers.
“You’ve got that look again,” Minho said, smirking. “The ‘I’m going to make you do something you’ll hate’ look.”

Seungmin ignored him, flipping open the file to reveal maps and surveillance photos. “I got information that a foreign shipping company has documents about the weapons that were caught by the authorities, which belong to both of our families. And I heard from my source — if the authorities get these documents before we do, we could lose even more, and we might even get sued. So, we need to act together now, for both families.”

Minho leaned forward, scanning the contents. “So, you’re proposing we team up? Are you sure the documents are there?”
Seungmin looked at Minho’s face, all features visible. “You’re not rejecting it anymore?”

“I know. When the threat comes, Kim Seungmin…” Minho looked at the paper documents. “The info shows the building is full of people, though. And here—this shows they’re all armed. Some even have explosives. What’s your plan?”

“Oh, it’s simple. We’ll both go for the documents that store what's ours, and my crew will destroy some of their weapons, which are stored in the basement, using their own explosives.
That way, they won’t even have a chance to talk to the authorities anymore. What do you think?” Seungmin looked at Minho, who was seriously examining the documents, thinking strategically.

Seungmin thought the saying was true: a person who works so seriously looks good.

“Most of it sounds fine. I also want to bring my own crew. I need the info on how they found out about our drug dealing,” Minho said, lifting his head from the paper documents to look at Seungmin, who was already looking at him.
“Why should I allow this? Don’t forget — you’re still a prisoner.”

Minho looked down at his hands, clenched tight with frustration because Seungmin was so annoying. “I’ll give you one favor. You can take me on one mission of your family’s business.”
“Not bad… Okay, I agree. But remember — I still haven’t released you,” Seungmin said, annoyed at Minho.

Minho leaned back, studying Seungmin. “Let’s make one thing clear — this is business, nothing more. No trust, no personal involvement, and no betrayals.”
“Agreed,” Seungmin said, his voice firm. “But betray me, and you’ll regret it.”
“Right back at you, Kim,” Minho shot back, a sly grin returning to his lips.

---

The dimly lit shipping company building was still full of people even at midnight. Both Minho’s crew and Seungmin’s crew were in the basement, having already killed everyone in their path. They had also gathered all the valuable weapons they found along the way and stored them in the basement. Now, only Hyunjin and Jeongin from Seungmin’s crew were there, waiting for Minho’s crew, who were still searching for information related to the drug dealing case.

At the same time, Minho and Seungmin, both disguised as company staff, moved through the shadows toward the main office.
“Try to keep up,” Seungmin whispered, glancing over his shoulder as he silently shot someone blocking their way, ensuring they couldn’t alert the others.

“Don’t worry about me,” Minho replied, a playful edge in his voice. “Just don’t trip over your ego.”
“On your left.”
Seungmin shot cleanly, taking down the target, then gave Minho a glare but said nothing, focusing on the task at hand.

Inside the office, both Seungmin and Minho searched for all documents related to them, and whenever they found something important to the company, they destroyed it — a sweet revenge.
“Seungmin, the stuff we found isn’t enough to sue us. It’s not strong enough to be used as evidence,” Minho said while destroying more documents, speaking to Seungmin, who was also searching through the computer database.
“I think something’s wrong. I couldn’t find anything important in the database either.”

“I think they’re keeping it at the manor owned by the company’s owner. Guess we need to head somewhere else.”
At that moment, Jisung spoke to Minho through the earpiece he was wearing.
“Brother, they’ve found out you guys are there,” Jisung said.

At the same time, Yongbok reported, “Brother, we’ve got evidence of the traitor, and I already sent the rest of the crew out of the building. Me and the members from Seungmin’s team are ready to blow it up. We’ve got seven minutes. Brother, are you ready?”

Minho gave a signal to Seungmin, and both of them rushed out of the room, shooting down every man who crossed their path. Minho smashed the glass window on that floor, while Seungmin covered him, shooting anyone who pointed a gun at them.
Minho said, “Yes, you can start the bomb now. Yongbok, be safe.”
He then fired a smoke bomb toward the enemies, releasing thick smoke.

At the same time, Seungmin was already prepared with a tandem parachute and pulled Minho with him. “Now, Lee Minho,” he said, and the two of them jumped from the floor.
Seungmin made sure they landed on a nearby building. They both fell and rolled across the rooftop. He kept his arms around Minho to protect him, even though his hands turned red from holding the parachute meant for two people.

They were really lucky — if they had flown any further, they could have died. Minho had his eyes squeezed tightly shut and clung to Seungmin’s body like his life depended on it.

At that moment, the explosion finally went off, and fire started to rise from the basement. “Ah, shit. I hate this so much,” Minho muttered, still not releasing Seungmin.
“Minho, we’re on the rooftop floor now,” Seungmin said softly near Minho’s ear.
Minho opened his eyes, and Seungmin looked at him. The look between them was intense in the dark night.

“Brother, brother! Are you okay?” Minho rolled out of Seungmin’s arms like he had just touched fire.
“Yes, yes, I’m fine. You guys are okay too, right?” Minho replied to Yongbok and Jisung.
He glanced at Seungmin, who seemed to be checking on his crew.

“Thank you,” Minho said softly. “No need. You also shot the one who was pointing at me up there.”
Minho nodded. “Do you need a hand?”
Seungmin laughed softly and nodded. “Yes, give me your hand.”

---

The mansion of the boss of the shipping company was large and foreboding in the moonlight. Minho picked the lock with practiced ease, smirking as the door clicked open.
“You’re lucky to have me.”
“Just get inside,” Seungmin muttered, stepping past him.

They moved through the mansion quietly, dodging patrolling guards. They opened the locked rooms one by one, and after some attempts, they made it to the study. In the study, Seungmin found the documents he needed. As he snapped photos and stored them in his shirt, Minho kept watch by the door.

“Make it quick,” Minho whispered. “I don’t feel like getting caught tonight.”
Seungmin glanced at him. “Relax. Almost done.”
Just as they were erasing the last of the data, an alarm blared.

“Great,” Minho muttered. “Now we’re in trouble.” A group of armed guards burst into the room. Minho grabbed Seungmin’s arm. “Run.”
They sprinted through the mansion, dodging bullets and leaping over furniture. Even though they got what they needed and made it back safely, Minho got shot in the left hand as he covered Seungmin.

---

Far from the manor, they caught their breath in an alleyway, their backs pressed against the cold brick wall of a nearby building while hiding from those who followed them.
“That was close,” Minho panted.

Seungmin didn’t respond. His usually composed face showed an annoyed expression, his hands clenched tightly.
“You okay?” Minho asked, frowning.

Seungmin nodded. “I’m fine.”
Minho’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not fine. You look annoyed.”

Seungmin looked at him, his gaze intense.
“Thank you. For saving me back there. Your hand is bleeding.”

Minho blinked, caught off guard. “Oh, it’s no problem. We’re the only two who came here. If they shoot you, you could’ve died in there.
I don’t have anything valuable enough to compensate for your life.”

Seungmin straightened, his composure returning. “Let me see.” He pulled out a knife — Minho’s knife, the one he had brought to kill Seungmin from his spy suit — and cut open the sleeve of Minho’s suit to inspect the gunshot wound.

“Hey, this is my favorite suit,” Minho said.
“I’ll buy you hundreds of these, so shut your mouth now,” Seungmin replied.
For a moment, Minho laughed softly, the tension easing.

---

Later that night, Minho wandered into Seungmin’s study, finding him sitting alone with a glass of whiskey. The room was dim, the city lights casting a soft glow through the window.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Minho asked, leaning against the doorframe. Seungmin looked up, his eyes heavy with something unspoken. “What do you want?”
Minho walked in, sitting across from him. “You looked like you could use company.”

Seungmin stared into his glass, swirling the amber liquid. “I never wanted this life,” he said quietly. “But wanting and getting are never the same.” Minho frowned and replied like it wasn’t important what he was saying.
“Why stick with it, then? Why not walk away?”

Seungmin looked at him, his gaze amused. “Because it’s not that simple. Duty isn’t something you can just abandon.” Minho hesitated a moment, then asked, “So, what keeps you going?”
Seungmin didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he drained his glass, his eyes never leaving Minho’s. “I don’t know.”

The silence stretched between them, heavy and charged.

“Don’t look at me anymore. Why do you keep looking at me like that?” Minho asked, his voice quieter than before. Seungmin didn’t reply. Instead, he stood, crossed the room, and stopped inches away from Minho.

“Seungmin—” Minho began, but his words were cut off as Seungmin grabbed his face and kissed him hard. Minho froze, his heart racing as the kiss deepened, filled with a mix of desperation and something neither of them could name.
When Seungmin finally pulled back, his expression was unreadable. Minho stared at him, breathless. “What the hell was that?”

Seungmin stepped back, his voice low. “A mistake.”
He turned and left the room, leaving Minho sitting there, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and emotions he couldn’t untangle.

---

The next day night after the kiss, Minho couldn’t sleep. His mind replayed the moment over and over—Seungmin’s intense gaze, the sudden kiss, and the raw, unspoken emotion behind it. Frustrated, he left his room and wandered through the mansion, hoping the quiet halls would help him clear his head.

He wasn’t expecting to find Seungmin in the garden full of red roses. The air was cool, the moonlight casting a silver glow over the neatly trimmed hedges and flowers. Seungmin stood by the koi pond, his hands in his pockets, staring into the water as if it held all the answers to his problems.
Minho hesitated. He considered walking away, but his curiosity—and something deeper he didn’t want to admit—drew him forward.

“You always this broody, or is it a special occasion?” Minho asked, breaking the silence. Seungmin didn’t turn, but his shoulders tensed. “What do you want, Minho?”

Minho walked closer, stopping a few feet away. “You kissed me. I think that gives me the right to ask what’s going on in that complicated head of yours.” Seungmin finally looked at him, his expression guarded.
“It was a mistake. I told you that.”

“Yeah, you did,” Minho said, his tone lighter than he felt. “But most people don’t go around kissing their enemies, mistake or not.”

Seungmin’s jaw tightened, and he looked back at the water. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me,” Minho said, stepping closer. His voice softened. “You think I don’t get what it’s like to carry all this... weight? The expectations, the pressure to be someone you’re not, to live a life you didn’t choose?”
Seungmin turned to face him fully, his expression unreadable. “Why do you care?”

Minho smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Maybe I’m just curious.
Or maybe, somewhere under that cold, calculating exterior, there’s someone who doesn’t want to be alone.”

For a moment, Seungmin said nothing. Then, almost imperceptibly, his shoulders relaxed. “It doesn’t matter what I want. What matters is what I have to do.” Minho stepped even closer, their faces only inches apart.
“You keep saying that, but you’re not a robot, Seungmin. You feel things. You felt something last night, didn’t you?”

Seungmin’s breath hitched, and for a moment, Minho thought he might deny it. But then Seungmin said, so quietly it was almost a whisper, “I don’t know what I felt.”

Minho searched his face, his own heart pounding. “Maybe you don’t have to figure it out right now. But running from it isn’t going to help.”

They stood there in silence, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. Finally, Seungmin broke the moment, stepping back. “You should go back to your room. It’s late.”
Minho watched him for a long moment, then nodded. “Fine. But this conversation isn’t over.”
As Minho turned to leave, he glanced back to see Seungmin still standing by the pond, his expression conflicted. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

---

This is the fourth chapter of my fanfic. Welcome and enjoy the show. Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

Minho is lounging in his room, flipping through a book but not really reading. He’s restless, tired of the gilded cage that is Seungmin’s mansion. A knock at the door interrupts his thoughts, and Yang Jeongin steps in, holding a garment bag.
“What’s this?” Minho asks, eyeing the bag suspiciously.

“Boss asked me to deliver this. He said you’re invited to tonight’s family ball.”

Minho’s brow furrows. “A family ball? Why would he want me there?”

Jeongin, looking confused, replies, “He said to tell you, ‘It’s better than being bored in your room.”

When Jeongin leaves, Minho unzips the garment bag to reveal an exquisitely tailored black suit and a black mask that covers half of his face. It is simple but stunning___meant to keep him from being recognized. The fabric feels expensive, and the cut is designed to fit him perfectly. For a moment, he’s stunned by the gesture but quickly shakes it off.

That evening, as Minho finishes dressing, there’s another knock at the door. This time, it’s Seungmin himself, looking sharp in a navy-blue tuxedo.
“I see the suit fits,” Seungmin says, his tone neutral.

Minho turns to face him, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I didn’t know you had such good taste. Should I be flattered?”

Seungmin ignores the jab. “Tonight is important. My family, relatives, and key associates will all be there. You’re allowed to attend, but…” He steps closer, his expression hardening. “Stay away from my family. You can enjoy yourself, but don’t get too close to anyone. And don’t reveal your identity. Understood?”

Minho tilts his head, feigning innocence. “And if I don’t follow your little rules?” Seungmin’s gaze sharpens. “Then I’ll make sure tonight is the last time you attend anything remotely social.”
Minho chuckles, adjusting his cufflinks. “Relax, boss. I’ll be on my best behavior. For now.”

---

The ballroom is breathtaking, with chandeliers casting a golden glow over the elegant space. Guests in lavish gowns and tailored suits mingle, their laughter and conversation filling the air.

When Minho enters, heads turn. His striking appearance in the black suit draws attention, and for a moment, even Seungmin’s carefully guarded composure falters as he watches Minho descend the staircase. Luckily, Seungmin made the theme of the night masks, so Minho’s face can stay hidden among the others.

One of Seungmin’s cousins, a young woman named Jisoo, approaches Minho with a curious smile. “You’re really eye candy. Looking too good. Can you tell me your name?”
Minho takes her hand lightly, his smile charming.

“It’s Minjae. Just an... outside associate of the Boss.”

From across the room, Seungmin watches the interaction, his jaw tightening.

---

Throughout the night, Minho takes full advantage of his freedom. He charms the guests, shares drinks with a few associates, and even dances with Jisoo, all while carefully keeping within Seungmin’s boundaries.

When Minho catches Seungmin glaring at him from the edge of the room, he smirks and raises his glass in a mock toast.

Later, when Seungmin finally corners him near the balcony, his tone is low but firm. “I told you to stay away from my family.”

Minho leans casually against the railing, unbothered. “Relax. I only talked with your cousin, and I didn’t meet any of your other family. I’m just enjoying my life as a prisoner here. Or is that also not allowed?”

Seungmin steps closer, his voice dropping. “You’re testing my patience, Minho.” Minho grins, his tone teasing. “And here I thought you liked being tested.”

---

As the night progresses, the music slows, and couples take to the dance floor for a waltz. Minho has had enough of annoying Seungmin, so he leaves the hall and goes to the garden alone. To Minho’s surprise, Seungmin approaches him and holds out a hand.
“Dance with me,” Seungmin says, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Minho arches an eyebrow but takes his hand. “Here?”

As they move across the garden, the tension between them is palpable. Minho’s smirk never leaves his face, but his heart races as Seungmin’s hand rests firmly on his waist.

“Why did you really invite me tonight?” Minho asks, his voice low.

Seungmin meets his gaze, his expression unreadable. “I wanted to do it, so I did it. Does there need to be a reason?”

“You are insufferable.”

“You’re also exactly as infuriating as I expected,” Seungmin replies, his grip tightening slightly.

“Glad to know I’m meeting expectations,” Minho says, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

---

Seungmin sits at the head of the grand dining table, surrounded by his family and high-ranking associates. The atmosphere is formal and tense, with the clinking of silverware echoing through the room. Seungmin's father stands, raising his glass.

“I have an important announcement to make,” he begins. “To secure our future and strengthen our alliances, Seungmin will be engaged to Yuna, the daughter of the Park family.”
Minho, seated further down the table beside Jeongin, freezes mid-bite. He glances at Seungmin, whose stoic expression betrays nothing but the subtle clench of his jaw.

After dinner, Minho catches up to Seungmin in the hallway. “Congratulations, Seungmin. Yuna’s lucky to have such a devoted fiancé,” he says with a mocking smile. Seungmin shoots him a cold look. “Don’t start, Minho.”
Minho leans against the wall, his smirk widening. “What? You’re not excited about this perfect arrangement? A marriage made in mafia heaven.”

“You don’t understand anything about this,” Seungmin snaps, his tone low but dangerous.

“Oh, I understand perfectly,” Minho retorts, stepping closer. “You’re just another pawn, doing whatever your family says. Is that why you kissed me? To remind yourself you’re still human?”

Seungmin’s patience snaps. He grabs Minho by the collar, slamming him against the wall. Their faces are inches apart, the tension between them electric.

“You don’t know when to shut up, do you?” Seungmin growls.

“Why should I?” Minho fires back, his voice defiant.

Seungmin’s grip tightens, and for a moment, it looks like he might say something else. Instead, he crashes his lips against Minho’s in a heated, desperate kiss. Minho responds for a brief second before pulling away abruptly. He shoves Seungmin back, breathing heavily. “You can’t just do whatever you want to me!” he yells, punching Seungmin in the chest.

Seungmin steps back, his expression unreadable. “I told you before. You shouldn’t provoke me.” Minho glares at him, his fists clenched. “Stay the hell away from me, Seungmin.” He storms off, leaving Seungmin standing alone in the dimly lit hallway.

---

Minho is allowed to follow Seungmin and his crew on a rare outing into the broader city, under heavy guard by Jeongin. As he strolls through a crowded market, he hears a familiar voice behind him.

“Minho?”

He turns and freezes. Bang Chan stands there, his face a mix of surprise and relief. “Brother Chan? You’re back,” Minho whispers, his heart pounding.

The two step aside into a quieter alley, and Chan immediately starts questioning him. “Yes, I arrived in the country about two months ago, Minho-yah. I came to meet you, but your brother and Yongbok said you were undercover again. How are you, Minho-yah?”

Minho forces a casual smile. “I’m fine. Brother, you’re also going back again, right? When?” Chan smiles at Minho. “You really don’t know anything, do you? I’m back for good now. I just need to go back for a month or two because Father is preparing to hand me the boss title.”

Before Minho can respond, he notices Seungmin standing a short distance away, watching them with an expression that’s hard to decipher. Why is Seungmin here?

“Ah… Good, Brother. That’s good, right,” Minho says quickly, stepping back. “Brother, I have to go now. Let’s talk when we’re both free.”

Chan grabs his arm, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Minho, is everything okay? Is something wrong?”

“No, Brother. Everything’s okay,” Minho says firmly, pulling away. “Bye, Brother.”

---

Back at the hotel, Seungmin waits for Minho in Minho’s room. As soon as Minho enters, Seungmin’s icy glare greets him. “What was that little reunion about?” Seungmin demands.
Minho shrugs. “Just an old friend checking in. What’s it to you?”

Seungmin steps closer, his voice sharp. “Don’t lie to me. Are you plotting something with him?”

Minho rolls his eyes. “Not everything is some grand conspiracy, Seungmin. I’m not like you. I don’t need to use tricks to get what I want.”

Seungmin’s jaw tightens. “Watch your mouth, Minho.” Minho steps closer, his tone mocking. “Or what? You’ll kiss me again? Or maybe you’ll throw me into another cell? Face it, Seungmin, you’re just as scared as I am. You just hide it better.”

Seungmin’s hand shoots out, grabbing Minho’s arm. “You don’t know anything about me.” Minho yanks his arm free, glaring at him. “No, but I know your type. The cold, calculating heir who pretends he doesn’t feel anything. You can’t even admit what you’re afraid of.”

Seungmin’s voice drops, low and dangerous. “You’re right. I am afraid. Afraid of what will happen if I let someone like you distract me.”

Minho laughs bitterly. “Oh, so now I’m a distraction?” He steps closer, their faces inches apart. “What’s really bothering you, Seungmin? Is it him? Or is it me?” Seungmin doesn’t answer. His gaze drops to Minho’s lips for a fraction of a second before he turns on his heel and storms out of the room.

Minho watches him leave, his chest tight. For a moment, he wonders if he pushed too far.

---

This is the fifth chapter of my fanfic, welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

The engagement party is an opulent display of power, wealth, and alliances. The ballroom glitters with chandeliers, and the guests—decked in designer suits and gowns—mingle with glasses of champagne in hand.

Minho reluctantly steps into the room wearing a black suit just like a bodyguard, and a black cloth face mask, standing beside Jeongin, who is also dressed the same. But his attention is immediately drawn to the center of the room, where Seungmin stands with his fiancée. She clings to his arm, her laughter ringing like a bell as she gazes at him with open adoration.

Minho’s jaw tightens. He mutters under his breath, “That scumbag doesn’t even like her. Why the hell doesn’t he just say no?” His eyes narrow as Seungmin offers a polite, if stiff, smile to his fiancée.

Jeongin looks at Minho in awe. “You’re really not afraid of our Boss?”

Minho replies confidently, “Why should I be afraid of a scumbag like him?”

“And, Jeongin-ah, why do you think I’m here?”

Jeongin answers honestly, “Boss told me to watch you more carefully. He thinks you’ll run away sometime soon.”

Minho laughs softly. “Jeongin-ah, the person you’re talking about running away—is that supposed to be me? And you’re just telling me straight out that your Boss assigned you to spy on me like that?”

Jeongin chuckles. “You don’t have a reason to run away, right? So it’s okay.”

“This kid,” Minho mutters, laughing along with Jeongin.

---

As Minho weaves through the crowd, his escape is blocked by none other than Bang Chan. Dressed sharply in a tailored suit, Bang Chan’s smile is warm, but his eyes hold a hint of sadness.
“Minho, right?” Bang Chan says, stepping closer and pulling Minho outside—into a dark corner where no one can find them easily. “So, your cover-up is here.”

Minho freezes, then tries to sidestep him. “Brother…”
Bang Chan sighs. “I know, I know—I’m disturbing your plan. I just want to know if you’re in good health. You’ll run away from me again even after the cover-up is over, won’t you? Like you don’t want to talk to me.”

“I’m not,” Minho replies, his tone defensive. “I just feel a little awkward talking to you. That’s why I avoid you. We’re exes, Brother Chan. Who stays friendly with their ex?”

Bang Chan’s lips curve into a bittersweet smile. “We were friends before anything else. Does that mean nothing to you?” Minho hesitates, his gaze flickering. “It’s not that I don’t want to talk to you. It’s just… complicated.”
Bang Chan steps closer, his voice soft. “Then let’s keep it simple. Can’t we at least be friends again?”

Before Minho can respond, a cold voice slices through the moment.

“Am I interrupting something?” Seungmin stands a few feet away, his eyes icy and his tone sharp enough to cut steel.

Minho steps back, his expression guarded. “Nothing important.” Bang Chan opens his mouth to protest, but Minho shakes his head slightly, silently urging him to let it go.
“Good,” Seungmin says curtly, his gaze lingering on Bang Chan for a moment before turning to Minho. “Go back to your place. Don’t talk to the guests. Understood?”

---

Seungmin’s fiancée insists on following tradition, leading to a formal dance in front of the guests. As Seungmin takes her hand and begins to waltz, Minho watches from the sidelines, his expression unreadable but his eyes betraying a storm of emotions.

The fiancée beams up at Seungmin, her movements graceful as she leans in closer. Seungmin, ever the picture of a dutiful heir, maintains the dance, but his focus drifts—his eyes locking with Minho’s across the room.
Minho crosses his arms, his lips curling into a bitter smirk. “Pathetic,” he mutters to himself, though his chest tightens painfully.

---

After all the guests have gone back, Minho goes to the garden, which is quiet, lit only by the soft glow of moonlight. Seungmin comes up to Minho near a marble pillar and grabs his wrist, blocking his path.

“What the hell was that?” Minho snaps, rubbing his wrist. “You don’t get to act violent with me—I’m not your crew.”
Seungmin’s eyes flash with anger. “You think this is about discipline?”

Minho steps closer, his tone daring. “Isn’t it? You couldn’t stand watching me talk to my friend. If I wanted to run away, I would’ve done it from the start. Don’t underestimate me. Just go give your attention to your fiancée.”
Seungmin’s voice drops, low and dangerous. “You’re infuriating.”

Minho tilts his head, his smirk returning. “And yet, you can’t seem to stay away from me.”

The air between them grows thick with tension. Seungmin’s gaze drops to Minho’s lips before snapping back to his eyes. “You think you know everything, don’t you?”
Minho leans in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know you’re a coward. Too scared to fight for what you actually want.”

Seungmin’s restraint snaps. He pins Minho against the pillar, their faces inches apart. “You don’t know a damn thing about me,” he growls.
Minho’s breath catches, but he refuses to back down. “Then show me.”

Seungmin’s lips crash against Minho’s, the kiss rough and desperate. For a moment, Minho responds, matching the intensity—but then he shoves Seungmin away, his chest heaving.

“You can’t keep doing this,” Minho says, his voice shaking with anger. “You don’t get to kiss me and then go back to her.”
Footsteps echo in the distance, breaking the moment. Seungmin steps back, his expression unreadable.

“This isn’t over,” Seungmin murmurs before walking away, leaving Minho alone in the moonlit garden.

---

This is the sixth chapter of my fanfic, welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

The air in the training room crackled with tension. Seungmin and Minho stood at opposite ends, their weapons of choice gleaming in their hands. Minho rolled his shoulders, twirling his gun expertly. “This time, I’m winning, Kim Seungmin. No knives are beating me today.”

Seungmin smirked, twirling his blade between his fingers. “We’ll see about that. The loser gets to wear the dress, remember?”
Minho narrowed his eyes. “Don’t get too confident. You’re underestimating me.”

---

The Fight Begins

The room echoed with the clash of weapons. Both moved with sharp technique, their eyes locked, studying each other like predators waiting to strike. They fought fiercely, every blow precise, every step calculated.
Time blurred as the battle raged, the space filled with the sound of steel and heavy breaths. Then, with the controlled power of a seasoned warrior, Seungmin advanced—his blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. Minho dodged nimbly, using his surroundings to his advantage as he fired off a blank shot that narrowly missed Seungmin’s shoulder.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Seungmin teased, lunging forward. Minho ducked, spinning to pin Seungmin against the wall, his gun pressing lightly against Seungmin’s side. “Got you,” Minho whispered, his breath ghosting against Seungmin’s neck.

Seungmin smirked, his hand darting out to grab Minho’s wrist. With a swift twist, he disarmed him, their bodies colliding as Seungmin’s blade came to rest lightly against Minho’s throat. “Not quite, sweetheart.”
The proximity was intoxicating. Minho’s chest heaved as he glared up at Seungmin, their faces mere inches apart. “You’re too close,” Minho muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.

Seungmin leaned in slightly, his lips brushing against Minho’s ear as he murmured, “Close enough to win.”
Minho shivered, unable to ignore the heat radiating between them. But before he could respond, Seungmin stepped back, twirling his knife victoriously. “Looks like you’re wearing the dress.”

Minho groaned, throwing his hands up in frustration. “I swear you cheat, Kim Seungmin.” Seungmin smirked, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. “So, sweetheart, don’t forget to wear pretty makeup.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to Minho’s cheek before sauntering out of the room, leaving Minho flustered and speechless.

---

Minho sat on a stool, glaring at his reflection in the mirror as Yeji carefully applied makeup to his face. The long brown wig cascaded over his shoulders, giving him an ethereal beauty that even he couldn’t deny.

“Do I really need to wear these high heels?” Minho asked, pouting slightly.
Yeji giggled. “Yes, Minho-shi. You look absolutely stunning. Honestly, you’re prettier than most girls I’ve seen.”

Minho sighed dramatically. “But what if the wig falls off during the mission? Or worse, what if someone recognizes me? My honor will be ruined!”

Yeji laughed, shaking her head. “Trust me, no one will recognize you. And even if they did, they’d be too mesmerized by how gorgeous you look to say anything.”
Minho smiled despite himself. “Thanks, Yeji. At least someone appreciates me.”

When Seungmin entered the room, he froze in his tracks. His eyes widened as he took in Minho’s appearance. The wig framed Minho’s face perfectly, his delicate features highlighted by the subtle makeup. The dress hugged his slim waist, the high slit revealing just enough leg to be distracting.

For a moment, Seungmin forgot to breathe. If he didn’t know better, he’d think Minho was a goddess incarnate.

Minho noticed Seungmin’s expression and smirked, tossing his hair over his shoulder. “What do you think, Seungmin? Pretty, right? If I saw a girl like me, I’d definitely try to show her off.”
Seungmin’s jaw tightened, and he turned to Yeji, avoiding Minho’s gaze. “Yeji, we’re going to steal the thing, not enter a beauty pageant. If you make him look this… eye-catching, everyone will stare at him.”

He looked intensely at all the exposed skin on Minho’s body, and then gestured toward a small, oval-shaped keyhole cutout in Minho’s dress, which dipped low enough to reveal a glimpse of his upper chest and sternum. “And why is there a hole here? Cover it up. And his eyes—why are they sparkling like that?”

Minho gasped, grabbing Seungmin’s arm. “No! I’m supposed to look pretty. You’re my boyfriend for the night—it’s your job to protect me from everyone else, not erase my sparkle!”

Seungmin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This is going to be a disaster.”
Minho pouted, stepping closer. “Admit it. You think I look good.”

Seungmin’s gaze flickered over Minho’s face before quickly darting away. His voice dropped to a low grumble. “You look… fine.”

“Fine?” Minho raised an eyebrow, stepping even closer until their faces were mere inches apart. “Just fine?”

Seungmin swallowed hard, his composure slipping. “You’re infuriating.” Minho smirked, leaning in just enough to brush his lips against Seungmin’s ear. “And yet, you can’t stop staring.”
Seungmin clenched his fists, stepping back abruptly. “Get in the car. We’re leaving.”

---

On the Way to the Mission

The tension in the car was palpable as they drove to the auction. Minho adjusted his wig, occasionally glancing at Seungmin, who stared straight ahead, his jaw tight.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Minho teased, leaning closer. “Nervous about how good I look?”

Seungmin didn’t answer, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. Minho tilted his head, his voice softening. “You know, for someone who’s supposed to be cold and calculating, you’re awfully easy to fluster.”

Seungmin’s lips twitched, but he kept his gaze forward. “Focus on the mission, Minho.”

Minho chuckled, sitting back with a satisfied grin. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”

Seungmin let out a long sigh, his fingers drumming against the wheel. No matter how much he tried to focus, his mind kept wandering back to the image of Minho in that dress, the way his smirk had sent shivers down his spine.
Even though he knew better, Seungmin couldn’t help but feel like he was falling deeper into a dangerous desire.

---

The grand hall was buzzing with whispered deals and stolen glances, the air thick with tension and intrigue. Minho adjusted his flowing dress, the silky fabric clinging to his body as he moved gracefully between the guests. His brown wig framed his delicate features, and his painted lips curled into a confident smirk as he approached an unsuspecting foreigner.

"Well, aren’t you charming?" Minho cooed, his voice soft yet alluring. The foreigner, a wealthy-looking man, chuckled nervously as he handed Minho a glass of champagne.

Seungmin watched from across the room, his jaw tightening as Minho laughed at something the man whispered. His hand gripped his drink so tightly that it nearly cracked. The sight of Minho’s hand brushing against the stranger’s arm was enough to make his blood boil.

Finally, he strode across the room, his movements calm but purposeful. He placed a firm hand on Minho’s waist, pulling him away with a charming yet cold smile directed at the foreigner. “Sorry, my wife gets a little tipsy when she drinks too much,” Seungmin said, his tone laced with a dangerous edge.

Minho blinked in surprise, barely holding back a laugh.

As they moved into an empty hallway, Minho smirked. “Wife? That’s new. Since when do you have a wife, Seungmin?
Or maybe I’m just your mistress -- the one who makes you betray your ‘beautiful and pretty’ fiancée.”

Seungmin’s grip on Minho’s wrist tightened, and he turned to face him, his eyes dark and smoldering. “You’re unbelievable.” Minho, undeterred, stepped closer, his voice dripping with mock innocence. “You said earlier, didn’t you? I’m prettier than your future wife. Maybe I’m the bad girl who turned you into a cheating husband. But, honestly,
isn’t that her fault for not keeping a tighter leash on you?”

Seungmin’s jaw clenched, his expression unreadable. “Minho…” Minho pressed a finger to Seungmin’s chest, his voice softening but still teasing. “And why do you keep calling me your wife? Is that what you want, Seungmin? Should I be the one waiting for you at the end of the aisle instead?”

Seungmin sighed, running a hand through his hair as a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

“Yes, yes, it’s all my fault. I turned a good girl like you into a bad one. My apologies, sweetheart.” His voice dipped lower, almost a whisper. “But can we focus on the mission now? I’ll give you whatever you want afterwards.”

Minho stared at him for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze before he huffed and turned away. “Fine, but don’t think this conversation is over.”

---

The auction’s final item was brought out: a small, ornate box said to have once belonged to a current high-ranking authority figure, who had personally requested Seungmin to retrieve the box. In exchange, the authority agreed to approve the Kim family estate’s permit for selling at a higher price.

Seungmin’s crew had only one way to steal the box without revealing their identity: by pretending to be a couple at this foreign auction, stealing the item, and disappearing without a trace. For this mission, Seungmin used the one favor he was owed from Minho—asking him to come along to the auction.

Seungmin and Minho exchanged a quick glance before splitting up to execute their plan.

Minho, still in character, flirted his way closer to the item, while Seungmin mingled with the crowd, keeping an eye on the room. Once the item was within reach, Minho signaled to Seungmin, who created a distraction by knocking over a tray of glasses.

In the chaos, Minho slipped the box into his purse and made his way toward the exit.

Their plan unraveled when one of the guards noticed the missing item. Alarms blared, and chaos erupted as Seungmin and Minho made a run for it.

“Minho, this way!” Seungmin shouted, grabbing his hand as they weaved through the crowd.

Minho stumbled in his heels, cursing under his breath. “I told you these shoes were a bad idea!” Seungmin growled, pulling Minho into an empty corridor. “Take them off, then!”

Minho yanked the shoes off and ran barefoot, clutching the wig to keep it from falling. But their luck ran out when they found themselves cornered in a dimly lit upper room.
“Damn it,” Seungmin muttered, scanning the area. His eyes landed on Minho, who looked disheveled but still annoyingly beautiful. “Stay here and don’t make a sound.”
Minho frowned. “What are you—”

Before he could finish, Seungmin pressed him against the wall, his lips crashing onto Minho’s in a heated kiss.

Minho’s gasp of surprise was muffled as Seungmin deepened the kiss, one hand gripping Minho’s waist while the other tugged the neckline of his dress down slightly.

Minho’s breath hitched as Seungmin’s lips trailed to his collarbone, leaving a red mark that stood out against his pale skin. “W-What are you doing?” Minho whispered, his voice shaky.
“Making it believable,” Seungmin murmured against his skin, his tone low and husky.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, drawing closer. Seungmin bit down gently on Minho’s neck, earning a soft moan that made his heart race.
“Keep quiet,” Seungmin whispered, his lips brushing against Minho’s ear.

Footsteps paused outside the door before retreating.

The auction bodyguards—hired first by the auction organizers and then again by the item’s owner—preferred not to make mistakes when dealing with honorable guests, rather than risk embarrassing them while catching potential thieves. So, assuming they had stumbled upon a young couple caught in a passionate moment, the guards moved on.

Once the coast was clear, Seungmin pulled back slightly, his breath ragged. His eyes locked with Minho’s, the intensity of his gaze making Minho’s heart pound.
“You’re insane,” Minho muttered, his cheeks flushed.
“And you’re distracting,” Seungmin shot back, brushing a strand of hair out of Minho’s face. “Now let’s get out of here.”

---

This is the seventh chapter of my fanfic. Welcome and enjoy the show. Let me know if you have any questions about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

The Morning After

Minho woke up to the soft rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains. His head was heavy from the previous night, but as his eyes adjusted to the light, the first thing he noticed was the empty space beside him. His hand instinctively reached out, but the sheets were cold.

“Gone,” Minho muttered to himself, sitting up abruptly. The silence of the room felt deafening, and a pang of annoyance __ and something deeper __ settled in his chest.
He threw on a loose shirt and headed to the main hall, where Yeji greeted him with her usual neutral expression.

“Where’s Seungmin?” Minho asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Yeji raised an eyebrow. “He’s gone on a work trip. Didn’t he tell you?”

Minho’s fists clenched at his sides. “When will he be back?”

Yeji shrugged nonchalantly. “Not sure. Could be days, could be weeks.”

Minho’s jaw tightened. “And I’m supposed to just sit here and wait for him like some pet he left behind?” His voice was laced with anger, and Yeji took a small step back.
“He said you were free to go back to your family if you wanted, as you had already returned the favor,” she added, almost cautiously.

The words felt like a slap in the face. Free to go? Like he was some disposable accessory Seungmin could pick up and put down at will?
Minho’s chest burned with frustration, and without another word, he stormed out of that cage-like place. But deep down he knew __ even though freedom was always something he claimed to want __ now that he had it, he didn’t know why it annoyed him so much.

---

The Lee family mansion loomed over him, its cold grandeur feeling less like home and more like a prison. Minho stepped inside, his face a mask of indifference as the members greeted him.

His Boss __ who was also his grandfather, the head of the Lee mafia __ sat in his usual chair in the study, the scent of cigars heavy in the air. He looked up as Minho entered.

“Minho,” his grandfather said, his tone unreadable. “You’ve returned.”

Minho stood tall, his chin slightly raised. “I’ve failed the mission, Boss. I couldn’t…” His voice faltered, and he quickly composed himself. “I couldn’t kill the heir of the Kim family.”
His grandfather’s eyes softened ever so slightly. “You didn’t fail, Minho. In fact, you succeeded in giving us valuable information. Do you remember the file you sent me about the old Kim’s Legacy?”

Minho nodded, unsure of where this was going.

His grandfather sighed deeply, his expression turning somber. “There’s a history between our families. We weren’t always enemies. In fact, there was a time we were allies—or at least neutral. The old Kim and I had a plan to strengthen our families through an arranged marriage—his son and my daughter, your mother.”

Minho’s eyes widened. “My mother?”

“Yes,” his grandfather continued. “But your mother had other plans. She fell in love with your father and ran away__ already carrying you in her belly. The Kim heir, the one she was supposed to marry, loved her enough to forgive her and even offered to take care of you. But she ran away with your father on the wedding day.

And now I know—the Kim heir followed your mother.

The Kim heir met your mother and father during a dangerous encounter with a rival gang on that day. The rival gangs took advantage of the chaos and killed the Kim heir.

I always thought the Kim heir ran away from his family due to personal reasons. I never imagined he followed your mother. And as you know, when your mother returned to me with you and your father, she didn’t speak about those things. So I never had any idea about this.”

He paused, eyes heavy with regret.

“The Kims were not in the wrong. We not only rejected the marriage they proposed, but also __ our family is the reason for Kim heir's death. That young man was truly gifted at what he did, and the old Kim loved him deeply as his eldest son. So when he got the information of his son’s death, his revenge was understandable.

If I were in his position, I would have done the same.

The old Kim even passed on his position to his younger son after what happened between us. So let it go now, Minho…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “Now I know the truth.”

Minho’s mind raced as he processed the revelation. The Kims weren’t the monsters he’d always believed them to be. And Seungmin…
His grandfather’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Let the past go, Minho. There’s no point in reopening old wounds. Focus on your duties and move forward.”

---

Two Months Later

Minho buried himself in missions, throwing himself into work to drown out the memories of Seungmin. He avoided his beloved niece, afraid his dark mood would affect her. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop thinking about Seungmin.
When he heard that Seungmin had returned, something inside him snapped. Without hesitation, he drove straight to the Kim mansion.

---

When Jeongin found him at the gate, he pulled him in cautiously to ensure no one would recognize him and led Minho quietly into Seungmin’s bedroom.

Seungmin was in the study, speaking with his crew—small in number and already familiar with Minho. So, Minho went straight to the study. Seungmin’s sharp eyes immediately caught sight of Minho, and a smirk tugged at his lips.

“Minho,” Seungmin greeted, his tone almost amused. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Minho didn’t answer. He marched up to Seungmin and punched him square in the jaw. Seungmin stumbled back slightly, his lip splitting open, but his smirk never faltered.

“Missed me that much, sweetheart?” Seungmin teased, wiping the blood from his lip. Minho raised his fist again, but before he could land another punch, Seungmin grabbed both of his wrists, his grip firm yet controlled.

All of Seungmin’s crew vanished, as if they sensed they weren’t needed anymore. Jeongin even sent the other subordinates away from the manor, now that Minho was inside again.

Minho stood frozen in place, his chest heaving after throwing the punch that had split Seungmin’s lip. Blood trickled down the corner of Seungmin’s mouth, but instead of anger, his dark, piercing gaze was filled with something else entirely—amusement, and an intensity that made Minho’s stomach twist in knots.

“What’s wrong, Minho?” Seungmin asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Why are you here?”

Minho struggled against his grip, his frustration boiling over. “Don’t you dare act like you can just push me away and pull me back whenever you feel like it!”

Seungmin’s eyes darkened, and he pushed Minho against the wall, pinning him in place. “I told you, you were free to leave. And yet here you are, running back to me the moment I return. Why is that, sweetheart?”
“Don’t call me that!” Minho snapped, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and something else he couldn’t name. “You don’t get to make decisions for me. If anyone’s going to end this, it’ll be me!”

Seungmin’s gaze softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. “Minho, you’re playing with fire.” He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from Minho’s face.
Minho slapped his hand away, his defiance flaring. “You don’t get to decide what I can handle.”

In a bold move, Minho wrapped his arms around Seungmin’s neck and kissed him, hard and desperate. Seungmin’s eyes widened in surprise before he responded, his hands gripping Minho’s waist as the kiss deepened.

When Minho pulled away to catch his breath, Seungmin smirked, leaning in to bite his earlobe gently. “If you choose this, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice a low growl, “you’re mine. And there’s no leaving unless I say so.”
Minho stared at him, his resolve wavering.

Seungmin didn’t wait for an answer. “Fine,” he said, his tone final. “You’re mine now, and I’m not letting you go.”

Minho’s heart pounded in his chest, unsure of what he had just gotten himself into. Seungmin’s steady, unyielding arms wrapped around Minho as he lifted him effortlessly, cradling him like something precious. Minho stiffened, the unfamiliar vulnerability of the moment twisting in his chest.

“Put me down, Seungmin!” Minho demanded, though his voice lacked its usual sharpness. His hands gripped Seungmin’s shoulders tightly, more out of instinct than resistance.
Seungmin smirked, not slowing his pace as he carried Minho into the dimly lit bedroom. The door clicked shut behind them, sealing the world outside. “You don’t seem like you want me to put you down,” he teased, his voice low and smooth.

Minho flushed, glaring at him. “I do! You’re just—ugh, you’re impossible!”

Seungmin laughed softly, the sound warm and rich. “You’ve told me that before, sweetheart.” He gently lowered Minho onto the edge of the bed, his hands lingering at Minho’s waist as their gazes locked.

The tension in the room was palpable, a crackling electricity that neither of them could deny. Minho’s breath hitched as Seungmin leaned closer, his hand brushing against Minho’s cheek.

“You keep coming back,” Seungmin murmured, his tone soft but heavy with meaning. “No matter how much you say you hate me, you’re always drawn to me.”
Minho’s lips parted, but no words came out. His heart was pounding so loudly that it drowned out any coherent thoughts. “Don’t flatter yourself,” he finally muttered, his voice shaky.

Seungmin’s fingers trailed down to Minho’s jaw, tilting his face upward. “Flatter myself? You’re the one holding on to me like you don’t want me to let go.”

Minho’s hands clenched the fabric of Seungmin’s shirt, his resolve crumbling under the weight of Seungmin’s gaze. “I’m not…” His words faltered as Seungmin’s thumb brushed against his lower lip.
“Tell me to stop,” Seungmin whispered, his voice a mix of challenge and vulnerability. “If you don’t want this, tell me now.”
Minho stared at him, his heart racing. He couldn’t bring himself to say the words, not when every fiber of his being was pulling him closer to Seungmin.

Instead, he closed the distance, his lips crashing against Seungmin’s in a kiss that was desperate and unrestrained. It was a silent answer, one that left no room for doubt.
Seungmin responded instantly, his hands slipping around Minho’s waist and pulling him flush against him. The kiss deepened, growing more heated and urgent with each passing second.

Minho gasped as Seungmin’s lips trailed down to his neck, the sensation sending shivers down his spine. His hands tangled in Seungmin’s hair, pulling him closer as his breath hitched.

“You’re shaking,” Seungmin murmured against his skin, his voice low and teasing. “Nervous, Minho?”
“Shut up,” Minho muttered, his cheeks burning. But he didn’t pull away, his body betraying him as he leaned into Seungmin’s touch.

Seungmin’s hands moved with purpose, sliding down Minho’s back and pulling him onto the bed fully. The shift in position left Minho beneath him, their bodies pressed together in a way that made Minho’s heart race even faster.
“Seungmin…” Minho whispered, his voice barely audible.
Seungmin paused, his dark eyes searching Minho’s face. “Do you trust me?” he asked softly, his tone laced with sincerity.

Minho hesitated for a moment before nodding, his gaze unwavering. “I… I think I do.” A small smile tugged at Seungmin’s lips as he leaned down, his forehead resting against Minho’s. “Then let me take care of you,” he murmured.

Minho’s breath caught in his throat as Seungmin’s lips found his again, this time slower and more deliberate. The kiss was deep and consuming, leaving Minho breathless.
The world outside ceased to exist as they gave in to the moment, their touches growing bolder and more intimate. The soft rustle of fabric and the quiet, stolen gasps filled the room, a symphony of their shared vulnerability.

“Seungmin…” Minho whispered again, his voice trembling with both anticipation and uncertainty.
“I’ve got you,” Seungmin replied, his voice steady and reassuring. His hands moved with care, every touch deliberate and tender, as if he were trying to memorize every inch of Minho.

The night stretched on, their connection deepening with each passing moment. It was a dance of passion and trust, a silent promise between two hearts that had fought so hard against what they now couldn’t deny.

When the morning light began to filter through the curtains, Minho lay curled against Seungmin’s chest, their breaths slow and even.

Seungmin’s hand idly traced patterns along Minho’s back, a small smile playing on his lips.

“You’re mine now,” Seungmin murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Minho didn’t reply, his body relaxing against Seungmin’s as sleep began to claim him. But the faint smile on his lips spoke volumes, a silent acknowledgment of the truth they had both come to accept.

---

This is the eighth chapter of my fanfic. Welcome and enjoy the show. Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

After spending a lovely day together, Seungmin reluctantly releases Minho to his home but under strict surveillance.
Seungmin’s grip on Minho tightened as he escorted him back to his car. Jeongin was stationed discreetly nearby, ensuring Minho’s safety without making it obvious.

“You know this doesn’t mean you’re free,” Seungmin murmured, his tone tinged with possessiveness.

Minho smirked, tilting his head as he looked up at Seungmin. “Do I look like someone who needs to be babysat? I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

Seungmin didn’t respond but leaned in slightly, his voice low. “Just remember, I’ll know if you get yourself into trouble.”

---

Minho returned home with a spring in his step, his happiness so apparent that even his little niece, Hyejin, noticed it.

"Uncle Minho, Uncle Minho, why are you smiling so much today?" Hyejin tilted her head, her small hands clutching a stuffed bunny.
Minho crouched down to her level, pinching her cheek gently. "Because my favorite little person in the whole world is right here."

"Am I really your favorite?" she asked, her big doe eyes lighting up.
"Always," Minho replied, grinning. "But don’t tell your dad; he might get jealous."

Hyejin giggled and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. "You’re the best uncle ever! Don’t leave too much, okay?"
Minho hugged her back tightly, his heart softening. "I’ll do my best, baby bunny. I promise."

---

Back in the world of shadows and power, Minho resumed his mafia responsibilities with calculated precision. His strategic mind and ability to maneuver through delicate situations solidified his role as a key representative of the Lee mafia family.

At a high-profile ball hosted by a powerful ally, Minho became the center of attention. His undeniable charisma drew people of all kinds—wealthy heirs, shrewd businessmen, and even rival gang members.

Seungmin’s crew, including Jeongin and the other two, discreetly deflected some of these admirers as per their orders, but Minho’s reputation as the untouchable "Cheshire Cat" preceded him. He only offered his attention when it served the interests of the Lee mafia.
Minho handled the attention with finesse, but when approached by Seojun, the leader of the Park mafia, his demeanor changed.
“Hello, Lee Minho… or should I say Lee Know,” said Park Seojun.

“I see you’re back in society again,” Minho replied, his tone cool as he sipped his champagne.
“All thanks to you. Be conscious of your surroundings, isn’t that right, baby?” Seojun also sipped his champagne and continued “Do you have any idea about rejoining me again? If you do, I’ll treat you so well that you’ll almost forget everything… and think only of me.”

“You’re persistent, Seo Jun-shi, but my answer is still no,” Minho said.

“You rejected me before too, but you still entertain me,” Seojun replied with a faint smile.
Minho narrowed his eyes. “I’m Lee Minho, cousin of the future Lee mafia leader. I’m loyal to my family and won’t leave for yours just because you think we share something.”

Seojun chuckled lightly, leaning closer. “But we do share something, don’t we? Or have you forgotten that night we spent together?”
Minho hissed, grabbing Seojun’s arm and pulling him into a quieter corner. “Don’t bring that up again, or I’ll personally make sure you regret it.”

Seojun, unfazed, laughed softly. “Ah, Lee Know. How could I forget the way you looked at me that night? Tearful eyes and all. You belong with me—whether you admit it or not.”
Minho’s grip tightened, his jaw clenching, but Seojun smirked and pulled himself free, brushing Minho’s cheek with a kiss before walking away.

---

Reports of Minho’s interaction with Seojun reach Seungmin, igniting a fire of frustration within him. He struggles to contain his emotions as he learns that Seojun is the uncle of his fiancée, making the situation even more complicated.

Late at night, Seungmin reviewed his family business reports, his hands trembling with suppressed anger. His fiancée, noticing his distraction, approached him.

"Seungmin, what’s wrong? You’ve been distant," she asked gently.
He snapped, his voice sharper than intended. "Don’t meddle in matters you don’t understand."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she straightened her posture. "I’m your fiancée. Your family is supposed to be mine too. How can I not care?"

Seungmin’s glare intensified for a moment before he turned away. "Go home. I’ll handle this."

Hurt but resolute, she left, leaving Seungmin alone with his conflicted thoughts.

---

At another grand event, Minho encounters Bang Chan, a former lover and heir to the Bang Law Firm. Their interaction is warm but layered with unresolved emotions.
"So, are you dating someone now, Minho?" Chan asked casually, though the slight tension in his voice betrayed him.
Minho chuckled softly, avoiding eye contact. "Yes. I guess. I hope so."

Chan raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips. "What do you mean, ‘you guess’? You broke up with me one-sidedly, and now you’re in a one-sided relationship again?"

Minho laughed, the sound light but carrying a hint of sorrow.

People around them began to whisper, their gazes darting between the two men.

“Is it true? Lee Minho and Bang Chan dated for five years?”
“Look at the way Chan’s smiling. That’s not just friendly.”
“Minho really is full of poison. To date someone like Bang Chan and leave him? Unbelievable.”

Minho smirked, leaning slightly toward Chan. “You’re still the same, Brother Chan. Always trying to make me laugh effortlessly.”

“And you’re still the same, Minho. Always hiding your feelings… my favorite puzzle to solve,” Chan replied, his tone teasing, but his eyes sincere.

Minho suddenly leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Brother, should we just run away? You can write those sweet, romantic stories you’re so good at, and I’ll act in the movies they become. Just you and me.”

Chan’s smile faltered for a moment before he replied, “The idea’s tempting, but no. I have responsibilities, Minho-yah.”
And without breaking eye contact, Chan continued, “But don’t think for a second that I’ll let you push me away. I’m here for you, whether you like it or not.”

Minho nodded silently, his heart heavier than he cared to admit.

---

Minho may have appeared confident and untouchable at the ball, but deep down, he was grappling with emotions he rarely allowed to surface.
Late at night, alone in his study, he was haunted by the unsettling persistence of Seojun—and burdened by guilt for everything he had done to Bang Chan.

In the quiet of his room, Minho poured himself a glass of wine, staring into its amber depths. His reflection in the glass felt foreign—like a man he didn’t entirely recognize anymore.

“I’m a really bad person... How could I do this to Brother Chan?” he murmured to himself. “He’s right—we’re friends. So… let’s not push him away again, Lee Minho”
The sorrow he felt wasn’t just about a lost romance; it was about a friendship that had stood since he first met Chan at the age of ten. Chan had been his constant. His friend.
Even as Minho tried to repair his mindset by thinking of Chan’s loyalty, the anxiety in his chest refused to fade.

“You’re Lee Minho,” he whispered to himself, repeating it like a mantra. “You don’t get to feel afraid. Don’t worry…”

But the faces of Seojun flashed in his mind, and those haunting words echoed again—
“Tearful eyes…”

Minho clenched his fist, the glass trembling in his grip. No matter how much he shook his head, he heard that voice again and again. His hands dropped the glass, and it shattered on the floor. Minho tried his best to forget the feeling of being trapped in a memory he had worked so hard to erase from his life. After some time, he released a shaky breath and finally stopped trembling.

---

Chan didn’t just see Minho as an ex-lover; he still saw him as someone who held a place in his heart.

After the ball, Chan began to strategize—not to rekindle romance immediately, but to rebuild the trust they once had.

He confided in his closest friend, Seo Changbin:
“Do you think it’s stupid?” Chan asked, swirling his glass of wine.

Changbin raised an eyebrow. “What’s stupid?”

“Trying to make him see that I still care. That I never stopped caring,” Chan admitted, his voice softer now.

“That’s not stupid,” Changbin replied. “But I still think you two aren’t meant to be together. And you know better than anyone—Minho’s not an easy person to love.”
Chan’s jaw tightened. “I know. And that’s why I don’t want to give up on him. I want to be beside him… as long as he lets me stay."

---

Seungmin’s frustration with Seojun begins to morph into a gnawing possessiveness over Minho. Though Seungmin would never admit it aloud, he found himself increasingly irked by the idea of Minho garnering attention from anyone else __ especially someone he couldn’t kill easily.

Even in their mafia world, rumours spread about Minho and Bang Chan’s past, driving Seungmin more insane.

Seungmin reviewed the reports on Minho’s interactions with Seojun late into the night, his anger simmering.
"What’s the history between him and Minho?" Seungmin muttered under his breath, throwing the file onto his desk.

Jeongin hesitated before speaking. "Boss, should I intervene further?"
"No," Seungmin snapped, his tone icy. "Not yet. But keep an eye on him. Every move he makes __ I want to know about it."

---

The next day, Seungmin confronted Minho directly when they met in one of his hotel rooms—his frustration finally bubbling over.
“You let him kiss your cheek?” Seungmin’s voice was low, laced with venom.

Minho raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “How do you hear the news when you’re so busy?” he teased, kissing Seungmin’s cheeks again and again. “It was nothing, Seungmin. He’s all talk and no substance.”

“And what about Bang Chan?” Seungmin's anger had already faded, but he still wanted to tease his boyfriend. He stepped closer, his voice dark. “You let him laugh with you—like you’ve never laughed with me. Everyone’s talking about you two now. About your past.”
Minho’s expression softened slightly. “Is this jealousy, Seungmin? From the heir of the Kim mafia family?”

“Call it what you want,” Seungmin growled. “Just remember where your body lies—and in whose bed.”

Minho turned away, a faint blush covering his face. “Yes, yes... I don’t lose interest so easily, so don’t worry, Seungmin. And—stop talking about others. I can only meet you for a real short time…”
Then Minho leaned in and kissed Seungmin’s lips.

Seungmin laughed into the kiss, lifting Minho in a sudden bridal-style hold and tossing him gently onto the bed.
That night, they made love—filling the room not with secrets or shadows, but with laughter.

---

One evening, Bang Law Firm invited Minho to a secluded café under the guise of discussing business. The setting was intimate, the air heavy with unspoken words.
“Why did you come? By yourself, Brother?” Minho asked Chan, sipping his café latte, his tone guarded.

“Because I wanted to see you,” Chan replied honestly, his gaze unwavering.
Minho scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “You could’ve seen me at the next ball. I came here for my job, Brother Chan. This feels... personal.”

“It is,” Chan admitted. “You’re personal to me, Minho. You always have been.”

Minho looked away, his expression unreadable. “We’re not supposed to talk about those things anymore, Brother. We’re finished.”
“Yes, yes,” Chan countered, leaning forward. “Then let’s talk about business first. And I want you to try the puddings from this café—they’re really good.”
Minho pouted.
“Don’t whine anymore, Minho. Let’s start work,” Chan said.

Minho nodded and continued the business meeting with Chan. He also tasted the puddings Chan had mentioned—and they really were good. Maybe he could buy some more and let Seungmin try them when they met tomorrow.

Minho suddenly felt happy thinking about his date with Seungmin.

Chan glanced around the café, and for a moment, nostalgia washed over him. The world outside faded away.
It was just them—just like it had always been in the past.

---

This is the ninth chapter of my fanfic, welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

Seo Jun Park — a name that struck fear and awe in equal parts across the criminal underworld — was the kind of mafia boss who didn’t need to hide his power. He wore it like a crown of thorns: sharp, undeniable, and bloody. It was whispered in secret corners and shadowed rooms that he supplied weapons not only to rival syndicates, but also to corrupt bodyguard agencies and even a few police precincts that dared to work in the dark. That was the kind of influence he held — untouchable, terrifying, and dangerously seductive.

At that time, Minho — still young, daring, and a little too bold for his own good — wasn’t yet the second-in-command to the Lee Mafia Family. No one knew the full story of his background. Officially, he was just the representative. But inside the family, a few knew the fire burning behind his cold eyes would one day devour their enemies whole.

Minho’s bold move to sabotage a major Park Family weapons deal had flipped the power dynamic in the underground. The Park Family’s influence took a severe blow, their honor trampled underfoot by the distinct strategies of the Lee and Kim Families. That moment was the turning point — and the reason Minho earned his place as second-in-command in the Lee syndicate.

But power moves like that come at a cost.

To get closer to the heart of the Park Family, Minho had taken on a different face — a different name. Lee Know.

He accepted a dangerous job at one of the Park Family’s cover-up businesses: a front company supposedly dealing with weapon repairs and antique military salvage. In truth, it was a key part of their arms trafficking web, where old weapons were cleaned, modified, and sold illegally at high prices to mercenaries, rebels, and corrupt officials.

Lee Know's deep knowledge of weapons — their design, their vulnerabilities, and even their resale value — stunned the Park operatives. He was precise. Cold. Calculated. But not arrogant. It was exactly the kind of man Seo Jun killed of… and desired.

It wasn’t long before the reports reached Seo Jun’s desk.

“There’s this new guy. Purple hair. Silent, but his eyes are sharper than the blade he carries.”

Seo Jun had to meet him. And when he did, it began.
Their relationship was professional — at first.

Lee Know quickly earned his place in Seo Jun’s personal circle after making the Park Family enormous profits. He orchestrated takedowns of rival weapon networks with a kind of brutal elegance — leaving no survivors, no traces, and no witnesses. It was Lee Know who suggested the idea of intercepting and hijacking a shipment belonging to the Saito Syndicate, which earned the Park Family millions overnight and placed him as an irreplaceable member of Seo Jun’s inner crew.

But the turning point wasn’t profit.

It was blood.

On one particularly dangerous arms deal, a betrayal from within nearly cost Seo Jun his life. Trapped and ambushed by rogue mercenaries, bullets flew like rain in a storm.
Seo Jun was cornered — outnumbered. And then, out of the smoke, Lee Know emerged.
He fought like a ghost. Silent. Merciless. Efficient.

He shielded Seo Jun with his own body, took a blade to his side, and still managed to eliminate every threat in that warehouse. Seo Jun stared at him in disbelief, blood dripping from his lips, hand trembling as he touched the wound on Minho’s abdomen.
“Why… would you do that for me?”

Lee Know didn’t answer at first. He merely stood there, breathing heavily, eyes locked on Seo Jun’s.
“Because I needed to make sure the mission succeeded,” he said coldly. But his voice shook ever so slightly.

That night, something in Seo Jun changed.

He wasn’t just interested anymore.

He was obsessed.

Seo Jun liked dangerous things. Beautiful, venomous things. The kind that could kill you with a kiss. And Lee Know was exactly that. Sharp like glass. Quiet like death. Beautiful in a way that made your heart beat __ just before it stopped.

Seo Jun once told him, during a late-night whiskey haze: “You remind me of a beetle flying into fire… Beautiful. Tragic. I want to see how long it takes before you burn.”

Lee Know stared at him through the glass. “And what if I’m the fire, Boss?”

Seo Jun chuckled lowly. His fingers brushed against the rim of his glass. “Then I’ll gladly burn with you.”

There were whispers in the Park Family — that Seo Jun had stopped sleeping with his usual playthings. That he refused other boys in favor of Lee Know. That he had even refused to kill someone who failed a mission… because Lee Know had asked for mercy. But Lee Know didn’t fall for him with weak, attachment-based feelings.
It was complicated.

Like poison mixed in wine. Beautiful to drink. Deadly in the morning.

Seojun liked Lee Know. And yet, he felt drawn in __ like a moth that couldn’t resist the flame, even if it meant death.

Seojun had many young boys he slept around with. He liked to break them down — especially those who came with thorns and poison. He liked them dangerous. He liked the thrill of taming what was meant to stay wild.

When Lee Know finally became sure of what he could do — to take down the Park Family completely — he didn't hesitate. He had already sent the final version of his plan to Jisung and Yongbok, making sure all possible gaps were sealed. Nothing was supposed to go wrong.
But something came up.

That night, Seojun unexpectedly invited Lee Know to his bedroom. It was strange. Everyone knew Seojun reserved his bedroom only for his boys __ the ones who lay obedient under his command. The ones he broke. Not for someone like Lee Know.

As Lee Know stepped into the room, something about the air changed. It was cold, yet dense with tension.

Seojun sat lazily on a black velvet armchair, drink in hand. "Lee Know, come here. Sit down," he said with a smooth tone. "Look at you... That purple hair of yours is fading now. I still remember when we met — it was bold, sharp. I tried so hard to get that color out of my mind."

Lee Know chuckled dryly, crossing his arms. "Maybe I should go with brown next. Something normal. I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention anymore."

"Why didn't you come to the dinner I invited you to last night?" Seojun asked casually.
Lee Know raised a brow. "I respect you as a boss. I don’t think I need to go that far. For what?"

Seojun tilted his head. "Maybe to show loyalty. You don’t know yet, Lee Know… When you get old, you start getting suspicious of everything. Every glance, every smile, every silence."

Lee Know leaned against the wall. "So, you trust your sleeping-around boys more than your real subordinates?" he asked, not hiding his sarcasm.
Seojun laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the dimly lit room. "You're something else, Lee Know. Like a habit I can't quit. I want you by my side… for life. So yes, I test loyalty. Is that wrong?"

Lee Know’s expression sharpened. "About that, boss — I told you clearly before. I don’t do that. I don’t sleep around. I don’t attach either." He took a breath, his voice steady.
"If this continues… I’ll move out. I’ve earned enough in the last two years working under you. I don’t need to stay here anymore."

"Are you sure about that?" Seojun asked, his smile slowly fading.
"I'm more sure than anything," Lee Know replied firmly, not looking away.

Seojun stared at him for a long time before nodding. "Then, for our final night… let’s have a toast. Just one." When Seojun saw Lee Know hestitate, he chuckled. "Ah, you reject so many things from me, Lee Know. But this one — you’ll accept. For our friendship."

They drank. A lot.

Minho, raised in the mafia, was no stranger to alcohol. He could outdrink most men in the room. But tonight, even he began to feel dizzy, his body heating unnaturally from within. His hands trembled slightly. His vision blurred.

That’s when he realized. He had been drugged.
The warmth wasn’t alcohol. It was something else. Something arousing. Something he hadn’t agreed to.
He tried to stand, but Seojun grabbed his face with both hands.

"I told you to stay with me," Seojun whispered. "Why do you keep being so stubborn, Lee Know-yah? I didn’t want to go this far."
Darkness followed.

Park Seo Jun stood over Lee Know, his expression unreadable in the dimly lit room. The storm outside mirrored the chaos inside—lightning flashed across the walls, illuminating the bruises of a love that wasn’t meant to be tender.
“You’re shaking,” Seo Jun whispered, brushing a thumb under Lee Know’s eye, wiping away the tears that hadn’t stopped since the night began.

Lee Know tried to speak, but his voice cracked. Exhaustion weighed on him like chains. He lay back against the silk sheets, his breaths shallow, chest rising and falling too fast.
“I don’t regret this,” Seo Jun murmured against his skin. “Keeping you like this, tied to me … it’s the only way I can breathe. You drive me insane, Lee Know-yah.”
His words were soft—but heavy with obsession. Possessiveness. That kind of love that twisted everything it touched.

Lee Know's eyes fluttered closed, his fingers curling weakly into the sheets. He didn’t answer—his strength had already given out. Seo Jun simply held him, protectively, almost reverently.

“You’ll see,” Seojun whispered into the quiet. “No one else will ever touch you. Cry for me again if you want… but you’re mine.”

And just like that, Lee Know fainted—completely overwhelmed, lost in the chaos of what had just happened. Seojun watched him, brushing hair from his forehead, an almost tender look in his eyes.

When Lee Know woke up, pain shot through his limbs. His body ached in ways that left a dull burn across his skin. He looked around — the Park family manor was unusually quiet. The guards were gone or repositioned.

He blinked.
Did Yongbok and Jisung start the mission of informing authorities earlier than planned?
If so, that was good.

The final blow was already in motion: the Lee Family had sold confidential intel to a major tech company famous for surveillance innovation. The tech allowed customs to monitor illegal shipping activity — smuggled weapons, drugs, anything. Lee Know had made sure that tech was installed and fully functional within the last week. And once it was, the authorities had the perfect weapon: evidence.

The Park family’s shipping empire would be exposed. Their downfall wasn’t just personal anymore. It was public __ and irreversible.

Lee Know — or rather, Lee Minho — smiled weakly, rising to his feet despite the pain screaming through his bones. His body was wrecked, but his spirit wasn’t.
He returned to his roots. Back to the Lee Mafia Family. Back to the core of who he really was.

Flashback ends.

---

Now, Minho sat in his room, replaying the events over and over in his mind. Not just the betrayal. Not just the mission.

But the most recent blow — the shipping scandal. Somehow, that shipment involving both the Lee and Kim families had been caught by authorities, despite all the precautions. The foreign company involved in that deal had been clean… or so they thought.

“Could Seojun be behind it?” Minho whispered, brows furrowing.

If that was true… then even destroying the evident documents of the shipment hadn’t solved the deeper threat.

And these days Seungmin was busier than ever, especially after one of the Kim Family’s construction sites had been exposed for laundering millions. It made too much sense.
He remembered Seojun’s last words to him at the next ball they met again __ sharp and laced with poison: “Kim heir can’t satisfy you, right? Are you also seeing the Bang heir too?
Do you remember Jay… what I did to him when he tried to play around you?

I killed him, Lee Know. He begged me to do it.

You can play with those boys of yours, but I can’t guarantee I won’t touch them.

I’ll send you something… to remind you how much you belong to me.”

And then — the worst part.

He remembered the crash. Chan’s car accident last week. Unconfirmed. No contact. Seungmin’s business in trouble. Was it all connected?

Tin.

A soft notification.

Minho’s hands trembled as he opened the mail.

His blood ran cold. It was a video. That night.

Seojun.

Him.

He had been recorded.

Everything. Every moment of his humiliation — filmed without his consent. His vision went dark for a second as his knees hit the floor.

“Oh my god… I ruined everything,” Minho whispered. His voice cracked, but not from weakness — from rage, grief, and fear. “I… I was so careful…”

His reputation. His future. The heir position. The entire Lee Family’s businesses. Everything could collapse. People would know. The wrong people.
But instead of crying, Minho clenched his fists.

“I won’t let him win,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

His heart raced. He stood up, wiped his face, and reached for his phone.

“I need to meet Seungmin. And Brother Chan. Now.” Whatever Seojun was planning — it had to stop.
And Minho would be the one to end it.

---

This is the tenth chapter of my fanfic, welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

Chan came to the luxurious hotel owned by the Kim family, a place notorious in mafia circles. The lobby reeked of elegance, but beneath it pulsed power and quiet danger. Seungmin was already seated, composed in a crisp suit.
"Hello. Kim family heir?" Chan smiled brightly as he extended his hand.

Seungmin gave a nod and gestured for him to sit. "Bang Chan, no need to be polite between us. Just sit."

Chan lowered himself into the seat. "So, what do you want to know about Minho?"

"You're quite confident that I’d come crawling to you for answers about him," Seungmin said with a raised brow.

Chan smirked. "Isn't that what's happening right now?"

Seungmin exhaled, tapping his fingers on the glass table. "Okay. Just get to the point. I want to know about Park Seojun. What is his relationship with Minho?"

"If you ask me like that... Minho told me Park Seojun was just like any other mafia boss trying to recruit him," Chan answered, cool but cautious.

"Why?" Seungmin interrupted sharply. "It’s so obvious Minho would never join him. He loves his brother and niece too much. I don’t understand those foolish people anymore Minho even saved the Lee family heir when the entire Lee family was under siege. He was only ten at the time, right?"

Chan tilted his head, surprised. "Oh, so you know about Hyejin and Minho’s brother. Not many do. The public narrative is that
Minho was an orphan adopted by the Lee boss, but that’s just to keep the wolves at bay.
Because of Minho's fame... it’s not too surprising that people want to twist the truth."

Chan leaned forward. "Can I ask something, Seungmin? Are you the one Minho’s dating right now?"

Seungmin scoffed. "Yes. We’re dating. That’s why he’s okay with me. It’s crystal clear. Why even ask?"

Chan chuckled. "Ha-ha. Good for you, then. And about Park Seojun ... I don’t think his intentions for Minho were the same as everyone else's. Just like you, Seo Jun was a threat Minho decided to eliminate himself—by going undercover.
Even though we were dating at the time, it was long-distance.
So, I could only check in through his calls and texts. I didn’t know everything."

Chan paused, then added with a nostalgic edge, "After that mission, Minho was promoted as the second-in-command of the Lee family."

Seungmin clenched his jaw. He knew he should be asking more about Seojun... but he couldn’t help it.
"How did you two even start dating? Did you know him that long?"

Chan didn’t hesitate __ he smiled widely and continued. "I’ve known Minho for most of his life. When he and the Lee heir were on the run, they stayed at our family manor.
The Lee family heir __ Minho’s cousin __ is my best friend.
So yeah—we’ve been together through a lot. I don’t think anyone else has been in Minho’s life longer than me."

"We were each other’s first love," Chan said softly, his gaze drifting.
"We almost lost contact when I graduated earlier and moved abroad for business. But Minho… Minho’s always been sweet. When he found out I was leaving, he accepted my confession. Half our relationship was long-distance, but we endured it."

Seungmin didn’t reply. The weight of those words pressed on his chest. Chan noticed. He tilted his head. "Do you know Minho’s favorite gun?"

Seungmin blinked. "Of course. The silver one with engraved initials. He never lets anyone touch it. __ Not even me."

A slow smile tugged at Chan’s lips. "He trained me with that gun. That gun. I was the first person to ever fire it besides him. It was a gift from his parents, and he let me hold it the day we completed our first solo mission. That was Minho’s way of saying, ‘You’re my person.’"

Seungmin tensed.

"We even got left alone on an island once for special training," Chan continued. "Three weeks. Just the two of us. There were no weapons except knives, limited food, and survival tasks. But at night, when the wind howled and we were exhausted..."
Chan’s voice dipped. "He’d lie beside me, quiet and bruised. And even then, when I looked at him under the moonlight... I knew. I was falling deeper and deeper for him. He wasn’t just a partner. He was my home."

Silence fell like a storm cloud. Then, Chan looked at Seungmin squarely. "We almost got married."

Seungmin's hand slammed the table. The loud crack echoed. He leaned in and smiled dangerously. "But still, you’re here alone. And you’re not wearing a ring. I fear."

Chan didn’t flinch. He gave a half-smile. "Minho doesn’t like attachments like marriage. After I proposed, he rejected me.
The next day, he sent a text. Just one line: ‘We’re done.’ Iconic, right?"

"He doesn’t meet exes again and doesn’t even talk to them. I’m the only one he still speaks to."
Chan let his words hang, then added pointedly, "Maybe I was special. Or maybe... it’s just a matter of time before the Young Heir of the Kim family becomes just another ex."

Seungmin didn’t answer. But a flicker of rage sparked behind his calm eyes.

He loved Minho—not just for the thrill or the mafia games—but for who Minho was beneath the scars. He dreamed of marrying Minho someday, building a quiet life away from the bloodshed. And if that meant waiting, Seungmin was willing.
Everyone in his crew knew it. Even in his busy schedule, he always had tabs on Minho—who he met, what time he came home, if he smiled that day.

"You’re engaged to Park Yuna, right?" Chan asked, leaning back. "So why would Park Seojun want to destroy your family business?"

Seungmin replied, coldly now. "According to our sources, after the authorities cracked down on the Park mafia, Park Yuna’s father took over their family business. That triggered a civil war inside their family. That’s why."

Chan’s eyes glittered. "Must be tiring, right? Planning a wedding with all this mess around."

Seungmin smirked. "Don’t worry. The engagement will break soon.
And let me inform you, Bang Heir... whether or not Minho invites you to our wedding, it’s his choice. Not mine."

Chan laughed, but it was empty. "How confident you are. Is it not too early to assume you’ve won the prize, when the lottery hasn’t even begun?"

The tension in the room thickened like smoke. Neither brought weapons. Their crews waited outside. But both of them knew—this was a war.
And Minho was the battlefield.
Minho... unknowingly at the center of two powerful men’s unresolved love.

At that time, Minho arrived, his soft lavender hair glowing under the warm hotel lights. Both men in the room—Chan and Seungmin—gasped.

“You dyed your hair again?” Chan asked with a wide grin, standing up as soon as Minho walked in. “Our Minho... always so bold with colors. But it suits you. You look like a dream.”
Chan stepped forward as if to hug him, arms already reaching out.
Before he could close the distance, Seungmin stood up swiftly and pulled Minho possessively into his chest.

“I missed you,” Seungmin whispered close to Minho’s ear. “Why did you take so long? I hate him. Can I just shoot him?”

“Hey, Seungmin,” Minho said gently, placing a calming hand on his boyfriend’s chest. “Don’t say that. Brother Chan is just teasing. And... I missed you too.”
He leaned up and placed a soft kiss on Seungmin’s cheek. Seungmin finally let go and gave a rare, pleased smile.
He guided Minho to sit beside him, his hand still wrapped around Minho’s waist.

“I need both of your help,” Minho said suddenly, his voice quieter, his eyes looking down at his clasped hands.

“I’ll help.” “I’ll help.”
Both Chan and Seungmin’s voices came in unison, without hesitation. Minho looked up and smiled softly.

“Thank you. I…I want to eliminate Park Seojun... his crew, his business. All of it.”
The air thickened.

“He’s the one who set up the foreign shipping company carrying both Lee and Kim family weapons. And he deliberately let the authorities intercept it.”
Minho’s voice trembled a little, but he kept going.
“When Seungmin’s and my crew destroyed the evidence, he made sure nothing led back to him. He wants to pit the Kim and Lee families against each other. Divide our strength. Break us down.”

“I remember that call,” Seungmin said, his voice suddenly hard. “When we were undercover and heard the line...
‘We didn’t catch both of them, but one got injured. They’ll turn on each other soon.’ That bastard was planning everything.”

Minho nodded. “Exactly. When I last met Seojun, he brought both of you up. I think he’s behind our club being watched, your construction business getting flagged for money laundering... even Brother Chan’s car accident last week.”

Chan leaned forward, concern etched deep in his brows. “What did he want from you, Minho-yah?”
Minho’s voice dropped low. “He wants the Park family to dominate again. And... he wants me to join him.”

Silence filled the room.

“I told him I’ll give him an answer next weekend. I’ll pretend to join him, get all the info, and then we eliminate every last one of them.”

Chan rubbed his chin. “Minho... wiping out a major mafia family will spark serious retaliation. When your brother takes over the Lee family, it’ll create waves that might drown him.”
Minho’s jaw tightened. “Then where were those people when our family was attacked? When the Kim family’s mistake led to our downfall, no one came to save us. Why should we worry about them now?”

Chan answered carefully. “Because they didn’t kill the big boss, and the heir survived. It wasn’t seen as a total collapse. Besides... if you ask Seungmin, he’ll tell you. His grandfather was forced to pass the boss title to his father because of that move. It came with consequences.”

Seungmin now looked Minho in the eye and asked clamly. “Are you sure? Do you actually need to kill him?”
“Yes,” Minho said, this time without a shred of hesitation. “I’m sure.”

Seungmin nodded. “Then do it. Don’t think too much.”

Minho reached out and squeezed Seungmin’s hand. “Thank you.”

“I’ve been watching Park family movements too,” Seungmin added, his voice firm now. “Jeongin says Seojun’s crew is planning a major weapons trade with some foreign organization in 3 months. We don’t have the exact date or place. But if you’re undercover, you’ll be able to find out.”

Chan added calmly, “At that moment, we’ll hit both sides. Our crews will create chaos. We’ll let only one foreigner survive, just enough to feed false rumors. They’ll think it’s a typical betrayal or a gang war. They won’t trace it back to us.”

“I can even start the shootout myself,” Minho whispered. “Make it believable. Risky... but I need this.”

Both men noticed his trembling hands.
Chan placed his hand over Minho’s gently. “You’re not alone. We’ll protect you and your family.”

After some minutes, Seungmin spoke, “Chan-shi, I know you care. But if you don’t mind... can you leave us now? We haven’t had much time together lately.”

Chan smiled understandingly. “Minho-yah, tell Hyejin I’ll send that bunny toy she wanted. Tell her it looks just like her pretty little uncle.”
He waved lightly and left.

The moment the door closed, Seungmin pulled Minho close and sat down with Minho straddling his lap. His fingers trailed down Minho’s spine, lips pressing hot kisses across Minho’s jaw.
“I missed you so much,” Seungmin murmured. “I want to devour you right now.”
He bit into Minho’s neck, making the older gasp.

“Why purple? You look so pretty... but why?”

Minho blinked, breath hitching. “Seojun... last time I worked for him, I had purple hair. So... so I had to look the same to keep up the illusion.”

Seungmin growled against his skin. “You think about everyone but me. What do I do with you, huh?”
He buried his face into Minho’s neck.

“Okay, okay,” Minho chuckled, voice breathy. “Maybe after all this, we can go on a vacation. I’ll follow you... like that time you captured me. Is that okay?”

Seungmin smirked, eyes burning with desire. “Okay. And when that time comes... I’ll make sure you remember exactly who you belong to.”
He bit Minho’s red ear and whispered huskily, “I’ll fuck you for a whole day. Make you pregnant with my child. Is that okay, sweetheart?”

“Yes... yes. Do whatever you want to me... darling,” Minho answered, his voice soft and trembling with anticipation.

Their lips met again, fierce and desperate.
Seungmin lifted Minho in his arms and carried him to the bed. He undressed him slowly, reverently, his hands tracing every inch of Minho’s skin like he was memorizing a sacred map. Minho responded eagerly, his body already heating from Seungmin’s touch.

They took their time—kissing, touching, exploring. Moans echoed softly in the room, breaths mingling in a haze of passion. Seungmin was gentle but possessive, holding Minho close as if he could shield him from the world. And Minho surrendered, giving all of himself without hesitation.

They made love as if they were the only two people left in the world—lost in each other, in their need, in the promise of something more.

Afterward, Minho curled against Seungmin’s chest, legs tangled, his body warm and safe. Seungmin kissed his damp forehead and whispered, “Mine. Only mine.”
Later, as dawn started to break, Seungmin reached for his phone without waking Minho. He dialed a number.

“ Han Jisung,” he said coldly, “I want to know why Minho is so focused on Seojun. I know my relationship with Minho is no secret to your crew. I want answers as soon as possible.”
He hung up without waiting for a response and turned back to Minho.

Seungmin kissed Minho’s forehead and whispered with fierce tenderness, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll protect you from everything. Just sleep tight now. Nothing’s going to hurt you ever again.”

---

This is the tenth chapter of my fanfic, welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

When Lee Minho walked into the Park family manor, his lavender-dyed hair flowed lightly around his sharp jawline. He wore a tight-fitting black outfit that hugged his frame with deadly elegance, and the air turned cold. The towering manor, carved from stone and pride, whispered of old memories and newer betrayals.

And there he was __ the person Minho had wished never to meet again in this life. Park Seojun—sitting casually like he owned the entire damn world. That same smirk curled on his lips __ the one Minho remembered from when he used to work for him.

"You came earlier than I expected," Seojun said smoothly, eyes full of amusement. "Told you, didn’t I? You’d come back to me sooner or later."

"You’re delusional if you think I came for you." Minho replied, his voice icy and firm, though his fingers twitched slightly against his thigh.
"Just get to the point. I want everything about that video—gone. No more hiding it. No more holding it over my head."

Seojun didn’t even look at him. Instead, he stared at the fresh lavender flowers in the vase beside him. “Then, what will you give me in return, baby?”

Minho didn’t flinch. “I left the Lee family under the excuse of a holiday. I’ve cut ties temporarily for this. You’ll get three months. I know your attention span dies faster than your victims’ loyalty. Three months. I’ll be your personal associate again. I’ll help bring your business back from the dead."

He stepped closer, his tone darker, colder. "But I’m not sleeping with you. That’s off-limits. After this, you’ll destroy that video—every copy, every trace—and never record me again. Ever. Understood?”

Minho pulled out a gun—sleek, black, and loaded. A gift from Seungmin himself. He pointed it straight at Seojun's chest.

Seojun tilted his head, amused, unbothered. “You look beautiful and dangerous, Lee Know. I remember how you single-handedly destroyed half my empire. You made me bleed, and yet… I let you walk in here because I still respect you.”

His voice dropped lower, filthier. “About the video… can I keep just one? The one where you were crying and moaning—because I fucked you so good?”
Minho lunged forward, his knuckles colliding with Seojun’s jaw. The crack echoed across the hall.

“Ahh," Seojun groaned, licking the blood from the corner of his mouth. “Still got that fire. Just like I want. You know me too well.”

He wiped his chin and leaned back again, grinning. “Alright. I’ll agree to all your conditions. No sex. But I can’t guarantee what I’ll do with you.
You know I lose interest fast… but not with you, Lee Know. Never with you. I want a year.”
Minho didn’t hesitate. He raised the gun from Seojun’s chest to his forehead.

“Six months,” Minho said coldly. “Take it or leave it. I don’t care.”

Seojun chuckled darkly. “Okay, okay, baby. Don’t be so angry. I’ll take the six months. But you need to stay with me—all the time.”

---

Meanwhile, in a separate safe house…

Han Jisung sat cross-legged with headphones on, lips pursed as he listened to the audio Minho had asked him to record.

“Damn, brother… you’re really playing with fire,” he muttered. “How the hell can someone have the most infamous money-laundering construction mafia heir as a boyfriend—Seungmin—then have the top criminal defense mafia lawyer firm heir as an ex—Bang Chan—and now, the most dangerous weapons mafia boss, Park Seojun, obsessed with him enough to forgive everything and agree to six months so easily”

Jisung tore the headphones off and tossed them onto the table.

“Yongbok-ah,” he called, eyes sharp. “Brother asked you to follow Seungmin for his safety, right? Got anything new?”

Yongbok, eyes still glued to the screen streaming from Minho’s bodycam, replied, “No. But according to Hyunjinnie, Seungmin’s swamped.
He's cutting ties with the Kim family on paper for that investigation thing, and I think he’s preparing for something big. My gut says he wants to be there when the Park family falls—to help Brother Minho.”

Jisung tilted his head. “Didn’t Brother Minho tell Seungmin not to come that day? Said he only needed Seungmin’s crew.”

Yongbok nodded. “Yup. That’s why Brother went to Brother Chan. Asked him to follow and protect Seungmin that day—even if Seungmin tried to join the fight.”

Jisung leaned back in thought. “What about Brother Chan? Did he act weird?”

“Not really. But this time he asked Brother Minho for a favor. And Brother agreed too easily. That’s weird.”

Jisung looked at Yongbok seriously. “Tell me, honestly. Brother Minho asked you to be with him that day. What do you think are his chances?”

Yongbok’s gaze darkened. “High. Still higher than most… but I’m scared.
Last time I wasn’t with him. But I know Park Seojun won’t let him go easy this time. Brother Minho told me to stay back and protect Brother Minhyuk, but I insisted I’ll go. To raise his survival chance. At least a little.”

Jisung hesitated before asking, “And… what about love? Do you think Brother Minho loves Seungmin? Or Brother Chan?”

Yongbok's eyes sparkled despite the tension. “Seungmin. 100%. I’ve watched them for so long. Seungmin was touch-averse with everyone—but with brother Minho? He’s like a clingy golden retriever. Hugs, kisses, constant soft looks. Like he’s holding onto the most precious thing in the world.”

“You remember the foreign shipping company mission?” Yongbok smiled. “Me and Hyunjin agreed—they looked like a couple married for a hundred years. They didn’t even need to speak. One glance and they knew.”

He chuckled at the memory. “Brother Minho usually hates jealousy. Doesn’t tolerate possessiveness. But with Seungmin? He lets it happen. Encourages it, even.”

Yongbok even talked Jisung about those two love birds’ date in the park, enthusiastually sharing what he saw and heard __ just like talking to a friend about a movie he watched last night.

It was a quiet morning when they visited the park. Minho, twirling his iced coffee, sighed dramatically.

“Oooh… I should’ve gotten myself an older boyfriend,” Minho teased, squinting at a nearby cat café. “Then I could spend all day cuddling kittens, showing off how sweet I am. But instead, I’m here in a park. Walking a dog.”

Seungmin glanced sideways. “Sweetheart, are you calling me a dog?”

“Yes,” Minho said, deadpan. “A real bad dog.”

Seungmin grabbed Minho’s hand with mock offense. “You brat. I should bite you.”

Minho leaned closer, a playful smirk on his lips. “Try. I might like it.”
Seungmin flushed. “You’re insane.”

Minho’s voice softened as they sat on a bench. “Still… I like this. I don’t need cats when I have you.”

Seungmin rested his head on Minho’s shoulder. “So I’m enough?”
“You’re enough,” Minho whispered, kissing the top of his head.

---

“When I asked Brother why he’s so different with Seungmin,” Yongbok continued, “he said, ‘When you get a younger boyfriend, you’ll understand. You just want to spoil him with everything you have.’”

Jisung nodded thoughtfully. “Brother Minho never gave that kind of time or attention to anyone. Not even Brother Chan…
but Brother Chan gave all that to Brother Minho, so, that doesn’t count.
But Brother Minho didn’t give too much of his time to his other exes, right? He even asked you to follow Seungmin. Yes, Seeing it this way, He’s become different”

Yongbok laughed. “Funny thing? Brother Minho thinks Seungmin is like a clingy puppy. But I think he’s more like a Dobermann. He bites. He destroys. More dangerous than Brother Minho in full Lee Know mode.”

Jisung’s head shot up. “Why do you say that?”

Yongbok leaned in. “Brother Minho showed me the bullet bruise Seungmin gave him. He said Seungmin deliberately missed a vital spot on his shoulder by just one centimeter. If that vital area had been hit, it would’ve been hard to even hold a gun. And one of Seungmin’s hands was bleeding too when he shot Brother Minho. You know, Brother Minho’s skills __ I wasn’t there, but he told me he could only land one dagger wound on Seungmin. And, now it’s healed like it never happened.”

Jisung whistled. “So his skills are better than Brother Chan’s?”

“No doubt,” Yongbok said seriously.

“And they love each other?” Jisung asked.

Yongbok hesitated, then smiled softly. “Love’s a strong word. But they’re closer than anyone else Brother ever dated. Closer than love, maybe.”
Jisung looked down at his phone. “Then I need to tell him.”

---

Seungmin was in his office, the moonlight slanting through the window blinds, when his phone lit up. A text from Han Jisung. Urgent.

Han Jisung:
Seungmin… listen, I didn’t want to worry you but I think you need to know this __ for our brother.

There’s a deeper reason Brother Minho keeps saying he wants to kill Park Seojun. I just confirmed—Brother Minho was secretly recorded when… when they were together before. It wasn’t just blackmail. That bastard recorded him during sex. Without his consent.

And I’m afraid this time, Brother Minho might be walking straight into hell just to end it with his own hands.

Seungmin's breath caught. His chest tightened as the words blurred in front of him. His fist clenched around the phone.
That explained everything.
All the nights Minho trembled in his sleep. All the times he deflected when asked about Seojun. The way he refused to let Seungmin near him in the days leading up to this mission. His desperate need to destroy Seojun—not just as an enemy, but as a tormentor.

Minho wasn’t just chasing revenge.

He was bleeding silently. And Seungmin hadn’t seen it soon enough.

“No wonder…” Seungmin whispered, his jaw locking. “No wonder he kept saying he needed to be the one to kill him.”

He stared at the screen, rage boiling in his veins. "That old bastard..." he hissed, the words venomous.

He threw the phone across the table and stood, gripping the edge of his desk so hard the veins in his forearms showed.
“I promised to stay back. I told myself I’d honor his plan.”

His voice cracked, but only for a second. Then it sharpened like steel.
“But no. Not anymore.”
“That monster will die by my hands. No one touches Minho like that and walks away breathing. This time, that son of a bitch dies—by Kim Seungmin’s bullet.”

---

At the Park Manor – Inside the Lion’s Den

“Lee Know,” a servant knocked gently on the guest room door. “Boss asked you to come to his study again.”

Minho opened the door with a cold, unreadable face. His expression had grown more mechanical over the last few days. Polished. Hardened.

He followed the hallways with silent footsteps. Every turn of the corridor felt like walking deeper into a cage—one he willingly stepped into. One he had to survive in for now.
These days, Seojun had kept his promise.

No force. No assault. But he would wrap his arms around Minho’s waist like he owned him. He would kiss him with practiced ease and arrogance. The kind of touch that made Minho feel like dirt under glass—visible, trapped, and disposable.

Minho hated him.

But he couldn’t move.

Not until the videos were gone.

Tonight was no different. Seojun was sitting on his leather chair, glass of bourbon in hand, eyes gleaming as Minho entered. “You’ve been good lately,” he said lazily, tilting his head. “Almost makes me want to keep you longer than six months.”

Minho didn’t answer. He approached slowly, eyes dull, body trained.

Seojun grinned wider. “I always did love it when you got quiet like this.”

Then Minho sank to his knees in front of him, gaze distant, as Seojun leaned back with smug satisfaction.

It wasn’t about desire. It wasn’t about loyalty.

It was survival. Control. Strategy.

Minho closed his eyes.

He needed Seojun to lower his guard again.
To think he had won.
That night passed with no violence. Just quiet humiliation. Just enough to buy another day closer to Minho’s goal.

---

That Same Night – The Turn of the Tide

Minho stared at the map spread out in front of him in the guest room. His hands didn’t tremble.

Finally. He had it.

The location for the upcoming weapon trade port.

The exact date, time, and route.
The name of the key men.
And most importantly…

The hidden basement where all of Seojun’s sex recordings were kept. Minho closed the files slowly, then exhaled through clenched teeth.
“This is it.”

“I’m going to kill you with my own hands, Park Seojun.”

“And then I’ll erase every trace of what you did to me.”

He pressed his hand over his chest. The bruises of the past still echoed inside his body, but he would not let them define him.

This wasn’t just revenge anymore.

It was purification. Freedom.

And if he died trying—
He would die on his own terms.

---

That day came earlier than any of them expected. The air was unnaturally heavy, like the universe itself was holding its breath. Minho double-checked everything with Jisung and Yongbok one last time before the chaos. Every second mattered now.

Yongbok needed to be inside that warehouse with Minho — they had to make sure that man died, no exceptions. Han Jisung, on the other hand, had to stay in the Lee Mafia Manor. His job was just as vital — to be seen by witnesses, to ensure there was enough evidence that Minho never left the manor. If things backfired, they needed proof Minho had been nowhere near the fight.

Minho’s crew were disguised on both sides, hidden in strategic positions, joined by Chan and Seungmin’s men. They were ready to rain hell from both directions — not with snipers, that would be too obvious — but with close-range execution, to mimic a brutal betrayal between two powerful crime families. One wrong move and everything would fall on the Lee family, something Minho was trying to avoid at all costs.

To protect the identity of the Kim Mafia family, Hyunjin and Jeongin were masked too, their faces hidden behind black war masks — faceless shadows in the chaos.

Meanwhile, Jisung had another mission — to burn down the Park family manor. Burn it to the ground, until no legacy remained. This wasn’t a side task. This was a direct order from Seungmin himself. And it wasn’t even the biggest task Seungmin had given Jisung. That one was yet to come.

The exchange began.

Everything moved smoothly until Minho noticed something…off.

He didn’t expect Park Seojun and the foreign leader to look so… familiar. Too familiar. Like they weren’t just doing business. Like they knew each other.

Could it be their first exchange? Minho doubted it. The tension was thick. The way they nodded. The way their eyes scanned the area like old wolves sniffing for betrayal. A spark needed to be lit — fast — before suspicion landed on the wrong people.

Fortunately, Minho had Seungmin’s help. Earlier, Hyunjin had taken care of the currency exchange — swapping some of the real foreign cash with high-quality counterfeit. That’s why Minho had the confidence to step forward now.

Minho gave Yongbok a sharp look from across the warehouse floor. Yongbok, with his short black hair and hidden among Seojun’s crew, gave a subtle nod back.
Minho moved closer to Park Seojun and leaned in quietly.

“Boss… I’ve got some doubts,” he whispered. “The cash might be fake. Some of it looks like paper.”

Seojun’s jaw tightened but he smiled wide for the foreigners, pretending nothing was wrong.

“Sorry, gentlemen,” he said smoothly. “Minor issue in the manor. Would you excuse me a moment?”

He followed Minho to a more secluded corner.
“What do you mean paper?” Seojun snapped, voice low and sharp. His eyes burned.

Minho didn’t flinch.
“Look over there. See the man guarding the cash? He’s stone-cold. But the boy behind him, shaking like hell. And that money—” Minho pointed subtly. “I’ve moved too many drugs to count, but this? This isn’t real. I can smell it.”

Seojun’s brows furrowed. “You better be right.”

“You need to believe me,” Minho said, his tone steady but urgent. “If we make the wrong move, we don’t get a second chance.”

Seojun gave a slight signal, and Minho moved to check the cash. On the other side, the foreigner sent his man to inspect the weapon crates. They were going to find broken guns too — courtesy of Minho and Yongbok who had swapped them out the night before.

Minho walked straight to the cash stack, his fingers brushing over the top layer. Then he grabbed one note, crushed it between his fingers, and raised it high in the air.
A slight breeze caught the edge. Paper.

Not currency. Not even close.

Seojun’s eyes narrowed. His rage snapped.

The warehouse erupted.

Seojun’s gun was the first to fire, aimed straight at the foreigners. “Bastards! You think you can cheat me?!”
The foreign leader cursed, drawing his own weapon.
In a matter of seconds, bullets flew. Bodies fell. The sound of war echoed through the dark, metallic air.

Minho’s crew, Chan’s men, Seungmin’s hidden assassins — they all sprang into action, disguised as members of both crime families. They killed everyone in sight. No mercy. They had to make it look real. Brutal. Unforgivable.

No one could know they were puppeteers behind the bloodbath.

Minho moved with sharp precision, his eyes everywhere. During the fight Minho caught Yongbok sneaking behind the foreign leader. A clean shot. A silent death.
But Seojun turned at the last second, and his eyes locked on something that made his stomach twist.

He looked around.

Faces he didn’t know. Movements too clean. Too calculated.

And then — he saw Minho again.

“Lee Minho,” Seojun whispered, realization dawning like a nightmare. “You again…”

He stormed forward, killing a man in his path, his gun aimed now at Minho.
Minho turned, already aware of Seojun’s wrath.

It was too late to run.

A shot rang out.

Minho’s right hand exploded in pain as a bullet tore through it, fired by one of Seojun’s most trusted guards.

“Shit,” Minho gasped, stumbling back, gripping his bleeding arm. He couldn’t waste another second. He aimed left-handed and fired straight into the man’s heart.
And then—
Another shot.

Seojun screamed as a sniper bullet tore into his shoulder.

Minho’s eyes darted upward.

“Chan?! Why is he here—?!”
He scanned the chaos, desperate for Seungmin’s face.

Before he could think more, Seojun's hand wrapped around his throat with the chain whip and slammed him to the floor.
“You’re a damn monster,” Seojun hissed. “Planned this whole thing, didn’t you?”

He twisted Minho’s already-shot hand.

“Now I’ll break you so badly you’ll never harm me again, baby.”

“AHH—!” Minho cried out, the pain blinding.

Minho rolled and kicked, his foot slamming into Seojun’s face. Blood spattered. A crack echoed. He grabbed his dagger and swung.
The blade pierced Seojun’s shoulder, but the man was stronger, fueled by fury. Blood poured, but he kept coming.

Seojun punched Minho down and reclaimed the gun he had thrown earlier.
Minho was dazed, barely able to see through the haze of red and pain.

Seojun stood over him.
“I destroy the things I can’t own. So let me end you, Lee Know.”

Minho’s thoughts blurred.
Is this how I die? Please, let everyone be safe. Let Seungmin… live.
But then—

Five gunshots tore through the air.

Minho felt something warm splash across his face.
Blood. But not his.

His eyes widened as the body collapsed.
Seojun was dead.

Minho looked up, trembling, and saw Seungmin — stumbling, bleeding, and barely standing.
Bang Chan lowered the sniper rifle on the upper level.

He had taken the three shots that ended Seojun’s life.

But Seungmin…
Minho screamed.
Seungmin had taken the shot meant for Minho.

The blood pouring wasn’t Seojun’s.

It was Seungmin’s.

Minho pulled Seungmin to him, caught him in his arms as his knees hit the ground.

“SEUNGMIN! Hey ! SEUNGMIN
SEUNGMIN Please—Please stay with me! SEUNGMIN!”

Seungmin coughed, the blood staining his lips. His body trembled. The ring box in his pocket had snapped open during the fall. A silver ring now glinted crimson.

Seungmin felt like his whole body was floating.

When he saw Minho almost get shot, he ran straight to him and held him tightly, shielding his body __ which led to him taking both shots from Park Seojun.
The bullets were meant to kill his love.

He even felt like his mouth was full of his own blood.

Seungmin looked up at Minho who held him tightly, eyes full of tears, screaming like he was losing his whole life.
Seungmin regretted it.
If he had known something happening to him would make Minho this sad, he would’ve been more careful. He would’ve remembered to wear his bulletproof vest.

If he had known he loved Minho this much… he would’ve run away with him. He would’ve chosen Minho over everything. He would’ve dropped the empire. He would’ve picked the cats… and the big puppy. The house he found for them. Minho doesn’t even know yet.
And most importantly he hadn’t even proposed to Minho yet.

If God exists… take anything from me. Anything. Just don’t let Minho cry like that. Not like this.

Minho sobbed, his voice cracking, holding Seungmin’s broken body tighter and tighter.

“Don’t leave me,” Minho begged. “Seungmin… don’t die. Please. Don’t die. I love you. I love you, do you hear me?!”
Seungmin could no longer think.

But Minho’s voice filled his whole world.
It was the last thing he heard. The last thing he remembered.

---

This is the twelfth chapter of my fanfic. Welcome and enjoy the show. Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

After Minho called Seungmin’s name countless times, his voice hoarse and his throat burning, most of the team members from both the Park family and the foreign group had already been defeated. The air smelled of blood, sweat, and gunpowder. His hands were shaking—not just from pain, but from the cold fear clutching his heart.

At that moment, Han Jisung arrived at the warehouse, breathless, surrounded by some of Minho’s crew. His eyes darted around the battlefield, quickly assessing the situation. He rushed toward Minho, urgency thick in his voice.

“Brother, we need to get out now!” Jisung shouted, his voice cracking. “Seungmin and I—we planted bombs all over this warehouse. It’s going to blow soon!”
Minho’s eyes widened in panic.
“Jisung… Jisung, save Seungmin!” he begged, gripping Seungmin’s blood-stained body in his arms, unwilling to let go.

Jisung and Yongbok dragged both Minho and Seungmin out of the warehouse, Minho’s legs trembling, his face twisted in agony. The moment their bodies cleared the exit, the ground shook beneath their feet.

A thunderous explosion ripped through the air, engulfing the warehouse in a wave of fire and dust—ensuring the complete destruction of the Park family and the foreign group. Smoke curled up into the sky like the final curtain falling on a deadly play.

Minho stumbled, his vision blurring, his body in tatters. He looked worse than anyone. Blood soaked through his clothes. If Seungmin hadn’t been in critical condition with a bullet lodged near his vital organs, Minho would’ve been rushed to emergency care himself—his right hand had been shot and broken, his neck bruised and strained from Seojun’s chain, and every inch of him screamed in agony.

When they reached the car, Hyunjin rushed forward, eyes wide, voice trembling. “Minho, give him to me. We have to take Seungmin to the Kim family’s private hospital. He won’t survive another second like this.”
Minho clutched Seungmin tighter, blood now mixing with sweat and tears. “I… I can’t let him go,” he choked. “He’s… he’s all I have left.”

Despite the urgency, Minho didn’t faint. Not yet. He was holding on—for Seungmin. For the tiniest thread of hope.

“Why?” Minho turned to Jisung, his voice shaking. “Why were Seungmin and Chan there? I told them to stay out. Why the hell didn’t anyone listen to me?!”
Jisung clenched his jaw.
“Because Seungmin planned this. He told me everything—about the bombs, the authorities, setting things up so it looked like the Park and foreign families destroyed each other.
He… he wanted to protect you, brother. He didn’t want your name—or the Lee family’s—dragged into this.”

Minho’s vision blurred again. He turned slowly to Chan, who stood beside Hyunjin with a bruised face, his expression heavy with guilt.

“I told you to cover him!” Minho shouted, his voice breaking. “How could this happen?!”
Chan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he knelt beside Minho, brushing a hand gently over his bloodied arm.

“I know,” Chan whispered. “I know I failed. I was fighting Seojun’s left-hand man... it got messy. I didn’t reach him in time. I’m sorry. This is all my fault, Minho. Please… don’t cry anymore.”
Minho cried harder, his body trembling as he cradled Seungmin like something precious and fragile. “It’s my fault… It’s all my fault. I should’ve told him more. I should’ve warned him. What do I do now?!”

Hyunjin stepped in, his tone firm but careful. “Minho, listen. You need to go to the hospital too, but not with us. If you’re seen with Seungmin and they trace you back to this, it’ll confirm both the Lee and Kim families were involved. That could risk every single member of Seungmin’s family. This has to stay secret.”

“No.” Minho’s voice was sharp, wounded. “No, I’m not leaving him.”

“Minho, please look at me.” Chan grabbed his shoulder tightly.
“Seungmin isn’t weak. You know better than anyone—he’ll fight. And he wouldn’t want his family getting killed because of him. If you go with them, you’ll be the reason he falls too. Is that what you want?”
Minho shook his head violently, tears spilling over.

“Yongbok will go with them,” Chan added quickly. “We’ll wire a voice connection through him—you’ll hear everything. Every update on Seungmin’s condition. You’ll be there, even if not physically. Please, Minho. You’re losing too much blood.”

Minho bit his lower lip until it bled. His arms trembled as he slowly—painfully—let go of Seungmin’s hand, the one he’d been holding like a lifeline.
He turned to Hyunjin, desperation pouring from his eyes. “Please… I beg you. Save him. This is all because of me. Please… don’t let him die.”

Hyunjin nodded solemnly. “I’ll do everything I can. I swear to you.”

“Brother,” Yongbok whispered, voice tight with emotion. “I’ll protect him. I swear. I’ll stay by his side until you can come. I promise.”
And with that, Jisung, Chan, and Minho got into a different car. As the engine started, Minho’s body finally gave out. His head dropped onto Chan’s shoulder, and the world faded into black.

---

Two days later

Minho woke up.

His eyes fluttered open slowly, the white ceiling above him spinning. Pain jolted through his arm and neck—but that wasn’t what made his breath catch. He turned his head sharply.

“Where’s Seungmin?” he asked hoarsely.
Chan, who had been sitting silently at his bedside, leaned forward.

“He’s… alive, Minho. Barely. The surgery was successful, but… he hasn’t regained consciousness. He’s in a coma.”

Minho tried to sit up but was overwhelmed by pain. He grabbed his head and cried into his hands, shoulders trembling.
“I did this to him… I made the person I love suffer like this…”

Chan gently took Minho’s uninjured hand. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. None of us did.”
Minho looked up, his eyes red and tired. “Does Grandpa know?”

“No,” Chan replied firmly.
“I told Minhyuk. He covered everything. Your grandpa thinks we’re in Australia now—officially. No one can trace us. Just… focus on healing.”

“I want to see him,” Minho said, his voice burning with desperation.

“It’s not a good idea,” Chan warned. “If Seungmin’s father recognizes you… it could start a war. The Kim family told everyone Seungmin’s in China for a construction project. Even Jeongin was sent there to sell the story. They’re covering everything for him.”
“They’re lying… to protect him,” Minho whispered.

Chan nodded. “Because Seungmin made sure of it. He told his father the Park family had to be destroyed. That the weapon shipment and the fake inspection—everything was their fault. Not a word about you.”
Minho’s voice broke. “Brother… I need to see him. I’m going to die if I don’t. I can’t breathe like this. Please… please, I’m begging you…”

Chan stared at him for a long moment—at this broken version of Minho he’d never seen before.

Finally, Chan let out a deep sigh. “Okay. I’ll talk to Hyunjin and Yongbok. We’ll get you into the hospital, disguised as one of their assistants. You’ll get to visit him… even just for a few minutes.”
Minho’s eyes filled with tears again. “Thank you… brother.”

---

Minho even found that Seungmin was not like him—an only child who had only his grandfather and cousin brother.
Seungmin’s life was warmer, fuller… lived in the light Minho had only watched from the shadows.

Every day, Seungmin’s mother came to see him. She would sit by his bed and hold his hand gently, whispering stories from his childhood—about his first birthday, how he hated raw octopus, how he once tried to climb the tree outside their house just to get his sister’s kite back. Her voice always trembled. Her eyes always shimmered with tears.

And it wasn’t just her.

Seungmin’s sister arrived with her husband and little son almost every day. His young nephew, too innocent to grasp the gravity of the situation, would pat Seungmin’s leg and say things like, “Uncle Min, wake up. I miss your stories.”

Even Seungmin’s father, the feared head of the Kim mafia, would quietly visit at night. Sometimes, he just sat in the corner, silently watching over his son, his usually cold eyes filled with stormy grief.

They all came. They all cried. They all loved him. They were a family—an unbreakable circle of warmth, standing guard around a boy they couldn’t bear to lose.

Minho stood in the hallway sometimes, hidden behind a glass wall, watching them from afar.
And he felt horrible.

“I made those people cry… all of them... for what?” Minho whispered to himself bitterly one night, alone on the rooftop of the hospital, gripping the cold railing like it could stop him from drowning.
“All for one moment of love… all because I was selfish. If I never asked for Seungmin’s help, he wouldn’t be hurt like this. He’d be safe. He’d be smiling with his family. He wouldn’t be lying in that bed, pale and still, like death’s already claimed him.”

His chest ached like it was tearing from the inside.

“If I’d just rejected him from the start… if I didn’t let myself fall for him… maybe he’d still be happy. Not trapped between death and life. And I was blame for all of this.”

---

One night, Minho sat beside Seungmin again, their room filled only with the faint beep of machines and the sterile scent of antiseptic.

His fingers brushed against Seungmin’s—still cold, still unmoving.

“Seungmin,” he whispered, voice trembling. “If you don’t wake up now… I’ll kill myself. Don’t test me. I can die so easily, you know that.”

He gave a shaky laugh, trying to sound teasing, trying to mask the despair breaking him apart.
“If you don’t want to wake up alone, then… wake up now, damn it,” Minho added, resting his forehead on their joined hands.

His tears slipped down silently, one by one, and landed on Seungmin’s hand.

And then—

Seungmin’s fingers twitched.

Slowly, shakily, they moved.
And wiped away Minho’s tears.

Minho froze, breath caught in his throat.

“You’re going to die?” Seungmin’s voice came out rough, weak, but clear. “Who allowed you to die, huh?”
He opened his eyes, blinking slowly, and added with a ghost of his usual sass, “If I didn’t tell you, you’re mine. You can only die when I allow you to.”

Minho’s eyes widened, overflowing. “Seungmin… are you… awake? You remember me?”

Seungmin turned his head slightly and gave a soft, broken smile. “I only slept for a few days, right? Why would I forget about my wife?”

“You were sleeping almost two months now!” Minho yelled, half-laughing and half-crying as he smacked Seungmin’s chest in frustration.

“Ah, ah! Sweetheart, it hurts!” Seungmin shouted, wincing dramatically.

“Sorry, sorry!” Minho immediately softened. He cradled Seungmin’s face with shaking hands. “God really gave me a second chance. You’re awake now… that’s all that matters. Everything’s fine now.”

Minho fell into Seungmin’s arms, holding him tightly, sobbing into his shoulder.

“Hey, hey,” Seungmin murmured, running a hand through Minho’s hair gently. “Don’t cry anymore, okay? You’ve cried too much. Like a whole ten years’ worth of tears… that’s enough.
I’m alive. I’m here. So don’t cry anymore.”

That night, they lay together on Seungmin’s bed.

Minho tucked into Seungmin’s side, refusing to let go.

Seungmin whispered, “Call the doctor only in the morning, okay? Just… let me have this night with you. Just us.”

And Minho nodded. Because he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him, not even for a second.

---

Later, weeks after Seungmin’s recovery…

“Ohh—mmph!”

Minho was being dragged—someone just a bit taller than him had suddenly clamped a hand over his mouth.

It was the middle of the night, inside the Lee family’s nightclub and bar, near his own reserved floor. Minho instinctively twisted the hand away and spun around to face his attacker—
“Ah, ah! Sweetheart, be gentle—it’s your husband!” Seungmin grinned, raising both hands in playful surrender.

“Seungmin?! Why are you here?” Minho gasped, eyes wide in disbelief.

Without thinking, he grabbed Seungmin’s wrist and pulled him up the private stairs to the upper floor—only the Lee family and his personal crew were allowed there. He marched Seungmin into his office, slammed the door shut, and locked it behind them.

“What are you doing here?” Minho asked again, eyes scanning Seungmin up and down anxiously. “Is your body okay? How is it? Is there anywhere you feel pain?”
“No,” Seungmin said softly, smiling. “But if you’re so worried… why didn’t you come visit me, huh? I waited. So long… so long.”

Minho paused, guilt crashing over him like a wave.
“Of course I wanted to see you,” Minho said, brushing a hand gently against Seungmin’s cheek. “I love you so much. But how could I show up there and say, ‘Hello, Mother-in-law, Father-in-law… I’m here for my husband’? They’d never believe me. I don’t have your daughter, remember?”

He let out a bitter laugh. “And what about your fiancée? If she finds me, what am I supposed to say? ‘Husband,’ you answered… What should I do?”

Seungmin burst into laughter, the sound rich and full of love. “You’re unbelievable! I also love you too much. What should I do with you, huh?” He pulled Minho into a deep, hard kiss—one filled with longing, heat, and the ache of time lost.

Minho kissed him back, then whispered against Seungmin’s lips, “The feeling’s mutual. So don’t think too much. Just stay in this moment with me… okay?”

They stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms. In that office, under dim lights and the weight of everything they’d survived, Minho and Seungmin held onto each other like the world outside didn’t exist.

Seungmin said, “Sweetheart, are you always like this? I can’t believe you’re this kind of person… if I knew, I wouldn’t have come here,” he whined again like a big husky, his tall frame leaning forward and resting his head gently against Minho’s chest.
Minho chuckled lightly, wrapping his arms around him. “What? What did I do now? Just tell me what you want.”

“You forgot,” Seungmin pouted. “I’m as good as a newborn baby now. You promised me… a vacation.
You said once I recovered, we’d go away. Just the two of us.” He sniffled, voice softer now. “You forgot already, didn’t you?”

“Ah... ah—” Minho teased, dragging out the syllables just to see that little pout deepen.

“You forgot,” Seungmin repeated, nudging his head into Minho’s chest more insistently.
Minho grinned and pulled back to look him in the eye. “No, I didn’t forget. I was teasing you,” he said, brushing his fingers through Seungmin’s hair lovingly. “Go ask Yongbokkie—I’ve been preparing everything. That’s why I’ve been so busy lately. I finished all my jobs. I’m ready whenever you want to go. Wherever you want, Darling.”

Seungmin’s face lit up like a child given a candy castle. He laughed happily, arms tightening around Minho’s waist. “Do you have important work tonight too?”
Minho shook his head. “No. Why?”

Seungmin leaned in closer, eyes locking with Minho’s—deep, hungry, tender. “Then I miss you too much. I can’t wait anymore.”

He didn’t wait for a reply. Seungmin kissed him so hard, it felt like he was trying to swallow Minho’s soul. His lips were greedy, warm, and demanding—Minho melted instantly, hands clutching at the back of Seungmin’s shirt as he let himself fall into the kiss, into the person he loved more than anything else in the world.

They made love in Minho’s office that night.

The desk, once covered in documents and guns, became a stage for whispered confessions and breathless moans. Seungmin was taller, stronger, and younger, but he always carried Minho as if he were the most delicate treasure.

Minho clung to him, gasping softly as Seungmin’s lips roamed over his neck and collarbones, leaving trails of heat.
“You’re so greedy…” he whispered, cheeks flushed pink. “You act like I’ll disappear.”

Seungmin smirked, pinning Minho’s wrists to the soft leather of the couch behind them. “You will if I don’t mark you enough. You tease me like a brat, but you like this, don’t you?”

Minho turned his head shyly, lips parted but unable to deny it. “I… I just want to spoil you. You’re younger, so…”
“So I should be gentle?” Seungmin asked with a wicked glint in his eyes. “Too late, sweetheart. Tonight, you’re mine.”

Minho could only moan, overwhelmed with affection, surrendering to his younger boyfriend’s dominance like a flower folding under moonlight. The room echoed with their whispers, their laughter, and the rustle of stolen time. Even when Minho teased, he did it to see Seungmin smile—because he would give anything to make him smile.

Later, they lay together under the dim light of the office lamp. Seungmin had one arm curled protectively around Minho, who rested against his chest.

Minho looked at Seungmin’s sleeping face. The way his eyelashes trembled softly, how his lips stayed slightly parted, the curve of his brow so peaceful. He kissed his forehead, then his nose, and lastly, his lips with a featherlight touch.

---

The next day—

Minho said, “Brother Chan, is something wrong? You contacted me so suddenly.”

Chan sat down across from him in the quiet back room of a café.
“Yes… I’ve been busy these days, but there’s something important I needed to talk to you about face-to-face.”

Minho tilted his head slightly. “What is it, brother?”

Chan paused, then said, “My grandpa told me… not too long from now, the Lee mafia will pass the boss title to the heir. After talking with Minhyuk and my father… I think—no, I’m sure.”
He looked Minho in the eye.

“They’re going to choose you, Minho.”

The words echoed like a bell toll in Minho’s mind.

The one thing he always chased. The dream that haunted his youth. The reason for every lonely decision, every fight, every compromise. It had always been this—becoming the heir. The next boss of the Lee family.

But now…

Why now?

When he’d finally found love. When Seungmin had barely recovered. When he’d stopped caring about power… Why now?

Chan leaned in. “You know why I’m talking to you about this, right?”

Minho stayed silent, staring at the table.

“You rejected my proposal because I wanted to live outside the mafia world, as an ordinary person, and take you with me. But now… now you’re close to getting the very thing you’ve always wanted most. And if you get that, your grandpa will force you to marry someone. Secure dominance.”

Minho’s breath caught in his throat.

Chan continued, “I don’t have any more runaway intentions. I’ve accepted who I am—the only child of my family, just like you. I’ll stay. I’ll stand beside you. To secure the future of both our families.”
Chan smiled gently. “And you agreed, back then, to accept one of my conditions if I helped you cover up Seungmin’s involvement and… killed Park Seojun. I think I partly succeeded in that promise.”

His voice softened, more intimate. “So if that happens—when I propose to you again… would you kindly consider me over anyone else?”

Minho finally looked up, eyes dark and conflicted.
“About the information… how sure are you?” he asked, voice almost shaking.

“Eighty percent,” Chan replied confidently.

Minho inhaled deeply, the weight in his chest pressing harder. “Then I have no choice, after all…” He looked away.

“If—if that happens, I will favor Brother over any other who proposes.”

“Thank you, Minho.” Chan’s voice was heavy with restrained emotion. “I know… you love the Kim heir. But we still don’t know if he’s willing to propose to you or not. I only ask that you give me more of a chance than anyone else. That’s all.”

Minho’s lips parted slowly. “That’s not right, Brother. If… if that happens…”

He looked Chan in the eyes this time.

“Seungmin will be the last person I consider for marriage. That’s my answer.”

Chan blinked but nodded slowly. “I understand.”

“I’ll go first, Brother,” Minho said, standing up. “Contact me instantly if the heirship is confirmed.
Be careful. Be sure about the truth of the information.”

“…Thank you, Minho,” Chan said again as he watched Minho leave the quiet café—walking alone, with a heavy heart and the shadow of destiny looming closer.

---

This is the thirteenth chapter of my fanfic, welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

“What are all these, Seungmin?”

Seungmin’s father slammed the thick stack of documents onto the table. Papers scattered like startled birds. His voice was strained—not with anger, but with something deeper. Confusion. Concern. A father standing at the edge of something he didn’t understand.

“These papers…” he continued, jaw tight as he looked at his son. “You’ve made all of our business legal now. You’ve cleaned out almost every illegal trail tied to the Kim family. And I know this isn’t something you can do in a month or a year. You’ve been doing this since you started working with us, haven’t you?”

He pointed a trembling finger toward the documents. “Why, Seungmin? Why would you go that far? You know it won’t be easy to get out, even if you cleaned all this up. Even though—yes, because of you—both your brother-in-law and I no longer involve ourselves in the business directly… even so, the risk still clings to you.”
His voice cracked slightly. “What are you going to do now?”

Seungmin looked straight at his father, eyes calm but hollowed from years of carrying a silent burden.
“Father, I want to tell you something,” Seungmin said softly, almost like a whisper into the storm.

“I want to die.”

The room fell silent, as if death had already stepped inside.

Seungmin’s father’s head shot up, stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief at the son who was always so perfect, so composed—never once complaining, never once faltering.
“Seungmin… what do you mean—you want to die?”

Seungmin looked at him—not as a son, but as a man stripped bare.
“I’ve prepared everything. All the unfinished work… I’ve put it under my name. All the illegal transactions, the financial laundering, the restructuring. It’s all clean now. All the illegal traces are in my name.”

He paused, then added with quiet finality, “When the time comes, I will stage my own death… and I will live away from this world, Father.”

His father’s hands clenched tightly over the edge of the desk. “So… you weren’t lying when you told me you wanted to live outside this world…?”
His voice dropped into something weaker than usual—afraid, maybe even grieving.
“What about your sister? What about your mother?”

“I’ve put all the legal business under your name and my brother-in-law’s. The family will be safe. There won’t be any harm. I’ve taken too many precautions, double-checked everything.”
Seungmin’s voice trembled now—not from fear, but from yearning.

“And Mother… she told me she would support whatever I want. She said she would let me live my life however I choose…”
His voice softened to a gentle whisper.

“I want to live peacefully, Father. With the person I love. I want to do all the silly things that normal couples do. I want to live like everyone else. I want to smile without watching my back. I want to sleep without planning the next move. I want to love freely, without carrying blood on my hands.”

His father stared at his son for a long moment, breathing heavily. The boy in front of him wasn’t the same calculating heir the world feared. He was just Seungmin now. His son.
“…What about that person?” he finally asked, voice coarse. “Is that person… willing to live that kind of life with you?”

Seungmin’s lips curved into the smallest smile. “He will, Father. He will.”

His father stared into his eyes. For the first time, he saw no ambition, no power, no war. Only love.
He exhaled long and slow. Then said, “…Alright.”
“I know I can’t stop you. So do your job well. And when it’s over… we will come visit you. And meet this person you speak of with such certainty.”

Seungmin nodded, eyes shimmering—not from tears, but from relief.
“…Thank you, Father.”

Then Seungmin’s gaze turned serious again.
“And Father… reject the engagement proposal from Park Yuna. Make the reason official—that due to the death of Park Seojun, their alliance is unreliable for the dominance of our family.”

There was no hesitation from his father.
“Understood. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you, Father. And starting from today, I’ll begin my vacation.”
He stood from his seat, brushing imaginary dust off his blazer like shedding the weight of the past.

“The one pretending to be me will go to Southeast Asia with Hyunjin, starting tomorrow.”
He turned to the door, then paused.

“Spread that info… and don’t mention the truth to anyone. Not to Mother. Not to Sister. Not to anyone, Father.”

His father nodded slowly.

Seungmin left the office with footsteps so light, it was as if he were walking toward a future he had been waiting for all his life—a future he finally believed in.

---

Meanwhile, across the city…

Minho’s phone buzzed as he stepped onto the balcony of his apartment. The wind carried the faint scent of summer jasmine and fresh rain. He answered the call, his voice gentle.
“Yes, Brother… Let others know that I’m with you in Australia again. I don’t know, just… make something up, please.”

Chan chuckled on the other end, warm and steady. “Don’t worry, Minho-yah. I’ve got you. It’s about one month, right?”

Minho looked out at the city lights, his eyes distant.
“Yes… and… about the heirship. If anything changes… if there’s any new information—don’t forget to contact me. Please.”

“Of course, Minho-yah. I’ll keep you updated. Spend your vacation happily. You deserve it.”

“Thank you, Brother.” Minho hung up, holding the phone to his chest for a moment.

He whispered to the night sky, eyes full of a rare kind of hope:
“This summer… I’ll spend it all with you.”

---

Minho was now on a yacht, driven by Jeongin toward a quiet beach town in a foreign country. The salty wind blew softly against his skin, and the ocean shimmered beneath the golden hue of the setting sun. One thing was certain: no one would recognize them here—not for being part of the mafia families, not for any past sins, not even by name. It was like being reborn in a place untouched by blood, power, or expectations.

Minho looked toward the shoreline and then at Jeongin, who was carefully maneuvering the boat.
“Thank you, Jeongin-nah. Where is Seungmin?”

Jeongin smiled, eyes squinting from the sunlight as he pointed into the distance. “Boss is waiting for you in that white bungalow near the forest. If you go up the hill and walk straight through that narrow wooden path, you’ll see it—it really is standing all alone.”

Minho said, half-joking, half-curious, “Oh, Jeongin-nah… am I doing something wrong to your boss?”

The younger boy looked at him with wide, innocent eyes and tilted his head. “Why would you ask that?”

Minho gave a dramatic sigh. “If your boss killed me here and buried me somewhere deep in that forest… no one would ever know, right? Or what if he’s kidnapping me again? He did do that once, you know.”

Jeongin laughed loudly, the sound echoing over the waves. “Brother Minho, our boss never kidnapped you. You always go to the manor by yourself—and come back by yourself too,” he teased, nudging Minho’s shoulder. “Don’t play the victim.”

Minho rolled his eyes, then grinned. “Yes, yes… You’ll understand one day when you’re in a relationship too. Hmmm… how about I introduce you to someone, Jeongin-ah?”

The boy’s cheeks turned red instantly, and he looked away, fidgeting. “Brother, don’t tease me like that! I’m not interested in those kinds of things…”
Minho leaned closer teasingly. “Not yet, huh? So cute. Alright, alright… are you going to stay here with us then?”

Jeongin scrunched his nose. “Eww, no. I’m going back to Brother Hyunjin. We’re covering for Boss, remember? You two lovebirds go enjoy your secret honeymoon.”

Minho laughed softly. “And what if we need something, Jeongin-ah?”

Jeongin waved his hand casually. “Oh, don’t worry. Boss used to live here when he was in training. He knows everything around here. Some of the houses even belong to him. And he owns flower farms here too—did you know that? Trust me, you’re going to have lots of fun.”

Minho smiled at Jeongin’s excitement, then turned back toward the shore, heart thudding a little faster as the distance closed.

Inside, he whispered to himself: The heirship is still not confirmed. And if they find out I went irresponsibly away like this… with Brother Chan… there’s a chance they won’t choose me.

But… let’s focus on Seungmin now. That’s all I want for this summer. Just him.

---

When Minho arrived at the white bungalow Jeongin had pointed out, he called out instantly, “Seungmin-nah, why didn’t you come pick me up? I almost got lost and wandered into that creepy forest!”

But when his eyes finally landed on Seungmin, his words caught in his throat.

“Seungmin-ah… you… you got a haircut.” His voice faltered.

Seungmin stood in front of the bungalow, the sun catching his freshly cut two-block hairstyle—black, neat, and perfectly framing his sharp features. He looked breathtaking. Dangerous. Like someone you could fall for all over again, even after a thousand heartbreaks.

Minho gasped, nearly dropping his suitcase. “Oh. My. God. Who are you? You look so hot—Darling, look at you!”

He ran straight into Seungmin’s open arms. The warmth that embraced him was overwhelming. Seungmin chuckled, holding him tight, and whispered into his ear,
“Oh? I just tried a new hairstyle. If I had known you’d react like this… I would’ve done it ages ago.”

Then Seungmin kissed him all over—loud mwah mwah mwah kisses—on his cheeks, nose, forehead, and lips.

Minho giggled, eyes closed, basking in Seungmin’s affection. “You’re so bad… looking this good for who?”

Seungmin didn’t hesitate. “For you. Obviously, for you. Everything I do… it’s all for you. Because you are mine.”

Minho’s heart skipped. “Possessive, are we?” he teased, though there was a flicker of heat behind his gaze.

Seungmin’s eyes locked with his, serious now. “Yes. And you’re going to enjoy this place so much that you’ll want to stay here with me forever. You’ll even say yes if I propose to you here, Minho. I’ll make sure of it.”

Minho looked away with a nervous chuckle. “Just show me the place already.”

Seungmin took Minho’s hand and intertwined their fingers.

“Let’s go. I want to show you our place… every corner of it. Every piece of it holds memories of when I trained here. I want to overwrite them all—with you in them now.”

As they walked, Minho felt it—not just the love, but the safety. The calm. The world that Seungmin wanted to give him.

No power. No mafia. No bloodline wars.

Just them.

Just this summer.

Just love.

---

Seungmin and Minho wore comfortable clothes, both in simple cotton shirts and soft pants perfect for a summer stroll. Now they were heading hand-in-hand toward the ice cream truck in the town market. Their fingers were interlocked tightly, as if afraid the other might disappear. They didn’t care who saw or who stared. Here, in this quiet foreign town, they weren’t mafia. They were just two people in love.

Seungmin kept looking down at their hands, a silly smile tugging at his lips. Minho’s hand was small and warm, resting so perfectly in his own. His big hand swallowed Minho’s like it was made for holding it. He chuckled to himself, grinning like a fool. Anyone who saw him now would call him an idiot, and maybe he was—but only for Minho.

Without warning, Seungmin pulled Minho a little closer by their joined hands and brought Minho’s hand to his lips, planting a soft, lingering kiss. Minho didn’t resist—he let Seungmin do it and even smiled, his heart fluttering in his chest.

Suddenly, Minho gasped and tugged at Seungmin’s sleeve excitedly.

“Seungmin, Seungmin! There are kittens over there! Look! They’re so small, Seungmin-ah!”

Minho trembled with excitement and practically bounced on the spot, shaking Seungmin’s whole body with him.

Seungmin laughed and turned his head. “Okay, sweetheart, I get it. I see them. They are really cute, huh?” he said, reaching out gently toward one of the tiny kittens.

“No!” Minho shouted and quickly pulled Seungmin’s hand away. His eyes were wide. “You see? They look fine, right? That means they have a mother. Maybe she’s not here right now, but she exists. If we touch them, Seungmin-ah, the mother might not recognize their smell anymore. She could abandon them because she wouldn’t think they’re hers anymore. Don’t touch them. Please.”

Seungmin froze and looked at Minho, whose expression had shifted from excitement to sadness. The thought of those tiny kittens being left alone had made him genuinely upset.
Seungmin gently cupped Minho’s cheek. “Okay, sweetheart. I get it. Don’t be sad, hmm? Their mother will come back soon. Don’t worry.” He softly tugged Minho’s hand. “Let’s go to town, okay?”

But Minho didn’t move. He kept looking at the kittens.

“You want to wait for the mommy cat?” Seungmin asked, his voice soft, almost amused, but mostly loving.

Minho’s eyes sparkled like glass. “Can I? Please? I… I just want to make sure they have a mother.”

Seungmin wrapped both arms around Minho and held him tightly. “Of course, sweetheart. You wait here. I’ll go buy some water and cat food for them, okay?”

Minho nodded eagerly. “Okay. Come back quickly.”

While Minho waited, time seemed to slow down. Then, just as he started to worry, the mommy cat appeared from the bushes. She was orange, with gentle eyes, and to Minho, she looked like the perfect kind of mother—exactly his favorite type of cat.
Minho extended his hand gently, and to his delight, the cat let him pet her. She even brushed her face against his fingers, purring softly.

At that moment, Seungmin returned, holding a bottle of water and a small box of cat food. But as he stepped closer, the orange cat hissed at him.

Minho quickly spoke in a babying tone. “No, no, he’s my puppy. He’s a little big, I know, but he’s my puppy. Don’t worry, sister kitty. He won’t bite you.”

Seungmin gawked at him. “Did you just call that cat your sister?”

Minho looked up at him with all the innocence in the world. “Of course. She’s orange. She’s brave. She raised all those kittens. I love her.”

Seungmin chuckled and handed Minho the cat food. “You’re unbelievable. I leave for five minutes and you’re adopting cats now?”
“Just one,” Minho replied, feeding the mother cat carefully. “But she’s perfect.”

After a while, they left the kittens behind and continued walking until they reached the ice cream truck. The smell of sugar and summer fruits filled the air.
Seungmin glanced at the menu.
“Minho, there are so many strange flavors here. How about we get each other a weird flavor, and whoever finishes theirs first gets to make a wish—and the other has to agree, no questions asked?”

Minho grinned. “As you wish, darling. And I am going to get strawberry flavor as my winning wish. You’ll see.” He even gave a pretty wink at Seungmin.

They laughed and played like children, trying to guess which flavor would torture the other more. Eventually, Minho won, finishing his ice cream first.

He licked the last of the strawberry ice cream—his winning prize—from his lips slowly, looking smug. He noticed Seungmin staring at his mouth.

“What? You want something? You lost. I won. So I’m not giving you any,” Minho teased, circling Seungmin like a kitten playing around a big, bad dog.

“Not giving you, not giving you,” Minho sang, even sticking out his tongue playfully. “What are you going to do about it, huh?”

Seungmin suddenly reached out and pulled Minho by the hand, sitting down on a nearby bench and tugging Minho onto his lap.
Seungmin smirked. “Then watch and see what I’m going to do to you.”

Before Minho could reply, Seungmin kissed him deeply, swallowing every trace of strawberry from his mouth. It wasn’t a soft kiss—it was hungry, passionate. When Seungmin bit Minho’s bottom lip hard enough to draw a little blood, Minho slapped his chest in surprise.

“Bad! Bad dog! How can you bite me? Look—it’s bleeding now!” Minho pouted, touching his lip.

Seungmin pulled both of Minho’s wrists to stop him from complaining. “Ah… What should I do, hmm? I just want to swallow your whole body.”

Minho gasped, then smirked mischievously. He leaned forward and nibbled on Seungmin’s ear playfully before darting up and running.

“Then catch me! If you catch me, I’ll let you swallow me! Ha ha!” Minho shouted as he dashed away, his laughter trailing behind him.

Seungmin laughed and sprinted after him, calling, “You’re mine, Minho! Don’t forget that!”
In this quiet beach town, no one knew of the blood on their hands or the burdens on their shoulders. Here, they were just Minho and Seungmin, running under the summer sun, chasing ice cream and each other.

---

When they began sleeping together every night, Seungmin started to notice something — Minho didn’t have insomnia like he did. Not anymore. Ever since Minho came here, Seungmin had been sleeping through the night peacefully, simply because Minho was beside him.

But Minho… Minho had bad dreams. He never said it aloud, but Seungmin knew.

Some nights, Minho trembled in his sleep. And one night, he sobbed softly, his voice broken and almost childlike. In a shaky breath, he mumbled, “I’m sorry… I know… I’m a bad person. I’m sorry.”

Seungmin was already curled close to him, but after hearing those words, he pressed his forehead gently to Minho’s and moved closer still. He brought his lips near Minho’s so he could hear clearly, and the words pierced his heart like a needle. His Minho — so gentle, so sweet with him — was crying in his sleep.

“No, Sweetheart… it’s okay. Sweetheart, don’t cry,” Seungmin whispered, gently shaking Minho awake. He didn’t pull him fully from sleep — just enough to break the nightmare’s grip. Pulling Minho on top of him, he held him close, chest to chest, cradling him as if to shield him from the dream.

“You’re with me. Don’t cry, it’s just a dream. I’m here, Minho-yah… I’m here,” Seungmin murmured, kissing his temple and stroking his back in slow, steady circles. His voice was low and soothing — almost a lullaby in itself.

Then, softly, barely above a whisper, he began to sing.

“Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly, lavender’s green…
When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen.”

Minho stirred, his hands weakly clutching Seungmin’s shirt, but he said nothing. He just held onto him like he might fall apart otherwise. Seungmin didn’t stop singing.

“Call up your men, dilly dilly, set them to work…
Some to the plow, dilly dilly, some to the fork…”

The quiet tune filled the air, carried on Seungmin’s warm breath. Slowly, Minho’s sobs faded. His breathing steadied. And when Seungmin finally stopped singing, Minho was asleep again — this time, peacefully.

Seungmin didn’t ask about the dream the next morning.
Minho didn’t speak of it either.

But when they woke, they held each other a little tighter than usual.

---

One day, Seungmin took Minho to the flower farm he owned nearby. The field was alive with color — marigolds, dahlias, roses, cosmos, hydrangeas, and wildflowers stretching toward the blue sky. The fragrance of blooming petals danced in the breeze.

Minho stood in the middle of it, stunned. “This… this is yours?” he asked, turning with wide eyes.

Seungmin nodded proudly, stepping close behind him and wrapping his arms around Minho’s waist. “Ours. If you want. You can pick anything. All of them are yours.”
Minho giggled as Seungmin pressed a kiss behind his ear.

“They’re so pretty,” Minho whispered, reaching out to touch a soft pink peony.

“Not as pretty as you,” Seungmin replied, making Minho roll his eyes dramatically.

“Oh, please,” Minho said, though his smile betrayed him. He picked the flower and held it to Seungmin’s nose. “You’re cheesy, puppy.”

Seungmin caught his wrist and kissed his fingertips instead. “And you still love me.”
Minho stuck out his tongue. “A little.”

They spent the afternoon walking hand-in-hand, collecting seeds and teasing each other.

“Don’t pick all the yellow ones!” Minho protested when Seungmin reached for the same flower again.

“But yellow is happiness!” Seungmin argued.

“You are enough yellow in my life. I need more purple!” Minho declared, skipping toward the violet patch.

They returned home in the soft golden hour, arms full of seeds, flowers, and laughter. Together, they knelt in their backyard garden, preparing the soil.
Minho planted each seed with care. Seungmin made sure his knees were cushioned and kept brushing dirt from Minho’s cheek with his thumb.

“Our baby girl,” Seungmin said suddenly, warmth filling his voice, “she’ll enjoy these flowers so much. She’ll grow up with this view. Laugh with the birds. Play in the fields. Don’t you think she’ll love it here?”

Minho paused.
He didn’t look up — just pressed a daisy into the soil.

“I don’t like these flower colors, Seungmin,” he said softly. “Next time… can we buy different seeds?”

“Anything you want, Sweetheart,” Seungmin replied, brushing his dirt-stained hand over Minho’s hair. “Anything you want.”

Minho leaned into his touch. “Even if I want the whole flower shop?”
“I’ll buy the whole town,” Seungmin whispered.

Minho smiled and pulled Seungmin’s hand so they could plant together. And in that quiet summer, surrounded by flowers and sunlight, they found a happiness that felt like home.

---

This is the fourteenth chapter of my fanfic, welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

Near the end of the vacation—almost 29 days in—Seungmin was preparing to propose to Minho.

Just like at his flower farm, surrounded by all the blooms, he had set up a dinner table for the two of them. Seungmin had even prepared firecrackers to celebrate their marriage.
The whole field had been worked on since morning. Seungmin started before the sun even rose—personally picking out the brightest, fullest flowers and replanting some so they’d face the sun properly.
He trimmed the leaves, adjusted the lights strung across the edges, and set the path with floating lanterns. A soft melody from a hidden speaker played a song Minho once hummed in the kitchen months ago.

He wore a simple white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and tan slacks, but his hands trembled as he tied the final bow on the box that held the ring. His heart thudded like he was going into battle.

---

Later that evening, Minho had his hands hidden beneath Seungmin’s big, warm palms. Seungmin gently guided him along the path, barefoot over the flower-lined walkway.
“Where are we going?” Minho asked, chuckling nervously.

“You’ll see. Just trust me,” Seungmin whispered.

Minho felt oddly breathless. It was beautiful—but too beautiful. It felt heavy, like a dream too perfect, too delicate to be real.
Seungmin let Minho sit on a chair by the candlelit table. The gentle rustle of wildflowers in the wind surrounded them.

“I just want to give you a special dinner,” Seungmin said.

Minho smiled softly. “You’re doing too much again.” But something inside him twitched. The colors, the music, the way Seungmin looked at him—it all made his stomach twist into a tight knot.

They ate. Quietly. Sweetly. Seungmin served Minho each dish himself, laughing at his picky comments. But as they were finishing dessert, Minho’s phone flashed. A message from Chan:
“Tonight, final meeting is happening. My grandpa just told me. Unfortunately, that heirship settlement still didn’t change. Minho-yah.”

Minho stared at the message. The words blurred. His hands turned cold. It was like everything around him cracked. He felt like throwing up.
Seungmin had stood and gently pulled Minho toward the middle of the flower field. It was arranged into the shape of a giant heart—petals soft underfoot, with fairy lights flickering gently between the stems.

“Don’t do it,” Minho begged inside his head, his throat closing up. “Please, Seungmin. Don’t do this. Not tonight.”
But then Seungmin handed him a single red rose and intertwined their fingers.

“Minho,” he began, his voice warm but shaking slightly, “In the past, I always felt that being alone forever wouldn’t matter much to me. That was until I met you.”
Minho swallowed hard. His eyes stung.

“You made me realize loving someone and being loved... it’s such a happy thing. I want to spend my whole future with you because you are that one. You’re my true love. Minho... so can you give me the chance to be by your side in your future too, sweetheart?”

Seungmin knelt down. He pulled out the velvet box and opened it. The ring gleamed in the soft lights. A perfect circle.
Minho stood still. Silent. Seungmin looked up, waiting. The breeze caught the flowers, making them sway around them.

Then came the sound Seungmin didn’t expect—a sharp, broken sob.

Minho dropped to his knees, covering his mouth with both hands. His shoulders trembled.

“I can’t,” Minho finally whispered. “I can’t, Seungmin. You can’t just do this to me.”
Seungmin blinked, stunned. “Minho...?”

“I really can’t, Seungmin,” Minho said louder now, crying. “You and I... we’re not on the same path. And... and when you know the truth, you’ll regret all this. I can’t do this to you.”
Tears streamed down his cheeks like a child who lost something irreplaceable.

“I can’t... I really can’t let you be by my side,” Minho cried harder, clutching his shirt as if his heart was ripping. “My future isn’t going to be fit for you. You... you can’t just do this to me.”

He looked at Seungmin, eyes red, voice hoarse. “You will not survive to witness all my happiness if you’re with me in my future. I’ll let you fall into danger again and again. You don’t deserve that.”
Minho dropped the flower to the ground. “You can’t just do this to me when I’m trying so hard... so hard to let you go.”

Seungmin stood frozen, heart breaking in silence. He had been prepared for rejection. He thought he could handle it. But this... this shattered version of Minho in front of him... he wasn’t ready for this.
The man he loved looked like he was losing his world.

“Minho... it’s okay,” Seungmin finally whispered, slowly kneeling too. “I understand. You don’t need to panic. I just wanted to share my future with you. That’s all.”

Minho shook his head, backing away slightly, crawling as if trying to escape his own shadow.
“I can’t accept you,” he choked out. “You’re you. I can’t risk you because I don’t deserve happiness. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

And before Seungmin could move, before he could reach out and pull Minho into his arms, Minho turned and ran—ran through the flowers, past the lights, through the night.
Seungmin knelt there alone, hand still holding the ring box open. The firecrackers didn’t go off.

Not yet.

The heart-shaped flowers quietly swayed in the breeze, witnesses to a love so deep—so fragile—that even the stars seemed to hold their breath.

---

When Minho sobbed uncontrollably and looked at his phone again, Chan was calling.
“Minho... it’s official now,” Chan said through the phone, his voice quiet but firm.
“Grandpa chose you. He explained it to all of the important Lee mafia family alliances. He’s officially announcing the heirship in the next few days. He just called me to bring you right now.”

Minho’s body began to tremble. His sobs deepened, shaking from the weight of the truth. He couldn't breathe. It felt like his soul was slipping away from his body, like he was being ripped apart.

Chan said again, more firmly, “Minho, Minho, can you hear what brother just told you?”

“Yes... brother,” Minho replied, barely above a whisper, his voice strained and soaked in tears.

Chan sighed, “Okay, I know where you are. I’m almost near you. Wait for seven minutes, alright? Just wait for me.”
The phone disconnected.

Minho dropped it. It clattered to the ground. There was no strength left in his body anymore. How much he had wished, every day—praying to every god he could think of—that this wouldn’t happen. That he wouldn’t be chosen. That he wouldn’t be shackled to a future filled with blood, sacrifice, and loneliness.

The future he feared the most was now inescapable. And he couldn’t drag Seungmin into it. Not anymore. Not after everything.

He clenched his fists tightly, remembering Seungmin’s body—the softness of it, the gentleness. Seungmin only had two scars on his entire body, and both were from him. From protecting him. From choosing him.

Minho was covered in scars, inside and out, from years of surviving the brutal training and politics of the mafia world. But Seungmin... Minho couldn't let the one person he ever truly loved get devoured by darkness.

He had to let Seungmin go. Even if it killed him.

At that same time, Seungmin came into the house. He looked so exhausted. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair slightly disheveled, and his eyes... they still sparkled, even in his fatigue. Minho felt like he couldn’t breathe.

He really didn’t deserve him.

And then... the sharp whirring sound of helicopter blades drew closer.
Minho stood up slowly. He felt hollow.

"Seungmin," he said, trying not to break. "Let’s break up."

Seungmin blinked. "What... what are you saying?"

"I can’t imagine us together in the future anymore," Minho continued, his voice cracking. "So... so let’s end all of this."
Tears rolled down his cheeks as he turned, wanting to run.

But Seungmin caught him in a tight grip. He wrapped his arms around Minho’s waist and backhugged him, his voice trembling.
"Minho, don’t be stupid. Okay? It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have pressured you. I’m sorry... Minho, please... don’t do this."

Minho shook his head violently, tears soaking his face. "No, Seungmin. Let’s end all this. I don’t think this is going to work."
He tried to break free, but Seungmin pulled him even closer.

"With whose permission, Lee Minho?!" Seungmin snapped, shaking with tears. "I don’t allow you to get out of this relationship as you think. Not like this!"

Minho felt like throwing up. If he stayed... Seungmin would be dragged into danger. Again and again. He would bleed again.
Minho clenched his jaw. "Kim Seungmin, listen! I end every relationship on my side. I don’t care about you anymore. I’m done now. I’m done with all of this! Don’t be stubborn! Be mature! We can end this like... like good friends! Let me go!"

He shoved at Seungmin, but Seungmin didn’t budge.
"I’m sorry... I’m sorry!" Seungmin cried, holding on. "Now I know... you don’t like these kinds of attachment. That’s enough, Minho-yah. I won’t ask for another proposal. That’s enough... But please... don’t leave me alone..."

His voice broke completely as he sobbed into Minho’s back.
Minho’s heart shattered. He pulled Seungmin’s face up to his, hands shaking.

"Seungmin, look at this—LOOK AT THIS! We’re both crying for this relationship! Look at us! It’s obvious we’re not going to be happy in the future. Please... end this with me, peacefully. Just... let me go, Seungmin-ah."

At that moment, Bang Chan stormed into the room.
"Minho! We don’t have time anymore," Chan said urgently.

He stopped in his tracks, eyes locking onto the heartbreaking scene before him. He could see it clearly—Minho couldn’t even say harsh words to Seungmin. He loved him too deeply.
Chan stepped forward. "Seungmin... let go of Minho. He said he doesn’t want this anymore. So let us go."

Seungmin whipped around, his eyes blazing. "Who do you think you are?! You even came here by yourself?! We’re lovers—do you think you can just take him away like that?!"
Without thinking, Seungmin threw a fist directly at Bang Chan’s face.

It landed hard. Chan stumbled back and hit the shelf in the living room with a loud crash.
"Ah—!"

Minho gasped. "Brother! Are you okay?!"
He rushed over and hugged Bang Chan protectively.

Chan grimaced, standing up slowly. "Let’s go, Minho-yah. Now."
Chan grabbed Minho’s hand and began pulling him toward the door.

Seungmin screamed behind them, his voice hoarse.
"LEE MINHO! If you step out of this house—we’re really over! And I won’t talk to you anymore! I won’t even look at you again, LEE MINHO!"

Minho stumbled in his steps, his heart begging him to turn back. But Chan tightened his grip, dragging him away.

The house—the home they lived in together—suddenly felt like it was caving in on itself.

And Minho, leaving with trembling steps, knew he might never come back again.

---

When they were in the helicopter, Minho had a panic attack. Chan was caught off guard, completely surprised.
Chan said, “Minho, Minho—breathe slowly. Everything is going to be fine. I’m here, okay? You’re safe now, you’re safe.”

Minho gripped the seat, his nails digging into the cushion, his eyes wide, unfocused, and filled with fear. His chest rose and fell rapidly, almost painfully. His voice cracked, barely above a whisper, “Seungmin… Seungmin… Seungmin is going to—he’s going to hate me so much…”

His breathing grew harsher, more erratic. Sweat pooled along his forehead. “He’s going to hate me, Brother… I broke him. I broke him! I saw his face when I left—I destroyed him!”

Chan reached out, trying to hold Minho’s shaking hands. “No, Minho, listen to me. He loves you. He’ll understand—he has to. Please just breathe.”

But Minho kept muttering, “He’s going to hate me… Seungmin is going to hate me… He’ll never forgive me…”

And then, suddenly, Minho’s eyes fluttered. His head dropped forward. His body went limp.
“Minho—Minho?! Hey—!” Chan immediately unbuckled his seatbelt and crouched beside him in the narrow space. He pressed his fingers to Minho’s wrist, checking for a pulse.
Minho was still breathing, but unconscious.

Chan let out a trembling sigh of relief, brushing Minho’s hair away from his damp face. “You idiot… You absolute idiot…”
Across from him, his friend Changbin, who was piloting the helicopter, turned his head briefly with a grim expression and sighed.

Changbin said, “Bang Chan… you’ve had so many people confess to you. There has to be someone else—someone better than him. Someone who can love you back. Just like that person back then… Move on. After everything you’ve seen and done—just let it go.”

Chan leaned his head back against the cold metal wall of the chopper. He closed his eyes. His voice came out soft, tired, and filled with a bitterness that only comes from old wounds.

“I can’t, Bin. I can’t just move on from him. After everything… after all I saw in him… He only has me now. You saw him—he’s breaking. He’s so lost. And I—I just want to be beside him. Even if it’s not as a lover. Just until he can breathe again. Just until I know he’s okay. Just until I get back the Minho I once had… the one who smiled without guilt.”

Seo Changbin exhaled again. He’d heard this story a thousand times in a thousand different ways, but this time it cut deeper.
Because he knew.

He knew how Chan had lied to everyone—told them he was back in Australia, doing business. All just to cover for Minho while Minho lived quietly and freely with the one he loved. Minho really never cared about Chan’s feelings.

He knew how Chan tracked Minho’s GPS every single day, holding his breath as he watched his dot move across maps. Waiting. Waiting for something—anything—that would need him to step in.
And when that time finally came, he flew without hesitation.

No one else would have done that. No one else even knew.

Changbin clenched the controls tightly, lips pressed into a firm line.

Minho loved Seungmin too much. Chan had known that. He’d said it himself again and again—“Minho won’t want the place Seungmin stayed in to be exposed. He’ll be devastated if even his own crew finds out.”
Such an understandable, loyal ex. That’s what Chan was. Too loyal.

It made Changbin swear to never tell anyone about this place. Or about what happened here.
He looked back at Chan, who still held Minho’s unconscious hand.

Changbin said quietly, “I wish you a happy ending, Brother Chan. After all this… you deserve it.”

Chan gave a faint smile. Not because he was happy—but because the words almost sounded like a dream. His eyes were red, though he didn’t let the tears fall.
“Thank you…” he whispered, “but right now… I’m just sad. So fucking sad.”

He looked down at Minho’s pale face. His next words came out bitter and full of regret.
“I cursed him, Bin. When we broke up… I told him he’d regret it. That he’d know what it’s like to be heartbroken. I said he was heartless. That he’d feel all the pain he gave me one day.”

Chan swallowed hard.

“And now… I see it. I see him shattering. And I’m not happy—not even a little. Watching him break like this doesn’t feel like justice. It just feels like... hell.”
His voice shook. He gripped Minho’s fingers tighter, as if trying to keep him grounded, even in unconsciousness.

“I didn’t want this,” Chan whispered, “I just wanted him to be happy. Even if it wasn’t with me.”

The helicopter continued flying under the dull glow of the night sky, its engines slicing through clouds heavy with silence.

Inside were three souls—one fainted, one quietly suffering, and one who had already lost the love he never truly had, but still couldn’t let go.

---

This is the fifteenth chapter of my fanfic. Welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.
Prepared for next week, guys.

Chapter Text

Hyunjin said, “So, he just left you like this?”

Seungmin replied, “Yes. I still think it’s kind of iconic though—being rejected after a marriage proposal, then dumped in a one-sided breakup. And he walked out… with his ex.”

Hyunjin looked up, emotionally wrecked, at Seungmin, who sat before him like a shadow of his former self. His friend looked so pitiful like this.
Hyunjin whispered under his breath, “That bastard... how could he…”

Seungmin gave a small, broken laugh, the sound dry and hollow. “Do you have any idea why he rejected my proposal so strongly? There was something… something wrong in Minho’s eyes. If I remember correctly, his eyes changed after he looked at his phone. Just suddenly. It was like he became someone else.”

He rubbed his temples, frustrated. “And Bang Chan… he also said something strange to Minho. He said, ‘We don’t have time.’ What does that even mean? No time for what?!”
Seungmin looked straight at Hyunjin, desperation cracking through his usually composed tone. “Have you heard anything from Lee Yongbok and Han Jisung?”

Hyunjin said, “Jeongin and I called them… but they both refused to talk. Didn’t say anything. They’ve locked themselves in their basement—we haven’t seen them since the day you called me, the day Lee Minho ran away.”
He hesitated, then added, “I think they know something, Seungmin. They’re hiding something.”

Seungmin’s eyes sharpened—cold, precise. He said, “If they won’t talk… then find someone who will.”

Hyunjin nodded. “Okay.” Then he turned away to leave, the weight in his chest growing heavier. As he walked out, he thought silently: At least you and Minho had your time… What about us, Yongbok-ah?

---

Two days after Seungmin’s return, Hyunjin and Jeongin dragged in an old man. His body was completely bound—mouth taped, eyes covered.

Jeongin said, “Boss, this man is an outside associate of the Lee family.”

Hyunjin added, “He was there. At the meeting. The one when it all happened.”

Seungmin stood still, arms crossed, his voice cold. “Okay. Ask him.”

They tried—brutal methods, psychological pressure, pain. But the man stayed silent. Until—
Seungmin’s voice cut through the room like ice—calm and lethal. “I heard you have a beautiful daughter… studying abroad, right? So young… Do you want her to die before she even graduates?”

The man gasped, panic overwhelming him. He began to tremble—and finally broke. He begged. Then he spoke:
“It’s about the heirship! Lee Minhyuk… he’s just the cousin. He saved the real heir—the true grandson of the Lee mafia. The heir is going to be named boss tomorrow morning. That heir is… Lee Minho. Lee Minho is the true heir.”

There was silence. Then Seungmin let go of the man’s collar and stepped back.

Seungmin said, “Kill him.”
Hyunjin blinked. “Boss—”

Before he could finish, Seungmin took the gun and shot the man three times—straight in the heart. Blood spread across the floor as the old man collapsed.

Seungmin’s hand trembled slightly as he lowered the weapon. His voice cracked, but his eyes burned cold. “He took too long. And the ceremony… it’s happening in three hours. I can’t stop it anymore, Hyunjin-ah.”

Hyunjin said nothing. He understood. Even Seungmin could fake his death—because technically, he wasn’t the boss yet. But now Lee Minho… Minho was about to become the Boss. There would be people around him—the other mafia families, Minho’s crew, the Lee family, the Kim family…

The moment their relationship surfaced, it would be war. No one would accept it.

Seungmin leaned against the table, his breath shallow. He looked down, as if recalling something far away. “I threw away my grandfather’s legacy. In my study. I did everything so Minho could take it and show it to his own boss instead. To reduce the hate between our families. I gave him everything, Hyunjin-ah.”

His voice broke a little. “But still… still now, I guess he can’t forgive me for his parents’ deaths. Even though I didn’t do it. Maybe… maybe that’s why he played me like that.”

He looked at Hyunjin with eyes full of pain from years of silence.
“I think he never loved me at all, Hyunjin-ah.”

Silence.

That silence was louder than any answer.

Seungmin whispered now, more to himself than anyone else, “I think… I already lost him a long time ago. I just didn’t want to believe it.”

Hyunjin stood there, helpless, watching the strongest person he knew fall apart.

---

Three days after leaving the island by helicopter, Minho’s heirship day arrived.

Chan said, “Minho, don’t be nervous. I’ll be beside you. No matter what happens today, you’re not alone.”

Minho nodded gently, his fingers unconsciously tightening into fists. His lips trembled slightly. His heart pounded. Will Seungmin be there? He’s the heir of the Kim mafia… he has to be. He’ll hate me. He must.

Minho’s chest tightened with dread—until someone suddenly pulled his hand. When he looked up, it was Chan.

Chan said softly, “Minho, let’s go. Your grandpa is calling you now.”

Minho swallowed his fear and followed him, every step feeling heavier than the last.

Then he heard his grandfather’s voice echo through the grand hall: “Now, I will introduce you all to the new Boss of the Lee Mafia family—Lee Minho, my grandson.”

Gasps rippled through the hall like a sudden storm.

The Byun, Oh, and Na families—and all the other mafia families—gasped. Even though they had come here, according to all public information, the heir was Lee Minhyuk, the only known grandson of the Lee mafia. But this old man had just introduced Lee Minho—the man they all knew as Second-in-command—as the true heir.

There was a reason the Lee family stayed at the top—and now, it was clear they’d remain there.

If Lee Minhyuk had taken over, many would have attacked to test his strength. But now… now they faced Minho, the infamous Second-in-command. Who would dare challenge the Lee family?

And he was close with the Bang heir, who had just accepted his own Boss title the day before.

The Lee and Bang families would only rise higher now. The other mafia clans felt it—fear. Quiet, dangerous fear.

The ceremony continued in hushed awe.

Ceremonial music echoed against the high ceilings—sharp in tone, rich with history. Elders offered blessings with ancient hand signs and whispered omens. Bodyguards lined the walls in rigid formation. Minho knelt before his grandfather, receiving the family crest—a golden dragon engraved on obsidian metal—pressed firmly into his palm.

His grandfather whispered, “Protect the family, protect the legacy… but never lose yourself.”

Minho rose. He turned to face the crowd. He didn’t search at first, but his heart already knew where to look. And then—he saw him.
Seungmin.

Standing in the crowd. Frozen. Time itself seemed to pause around him. His eyes were locked onto Minho, unblinking. Motionless.

Minho met his gaze—for only a second. But it felt like a lifetime.

This is our future, Minho thought. We can see each other, but we can’t reach. I can’t go to you… and you can’t come to me.
Tears threatened to fall. Minho blinked them back fiercely.

You hate me, Seungmin. You must. And if you hate me now… then maybe you won’t be hurt by me again in the future.

Minho turned his face away, but the pain burned down his spine like fire.

Then, as tradition dictated, all non-family guests had to leave the hall.

As Seungmin walked out, he turned one last time.

He saw Bang Chan standing beside Minho—not him. Chan was holding Minho’s arm gently, the same way Seungmin once used to. That spot… used to be his.
How can Minho hurt me this much? How could he not explain anything? Not one word. Not even goodbye.

Seungmin clenched his jaw. If he loved me—truly loved me—he would’ve told me. We could’ve planned together. I would’ve given up everything. I would’ve left with him.
But now… their castle was crumbling.

While Minho built a kingdom on the other side, Seungmin was left to tear his own down.

Minho stood frozen even after the hall emptied, even after the lights dimmed. He stared at the spot where Seungmin had stood. The memory of his presence lingered—heavier than anything else in the room. His hand curled unconsciously, shaking.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m sorry I wasn’t brave enough to love you the way you deserved.”

Seungmin glanced back one last time before the heavy doors closed.

Each step he took echoed with every unspoken word. Every buried pain.

Outside, the sky had started to darken—as if mourning with them. Yes, all the tears we shed for each other… will never be enough.

---

Chan said, "Minho, I need to tell you something. You know my friend, Prosecutor Seo Changbin, right?
I heard some news about Seungmin, and I think you need to know."

Minho was surrounded by thick stacks of documents—reports from their clubs, casinos, underground deals. His fingers paused on a ledger as his eyes flicked up lazily.
Chan’s voice was heavier now.

"Seungmin is going to die, Minho."

"What?" Minho’s head snapped up from the papers. His voice cracked slightly. His chair scraped against the polished floor as he stood. Thankfully, they were in Minho’s private study. No one outside could hear the shattering stillness of those words.

"What do you mean... he’s going to die?" Minho whispered, almost not trusting his own voice.

Chan hesitated, choosing his words carefully.
"I heard Seungmin has already started dissolving the Kim Mafia’s illegal branches. He’s making everything legal. And for the parts he can’t legalize... he’s taking full responsibility under his own name. He even paid Changbin’s father to ensure all the illegal cases are tied solely to him. We don’t know the exact date, but the whispers are clear—he’s planning to fake his own death soon."

Minho swallowed hard.
"And after that?" he asked, his voice trembling. "He’s going to run away from all of this? From the mafia?" He glanced at the closed window, unable to keep his voice from breaking. "He’ll carry all the blame—just so he can disappear?"

Chan nodded slowly.
"Yes... and maybe, Minho, maybe his plan is to run... to find a way to be with you."

Minho laughed, but it was empty. His lips curved, but his eyes didn’t follow.
"It’s no use, brother. Even if I had known this earlier, maybe I would’ve begged grandfather to let me go... Maybe in another universe, where we’re not born into this bloodstained legacy."

His broken smile faded as he looked down at the scattered reports.

"But not in this life. Not in this fucking life."

Chan said softly, "Minho... did you take your medicine tonight?"

Minho didn’t answer.

With a sigh, Chan went to the corner cabinet, found the pills, poured a glass of water, and placed them both gently in front of Minho.
"Minho, please. You remember your fainting spells, don’t you? You need this."

"Yes, brother... I remember." Minho obediently took the medicine, sipping the water slowly.
He turned toward Chan, eyes glazed.

"Thank you, brother," he said quietly. Then softer, with a quiver in his voice, "Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. You know... you’re the true blessing in my life."

Chan’s voice was firm, but warm. "Yes, I know. That’s why I’m still here."

---

In the Kim manor, Seungmin’s room reeked of alcohol and despair. The floor was littered with shattered bottles, ashtrays, and photos of moments that once meant everything.
Seungmin was a mess. Shirt unbuttoned, tie half-knotted, eyes glassy.

Hyunjin walked in, hesitating at the threshold. He stared at his friend—the once-proud heir of the Kim Mafia—now curled up on the couch like he was trying to disappear.
"Seungmin... I need to tell you something. After we left the ceremony, Minho’s grandfather made a public announcement."

Seungmin’s head lifted slowly. "What kind of announcement?"

Hyunjin took a breath, then said, "The marriage announcement. Between Minho and Bang Chan."

Silence. Crushing, suffocating silence.

Seungmin blinked. "Hwang Hyunjin... don’t joke with me. We broke up less than a week ago and Minho... Minho is going to marry someone else?"

Hyunjin nodded. "Yes. I’ve confirmed it. From multiple sources. The wedding is just a month from now."

"So soon..." Seungmin muttered. His voice cracked with disbelief. He sat upright, but it felt like all the bones in his body were failing him.

"It feels like... he was already preparing for it. Even while he kissed me, even while we lived together—he had this plan. Like I was just a playdate."

Hyunjin hesitated. "I’m afraid to confirm... but that marriage proposal has existed for a long time between them."

Seungmin laughed bitterly.
"So, even after their breakup, that’s why? That’s why he was still with Chan. That’s why he kept talking to him. It must’ve been funny to him, right? Watching me fall deeper while he kept the ring in his pocket for someone else."

His voice broke as tears streamed down his face.

"Maybe... there’s something wrong, Hyunjin. Minho loved me. He loved me more than anyone. He came into my manor to kill me but... he couldn’t. He changed. He wasn’t willing to hurt me anymore."

Hyunjin didn’t reply.

"I loved him so much," Seungmin sobbed. "And between us, he loved me first."

Hyunjin whispered, "Seungmin... don’t be foolish. Maybe it was all just an act. Maybe he did it for his family."

"No! He told me he loved me. Again and again. He spent time with me, gave me everything. His entire crew knew Minho was crazy about me."

Hyunjin’s voice grew colder.
"But did he ever say it like a confession? With honesty? If he loved you that much, why didn’t he accept your proposal, Seungmin? Why did he walk out on you with someone else? Maybe... maybe he was just playing with your heart."

"No... no," Seungmin whimpered. "Minho’s not like that. He saved me. So many times. More than I could count. He loved me."

Hyunjin snapped, "And you saved him! You almost died for him! What makes his sacrifices matter more than yours?!"

Seungmin collapsed to the floor, his sobs echoing against the walls. His hands clenched the carpet, knuckles white.
"I want to meet him, Hyunjin. I want to see him. One last time. Before all my plans fall into place... I need to ask him something. Please, Hyunjin. Please... just this once."
Hyunjin knelt beside him. His heart ached at the sight of Seungmin like this—shattered and lost.

"I’ll try," Hyunjin said softly. "But for now... please sleep, Seungmin-ah. Try not to think about him anymore."

But how could Seungmin stop? How could he erase Minho from his thoughts, when Minho was not just in his mind—but etched into every part of his soul?

His whole heart still beat Minho’s name.

Even if the world was tearing them apart.

---

Two days later, Minho finally agreed to meet Seungmin.

Seungmin said, "Minho, I miss you," as he looked into Minho’s eyes—once bright, filled with warmth, and his soft, light brown hair like chestnut when they first fell in love—now dull, shadowed by exhaustion, and returned to black.

Seungmin added softly, "I ordered the food you like... eat first, okay? You look skinnier than before."

When Minho reached to push the tray away, Seungmin leaned forward and muttered with a half-hearted smile,
"What, they don’t let you eat anymore because you’re the boss now? Or is it because we’re exes, so you won’t eat what I ordered and you won’t even look at me anymore?"

Minho slowly looked up and met Seungmin’s eyes. "No... not like that," Minho said quietly. "I... I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry about the breakup. I did it so badly."

Seungmin gave a dry chuckle. "It’s okay. That’s not even the worst part that hurt me that day."

Minho’s hands trembled slightly. "I’m sorry about the proposal too. I should’ve told you clearly from the start... I had no idea about marriage."

Seungmin sighed. "Nah... I already knew you’d reject me before I even proposed. I just did it anyway."

Minho looked at Seungmin with wide eyes, startled. "Then... why would you—"

"Because I needed to try," Seungmin interrupted softly. "The most painful part of that day wasn’t the rejection. It was you... leaving me when I begged you to stay. And you left with your ex."

Minho sighed heavily, rubbing his chest where it ached the most. "Seungmin, brother Chan is not the bad person you think. I am. I’m the bad person. I’m so sorry."

Seungmin stared blankly at Minho. "You know I’d forgive you anyway. But the iconic part? You still say now that you don’t believe in marriage... then what about the info I got? That you’re marrying Bang Chan in the next 29 days."

Minho gasped slightly and clenched his fists. "That’s what I have to do. Our families arranged it... from the start."

Seungmin furiously grabbed Minho’s face with both hands, eyes flaring. "Lee Minho, do you hear yourself? You’re becoming a coward. You dated me while you were preparing a wedding with someone else. Lee Minho!"

Minho flinched. He didn’t fight back.

"Lee Minho... don’t be foolish," Seungmin’s voice cracked. "I know you love me. You know how much I love you. I’d die for you again and again, Minho-yah."

Minho’s lips quivered, and tears streamed down his face.
He screamed silently in his own mind: That’s why I can’t choose you, Seungmin-ah. You’re willing to die for me, and what can I do? Should I just keep worrying for you? Should I keep praying for you, again and again? I can’t...

Seungmin sobbed, "Lee Minho, don’t cry like you love me. You don’t love me, Lee Minho."

Minho cried even more. Seungmin wiped his tears roughly. "Don’t cry like that in front of me, like I’m your true love. You don’t have a heart. You don’t love anyone. You think only about yourself and your family.

That’s why you were so cruel to me. You didn’t take my hand. You didn’t run away with me.

And now you’re so selfish, you’re going to spend your whole life with someone you don’t even love — just to protect your stupid name, your stupid family legacy."

Seungmin’s sobs deepened, voice breaking. "I tried everything. I prepared and planned everything. If you were just a little bit brave, you could’ve run away with me.
Now... now you have to decide. Because I can’t understand the way you think anymore."

Seungmin’s voice trembled as he said, "Your parents’ deaths weren’t entirely our fault. Such an idiot I am — I even planned my death just to run away with you. I wanted to give you my whole life.

If you had told me earlier about your heirship, I would’ve gone to your family. I would’ve proposed to them myself. Even if your grandpa disagreed, we still could’ve had each other.
You never said anything to me. You shut me out."

Seungmin sobbed so loud now, like he had lost someone to death. His voice echoed in the hotel room.

He clutched Minho tightly, pressing their bodies together. "It’s not too late, Minho-yah. Just nod. Just one nod and I’ll take you away from all this. Just choose me, Minho-yah. Please."

Minho’s entire body trembled as he whispered, "Seungmin... I told you already. I can’t do this.
You never told me anything about your plan to fake your death, either.

We’re… we’re not the perfect match we thought we were. We’re toxic.

Maybe I’m more toxic than you. Yes, you can run away, but I have too many people depending on me — people I have to protect. I can’t do this to them, not even for love.

And I also can’t pull you into my life. You’re too precious, Seungmin. I can risk everything — even my life — but not you.

So I’m begging you... please let me go."

Seungmin quieted, his sobs muffled in Minho’s shoulder. Minho gently stroked his back.

Minho said softly, "Don’t be too hard on yourself. You… you’ll find someone better than me. Someone who’s not bound by duty. Someone who’ll choose you, every time.
I love you. I loved you so much. But let’s end this... let’s end it in peace. I only want to see you happy, Seungmin. Please don’t ever doubt that.

It’s all my fault. But I’ll never regret loving you. Never."

Minho slowly slipped out of Seungmin’s arms, though his own legs were weak.

He turned back one last time and said gently, "Don’t cry anymore. Hate me if you want. But don’t be harsh on yourself.

Take care of your health. Don’t forget your supplements. Don’t stay out too late at night. Don’t skip lunch."

Minho leaned in and kissed Seungmin’s forehead — tender, final.
He whispered, "And I’m sorry. Sorry for all of that. Sorry for everything."

Then, he wiped Seungmin’s tears with his own hands and left the hotel room with hurried steps — before regret could pull him back to the arms of the one he loved most in this cruel world.

I’ll let you go. So fly high, my love.

When Minho got into his car, driven by Han Jisung, he finally broke down — crying harder and harder like he was losing his life.

Not just Minho.

Seungmin, left in that quiet hotel room, curled into himself and cried louder and harder too. But now, no one was there to wipe his tears — especially not the person he loved the most.

Only the silence held them both.

And all the tears they had spent on each other.

---

This is the sixteenth chapter of my fanfic. Welcome and enjoy the show.
Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.

Chapter Text

Yongbok said, "Hyunjin-nah."

Hyunjin looked at the blonde-haired younger boy with a soft, sweet smile.
Hyunjin said, "Hey."

Yongbok said, "Sorry for avoiding your calls all this time."

Hyunjin said, "No, I get it. Don’t worry about anything… maybe it’s a family tradition."

Yongbok said, "Hyunjinnie, I know you don’t understand our family. I get it. But Brother Minho also has his reasons… Don’t hate him too much."

Hyunjin thought, How could I not hate him? He broke my friend’s heart into pieces. And now, I’ll also lose you, Yongbok-ah… How can I not hate him?

Yongbok said, "Hyunjin-nah," — he glanced around the table to make sure no one was watching or listening.

Hyunjin said, "I hired this place. Do you want to talk to me first?"

Yongbok said, "Okay… I… I heard from Brother Minho… about Seungmin’s death. Brother reminded me that you were mostly involved with Seungmin too. Is that true?"

Real genius Lee Minho… how can he know about all of the Kim family’s secrets?
Hyunjin said, "Yes. It was supposed to be me and Seungmin."

Yongbok said, "And after that, you were going to run away too?"

Hyunjin said, "Correct."

Yongbok asked quietly, "Hyunjin-nah… can I just follow you?"

Hyunjin blinked. "What?"

Yongbok said, "I… I know you’re busy with all that stuff, and after you run away, you can’t stay in the country anymore. And if I’m still here, it’ll be hard for me to meet you peacefully. And Brother Minho… he decided to let me go with you. He said he will cover for me," Yongbok said innocently, nervously fiddling with his fingers.

Hyunjin stared at him, stunned, then his voice rose. "What? What does your boss want? Does he think we’re so stupid that, when we run away, we’d take his number one assassin with us? What does Lee Minho want— to make sure of the death of both of us?!"

Yongbok flinched, startled by the sudden outburst.

He stammered, "Hyunjin, why do you think of Brother Minho like that? No… he just let me run away with you because he loves me. He doesn’t want us to be separated… just like Seungmin and him. Why do you think of him like that?"

Hyunjin’s tone turned colder, eyes sharp with pain. "I will always think sickly of your boss. He came to the Kim manor to murder Seungmin, and though he failed, he still succeeded in something else. Didn’t Seungmin save his life just to protect him? Didn’t Seungmin help destroy the Park mafia family, too?"
He leaned forward, voice trembling with anger. "Don’t be fooled by something like love from him. He’ll always have some reason. He doesn’t do anything without his benefit, right?"

Yongbok looked devastated. The love sitting across from him now was sharp, distant— not the Hyunjin he adored.
Yongbok whispered, "Hyunjin… Minho-hyung really loved Seungmin. There’s no doubt. He assigned me to follow Seungmin around—starting from their first mission together. And he asked me to protect Seungmin’s life at all costs. He even said… even if I had to die, I should save Seungmin."

His voice cracked. "Brother Minho could’ve left your manor after that mission. He already gave me and Jisung the legacy of Seungmin’s grandfather. Brother just stayed because… because he fell in love with Seungmin."
"And don’t bring up the Park Seojun case again. Didn’t our brother beg Seungmin not to go that day? You don’t know it, but Brother Minho even agreed to Brother Chan’s request. He made Chan cover for Seungmin in advance because he knew he couldn’t stop him."

"Our brother loves him too much, Hyunjin. You can’t just say something mean about him because you don’t understand love." Yongbok’s voice grew quieter and trembled, tears slowly falling down his cheeks as he sobbed.

They both sat in silence for nearly ten minutes. Neither touched their drinks. Only the quiet sound of Yongbok’s soft sobs filled the air between them. Hyunjin just sat there, letting him cry.

Finally, Yongbok said through his tears, "Don’t talk about them anymore… Let’s just talk about us. What’s your answer to my same question all the time?"

Hyunjin looked down, conflicted. Yongbok had followed him around all this time—always kind, always gentle. He brought small gifts—trinkets, handmade sweets, even flowers once. And always the same question: I love Hyunjin. Would Hyunjin want to date me?

Hyunjin had always doubted it. There’s no way… A sweet person like Yongbok could like someone like me… Right?

Yongbok said softly, "If you don’t want to answer now, that’s fine. But… can I follow you around all your life?"

Hyunjin finally looked up and met Yongbok’s teary eyes.

And after a long silence—heavy, like a verdict being decided—Hyunjin made the choice he would regret every day afterwards.
Hyunjin said, "Sorry, Yongbok. I still don’t want to date you. And I can’t allow you to follow me. We are on different sides… so let it go, for this life."

Yongbok didn’t make a sound at first. Just bowed his head, hands clenched tightly on his knees. Then, slowly, the tears began to fall—quiet, stubborn, and raw—until his breath cracked, and he covered his face to hide what was already too visible.

Yongbok-ah… I will die if you run away from me… just like Minho did to Seungmin… So it’s better we don’t start this at all…
Hyunjin said quietly, his voice flat from the weight of the decision, "I will go now. Yongbok-ah… Don’t contact me anymore."

---

When Yongbok ran into Minho’s study room, Minho’s head snapped up quickly.

“Oh, Yongbok-ah, who hurt you?” Minho asked, getting up and walking quickly to him as soon as he saw Yongbok’s tear-streaked face.
“Brother—” Yongbok started, but then he cried even louder.

“Hey, it’s okay. Every problem can be fixed. Don’t worry, brother will handle it,” Minho said, hugging Yongbok tightly and calming him gently.

At that moment, Han Jisung came into the study room.

“Brother…” Jisung said, then stopped when he saw his friend’s expression. Minho motioned for him to lock the door and come closer.

“What? What did Hwang Hyunjin tell you this time?” Jisung asked.
Yongbok cried even harder in Minho’s arms.

“Did Hyunjin reject your plan to run away with him?” Minho asked softly.

“Brother, don’t talk about him anymore,” Yongbok said.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry, Yongbok. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t called you back from that mission, you wouldn’t be feeling all this. I’m sorry,” Minho said.

“Don’t say that, brother. I know your reasons. I understand,” Yongbok replied.
“Yes, yes,” Minho murmured, hugging him again and signaling to Jisung to help lift Yongbok’s mood.

“He’s just a tall man. Why are you crying for him? I may not look cool like him, but I make more money than him!” Jisung said, crossing his arms dramatically, trying to lighten the mood.
“And didn’t I make a promise to you? If you’re not married by thirty, and you don’t find anyone, I’ll marry you,” he added.

Even through his tears, Yongbok smiled at Jisung’s humor.

“What happens if you find someone else, though?” he asked, wiping his cheeks.
“No. I don’t have time for those things. I’m always too busy babysitting you,” Jisung replied without missing a beat.

Minho watched from the side, his eyes softening. He could see it clearly now—the same look Jisung gave Yongbok was exactly how Chan always looked at him. With quiet love. With no conditions.

“So don’t be stupid and don’t cry for that idiot anymore, okay? Let’s go to our room. I picked up something sweet from the floor,” Jisung said.
Yongbok blinked in confusion, then laughed. “What do you mean, picked up? Did you not buy it?”

“Don’t ask too much. If you like it, eat it. If not, I’ll throw it in the trash,” Jisung grinned.

“What about Brother Minho?” Yongbok asked.

“Brother Chan told me it’s not good for Brother Minho’s health. He said he’ll make it himself and give it to him after he takes his medicine,” Jisung explained.
Then, in a conspiratorial whisper, he added, “Brother Chan told me that these days, Brother Minho throws the medicine away behind his back.”

“Hey, hey! I can still hear you two very well!” Minho said loudly, pretending to be offended.

As soon as Minho shouted, the two “kids” ran faster to their room like they were being chased by a tiger.
Minho stood still in the middle of the room, watching the door they had disappeared through.

Then, quietly, to no one in particular, he whispered, “I just didn’t want it to be bitter anymore.”

But no one was left to hear it.

Only the silence of the study room answered back.

---

The wedding day began, and Minho sat in his waiting room obediently like a sweet cat, dressed in a stunning white wedding suit that hugged his frame with soft elegance. His fingers fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve, but his face wore a calm expression—or at least it tried to.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and the two kids ran into his room.

Yongbok said, “Brother! Today is the day—it’s all over the television now.”

Minho knew exactly what Yongbok meant. With a racing heart, he reached for the remote and turned on the TV as quickly as he could. The news flashed on-screen immediately.

“The money laundering in some rural areas of China has, after inspection, been confirmed to be heavily linked to the CEO of Kim Construction and Estates Company Limited, Kim Seungmin.
According to our sources, yesterday the Chinese Special Task Force for Anti–Money Laundering received intel that Kim Seungmin would return to South Korea.

When the suspect realized he was being pursued, early this morning at 1:00 AM, Kim Seungmin and his associate, Huang Hyunjin, engaged in a violent confrontation with the Chinese special task force. Reports confirm that both were fatally shot by the Chinese team. According to Captain Xiao Zhang, the bodies fell into industrial machinery inside the warehouse, making recovery impossible. Their identities were confirmed only through the special unit’s surveillance and intelligence.

Prosecutor Seo stated that he had been pursuing the CEO for evidence of money laundering for a long time. According to him, all the evidence points solely and strongly toward Kim Seungmin and his associate, clearing other members of Kim Construction and Estates Company Limited from involvement—for now.

This is Kim Minji reporting from INC.”

Minho dropped onto the edge of the bed, drained of all strength.

"They weren’t supposed to die like that… Not like this. They were preparing to disappear by ship, not die in a gunfight. What does it mean? No bodies? What does that even mean?" Minho's voice trembled.

Jisung quickly stepped forward. "Brother, don’t panic. It might not mean anything. You need to calm down."
Minho turned to Jisung, desperate. "Jisung, it means something is wrong, right? Right?!"

Jisung sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out an envelope. "I was going to give this to you after the wedding, but now... You need to read it."

Yongbok blinked, tense. "What? What letter, Jisung-ah? Who gave you this?"
Jisung hesitated. "Hyunjin... He gave it to me himself."

Yongbok froze. His trembling halted. "When?! Answer me, Han Jisung! When did he give it to you?!"

"Not long ago," Jisung said, steadying his tone. "Just fifteen minutes ago. You saw him, didn’t you? Dressed all in black? Long coat?"

Yongbok’s lips quivered. "Oh... So, he’s alive... Not dead. He’s alive."

Jisung nodded. "Yes, Yongbok-ah. Definitely not dead."

Without thinking, Yongbok’s knees gave out and he fell beside Minho, his mind spinning.

Jisung gently asked, "Do you want to follow him, Yongbok-ah?"

Yongbok shook his head slowly. "No... If he wanted to meet me, he would’ve given me a letter. He’s alive, so it’s okay now."

Minho raised his head. "Jisung-ah..."
"Yes, brother?"

"Please, do me a favor. Ask Jeongin to confirm Seungmin’s alive. I need to know."
"Of course, brother. I’ll do it now."

"Come straight to me when you get an answer."
Jisung and Yongbok nodded and quickly left Minho’s waiting room.

Minho stared at the letter in his hand. His fingers trembled around the edges. He couldn’t bring himself to open it. What if it was a goodbye letter? What if it said the things he was dreading most? What would he do then?

His chest tightened and the tears came again—quiet, restrained sobs he tried to hold in.

At that moment, Bang Chan knocked and stepped inside, eyes already clouded with concern.

"Minho..."

Minho looked up, his tear-streaked face full of raw pain.

Chan said softly, "Oh, poor Minho... I knew you’d be like this. That’s why I’m here."
He stepped forward and held out another letter.

"This came to me just now. Changbin brought it. And yes... It’s from Seungmin. Open it, Minho."

Minho's fingers clutched the paper. "I don’t know, hyung... What if he’s really dead? What if this is goodbye? What should I do?"
Chan put a firm hand on his shoulder. "Minho-yah, Changbin didn’t say anything like that. Trust me. It’s not what you think. Believe in me. Open it."

Minho nodded faintly, his lips trembling, and slowly tore the letter open.

Hello, Sweetheart.

I found out how you got my information without me telling you. So I wrote this letter urgently, to send it to you before anything else.
I guessed you wouldn’t read the one I sent through Hyunjin—because you’re afraid of running toward me, right? I think that’s a wise choice. If you read that letter first, I know you would’ve come to find me.

I’m alive. At least, I am as of 10:50 a.m., Korean time, today. I had to fake my death to throw off the inspection team. Don’t worry—I was shot, but I’m far from dying.
I love you. I was so afraid I wouldn’t get to say this, but I love you, Minho.
You look beautiful in that wedding suit. I wish I were the one standing beside you today. Maybe in the next life, I can marry you properly. I’m sorry I can’t stay for the wedding… but I saw you. That’s enough.

I’ll watch over you, even if it’s from the shadows.

So please… be happy.
Kim Seungmin

As Minho finished reading, the letter slipped from his hands. He bolted toward the glass wall of the hotel room. Across from him, through the transparent windows of another building, he caught sight of a figure standing by a window.

A man in a black cap turned his head slightly away, revealing only the curve of his jaw.

Minho whispered, breathless, “That’s him… That’s Seungmin…”
His chest heaved as the tears overflowed again, but this time with a different ache—relief.

Minho sobbed brokenly. “He’s alive… He’s really alive. Thank God, he’s alive…”

Chan wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Yes, Minho-yah… He’s alive. I told you. You can breathe now.”

Just then, Jisung came running into the room.
“Brother! I confirmed with Jeongin! Seungmin is alive. He even told Jeongin to wish you good luck—and congratulated you on the wedding.”

Minho looked up, tears still falling. “Thank you, Jisung-ah. Thank you so much.”

Bang Chan gave Jisung a small signal, and Jisung quietly left the room.

Chan said gently, “Minho-yah, don’t cry anymore. It’s almost over. We’re going to be okay.
And I’ll be beside you always. You believe in me, right?”

Minho reached out and held onto Chan’s arm tightly. “Yes, hyung. I believe in you.”

And for the first time that day, despite everything—Minho breathed. Not freely, but enough to stay standing. Enough to hope again.

---

Seungmin left the building.

As foolish as it was, he still hoped—still dreamed—that Minho would run toward him. That Minho would choose him.
But he didn’t.
And yet… Minho is in good hands.

That is all that mattered now.

As Seungmin stood outside the dark alleyway, his coat brushing in the wind, he tilted his head toward the soft golden sky. The late afternoon sun was beginning to set, casting its warm farewell glow upon the city. His hand clutched the edge of his coat as if that could quiet the ache in his chest.

“I let you go, just the way you wanted…” Seungmin whispered to no one but the wind. His voice trembled, soft like a broken lullaby. “So be happy, my love.”
His eyes closed, lashes wet with tears that refused to fall. A bittersweet smile curled on his lips—faint, barely there, but real.

“Bang Chan will love you kindly. He’ll take care of you like I always wanted to but couldn’t… And you’ll never have to choose between love and duty again.”

He turned back to his friend Hyunjin, his voice clear but quiet. “Let’s go.”

And just like that, Kim Seungmin walked away from the life he once cherished… and the man he loved more than life itself.

---

Meanwhile, inside the golden-lit cathedral hall, soft music filled the space as white petals fluttered from the ceiling like snow. The guests watched with warm smiles and misty eyes as the ceremony began.

Bang Chan stood tall at the altar, dressed in a pristine white tuxedo that matched the pale ivory and lilac roses arranged around the hall. But his eyes—his eyes only searched for one thing.

Minho.

And then the doors opened.

There he stood—Lee Minho. Stunning in his wedding suit, the silk hugging his slender frame like it had been made for no one else. A gentle breeze passed through the open doors as Minho took his first step forward, walking slowly down the aisle.

But his steps felt heavy.

As Minho walked, his eyes lifted only once—to the far cathedral window. The light struck through the stained glass, and for a second, just a second, he imagined a figure standing far away… in black… watching him.

His heart whispered, Seungmin…

But he looked away quickly. No more distractions. No more “what ifs.”

Chan’s breath hitched as Minho approached. He saw the hesitation in Minho’s steps, the sorrow buried deep in those beautiful dark eyes. But he said nothing. Instead, he held out his hand.

Minho looked at it.

His fingers trembled.

Then… he took it.

“You’re shaking,” Chan whispered, concern deep in his voice.

Minho smiled faintly. “I’m trying not to cry.”

“You don’t have to pretend,” Chan murmured back. “Not with me.”

“I’m not pretending,” Minho replied softly. “I just… I’m here. I chose this. I need to finish it.”

Chan nodded, squeezing his hand. “Then let me be the one beside you.”

The ceremony continued.

When the priest finally said, “Do you, Bang Chan, take Lee Minho—” Chan answered before the question even finished.

“I do,” he said, voice firm and certain.

The priest turned. “And do you, Lee Minho…”

Minho hesitated.

Time paused.

He remembered Seungmin’s letter.
please... be happy.

Minho blinked, his eyes moist. He drew a breath.
“I do.”

A wave of quiet joy swept through the room.

Then came the words: “You may now kiss.”

Chan leaned in slowly, as if giving Minho the chance to pull away.
Minho didn’t.

Their lips met—not with wild passion, but with quiet acceptance.

Somewhere far away, Seungmin looked up at the sky again.

And smiled.

“Congratulations, Minho-yah,” he whispered. “Even if it’s not with me… I’m glad you found peace.”
He turned away from the skyline and disappeared into the night.

---

This is the final chapter of my fanfic. Welcome and enjoy the show. Let me know if you want to ask anything about my fanfic.