TEEN, AGE

The first thing she felt as soon as she woke up were fingertips brushing across her waist, fluttering against the skin that had been exposed when her shirt had ridden up during the night. She sighed softly, turning around to face Mingyu with bleary eyes. He was laid down on his side, holding himself up with one arm and resting his head against a closed fist.

"Hi." Y/N whispered, voice still rough with sleep. Amusement flashed through her when she saw something pass through his eyes. He did say before that her morning voice did things to him. “Are you trying to imitate French girls with that pose?”

"Did you sleep well?" Mingyu asked softly, choosing to ignore her last comment. His hand that was trailing against her waist moving upwards to brush her hair away from her face before cupping her cheek, his thumb tenderly stroking underneath her eyes where dark bruises were starting to form. "You look tired babe."

"I feel tired." She groaned, unconsciously leaning closer to his warm palm and closing her eyes. "Work's been demanding at the restaurant lately and it's just so draining."

"You have been taking a lot of double shifts lately..." He muttered, his eyes roaming across her face and had her eyes been open she would have seen the guilt written all over his expression. "Maybe you should take a day off today?"

She forced herself to pry her eyes open, knowing that soon she'd have to get ready for another day at work. "I can't." Reaching up to smooth his crumpled brow with her fingers, she smiled up at him reassuringly. "I'm okay I swear. Once my boss finds another hostess I'll go back to single shifts. But these double shifts are good too you know? They pay more."

"Stop thinking about how much it pays. I don’t care about that." Mingyu groaned, leaning down to press his forehead against her temple. "I want you to worry about yourself more, please. You'll get sick if you keep this up."

"I'm fine." Y/N pressed on, bringing a hand up to squeeze his bicep. "Mingyu look at me." She waited until he did, staring deep into his eyes and repeating herself. "I'm fine."

Many thoughts passed through Mingyu's head at that moment. About how he couldn't wait for Wonwoo to find him a proper gig so he could finally get back in a ring; about how good it would be for him and Y/N if he were to win; and about how much he really loved her and wanted to take care of her.

He leaned down once more, pressing his lips softly against hers, expressing the emotions he couldn’t find the words to. It was caressing at first, languid, like water on a gently rolling brook. But then he found he wanted more.

His lips became more demanding, like a forest fire, wanting to taste her, almost desperately. Mingyu shifted so his knees were on either side of her hips, trapping her against the mattress, all the while never breaking the kiss.

When he finally did break it, he took no time at all before moving his lips to her neck and shoulders, smirking when he felt her shudder underneath him. Playfully, he nipped at her collarbone, soothing the sting with his tongue, tensing when he heard a small moan slip past her lips. His large hands sneaked underneath the hem of her shirt, using his thumbs to stroke the sensitive skin of her stomach, feeling it quiver at his touch. His lips continued trailing downward, pausing when he reached the dip of her shirt where a bit of cleavage peeked through.

He wanted more. No-  he needed more. He needed to feel her warm skin on his, needed her to touch him as well, he needed to feel all of her. Raising himself up on his knees, he swiftly got rid of his shirt and laughed when he caught her ogling him. But then the way she bit her lip at made his abdomen clench. Did she not know how gorgeous she looked like that? Hair disheveled, her blush trailing down to her chest, making her look so incredibly tempting. It took everything in him not to ravish her. He wanted to make love to her. Wanted to worship her body in the early morning light.

"Like what you see?" He murmured, lowering himself slightly so he was pressing down against her hips and causing her to buck against him instinctively.

"Mingyu..." Y/N rasped, trying to get up only to fail when he pushed her back down gently, capturing her in another rapturous kiss. She ripped her lips away from his with a gasp, getting a hard nip on her shoulder in punishment. "Mingyu we can't I- I'll be late for work and-"

He muffled her words with his mouth, swallowing them and letting his tongue erase all traces of them from her mind. When he pulled away they were both breathing heavily, faces flushed. "I don't care." He nearly growled, tugging at the front of her shirt. "I just want you out of these clothes now. I want you now."

After 3 years, Y/N was sure she’d be used to this side of him. The side of him that sent heat pooling between her legs as fast as lightning. She thought that after so much time together, that the heat would slowly ease up. How wrong she was.

She looked up at him, lips swollen, heart racing, and found herself nodding, "Okay." She murmured, pulling him back down against her, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Okay."

The loving smile he had given her at that moment was so worth the scolding her boss had given her when she came in for work late, still feeling the pleasurable ache between her legs, and the sting of the mark he gave her on her right hip.

The sound of leather smacking against leather was probably one of the things Mingyu liked about going to the gym. People ran around changing stations every now and then, taking water breaks, music blaring through the speakers at the corner. But Mingyu couldn't hear it, didn't notice anything else. Because when he was inside a ring everything but his opponent was blocked out.

"You know your girlfriend's going to kill you right? Well... after she kills me for actually helping you get back into this."

"You know hyung." Mingyu grunted, blocking a kick that was aimed for his left side and countered quickly with a kick of his own. "For a man standing at what? 182 cm? You're awfully afraid of someone who’s like 20 cm shorter."

"Mingyu dodge! We're doing dodging today remember? Stop blocking and dodge!" Wonwoo reprimanded sharply, making a quick jab to the right. "And this is Y/N we're talking about. She's so protective of you that once she actually threw a dumbbell at me for accidentally causing you a concussion. She's crazy!"

"To be honest you did kind of deserve that. Concussions are a pain to deal with." Mingyu stepped away from his sparring partner, a frown tugging on his lips. "And that's my girlfriend you're talking about, you ass!"

"And my sister." The two men turned around to see Seungcheol walking up to the ring, a towel slung over his shoulder, hair slicked back with sweat as he had just finished his own workout. "But Wonwoo has a point, when Y/N finds out about you quitting your job to get back into active fighting? She's going to flip. And I know my sister, it's not gonna be a pretty sight when she does."

The older man climbed up onto the apron, leaning against the ropes and staring down his almost brother. "You have to be sure this is what you want kid. You have to be ready to face the consequences of your decisions, I’ve always told you that."

Mingyu groaned, flopping down onto the mat and resting his elbows against his knees. Bowing his head, he watched as a bead of sweat rolled down his nose and onto the mat before closing his eyes, thinking back to this morning when he was watching Y/N sleep. Thinking about how exhausted she looked.

Then he thought back to the bills she was trying to shoulder on her on. His heart ached when he imagined her working herself bone-tired just to try and provide for them on her own because she didn’t want him to stress out about it. He remembered the gifts she would give him that he knew cost her at least 2 weeks' worth of lunch.

That woman... That silly silly woman he loved with all his being, worried and cared so much about others that she forgets to care for herself. And even if he was there to take care of her now... It still wasn't enough to repay everything she'd done and was doing for him.

"I have to do this." He whispered, squeezing his eyes tightly and lightly smacking the sides of his head with his gloves. He looked up and met Seungcheol's gaze, eyes conveying his desperation. "I love this sport hyung. This is what I want to do. I'm sure of it." Mingyu sniffled, bowing his head again. "And Y/N is my life. I'm doing this for her. This is the only way that I can give her everything she needs and wants. I want this hyung... And if you're not going to help me then it's fine. I'll still find a way to get back in the ring."

Seungcheol stared at Mingyu's form, silently contemplating his words. When a moments passed and he still didn’t speak, Mingyu moved to get up, thinking of people he could call and maybe call out a favor to find him a match.

But then something smacked against his face, and he caught it before it fell to the floor.

He looked at the towel in his hand blankly before moving his gaze to Seungcheol who was grinning at him. "Take a break then come back to the ring in a few minutes kid." He chuckled, hopping down the apron and strolling towards his office. "We're training you for your match next week."

The grin that spread through Mingyu's face was one of pure elation. He laughed, rolling out of the ring and chasing after his coach- his brother. "Hyung you're the best! I really love you right now!"

"Save your love for my sister you sap."

Meanwhile, Wonwoo was left inside the ring gaping after them. "What happens if Y/N comes after me first?" He called out to the both of them just before the door to the office shut.

"Don't worry man!" Soonyoung, one of the gym's personal trainers, piped up from his station at the weights. "I'm sure your funeral will be lovely. I'll even bring your favorite flowers and write you a nice long eulogy!"

The glove that was thrown hard against the wall beside his head was enough warning for him to stop talking.

FIRST PERSON POV

"Didn't your boyfriend tell you? He paid in full yesterday night, even paid for the next month's rent in advance. Wired it all to me then left me a text. He’s a good kid that boy.”

I took my time walking back to the apartment, repeating the landlord's words over and over again in my head. Not that I wasn’t glad about the rent being paid off, but the question running through my mind was how exactly did my boyfriend find the money to pay it off.

I hoped he didn’t borrow from my brother, because if he did then I’d surely be getting a call to lecture me about not asking for help when I really needed it. But I could have handled it. I was handling it.

I shook my head, opening the door to the apartment and being met with silence. Mingyu was probably still in bed. He did get home late last night. Later than I expected…

I walked to the bedroom, watching his sleeping form for a moment before sitting on the edge of the bed. My eyes roamed his face, before moving to his shirt clad torso. He rarely ever wore a shirt to bed.

I could feel my throat growing dry. “He wouldn’t would he? He wouldn’t do that to me again?”

I desperately wanted to be wrong. I wanted my instincts to be wrong. That he didn’t break his promise. I needed to know.

Slowly, I drew the blankets lower and reached for the edge of his shirt. One bruise or one welt on his skin and I would know. "Please let me be wrong."

“Y/N?”

I snatched my hand back, placing it on my lap and clenching it tightly. I looked up to see Mingyu’s eyes half-open, smiling at me blearily.

“Good morning.” He yawned, shifting closer to me and wrapping his arms around me, settling his head on my hip. “Aren’t you up a bit too early?”

I ran my fingers through his hair, smiling slightly when I heard him sigh and lean more towards my hand. “I went to the landlord this morning.” I pretended not to notice when he tensed up. “He told me you already paid for the rent yesterday….” I trailed off, wanting him to explain to me how he was able to do it. I wasn’t stepping on his job, but I knew a pizza delivery man didn’t make much. 

So how?

Mingyu paused, hesitating before he let go of me and sat up, running a hand over his face. “My boss he-uh…” Please don’t lie to me. “He gave me a bonus. He said it was cause I’ve been working really hard these days.”

He never was a good liar.

“You should have told me about the rent.” Mingyu grumbled. “What am I even good for here if you won’t let me take care of you?”

But he was good at changing topics.

Still, I smiled, raising myself up on my knees and wrapping my arms around him in an embrace. “That’s good. I’m proud of you.” I whispered, leaning my cheek against his shoulder. I closed my eyes and willed the tears away, gulping them down and burying the hurt far away inside me to dig up for a later time. “ I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the rent. Forgive me?”

I felt him wrap his arms around my waist, carefully bringing me into his lap, felt him kiss my neck so sweetly it made me quiver. “Only because it’s you.”

After I had finally composed myself, I pulled away, cupping his cheeks in my hands. “I have to get ready for work. Will you be going back to sleep? You got home late last night.”

He blinked a few times before nodding. “Yeah I had to make a few last minute deliveries. I think I need a few more hours of sleep.” He squeezed me gently, puckering his lips which made me laugh softly and lean down to grant his request. “Will you be working late today again?” He murmured after finally ending the kiss, pressing his forehead against mine, noses brushing, his breath fanning against my lips.

“There’s still no replacement for the second shift so yeah.” I slowly removed myself from his hold, smiling when he whined a bit and dodged when he started grabbing for me again. “Go back to sleep.”

“I’ll come get you from work later.” He said, already back under the covers and well on his way to dreamland. “Just text me okay?”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

An hour later, I walked out of the apartment, locking the door behind me. My mind in a whirlwind and my heart slightly heavy. He had lied to me. And it hurt. It hurt so fucking much.

I wanted to believe him.

But I knew I couldn’t.

I got into the bus, went to work, and dressed all in a daze. Everything was too much. I loved Mingyu with everything in me but sometimes he really did do stupid things. I needed to catch him in the act. And knew just how I would.

Maybe it was time to pay my dear big brother’s gym a visit.

Dinner that night was a tense affair. Seungcheol was ticked off, that much was clear. But it was only because he was incredibly worried for someone he considered a younger brother.

The usually chatter-filled table was dead silent, save for the occasional request to pass a dish. The usual talkative boys didn’t make so much as a peep. Soonyoung didn’t crack one joke, Dokyeom’s bright smile was nowhere to be seen, and dear Seungkwan looked so despondent, toying around with the food on his plate instead of actually eating it. The two younger ones had skipped the volleyball match, not feeling up to cheering on the school’s team when a beloved friend was in distress.

Jihoon was the first to dare speak “I think we need to hold a family meeting.” He sighed, setting down his chopsticks. “If we’re all done here, let’s move to the living room and I’ll tell you all I know about what’s been happening.”

Hae Joo allowed them to head to the living room first, staying behind to clear up the dishes, sighing when she saw how much food was left over. She looked up when someone approached her, the person starting to grab the plates and bowls that were used.

“I think maybe you can put the left-over rice in the fridge for tonight.” Wonwoo said, stacking up the plates and carrying them to the sink. One thing she had taken note about Wonwoo these past few weeks was that when he was feeling an emotion intensely, he had the tendency to babble. Right now, he was extremely worried as well.

“Maybe we can make fried rice or something for breakfast. Were you going to wash the plates now? Maybe we should wait for later, I’ll even help you so you can finish faster. You can wash and I-” He stopped when a hand settled on his arm, squeezing gently. Wonwoo looked down beside him at the shorter girl, watching her as she bowed her head and scuffed her shoes on the floor.

“Do you think...Do you think Hansol will be okay?” She asked in a small voice, trying her best to keep it steady. “Will he come home? Do you think he’s eaten dinner yet? Do you have any idea what’s been happening with him? You two are close right? Has he told you anything? Anything at all?”

Wonwoo let out a tired sigh, turning to face his... friend, causing her to drop her hold on his sleeve. “I don’t know. You know I don’t know.” He settled his hands on top of her shoulders, gripping them lightly but firm enough that he could pass on a bit of reassurance. “But, he’ll be okay. The hyungs, kids, you and I, we’ll make sure he’ll be okay. Right?”

Hae Joo bit the inside of her lower lip, nodding. She always did hate the feeling of being so helpless. But maybe after this meeting she’ll know how to help her dear friend. She looked up Wonwoo, smiling slightly.

“You should stop worrying so much all the time idiot princess.” He chuckled, moving to pinch her nose between his fingers, smile growing wider when she squawked, trying and failing to swat his hand away. “Worrying will shorten your life span.”

Someone clearing their throat made the two of them look up from their interaction. Mingyu stood there in the doorway of the kitchen, eyebrows raised and his arms crossed over his chest. “Seungcheol hyung wants you two in the living room.” He said, a knowing smirk pulling at his lips. “If you’ll let go of noona’s nose now hyung, I think it’d be much appreciated. Or I could just tell hyung you two are busy in here doing... what exactly?”

“Nothing!” Hae Joo squeaked, struggling against Wonwoo’s grip. “We were doing nothing! We’ll go now!”

Wonwoo could only give Mingyu a glare, letting go of Hae Joo’s nose and watching her scurry towards the living room, not managing to catch the growing blush on her face as he was too busy cursing Mingyu inside his head.

“Hyung you’re so obvious sometimes. Just make a move already!”

“Mingyu if you want to keep your ability to father children, I suggest you shut up for now.”

“..........You’re so mean.”

“This whole thing got worse because of the recital.” Jihoon said, rubbing at the bridge of his nose in frustration. “You all know how Hansol choked a bit during his performance. I didn’t really think it was all that bad, but most of his classmates in his major classes used that as ammunition to further the bullying.”

“Further the bullying?” Hae Joo echoed, wondering just how much this situation was now than before. “This was already going on?”

“Hansolie is a halfer noona.” Seungkwan said from his perch on the sofa’s arm beside Hae Joo. “That isn’t something that’s very well taken here apparently.”

Jihoon nodded, “It really only started out as teasing, things that could be easily brushed off. But then these past weeks, the recital added a lot of fuel to the fire. It’s like Hansol has this giant target painted on his back. A bunch of the seniors and his classmates have been tormenting him, not physically but really it’s all more an emotional and mental attack.”

Jeonghan watched as Seungcheol’s hands clenched on his lap, knuckles turning white. He settled a hand on top of the older boy’s fists, squeezing them in hopes calming his friend a tiny bit. Seungcheol sent him a grateful look, letting his hands relax.

“I’ve tried to warn off most of the seniors. But I don’t have much control over the younger ones because I don’t really see them all that often. But it’s like Hansol’s been made a pariah. It’s disgusting what they’re doing.” Jihoon spat out, fuming at the injustice.

The group was engulfed in silence. Each and every one thinking of how this escalated without their notice. A loud sob broke through the silence.

“I didn’t even know.” Seungkwan cried, rubbing at his eyes furiously. “I call myself his best friend but I didn’t even notice until it was too late. What kind of best friend am I? How could I have missed this?”

Hae Joo stood up immediately, motherly instincts taking over. She pulled the younger boy into a tight hug, letting him sob into her shoulder. She jumped a little when another pair of arms wrapped around Seungkwan and herself, relaxing only when she saw that it was Jeonghan. The older boy gave her a short look and gentle smile, and suddenly she understood.

Carefully, Hae Joo let go of Seungkwan and let Jeonghan take her place. She watched as he whispered words of comfort to Seungkwan, rubbing the young boy’s back and ruffling his hair affectionately.

It warmed her heart to see how close these boys were. The friendships they had forged in such a short time seemed like they would last a life time. It was the sort of relationship she had with Ha Rin. And now she found herself wishing that she could be like that with her boys too. They had wormed their way into her heart, and now they were permanently etched onto it. Only time could tell.

But right now there was still an obstacle to handle before they could go on to say forever.

She sat back down on the sofa, looking around at everyone there. “So what are we going to do?”

All the boys’ eyes flashed to her, different emotions shining in them. Anger, helplessness, weariness. But in every eye there was the same spark. The spark of determination. She stared at them, nodding, because she understood.

“Alright then,” Jeonghan turned to everyone, Seungkwan still in his arms. “What’s our plan?”

Seungcheol sat up straighter, causing the attention to turn to him. He was clearly still fuming, but a brand new fire was lit in his eyes. His anger wasn’t directed at them, neither was it directed towards Hansol.

“We’ll show them what happens when they mess with one of us.” The grin that suddenly appeared on his face seemed feral, and Hae Joo knew he was not someone she would ever like to anger. “No one messes with our family.”

The residents of dorm # 17 exchanged looks, nodding at each other, steeling themselves in the process. As they sat around the living room late into the night, talking things over, their bonds grew tighter, the strings tying them together turning into stronger material. All because of the want to protect someone they considered a precious person.

A/N: I A M S O R R Y I K E E P D I S A P P E A R I N G.

Lmao I wrote this in one sitting so it may not be the BEST quality but I tried T^T

Notes:

1. So... Hansolie is in a bit of a pickle~ No worries tho this will all be resolved before the Season 1 finale :D

2. Speaking of finales... ohmyhosh we’re nearing the end of Season 1 like wowwwww! Here comes the romance and more drama! And... more backstory on Hae Joo ;) LOTS AND LOTS will be revealed about our favorite dorm manager’s life. Also some background characters will be making an appearance.

3. KWANNIE TAT Also Jeonghan and Hae Joo having that “Mom” moment of understanding~