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“Are you Lee Minho?”
Technically a very simple question.
Technically, because Minho has been through enough shit in life to not be stupid or naïve enough to answer that question in a simple manner. People often call him weird for the way he is – a weird mix of cautious and carefree – but they can suck it. He doesn’t even believe his own friends when they say they’re going to be punctual to dance practice (Hyunjin) nor his mother when she says that’s only the cats’ second snack of the day.
Minho especially doesn’t believe in the good of tall men in black suits with dark sunglasses who pick out a random dude to question identities – Minho, with fluffy cat ears and plain waiter uniform on.
Minho is at work right now: outside the traditional BBQ restaurant, giving out flyers and looking pretty at around 20:00. Usually his job is more of what a waiter actually does but they’re having an event time period for charity, okay? People have already asked for photos and laughed at him but this is for an animal shelter and they made him wear these to– that doesn’t matter right now, you can imagine the rest and his shift ends in an hour.
Two tall men in suits and sunglasses staring Minho down is what matters right now. Why are the streets suddenly so empty? When Minho chances a glance back into the restaurant through the tall glass windows, he sees no one. Not even Felix, who was just at the counter a minute ago with identical cat ears and uniform.
Luck just isn’t with Lee Minho today.
He turns back to the two intimidating men.
At least he’s good at keeping a straight face.
“No.”
Maybe he should have made himself sound extra confident in his answer or he should have simply started running, because the men in black don’t hesitate even a second before they grab him by the arms at each side.
They have an easy time lifting him into the air and carrying him away, no matter how much he thrashes and screams.
What’s three black belts in different martial arts in the face of panic from getting kidnapped by two tall, buff and intimidating men?
“IS NO ONE SEEING THIS?! WHERE THE FUCK IS EVERYONE?”
Minho feels his heart beat into his throat, trying to remember to breathe and keep screaming.
Is he seriously getting kidnapped in the middle of the city right now? Sure, it’s a corner of the city but it’s still in the city! Cities always have someone somewhere. Somebody has to be seeing – or hearing, because Minho is still screaming – this and calling the authorities, right?
“Shut the fuck up!” One of the men snaps as they turn the corner.
A black van with tinted windows. Absolutely no chance of seeing what’s inside.
The van door slides open while Minho starts screaming even louder and thrashing his whole body in their hold. Maybe they’ll let him go if they think he’s lost his mind or something. “I DON’T HAVE ANY FUCKING MONEY AND I’M PRETTY SURE I HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING TO OFFEND ANY BIG GUYS OR–”
A gloved hand over his mouth. “Shut up, catboy.”
And Minho is thrown into the van where another man in a black suit, black sunglasses and a shiny bald head is waiting. In seconds, they have him gagged and tied up with– nevermind, Minho can’t fucking see because they put a bag over his head. He hears the van door close and feels the ropes digging into his skin through his uniform.
It must be the bald head who roughly pushes him into a corner. Minho finally stops his (muffled by now) screaming. Tired out, all he does is grunt from the impact and lay there to catch his breath. Somehow the cat ears have managed to stay on his head because he feels them dig into the side of his scalp from where he’s laying on the – holy shit, it’s moving! – van floor.
Where are they taking him?
Don’t get Minho wrong. Or do, whatever. The thing is: too much panicking isn’t going to get him anywhere. He doesn’t want to cry and lose all rational thinking, even if honestly, maybe he is panicking a little somewhere deep down way more than he lets on – so much could go even worse here.
Still… there are enough things more important. A kidnapping is the last thing he needs right now. Minho really needs the money from his part-time job and appear on campus again in certain time – it’s the beginning of the semester break right now but he has already paid the student tuition for the next semester and would like to finish his bachelor’s degree in peace. There are still assignments due the end of semester break, too. Not to forget, his mom is gonna get Soonie, Doongie and Dori fat and spoiled if he isn’t coming back from this soon enough.
Fuck this. Lee Minho has better shit to do than get kidnapped!
There’s nothing new about getting kidnapped and thrown into a cell for Seo Changbin.
It happens from time to time and he’s gotten used to it by now. The world of gangs, crime and shady ass people who get violent first and foremost is where Changbin has his roots. As the son of a pretty powerful crime boss in South Korea, it’s something that happens way too often.
Therefore, it’s something he should complain to their team of security to.
Actually, Changbin does. All the time. He complains a lot to Bang Chan who will probably bail him out of this makeshift prison cell in someone’s dusty basement. As usual.
Changbin pointedly avoids looking at the wall of torture devices and the examination table right in front of his cell. So far, he’s always gotten away with bruises only. It better stays that way.
So experienced-in-getting-kidnapped Changbin makes himself as comfortable as possible while not showing any more weakness. His father would often scold him for sitting like ‘an embarrassing street punk’ but praise him for ‘the venom in his eyes’.
(In reality Changbin just has a heavy case of Resting Bitch Face and likes hip hop too much.)
Anyway, Chan sure is taking his time to arrive and save him.
This is Changbin’s second day in this cell and his back is sore from sleeping on the floor with nothing but a blanket and a thin pillow. At least he wasn’t on a job when he was getting kidnapped. Otherwise he’d be even more uncomfortable in a business suit than his casual clothes right now: black ripped jeans, a black t-shirt, grey zip-up sweater on and black boots. His loyal leather jacket lays next to his blanket.
Yes, he likes… dark.
“Mppfh!”
An angry, muffled and very human sound comes right through when Changbin hears the metal door of the basement open – inconveniently out of his sight unless he cranes his neck out the prison bars, which is something he got kicked for once. Since it doesn’t sound like Chan either, Changbin guesses it’s another kidnappee.
Ugh. Pity.
Changbin stays put on the dusty cement floor and stays attentive.
“Oh, shut up already and stop squirming! Boss said not to harm you but you’re toeing the fucking line!”
“Mpfhhuh?!”
“Can’t we put the bag back on his head? I feel bad.”
“I forgot it in the fucking car, Dave.”
“Mhmpf!!”
Three people come into view: two of the three are the tall buff men in suits who also kidnapped Changbin yesterday and a… catboy? waiter…? who is thrashing in their hold. Well, Changbin’s been in this business for a very long time but it’s his first time seeing a catboy. And not to take away from the seriousness of the situation–
The cell is opened to push the catboy waiter in, who stumbles onto the floor with a heavy thud, and it’s immediately locked again. The kidnappers waste no second in leaving the basement with annoyed complaints about how bothersome ‘this one’ was and how their pay is the only thing saving ‘this one’ from proper violence.
–but the catboy waiter is really pretty. Like, unbelievably pretty. Sparkly eyes, lean body and sharp features that somehow have a specific softness in them. The catboy groans and grimaces in pain, laying on his side since his hands are still bound behind his back. Noises come through the gag in his mouth tied around his head – fairly pissed off. Quite aggressive, for such a pretty face.
With almost comedic timing, he pauses his struggles right when he spots Changbin.
Changbin isn’t sure what the expectant look is for. It’s cute but Changbin doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do.
Wait, isn’t this how porn starts? Cute catboy in heat is thrown into an occupied prison cell so now he’s begging the other prisoner to help him with his problem?
That’s usually not his taste – more like, Jisung’s type of animated porn (“Hentai,” the Jisung in his mind supplies with unnecessary confidence) – but now that Changbin is in that situation himself, he can see the appeal. Definitely a better way to spend being kidnapped than just wait for rescue like he usually does. Though of course, real life is more boring than that.
“Hmph?” the sound is friendlier than the loud ones from before. “Mmm?” The newcomer tries to communicate as best as he can, using nods and eye movement.
Ah, he wants to be untied.
But who knows whether freeing the stranger is a good idea or not? Changbin doesn’t even know who he is. He could be a bad guy too, after all. Technically Changbin isn’t even from the good side himself. Even the good side isn’t always the good side, just because they say so. Nobody knows these days.
When Changbin just stares at him – even the son of a crime lord is taught not to speak to strangers, even if it’s cute catboy strangers – the boy helplessly flails around in his bounds again and starts to whine loudly, all not unlike a child throwing a tantrum.
He’ll pop a vein at this point.
Alright, Changbin takes pity on him (plus he isn’t sure whether the noises are hot or annoying; what’s wrong with his preferences today?). With a sigh, he makes to get up and the boy immediately stills again, eyes wide and watchful of every one of Changbin’s movements.
“I’ll untie you,” Changbin informs him and walks around to kneel behind the new prisoner. The boy is still watchful, but his body relaxes slowly as he realises Changbin means no harm.
The catboy’s wrists are tied behind his back with a broad zip tie and around his chest and upper arms is a plain rope tightly bound. Only his legs are free, but judging from the crumbled parts of the pants fabric, they used to be tied up before ending up here too. The gag keeping his mouth filled is a simple thick cloth tied at the back of his head. Those are usually easiest to get rid of so Changbin starts there.
“Finally!” the catboy gasps for air in relief and then makes a quick face of disgust – yeah, the cloth definitely wasn’t very tasty. His voice sounds like honey tea but a little strained, probably from being noisy as fuck through the gag before (though, rightfully so). “For a second I thought you were just going to leave me like this. You sure took your time deciding. No grudges though. Just hurry up with the rest.”
Changbin ignores the rude rushing in the guy’s otherwise polite form of speech. “How am I supposed to take the rest off? I don’t have a knife laying around. Why did they even tie you up so much? When they took me, they just put a normal zip tie on my wrists and that was it, which, you know, is easier to break than yours here.”
“Yeah, I know that. Let’s just say I’m flexible,” catboy says, “You can imagine what happened.”
“Guess you’ll just have to stay like this then,” Changbin shrugs, uncaring really and not really able to imagine what happened. “Who are you anyway?”
Despite the waiter uniform and fluffy fake cat ears on top of his head, this newcomer must be someone important. Why else would whoever he got kidnapped for, pay enough money for the kidnappers to respect the rule against violence? Considering the plain waiter uniform and the fluffy cat ears, Changbin has no idea. Someone important’s sugar baby maybe? But wouldn’t they put more money into a proper cosplay then? Someone’s right hand? An information broker maybe? The people in this line of work tend to have weird hobbies sometimes.
“Lee Minho,” the catboy, ah, Lee Minho answers as he drops his head on the floor like he has given up, “And I need to go home before my mom makes my cats too fat and I miss my assignments.”
Hm, an important weirdo… with a mother, cats and assignments. Aha. “But who are you? What assignments? Where are you from? Affiliations? Streetnames? Mine’s SpearB, I’m sure you already know me by that alone.”
Minho rolls his eyes and then looks over his shoulder where Changbin is still kneeling. “Lee Minho, I’m a university student from Gimpo who hasn’t finished all his assignments of the semester yet. I guess I’m affiliated with Gyussam BBQs and the street I live on is called–”
“Okay, fine, be like that and don’t tell me,” Changbin backs off and goes back to his spot in front of Minho, as he slides down the wall to sit like before. Catboy acting like his undercover profile didn’t totally blow by getting kidnapped… must be a beginner then. Or a stubborn professional. Doesn’t even spare his streetname.
“I literally just told you.” Minho looks at him and Changbin wonders if he’s glaring or just has a case of Resting Bitch Face too. Or both. How important is he that he acts like a random civilian? Sure, Changbin doesn’t know who the kidnappers are this time but if Changbin is kidnapped, they must be big. And big means no kidnapping random civilians and getting paid well enough not to harm even a hair.
In conclusion: this catboy is suspicious.
Although something about him just tells Changbin he doesn’t really belong here. Changbin’s gut rarely ever betrays him, so maybe Minho is telling the truth after all. But that still leaves the question of why he’s been kidnapped in a high-profile scenario like this.
“Fine.” Minho seems to sense that Changbin doesn’t trust him and isn’t going to talk anymore, so he rolls on his stomach, holding his head up and struggles in his bounds to get something out of his backpocket. In his struggle the cat ears fall off.
“Are you seriously putting the cat ears back on me right now?”
Changbin withdraws his hand immediately and shrugs. “Might as well.”
“’MiGht aS wELL’,” Minho mocks with a scrunched-up face, formalities dropped, and then glares at him but the cat ears definitely lessen the intimidation factor. “Help me get my wallet out my fucking backpocket instead maybe!”
“I should’ve left the gag in your mouth…” Changbin grumbles under his breath and carefully takes the wallet out of Minho’s backpocket, making sure not to touch unnecessarily – hey, catboy may be sexy but Changbin values consent and isn’t a perverted asshole. “Here you go.”
“’HErE yoU gO’,” Minho mocks louder this time like Changbin doesn’t obviously see him tied up, visibly losing his patience. Then he deflates with a sigh of defeat, voice quiet. Is this brat not intimidated by Changbin or the whole kidnapping problem at all? “Just look at my IDs for fuck’s sake…”
This time Changbin huffs in amusement and takes a look inside the wallet. It’s made of faux leather and the material is worn by probably years of use. Money-wise there’s about 6000₩ in cash, no credit cards or anything else. Is he, like, poor? Changbin’s eyes ignore the driver’s license, state ID card and other random stuff in favour of the student ID card at the top, pulling it out to read: Lee Minho. 25.10.1998. U.A. University. The photo probably would’ve turned out better if it wasn’t shot mid-sneeze.
“Are you undercover as a student or something?”
“What do you– I am a student! You have my student ID in your hand! You’re getting on my nerves…”
“Easy to fake but fine, let’s say it’s real. What’s your major? Business? Are you some rich dude’s heir whose credit cards got stolen?” That would explain the lack of money.
“I wish I was,” Minho rolls his eyes, “It’s computer sciences. This is my first time getting kidnapped so excuse me for not knowing the rules of greeting or whatever,” sarcasm drips from his tired voice, “I just want to go home, man… do you know how expensive university life is when you’re not a rich kid?” And then his eyes widen in realisation as he mumbles a helpless, “I’m so gonna lose my job over this…”
Well, that’s kind of sad. Okay, really, Minho doesn’t look nor act like he’s from this world anyway. In Changbin’s eyes he even looks pitiful. A university student with only 6000₩ in his pockets, plain waiter uniform and fake cat ears on his head? Living with his mother and cats? No one lives like that for fun, no way. Undercover alibis are usually provided in a more comfortable setting too. Look at the sadness in his sparkly eyes, Changbin, he hears a voice in his head that sound suspiciously like Jisung and now he somehow wants to help this Minho person. He doesn’t give off any dangerous vibes. Although it might just be the cat ears.
Whatever.
“Alright, I believe you. Just don’t backstab me later on…” Changbin gives him the benefit of the doubt, making himself comfortable on the floor a friendly distance away from Minho, who’s still laying there with eyes of defeat and bound limbs. He must be feeling pathetic. If what he says is true, maybe this is a mix-up or something. “Don’t worry. I’ll try to get us out of here. Or you out of those knots. Then Chan hyung will get us out of here.”
“Chan?” Minho looks up, eyes hopeful and questioning. He seems to unconsciously pout and Changbin thinks, no, nevermind, it’s good that he took the gag off the guy because those lips are too pretty for it.
“Yeah, Bang Chan. He’s head of security for my person and he usually bails me out of these situations. Although he’s really late. I’ve been here since yesterday,” Changbin explains wistfully. He doesn’t really think when he reaches out to pet Minho’s dark brown hair, careful not to nudge the cat ears.
Minho gives his hand and then him a glare as he moves his head away quickly and rolls onto his side again, facing Changbin, “I’m not an actual cat, you know that, right? I’ll bite your fingers off. Don’t try me.”
“Yeah, but you’re really cute. Like a cat,” Changbin sighs and props his arms behind him to lean back on them as he gives Minho a once-over. Minho blushes bright red with a scandalised look when he notices it. “That’s also cute,” Changbin gives him a grin for the reaction.
“Creepy to hear it while kidnapped but thanks I guess,” Minho says, side-eyeing him with a blush still high on his cheeks as he avoids eye contact by looking at the wall behind Changbin, “You don’t look like the type to like cute things.”
“And you don’t look like you belong here,” Changbin shrugs at him. “Yet here we are. I’m really curious on why they took you… not that it’s any of my business.”
“I’d like to know as well, dude,” Minho deadpans and with a huff, suddenly heaves himself up, looking properly at Changbin now, “By the way, can I call you something other than SpearB? I thought about using it but I just feel stupid about addressing you like that.”
“Right,” Normal people don’t use streetnames in their daily lives, do they? Hm, Changbin remembers Minho is actually older than him but what he doesn’t know won’t kill him. “Let’s be casual with each other. You can call me Changbin.”
“Sure,” Minho agrees easily and mimics sitting criss-cross. “Anyway, Changbin, I’m assuming you know why you’re kidnapped? How do you usually spend your time waiting on your hero Chan?”
Changbin hums, thinking, “Hm, shit just happens sometimes. I just wait it out because usually I’m alone and Chan hyung has me home in a matter of hours only… I don’t know what’s taking so long this time but I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
“Alright, I hope so. I’m just gonna ignore how shady you are till then.”
“I was here first so you’re shadier. I can just decide to leave you here, you know that, right?”
As if that’s the most ridiculous thing he has ever head, Minho laughs loudly, eyes turning into crescent moons, “You’re definitely shady, but you don’t seem like a bad guy!”
Debatable, really. But Changbin finds himself smiling back.
Two more days pass.
Changbin doesn’t know for sure. There are no windows to check. He just guesses by feeling because their kidnappers in black bring them food and water every morning to last throughout the entire day till the next morning. “Breakfast” they call two sandwiches and one 2l water bottle per person. Minho had actually tried to get the kidnappers to at least free him from the rope and zip-tie – at first politely but with the first ‘no’ he had started throwing a fit again. They had vehemently refused.
Apparently they don’t trust Minho at all for some reason. Changbin still doesn’t know what Minho, a part-time catboy waiter and fulltime university student, is here for. Minho seems to have a good amount of guts and calm (considering he’s literally kidnapped and tied up), but then again, the kidnappers are paid not to use violence on him.
On another note, Changbin has undressed Minho a total of six times now.
Contrary to his sexual fantasies, it was only to help a very embarrassed Minho use the toilet. It’s hard to say no when the consequence is the poor guy soiling his pants in this situation. Due to the whole still being tied up thing, you know.
Their cell is just that: a cell. It has a toilet in the corner, a sink and a detachable shower head peeking out one of the walls in another corner. So yeah, they haven’t showered yet but Changbin had to help Minho do his business and yup, awkward! But necessary. (Good that there are surprisingly no security cameras here. Most of the budget went out for the violence-ban and unused torture devices, huh?) They did get another blanket and thin pillow for Minho though.
Luckily, there is no cold weather. It’s still the end of summer. And the cat ears have been (unfortunately) abandoned next to Minho’s sleeping corner.
Out of boredom and literally nothing better to do, Changbin has adopted a routine of doing different fitness sets. Due to being tied up and out of action, Minho usually watches or counts how far he can go. Right now, Changbin is doing situps and Minho holds his legs steady by having circled them with his own.
They don’t really have much to talk about. Just make the best out of the situation. It’s not necessarily awkward but they don’t try hard to befriend each other either. That’s ideal.
If Minho talks then he talks about his cats a lot, and his friends Hyunjin and Felix. He worries about his mother. Whined for half an hour about how his smartphone is probably still trapped in his locker at work. Sometimes he yammers about all the life problems waiting for him once he’s out of here. Still, he keeps all that as light as possible and jokes about those worries even. It’s one way to cope, for sure.
Changbin on the other hand doesn’t have much to offer. He doesn’t really want to disclose that he’s the son of a crime lord nor does he want to tell Minho about his jobs – he mostly takes care of actual bad guys anyway, no regrets there – so instead, he tells stories about the more mundane side of his life. Like when he’s hanging out and making music with Chan and Jisung. Unlike Changbin, Minho doesn’t ask any interrogative questions. And somehow, Minho bickers a lot with Changbin. Any other stranger testing his limits the way Minho does, Changbin would teach a lesson. With Minho though, he feels he’s gotten too soft.
Then again, Minho doesn’t even seem to know SpearB or who Seo Changbin really is. There is no need to be hard on him.
Or maybe it’s because Minho still reminds him of a cat. Unlike some other members of their organisation of his status, Changbin doesn’t have any pets or ‘pets’. In any context, in a life like his, pets are less trouble than friends and business partners.
Perhaps in another life, Minho and Changbin could have been good friends.
“I feel like we should shower,” Minho says when Changbin is only on his 62nd situp, “I feel disgusting, my hair is probably getting greasy and you’ve started stinking from your workouts since yesterday.”
“If you want to get naked with me so badly, you can just ask,” Changbin smirks when he’s sat up again and stays like that. He manages to ruffle Minho’s hair since it’s hard to evade in this position, to which he only gets a disapproving glare in return.
Changbin gives in with a “Yeah, yeah, I agree”, leaning back on his arms behind him. “I can get your pants off and take care of your hair but how am I going to get you out of your button-up so you can properly shower under the water?”
Minho’s lips form a thin line. A blush spreads across his cheeks and he looks away, red ears on display too. “You could just carefully clean me with your hands where you can reach without getting my clothes wet. Or just carefully spray me with the water. Also… should we see if you can just rip at least the rope apart? You look buff enough.”
“Do I look like Captain America to you?” Changbin asks in disbelief. What normal person can rip rope like that with his bare hands? He would’ve done it already if he could!
“Worth a try…” Minho purses his lips, slouching and resting his chin on one of Changbin’s knees. He looks up and damn it, his eyes are round, sparkly and sad. “Will your bodyguard really come?” Then he looks off to the side with an annoyed frown, “What do they even plan to do with us? They just leave us here to rot every day…”
Honestly Changbin wants to say something reassuring but he isn’t so sure himself. It’s never taken Chan this long to find him. Never. Furthermore, he has no idea what’s so important about Minho. He’s thought about it, but from the bits he’s gotten to know Minho, he really seems to only be a poor university student trying to get by in life. Getting kidnapped probably has worse consequences for Minho than for Changbin. Changbin can bounce back from this, easy. Minho on the other hand may need a new job, an extra (expensive) semester at university and maybe a new dietary plan for his cats after this.
It’s pitiful.
Maybe Changbin and Minho will have to try another way out of this situation somehow.
“Hey, look, let’s shower and plan our escape.”
Minho looks at him like he just said something ridiculous, “Escape? Don’t they have, like, guns? Not to forget that they’re two tall dangerous men. You’re on your own in a fight because I can’t help you when I’m tied up like this! Kicking didn’t get me very far before either. Not to mention that those guys are kidnappers and probably murderers for a living so how are we supposed to compete with that? Not to sound like a coward but the cards just really aren’t in our favour here, Changbin.”
Chuckling before he can stop himself, Changbin detangles his legs from Minho’s. “Don’t worry,” Changbin grins and taps one of Minho’s knees. “I’m not a bad fighter myself.”
Due to the obvious circumstances Changbin showers first that day. There’s no shampoo and the water is lukewarm. It’ll have to do.
Back turned, Minho faces the prison cell bars, taking in the rest of the dusty basement as he’s been doing every night. It’s basically a torture chamber. One lightbulb that permanently illuminates the place in weak light. Walls lined with tools and devices (yup, still for torture), a medical examination table by the side, some closed cabinets with who knows what in them. It’s all clean though – no blood, no leftovers. Maybe it’s truly unused and new.
Still, eerie.
As Changbin washes himself, he wonders how it must feel for a normal person to be in this dilemma. Changbin is used to these types of scenarios so he doesn’t really have much room for fear or panic. He has to be level-headed and calm so that’s what he is. He hates bothersome things anyway. Comfortable atmospheres are what he usually craves – everyone has a different idea of that though.
And Minho? For a normal person, he’s been too calm. He did once say that he just didn’t think it’s worth panicking over and that he had better things to worry about, which Changbin has to admit is true… still, Minho is weird in general. While Minho asks for help, amongst other things, when it comes to toilet business or getting scratches and massages or moving his binds a little on the regular to allow some better blood flow… he refuses to let Changbin help him with the food. He just lays on his stomach on the floor and eats his sandwiches from the plastic plate with only his mouth, like an actual pet. Or animal, considering how messy it looks.
It was funny at first but by now Changbin just watches the pitiful sight with a blank expression. Every time he still offers to just feed Minho, but Minho just glares at him for it.
Fine then, have it your way.
Then again, it must be humiliating to ask a stranger for help with such intimate things so Changbin doesn’t blame him for wanting to do the one thing he can somehow do alone on his own, even if it looks stupid. Now Changbin will have to help him shower too… sorry, Minho. Changbin would like all the nudeness and touching in sexy contexts more than this mess but alas, this is their situation right now.
And there is nothing sexy about it.
“Do you always take so long to shower?”
“You can always just join me.”
In response to that Minho sighs deeply in exasperation.
Hm, Changbin is so glad he’s not the one tied up. He doesn’t know how Minho manages to keep his sanity.
Getting ready to help Minho, Changbin dries off with his blanket because their kidnappers didn’t even leave them towels nor give them ones when they asked (“You’re kidnapped. This isn’t a damn hotel.”). He only puts on his boxer briefs, so the rest of his clothes don’t get wet once Minho is under the showerhead. Then he walks over to him.
“Let’s clean you up, buddy.” Changbin picks Minho up from the floor by his arms. They move under the showerhead. Changbin takes off Minho’s shiny black loafers, socks and his waiter uniform (black pants, red apron, minus the black button-up shirt) off as best as he can. Then takes a deep breath – as he always does when he’s about to see Minho’s dick – and pulls down Minho’s underwear so Minho can step out of those as well.
“Having someone on their knees for me used to be a hot fantasy but these days I feel like I won’t ever like the thought of it ever again,” Minho dryly comments, “Same with being tied up.” And Changbin immediately stands back up, throwing Minho’s clothes a safe distance away from getting wet.
“Rude, but we can try to overwrite these troublesome memories by making better ones once we’re out of here. Do you do one-night-stands?” Maybe Changbin offers too seriously for the fact that he is (half) joking about it. Minho is hot and possibly awoke a new kink (catboys… do catboys count as a kink?) in Changbin. If Minho happens to say yes, then Changbin’s one-night-stand lifestyle fits perfectly and then they never have to see each other again, can forget all about this kidnapped-situation while overwriting it in a nice way.
Standing in front of Changbin, Minho is half-naked and mildly embarrassed. Frustration probably wins over the embarrassment. His teeth are gritted when he answers a direct and flat, “I’m not into bad boys.”
Changbin scoffs in amusement. Bad boys?
The sexual tension between them isn’t so non-existent though, maybe they won’t have to wait till they’re outside. Is there a chance for a bad boy to realise his fantasies of helping a cute catboy? Maybe the catboy will change his mind some time before they have to part ways, who knows.
From the sudden sound of the basement door opening, probably not for now. It’s too soon for the kidnappers to appear again though.
Minho’s expression is comically shocked and red like a firetruck. He almost slips trying to hide behind Changbin as whoever entered comes closer with quick steps. It’s so cute, damn it. Changbin feels like he needs a moment but for now, he’ll have to take on the role of SpearB again and act like he doesn’t care that he’s standing here in his boxers only and like there is no half-naked boy hiding behind him.
But the person that appears in front of their prison cell bars is new. Narrow sparkly eyes turn wide and take a double take at the scene. Whoever that is has bad timing and is definitely misunderstanding everything. The new stranger looks too young and too underdressed to be of important positioning anywhere.
Honestly, he looks like he’s just finished high school!
“Is this the wrong basement?” the young boy asks, still gaping with wide eyes but not at all shying away from looking. Changbin crosses his arms across his chest and just glares at him, while he feels Minho peek over his shoulder as he cowers behind Changbin’s shorter but broader frame. Not gonna lie, Changbin doesn’t mind playing protector all of a sudden.
Before Changbin can intimidate the new boy any further, Minho asks a timid, “Are you… a bad guy?”
The kid looks unsure, “No…? My mom said to pick up rice from the storage factory. The receptionist gave me this bundle of keys and send me here, so… yeah, you don’t look like rice.” Then he narrows his eyes and takes in the rest of the room in a slow 360° turn before he looks at them again. “Is this a sex chamber or something?”
Minho almost rushes forward but then stops himself last second, dick accidently brushing against Changbin’s clothed butt and Changbin is just going to ignore that. Minho seems not to care anyway, focused on their chance to escape, “No, no, please! We’re held here against our will. Can you try one of those keys on the lock there to get us out of here? Please?”
The kid takes his smartphone out of his pocket, looking troubled. “That sounds bad. I should call the police–”
“No!” Changbin can’t have that. He’s not on good terms with them right now. It’ll be too troublesome to get out of that if they arrive. He puts up two hands in a placating manner, “The police aren’t necessarily on our side either. Can you just get us out of here? We’ve been here for days.”
The kid still hesitates, visibly overwhelmed. Understandable. That’s a normal reaction for a normal kid. And Changbin isn’t good at looking or sounding friendly unless he pulls Aegyo (which he won’t unless it’s for his mother and sister, thank you very much).
“Please!” Minho tries again from behind and Changbin can only imagine his desperate eyes. “I’m Minho. My mom is waiting for me to come home. She’s probably worried sick by now. My cats miss me too. I need to go back home, so please help me out here, okay?”
Finally, the kid’s demeanour changes completely. He just nods with serious understanding, putting his smartphone back in his pockets and hurrying to try every key on the keyring he has. “I’m Jeongin,” he introduces himself, growing frustrated by how many keys he has to try on the heavy lock, “And I don’t want to make your mom cry, so I’ll save you.”
Well, it’s good that the kid trusts Minho. Or Minho’s mom at least.
Minho pushes Changbin from behind with his shoulders, rushing him, “Changbin, Changbin! Dress me! We need to go!” And so Changbin does and then himself too. Don’t blame Changbin for being a little slow on everything right now. He tries to keep an eye on the kid too.
This is all new and suspicious to him, but he tries not to get lost in his thoughts too much.
Chan, just where are you?
Minho doesn’t forget to tell Changbin to pick his wallet up as Jeongin finally manages to open the lock. Jeongin grins brightly at Minho and out of excitement, Minho rushes to hug– no, well, press and nuzzle (still tied up and all) against Jeongin who sputters and turns bright red at the sudden affection but gets the idea that Minho wants to hug so he hugs Minho with no further qualms.
Yet another first for Changbin, to see a youngster get an instant puppy crush on someone. Adorable.
Minho gives Jeongin a happy smile when he lets go and then rushes over to the medical table and torture devices, eyes zapping around the place. Jeongin blinks out of his daze a moment later and joins Minho. The two find something easy to use and carefully cut open Minho’s ropes and the zip-tie.
“Oh, finally!” Minho moans in absolute relief once that is done. The blood finally flowing properly again as he lets his arms fall freely to his sides, rotating his wrists and making fists multiple times to get it all rolling again. Jeongin cheers with him as Minho shakes his body to loosen it up. Then Minho feels around with his hands over his chest and arms. His smile drops. “Damn,” he says, cringing a little, “I have painful indents from that shit. Every movement hurts…”
“I can take care of that at home,” Jeongin offers with worried eyes but he tries to smile reassuringly, “Don’t worry, Minho hyung.” Okay, ‘hyung’ already, huh. Why so caring all of a sudden? They’re befriending each other fast.
Maybe that’s just how normal civilians do things. Or the kid and Minho are very naïve.
Now that Minho’s free he properly hugs Jeongin tight by wrapping his arms around his shoulders, he cringes and smiles through the pain. “Thank you, Jeongin. Thank you so much for helping us out.”
“You–You’re welcome, hyung!” Jeongin hugs back shyly, grinning brightly.
Once that party is done, Minho moves back to the cell door but doesn’t move back inside. He waves Changbin over to hurry up, “Let’s go while we have the chance.” Jeongin comes to stand behind him and Changbin realises the kid is taller than both of them. Damn, what do they feed kids these days?
The kid sends Changbin one of his sunshine smiles, “I have a car!” How old is this high schooler? Is he even a high schooler?
“Come on!” Minho urges one last time and then hurries down the basement corridor together with Jeongin in tow.
Changbin looks back into the cell one last time and sees only the cat ears have been left behind.
Might as well.
He easily catches up with them. The three of them sneak out, making sure to avoid the few security cameras on Changbin’s advice. How did their kidnappers bring them in here unnoticed? They were really in a storage factory this whole time. It’s huge but luckily Jeongin remembers the way he came. Good head on his shoulders.
Jeongin sends Minho and Changbin ahead so he can bring the keys back to the receptionist on his own and ask about delivery for the rice he was actually here for.
Once outside – holy shit, it’s midday with the sun high in the sky and fresh air – there’s a white van with a supermarket logo waiting that Jeongin points at as soon as he’s outside too just seconds after them.
Jeongin unlocks it with remote car keys and jumps in. Minho hurries inside and buckles up in the middle seat right next to Jeongin with a huge sigh of relief. He looks happy – eyes sparkling with the words ‘we made it this far’ – when Changbin takes the remaining seat next to him and shuts the van door. Changbin can’t suppress the smile he gives Minho in return nor the thankful look he throws at Jeongin.
“I’ve never felt this way before,” Jeongin confesses, buzzing with something pure. Secretly in his own mind, Changbin agrees. His gut feeling tells him that Minho agrees too.
And from then on, the three of them are officially on the run.