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“Felix is calling, I’ll be back soon.” Chan announced towards Changbin, standing up and bringing his finger to press the answer button on his phone.
“Okay, I’m just going to see Minho-hyung and then we can go to Apartment 143.” He replies, his partner giving him a thumbs up as he walks away. Changbin deeply sighs as he stands up from his own chair, heading in the opposite direction of the morgue.
As Chan’s back retreats into the distance, Changbin quickens his steps, taking a floor level up, soon approaching a door and opening it, Jisung and Seungmin nervously standing there.
“What’s happened?” Jisung asks, worriedly, his eyebrows furrowing.
Changbin closes the door, making sure it’s locked before turning back around to the two men.
“There’s a problem. Jisung, there’s no cameras or microphones in here, right?” Changbin asks, his eyes glancing around every corner of the room.
“No, there’s nothing. What happened?” Jisung asks again, noticing how Changbin is starting to breathe heavily.
“Hey, Changbin-hyung, sit down.” Seungmin softly says, placing a hand on Changbin’s shoulder bringing him to sit down on the closest chair. “Tell us. You said there was an emergency, what’s wrong? Is it Hyunjin?”
“Something bad’s happened. How did we fucking miss it? Why didn’t we find it first?” Changbin fires out questions, his head dropping into his hands.
“Miss what? What are you talking about?” Seungmin asks, sitting down next to Changbin on another chair.
Changbin lifted his head, his face hardening. “The fucking Will. Park Youngjin put Hyunjin in it and Kim Siwoo knows about it.”
“Fuck.” Jisung curses, sitting himself down on the opposite side of Changbin. “How?”
“I have no idea. But he wants me and Chan to arrest Hyunjin.”
“He wants you to what?” Jisung screeches out.
“Well, are you?” Seungmin asks, eyebrow raising. “Going to arrest Hyunjin?”
Changbin snapped his head towards Seungmin, a scowl appearing. “Over my dead body we are. Don’t ask stupid questions, Seungmin.”
“Good, just checking.” Seungmin smiled, his lips suddenly frowning. “What did Chan-hyung say about it?”
“He doesn’t want to arrest Hyunjin, he was pretty adamant about it. You should have seen him. I think he would’ve gone for Siwoo if I hadn’t held him back.” Changbin explained, glad his partner still believed Hyunjin was innocent even after everything Siwoo just told them about the Will. About Hyunjin having a motive.
“So, Siwoo is suggesting that Hyunjin made Youngjin change his Will and then stabbed him? And that’s why you have to arrest him?” Jisung asks, lips pursuing.
“Yeah and because he’s the only suspect we had. Fuck, I should’ve got someone else to do it. Why did I let him volunteer?” Changbin shakes his head, banging his hands on the arms of the chair.
Seungmin patted him on the back, his voice soft. “Hyung, Hyunjin is a lot stronger than you think. He wanted to do it. He knew you wouldn’t let anything bad happen to him.”
“I know he’s strong. He’s stronger than all of us. He was the one who fucking killed Youngjin, not us. And I won’t let anything bad happen to him. Which is why I called you two.” Changbin looked between them both, his hands nervously rubbing on his jeans.
“Okay,” Seungmin smirked, looking at Jisung before looking back at Changbin. “What do you need?”
“How fast can you get poison?” Changbin asks.
“An hour tops, maybe.” Seungmin answered casually, his face calm despite the question Changbin just asked him. “Why?”
“Kim Siwoo takes heart pills. Minnie, I need you to go and replace them with poison.”
“What?” Jisung gasped.
Seungmin grinned, his head instantly nodding. “We’re killing Siwoo?”
“Yeah, he’s threatening Hyunjin. He’s got to fucking die for that.” Changbin spat out.
“Fuck yes.” Seungmin cheered, standing up from his chair. “Oh how much I hate that bastard. He’s going to get what’s coming to him.”
“Sungie?” Changbin turned to Jisung, who had been sitting silently on his chair, watching.
“Yeah?” He replied quietly. Changbin could tell that Jisung probably knew what he was about to ask him to do.
“I need you to get into the cameras on his floor while he’s in a meeting and change them, so that Seungmin can go in and swap his pills out. Can you do it, please?”
Jisung blinks, eyes glancing back towards the multiple monitors on his desk. “Of course. How long do we have?”
“Me and Chan have to go see Hyunjin and ask him about the Will in the next hour or so. I asked Felix to phone Chan-hyung to delay him so that I could come here. I can keep him out of the building for maybe an hour or two, but Siwoo’s meeting is in half an hour so that’s your window.” Changbin calmly explained, already planning everything in his head the moment those words came out of Siwoo’s mouth this morning.
“I want you both to arrest and charge Hwang Hyunjin for the murder of Park Youngjin.”
It took a lot of restraint for him not to jump Siwoo’s desk, but luckily Chan’s outburst reminded him where he was. There is no way in hell that arresting Hyunjin was going to happen, that they were coming back to this building with him in cuffs.
Changbin had repeatedly promised Hyunjin that it was never going to happen, that he wasn’t going to jail for killing Youngjin. Changbin promised Hyunjin that nothing bad will ever happen to him as long as he stays breathing.
And Changbin never breaks his promises. Especially the ones he makes to Hyunjin.
So, Kim Siwoo had to go.
Changbin feels quite relieved to know that 3 weeks later, his partner still thought Hyunjin was innocent. Chan really had too good of a heart to be a detective. He had fought Changbin the whole time, proving to him that Hyunjin didn’t kill Youngjin. Whenever Changbin had come up with theories, testing him, he had shot them down instantly with facts. Changbin had always known he had picked the right person to be his partner.
“We’ll get it done, hyung.” Jisung spoke up, bringing Changbin out of his head.
“Thank you, both of you. I appreciate it so much. I would do it myself but Siwoo gave us 24 hours to arrest Hyunjin or we’ll lose our jobs, so it needs to be done now.” Changbin’s eyes drifted between both his friends, smiling at them.
“It’s okay, Bin-hyung. You would do it for us. And it’s for Hyunjinnie.” Seungmin softly spoke, leaning against the door.
“He threatened your jobs?” Jisung asks, lips frowning.
“Yeah… it’s shit. Chan-hyung is not losing his job over this.” Changbin replied, his voice firm.
Siwoo had spoken to them like he was giving them a choice. Hyunjin or their jobs. But Changbin found himself between a different choice – Hyunjin or Chan.
He knows the answer already, it’ll always be Hyunjin.
But Siwoo had held it out in his hands like he had to choose one or the other.
And Changbin — he chose both.
He was definitely not arresting Hyunjin, and Chan was not losing his job.
So, the denominator behind it came down to one person – Sergeant Kim Siwoo.
Take him out and the choices disappear.
So it was simple for Changbin really.
Changbin scrambled to grab his phone out of his pocket when he felt it buzzing, already knowing who was calling him.
Chan-hyung.
“He’s calling me, I have to go. Let me know when it’s done. You can tell Minho-hyung but just be careful.” Changbin muttered, declining Chan’s call.
“We’re always careful. Not our first murder, don’t forget Changbin-hyung.” Seungmin grinned, sending him a wink.
Changbin shakes his head, standing up from his chair. He nods at both his friends, his heart swelling with love. He’s so grateful for them.
“Sungie?” Changbin turned to Jisung, the younger man humming in response. “Can you make sure the meeting me and Chan had with Siwoo this morning is struck off the record? We can’t be the last people alone to see him alive.”
“Of course, Changbin-hyung. Go. Me and Seungmin have this.” Jisung gave him an encouraging smile.
He gives them one last look before unlocking the door and heading out, making his way towards his desk, fingers already typing out a message.
[love of my life]
Don’t panic but we’re on the way over there. It’s about Youngjin’s Will.
Baby, I need you to pretend you don’t know about it.
There’ll be something else we have to tell you, about the contents, but just deny you didn’t know anything.
Chan will believe you. I’ll make sure nothing bad happens to you, I swear Jinnie.
–
[12 hours later]
Changbin shuffled through the familiar hallway, the familiar carpet floor that he’d not long been down earlier in the day. The cap he’s wearing is pulled low over his eyes, his head turning and glancing over his shoulder every few seconds, just making sure no-one was watching, lurking.
He unlocks the door, swinging it open to an empty apartment. Well, not empty but quiet.
“Jinnie?” Changbin calls out, taking his cap off and leaving it on the white couch, he starts to make his way around the rooms, footsteps quickening.
His heart starts to race, the thoughts clouding his mind, the worst case scenario-
All vanishes when his eyes land on the sleeping figure curled up on top of the bed cover.
Making his way over to the bed, his lips upturned at the sight. Hyunjin looks so cosy, so calm, so peaceful.
Throughout this whole mess, Hyunjin has had a worried expression on his face majority of the time, even with Changbin constantly reassuring him that everything will be fine. His heart swells to see that the expression is gone. Well, for the time being.
He sits next to Hyunjin, the bed dipping with the weight, the movement causing Hyunjin’s eyes to suddenly open, his body shooting up into a sitting position.
“Hey, it’s okay. Jinnie, it’s me.” Changbin softly says, his hand slowly reaching out to touch Hyunjin’s.
Hyunjin let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing, a hand placed over his heart. “God, Bin, you scared me.”
“I’m sorry, baby.” Changbin sweetly smiles, his hand trailing up Hyunjin’s arm before wrapping his boyfriend in a hug, a gentle kiss being pressed into Hyunjin’s hair.
“I guess you’re forgiven.” Hyunjin mumbles against Changbin’s shoulder, letting out a breathy laugh when Changbin squeezes his sides. “Wait-”
He suddenly pulls away, Changbin frowning when he notices the worried expression is back again.
“What the fuck happened today? With the Will? And you and Detective Bang coming over and asking me about it?” Hyunjin asks, his eyebrows pinching together.
Changbin brings a finger up to soften the crease between Hyunjin’s eyebrows, his lover relaxing at the touch. He lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m not sure. Kim Siwoo called us in to tell us that he found Park Youngjin’s Will, that’s why I had to leave so early this morning. He told us Youngjin put you in it. That he left you everything.”
“I swear I had no idea, Binnie.” Hyunjin says, shaking his head.
“I know, baby.” Changbin reassures him, fingers running through his dark locks.
“He mentioned all the time about giving me money but I didn’t expect him to do this.”
“He was obsessed with you, he obviously thought you were going to have a life together, a future together.” Changbin says in disgust, his jaw hardening at just the thought of Youngjin thinking that he and Hyunjin had something together.
“That was never going to happen. Whenever he talked about it, I’d just listen, I wouldn’t even respond to what he said.” Hyunjin looks down, his hands picking at the loose threads of the hoodie Changbin was wearing. “The only time I spoke to him about the Will was when he mentioned his family, and I said he could take them out. I didn’t expect this-”
“No-one did, Jinnie. And before you say it, it’s not your fault. Okay?” Changbin gently cups Hyunjin’s chin, moving it up so their gazes could meet.
Hyunjin hesitates but eventually nods. “How did your boss find out about it?”
Changbin’s jaw hardened again. “I’m not sure. That bastard’s probably involved in some sort of illegal shit, I’m getting Wooyoung to look into his files, his transactions, his devices. Everything.”
“You think he was involved with Youngjin somehow? Hyunjin raises an eyebrow, but then he frowns. “Bin, just be careful, if Siwoo finds out-”
“He won’t.” Changbin stated firmly.
“But if he knew about the Will, what else does he know?”
“That doesn’t matter anymore…” he drifted off, not quite wanting to tell Hyunjin the full truth about Siwoo’s demise.
“What does that mean?” Hyunjin asks, eyes searching Changbin’s, who refuses to look back at him. “Changbin?”
Changbin sighs, finally lifting his gaze back at Hyunjin, he gently reaches for his boyfriend’s hands, thumbs grazing over them.
“Jinnie, Siwoo is… dead.”
Hyunjin gasps, hands breaking contact from Changbin to cover his mouth. “What?”
“Yeah, they ruled it a suicide, he overdosed on his heart pills.” Changbin explained, hands coming up to hold Hyunjin’s wrists, pulling them away from his face.
“Oh my god,” Hyunjin’s mouth opened. “You killed him.”
“No, it was suicide.”
Hyunjin narrowed his eyes, pushing Changbin’s hands off of him and folding his arms across his chest. “Changbin.”
Changbin went quiet. He hates lying to Hyunjin, but there’s also nothing he can hide from him anyway. Hyunjin knows him better than anyone.
“Fine, yes. But I didn’t do it, Seungmin did.” Changbin admitted, shrugging.
“You got Seungmin involved?” Hyunjin lightly slaps Changbin’s arm, his forehead creasing again. “How?”
“Seungmin was fine with it, he wanted Siwoo dead as much as me. Seungmin swapped his pills, while me and Chan were here talking to you.”
“You wanted Siwoo dead? Why, because he found out about the Will?” Hyunjin asked, his voice raising slightly, Changbin could tell he was getting irritated.
Changbin sighed, shaking his head. “No, well yes, but not just that.”
“Well, what-”
“Because he wanted you arrested.” Changbin bursts out, his eyes drifting down, his throat closing up. “He wanted me and Chan to arrest you and bring you back to the station today. But there was no fucking way that was going to happen.”
“What?” Hyunjin whispers, hands reaching for Changbin’s again.
Changbin squeezed Hyunjin’s hands before looking up into those eyes he loves so much.
“Kim Siwoo wanted you arrested for Park Youngjin’s murder. That’s why he had to die.” Changbin blinks, Hyunjin started to become clearer in his vision.
Hyunjin pulls his hands away, bringing them up over his face. “Shit, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologise.” Changbin softly says, pulling Hyunjin’s hands away. “He threatened you, so there was no other choice.”
“He was just doing his job.” Hyunjin mumbles.
“No, Hyunjin, there’s no evidence you killed Youngjin. The Will proved nothing. He just theorised that you knew about it, got Youngjin to change it, to leave everything to you before you stabbed him a week later. He basically told us we had to arrest you within 24 hours or we would lose our jobs.” Changbin explains. He could see the clogs whirring around in Hyunjin’s head.
“He threatened to fire you?”
“Yeah. There was no way Chan-hyung was losing his job, and there was no way we were fucking arresting you.”
“You could have lost your job too.” Hyunjin murmured, reminding him.
“I could’ve but I didn’t. And all that mattered to me was that you were safe.” Changbin said, bringing his hands up to hold Hyunjin’s face between them. “You’re safe, Jinnie. That’s all that fucking matters. Siwoo was a shitty person, a shitty boss, so he got what he deserved.”
Hyunjin nodded, his bottom lip being taken between his teeth. Changbin wasted a second no more before pulling him into his arms, holding on tightly.
“It’s okay, baby.” Changbin softly murmurs, his hand stroking the back of Hyunjin’s head.
“I can’t believe we killed two people.”
Changbin couldn’t help but chuckle. His shoulders relaxing when Hyunjin let out a small laugh too. He thought for a moment that Hyunjin was mad at him, not fully but slightly. And just the thought of Hyunjin being even the tiniest bit disappointed in him, made him feel ill.
“They were two very bad people, so it doesn’t matter. What matters is that our secret is safe. Siwoo was the only one who knew about the Will, the only one who wanted you arrested, and he’s dead.” Changbin calmly said, trying to be gentle, as he always is when he’s talking with Hyunjin.
“Okay,” Hyunjin whispered, nodding his head into Changbin’s shoulder. “You’re right.”
“Hey,” Changbin pulled away, one hand still staying firmly wrapped around Hyunjin, while the other tucked a piece of hair behind his ear and then it slid down to cup Hyunjin’s neck. “I’ll keep saying it even if you get sick of hearing it, but I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
“I know, Bin. You do say it a lot though.” Hyunjin says, his lips twitching up at the sides.
“That’s because I mean it and I want to make sure you know.” Changbin grins.
“I do know. Thanks, Binnie.” Hyunjin says, grinning back as he runs his hands up and down Changbin’s chest.
“Good, but I will keep on saying it.” Changbin’s grin widens.
Before Hyunjin can say anything, Changbin leans in and captures his lips, interrupting his eye rolling.
Hyunjin leans further into Changbin’s chest, climbing into his lap and kissing him back just as hard. He pushes him down on the bed, hovering over him, a groan passing his lips when Changbin grips at his hips and pulls his waist down, their crotches brushing against each other.
“Bin..” Hyunjin murmurs against Changbin’s lips as he grinds his hips down against Changbin’s, his hands making their way under Changbin’s shirt, running them along the soft skin.
Changbin lifts his hips to meet Hyunjin’s, letting out breathy moans when Hyunjin mouths at his neck. “Hyunj-”
Suddenly the door is slammed open, an angry orange haired man storming in, causing them to break away from each other, scrambling to sit up on the bed.
“What the fuck, Jeongin? Can’t you knock?” Hyunjin huffs, adjusting his clothes before settling himself against Changbin’s chest, his boyfriend’s hands coming around his body and interlocking against his stomach.
“No,” Jeongin responded instantly, turning his attention to Changbin, his one hand going on his hip, the other accusingly pointing at him. “You got Seungmin to kill someone for you?”
“Seungmin wanted to do it. I didn’t force him. I asked him and he said yeah.” Changbin said calmly, his shoulders shrugging.
“Why didn’t you do it yourself?” Jeongin asked, his voice raising.
“Did Seungmin not tell you? I would’ve done it, but me and Chan needed to come here. If I disappeared for half an hour to kill someone, don’t you think Chan would’ve fucking noticed?” Changbin argued back, hands caressing Hyunjin’s stomach, in hope to calm himself down.
“So it’s okay that you had an alibi but Seungmin gets thrown in the shit.” Jeongin spat, the vein on his forehead popping out.
“Jeongin, it’s fine. Jisung made sure he didn’t show up on the cameras. We got away with it. It was ruled a suicide.”
Hyunjin snapped his head to him. “You got Jisung involved?”
“I had to, how else would Seungmin not show up on the cameras?” Changbin gently responded to Hyunjin before looking back at Jeongin, his tone the same. “You need to calm down, Seungmin is fine. Siwoo deserved to die.”
Jeongin huffs, his hand going over his forehead, before it dropped to his side. “I'm not saying he didn’t deserve to die, he did. But you’re not getting it. How is Seungmin going to live with the fact he killed someone?”
“He didn’t kill him physically, he just replaced his pills. What's the problem? You want me to say sorry for bringing Seungmin into it? Fine, I’m sorry. But Seungmin wanted to do it.” Changbin huffs out, Hyunjin's gentle touch on his arms helping him relax.
Jeongin turns to look out the doorway before turning back to Changbin, his eyes narrowing. “You’re being fucking selfish. It doesn’t matter if Seungmin wanted to do it or not. You used him.”
“Jeongin-” Hyunjin called out to him, but Changbin interrupted.
“So you wanted Hyunjin to get fucking arrested? Kim Siwoo would’ve locked him away and then fuck knows what else he might have knew about us. Is that what you wanted?” Changbin shouted back.
“Of fucking course not. That doesn’t excuse you using Seungmin. Next time you want to kill someone, do it your fucking self.” Jeongin spat, turning on his heel and speeding out Hyunjin’s bedroom door, heading to his own room and slamming the door.
“For fuck sake.” Changbin mutters, gently moving Hyunjin off his lap and standing up from the bed.
“Where are you going?” Hyunjin asks, his eyes following Changbin walking around the bed and towards the door.
“To kill Jeongin.” He joked, his smile dropping and going serious when Hyunjin didn’t laugh. “I’m going to apologise to him. He’s right, I shouldn’t have involved Seungmin. I just didn’t think. The moment Siwoo told us to arrest you, that was it. I planned everything in my head, he was going to die today.”
“You don’t have to explain to me, sweetheart.” Hyunjin smiles up at him from where he was still sitting on the bed. “You only thought about protecting me.”
“Of course I did. But, I made sure Jisung and Seungmin were protected too.” Changbin sighed, shifting his weight between his feet. “He’s just being a fucking child.”
“Hey,” Hyunjin softly calls out to him, standing up from the bed and making his way towards Changbin, arms coming up around his neck. “He’s just worried about his boyfriend, like you are about yours, and I’m worried about mine.”
“I know,” He mumbled, gaze falling to the ground. “I would never put Seungmin in danger. Nor Jisung.”
“I know, baby.” Hyunjin softly says, his hands sliding to the sides of Changbin’s neck, thumbs gently caressing the skin there.
“Fuck, I’m an idiot.” Changbin groans out, his head falling on Hyunjin’s shoulder, arms sliding around his boyfriend's body.
Hyunjin chuckles, his fingers threading through Changbin’s hair. “You’re not an idiot. You just need to explain to Jeongin. He’ll understand.”
“Are you sure?” Changbin asked as he slightly pulled away from the hug, his arms still looped around Hyunjin’s waist. “He looked like he was ready to kill me.”
“I wouldn’t let him kill you for starters.” Hyunjin shook his head, a giggle slipping out. He leans down and briefly presses his lips to Changbin’s frown. “And I’m sure. Just talk to him.”
“You’re not coming with me?” Changbin asked, his forehead creasing.
“You’re a big boy, you can handle Jeongin.” Hyunjin teases, letting out a yelp when Changbin squeezes his side.
“Are we talking about the same Jeongin?” Changbin asks, his thumb pointing over his shoulder to the hallway.
“Just go,” Hyunjin rolls his eyes, turning Changbin’s body and pushing him towards the door. “Scream if you need help.”
“That’s not funny, Jinnie. He might actually kill me.” Changbin said seriously, making his way out of Hyunjin’s bedroom, his boyfriend’s laughter fading away in the background.
He pauses at Jeongin’s door, taking a deep breath and turning the knob, deciding to just do it before he convinces himself to back out.
“Innie?” He called out, the room was dark but he could make out the outline of someone lying on their side on the bed.
“Fuck off.” Jeongin grumbled, still facing away from Changbin.
“Jeongin, look I’m sorry. I understand why you’re angry at me.” Changbin softly says, taking a step towards Jeongin’s bed.
“Congratu-fucking-lations. Do you want a medal?”
“Wow, sarcasm. I’d prefer if you shouted at me.” Changbin smirked, although the younger man couldn’t see it. He sighs, smirk dropping as he takes another step towards Jeongin. “I’m really sorry, Innie. I didn’t even think. All I thought was that Hyunjin was in danger.”
“Yeah because you’re fucking selfish.” Jeongin spat. Changbin’s heart cracked when he could hear a sniffle.
“Jeongin, I would never put Seungmin in danger. You know that, right?”
“I know, but that doesn’t excuse you using him as a fucking pawn.” He shouted, voice cracking.
“I’m not!” Changbin shouted back, running a hand through his hair. He frustratedly huffs out. “Jeongin, I’m so fucking sorry. I didn’t mean to cause all this.”
“But you still fucking did it.” He snarled, sitting up and putting his bedside lamp on.
And then Changbin could see the tears falling down Jeongin’s cheeks. His feet moved before his brain could catch up, rushing towards the bed and sitting next to the younger, his arms coming up to wrap around him.
“Get the fuck off me.” Jeongin muttered, weakly pushing Changbin’s arms off of him, but Changbin held on tighter for a moment before loosening them, keeping one arm around Jeongin.
“No. Jeongin, I’m sorry-”
“Stop saying you’re sorry.” Jeongin snapped, hands wiping away at his tears. “You’re not.”
“I am, Jeongin. I’m not sorry about Siwoo though.” Changbin stated, his hand consciously running along Jeongin’s arm. “You understand I did it to protect Hyunjin, right? Because Kim Siwoo wanted me to arrest him.”
“Yeah, it’s always about Hyunjin, I get it.” He says, pushing Changbin’s arm off his shoulder. “But, you’re not getting it, so just fuck off. Leave me alone.”
“Tell me then.” Changbin demanded. “You want me to understand, so explain it to me.”
Jeongin huffs, running his hand through his hair, tugging at the ends. He glanced briefly at Changbin before looking back at the wall opposite the bed.
“I love Hyunjin, I do but it’s not just about him, you know? I get for you it is but for us, for me, Seungmin is my main priority, I worry about him all the time, just thinking what if he gets arrested-”
“He’s not going to.” Changbin interrupted.
“Just let me fucking talk.” Jeongin glares at Changbin before he lets out a deep sigh. “Seungmin faked Park Youngjin’s blood results, if they find out he did that- don’t fucking interrupt me, hyung.”
Changbin instantly shut his mouth. He shouldn’t let Jeongin talk to him like that since he’s younger but he understands, Jeongin needs to let this out and at the end of the day, it’s all his fault. He should have never gotten Seungmin and Jisung involved with the Siwoo situation.
Jeongin continued on. “If anyone finds out he did that, if they find out Jisung changed the camera feed of Youngjin’s house, it’s not just Hyunjin going down, it’ll be the both of them too. I thought maybe I could live with that, maybe we could try to get on with our lives until you tell us the case was dropped but now you got him involved again, you got Jisung involved. Again.”
“And I’ll protect them, like I’ve been doing with the Park Youngjin case. They’re not getting arrested, Jeongin. I promise you.” Changbin's eyes softened, his hand coming up to squeeze at the younger man’s shoulder. “You’ve trusted me for years, I’m asking you to continue to trust me.”
“I do trust you, hyung.” Jeongin says weakly, his gaze locked on his hands in his lap. “You just can’t drop us all for Hyunjin.”
“Is that what you think?” Changbin squeaked, head snapping to Jeongin’s, his chest feeling tight. “You think I’m going to drop you all in it while I grab Hyunjin and leave? You think I’m just going to let Hyunjin get away with it and not all of you? Is that what you think of me?”
“Hyung, no-”
“Innie, we’ve all been best friends for years and years. We all planned Youngjin’s murder together. When I said nobody is going to jail for this, I meant all of us, not just Hyunjin. Do you understand?”
Jeongin hesitated but slowly he nodded his head, finally looking at Changbin. “I’m sorry, hyung.”
“You don’t have to apologise.” Changbin shook his head, lips turning up.
“I do, I shouldn’t have shouted at you like that. You’re my hyung.”
“That doesn’t matter, I deserved it. I’m sorry for involving Seungmin, I am. There was just no time to plan anything and Siwoo needed to die today.” Changbin explained, his chest loosening now that Jeongin was at least acknowledging him.
“Still, I know what you’re like with Hyunjin, I shouldn’t have said that. You would do anything to protect him.”
“Yes, but I’d do anything to protect all of you.” Changbin smiled at him, Jeongin smiling back, tears appearing in the corner of his eyes. “And I’m insane about Hyunjin, but so are you about Seungmin, and so is Minho-hyung with Jisung. So I understand that. But Innie, trust me.”
“I do.” Jeongin nodded, his dimple appearing when he smiled.
“Good,” Changbin’s eyes softened, his thumb coming up to wipe a stray tear. He wraps his arms around Jeongin, pulling him into a hug, grateful that he wasn’t pushing him away this time. “I really am sorry, Jeongin-ah.”
“I know, Changbin-hyung. I’m sorry too. I just- I can’t lose Seungmin. It took us so long to get together, I want to make sure we spend the rest of our lives without any regret.” Jeongin mumbled into Changbin’s neck.
“You won’t lose him,” Changbin said so firmly. “I won’t let that happen.”
They suddenly feel another pair of arms wrap around them, a chest being pressed into Changbin’s back, causing them to break away from their hug.
“Have you two talked it out?” Hyunjin asks, his arm slung over Changbin’s shoulder.
“Yeah, we’re okay now.” Jeongin responds first, eyes flickering between Hyunjin and Changbin.
“Good, I’m glad.” Hyunjin smiled.
“I’m sorry, Hyunjin-hyung.” Jeongin says, wiping the last of his tears.
“Why are you apologising to me for? You don’t need to say sorry.” Hyunjin softly says, sending a smile to the younger.
“Yeah… but still. I shouldn’t have shouted.”
“It’s okay, you’re angry and you’re stressed but mostly, you’re worried about Seungmin. I get it.” Hyunjin reaches across with his other hand, the one not attached to Changbin, and softly pats Jeongin’s thigh.
“I’m…” Jeongin bites his lips, his eyes looking down into his lap. “I’m scared. I’m worried we’ll get caught, I’m terrified we’ll go to jail. I’m stressed all the time. I just want things to go back to normal.”
“Innie,” Changbin gently says, a hand rubbing the younger’s back. “I’m not going to let that happen. Do you understand? I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you, to any of us. The case will be thrown. We just have to wait.”
“How fucking long is it going to take?” Jeongin huffs out, falling backwards against his pillows, orange hair sprayed against the white material.
“I’m not sure, but with Siwoo out of the way, hopefully soon.” Changbin said, a bit uncertain but hoping it makes Jeongin feel better.
“Siwoo might not be the only one who knows.” Hyunjin muttered, his arm subconsciously squeezing tighter around Changbin.
“Well, if there’s someone else, we’ll deal with it. Like we always do.” Changbin said for certain this time.
“And Detective Bang?” Jeongin shifted to lie on his side, his eyebrows raising in question. “Do you think he’ll find out?”
“No.” The reply came out sharper than he intended. Changbin cleared his throat, his voice calmer this time. “He won’t, he can’t.”
“He’s been so nice.” Jeongin nodded, a small smile on his face. “He believed me instantly about Hyunjin. I could tell he wasn’t faking it to get answers out of me, he meant it. I didn’t mean to let it slip about the painting, Hyunjin-hyung. I’m sorry.”
Jeongin looked slightly past Changbin to his shoulder where Hyunjin was resting his chin on it, sitting there quiet, just listening.
“It’s okay, Innie. This idiot brought it up earlier when he came with Detective Bang.” Hyunjin says, motioning his eyes to Changbin, a tiny smirk on his face.
“Yeah, Chan thought I was about to make you cry and then you looked like you were about to fight me.” Changbin replies, head turning slightly to look at Hyunjin, his chin still perched on his shoulder. “But I was itching to touch you because I knew you needed me after I messaged you.”
“I did need you,” Hyunjin mumbles. “But it’s okay, baby. I saw the way Detective Chan was looking between us, I saw him thinking, so at least our almost fight stopped him from finding out about us.”
“Yeah…” Changbin drifted off. He wants to tell Chan about Hyunjin so badly, but he just can’t. Not yet, at least. It’s important that the case is thrown out first. “I forgot he was in the room for a moment, I almost slipped up, that’s why I had to be defensive. Sorry, baby.”
“It’s okay.” Hyunjin sweetly smiles at him, his teeth poking out.
“You’re going to tell Detective Bang about Hyunjin being your boyfriend, Changbin-hyung?” Jeongin asks, his eyes curiously looking up at him.
“I want to.” Changbin nods, eyes glancing at the side to see the glimmer in Hyunjin’s eyes. “But I can’t at the moment, not until this whole mess is gone.”
Jeongin didn’t respond straight away but he sent a sad smile over, looking between his two hyungs.
“I’m sorry, you two. I wish things were different.”
“Me too, Innie. Everything will work out in the end though.” Changbin assured him, patting his thigh.
They all went quiet, just the sound of the aircon unit buzzing. Jeongin stared at his comforters, Changbin had a hand on his back, rubbing it in circles and Hyunjin was tracing Changbin’s thigh with his finger, the other arm still slung around his boyfriend’s shoulder.
“Innie?” Hyunjin quietly calls out.
“Yeah?”
“You know how you said, how will Seungmin live with the fact he killed someone?” Hyunjin asks, two pairs of eyes curiously looking at him.
“Yeah, look, Hyunjin-hyung, I’m sorry. I didn’t think. Especially with Youngj-”
“No, it’s okay. It’s fine.” Hyunjin waved his hand around. “I just wanted to say, it’ll be okay. If Seungmin gets affected by it, not saying that he will, but if he does, let him know that eventually it’ll get better. That he won’t think about it anymore. Over time, it just becomes a part of you that you can’t change. I thought I wouldn’t be able to get over killing Youngjin, but I did.”
Hyunjin smiles, tears forming in his eyes as he glances at Changbin, his boyfriend already looking at him so affectionately.
“The only reason I was able to carry on was because of Changbin. But also, because of all of you, my friends.” Hyunjin wipes at his eyes, catching the tears before they fall. “My point is that Seungmin will be okay because he has you, Innie. And he has us.”
Jeongin nods, letting out a wet laugh. “Thank you, hyung. Thank you both. I just… love him so much, I can’t bear if anything happened to him and I couldn’t do anything to help him.”
“We know, Jeongin.” Changbin says this time. “Nothing will happen. I promise you. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure we get away with it.”
“The risk is so high for you. You’re a respectable Detective.” Jeongin points out, brows furrowing.
“I am and it is, but I’ll do whatever it takes.” Changbin firmly says, eyes locked on Jeongin’s before looking at Hyunjin.
Hyunjin nods at him before turning his attention to Jeongin. “Hey, we’ll leave you alone now, okay. If you need us, we’ll be in my room. I mean it, Jeongin, if you need anything, come get us.”
Jeongin laughs at Hyunjin’s stern voice but he smiles appreciatively. “Thanks, hyung. I will.” His face suddenly drops, mouth opening. “Oh my god, I interrupted you earlier. You were about to-”
“It’s okay, Jeongin.” Changbin quickly cut him off, nervously laughing while exchanging glances with Hyunjin.
Hyunjin abruptly stood up from the bed, his one hand pulling Changbin’s wrist, his boyfriend standing up as well.
“Please don’t. Go to Changbin-hyung’s.” Jeongin grimaced, his face screwing up.
“We’re not going to do anything.” Hyunjin innocently says, shrugging.
“We’re not?” Changbin asks, eyebrow raising.
“Hm, no.” Hyunjin replies, sending a wink to Changbin.
“I just saw you wink at him. Hyunjin!” Jeongin exclaimed.
“Go to Seungmin’s.” Hyunjin smiles before walking out the room, Changbin in tow.
“You’re both gross.” Jeongin calls out, the door closing behind them.
As soon as Hyunjin’s bedroom door is closed, Changbin is being pushed against it, warm hands roaming over his chest, lips capturing his own.
Changbin reacts immediately, hands coming up to grip Hyunjin’s hips, tugging him closer.
Hyunjin pulls away just enough so that he can tug Changbin’s shirt over his head, the item being discarded on the floor. He stops and stares for a moment, eyes fixated on the way Changbin’s chest is heaving up and down before he’s leaning in again and attaching his lips to Changbin’s neck.
“I thought we weren’t doing anything.” Changbin manages to get out between breathy groans, hands gripping Hyunjin’s shirt. It was hard to focus on anything when there was a wet hot tongue, belonging to the most gorgeous human being, attacking his neck.
Hyunjin brings his lips up to Changbin’s jaw, leaving small bites there and humming. “Well, Jeongin is stupid if he thinks that I wouldn’t do anything to my hot boyfriend while he’s here.”
Changbin sharply gasps when Hyunjin starts to trail his lips down his chest, leaving small kisses down his front. “It was nice, what you said to Jeongin about Seungmin. That he’d be able to live with the fact he killed someone.”
Hyunjin groans from where his lips were attached near Changbin’s belly button, the vibration sending the sensation straight to Changbin’s dick. Hyunjin stands up straight, hands coming to cup Changbin’s neck.
“Bin, can we please not talk about Jeongin and Seungmin while I’m trying to get you horny?”
Changbin smirks, his hand coming up to tuck a piece of hair behind Hyunjin’s ear. “I’m sorry, baby.”
And then he’s pulling Hyunjin’s shirt over his head and bending his knees, hooking his hands on the back of Hyunjin’s thighs and lifting him up. Hyunjin's legs locking firmly around his waist. He moves swiftly towards the bed and gently sets Hyunjin down, his back being pressed into the mattress.
Changbin’s quick to climb over Hyunjin, palms placed on either side of his boyfriend’s head. Their eyes lock onto each other, unable to break away.
“What?” Hyunjin breaks the silence first, a giggle slipping out.
“Nothing, you’re just so beautiful.” Changbin says, still deeply looking into Hyunjin’s eyes.
Hyunjin blushes, shaking his head as he brings his hand to cup the back of Changbin’s neck, pulling him down and crashing their lips together.
“You’re beautiful too. I’m so lucky to have you.” Hyunjin murmurs against Changbin’s lips, a moan passing his lips when Changbin runs a hand down his chest.
“I’m more lucky. I love you, Jinnie.” Changbin says between kisses, making his way down Hyunjin’s body, a trail of kisses being left behind.
“I love you too.” Hyunjin breathes out, one hand gripping the bedsheet while the other threads in Changbin’s hair as his boyfriend leaves small bites on his skin.
Changbin pulls away from Hyunjin’s chest to come back up and press his lips against Hyunjin’s again, one hand firmly on his neck, while Hyunjin grips his biceps.
They pull away laughing when they hear the front door slam close.
“We’re going to have to make it up to him, you know.” Hyunjin mutters, long fingers tracing Changbin’s bare shoulder.
“I know, at least we don’t have to be quiet now.” Changbin cheekily smiles before leaning down, swallowing Hyunjin’s giggle.
—