The gang reached a consensus: they would trust Longtae and let him go, believing in his sincerity. Yok, determined to ensure the boy's safety, volunteered to take him home. As they prepared to leave, the atmosphere was charged with a mix of relief and lingering tension.
On Yok's motorcycle, the proximity between them was palpable. Longtae nestled against Yok's back, his arms wrapped tightly around his waist. The hum of the engine resonated through Longtae's body, amplifying the closeness he felt. He could feel the powerful flex of Yok's muscles with every turn of the bike, and the warmth from Yok's body seeped into Longtae's own. There was something exhilarating about the physical closeness, and Longtae couldn't help but admire the solidity of Yok's physique, the stark contrast to his own smaller frame. The ride was a sensory overload: the rush of the wind, the steady thrum of the engine, and the intimate warmth between them.
For Yok, the sensation of Longtae clinging to him was unexpectedly comforting. Since Dan's betrayal, Yok had avoided intimate contact, fearing that trust and closeness would only lead to more pain. But the touch of the smaller boy brought a warmth Yok had grown to distrust but was now cautiously allowing himself to feel again. Longtae's gentle grip around his waist provided a solace Yok had forgotten he needed, a tender reminder of the intimacy he had shunned for so long.
As they arrived at the mansion, the grandeur of the estate contrasted sharply with Yok's rugged appearance. The mansion's security, already on high alert due to concerns for Longtae, eyed Yok with suspicion as he dismounted the bike. They quickly apprehended him, pulling him inside under the assumption that he might have been involved in holding Longtae against his will.
Longtae's heart raced as he saw Yok being led away. He dashed after them, his voice urgent and pleading. "Stop! He's not what you think!"
The security staff hesitated, their faces a mix of confusion and skepticism. Longtae pushed through, determined to clear the air. "Yok didn't hurt me. He's been nothing but kind. Please, you have to believe me."
Inside the mansion, tension mounted as Yok was half-dragged toward Longtae's grandfather. The stern patriarch observed the scene with a scrutinizing eye. He looked at his grandson, who was desperately pleading for Yok's release, and then at Yok, who, despite his rough appearance, remained calm and composed. The contrast between the imposing figure of the grandfather and the rugged but handsome Yok was striking.
Longtae's grandfather, clearly baffled, finally spoke. "Why should I believe you? He looks like a thug."
Longtae's frustration boiled over. "I'm telling you the truth. Yok is not a threat. He's the one who's been protecting me. If you call the police and put him in jail, I will never forgive you for ruining the man I am dating!"
The room fell silent, the shock of Longtae's declaration hanging heavy in the air. Longtae, known for his gentle demeanor and quiet strength, had never before raised his voice or acted with such intensity. His family, who had only seen him as calm and reserved, were stunned by his outburst.
Yok stood there, stunned by Longtae's words, his mind racing to process what he had just heard. Was he truly hearing Longtae say they were dating? The revelation left him disoriented, caught between disbelief and a growing sense of warmth.
Longtae's family exchanged bewildered glances, the revelation hitting them with the force of an unexpected storm. The cousins, who had only ever seen Longtae in his usual reserved manner, were shocked. Longtae had never spoken about being involved with anyone, let alone someone like Yok.
"Dating?" Longtae's grandfather repeated, disbelief etched in his voice. "You're saying you're involved with this man? You?" To the grandfather, the gentle grandson he knew seemed an unlikely match for Yok, whose appearance was the epitome of rebellion and defiance. The stark contrast between the two was jarring.
Longtae nodded firmly, his expression resolute. "Yes. We've been seeing each other, Grandpa. I care about him, and I won't let you ruin that for me."
Longtae's grandfather, who had once made a heart-wrenching decision to disown his own daughter for marrying someone he didn't approve of, felt a pang of regret. He saw the determination and pain in his grandson's eyes, a reflection of the same conflict he had experienced years ago. The thought of losing Longtae like he had lost his daughter made his objections waver.
The unexpected confession left everyone reeling. Gaipa looked like he might faint from the shock. Ayan stared in disbelief, glancing between Longtae and Yok, unable to reconcile the two in his mind. Bison broke the silence with a chuckle, seeing his otherwise unremarkable cousin in a new light. "Well, this is a surprise. Maybe you're more interesting than I thought."
Ray joined in the laughter, teasingly. "Oh God, Tae! I had you all wrong. Looks like you're not as vanilla as I always thought!"
Yok's heart swelled with mixed emotions at the realization of Longtae's commitment. It was a gesture of loyalty and trust that Yok hadn't anticipated, stirring a glimmer of hope and a pang of regret. He wished he met Longtae before he met Dan. How could such a small boy pack so much courage and trust in his small body?
As Longtae's words began to sink in, the atmosphere shifted. Though still skeptical, Longtae's grandfather had no choice but to reconsider his stance. He couldn't afford to make the same mistake as before. Reluctantly, he signaled for the security team to release Yok.
Yok watched as Longtae scrambled towards him, his eyes full of concern. "Are you alright?" Longtae asked, his voice trembling slightly with so much worry.
Yok stood straighter, glancing briefly at Longtae's grandfather and cousins before gently smiling at the boy who held his arm. "I'm fine," Yok assured him, aware of the scrutiny they were under. He pulled Longtae close for a hug, whispering a soft thank you in his ear. The embrace was tender, a moment of quiet reassurance amidst the chaos.
To everyone watching, the scene was touching, reminiscent of a Romeo and Juliet moment. Longtae held on to Yok tightly, apologizing to his grandfather for the misunderstanding. Despite knowing he might never return to this place, Yok mustered the courage to lie, promising to visit again under better circumstances.
As Longtae walked with Yok to his motorcycle, the shorter boy felt a pang of regret at their parting. After a brief and heartfelt goodbye, Longtae watched as Yok rode out of the estate in a cloud of dust, wondering if he would ever see the gentle-hearted rebel again.
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FLAMMABLE, A YokTae Story
FanfictionFLAMMABLE, A YokTae Story is the first part of my 5 Book series that will star: Longtae, Ayan, Ray, Gaipa and Bison as cousins in "The Rich Heirs series". Longtae was mistaken for his wayward cousin, Ray, and kidnapped by Yok and his gang solely to...