ALL BARK NO BITE | SADISTIC BEAUTY SPINOFF

Chapter 87

(Spoiler and Trigger warning in comment:-)

~ 320 F, La Grande Maison, Haenan Acropolis: Apartment Complex, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Minho stared at the monitor, fingers flying across the laptop keyboard as he emptied his mind onto the file. His two thousand word target for today was already done and dusted.

He remembered only weeks ago when his head was hurting so hard it grew numb. Void of thoughts or ideas... all he could do was run, counting his breaths, trying to stay alive.

But now... waking up wrapped in warm sheets, arms entangled with Wookyung's, the gentle sunlight rolling in through the curtain gaps and the hum of the humidifier. He'd have a thousand ideas bouncing in his mind before he made his morning cup of tea. Alongside Wookyung's decaf of course.

Care had crept into all his ways, the tender way in which he bathed himself, carefully tidying the house, lovingly making breakfast for two. He was kinder to himself and he hoped Wookyung does the same.

He would be home soon so he ought to get dinner started.

Minho always made sure to cook leisurely. He knew Wookyung had a lot of anxious energy even after work... with a lot of things to tell him. Hence, by the time he'd came home, the food would be halfway through and he could pace around the kitchen, doing small errands while talking about his day.

Minho reckoned it would tire him out just enough for sleeptime.

He switched the news on, a comforting sound remnant from his childhood. Outside of the fighting and abuse, waking up to the sound of the news channel meant that either parent was too distracted to bicker and more often than not, that his father had just gotten home.

The rice cooker was put on, while he finished chopping the chicken and vegetables for the curry. RIIIING! he perked up, bounding to the door and throwing it open. Wookyung drew him into a bear hug and he happily surrendered to the ball of energy. Minho closed his eyes, feeling his warmth through the clothes and hugging him back.

Wookyung was even more energetic today, peppering his face with kisses and excitedly greeting him. Minho pulled back, holding Wookyung's collars "Hey... I'm really sorry about last night..." he apologized, stroking his cheek and Wookyung gave him a big smile, leaning in to kiss him "Today is a new night"

He kissed him till Minho broke out into laughter "What's gotten into you?" he closed the door as Wookyung serenaded him inside the warmth of their home. "Nothing..." he shrugged, smiling wryly "Can't I be excited to come home?" he asked and Minho raised his brow "Of course, of course..."

"I have more things for you to be excited about" he headed to the kitchen as Wookyung removed his jacket and tie, unwinding in the living room. "I'm making chicken curry" he announced and Wookyung placed a dramatic hand on his chest "Heaven sent you to me" he wiped a tear. "Stop that" Minho laughed, voice mellowing

"Come here and help me" he asked and Wookyung undid some shirt buttons, folding his sleeves up, slightly distracted "Be there in a minute, babe" he stared at the television. Minho smiled, returning to the bubbling pot, ready for the veggies. He brought out a pan to sear the chicken and felt a sudden chill.

With his back turned, he called out again "Babe..." his voice cracked and he turned around to see Wookyung's face frozen, fists bundled on his sides as he menacingly glared at the news. Minho gulped, carefully approaching him as the headlines rung out "Blue Line Media Crowns New Head Yang Daesun, Cha Wonsik leads press conference"

This wasn't the first time he had seen him like this.

Wookyung was the gentlest, sweetest most giving person he knew... still, seeing him like this scared him no matter how many times he saw it. As the reporter went on, he grew colder, more hateful and hollow. Minho felt like he could touch him and get torched. Like he could say or do anything. Even the worst things.