𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐦; 𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐱

52‣ 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣, 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮

The sound of water attempting to run from the fate of evaporating or boiling to hell echoes in the quiet kitchen, sloshing against the hot edges of the pot, trying to escape but its destiny has been decided already when the seasoning packet is dusted in and is spreading its flavor everywhere, the water gives up, recognizing the final alarm of death and settling with the low simmer of a wail only to curse the heavens.

Minho squints his eyes to protect them from the spicy smoke of the water, grabbing his chopsticks and running them through the broth so there are no clumps. Hyunjin stands quietly next to him, following his motions even if he tries to act like he's not copying Minho. The brunette would've smiled at his lack of knowledge but his mind was rather occupied by other things as he stared at Hyunjin who was aware of his gaze but chose not to say anything, awaiting a statement he knew was to come any second now

"So, you guys are dating now?"

As Hyunjin surmised, there it came the sweet voice, cutting through the sounds of cooking as Minho placed his palm on the edge of the kitchen counter and leaned on it, facing the pot but his mind was on Hyunjin "What?" The blond questions, eyebrows furrowed and the stirring wrist pauses when he turns to look at Minho. "You and Felix, you're dating now?" Minho doesn't stop stirring, doesn't look at Hyunjin, and the blond is just baffled at his guts

Hyunjin's narrowed eyes glared at Minho's face for a split second, silently biding time. Minho's sudden question had brought a rush of feelings in Hyunjin. He doesn't know how to answer that, he doesn't even know the answer and this is the last thing he needs to deal with right now; Minho and his inquiring words. He doesn't want to delve into the mess that was his and Felix's label, he just wants to get through this night without murdering someone (specifications on a certain man)

He exhales a soft sigh, turning away from Minho and staring at the bubbles forming in the pot "Why are you asking?" He's a sharp man, incredibly intelligent, but somehow when it comes to any topic of Felix, he is barely wise enough. "You want to know?" Minho asks casually but the lilt underneath those words is very audible for Hyunjin, making the man look towards Minho

"Go on, Lee" His voice goes lower, deepening as though the latter's words have stoked something in him. Minho doesn't back down, having been ready for this argument for a long time now. He settles the chopsticks next to the stove, turning his entire body to look at Hyunjin while the blond man stands with his arms crossed, body facing the counter but his neck is turned towards Minho

Hyunjin's towering presence didn't scare Minho the slightest, he knew who the ruthless predator was behind the skin of a handsome prince, he knew that fiend well and knew that he wouldn't attack him here in a place where his truth would be all revealed for his lover to see. "Because you act like a couple and you're not one," Minho starts off with a punch and it has Hyunjin tightening his jaw

"And that wouldn't be a problem but he's not your boyfriend yet you're so obsessed with him that you sealed off this entire fucking campsite just so your little mafia men won't come and hurt him--" Hyunjin would have allowed his closest man to go on with his little tangent of stupidity but the anger rising within him halts any mercy he could offer as the slithering murderous name slips past his lips in a tone of fatality

"Lee Minho" Is all he says, dark eyes like a raging storm's sky staring into Minho's brown ones but the man doesn't stop "And that obsession leads to more problems than either of us can count, you're always distracted at work, all you want to do is pack up quick as possible so you can go home to your wife, and the craziest shit is your changing---"

Hyunjin closes his eyes all because he wants to keep his anger in check, bashing Minho's head against the brown marble of the kitchen counter wasn't a good idea, so he needs to do his best and keep himself in control