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-"I can't take this anymore" - Jin thought, as the tears that he thought were dried out, kept streaming down his face after V explained vaguely what happened prior to the tub accident.

It's been three years, apparently, since he asked V to introduce him to adult life. Or at least, it looks that way. Jin couldn't remember. He was eighteen on the rooftop and now he is twenty-one, but he has no idea where the three years went. It's like he skipped the beginning of the journey and went straight to the plot in a story. He had no friends, so there was no one to stay in touch with. He had no idea where are his parents, nor why do they refuse to see him, to speak with him. He asked V what happened, but he only looked at him with those cold blue eyes and a slight smirk on his face, saying nothing.

It was eerie...creepy... unnatural look, Jin thought. V knew what happened, he knew and yet he didn't want Jin to know. Jin often wondered why. He also wondered, later on, what he did to his parents to hate him so much. He cried often, missing them a lot. Their mobile phones were changed and the unknown person he reached when he called home told him that the previous tenants moved away three years ago. They didn't leave a contact number.

What could I possibly have done for them to erase me from their memories? No matter how hard he tried, his mind was blank. Completely, utterly, blank.

The only thing he could rely on was the present. Jin knew things he had no idea how and when he had learned them. His body was stronger. His already wide shoulders seemed so masculine, surrounded by tight muscles. No, he wasn't bulky, he was tall and lean, with muscles in the right places. His face lost some baby fat and got more defined, more adult, but still very beautiful. Overall, he was a very handsome man.

The only problem was the "hole" in his memory. He knew and did things so naturally sometimes like he had done them before, countless times. For example, he had no idea when he learned how to cook, or when he learned Japanese, how to drive a car, how to guess designer clothes from sight, or how to mix very complicated drinks perfectly. It was natural to him. Muscles and brain memory allowed him that, even though his conscious mind didn't. But mostly he was confused and scared. His mind was so in contrast with his appearance.

V wasn't helping at all. It seems like he wanted to keep him in the dark. All he had told him was that a lot of things have happened in the past three years, some that are best to be hidden - forever.

-'' Now it's your chance to truly start over. Don't mess with it and take it slow.'' - V advised as he patted his shoulder before he left to dress up. 

Jin had no idea, what he meant by that, but he was too confused and careful to rush things anyway. He remembered how he felt the first time V took him out of that hotel room. All he knew was that he woke up in the bathtub and that he had no idea where he was. V told him they'd just moved in from another country. He even brought a new expensive apartment in a rich neighbourhood in Jin's name, for them to live in. Jin had no idea where did they get the money, but V did, so he didn't pay much attention, he had a lot to process already. His mind was so thirsty for knowledge, for adventures, and he was so eager to learn.

-'' Never show fear, darling, otherwise, the wolves would eat you alive.'' - It was the first thing V said to him when they went outside for the first time. - ''No matter how scared you truly are, never show. It's better for you to remember that.''

They were strolling down the fashionable streets aimlessly. Fashionable stores and coffee shops were full of people on each side. Jin caught his reflection in one of the store windows and thought he looked very good. He was wearing all black. Lather jacket, shirt, jeans and boots. He was quite satisfied, more sexy and serious. He never looked so good before.

V on the other hand, looked like a bloody Armani model, dressed in black from head to toe. His blond hair, porcelain skin and piercing blue eyes gave an unnatural glow to the dark attire he was wearing. His personality and his movements were gracious, like a cat and his deep voice purred lazily while he explained to Jin the differences among the people.

-'' There are sheep and there are wolves. It's always better to be a wolf.''

-'' Who are the wolves?'' - Jin asked naively. It was strange how Jin easily accepted V as his leader. V's personality was so different from Tae's. He was much more mature, wise and cunning.

- '' The people.'' - V said, pointing vaguely to the people passing them by.

Jin's eyebrows rose from confusion. -'' All of them?'' 

-'' Everyone is a potential wolf, as everyone is potential prey, a.k.a. a sheep. Be very careful who you trust Jinnie. People are not black and white. They are made from different shades of every colour. Trust no one, until they truly earn your trust.''

- '' What about you? Should I trust you?'' - Jin asked. V's lips spread in a lazy smile.

-'' Well, should you?'' - V raised an eyebrow, glancing at him.

Jin chuckled and shook his head, letting the matter go. V could be so confusing sometimes, but he meant well in a way. At least Jin thought he did.

At that moment a very attractive woman walked towards them from the opposite end of the street and V caught her gaze in a second. She stopped frozen, not moving her eyes from V, while his eyes went up and down her body to check her out. - '' Now, Jinnie, let me show you the difference. Watch carefully.'' - He licked his lips and moved closer to her.

-'' What a beauty. - He purred. The woman blushed and look to the ground, all flustered. - ''What's your name?''

-'' Lin.'' - She whispered, barely glancing him in the eyes for a few seconds. The attraction she suddenly felt for a stranger was more than anything she felt before. It was uncanny.

-'' Lin, how gorgeous. Beautiful face, beautiful name.'' - V's eyes went down her body - ''I wonder what else is so beautiful?'' - He said wonderingly and then flicked his gaze up - ''Would you let me find out?'' - He raised her chin with his finger and forced her to look at him.

She began muttering something incoherent, when he stopped her, politely of course. - ''Give me your number, love.'' - His tone was dominant but soft.

Jin watched dumbstruck, while the woman struggle to find her card in her purse. She didn't say another word. It was like she was under a spell. Jin was not surprised at all. When she finally did, she gave it to V, which kissed her hand. - ''Wait for my call, gorgeous.'' - He winked and walk pass her as if nothing happened.

Jin watch as the women blushed and smile shyly. He then hurried up to reach V, who was now standing near a trash can. He chuckled before throwing the woman's card in a bin. Jin was utterly confused.

-'' Why did you throw it away? I thought you want it.'' - He asked looking at the trashcan.

- '' She is a sheep.'' - Jin was still confused, so V continued casually. - '' I don't do sheep.''

-'' But you thought she was beautiful.'' - Jin blinked adorably. She was beautiful, very beautiful indeed, he thought.

-'' Sheep can be beautiful, but they are still sheep.'' - V said matter-of-factly.

-'' But you've told her to wait for your call, I've heard you.''

-'' I lied.''

Jin wanted to scream at him. -'' Why?''

-'' To show you what sheep looked like.'' - The blond man says with a grin. - '' They can be quite alluring and attractive, won't you agree?''

- ''But, she will be waiting for your call.'' - Jin didn't want to let this go. He was fighting the need to go to the bin and dig out the woman's number, just so he could let her know what a douchebag V is and not waste her time on him. Would she believe him? Or just hung up the phone?

The said ''douchebag'' just shrugged his shoulders and continued strolling. - ''So?''

-'' She will feel bad when she finally realizes that you never mean to call her in the first place.'' - Jin hurried up to cut his path in order for V to face him.

V chuckled. His voice got a certain amusing sound to it. Jin had never heard it before.

-'' Maybe.''  - V said. - But first, I assume that she will think that something bad has happened to me and she would be worried. Then she will try to find the reasons and excuses for why I haven't called. Then she will accept the twisted truth. She will accept the fact that I chose not to call her in the end and will wonder why. She will start to doubt herself and her beauty, wondering what's wrong with her and if is she attractive enough. Or, whether or not I laughed at her from the beginning, pretending I want her, only to watch her embarrass herself. She will blame her non-existent flaws. Convince herself that she is fat and that she should undergo plastic surgery or some weight loss, probably crying herself to sleep for a few nights.'' - He was amused. Jin stared at him dumbfoundedly. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

V looks at him, snorting. - '' So what? It's her stupidity that it's to blame, not me.'' - He says, pushing Jin to the side so he could continue his walk. He turned his head slightly to call for Jin. - '' Coming?''

Jin moved as on the command, still lost for words. V, however, continue to talk. -'' She didn't know me, yet she gave me her number so easily. She didn't stop for a second to see if I'm genuine behind my smile. Just because I dressed expensively doesn't mean I'm a good catch. If she thinks materially, she is an even bigger fool then. Money helps people hide their true nature. For all she knew about me, which is nothing, I could be a psychopath...''

-'' You are.'' - Jin murmured to his beard. V did or didn't hear him because he continued as if he heard nothing. - ''...or a serial killer. She is naive and shallow.''

-'' But why did you give her false hope? You could just walk pass her. Why are you so cruel?'' - Jin was almost desperate, feeling so guilty for the woman even though he did nothing wrong.

V had that playful but cold gleam in his eyes. -'' How else will she learn? If you think about it, I did her a favour.''

-'' You are so condescending. It's sickening.'' - Jin said with disgust in his voice. V barked out a laugh, but not commenting further.

-'' I think there were better ways for her to learn that you are an asshole...'' - Jin says after a minute. - '' Even without ruining her self-confidence! 

V grinned at that. - '' You are still not letting that go.'' - He shrugged. - '' For some women yes, there are better ways,  but not for her. Trust me, I would know, she is just that type.'' 

-'' I thought you said that I shouldn't trust you.'' - Jin shoots right at him.

V laughed again. God, he was so beautiful when he was laughing, which was rarest than an eclipse. Jin brushed those thoughts from his mind and went on defending the woman. He felt sorry for her. He knew exactly how she felt.

-'' I don't think you had the right to do that.'' - He tried to reason with his companion again.

V raised his brows in question. -'' Do what?''

- ''To affect her life like that, for fun.'' - Jin says, looking straight ahead and avoiding V's eyes. - '' She might have learned in another, less painful way.''

He took a deep breath and as V kept his silence, Jin felt the moment to carry on his train of thought out loud.

-'' When you asked for her number, I ....it is....it was...'' - He stuttered and had to pause to compose his thoughts better before continuing. - '' It was quite impossible for her to say no! It's impossible to resist! It's like a spell V! - He tried to control his anger and calm his voice a notch. -'' Or a web. You lure your victims into your web and they are powerless.'' - Jin said the last sentence rather quietly, lowering his head. He didn't dare to look V in the eyes. They always made him weak.

V stops in his tracks, and Jin with him. V strolled casually in front of him so Jin had no choice but to look at the other man's face. A curious and a bit smug expression adorned V's features, and Jin would gladly slap it if it wasn't for that deep raspy voice. -'' Do I make you powerless Jinnie?''- He reaches to touch Jin's cheek lightly.

Jin was silent, feeling the warmth of the touch on his skin, not wanting to go away. Ever.

- ''Do you find me irresistible?'' - V insisted and Jin scowled at that. He could hear a teasing sound in V's voice.  

Jin's jaw tightened at that and he gritted through his teeth seriously. -'' I'm sure you know exactly what effect you have on people, V. No need for me to stroke your enormous ego.'' 

He moved away from the touch, and V grinned wickedly. - '' There are too many really bad phrases and puns that could go with this, but I shall refrain since I never use them.''

Jin rolled his eyes, hating the fact that V's rich deep raspy voice purred his way into the pit of Jin's stomach, warming it up, threatening to go down between his legs. Jin mustn't allow it. He glares at V as if he would attack him.

V found this all so amusing, his grin widened even more. - '' Aaaaah Jinnie, how adorable you look when you are scowling. - He pinched Jin's cheek, hooking his arm with Jin's and continued onwards.

-'' I have a mind to go back and find her, telling her it was just a joke - a dare.''  - Jin snapped again.

V snorted. -'' You are like a dog with a bone, never letting go. That's your biggest flaw, Jinnie. Not knowing when to quit.'' - He says casually, shaking his head a bit, not slowing their tracks. -'' Still, would you tease her so?'' 

- ''I? Tease? No! I will put her out of her misery!'' - Jin says defensively.

V cocks his eyebrow at that. -'' Hmm, kill her?'' - He asks jokingly, but Jin failed to see it. V rarely joked and he was unpredictable and dangerous, so Jin was never sure about him.

-'' What? No! I mean I would...''

- ''Yes, yes I know what you meant.'' - V stopped him, by gently slapping his arm. -'' You are so provokingly dumb sometimes, darling. You don't see a joke even if it danced naked in front of your eyes.'' - When Jin opened his mouth to protest, V cut him short. - ''Please don't say anything about her anymore. She is not worth your sympathy. And she's long gone anyway. Plus she might be the smart one after all and decide that I'm a lying asshole, on her own.''

Jin scowled, narrowing his brows dangerously. V was eyeing him, biting his lower lip in amusement.

V observed him with a smile. -'' So sweet. I should make you angry more often Jinnie.''

-'' Ya! Don't!'' - Jin protested loudly.

V laughed again, he was certainly in a good mood today. He pretended not to notice Jin's careful observation of him, so he asked him. - '' Tell me then, would you give your number to complete stranger, just because they ask for it? - Jin blinked.

-'' Not before I talk to them first.'' - Jin says. - '' Especially not if some asshole stopped me in the middle of the street, give me a few lousy compliments about my looks and ask for a number, most likely just for shagging.''

V's teeth flash like pearls as he laughed at this. -'' Aww, Jinnie. You wouldn't? Even if they look irresistible?'' 

'' No.'' - Jin says with finality.

V purred at that. - ''Well, my dear Jinnie, that's exactly why she is a sheep. You see, sheep don't question things, they accept them without thinking. They are very simple-minded beings. If they were to choose between harsh truth and a nicely packed lie, they would always choose a lie, because they don't have the courage to accept the truth. They would rather shut their eyes and tell themselves it's all a bad dream than face the truth bravely. They dance as the music plays. They don't question the beat or the melody. They just roll with it.'' - V looked at him again and smiled.

He let Jin ponder his words. They turned at the intersection and went to a busier side of the neighbourhood. V pretend to look at the shops and people while, in truth, he was observing Jin quietly. Jin, his darling dummy, with all of his naivety, the good heart and a sheep skin he wore so easily in the past, grew some teeth and claws. That was good. After everything that happened to him, that was very good. His thoughts were interrupted by Jin's question.

-'' How to make a difference? Between a wolf and a sheep, how to know who is who when they all look the same at first.'' 

-'' Sheep trust everyone, they are easy prey. They are stupid because they don't think with their own head.'' - V stopped for a moment, composing his thoughts. -'' Wolves, on the other hand, are smart and cruel, they don't trust so easily. Like I said before, trust no one, but me.''  - V said calmly, walking carelessly through the busy streets filled with people. 

They walk like that for a while, checking the stores and restaurants menus that were outside. The evening was pleasant with nice weather and lively streets. They fell into silence again, rarely commenting on something they see on a display. 

V kept glancing secretly at Jin as the evening went by to see how he is doing. To keep him safe. The past three years were rough on Jin. He made some bad rookie choices in life and he suffered in the process. He was a naïve sheep. So life punched him hard and left him bleeding on the ground. But he rose stronger than ever. He was a fighter. Slow learner, yes, but a fighter. He used to be reckless, naïve, selfish, vain and shallow, but he missed that spark that V saw now. He saw the potential for greatness. Jinnie could grow up to be a great man, but even great men make mistakes sometimes. Jin was no exception, so V ignited the fire again and gave him another chance.

Maybe this time... things will be different. V hoped. He would never show it to Jin, but he cared for him. He didn't want him soft and unprotected. He wanted him strong and beautiful, like the phoenix, so he treats him harshly and coldly most of the time. He was still protective and edgy though, just enough to keep him by his side. It was selfish, but V didn't care. Jin's brows were furrowed in concentration, still lost deep in his thoughts. No doubt, he was trying to process everything that happened, to remember. He was already more careful and observant than he was three years ago. Some caution must have stuck deep in his bones from before. V was satisfied with that. He must be.

- ''Hmm, there still might be hope for you, my dear innocent lamb.'' - V suddenly said, which jerked Jin from his musings. He look at the blond man with confusion, but before he could form a question, V stopped again and drew Jin closer. The people walked past them, not caring about the little bubble they found themselves in. V's stare was intoxicating.

Still, he managed to ask. - '' Hope for what?''

V smiled wickedly again, staring deep into Jin's eyes. -'' To see if there is a wolf cub hidden somewhere beneath that beautiful lamb skin of yours.'' - The blond devil said, scrunching his eyes lightly as if to see better. Jin felt his gaze digging deep into his mind, his every cell, his soul, limbs, heart and blood underneath his skin. He shuddered and before he could sum up a reply, V spoke.

- ''Aaaaah, there he is, so small and weak.'' - His smile widened dangerously. - ''We just need to feed it nicely, and it will grow strong.''

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