Chapter Three (1/1)

Jeonghan took his hair out of his hair bow and put his fingers through his hair.  He looked at his classmates with a victorious smile.  They all patted each other's backs as they went into the locker room.  Along with studying generally, he is also part of the college track team.  He has pride in being top in the team as he loves the wind going through his hair as he runs the fastest. Putting on casual clothes, Jeonghan makes it to the college exit.  He doesn't own a vehicle, so he must walk to the store to start working.  He sees a silver car coming by, parking at a space nearby.  The light coming from the reflection blinded Jeonghan for a moment.  "Hey Jeonghan,"  The owner of the vehicle came out. Jeonghan turned around and saw Seungcheol.  "Oh, hi."  He put his bag behind him.  "Sorry I haven't returned any texts.  Minhyuk has been blowing my phone up while I've been busy."  Jeonghan laughed. Seungcheol smiles.  "No, that's fine.  It's good you're staying busy."  He put his hands to his side.  "I hope one day I'll have the privilege of being someone's top priority.."

Jeonghan raised his eyebrows for a moment.  "So.. I have to get to work, I'll see you later, okay?"  He put a hand on Seungcheol's shoulder.  Seungcheol nodded and watched Jeonghan walk away.  Jeonghan sighed and went to the store to start his work.  And then work finished and he was left with doing his homework.  He looked at his watch as it was slowly approaching midnight.  He closed his textbook and turned off the light.  He silently walked out of his bedroom and heard his parents snoring in their bedroom.  He nodded and tip-toed down the stairs. Like last month, he sneaked out of the house.  He walked to the open restaurant and looked around.  He bit his lip as he sat down at their table.  He played with his nails as his eyes scanned around the place.  He didn't fail to notice that Seungcheol was nearby.  What is he doing here this late?  He thought. They eventually made eye contact.  Jeonghan tore out of the contest when he heard Minhyuk's voice.  "Hey, you didn't order for us yet?"  Minhyuk asked in an annoyed tone.

Jeonghan looked up at him.  "I didn't want to order and it gets cold when you come."  He said in a small voice.  "I'll go order it-" "Sit."  He pushed Jeonghan down on the seat.  "I'm actually not in the mood for food tonight."  Minhyuk folded his arms. "No..?" Minhyuk hummed.  "I see that Seungcheol's here, you and him flirting while waiting for me?"  He asked. Jeonghan stood up.  "Of course not."  He said in disbelief.  "What's with you?"  Jeonghan narrowed his eyes at the older. Minhyuk grabbed Jeonghan's wrist in a tight grip, walking him away from the restaurant.  "I'm not in the mood for food."  He said, opening the car door and motioning Jeonghan to go in. Jeonghan submitted and sat down in the car.  He buckled himself up as Minhyuk made his way to the other side.  He starts the engine and speeds out of the parking lot.  "Slow down."  Jeonghan put his hand on the older's thigh. Minhyuk took the hand and tossed it away while keeping his gaze on the road.  Jeonghan sat back in his seat as he felt Minhyuk press on the excelerator.  Is this it?  Jeonghan closed his eyes as he felt them getting even faster.  However, the speed evened out and slowly went down.  He let his shaky breath out inaudibly and he stopped a tear from forming. He then notices that they're nearing the dead end road.  He held his hands together as Minhyuk took careless turns to the warehouse.  He parked wherever instead of in the garage. "Get out."  Minhyuk commanded.  Jeonghan was frozen in his spot.  "I said get out."  He nudged Jeonghan's thigh.

Jeonghan unclicked his seatbelt and opened the car door.  "Walk inside."  Minhyuk instructed as he pointed at the building. The younger obeyed and went into the dark, abandoned building.  He put his arms together as it was cold in the warehouse. "You think it's so cute that while I fuck up at work, you're already looking at different men?"  Minhyuk loosened his tie.  "What?  Of course not, Minhyuk.  Why are you-"  He was cut off with a slap across his face.

Jeonghan fell to the floor and looked up at Minhyuk.  "Listen here, Jeonghan.  I see you flirting with all of your customers.  Giving them more than a warm-welcoming smile.  Not to mention that a friend of mine saw you touching up on Seungcheol at college today."  He threw his jacket to the floor. Jeonghan widened his eyes.  "I only saw him, I never touched him."  He tried thinking back.  Shit, I put a hand on his shoulder..  "Minhyuk, please.   Is there something going on at work?  You can talk to me."  He offered with a little hope in his eyes. "Yeah, I fucked up during a meeting, so guess who got demoted.  Guess who has shit on their name?"  He reached down to pick Jeonghan up by the collar. "Me.  Fucking. Me."  He said through gritted teeth.  "And then I drive all the way from Gwangju to see my boyfriend already looking for a new dick?!" "No, please-"

Minhyuk punched Jeonghan in the face before tossing the man to the floor harshly.  "There's no getting around it."  Minhyuk said.  "Let me remind you who you really want."  He said, taking down his pants. Jeonghan raised his eyebrows while holding his cheek.  "You think fucking me will solve things?"  He asked in a weak voice. "I'll love you better than any man, Jeonghan.  And I want to remind you that you would be giving up me."  He knelt down and cupped Jeonghan's cheek.  "Turn over, Pretty." Jeonghan looked at him and nodded.  "I won't cheat on you, I promise."  He submitted, letting the man take his clothes down.  "Please don't hurt me."  He begged. "Who said I hurt you?"  He pressed Jeonghan against the cold floor.  "It's called discipline." Jeonghan nodded and started crying.  "I'm sorry, I'll do better.."  He said, feeling his legs being spread. "You better."

***

Months passed by and it was the same thing each time.  Jeonghan would hear and feel the stress of Minhyuk's work.  He gave his opinion through texts, he tried to console the older, he tried even saying he would work at his mother's nail salon instead, but nothing made the man lighten his punches, kicks, or anything. Jeonghan looked down at the table.  Midnight passed by an hour ago.  He finally looked up from the table to see Seungcheol across the way, thumbing his bottle of water.  He sighed, knowing that Seungcheol's just been sitting there for an hour like he has. It's not supposed to be cold in summer.  But tonight had Jeonghan relatively chilly.  Being that he expected Minhyuk to be on time, he didn't bring a jacket.  He didn't think of the weather being a bit on the cooler side.  He sees Seungcheol look around and they eventually let their eyes rest on each other.  Usually Jeonghan would look away.  Usually he wouldn't even let there be an opportunity for them to make eye contact.  However, Seungcheol looks depressed. His eyes were low and dark, his hair was barely cared for with a brush, and his thick lips pouted the whole night.  Jeonghan stood up and walked over to Seungcheol. "Hey.."  Jeonghan said as he rested his hands on the counter.  Seungcheol's sitting at the stools at the counter. "Hey.."  Seungcheol returned. Silence crept up on them for a short minute.  "What are you doing here alone?"  Jeonghan asked. "I'm waiting for my brother.  We usually meet up once or twice a month."  Seungcheol replied.  "Where's Minhyuk?" Jeonghan shrugged.  "He said that's on his way.. He'll be here later than sooner."  He put a fist on his cheek.  "He's coming from Gwangju.." Seungcheol nodded and drank from his water.  When he was finished drinking, he looked at Jeonghan's face.  Some bruises from the month prior haven't healed.  "Is your face okay?" Jeonghan held the most noticeable bruise with a fake smile.  "I do track.. so.." "Ohh.."  Seungcheol understood.  "I get it.. track's a bit tough, huh?" Jeonghan nodded.  "Sometimes.. I wish I never started it.. I wish I just said no.."  He said, finally sitting down on the stool next to Seungcheol. Seungcheol looked at Jeonghan's hands.  His knuckles are red and his fingernails are purple.  "If I could, I would run for you."  Seungcheol said, thumbing the water bottle once more. Jeonghan looked at him with slight-shock.  "Seungcheol.."  "I also wouldn't be late.."  Seungcheol muttered. That last one was hard for Jeonghan to hear.  "Seungcheol!"  Jeonghan turned to see an older man approach them.  "That's my brother."  Seungcheol smiled. Jeonghan nodded.  "I'll leave you two be then."  He stood up and bowed to the new male.  He then left, sticking his hands in his jeans pockets.

The cold is getting to him, so he went into one of the restaurants nearby.  He stopped automatically when he saw that familiar head of brown hair, thick eyebrows, and smirk.  His eyes go from Minhyuk's glare on a woman to his hand that is feeling up her thigh.  ..what..?  Jeonghan clenched his fists weakly before his fingers started hurting. He walked up to them.  "I guess work is keeping you.."  Jeonghan said in a weak voice. The woman turned to look at Jeonghan and gave him a smile.  "Yes, we're talking about a meeting from work."  She said with a casual wink. Minhyuk's hand didn't move and his smirk stayed on his lips.  "I'll be out there in a minute,"  He gave Jeonghan his car keys, "warm yourself up.  You look pale." Jeonghan took the keys with a nod.  He turned around and walked out of the door.  He walked past the open restaurant once more, seeing that Seungcheol was getting side-hugged by his brother.  That sad pout finally turned into a relieved smile.  He looks so much better with a smile..  Jeonghan commented inwardly as he watched those two laughing together. Seungcheol happened to look past his brother and see Jeonghan.  Jeonghan stood there like he was a ghost you would see on the backroad for your truck route.  He looked like he wasn't belonging there.  His eyes were dark and his lips were expressionless. To not make his brother notice, he turned back to him.  Jeonghan looked down and walked to Minhyuk's car that was nearby.  He also looked at the river he was parked next to.  He raised his arm with the keys in his hand.  I should just throw them in.  He said as he felt wronged. "Woah there,"  He heard Minhyuk behind him, "gimme." Jeonghan turned around.  "How could you?!"  Jeonghan raised his voice as he tossed the keys to the ground. "What?"  Minhyuk asked in an annoyed tone, picking the metal up.  "You punch me over saying I prefer my toast being lighter.  You yell at me for saying I like a guy's outfit.  You constantly are beating me up over your stupid mistakes.  How could you just cheat on me like that?!"  Jeonghan asked, trying to be the loudest he can be. Minhyuk rolled his eyes before grabbing Jeonghan by the neck.  "I wasn't cheating on you."  He said through gritted teeth before throwing Jeonghan down onto the pavement.  "Now get in the car."

Jeonghan looked at him with disbelief.  "Go have sex with her."  He said, wiping the blood from his lip.  "If you say anything about her one more fucking time I swear I will crack your skull open."  He said as he took Jeonghan by the shoulders.  "Nothing fucking happened and I expect you to respect me. "I come all the way from Gwangju to try to make you happy.  The least you can do is make me happy."  He said. Jeonghan huffed.  "You could break up with me."  He said. "But do you really hate me?"  He said, thumbing Jeonghan's cheek.  "I just need to get some things in order." Jeonghan looked at him with raised eyebrows.  "..what do you mean..?" "Remember the ducks?"  Minhyuk said in a soft tone, getting a small smile and a nod from Jeonghan.  "I want to be like them, happy with you and taking care of our little creatures." Jeonghan pursed his lips and looked into Minhyuk's eyes.  "Really?"  He whispered.

Minhyuk nodded.  "I just need to work things out.  The office is stressful.."  He said as he sat Jeonghan in his car. "Okay.."  Jeonghan finally submitted.  Minhyuk smiled and kissed Jeonghan's lips.  "I'll take care of you, just give me some time."  He put his fingers through Jeonghan's silkie, black hair. Jeonghan nodded and kissed back, bringing Minhyuk closer.  Minhyuk pulled away after a moment.  "I'm going to drive you home tonight.  We'll go to the warehouse next time, okay?"  He insisted. The younger felt the burden in his heart lift with the sweet smile Minhyuk gave.  "Thank you.."  He reached out to hold Minhyuk's hand. The older kissed Jeonghan's hand before putting the hand carefully on Jeonghan's lap.  He then closed the car door and walked to the other side, sitting down at the steering wheel. Jeonghan took hold of Minhyuk's right hand, knowing fully well that the older could drive with just one hand.  "Please hold my hand?"  He asked in a small voice.

Minhyuk looked into Jeonghan's eyes, seeing them being big and innocent.  He couldn't help but cave into the younger's cute expression.  "Okay,"  He linked their fingers, "but if I need to use this one, I'm sorry for the abrupt movement."  He said. Jeonghan nodded.  "I just.. want contact, that's all.."  He muttered as he closed his eyes and sat against the seat. "I'll wake you up when we get there."  Minhyuk said as he started driving.

Jeonghan hummed and slowly fell asleep.  

Seungcheol notices what's going on though.

<3