PART ONE - BEGINNING

[tw: mention of abusive parents; mention of prostitution; mild sexual content; mention of drug use and overdose; dubcon//implied drunk sex]

☾

His lungs burned. He had never run so fast and for so long. When he finally stopped, the shouts of his father had receded, but the sting of his words still clung to his mind.

"You're not my son," his father's voice echoed in his head, cruel and unrelenting, "You're a fucking whore. Always ready to spread your legs to whoever shows a little kindness. You're a disgrace to this family. You're fucking disgusting!"

What family? Despite the pain, he wanted to laugh. They were no family.

Years had passed since he could even pretend that the people in that crumbling house were a family. They used to be four. They used to be happy. They used to be something. But those days were long gone, erased by a relentless tide of violence and neglect.

The public toilet stank like decay. Wooyoung staggered to the nearest sink. The water was brown at first, a stark reminder of the filth that surrounded him, but it soon cleared enough for him to shove his head under it. The cold shock felt oddly refreshing against his battered skin. He shivered as drops dripped down his neck, soaking into his sweat-drenched shirt.

When he finally raised his head, he didn't need to see his reflection to know he was a mess. The flesh beneath his right cheekbone had swollen, a glaring contrast against his pale skin. Blood smeared under his nose and lips had dried, only partially washed away, leaving behind a darker shadow and more cuts. His split lip throbbed, and he absentmindedly licked it, causing it to bleed anew.

"Fuck," he hissed, grabbing the last couple of paper towels from the dispenser. The white paper turned red as he pressed it to his mouth, absorbing water and blood.

He'd expected the pain to be less piercing, to have become numb to it by now. But it never worked that way. His head throbbed, and he felt the cold seep into his bones as the adrenaline wore off. Everything hurt like hell—inside and out. He had it coming. He had always known that.

The moment the janitor had opened the classroom door, Wooyoung had known. The gasp of shock, the hasty closing of the door, the horrified push from Professor Baek – it all told him what was coming. He had been caught in a moment of vulnerability, an instance of misplaced trust and ill-fated decisions. He was of legal age; there had been consent, but the situation was disastrous. The janitor wasn't supposed to clean that classroom until later that day, but for some twisted fate he had decided to carry out his duties in advance opening the fucking door while Wooyoung had professor Baek's dick down his throat. The man had walked away with a slap on the wrist, Wooyoung on the other hand had been expelled, leaving him to face his father's wrath alone.

The drive home had been a silent storm, heavy with unspoken anger. The beatings that followed were a grimly familiar routine – fists, kicks, hateful words. The physical violence had always been a part of his life, but the verbal abuse cut deeper. It was a cruel reminder of how worthless he felt, how he was nothing more than a punching bag for everyone who wanted to inflict pain.

Wooyoung had found the strength to push himself up and flee. It wasn't new to him, this need to escape. His father's rage was a constant shadow, and he knew that the beatings would only grow worse. They had in the past, leaving invisibles scars Wooyoung didn't want to remember. He had been in this cycle before. The physical injuries were evidence of a much deeper, more entrenched pain.

He tossed the blood-soaked paper in the trash and looked at his reflection. The bruises were terrible. His face was swollen, yellowing, and marred by deep cuts. He could barely look at himself without feeling sick, the sight of the bruises and cuts reminded him too much of the reality he lived in—a life where caring was dangerous and vulnerability was punished.

"Are you okay, kid?" A voice pulled him from his thoughts. A man had walked into the public toilet, but Wooyoung was too lost to notice him until now.

"I'm fine," Wooyoung muttered, lowering his eyes and pulling the hood of his sweater up, a futile attempt to hide his injuries. An useless shield between him and the world.

"Did someone attack you?" The man moved closer, his concern palpable, "You should call the police. You need to go to—"

Wooyoung cut him off, bolting from the toilet. No police. No hospital. He would face his fate alone. He had learned early on that asking for help was a dangerous gamble, one that rarely paid off.

Summer was approaching, but the weather was oddly cold. The park that usually buzzed with life during late spring was eerily quiet. Wooyoung sank onto the damp grass, feeling the weight of his exhaustion and despair. The artificial lake before him, once vibrant with pink water lilies, was now sparse and uninviting. The flowers had yet to fully bloom, much like the hope that had long since faded from his life.

He glanced around at the red pagodas and the occasional dragonfly hovering above. The park had once been a sanctuary, a place where fleeting moments of happiness had existed. But those moments were distant, buried under layers of pain and betrayal.

Before he could stop it the memory of a song breached thorugh his mind, the melody was sweet and aching, sang by a voice Wooyoung hadn't heard in years but that he couldn't forget. It arrived like a tunk at full speed, merciless and painful.

"Not now" he gasped, pushing himself up and opening his eyes.

He didn't realize he had closed them but when he took in his surrouning it was clear that he had fallen asleep. How long had passed? The sky was dark, the night had arrived. His clothes were soaked with the humidity of the ground and so were his hair, he felt dirty and the wind was biting, making him shiver uncontrollably. His stomach growled, he didn't remember when was the last time he had a proper meal. He needed food, warmth, and a place to rest. The thought of finding a hotel crossed his mind, but he worried about how long his meager funds would last. But he couldn't stay there and just like his body realized it too he shivered again, he needed shelter from that cold, at least from the wind.

The red pagoda was nearby. He made his way to a bench underneath it and pulled out his phone to check the time. The screen illuminated his surroundings, and he almost screamed when he saw a short man standing a few feet away.

"I didn't mean to scare you" the man chuckled, his voice was strong despite his appearance, "I called you but you probably didn't hear me because of the wind"

"What do you want?"

He looked harmless but Wooyoung knew he couldn't lower his guard. The man was old, probably in his sixties, and a thick web of wrinkles showed on his tanned face everytime he smiled. His eyes were thin and his body puffy, Wooyoung could tell even from the huge jacket that covered most of him. He was much shorter than Wooyoung and the realization of that made him relax a bit. If he tried anything weird Wooyoung could easily have the upper hand.

"I have nothing if you want to rob me" he said pushing his phone in his back pocket once again.

"I can tell" the man chuckled again, "But I don't mean any harm, I actually approached you because you looked pretty cold there" under the moonlight Wooyoung noticed how his chin pointed to the empty bench where he was sitting, "Come home with me, I have a spare bed and some rice cakes if you're hungry"

"I'm not into old pervs, thanks" Wooyoung spat.

The man chuckled again and fished a pack of cigarettes from one of his pockets offering one to Wooyoung that vigorously shook his head, "Boy, I'm way too old to even make my dick hard, I promise I won't touch you. You look like someone that needs help and I would like to help" it took him a few tries to counter the wind but finally the flame enlightened his face as he inhaled a deep drag from his cigarette.

"I don't trust you" Wooyoung repeated once again, but his voice sounded faltering. He was dying for a bed and he couldn't deny his stomach growled again when he heard the words 'rice cakes'.

"You don't have to" another drag, another puff of smoke quickly blown away by the hauling wind, "None of you does at the beginning, but you as well will realize I'm the safest option you have" he paused, "I will finish my cigarette in the pagoda behind that corner. If you don't come in the next ten minutes I will go home and leave you. I won't insist. Good luck kid"

"Wooyoung—" Wooyoung stepped forward, blurting out the word all of a sudden.

The fuck am I doing?

"What was that?" the man shouted over the wind turning around.

"Wooyoung, my name is Wooyoung" he repeated, "You don't need to wait I'll come with you and—" he pointed at the man's pocket where he knew he had stuck the pack of smokes, "I would like one of those actually"

"Wooyoung is a nice name" he replied offering a cigarette and lighting it up for him, this time the fire ignited the stick almost immediately, "My name is Xiaolong, but everyone calls me Gege"

"Well, Gege—" Wooyoung inhaled, the smoke filled his lungs making his head light, if it has to be this way than let it be, "Lead the way"

☾

When Xiaolong came back he was wearing a white silk robe that left part of his tanned chest exposed. Wooyoung stopped munching on the rice cakes when his eyes spotted a big scar that marked the man's collarbone to his fat neck. Feeling Wooyoung's eyes on him Xiaolong closed the robe better.

"I hope I didn't put you off your appetite" he said, sitting across the table and pushing more food to Wooyoung's direction.

Wooyoung shook his head and dipped his chopsticks in the plate with the cucumbers, they were salty and fresh, "What happened to you?" he asked, Wooyoung too had many scars on his body but none of them looked like that.

Xiaolong chuckled and as if by reflex his fingers traced the thick pale line marking his skin, "It's a long story—" he whispered.

"I don't think we are in a rush to go anywhere" Wooyoung said back, but seeing how Xiaolong's eyes where avoiding his he regretted it immediately, "I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me if you're not comfortable" he tried to make amend pouring some soju in the empty glass in front of him and pushing it to Xiaolong's direction.

"It doesn't make me uncomfortable, nostalgic maybe" he chuckled.

Wooyoung didn't say anything knowing fully well how there were things that one just couldn't easily share, he just waited for whatever the man was willing to tell him. It didn't take long before Xiaolong spoke again.

"You know... When I started helping boys like you I wasn't much older than your age. I've seen so many people come and go" he paused taking a sip of his drink, "When I asked you to follow me you said you didn't trust me but the one who's risking it all it's me: I am the one opening the door of my apartment to strangers, I am the one feeding them, giving them a bed, clean warm clothes... I'm getting old Wooyoung and kids your age look every year bigger and stronger" he cacckled again and his fingers trailed down the scar once more.

"Did one of your stray kittens do this to you? Are you scared it can happen again?" Wooyoung couldn't help the question to slip out of his mouth.

Xiaolong shrugged, "I think I can read people well, none of my little birds have ever disappointed me, not even this one" he pointed at his scar, "His name was Yijin, I nearly gave up the ghost because of that bastard" he stopped to dryly laugh as he shook his head, "He was so beautiful and young. Looked so innocent. It was weird because I wasn't the one finding him, he came to me. He knew who I was and what I did. Insolent little brat, I couldn't refuse him because he sticked by my side even if I tried to push him away countless time. He was too young, I thought he could choose something better for himself, but soon enough I realized that he really was desperate" the cigarette found his lips in a smooth motion and the smoke filled the small room, "I wish I had a picture of him to show you: he had the most beautiful face. His clients used to say he looked like an angel, but they were quick to change their minds when they found out his attitude" he paused to laugh, another caugh of smoke.

Wooyoung noticed how his eyes were glowing with a sort of pride in them, he kept calling Yijin spoiled and ungrateful, but it was clear that he loved him deeply, "For years I tried to protect him because he looked too pure for this world, but soon he grew old enough to decide for himself and when he did I realized he lived in this life like it really was his element. He had charms and knew how to use them, he was smart and porposeful. I stopped worrying so much and let him live his freedom. I couldn't expect that the situation would get out of hand. I was young and naive too. When I realized how bad things were, it was too late: he fell in with the wrong people, into some very bad things, and the more I tried to persuade him to get back in line the more he refused me" he flicked the cigarette with his thumb not really caring when sparkles and ash fell on the worn-looking table.

Another long pause and a thick silence interposed between them, but Wooyoung didn't dare to make a noise, "He came to me one night asking for money," Xiaolong resumed after a while, "I had given him fifty thousand just the previous day so I refused him. He was probably high or something because he stabbed me and fled taking the twenty thousand I had in my pockets" the words came out of his mouth so easily that Wooyoung didn't have the time to feel shocked, Gege spoke again, "My neighbor found me in a pool of blood and immediately called for help. Oh I got so close, at some point I'm sure I felt the flames of hell burn my ass, but the doctors said I just hallucinated for the pain" another dry laugh, "While I was in the hospital Yijin came to visit, he kneeled at my bed and cried his eyes out begging me to forgive him. He stayed by my side for days until I had to ask him to leave to at least take a shower but he replied that he wouldn't move until I would forgive him and take him back"

"Did you?" Wooyoung asked incredulous.

"Of course I did, I've never thought I could abandon him, not even for a second. He was one of my little birds, my most precious and special one. I took him back and for a while we were at peace but he looked, I don't know... Off... As expected it didn't last long... A month later or so he came to me saying he had found a good client, a daddy willing to adopt him, that's what he said" Xiaolong shook his head and took the last drag before pressing the cigarette inside a cup that Wooyoung hadn't noticed before, it was already full of stubs so more ash fell on the table, "He was leaving with him... I don't know if it was a lie, I knew his clients, I always check on who wants to sleep with my little birds and I didn't know anything about this man. I was scared for him, I tried to talk him through it but he said he had already made up his mind" Xiaolong finished his glass gulping it down in one sip before he looked at Wooyoung again, "I met him again months after our last chat in a dirty laneway of Garibong-dong, he was wasted, I took him to a rehab but he fled. He overdosed a week later"

Wooyoung stayed silent for long, unable to take in all the information. That man had just shared his most painful memory with him, he wondered if Yijin had been more than one of his little birds, if Gege was in love with him... and yet he couldn't feel any pity. There was no empathy running through his system in that moment, only a selfish thought kept resurfacing, unsure if he should say it out loud. There were words repeating inside of his head, words that Gege had pronouced and that caught on Wooyoung's curiosity. Little birds, clients, money.

He knew what Xiaolong wanted from him and the easiness with which Wooyoung was ready to give in disgusted him deeply. His father wasn't so wrong after all. All the names he had called Wooyoung suited him very well.

"Did I scare you?" Xiaolong chuckled filling both their glasses once again.

Scared?

Wooyoung chugged the shot down.

"No, I just—" he hesitated not sure on how to say what he wanted to say, but there was no point in beating around the bush "I can be one of your little birds, if what you're asking me is—"

"I'm not asking you anything" Gege interrupted him, the smile on his face disappeared when the nth cigarette reached his mouth, "I told you my story and you're drawing conclusions"

"Stop fucking around, you don't want just my gratitude, come on! You brought me here, patched me up, gave me food and a warm place where to sleep... I don't think I got it wrong, did I? Asked or not: you want me to be one of your whores"

"Straight to the point, huh? Look Wooyoung, I'm willing to... help, but I think you'd better ask your questions first. They always have questions"

"I don't" he didn't care, the only important thing was clear: he was going to sell his body, why would he care about the circumstances? Men and women, young and old, they would all feel the same, "As long as you're gonna pay me and put a roof above my head I'm fine with everything"

"With everything?" Xiaolong laughed it out faking a shocked expression, "Kid, you shouldn't be selling yourself so short. You're young and—please forgive my impudence—very handsome! If you play your cards wisely you will be able to have just the best clients, that's how it works in The Nest"

"The nest?" oh well, maybe he had questions after all...

Xiaolong lit the cigarette with a smirk before he replied, "You didn't think I would let you hit the streets, did you?" The smoke fogged Wooyoung's sigh for a second and when he could spot Xiaolong again he was standing, "Gege's little birds deserve only the best"

☾

There was only one way in. A staircase. It was dark and cramped, almost invisible in between of the two buildings covered in bright neon signs. Lights and colors all around, so many and catchy that the writing "The Nest", small and dark on the brick wall next to the staircase, seemed almost invisible.

Wooyoung didn't notice it the first time Gege brought him there so that he could meet his new brothers, a word that sent shivers down Wooyoung's spine. But now that so long had passed he couldn't help but think how evident those black thick letters were.

The Nest. His new home. His new family.

Despite the external appearance the club indoors were much more welcoming than one would think. First of all it was spacious: Wooyoung wasn't sure but by looking around it seemed like the place extended through the basement of the entire building. There were no windows but the ceiling was cover in strobo lights and a very efficient aeration system so that the people who entered the wide room wouldn't feel suffocationg. Though, truth be told, the place was so huge and the customers never as many to make it feel claustrophobic. Not many people frequented The Nest, not because it wasn't a good place, quite the opposite actually, everything inside was fancy and exclusive: the bar with his mostly refined liquors, the couches in dark leather, the music that never played too loud—unless Seonghwa felt like giving his audience a show, in that case the loudest pop music would fill the club while the boy rolled sexily on his pole—and in the end its little birds.

Even if huge steps forward had been made in the last few years, one person's sexuality was still a big taboo in South Korea. For this reason most of the gay clubs of the city were secretly hiding from the crowd, becoming exclusive roundabouts for those who wished to keep their preferences away from the day light. The Nest—Xiaolong had explained—was one of the oldest and if it was still in businnes after all those years it was not only because it guaranteed all the privacy one needed, but also thanks to the great quality of his products. The word had left Gege's mouth mischeviously but the offence he could read on Wooyoung's face was probably enough for him to apologize and quickly explain that he considered all the boys and girls working for him as if they were his grandchildren.

"And yet you don't have a problem in selling our bodies like fresh meat, do you?" Wooyoung made sure to speak informally as he walked down those stairs for the first time, he wouldn't waste honorifics for a man like him.

"Wooyoung-ah," Xiaolong shook his head in a scoff stopping him right in front of the main entrance, the place looked empty and silent and Wooyoung wondered how long it would take before it would show its real appearance, "There are two things you should keep in mind if you want to work here: the first one is that you can talk to me as you prefer, I don't really care if you want to behave like an unmannered brat to me, but you'd better hold your tongue with our customers, do you understand?"

Wooyoung nodded but still he didn't even try to hide how he rolled his eyes.

"The second thing is that, you like it or not, if you accept to stay you work for me. And if you stay there are rules to follow: I won't bother you by explaining them just now but know that you won't have to sleep with whoever walks in, you will see that there are people coming here only to find someone that can keep them company. Make them drink, talk to them, the more they pay the higher your salary will be. Nobody comes to The Nest to get a cheap fuck, there are many whorehouses for that. You're valuable and I'm sure that if someone is willing to pay to take you to bed you won't be refusing them because, trust me, they will offer a lot"

"I don't fuck old pervs, I already told you" Wooyoung hissed, annoyed by Gege's arrogance.

"You keep talking about old pervs but you will realize our customers are not that old, anyways..." Xiaolong lit up a cigarette in a gesture Wooyoung had grown used to whitness, "It's your first night, I took you here to meet your new family, my little birds will be here shortly, maybe some of them are getting ready in the dressing room. Look around, use this time to get to know this place and how we work. If you don't think you can do it that's the door, nobody will force you to stay"

And even if Wooyoung didn't like how Xiaolong left him without a possibility to talk back he had to agree about one fact: the customers of The Nest where nothing like he expected. Their age ranged between 30 and 60 years old but for none of them Wooyoung could use the title 'disguating old perv', they were discreet and even if their eyes and hands lingered for a bit longer on the young boys and girls populating the club they always made sure to have their consent.

Wooyoung sat at the bar for many hours, silently and unbothered. A few customers had looked at his direction but none of them had tried a move probably not very sure on what the bruised kid wearing a very out of place sweater was doing there. On the other hand Gege's little birds had all noticed his presence and even if only a few of them had approached him to introduce themselves and get to know Wooyoung a bit better, almost everyone had sent him a curious smile or the wave of a hand.

He didn't have a chance to feel unwelcomed and while sipping on his beer that the cute bartender named Yeosang offered him, he made sure to take in as much as he could of that new world. After the first two hours he had more than he needed to understand that The Nest was exactly the place that Gege had describes: a safe, hidden heaven and Wooyoung couldn't wait to be officialy part of it. He noticed how most of the customers sat on the couches or at the other end of the bar just talking and sharing soft caresses with the little birds and only a very few of them had disappeared to where the private rooms were. A couple was standing up right in that moment: a tall boy with long dark hair and feminine features leading a man not much older then him down the corridor.

"I bet he will be back in no more than 10 minutes" a short boy with blue hair whose name Wooyoung didn't know grinned at his direction, Wooyoung wondered for how long he had been standing there because he hadn't noticed his presence until he had heard his voice.

"How do you know?" he asked curiously.

"I've been with him couple of weeks ago, he's a fast one" he laughed, "He came as soon as I touched him, I didn't even have to take him inside" he shrugged sitting on the stool next to Wooyoung, "Good money indeed, they're willing to pay even more when they're embarassed" he finally turned to look at Wooyoung in the eyes, he had just the time to spot two dark irises before they turned into half moons and a birght smile appeared on his face, "I'm Hongjoong by the way, welcome to the family"

Wooyoung shook his hand reciprocating the grin, "How long have you been working here if you're not even able to make them last? Maybe that's why he didn't ask for you again" he teased.

"Wow!" the boy gasped faking indignation, a hand flew to his own chest like Wooyoung had said something that hurt him to death, "Gege told us you had a sharp tongue but I didn't expect you to make fun of me even before I heard your name"

"I'm Wooyoung, nice to meet you" Wooyoung laughed heartedly.

"And for your notice, I've been working here for the last six years, so you should kindly speak to me with some respect since I'm probably older than you"

"And how old are you precisely, hyung?"

"Yah! I'm–" but Hongjoong didn't get to finish because suddenly Gege appeared next to them.

"Wooyoung,"

When he called his name, Xiaolong's voice wasn't that loud but to Wooyoung it seemed like it kept echoing through the room, drowning out every other sound. He froze, looking at the man with worried eyes and he needed Hongjoong to push him before he could finally move down from his stool and approach the man that was gesturing to follow him to a quieter corner.

There was no reason to be nervous, Gege told him he was there just as a whitness for that night and yet he walked wobbly to Xiaolong's direction only to spot a man couple of steps behind, sitting on a couch hidden in the dark. Wooyoung couldn't see him properly but he seemed handsome: his legs looked like neverending and his body was well built, his muscles were squeezed in a tight dark suit, a briefcase at his feet. He was probably some business man, someone important Wooyoung realized as soon as Xiaolong whispered a ridiculously high sum to his ear. He looked at Xiaolong with wide eyes and the man smiled to him, trying to contain a laugh. He just moved closer to Wooyoung's ear once again.

"What do you say? I know you didn't accept the job yet, but he has been looking at you all night and he asked me if you were available"

"What do I have to do?" his voice was shaking even if he tried to sound confident.

"Just sit with him, the price involves a bottle of champagne and two flutes, I can add couple of drinks on the house if it goes well"

"D-do I have to..." he didn't know how to finish the sentence.

"You don't have to do anything if you don't feel like it, just talk to him, have a glass or two, keep him company and see how things go" he paused pushing a strand of hair behind Wooyoung's ear, a gesture that caused Wooyoung to flinch on his spot, startled by the unexpected move and take a step back, "You're safe here, okay? I mean it, nobody will hurt you as long as you stay in The Nest"

Wooyoung nodded and turned to spare a second glance at the man. He couldn't spot his face but suddenly a weird calm took over his body: he thought about the huge sum and he realized the man could be the ugliest asshole on planet Earth for all he cared, he wouldn't refuse all those money. He took the few steps that lead to the shadowed booth and the stranger stood with a smile.

"Hey," the man said smoothly, his voice low and inviting.

Wooyoung wasn't wrong: he looked up to see a tall man in his mid-thirties, with broad shoulders and a well-built body accentuated by the tight suit. His sharp, cat-like dark eyes, framed by thick brows, assessed Wooyoung with a mix of curiosity and charm. The man's confident smile and poised demeanor made him undeniably handsome, and Wooyoung couldn't help but feel a flicker of attraction, even amid his discomfort.

"I'm glad you could join me," the man continued, extending a hand. Wooyoung offered a tight-lipped smile, hesitating before shaking it. The touch was unexpectedly warm, but it sent a shiver down his spine. He flinched slightly, masking his reaction with a casual nod.

As they settled back into the booth, the man's presence felt intrusive. His casual touches on Wooyoung's arm or shoulder were a stark reminder of how much he disliked being touched. Each brush against his skin felt like a violation, a reminder of the past he was desperate to forget. He tried to remain polite, but his body tensed every time the man leaned in or reached out.

"Relax," the man said, his hand lingering on Wooyoung's shoulder "It's just a drink"

The touch was too intimate, too personal for Wooyoung's comfort. He wanted to pull away, but he forced himself to stay still. He could feel the man's fingers lingering longer than necessary, and he shifted uncomfortably, his heart racing. The man's eyes were searching his face, and Wooyoung could see the curiosity in them, which only made him more anxious.

"Let's get another round" the man said, signaling for more drinks and ordering a selection of food. Wooyoung accepted the offerings with a nod, attempting to ignore the lingering discomfort from the man's touch. The alcohol arrived quickly, and the drinks were strong. Wooyoung took his time, sipping slowly, his gaze fixed on the glass in front of him.

At first, the warmth of the alcohol was barely noticeable. The initial sips did little to numb his senses or ease the tension in his body. The man's presence still felt intrusive, each casual touch on Wooyoung's arm or shoulder or thigh a reminder of his aversion to physical contact. Despite his efforts to appear at ease, his muscles remained rigid, his posture stiff. As he continued to drink, the effects of the alcohol began to set in more noticeably. The first few glasses had done little to change his state, but with each subsequent one, Wooyoung could feel the edges of his discomfort starting to blur. The warmth spreading through him was slow and deliberate, making the world around him seem softer, less harsh. The man's touches, which had once felt like unwanted invasions, began to feel less jarring. They were still present, but they were now accompanied by a numbing sensation that dulled Wooyoung's acute awareness. The stranger's hand brushed against his arm as he spoke, and instead of recoiling, Wooyoung found himself instinctively leaning into the touch.

With each drink, his initial tension began to ebb away. The man's voice, which had seemed overly familiar and intrusive, now sounded smoother, more soothing. Wooyoung's shoulders relaxed slightly, and the tightness in his chest began to loosen. The alcohol was starting to work its magic, turning his sharp discomfort into a dull, manageable ache. The food arrived, and Wooyoung picked at it absently, his mind wandering. The combination of alcohol and the small bites of food was gradually dulling his senses. He started to notice the small pleasures: the warmth of the drink, the way the man's gaze seemed to hold a softer edge now. Even the man's touches, though still present, were starting to feel lighter, almost caressing, rather than invasive.

The man's hand now seemed to linger with a lighter touch, and when he took hold of Wooyoung's chin, pressing a thumb gently against his bruised lip, Wooyoung felt a rush of adrenaline. The discomfort was still there, but the alcohol had softened its edge. The man's thumb pressed down on the wet lip, and Wooyoung's reaction was a mix of discomfort and an unexpected thrill.

"Who did this to you?" the man's voice sounded hoarse and lower, being probably affected by the alcohol too.

Wooyoung didn't reply, he couldn't because as his mouth opened the man spoke again, "The only way to touch you should be by giving you pleasure and not with the intent to hurt," he whispered, his thumb still pressing gently "And I'm dying to touch you, Wooyoung"

Wooyoung didn't know how to respond. The man's words, combined with the warmth spreading through his body from the alcohol, created a confusing mix of emotions. The slight discomfort from the touch was now accompanied by a budding sense of arousal, a reaction he couldn't completely suppress.

Should he say something? Should he propose the man to take a step further? Would he be ready for it? Should he just touch him back? Fill up his glass and ignore it all? The chaos felt overwhelming but just like he could read Wooyoung's thoughts the man suddenly lowered his head to whisper a ridiculous amount of money into his ear. The figure was so high that it made Wooyoung's breath catch in his throat. His initial hesitation faded as the promise of that sum overwhelmed his reservations. He nodded, unable to refuse, and agreed to follow the man to a private room.

As they walked, Wooyoung glanced at the man, "I don't even know your name"

The smile that plastered on his face sent a shiver down Wooyoung's spine and he had to hold a gasp when he felt a hand on the lower of his waist, "I'm Kim Woobin. And I can't wait to hear you scream it all night, baby"

And this time Wooyoung couldn't stop the gasp to leave his mouth.

☾

A/N—Yes, I fooled you - ♡ - San is coming into the scene real soon, don't worry! See you next Friday~