Yeosang notes to himself that Wooyoung is a little later than usual today. He's been waiting for a good half an hour, just sitting on his bed and trying not to panic.

But as soon as the door opens, he knows exactly why he was late. Wooyoung walks in holding his food, his whole attire a mess. One of his eyes are bruised and he has a swollen lip covered in dried blood.

He didn't even spare Yeosang a glance as he hands him the food and silently walk away. But before he can leave, Yeosang quickly puts his food away and runs after him, grabbing his arm to turn him around to face him.

Wooyoung winces at the pull on his arm so Yeosang quickly lets go of it.

He stares at him but Wooyoung doesn't meet his eyes. He traces his face, frowning at the mess. There's only one person who could have done this, and it makes his heart wrench in pity for Wooyoung.

"What happened..." Yeosang just mutters to himself but Wooyoung looks up at him anyway.

"I uh- got in an argument with my boss, it's not a big deal" he shrugs.

"It looks like a big deal to me" Yeosang says, making the other scoff.

"I don't know why you're even acting like you care"

When Wooyoung starts to walk away, Yeosang's mind can't help but think back to all the kind things he had done for him, giving him books, healing him, even though he's  supposed to be a bad guy.

So he doesn't know why he helps the bad guy.

Before he can reach for the doorknob, Yeosang quickly runs to him and holds his wrist, making Wooyoung turn back in confusion. The frown doesn't leave his face when he is pulled away from the door. Yeosang grabs his shoulders and makes him sit on the bed.

Wooyoung looks down at Yeosang, who is kneeling on the floor in front of him, looking confused when he ducks down to reach under the bed.

A first aid kit is pulled out. "You left this when you helped me last time... I thought I could help you this time"

Wooyoung grimaces. "I don't need your h-"

He stops when he realises that Yeosang isn't even listening to him and carries on pouring medicine on a cloth, and with a sigh, he just sits still, letting him do whatever he wants.

He doesn't expect is face to be pulled forward with one of Yeosang's hands cupping his cheek and the other wiping at the blood on his lip.

Wooyoung doesn't even notice the stinging, he's too busy looking at Yeosang who, lucky for him, is too busy helping him to notice him staring.

His touch was too gentle, Wooyoung does not like it. Yeosang is touching him as if he will break like glass, he is not fragile. And Yeosang knows that. So why is he suddenly acting all soft?

His tongue is poking out due to his concentration, and Wooyoung can't help but wonder what it tastes like, or feels like, curling around his own.

The hand on his cheek shifts back a bit, and Wooyoung, again, can't help his imagination going wild. The thought of having that hand move further back and run through his hair made his heart race. He has to suppress a shiver before Yeosang gets suspicious.

But there's no way to stop his thoughts. The thoughts of his hand pulling his hair, of his tongue licking his own, his sharp teeth leaving marks anywhere he wants.

Wooyoung blinks rapidly, trying to get rid of his dirty thoughts. Yeosang is right in front of him, now is a dangerous time to be acting like this. No one knows when his imagination will make it a reality.

He thinks about ripping off Yeosang's gentle hold on his cheek and roughly grabbing his face instead, slamming their lips together, finally being able to kiss him.

But then he remembers his bruised lip from when his boss had punched him earlier in the day. Right, it would hurt to do it now... maybe next time.

His eyes widen. Next time? He clearly isn't thinking straight. What ever he is imagining can not and will not ever happen. Too many consequences, also very morally wrong. Why would a bad guy kiss the innocent one?

No no never going to happen. Wooyoung nods, finalising his thoughts.

Yeosang looks at him in confusion, having seen him widen his eyes then start nodding. Is he okay? He thinks. How much did his boss beat him for him to be acting this weirdly?

Yeosang's heart twists in pity. Wooyoung doesn't suit the best up look.

He sighs then stands up. "Ok, I'm done, just put an ice pack to your eye and it should heal in no time"

Wooyoung looks up at him. It's already over?

Yeosang turns around, not wanting to look at him, he wishes he didn't rush so much. I'm already done, he's going to leave already...
He doesn't want to admit that his company had grown on him to the extent of him dreading the moment he has to go again.

It's only because you don't want to be alone Yeosang. If it was anyone else you would have felt the same. Right. You just don't like being by yourself. He nods to himself and turns back around to face Wooyoung. 

As he turns, Wooyoung also gets up from the bed, making them stand a bit closer than expected. He tries taking a step back to widen the gap between them, but the bed is right behind him, so he can't. 

Yeosang makes no move to widen their gap. He only stares at Wooyoung, examining his bruises.

He raises his eyebrows "What? Are you expecting a thank you or something? Maybe a gift? Are you expecting me to let you escape since you did something nice to me?" He scoffs. So that's why he helped me, I'm-

"I'm not the only one who needs to escape"

He goes still. "What did you say?" Wooyoung searches Yeosang's face for some kind of indication that he is pranking him or something, but he can't read his expression.

Yeosang sighs wearily, running a hand through his hair. He looks at Wooyoung again. "I'm not the only one who's trapped here. You are too"

It feels as though a bomb has been dropped onto Wooyoung's mind. He wants to defend himself and say he's wrong, but...

How can you tell someone who's telling the truth that he's wrong?

"Can't you see?" Yeosang's eyes pierce through him. "You have no say in anything you do, you're constantly being ordered around, and he beats you up as if you're his punching bag" he takes a breath. "You're being controlled".

Yeosang's nightmare from when he first arrived finally makes sense. The chains on Wooyoung, the dark figure controlling him. It all makes sense now. Why can't Wooyoung see it? He shivers, not liking the memories of the nightmare coming back to him.

But Wooyoung is living that nightmare. Right now. He always has been.

"You need to make your escape too. You-"

"I can't leave." Wooyoung's raised voice startles Yeosang. He sighs. "I can't... leave." He mutters weakly.

"Why? What has he done for you to not be able leave?"

"He saved my life! Ok? When I was young and about to get killed, he took me in and now I work for him. I owe him my life"

"You don't owe anyone anything!" It's Yeosang's turn to raise his voice now. "You're not his slave"

"I have nowhere else to go, I stopped going school, I can't get a job. I'm just as trapped out there as I am here".

Yeosang's heart wrenches in pity for Wooyoung.  He is being too stubborn in his belief that he owes his boss his life.

"Look, how about you help me escape, I'll give you double the amount the price is for me, and I won't say a word about you, you'll never get caught. You just need to get out of here-"

"I didn't ask for your fucking help, I don't need it" Wooyoung grimaces at him. Why does he even care? He just wants to use me to escape.

Yeosang doesn't even know why he cares. He has no idea when he stared caring, but he can't help it. Not when Wooyoung is in front of him, hurt for no reason. He lifts his hand up to cup his cheek (the side without the bruise), and just stares at him. What else could he do.

With how close they are, Wooyoung is certain Yeosang can her his heart hammering against his chest. He can't let anything happen between them. So he pushes Yeosang's hand away, then pushes him away from himself and leaves the room.

Yeosang doesn't try stopping him this time.