The ringing doorbell was like a trigger for Hwanjo. She was at the door quickly, already opening it, revealing Hwanwoong who had just pulled his hand back from the bell. His eyes widened slightly and he smiled at the fast response.

,,Hey." He said warmly.

,,You came!" Hwanjo hugged his tiny legs, making Hwanwoong blush beautifully.

,,Of course, why shouldn't I?" He asked, frowning a bit. That expression looked surprisingly pretty on him.

,,I don't know...many things can happen, you never now."

Hwanwoong couldn't say anything smarter at this reply. He only nodded.

Youngjo was sitting on the couch, reading the fresh newspaper, fresh morning coffee sitting on the table calmly, its aroma flying around the room. He peeked over the newspaper's top edge secretly. Hwanwoong was wearing the same beige coat like yesterday and those boots that made his legs look extra small. But under the overdress was a shirt with purple collar, topped with denim jacket, finishing off with white ripped jeans and same-colored simple socks. His eyes were decorated with thin-framed rounded fake glasses. Looking at this, a calm smile - more like a smirk - made its way to Youngjo's lips. And he couldn't ignore the feeling building up inside him. The feeling that hadn't actually left his body since last late evening. Like the thought of Hwanwoong's soft like heaven lips on his.

Hwanwoong put his coat away, right next to Youngjo's which was also long but pitch black. There the two clothings stood, like day and night.

,,Hello."

Youngjo's head raised slowly, seeing Hwanwoong standing in front of him.

,,Hello there." He replied, sitting up straight.

Luckily, Hwanjo had gone somewhere to her own room so she couldn't feel the tense air that suddenly filled the whole room.

Switched a few looks, Hwanwoong walked to the couch around the table and sat down next to the older male, leaving a little space between them. Youngjo could hear his breathing that he was trying to control. He folded together the newspaper, placing it on the table, taking his coffee and sitting back again, letting the warmth of the cup spread inside his palms. The silence was deafening, only sound was the clock on the wall, counting seconds until either of them will speak up, and slight fussing in Hwanjo's room on the small second floor as the girl was preparing something for herself and Hwanwoong for today.

The latter turned to Youngjo slowly, opening his mouth and closing it right away. The other bit his lip to hide away a smile creeping up to his face without a reason. He then uttered, startling Hwanwoong a bit.

,,Don't be mad at her." His head fell low, thumb running along the cup brim, stumbling upon something invisible once in a while. Then his head shot up. ,,Please." He said quietly, looking at the younger. Youngjo shook his head. ,,She doesn't need any more problems to invade her life." A deep breath. ,,It should be ours, okay?" Youngjo's voice was talking to Hwanwoong softly and forgivingly as he adjusted himself to sit better, facing the conversation partner now.

The younger was listening to him and his voice that hid so many emotions. Hwanwoong felt the love and worry so well it stung his own heart too. How could someone be so...pure...and open to a complete stranger?

He could only nod.

,,I-If you have anything to say then please speak now."

Hwanwoong's eyes widened a bit when he heard the slight stutter in Youngjo's voice. The usually strong voice had cracked a bit. He bit his lip, looking away at the asked question. Did he have something to say?

,,Ummm, I...I'm sorry for...it..." He gulped and felt his cheeks heat up at the memory.

,,Well, I'm not sorry." The simplicity and a touch of an unknown spark in his voice made Hwanwoong's head turn at him. ,,Everything's fine for me." The older said, making the younger uneasy.

,,R-Really?"

,,Yes." Youngjo smiled softly. ,,Really."

Hwanwoong nodded slowly, visibly dropping into his own thoughts as he sat back normally, staring at the ceiling. Youngjo took a sip of his coffee, eyes secretly eyeing the other: his chest moving up and down in steady breathing, hands placed on lap, fingers intertwined, eyelashes stroking bright pinkish-colored cheeks once in a while as he blinked. Youngjo liked looking at the small details and Hwanwoong in the early morning sunlight looked like pure art.

,,Oh, you're still here, daddy?" Hwanjo asked, surprised, coming down the stairs happily, holding a box of something. Hwanwoong snapped out of his thoughts that instant, head shooting towards the girl.

,,I was just about to get going." Said Youngjo, giving off no signs of being interrupted, unlike Hwanwoong. He was either very good at hiding it or just heard the girl coming downstairs before. He finished his coffee quickly and got up, taking the cup to the kitchen. Hwanjo put the box on the living room table and shot a warm smile to her babysitter, the latter replying with the same. He then got up and went to the corridor with the girl, where the father was already pulling on his police jacket. His eyes were now searching for the cap. They stopped on Hwanwoong. Younger felt a strange feeling when Youngjo was looking at him. ,,Would you...?" His hand reached for the missing item behind Hwanwoong, on a shelf in the opened closet.

,,Oh, y-yes." Hwanwoong stuttered, tearing his eyes off him. He was being so obvious and hated himself for it. He took the cap and gave it to Youngjo who reached to take it when their fingers touched. The usual hidden vigilance and serenity in Youngjo's eyes disappeared for a moment and his lips cracked slightly. Hwanwoong pulled his hand back too quickly, as if afraid to let his body enjoy the feeling of electricity that Youngjo's skin brushing against his gave him more. He forced on a smile but the other's eyes didn't meet his anymore. It left Hwanwoong in a muddled darkness.

,,Be careful with the bad guys, okay?" Hwanjo said in an anxious tone. They were exchanging some goodbye hugs. Her father only smiled fondly at it. He was cognizant when it came to his daughter being worried about his job. After all, Youngjo had missions that included unstable people with guns every day and some were extra good at using these. But he was also extra careful because of them. For Hwanjo.

,,Yes." So simple, yet so powerful answer, giving the girl all she wanted. She stepped away but ran back that instant. ,,Another hug." She said, wrapping her small hands around Youngjo who chuckled at her adorableness.

Hugs given, Youngjo left the house, waved at the two sending him away behind the big balcony window, and drove off. Hwanjo, nose pressed against the glass, sighed. No adult other than her dad had ever understood how hard this actually was for her. Sending off Youngjo was like diving into the unknown, she never knew can he get out of it all well. Will she see his smile or feel his warmth next to herself ever again. All of this was like a game. You make a move, have your own scheme made up in head, yet you never know how will the other player response. In this case, she was the one playing, and her opponent was no other than life itself.

But aren't we all playing this kind of game?

Hwanjo turned around, forcing a smile on her face. Hwanwoong replied with the same. But he couldn't be fooled so easily. He knew what was weighing heavily on the girl's heart. And he nodded, as if saying that everything will be alright, that her dad will come back.

And like that, a real smile replaced the fake one on Hwanjo's face and she slid her tiny hand into Hwanwoong's as they started walking into their today's adventures in their home wonderland.

•
aaaa we ordered ONEUS' last two albums for me as my very late birthday present from my grandparents!! my grandfather said if i would need or want anything as a present since corona ruined my birthday, i just have to tell them. it was so sweet imma cry and now i couldn't be happier!

i am also so in love with youngjo as a person, really. he is a so underrated vocal and if you want proof, check out his soundcloud songs (he has done all by himself), especially "Creep" and "iT's YoU". i'm not saying this because he's my ult bias or something, i'm saying this because i genuinely think this way: kim youngjo is the most underrated vocalist in this whole music industry.

so, here is part 1 playlist from youtube with his soundcloud songs. "Creep" starts at 37:17 to 41:24 and "iT's YoU" comes right after that up until 45:13. my mouth falls open every time i listen to those perfect high notes he slays. and cry too because he sounds so angelic. and at first time, i was so shocked because i had no idea he was capable of doing something like this. but again, he's kim youngjo - he can do anything.

please give them a shot, you won't disappoint, and comment what do you think about these songs! thank you!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]