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《Character Chronicles³》
《Atlantis》
《Act like you trust people, but don't》
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Dk's family dining room is tastefully decorated, with a large wooden table set for dinner.
Joshua sits beside DK. And across from them? Cha Eunwoo, formerly known as Lee Dongmin.
"It’s so nice to have everyone together. Joshua, we’re so happy you could join us." Mrs. Lee smiled sweetly.
"Thank you for having me. It’s wonderful to be here." Joshua returned her smile.
"So, Joshua, how long have you been dating my brother?" Eunwoo asked.
"For about a year now." Joshua said, glancing over at his boyfriend with a smile.
"He must keep you on your toes." Eunwoo cut off the cute moment.
"What’s that supposed to mean?" DK asked defensively.
"Just that you’ve always been a bit… impulsive." Eunwoo fired back.
"And you’ve always been perfect, haven’t you, “Eunwoo”?" DK said sarcastically as Eunwoo shot him an icy smile.
"It’s Cha Eunwoo now, actually. But I guess old habits die hard." Eunwoo pointed out.
"Yeah, because changing your name makes you a whole new person, right?" DK rolled his eyes.
"It’s not about the name, it’s about distancing myself from a toxic environment that YOU create." Eunwoo said firmly.
"Toxic? Right, because being the family’s golden boy was so hard for you." DK scoffed.
"At least I wasn’t running around causing trouble all the time, making things difficult for everyone." Eunwoo said as Joshua had to bite back a sigh, somehow he knew this would happen.
"Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Perfect. Maybe if you weren’t so busy being a saint, you’d understand what it’s like to be human." DK mocked.
"Minnie." Joshua scolded as Mrs. Lee cut in.
"Enough. This is supposed to be a family dinner. Can we please just enjoy the meal?" She sighed.
"Let’s try to keep it together, okay?" Joshua whispered as Dk nodded.
"Trying too." DK muttered under his breath, but sadly Eunwoo had heard them.
"I’m just trying to have a civilized conversation, but I suppose that’s too much to ask." Eunwoo shrugged.
'This god damn bitch.' Joshua thinks to himself.
"Maybe if you came down from your pedestal once in a while, you’d see things differently." DK said through girtted teeth.
"Oh here we go again." Mr. Lee groaned. "Both of you, that’s enough. We’re a family, and we need to act like it." He said sternly.
"Some family, Eunwoo moved out way before I did, and never visits unless there is a perfect reason for him to fight with me." DK pointed out.
"Lee Seokmin!" Joshua called as DK immedeitly shut up.
They continued their meal, the conversation switching to a semi-normal conversation.
And that was for about 15 minutes before Eunwoo noticed something.
"You know, DK, it’s really interesting how you’re trying to play the good boyfriend when you can’t even leave your old habits behind." Eunwoo said.
"What are you talking about now?" Dk sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Oh, just the little piece of metal sticking out from under your jacket." Eunwoo pointed with a fork. Everyone’s eyes turn to DK.
"Do you seriously have a weapon on you?" Mrs. Lee whisper shouted at her son.
"It’s for protection." DK tried to explain, pulling the knife out and setting it out on the table.
"Protection. Right. From what, exactly? We’re at home, DK." Eunwoo scoffed. "I wonder how your boyfriend feels about that." He added.
"Actually, it’s not just DK. I have one too." Joshua said.
Joshua reaches into his jacket and carefully pulls out a small handgun, placing it on the table. The room falls silent, and DK’s parents exchange a knowing look.
"Well... We had our suspicions. So I can't say we’re not surprised." Mrs. Lee sighed.
"Wait, sus[icsions about what?" DK asked, he hadn't even told his parents about his new job.
"We’ve known for a while that you were involved in something dangerous. We hoped you’d tell us yourselves." Mr. Lee explained.
"And here I thought you couldn’t sink any lower, DK. Dragging your boyfriend into this mess too?" Eunwoo crossed his arms.
"Don’t act like you’re better than us. You don’t know what we’ve been through." DK fired back.
"No, I don’t. But I do know that living like this is a dead end." Eunwoo said, as Joshua finnaly had enough.
"HEY!" Joshua stood up from the table, glaring at Eunwoo.
"I chose this life long before I met DK." Joshua clarified. "And DK is more than just a part of that. He’s my partner. We look out for each other. This life, as dangerous as it is, brought us together." He added before turning to Mr and Mrs. Lee.
"We never wanted to worry you. But this is our reality now." Joshua said before sitting back down.
"We understand. But you need to know that this path is dangerous, not just for you, but for everyone around you." Mr. Lee said.
"I know. But it’s not something we can just walk away from." Dk pointed out.
"And that's really the life you want?" Eunwoo asked, mostly towards Joshua.
"It’s the life we’ve chosen. And we’re doing our best to stay safe." Joshua responded.
"Just promise us you’ll be careful. We don’t want to lose you. Either of you." Mrs. Lee said, holding her hands out to the couple.
