The Grapevine

Chapter Seventeen

In the quiet, early morning calm of the Kim family estate, Sean padded down the long, polished hallway, savoring the serenity that always greeted him at home. As he approached the practice room, the sounds of swift footwork, light grunts, and muffled impacts reached his ears. Curiosity piqued, he opened the door to find Hugo and Mingyu in the middle of a spirited sparring session early in the morning.

Both were drenched in sweat, fully immersed in the practice, with focused yet playful energy that only seemed to amplify their bond. Hugo moved with a powerful, controlled precision, each motion deliberate as he circled Mingyu, his gloved fists raised defensively. Mingyu, in turn, was light on his feet, feinting with a quick jab, his eyes alight with concentration but a mischievous grin teasing his lips.

"Focus, Mingyu," Hugo called, blocking one of Mingyu's strikes and responding with a swift kick that Mingyu narrowly avoided. "Remember, the basics of Krav Maga are about efficiency. You don't need to go fancy or overdo it. It's all about getting to the point and neutralizing the threat."

Mingyu rolled his eyes playfully, bouncing back on the balls of his feet. "Yes, Mr. All-Business-All-the-Time. But where's the fun in that?" He lunged, throwing a punch that Hugo deftly deflected before maneuvering him into a grappling hold. Mingyu yelped as Hugo locked his arm in place, laughing despite himself.

"Fun?" Hugo smirked, releasing him just as quickly. "If this were real, that 'fun' would get you taken down."

Mingyu let out a dramatic sigh, brushing his hair back as he adjusted his stance. "Fine, fine. Teach me, my love," he teased, holding up his gloves and giving Hugo a mock bow. "I'll do it your way. Show me how to be 'efficient.'"

Hugo chuckled but nodded. "Alright. Focus on these key moves. First, if you're facing an opponent up close, don't think about landing big hits. Think about targeting the weak spots with quick, sharp strikes—eyes, nose, throat. This is about survival, not looking pretty." He took Mingyu's hand and positioned it, showing him how to throw an elbow strike. "Use your body weight behind it. Like this."

Mingyu mimicked the motion, and Hugo watched closely, adjusting his stance and the angle of his arm. "Good. Now keep your feet grounded, balanced. The Krav Maga isn't about big moves. It's about keeping yourself steady and reacting in the quickest, most effective way."

Mingyu grinned, testing the move and taking a stance, then playfully trying to land the elbow against Hugo's shoulder. Hugo blocked him easily, shaking his head but smiling. "Nice try. Now, let's see your defense."

Sean leaned against the wall, watching them with amusement. Hugo was as focused and intense as always, but there was a softness in his gaze whenever he looked at Mingyu, something that had softened even more over the past few months. And Mingyu, though playful, clearly respected Hugo's skill, meeting his advice with a balance of levity and focus that was uniquely his own.

After a few more rounds of sparring, where Hugo taught Mingyu various defensive tactics, Sean saw his brother give Mingyu a final light punch to the shoulder. "You're getting better," Hugo admitted, a proud smile on his face.

"Only because I have such an excellent boyfriend and a trainer," Mingyu replied with a wink, slipping out of Hugo's grip before stealing a quick kiss on his cheek.

As the two continued their banter, Sean's attention drifted across the room. On the other side, he noticed his parents, engaged in a quiet, intense conversation as they reviewed several business-related documents and equipment laid out on a small table. It was a rare sight to see them in a moment of casual focus, discussing family business without the usual formality.

Curious, Sean approached, glancing between them. "Morning," he greeted softly.

His father looked up, a warm glimmer in his eyes. "Good morning, Sean. Did you sleep well?"