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Honestly, Sang-woo didn't much care about Gi-hun's subscribers. He didn't mind the absolute filth they wrote to him in the chat. He found it amusing, how desperate some of the viewers were, how much they wanted HIS hyung. Gi-hun once asked if it bothered him but Sang-woo shook his head and said that at the end of the day, he was the one sleeping in Gi-hun's bed.
What DID bother him, however, was the people they sometimes met on the street.
The first time it happened, Sang-woo was waiting outside Gi-hun's shop, smoking, waiting for the restaurant to close. A young man in an open shirt, tank top practically sprinted into the place, panting.
“Sorry, sorry!” he told Gi-hun, “I'm here to pick up my order? Hwang?” he bowed, “Sorry for being so late, work ran a little long and—“
“Oh no worries, it's fine!” Gi-hun waved him off with a smile, “It happens. Let me just grab your food.”
Puffing out smoke, Sang-woo watched as Gi-hun reached up, grabbing the food off the top shelf. He eyed the older man's ass, admiring how well the jeans clung to it. He briefly looked at the young man and was shocked to see him also starting at Gi-hun's backside, his eyes wide and mouth open.
What? Sang-woo thought, is he really? He tossed his cigarette to the ground, stomping on it, he is-he's looking at Gi-hun—MY Gi-hun!
Grinding his teeth, Sang-woo stomped into the shop, coughing loudly into his fist. The man turned around, startled, a line of drool at the corner of his lips.
Pathetic.
“Hey Sang-woo!” Gi-hun smiled at him, “Just five more minutes before—“
Sang-woo moved behind the counter and grabbed the bag of food from Gi-hun. Grunting, he practically shoved it into the strangers arms.
“Here,” he said, “your food. Have a nice day.”
Both Gi-hun and the man stared at him, shocked. Still angry, Sang-woo wrapped an arm around Gi-hun, pulling him close and holding the other man's gaze.
Blinking, the young man looked between him and Gi-hun, paying attention to where Sang-woo's hand was before smirking.
“Ok, good to know,” he shrugged, “Can't blame me for admiring it though, can you ajusshi?” he turned around and walked toward the exit. Before leaving, he turned around and looked at Gi-hun one more time before saying, “I'll be back in a few days hyung!” and then he WINKED at Gi-hun, “thanks for the food!”
As soon as he left, Sang-woo walked to the entrance and locked it. He turned the “Open” sign to “Closed” and started closing all the blinds as quick as he could.
“Um, Sang-woo?” Gi-hun laughed, “there-technically, we're still open for two more minutes...”
“Nobody else is coming hyung,” Sang-woo turned around, “I doubt you'll lose any business if you closed two minutes early.”
“Are you feeling ok?” Gi-hun asked, coming around the counter, “you seem a little...off,” he stepped up to Sang-woo and cupped his cheek, “are you sick?”
Sang-woo leaned into Gi-hun's touch, his mind replaying the way that man had so blatantly stared at his hyung.
“Yes,” he replied, pulling Gi-hun closer, his hands gripping the older man's waist tight, “I just thought,” he lowered his head and sucked on the other man's neck, “I thought we could have some fun before tidying up and going home.”
“Oh,” Gi-hun melted against him, “ah, ok...”
He better not come back, Sang-woo thought, lifting Gi-hun up into his arms, teeth nipping at the older man's jaw, I don't want him anywhere near MY Gi-hun.
The second time it happened, Sang-woo thought the universe was playing a joke on him.
Gi-hun had called him on a Saturday afternoon, frantically explaining that someone had broken the restaurant's window. He asked Sang-woo if he could please come keep him company while he talked to the police.
Sang-woo had immediately put on a jacket and practically ran to the shop, heart in his throat. When he arrived, Gi-hun was standing outside with an officer, talking.
“Oh, Sang-woo, you're here!” the older man smiled, relieved, “thank you for coming.”
“Of course hyung,” he placed a hand on Gi-hun's shoulder, “Are you ok? Your workers?”
“Yea, no, everyone is fine,” Gi-hun nodded, “no one was hurt, someone just...threw a rock into the window and it shattered.”
The officer standing in front of them hummed and wrote something down in his notebook. Sang-woo looked at him. He was around their age, with a crisp navy suit and tie, and a badge on his jacket. He reminded Sang-woo of the detectives he saw on American television shows.
“And you said no one caught saw the suspect?”
“No detective Hwang. Jun-hee thinks she saw a man in a dark hoodie running away but that's it.”
Hwang?
“There has been an unfortunate amount of break in's and vandalism lately,” the detective sighed, “I can't guarantee we'll be able to find the person who did this but I can assure you, Mr. Seong that we will try.”
“Thank you detective,” Gi-hun smiled at the man, “Hey, why don't I give you guys some food? As a thank you for all your help!”
“That's really not necessary,” the man smiled at Gi-hun, “we're just doing our jobs.”
Frowning, Sang-woo glared at him. The detectives eyes were glued to Gi-hun's, and he seemed to be leaning a little too close for comfort toward them.
“I insist. Please come in, I'll have Jun-hee grab you guys some stuff.”
Gi-hun turned and went into the restaurant, with detective Hwang following a bit too close. Scowling, Sang-woo followed them, careful not to step on any of the left over glass littering the floor. He watched as Gi-hun and Jun-hee started piling a little bit of everything into carry on boxes.
“If you don't mind,” the detective said, “could I have some of the spicy garlic chicken? It's my favorite.”
Beaming, Gi-hun nodded, “Of course! You've been here before?”
“Not really, but my brother often picks up food from here,” he grinned, “Jun-ho really loves the food here. He says its the best.”
“Oh!” Gi-hun snapped his fingers, “Hwang Jun-ho? Yea he comes here often.”
Immediately, Sang-woo realized why that last name sounded so familiar.
I'm here to pick up my order? Hwang?
That young man-that young man who had looked at Gi-hun as if he wanted to eat him. This was his brother?
“I'm not surprised,” the man's eyes looked Gi-hun up and down, “he also said the view here was particularly nice.”
No, Sang-woo bit the inside of his cheek, he's that-that man's brother? This man? This man who is flirting with Gi-hun? In front of me?
“I...guess?” Gi-hun said, confused, “anyways, here is your food!” he handed the detective an large bag filled to the brim with food, “thanks again for all your help detective Hwang!”
Sang-woo watched, blood boiling as the detective-DETECTIVE HWANG-took the bag from Gi-hun, his fingers brushing over his partner's hand, lingering.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Seong,” the man smiled, and he had the audacity to look Gi-hun up and down again, as if memorizing him, “I'll be sure to call if there is any developments-or maybe stop by, if that's ok.”
“Yes, that should be—“
“It's not.”
Gi-hun and the detective looked at him, shocked. Even Jun-hee blinked at him, not used to him being this rude.
“I'm-I'm sorry Mr...?”
“Cho-Cho Sang-woo,” he stood taller, peering down at the detective, “I would prefer if you could call instead of coming by. Gi-hun has a business to run after all. I don't want him to be disturbed while he's working, if that's ok with you, Detective Hwang.”
The detective stared at him. Gi-hun and Jun-hee were looking at each other, mouths opened, and Sang-woo knew he should probably be embarrassed, and should probably apologize but he didn't care. All he wanted was for this man to leave and never come back; him and his brother.
“Ah, I see,” the detective sighed and shook his head, “Jun-ho mentioned you too,” Sang-woo felt his eye twitch, “I guess he was right then, wasn't he?” he smiled, “Alright, I'll be sure to call you, Mr. Seong, if I receive any news.”
“Um, thank you, detective,” Gi-hun said, “I hope you and your brother enjoy the food.”
“Oh we will,” the man licked his lips, “we always do. Thank you, Mr. Seong. I hope to see you soon.”
And then finally, the man left.
“Sang-woo?” Gi-hun came up to him, a frown on his face, “Are you ok? You're acting a bit..odd.”
“Jealous,” Jun-hee coughed into her hand, stifling a laugh. Sang-woo ignored her.
“Yes, yes, I'm just worried about you,” he grabbed Gi-hun's waist, squeezing it, “I'm glad that nobody was hurt though. Do you know when the window will be fixed?”
Gi-hun looked at him suspiciously but seem to let the matter slide. He leaned into Sang-woo's embrace, talking about how someone was going to come in the next hour or so to fix the damage and, hopefully, tomorrow the restaurant should be back up and running.
Sang-woo nodded and smiled when appropriate but he couldn't stop thinking about Detective Hwang. He was much too comfortable, much too forward with Gi-hun and the thought of that man coming back to see HIS hyung was...unpleasant.
“Anyways, you can go home if you want, Sang-woo,” Gi-hun kissed him on the cheek, “thanks for coming though, I appreciate it.”
“Actually,” Sang-woo held Gi-hun closer, ignoring Jun-hee's fake gagging, “Can I stay here? I want to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“Are you sure?” Gi-hun asked, “I thought you were going to look over some reports this weekend.”
“They can wait,” Sang-woo replied, mind still stuck on that detective, “don't worry about it. Here, give me a broom. I'll help you clean up the glass.”
They spend the next couple of hours cleaning, and later watching as the new window was installed. All the while, Sang-woo kept an eye out, making sure neither the detective or his brother came by.
And if when they got home, Sang-woo made sure to leave a couple of marks around Gi-hun's neck, well...he was just glad that his hyung was safe and sound. That's all.
The third time, Jung-bae had to stop him from committing a felony.
Gi-hun had convinced Sang-woo to go out with him and his friends for a couple of hours after he got home from work.
“Come on, tomorrow is Saturday! We're both off and I don't have to film anything for my channel until Sunday. Please? Just for a couple of hours?”
So here Sang-woo was, surrounded by Gi-hun's friends, counting down the minutes until they could leave.
“Here, have another drink Sang-woo!” Jung-bae poured him another glass, “haven't seen you out in forever! How's your job been? Busy as always?”
“Yes,” Sang-woo took a sip of his drink, grimacing at the overtly sweet taste, “it's been a busy couple of weeks but hopefully, everything should calm down soon.”
“You work too hard, hyung!” Ali smiled at him, “you should come out with us more often, right?” he looked at Dae-ho and Hyun-ju, who nodded politely.
“I'll think about it,” Sang-woo looked at Gi-hun, who was happily drinking his soju, telling a story to Jung-bae, laughing.
Almost time to go, Sang-woo thought, looking at his watch, just twenty more minutes. Twenty more minutes and then we can go home and relax.
“Aish,” Gi-hun suddenly pulled back, “ah, I spilled soju on my shirt again,” he shook his head, “I'll be right back,” he pointed a finger at Jung-bae, “you owe me another drink!”
Jung-bae chuckled and waved Gi-hun off, “Cheapskate! Go on, go clean your shirt before it stains.”
Sang-woo leaned back in his chair, watching Gi-hun as he walked away, admiring the way his partner's jeans clung to his ass and thighs. Just as he was about to turn back to their friends, he noticed something. A man in a black suit and white shirt was also looking at Gi-hun; staring at him.
He watched the man follow Gi-hun with his eyes. The man licked his lips and stood up, heading in the direction of the bathroom.
What, Sang-woo stood up, a sinking feeling in his stomach, why is he following Gi-hun? What does he want?
“Sang-woo?” Hyun-ju frowned at him, “are you ok?”
It could be a coincidence, Sang-woo thought, it could just be a coincidence but an alarm in his head was going off, blaring danger.
“Um, are you ok hyung?” Ali reached out to him, “you feeling sick?”
Alarm bells still ringing in his mind, Sang-woo quickly walked to the bathroom, heart in his throat. He dodged several customers and chairs, eyes forward, needing to see Gi-hun, needing to see that he was ok and that Sang-woo was just being paranoid.
When he got to the men's bathroom door, he paused, suddenly feeling silly, but then he heard Gi-hun stammering.
“Um...I think maybe you're mistaking me for someone else—“
“Oh, I don't think I am Mr. Peach,” a voice purred out, “How could I not recognize the man I watch every night, wishing I could fuck him?”
Before he could even think of what he was doing, Sang-woo slammed the door to the bathroom open, and froze.
Gi-hun was backed up against the wall, hands held above his head by that man; and that man had one leg in between Gi-hun's, and his other hand was TOUCHING Gi-hun's waist, his fingers underneath the shirt.
“Sang-woo!” Gi-hun looked at him, fear and shame in his eyes, “can you—“
He didn't finish his sentence. Sang-woo charged at the man, fist raised, a snarl on his lips.
“You,” he punched the man in the face, “get away from him!”
Grunting the man fell to the ground, blood gushing from his nose but Sang-woo wasn't done. He fell on top of the stranger, fists flying.
“How dare you,” he screamed, “How dare you touch him, how dare—“
“Sang-woo!” Gi-hun grabbed his shoulders, tugging, “you got him, you got him, stop!”
But Sang-woo wasn't listening. All he could see was this man touching Gi-hun, getting into his partner's space, scaring him, touching him, touching HIS partner.
“Stop, stop, stop!” Gi-hun screamed, “Jung-bae! Jung-bae, help!”
The sound of heavy footsteps, followed by a gasp, “Jeez,” a pair of arms wrapped around Sang-woo's chest, hauling him up, “Stop! He's down, he's down, stop Sang-woo, stop!”
Before Sang-woo could try and break free from Jung-bae, Gi-hun stepped in front of him, his eyes wet, “it's ok, I'm ok!” he touched Sang-woo's cheeks, “it's ok...I'm ok,” he blocked Sang-woo's view of the man, who was still lying on the bathroom floor, moaning, “I'm ok. I'm ok.”
Breathing heavily, Sang-woo slumped against Jung-bae's hold. He noticed a crowd of people by the door, gasping and looking between him and the man.
“Quick, someone call for help!”
The next hour passed by in a blur. Gi-hun and Jung-bae led Sang-woo out of the bathroom, the owner letting them sit in the break room. Police officers came, asking questions and writing notes. Sang-woo doesn't really remember what was said, but he does remember that one of the officers said the man he'd beaten up was pretty well known to law enforcement, and they didn't think Sang-woo was going to be charged for anything, but they still needed to get his information.
Eventually, Ali, Hyun-ju, and Dae-ho left, all of them telling Sang-woo that it'll all be ok. Jung-bae drove him and Gi-hun back home, telling them to get some rest and that he would check up on them in the morning.
It wasn't until they reached their apartment did Sang-woo really start panicking.
He beat up a man. He beat up a man badly enough for the police to get involved, and for an ambulance to be called. He'd beat up a man because they had scared Gi-hun—touched Gi-hun and Sang-woo wasn't sorry at all, but what would his partner think?
“Thank you,” Gi-hun hugged him from behind, rubbing his face between Sang-woo's shoulder blades, “I was scared,” he shuddered, “he just came out of nowhere and...and...”
Sang-woo turned around and hugged Gi-hun back, “I'm sorry,” he sighed, “I should have-I should have been there before that man could even touch you.”
“Hey,” Gi-hun touched is cheek and smiled, “it's not your fault. You couldn't have known.”
“Still,” Sang-woo let out a breath, “And now the police are involved—“
Gi-hun shook his head and kissed him, “Try not to worry about it, ok? You heard what that officer said. If anything, he's the one that's gonna get in trouble,” he frowned, “are you sure you don't want to go to a doctor though?” he took Sang-woo's hands in his, eyeing his bruised knuckles, “that looks like it hurts.”
“I'll be fine,” Sang-woo reassured him, “really.”
“Alright,” Gi-hun led him over to the bed, urging him to sit down. He took off Sang-woo's jacket before climbing into his lap, pulling Sang-woo into a tight embrace, “thank you,” Gi-hun repeated himself, “I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up.”
“I'm just glad you're ok,” Sang-woo whispered, kissing Gi-hun's head, “I'm glad he didn't hurt you.”
Gi-hun laid his head down on Sang-woo's shoulder, “I love you,” he sighed, “I really do. You know that right?”
Sang-woo coughed, swallowing past the lump in his throat. Despite being with Gi-hun for almost a year, he still wasn't used to it. Sang-woo still wasn't used to being with Gi-hun and regularly felt as if it was all a dream, and he would wake up back in his small apartment, having imagined everything up.
But I'm here, he thought, rubbing Gi-hun's back, I'm here and this is real. I'm here and Gi-hun is mine. He's mine. He's mine and I'm his.
“I love you too,” he responded, happiness settling into his stomach and spreading through out his body, “I love you too.”