At first, Hongjoong had thought he was hallucinating when Seonghwa had first stepped in his store. But that thought was quickly dismissed when Seonghwa started begging him for his help.

That was when he knew he was crazy.

He had never, ever, not even once, let the idea cross his mind that the son of his worst enemy would need his help.

Yet here he was, on his knees, looking at him with pure desperation in his eyes.

And the fact that Hongjoong was now showing him the secret entrance to his underground black market just confirmed how insane he had to be.

He didn't think he'd ever be able to explain why, but he had always had a gift for reading people, and Seonghwa... Everything about Seonghwa screamed that he was a man driven here and that this was his last option.

Hongjoong allowed himself a moment to study the other person with Seonghwa. He was... cute. There was an innocence about him that intrigued Hongjoong, but he didn't miss the way that the boy looked around with wide, frightened eyes or the stiff and pained way that he walked.

Something had happened. Was Seonghwa protecting this boy and that's why there were here? If that's the case...

Hongjoong took in the stranger one more time.

This boy had to be valuable.

Maybe he could get all of this to work to his advantage.

When all three of them were in the back room, Hongjoong hesitated for just a moment before walking to the crate where he kept the lever to the trapdoor hidden.

A soft chuckle drew his attention and he saw Seonghwa shaking his head. "Smart. Hiding it inside a box."

"Sometimes the best place to hide something is in one of the most obvious places." Hongjoong pulled it and a trapdoor in the corner of the room opened. "After you, and if I notice you doing anything that I'm not ok with, I will not hesitate to shoot you on the spot."

The boy hid behind Seonghwa a little, but gave Hongjoong a hard glare before following Seonghwa down the stairs.

Hongjoong did one final check to make sure everything was ok with the shop, then locked the door and hurried down the stairs.

The trapdoor fell into place behind him and the underground hallways lit up to show them the way.

He started to walk forward, then paused when he realized the others weren't following.

When he turned around, he saw the boy backing away toward the stairs again, shaking his head while Seonghwa was whispering gently to him. Hongjoong inched closer to hear what was being said.

"Take a deep breath." Seonghwa reached out to place a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"I c-can't... I don't want t-to be trapped again."

Hongjoong's eyes narrowed as he contemplated what he was hearing.

"You're not going to be. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Just stay close to me and we are going to figure this out."

The boy looked up at Seonghwa and nodded. A look of admiration and trust flickered there and he instantly leaned closer.

After the small moment was over, Seonghwa turned around and nodded to Hongjoong, who just arched an eyebrow in return. "Ready, Princess?"

Hongjoong smirked at the dark look he got in return before leading them the rest of the way into his underground home.

His plan was to keep Seonghwa away from all his merchandise and the main show area, so he led them down the long hallway that housed his makeshift bedrooms. Normally they were used for big buyers who travelled in from out of town, but they would work for now.

"You can stay in this one." Hongjoong jerked his thumb at one door. "And your... friend... can stay in that one. Don't even think about leaving this hallway, I'll know, trust me. In the morning I will come and get you and we can figure things out."

"I'd rather go over it now." Seonghwa said.

"I don't." Hongjoong crossed his arms and started to grind his teeth together. "Don't forget that you begged me for this, so we play by my rules." He saw the spark ignite in Seonghwa's eyes, but he was smart enough to not argue. "There is a wardrobe in each room with towels, and comfortable clothes for the night if you'd like to change. Shower is at the end of the hall, next to it is a small kitchen with food. Help yourself." With that, Hongjoong spun around and walked away without looking back.

He immediately went to his surveillance room so he could keep an eye on his unwanted visitors.

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Seonghwa let out a harsh sigh and ran a hand through his hair once Hongjoong was out of sight.

"You two have a history, don't you?" Wooyoung asked with a small voice.

"You could say that. Hongjoong is one of the only people who has been able to evade Father's control. He's smart and especially cunning. I've come here a few times trying to catch him and figure out just what it is he's doing. I never dreamed I'd come here needing his help."

Wooyoung looked down at the ground and rubbed his arm. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault."

Without thinking, Seonghwa stepped forward and pulled Wooyoung into his arms. So many things had happened tonight that still didn't make sense to him, one of them being Wooyoung's confession and the knowledge that he didn't return those feelings, but that didn't stop the overwhelming urge to protect him. "No, none of this is your fault, Wooyoung."

The younger turned his head so he could press nose to Seonghwa's neck. The action made Seonghwa blush a little and he brought a hand up to cup the back of Wooyoung's head.

"Come on, let's get situated for the night." He whispered.

"Do I have to sleep alone?"

"No." Seonghwa gave a soft smile and led Wooyoung into one of the rooms.

It was a small, basic area that looked like it could pass for a military barrack. The twin size bed was fitted with grey sheets that matched the concrete walls and floor. A simple wardrobe stood in the corner and there was a small desk with a chair. It was going to be a tight fit, but Seonghwa didn't feel like he could leave Wooyoung alone.

They both moved to the wardrobe and pulled out the clothes provided. A simple pair of grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt.

Seonghwa couldn't help but chuckle. "Man, he spared no expense on making sure his guests are comfortable."

He was pleased to hear Wooyoung let out a light giggle, but then it was followed by a sharp hiss. Seonghwa turned to see Wooyoung trying to work his body out of the suit. Now that they were able to relax a little, Wooyoung's body looked like it was starting to catch up with the abuse he had suffered earlier.

"Here. Let me." Seonghwa stepped forward and guided the suit down Wooyoung's shoulders and helped pull his arms out. After pulling the t-shirt Wooyoung still had on underneath off, Seonghwa had to keep himself from gasping.

The bruising had spread. Black and blue dotted Wooyoung's back and it just got thicker the further down Seonghwa looked. He let his fingers brush over a few of them, causing Wooyoung to shiver at the touch.

An awful ache filled his chest when Wooyoung turned his head just enough to look at Seonghwa over his shoulder. There was so much emptiness, so much pain...

"I'm so sorry." Seonghwa whispered.

"It's not your fault." Wooyoung turned his head away again and stepped away so he could finish undressing.

Wanting to be respectful, Seonghwa turned his back and started to strip down as well. When they were both finished, Wooyoung bit his lip and moved to lay down on the bed so that he was facing the wall.

At first, Seonghwa debated sleeping in the chair or even on the floor, but something in him told him not to.

So he found himself carefully climbing onto the small bed behind Wooyoung, laying down behind him to act as a protective barrier between him and the horror of the life he used to have.

A life that Seonghwa would make sure he would never return to.

Wooyoung let out a gentle hum and nestled into the bed a little, sparking Seonghwa to wrap an arm around his waist. It felt... right. Seonghwa felt a smile threatening to break across his so he quickly shook his head.

"Good night, Hwa." Wooyoung whispered.

A blush instantly crossed the older's cheeks and he opened his mouth as if he were going to speak, but no words came out. And he remained silent, starting at the back of Wooyoung's head until he felt himself slip away.

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Hongjoong leaned back in is chair with his tongue shoved into his right cheek. He started rapidly tapping the table in front of him.

After watching his unwelcome visitors he knew that something horrible had happened, and after seeing this Wooyoung's back, Hongjoong couldn't help but wonder just how bad things were.

Maybe the Pack was finally falling apart. Mercer had to have been hit hard by his son running out on him.

This could be the push he needed to finally destroy the man who had ruined everything for him.

Hongjoong pushed himself up and ran down the hall to his main supply room and started going over all the weapons and other items he had that were intended to be sold off. He knew he had enough money that if he kept some of these items for himself it wouldn't be a detriment to his business.

Now would be the time to really buckle down and get himself prepared. He had enough contacts that he could set up trades as well to get vital information.

He started to make a list in his head of what he would need. Maps of the layout for the Pack's base, enough weapons to be able to protect himself, and something powerful enough to destroy Mercer once and for all.

And now he had 'The Prince'. It was almost too good to be true.

Hongjoong paused and his face twisted in a devious grin.

Seonghwa could be the key to everything. He had no doubt that Mercer would be looking for his son, and now he was sleeping in one of Hongjoong's guest rooms.

If Hongjoong could send out some kind of ransom, then Mercer would have to come out of hiding if he cared about his son.

And if what he saw on the camera was correct, then there was a chance that Hongjoong also had the key needed to get to Seonghwa.

Wooyoung.

Everything was falling into place.

Now he just needed to play the nice guy and earn their trust.

Hongjoong made his way to his supply cabinet and pulled out a bottle of painkillers and a few bottles of water. He took them to the hallway of bedrooms, along with a tray, and set them up so that Seonghwa or Wooyoung would see it as soon as they opened the door.

The last thing he needed to do for the evening was send out an email to his contacts and his normal buyers and sellers. A few special auctions may be needed to help move some of his product so he could get new ones in. Plus, they would be able to help him obtain other things.

He received an immediate response from one of them, promising his full support and letting him know that he would be there in the next couple of days with new product he had been working on, one that he promised would be essential for any business that involved trying to take down the Wolf Pack.

And Hongjoong knew this man could be trusted. He had just as much of a reason to despise the pack as he did.

It was time, finally, it was time to move forward and get his revenge.