𝕭𝖎𝖙𝖊 𝕭𝖆𝖈𝖐 ꒐꒐ ⱽᴵᴺᶜᴱᴺᶻᴼ ᶠᶠ

ℂ𝕒𝕡𝕚𝕥𝕠𝕝𝕠 𝕊𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕖

Despite Hanseok's confidence in his identity remaining hidden, Team Jipuragi always had a knack for finding out Babel's secrets. He had avoided Vincenzo finding out the first time, but his luck soon ran out.

"That crazy fucker," Myunghee mumbled as she looked at some legal documents.

Hanseo stared at the dirty footprints on his brother's floor, which Mr. Han was cleaning up. The Italian man had come to threaten his brother but got dragged away by some officers. Hanseok, fortunately, got away unscathed from the mafioso. However, he wasn't safe from his crush.

"Now even Chayoung knows," Hanseok added, downing a glass of wine. "Fuck! She even slapped me!"

"Is...is Vincenzo going to prison?" Hanseo asked timidly. He didn't want to make it seem like he cared for the man, but he was desperately wanting to find out his legal situation.

"Apparently not," Myunghee answered. "The prosecution said the gun was fake, so it's not attempted murder but intimidation."

Hanseok grunted. "They're going to let him go?"

The heartless woman just nodded at her boss's question.

"I can't believe those prosecutors are siding with a criminal," Hanseo added half-heartedly. Truthfully, he was relieved.

"Ch-chairman, don't you think it's too risky for you to stay here?" Mr. Han had stopped mopping and joined the conversation.

"I agree," Myunghee said. "There's no telling what he'll do next time. I think it'll be wise for you to go away for a while, Mr. Jang."

Hanseok closed his eyes for a moment as if in deep thought before agreeing. "Alright. Arrange a small villa far away from the city. Not too small though."

"Yes, sir!" his minions chorused.

So that was that. Hanseo would be lying if he said he wasn't happy to be apart from his dear brother for a few weeks. This was his chance to do whatever he wanted: eat spicy noodles, go on a road trip, or maybe even visit the gym where he first met Vincenzo. He felt like a caged bird who had been freed. Of course, this freedom would only last until Hanseok decided he left his company for too long, but it was still freedom. Freedom was the reason people risked their lives throughout history after all.

"You seem happy," the monster teased, interrupting the younger boy's train of thoughts. The two were finally alone so he wasted no time in pulling his little brother onto his lap.

"I'm just happy you're safe," Hanseo mumbled.

"Is that so? And here I thought you were happy to see me leave."

Hanseo shook his head. "Of course not, hyung-nim. I would rather you didn't leave... but it's for your safety." Hopefully, those words please him.

"I'll make sure to call." The monster smiled. "Tell me how much you'll miss me, little brother."

"I wish I could go too"—Hanseo buried his face in his brother's chest—"but I have to take care of Babel while you're away."

That reply seemed to have satisfied his older brother because he just laughed and tightened his arms around him. "Should I give you a farewell gift for being so good, Hanseo?"

The implications were obvious. Usually, Hanseo would dread receiving anything from his brother since all his "rewards" were just excuses to fuck. However, with freedom so close that he could almost taste it, he decided that entertaining the monster for one more night wouldn't be so bad. Thus, Hanseo ground down on the older man's bulge, eliciting a surprised expression.