Rooftop, After the Chaos
Soobin stepped onto the rooftop like he owned it—and maybe he did. His presence alone made the air feel different, heavier. Hyunwoo's friends, still nursing their bruises from Minjae's fists, took an automatic step back.
"Minjae," Soobin's voice cut through the wind, sharp and final. "Take Jiho and go. Now."
Minjae was still holding Hyunwoo's shirt, knuckles white, breathing hard. Jiho pressed against his side, trembling like a leaf. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving him shaky and overwhelmed.
"But hyung—" Minjae started.
"I said go." Soobin didn't raise his voice, but something in his tone made it clear this wasn't a request. "I'll handle things here."
Minjae looked at Soobin for a long moment, then at Jiho's tear-streaked face. He nodded slowly. "Thank you."
Without another word, he gathered Jiho close and headed for the stairwell. Jiho's legs were unsteady, so Minjae kept one arm around his waist, guiding him carefully down the stairs.
As their footsteps faded, Soobin turned his attention to Hyunwoo—and the mess he'd created.
---
Stairwell – Moments Later
Soobin's grip around Hyunwoo's wrist was firm but not cruel as he led him down the stairs. Hyunwoo followed without resistance, his mind still catching up to what had just happened. The fight, the livestream, Soobin's sudden appearance—it all felt surreal.
They'd made it halfway to the ground floor when three security guards appeared, blocking their path.
"Stop right there," the head guard said, slightly out of breath. "The principal wants to see everyone involved. Right now."
Soobin stopped, releasing Hyunwoo's wrist. He straightened his shoulders and stepped forward, positioning himself between the guards and Hyunwoo.
"That won't be necessary," he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge that made the guards hesitate. "I'll speak with the principal myself."
Something in his tone—the quiet authority, the certainty—made it clear this wasn't up for debate.
---
Principal's Office – Minutes Later
The principal's office felt smaller with Soobin in it. He stood behind Hyunwoo's chair, one hand resting casually on the back, but his presence dominated the room.
Principal Kim spread several printed screenshots across his desk—images from the livestream. "This is extremely serious. A student was assaulted, and the video has already spread online."
"The video is being handled," Soobin replied smoothly. "My people are working on damage control as we speak. Every trace will be gone by morning."
"That doesn't change what happened," the principal said, frowning at the images. "Hyunwoo clearly initiated..."
"A mistake," Soobin interrupted, his voice still level. "Yes. A serious one. I'm not here to make excuses for him."
Hyunwoo glanced up, surprised. Was Soobin throwing him under the bus?
But Soobin continued, "What I'm saying is that making an example of him publicly won't help the victim. It'll only create more drama, more attention. And we both know how quickly that can destroy a school's reputation."
The principal shifted uncomfortably. Politics and protection—he knew this game.
Soobin leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping. "Hyunwoo isn't some delinquent. He made a bad choice, yes. But you and I both know the real world doesn't run on clean punishment systems. What he needs is correction, not a public scandal."
Then, quieter but with unshakable authority: "He's already facing consequences where it matters most. I'll make sure he takes responsibility—the right way. Not through school gossip and viral videos."
The silence stretched between them like a taut wire.
Finally, Principal Kim leaned back with a sigh. "I'll pretend this conversation never happened. But this is your last favor,
Mr. Soobin. I don't care about your family connections—this school isn't your personal playground."
Soobin's smile was all sharp edges. "I'm glad we understand each other."
He placed a hand on Hyunwoo's shoulder. "Come on. We're leaving."
---
Soobin's Apartment – Evening
The ride to Soobin's apartment was suffocating in its silence. Soobin's hands gripped the steering wheel like it had personally offended him, jaw clenched tight. Hyunwoo stared out the passenger window, watching the city blur past, his reflection showing split lips and a darkening bruise along his cheekbone.
When they finally stopped, Hyunwoo blinked in confusion as Soobin led him into a sleek elevator and up to a minimalist apartment that screamed expensive taste.
"Why are we here?" Hyunwoo asked as the door clicked shut behind them.
Soobin didn't answer. He walked straight to a drawer, pulling out a first-aid kit, then turned back to Hyunwoo with purpose.
Before Hyunwoo could react, Soobin's hands were on his face—gentle but insistent, tilting his chin up to examine the damage. A cotton pad soaked in antiseptic pressed against the cut on his cheek, making him hiss.
"It's not that bad," Hyunwoo muttered, but he didn't pull away.
Soobin's focus was intense, like he was trying to catalog every mark, every bruise. His fingers moved to Hyunwoo's shirt, starting to unbutton it with careful precision.
"You don't need to—" Hyunwoo caught his wrists. "I'm fine."
But Soobin brushed his hands away and continued, revealing only minor bruising—nothing serious, just evidence of the scuffle. Still, Soobin's jaw tightened as if each mark was a personal insult.
When he was satisfied with his inspection, Soobin's hands stilled on Hyunwoo's shoulders. The silence between them felt charged, dangerous.
Then, without warning, Soobin pushed Hyunwoo back onto the couch.
Hyunwoo's back hit the cushions as Soobin followed, straddling his hips. One hand curved around the back of Hyunwoo's neck, not harsh but firm enough to keep him still.
"You shouldn't have done that," Soobin said, his voice low and rough with barely contained emotion. "You know what your father will do when he finds out. What the consequences will be."
His eyes searched Hyunwoo's face desperately. "But you're never afraid, are you? Even when you should be."
Hyunwoo met his gaze steadily. "I'm not afraid. And I don't need you to worry about me."
He grabbed Soobin's wrist, trying to pull his hand away from his neck. "I've told you before—don't interfere in my life. I don't need your help or your protection.
So why...." his voice cracked slightly, "why do you keep doing this?"
The question hung between them like a confession.
Soobin didn't answer with words.
Instead, he leaned down and kissed him.
It wasn't gentle. It was desperate, hungry, like he'd been holding back for too long and couldn't anymore. His lips crashed against Hyunwoo's with bruising intensity, one hand tangling in his hair, the other still gripping his neck.
Hyunwoo's eyes went wide with shock. His hands flew to Soobin's chest, fingers pressing against the firm muscle there, but he couldn't make himself push away. His mind went blank, overwhelmed by the heat of Soobin's mouth, the weight of his body, the way he tasted like mint and desperation.
The kiss deepened, Soobin's tongue tracing the seam of Hyunwoo's lips until they parted with a soft gasp. Every nerve in Hyunwoo's body felt like it was on fire. His heart hammered against his ribs so hard he was sure Soobin could feel it.
When Soobin's teeth caught his bottom lip, tugging gently, Hyunwoo made a sound that was half moan, half whimper. The sound seemed to drive Soobin wild—his kiss became more demanding, more possessive, like he was trying to claim every breath from Hyunwoo's lungs.
But then reality crashed over Hyunwoo like cold water.
He bit down hard on Soobin's lip.
"Ah—!" Soobin jerked back, touching his mouth. His fingers came away with a drop of blood.
They stared at each other, both breathing hard. Soobin's hair was mussed, his lips swollen and slightly bloody. Hyunwoo was sprawled beneath him, shirt half-open, chest rising and falling rapidly.
The air between them crackled with unfinished tension.
Slowly, Soobin pulled back and stood up. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to compose himself, then walked to the kitchen without a word.
Hyunwoo sat up, touching his own swollen lips with shaking fingers. His heart was still racing, but not from fear—from something much more dangerous. Something that made his stomach flip and his skin feel too tight.
From the kitchen came the sound of the refrigerator opening, ice clinking in a glass. Soobin leaned against the counter, taking slow sips of water like he was trying to cool down from the inside out.
When he finally turned back, his expression was carefully controlled again, but his eyes still burned.
"You should stay here tonight," he said, his voice quieter now but still firm.
Hyunwoo blinked. "What?"
"Your father has probably seen the video by now," Soobin continued, and there was genuine concern in his voice. "It's not safe for you to go home tonight. Not until things calm down."
He moved closer again, but kept his distance this time. "You don't have to say anything. Just... stay. Please."
The word 'please' sounded foreign coming from Soobin—like he wasn't used to asking for things instead of demanding them.
Hyunwoo looked at him for a long moment. His lips still tingled from the kiss, and he could still taste Soobin on his tongue. Everything in him was screaming to run, to get away from whatever this was becoming between them.
But when he looked into Soobin's eyes, he didn't see the cold control he was used to.
He saw protection. Quiet, desperate protection.
He didn't answer, but he didn't leave either.
---
Chairman Jang's Office
The executive office was dark except for the glow of the massive monitor mounted on the wall. Chairman Jang sat in his leather chair like a king on a throne, fingers steepled under his chin as he watched the grainy footage for the third time.
There was Hyunwoo's hand shoving the smaller boy. There was the fear in the victim's eyes. There was the moment everything spiraled out of control.
His secretary stood motionless beside him, remote control in hand, waiting for instructions.
"It's gone viral, sir," the secretary said quietly. "We've managed to remove most of the copies, but some are still circulating. Hyunwoo is clearly identifiable in several clips."
Chairman Jang's expression remained unreadable. "And Soobin?"
"He's... contained the immediate damage. But not completely."
The silence stretched for what felt like hours.
Then, in a voice as cold as winter: "Bring him to me."
---