ALL BARK NO BITE | SADISTIC BEAUTY SPINOFF

Chapter 78

~ Driving back home

Wookyung carried Minho's luggage down the stairs, his backpack on one shoulder and his suitcase in one hand, in the other, he held Minho's hand, his fingers intertwined with his'. He kept his eyes on the ground, carefully guiding them outside as he felt the tremor in Minho's hands, the falters in his steps, pulling back sometimes, sometimes nudging into him. Wookyung felt like crying when he saw him, looking forlorn and weak on the other side of the doorframe when he opened it. He wanted to take him up in his arms and feel every part of him and be reassured that he was there.

That he was still there.

It took every fibre of his being to fight the urge to ask him questions, about why he disappeared, why didn't call any of them and most importantly, what exactly happened that night, what made Minho beat Junha... why he walked out on him. But he saw the wretched room, immediately smelling the stench of the old sheets, the cans of soju lying everywhere, the bed looking unslept. The toilet had dark red streaks on the tiles. He understood then that it was beyond anything he did but more so about something that triggered him. So he simply smiled and acted like his usual self.

It was more important to first, get Minho out of this place and back home.

To be safe and sound and within his reach.

"Be careful" Wookyung helped Minho into the passenger seat, then kept the bags into the backseat. He had brought the Genesis, of course, he wouldn't have it any other way. Minho seemed to have realised it as Wookyung got into the driver's seat, settling in and getting the car started. "It's.. " he trailed "Your car" Wookyung noted with a smile and Minho shook his head "Ours" he insisted and Wookyung looked at him meaningfully "Shall we?" he asked and Minho's eyes glistened, quivering from the blinking fluorescent street lights as he nodded ever so slightly.

They set off from the dingy neighbourhood and across the city. The late night was beautiful, the skyline glittering away and everything looked more hopeful yet Minho could only stare at Wookyung. Wookyung sensed his gaze, placing his hand on his knees after a while and squeezing his thigh. Minho returned the gesture by taking his hand, holding it tightly, and gently kissing each of his knuckles and the back of his hand, as if thanking him with every kiss. Both wanted to say so much but words never came around and they exchanged glances instead, looking at their intertwined hands.

"Will we go to your place?" Minho asked after a while and Wookyung nodded enthusiastically, his eyes on the road, firm muscular arms guiding the steering "Are you..." he hesitated "sure you want to... live with me?" he asked and Wookyung stopped at a red light, looking at him more clearly "Of course, I've never wanted anything more. For us to have a space together... at last.." he shrugged and then froze "Unless... you practice opera singing at night and plan to keep me up" he said seriously "I already sleep very badly and I caaan't afford to be sleepy at work-"

His words got interrupted by Minho's laughter. It was broken but brave, choked but sweet. Hopeful. Wookyung stared at his beautiful face, subdued yet filled with joy. He would kill to preserve that laugh. Do anything to keep hearing it near him "I'm kidding" he looked at him sincerely "You can keep me up all night if you want" he said and Minho looked away shyly, the mask of sadness slowly slipping away "Don't tempt me" he whispered after some moments and now it was Wookyung's turn to blush wildly.

"Do you think I'll be needing too many things? My stuff... in the fire..." Minho asked "I know..." Wookyung said comfortingly then giving it a thought "Don't worry about it. My apartment has everything and for the things we need, we'll start somewhere and get them all, you can use my stuff too if you want" he glanced at Minho "Okay?" he reassured him but Minho still appeared unconvinced "Do you have any pet peeves...? I don't want to upset you by unknowingly doing something..."