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Chapter Text

He heard familiar, comforting footsteps on the hard, polished floor. Night had fallen, and outside the stars were decorating the sky like tiny shards of glass.

Nam Shin had mastered the art of pretending to be asleep by now. He and Ye Na were the only people who knew he wasn't really asleep. It had been a week, maybe two... none of them had a clue.

Shin had heard so many things.

He'd heard his mother's constant crying and worrying, her apologising from the bottom of her heart, the desperate whispers. 'Wake up. Shin, mom is here. Please, wake up.'

He'd heard David, his words not quite so desperate. Of course, Shin knew about the robot now, and he guessed David preferred the mechanical monster to the man with flesh and blood. David often spoke with Hyun Joon, the doctor who had worked so hard to keep Shin alive. Quite often the doctor had said things like: 'It's not looking good' or 'We need to think about other options.' Nam Shin had wanted to laugh at his comments.

Ye Na had been like a lost dog, by his bedside any chance she could get. She'd get upset and cry for hours on end, the sound of her sniffling driving him crazy. Once she knew he wasn't really in a coma, the crying stopped, but then talk turned to their relationship, the wedding, how they'd spend the rest of their lives together... Shin found himself wishing he'd slip back into his coma to avoid listening to the word 'marriage' fifty times a minute.

And then there was Ji Young Hoon. Nam Shin had heard the most interesting words from his mouth. He'd heard things he never thought he'd hear.

'Shin, wake up.'

'Shin, stop worrying us now.'

'Come on now, the joke is getting old. Stop this. I know you like to prank me, but this has gone on long enough.'

'You need to open your eyes. Your mom misses you.'

'Shin. I miss you.'

'Shin... please come back to me.'

If Young Hoon thought that Nam Shin was awake, he would have never dared to speak such words... but the silence gave him courage and a sense of daring. 

Nobody (apart from Nam Shin himself and Ye Na) could have predicted the drama that unfolded before the presentation. When the glass was smashed and blood appeared, everyone was stunned. Robots cannot bleed, which meant the Nam Shin standing before them all was human. He was out of his coma, into his suit and bleeding in front of them all. A few steps was all it took for him to crash to the floor. He felt Young Hoon's hand on his stomach just as he lost consciousness, again.

The next few hours were tense, and everything was terrible again. Young Hoon's mind was only Shin. He got told he looked pale, but he just gave that smirk and shrugged it off.

When Young Hoon discovered that Shin had woken up, he felt an entire weight vanish from his shoulders. His heart ached that day more than ever. Laura had gone in to see him first, and then Ye Na had barged her way in, Young Hoon trailing behind. Young Hoon stood out of the way, let the two women fuss over him first. Shin was cold towards his mother and she got upset again. Ye Na made a fuss and explained to him what had happened, stroked his hair from his eyes and caressed his face. Nobody saw Young Hoon pulling a slight face, a look of pain and longing. How he longed to touch Shin like that...

Laura left, and Ye Na went with her. She gave Young Hoon a smile that seemed slightly forced. 'Look after him for me until I get back.' She blew a kiss to Shin, who ignored it, and left the room. Now it was just Nam Shin and Young Hoon alone.

Shin was lying down, his eyes heavy and unfocused. Young Hoon came forward now, walking up to the foot of Shin's hospital bed. Shin opened his eyes fully and raised his head to see who it was. 'Oh, here you are.'

'Did I wake you?'

'I want to stay awake, but I keep sleeping. For someone who's been in a coma, you would have thought I'd had enough sleep.' That was such a Shin thing to say, Young Hoon couldn't help but smirk. Shin saw it and smiled, too. 'I can't tell whether I'm asleep or dead.'

'Dead? Don't say that! You just woke up.' Young Hoon sounded outraged, but he spoke using his authoritative voice, the one he used when he had to tell Shin off, and it made him laugh.

Young Hoon saw Shin smirking and he sighed, wanting to remain annoyed but unable to fight the smirk that was now on his own face.

'It's good to see you,' Nam Shin said. 'It's been a while.'

'Yes. You too.'

Nam Shin noticed how his friend was speaking now, how formal the speech was, how Young Hoon held himself. He was standing tall, upright, professional. Different to how he'd been at his bedside previous times, when he had thought Shin was unable to hear him...

'I had a strange dream,' Shin said, sitting upright now. In a heartbeat, Young Hoon was helping prop Shin's pillows up properly and adjusting his blanket.

'Oh?' Young Hoon said casually. 'What happened?'

'It was...' Shin eyed Young Hoon and saw how intently he was looking at him. 'About you.'

Young Hoon could have faltered, but just like Shin had perfected the art of fake sleeping, Young Hoon had perfected the art of keeping his cool - especially around Shin. He'd had years of practice now...

'Ah, I see.' A pause, during which time Shin's eyes never left Young Hoon's face, and then, 'Care to tell me more?'

'You said my name and then,' Shin said slowly. He paused this time, long enough to torture Young Hoon slightly. 'You held my hand.'

'Strange indeed,' Young Hoon said, hoping his voice sounded calm - something he was slowly losing. 'Did you dream about Ye Na, too?'

'Only you.'

'I haven't finished.' Young Hoon's eyes flashed Shin, but he just smirked again and sat up more in the bed. 'You didn't just hold my hand.'

'Shin...'

'You stroked it. For at least three minutes. You only let go when there was a knock on the door.'

'Coma patients have been known to have all sorts of bizarre dreams,' Young Hoon said. 'It's not uncommon to have... dreams.' He reached for Shin's water jug. 'I'll go and get you some more.'

'I'm not thirsty,' Shin said, humour lacing his voice. He knew he had shaken Young Hoon up. He was a man that hardly ever got rattled, so this was like a sport to Shin now. 'Stay.'

'Call me crazy, but I don't think it was a dream.'

'What?' Young Hoon sounded stunned. 'Of course it was a dream.'

'It wasn't,' Shin argued. 'I was lying just now.'

Ji Young Hoon flashed his eyes again in response. He was quickly losing his cool.

'I heard you,' Shin said. 'I felt you touching me.'

Young Hoon was a clever man. 'How could you know all of this? You were supposed to be in a coma.'

'I was,' Shin said simply. 'I woke up earlier than you lot think.'

'Ye Na told us,' Young Hoon said. 'But... you were awake then? Why didn't you tell anyone? Why did you tell Ye Na and not me?'

'Is this jealousy?' Shin smiled fully, but Young Hoon didn't reply. He ran his fingers through his hair and he shook his head.

'I can't believe you. Tell me, why.'

'I didn't know who I could trust,' Shin said. 'I wanted time to suss people out.'

'Shin...' Young Hoon sounded hurt. 'How long have we known each other? You always used to say you trusted me more than anyone. You called me your only friend.'

'Can you ever be my friend if you work for my grandpa?'

'Shin. I've always worked for him, but I've always...' Young Hoon sighed. 'Fine, I admit it. I did say your name.'

'And?'

'And hold your hand.' Shin nodded. 'I was worried about you. You have been my only priority for years now, it's only right that I wanted to ensure you were okay.'

'You're still not being honest with me,' Shin said. 'What about the other things you said to me when you thought I couldn't hear you?'

'Shin...' Young Hoon sighed deeply. 'Stop it, please.' Young Hoon feared everything now. If Shin really had been awake longer than anyone suspected, he was in big trouble.

'You said you missed me,' Shin said. 'You told me to come back to you.'

'You should rest up,' Young Hoon said, clearing his throat. 'Don't get overexcited now with crazy ideas in your head. Just lie down and take it easy. I'll get you some water...' Ji Young Hoon reached for the jug, but was stopped by Shin. Shin shifted forward in the bed and grabbed Young Hoon's wrist with his hand. Shin's touch burned his skin in the most amazing way. 

'I'm not thirsty,' Shin said, his grip still tight around Young Hoon's wrist. 'I want you.'

'You want me... to what?'

There was a long, agonising pause before Shin spoke again. 'I want you... to tell me the truth. Don't lie to me. Please?'

Young Hoon swallowed hard and sighed, resigned. 'Shin, I'm begging you.'

'Why did you say all of those things? Why did you hold my hand? Why did you stroke it?'

'Are you going to let go?' Young Hoon moved his wrist all he could, still under Shin's vice-like hold.

'Are you going to answer me properly?' The two men stared at each other for what seemed like an age. Neither of them blinked, neither of them breathed. Shin did move his eyes, but from Young Hoon's eyes to his lips. Young Hoon noticed where Shin was looking and felt heat rising up his neck. He cleared his throat again and smirked, closing his eyes. 'I guess we'll have to stay like this all night,' Shin said.

Young Hoon's eyes remained closed. How he wished he could spend the night with Shin. That had been his fantasy for years and years now. He had driven himself crazy with the idea of being with Shin, but knew it was never going to be a reality. If Shin knew how many nights Young Hoon had lain awake, only a room away, imagining all sorts of things they could do together, he doubted if Shin would ever look him in the eye again.

'I'll answer you,' Young Hoon said. He told himself to calm down before opening his eyes. When he opened his eyes, he saw Shin's face, mere millimetres away from his own. Shin was standing up now, leaning slightly against the bed. He saw Shin's lips first, saw the deep pink colouring and the way his bottom lip was slightly thicker than the top... he saw Shin's nose - Young Hoon had always thought he had such a cute nose... and then finally Shin's eyes. Eyes that, for so long now, had stared back at him from the face of a robot. 

Young Hoon felt Shin's hand move, and he was being pulled closer to Shin. Their mouths were now almost touching. Young Hoon had tried in vain to fight the blush, and now his cheeks were radiating warmth. Shin had a dangerous twinkle in his eyes and he licked his lips with one swift movement. 'Shin...' Young Hoon whispered, not sure whether he wanted Shin to stop or move faster now.

Shin placed his free hand on Young Hoon's back, gazed up at him. Shin put a small amount of pressure on Young Hoon's back, pressing gently, and it was all that was needed. Young Hoon's eyes closed shut and their mouths met. Young Hoon broke away a second later, and Shin sighed. He frowned at Young Hoon, who was composing himself. Shin went to speak, but Young Hoon quickly got him back into bed and he pressed a finger to his lips. A moment later and the door swung open. Ye Na had returned, carrying a big basket of fruit.

'Thanks for keeping Oppa company,' she sang. 'But he doesn't need you now that I'm here. You can go.'

Young Hoon kept his usual composure, professional and a good secretary to Shin. He nodded at Ye Na, turned on his heel and left. He couldn't bring himself to meet Shin's gaze, despite the fact that Nam Shin stared at the door long after Young Hoon had left.

Chapter Text

A day or so had passed since that almost-event between Shin and Young Hoon. Shin had been bed bound, Ye Na's constant staring and fawning driving him crazy. Young Hoon was a man that barely had a minute spare, and right now he was glad. He threw himself into work, spinning his many plates and keeping an eye in case any fell. He lay awake in bed the night it had almost happened and sighed, running his fingers through his hands. 'Oh, fuck,' he whispered.

Young Hoon couldn't shake this feeling away. He had known the arrogant heir for years now, he knew all of his tricks and moods, knew what made him laugh and what made him angry. He knew Shin better than any other person alive, and he'd never seen him that way before. He found out about the robot, had the nerve to ask if Young Hoon preferred the robot to him. Young Hoon clearly didn't provide the answer Shin needed, and so Shin had snapped.

'Fine. Go be with that thing. If you won't help me meet him, I'll find another way. Don't feel like you're irreplaceable. I can find another you like that.' Shin clicked his fingers and stared at Young Hoon hard, who had an unreadable expression on his face.

Shin had been jealous. Young Hoon had replied simply, saying how the robot had been a desperate solution, a way he had thought of that wouldn't damage Shin's reputation, how in many ways the robot had saved it, bettered it almost. He didn't tell the heir how the robot had been a source of comfort, eventually, to him. He left out the way the robot blinked softly and seemed to hear words that never left Young Hoon's lips, secrets between them. Despite the fact Nam Shin III was a robot, when he touched Young Hoon's hands for the lie detector, Young Hoon didn't confess how he had wished the skin was human Shin's. Young Hoon would rather Shin hate him for a bit than know the truth...

Two days went before they saw each other again. The night before, Young Hoon had been sat by the pool, a six pack of beers his only company. Young Hoon had a sad smile on his face as he closed his eyes, remembered the first time he took Shin out drinking. Well, 'took out' wasn't quite correct... babysit, almost. Shin had turned eighteen and had finished another fight with his Grandpa. The sneaky old man knew exactly how his grandson would react, and had pulled Young Hoon to one side. 'Just... make sure he doesn't completely ruin my reputation.' The Grandpa gave Young Hoon a stern look, to which the kindly secretary bowed his head. 'Yes, sir.'

'One more thing.'

'Yes?'

'Make sure you are with him at all times. I don't know my grandson like you do. Nobody does. Don't let him out of your sight.' Young Hoon's heart thudded in his chest at those words. Another bow, and he had left. Sure enough, hours later Shin was in the VIP area of a top high rise club in Gangnam, five different women vying for his attention. Empty bottles of soju and expensive imported whisky were strewn all over the table, a half empty glass of vodka resting lazily in Shin's hands. The women clearly knew who he was: the heir to a great fortune, and constantly fluttered their long eyelashes and tapped his arm as they laughed at his jokes. Young Hoon had been standing for most of the night, eyes looking out into the crowd, Shin always managing to be in his vision. Young Hoon had smirked at some of the things the young idiot had said, other times he had frowned at a supposedly funny joke. The way the women laughed was so clearly fake, Young Hoon sensed it from the get go. Shin knew it too, but he'd let them all think he was an empty headed rich boy anyway. All part of the game.

One of the women had gone to kiss him, but Shin had moved away. 'I'm drunk but not desperate,' he'd said. The woman scoffed and left, muttering under her breath. The other women all looked like rabbits in headlights. The atmosphere had turned awkward and silent. 'Young Hoon,' Shin called. The man was there in the next breath. 'Come and join the party. It's not fun without you.'

'I'm fine,' Young Hoon said. 'Perhaps you should call it a night soon?' He checked his watch, 2:30am. They had an important presentation at 9am the next day. Shin was well aware of this, as was his Grandpa.

'Don't order me around,' Shin rolled his eyes. 'I know my grandpa wants you to babysit me again. At least live a little while you're living, hyung.'

'Shin.'

'Have one drink with us,' he sang. He picked up the expensive bottle of whisky, poured a more than generous drink and held it out for Young Hoon.

'Shin, I'm working.'

'We both know you love your work,' Shin's voice was playful and he challenged Young Hoon with his gaze. 'Drink this, or I will act out.'

'You mean you're not already doing that?' Young Hoon knew the line between them, and this wasn't crossing it yet...

'You'll know about it when I do,' Shin winked and Young Hoon tried to fight the heat that was rising up his neck. 'Drink. This.'

'One drink,' he sighed. He sat on the very edge of the sofa opposite Shin, where the woman he'd sat next to gave him a drunken smile. 'We're leaving right after this.'

'Who should I take back to my room with me?' The women all sighed and giggled, trying to shift closer in their seats. Young Hoon rolled his eyes and savoured the burn of the alcohol on his lips.

'Finish your drink.'

'You're the boss.' Shin downed his drink, poured another and another and another.

Young Hoon had to help Shin out of the club, down in the elevator and into the private car. Some of the women had realised during the night and had left, but one woman had the endurance of an athlete and was still by Shin's side, clutching his arm as if he was her life support machine. 'Oppa, are we going back for more fun?' Young Hoon's throat went tight as he deliberately looked straight ahead. Shin was completely drunk, but he managed to raise his head to look at the woman.

'Another time,' was all he had said. He then turned to Young Hoon and said, 'Come on, let's go home.'

In the car, Young Hoon had sat in the back with Shin, just in case. Shin's head was loose and his hand had dropped down to his side. Young Hoon felt it moving closer towards him, and he almost caused the driver to crash when he made a loud sigh as Shin's fingers brushed against his thigh. Young Hoon told himself to calm down and he turned to look at Shin and glared at him until Shin retracted his hand, smirking the entire way home.

Young Hoon helped Shin up to his room and began picking up the clothes that Shin had taken off. Standing back up, Young Hoon got hit in the face by the shirt Shin had been wearing. It was warm and slightly wet and god, it was full of his smell. Young Hoon wanted to bury his face in it, but instead he carefully folded it before placing it in the laundry pile. 'Shin.'

'Who would have guessed it,' Shin said. He had flopped onto his bed now and had his eyes shut tight. His head was spinning and his mind was fuzzy, but not due to the alcohol. Not entirely...

'Guessed what?' Young Hoon was by Shin's bedside, placing a cool glass of water and some painkillers on the table.

'That you'd be the one I brought back to bed with me.' Young Hoon was glad that Shin had his eyes closed, as he feared what would happen to his heart if they made eye contact. There was silence for a moment, and then a scoff and a laugh from the older man. 'You are ridiculous when you're drunk. Go to sleep. It's late.'

'It's early,' Shin countered. He had his eyes open and was showing his phone to Young Hoon. 'Four thirty a.m.'

'And we have to be up early,' Young Hoon reminded him. 'You have to be on top of your game in the morning.'

'I always am,' Shin said. 'I have you to thank for that.'

'Yes,' was all Young Hoon said.

'That girl was flirting with you,' Shin said, and he tasted the sourness in his mouth.

'What?' Young Hoon was aware of how close they were now. Shin had moved so he was now sitting on the edge of his bed, legs millimetres away from Young Hoon's. He was still dressed in his suit and tie, Shin was wearing a pair of dark grey joggers and nothing else. The hot Seoul summers didn't require much clothing. He laughed. 'Don't be ridiculous.'

'It's true,' Shin's eyes watched the older man's face carefully. 'She was only trying to get to me because I'm loaded -' Young Hoon shook his head and Shin smirked '-but she really wanted you. She lit up when you sat next to her. I have her number in my phone, I can set you up?'

'With all do respect, I'll pass,' Young Hoon said, stepping away from Shin and bumping into the bedside table. Shin laughed at this, Young Hoon remained unflustered and expertly stopped the glass of water from spilling. Shin didn't say anything, but he was impressed. 

'Why? Do you not like her? Did you find her ugly?'

'She was a lovely lady, Shin,' he said softly, his eyes urging the younger not to do this. 'I'm afraid she just wasn't the one for me.'

'Why not?'

'Just because,' Young Hoon said. 'You need to go to sleep.'

All of a sudden, Shin stood up where he was and was now incredibly close to Young Hoon. Too close. Young Hoon was already unable to move, trapped between the bedside table and Shin. Shin who had a dangerous smirk on his face and hunger in his eyes. Both of their breathing went slow, almost at a stop. 'Is that so?'

'Shin...'

Shin stepped closer, his eyes on Young Hoon's lips. He heard the older man's shaky breath, could feel him trembling beneath his expensive suit, a gift from Shin's Grandpa. 'What are you going to do to me if I refuse?'

'You'll only have yourself to blame,' Young Hoon managed. Since they had met, there had always been something unspeakable that existed between them. A line that had never been drawn had never been crossed, but tonight the line that didn't exist became wobbly and unclear. 'I won't tell you again. Go to fucking sleep.'

Shin smirked at his words, a rare thing when Young Hoon swore to make his point. 'Fine. Be boring. I'll have a party for one in here then.'

'Do whatever you please. But remember, I'm dragging you out of bed in the morning at seven sharp whether you've slept or not. Goodnight, Shin.'

'What were you thinking about?' Young Hoon's eyes flashed open and grew wide as he saw Shin sat in front of him. Robot Shin. 'Were you thinking of him?'

'I was... just remembering the past.'

'I can see it all,' Nam Shin III said. 'All of his memories are my memories too.' He softly blinked and began to scan them... he saw the shirt being thrown, the empty bottles scattered on the table, the way Young Hoon had winced as the women all flirted and touched his body. 'Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I'm good at keeping secrets.' He grinned that infectious grin.

'It's not like that, Shin. It's just...' Young Hoon smiled the rest of the sentence.

What on earth was it about this robot version made Young Hoon open up so much? Why was he suddenly saying things like 'Shin is like a habit I developed without knowing when or why.' Robot Shin was a complete carbon copy of human Shin, physically. There were differences in the way they spoke, of course, and their temperaments and smiles were each their own, but on face value there was no visual difference. Young Hoon's heart still skipped several beats whenever Robot Shin appeared, smiled at him and talked. This mechanical Shin allowed Young Hoon to say things he'd only dreamed of saying, smile at him and get close in ways he never thought possible with the human man.

The two of them stayed a few moments longer, the robot giving the older man a kind, knowing smile, eyes soft and light. 'Robot's don't need sleep,' Young Hoon said. He thought of tomorrow, knowing he'd see human Shin again, and downed the last of his beer. 'But we humans do. I'm turning in.'

'Goodnight, Young Hoon.'

Ye Na was by his side when Young Hoon eventually forced himself to go and visit. He had been in his car on his way to see Shin when he had panicked and taken a detour, deciding a nice hot double Americano would help first. It didn't.

Shin was sat upright in his bed, wearing a white fluffy jumper. Young Hoon recognised it and smiled, but Shin saw. Ye Na excused herself and now it was just them, Young Hoon couldn't look at him.

Shin hadn't been able to stop thinking about the other day ever since it happened. He had always been aware that there had been something between them, but he hadn't ever thought it would come to anything. Shin often feared, during the early days, that his Grandpa had told Young Hoon to try and seduce him to create a scandal, or in some sick twisted power play to see where Shin's loyalties and true heart lay. 

'I saw that thing the other day,' Shin said eventually. 'That woman, the bodyguard. Kang So Bong? She brought it.'

'I heard.'

'I only remember seeing it for a split second before the accident,' he said, speaking slowly, 'so I didn't expect much... but it could have fooled even me.' Young Hoon pulled a face, still not looking at Shin. 'I bet it fooled all of you.'

'She modelled it after you, Shin.'

'Did you get confused by it?' Shin's eyes fixed onto Young Hoon's face. 'After all, you know me better than anyone.'

Young Hoon allowed his eyes to meet with Shin's. He smirked and laughed, shaking his head once. 'Of course not. Get some rest, I'll come by later.' Young Hoon turned to walk away.

'You're leaving me already?' Shin sounded like the lost little boy he once was.

'Hm?'

'Stay.' Shin hardly ever begged, never needed to. Most of his life had been full with the best things, expensive Italian leather shoes and high-end designer suits, limousines as transport and gourmet food and age-old alcohol. He had everything he ever wanted. Almost.

'I can't today,' Young Hoon said softly. He wanted to so desperately, and yet he was glad he couldn't. Meetings and more meetings, taking care of things with Oh Laura and robot Shin, keeping the Grandpa happy... Ji Young Hoon was a very busy man.

'Why not?'

'Work,' Young Hoon replied simply. 'You know I'm busy.'

'Too busy to spend time with me,' Shin sounded childish and they both knew it. 'Are we not going to at least talk about the other day?'

Nam Shin was the future CEO of a multi-billion dollar company, he was young and beautiful and had the whole world at his feet. Young Hoon was an orphan, rich only from the opportunities given to him by the Grandpa. It had been a job offered out of pity, just a scared lost boy at the beginning of his university career. First year of his Business & Management degree and he gets the job offer of a lifetime, from a filthy rich, dangerous CEO no less. With it came experiences he would only ever have seen on those television dramas people watched, and a pain in the ass named Nam Shin. Young Hoon had nothing to offer, what kind of life could they have together? Nam Shin and Young Hoon being together was a fantasy, that's all they could ever be. To some people, even that was unthinkable. That non-existent line had been created, black ink signalling the difference in the two men, both on either side, never able to break through.

'I apologise, Shin.' Young Hoon had his eyes closed as he bowed low, and didn't stay long enough for Shin to yell at him to come back.

Chapter Text

Nam Shin was furious. The boundaries they had been so afraid of, had been tempted by, had lain awake at night thinking about... they were a distant memory. The chemistry between Nam Shin and Young Hoon was at an all time high, neither of them fully prepared yet to accept what that meant. Shin had debated long and hard over whether to mention them even discussing what had almost happened... and then Young Hoon had turned him down, left. 'I apologise, Shin.' What kind of a response had that been?!

When Young Hoon had left, Ye Na had skipped back in, baring her shiny teeth as she grinned. 'Oppa,' she sat down and shuffled the chair up to his bedside. 'I missed you. What do you want to eat? Sundae? Kimbap? Fried chicken? Pizza? You tell me and I'll get it for you. Whatever you like. I treat my man the way he should be. I'm here for you.'

'Ye Na,' Shin sighed. 'I'm tired. Leave me. I'm going to sleep.'

'But, oppa -'

'Get out,' he bit. His eyes were on fire and she reluctantly left, looking once more like a sad puppy. The door closed and Shin was left alone with his thoughts.

Young Hoon had been shaken up. He couldn't think straight. He went about his daily business with his brain in a total haze. He sat through an entire day of meetings and didn't register a single word that had been said. He could have signed a million different contracts and not known what a single one had been about. For a man who always had to be five steps ahead of everyone, including that brat, today he couldn't have been less like himself. He had the image of Shin's face, rejected and shocked and hurt, etched into his brain. Not by choice. He wanted it gone, the same image haunting him even in sleep.

Tonight, both men dreamed of each other. It was the most heartbreaking nightmare.

Young Hoon had been invited to lunch with Grandpa, and the two men had been talking away. Earlier that day, he had received a call from the old man, telling him to invite Shin. Of course he had done so, inviting Nam Shin III. Seeing the robot caused Young Hoon's heart to flip, but of course he knew it wasn't his Shin. He knew he could survive this lunch, because it wouldn't be with the human bane of his life. 

The chairman, Shin's grandpa, had asked Young Hoon a question which had caught him off guard.

'Pardon?'

'Why are you so surprised? I asked when I should give the company to Shin.'

'I never thought about it, so it caught me off guard,' Young Hoon replied, calm and cool and collected like always. 

'He has good momentum right now, and he seems ready. That's why I asked. You must agree that the Shin now is better than the Shin from before,' the Chairman said. The way his eyes bored into Young Hoon's made him slightly uncomfortable, but after years of dealing with this man and the torrents of abuse that came with it, Young Hoon had built an inner steel fortress that nobody had been able to break - almost nobody. 

Young Hoon didn't - couldn't - answer. How could he possibly reply to that? In many ways, yes, the robot version of Shin had dealt with situations in a way that human Shin wouldn't have done. He was a robot, after all. He was programmed to be the most intelligent, the most logical, to solve problems quickly and do what was best. Human Shin was a man with raw emotions and anger issues and secret loneliness and longing... something Young Hoon always softened, regardless of whether Shin told him so or not.

'Why can't you answer me?' the Chairman seemed to be aware of Young Hoon's inner turmoil. 'Do you think otherwise?'

'No, sir.' Young Hoon said. (He couldn't exactly say what he really wanted to, could he?) 

Saved by a loud knock on the door, Young Hoon recognised it at once. Shin was here.

'Sit down,' the Chairman said to Shin. 'You didn't eat yet, right?'

'I did. I ate with my team.' Young Hoon looked at the robot but didn't make eye contact. How convincing the robot had become these days...

'I asked when I should give you the company,' the Chairman continued, 'but he won't answer me. I guess you haven't gained his trust yet.'

Shin turned his head to look at Young Hoon, blinked slowly as he did. His eyes danced with Young Hoon's, the poor man who looked so tormented but had to keep it together. Shin didn't exactly smile, but his features fell softer for half a second. Shin looked away before Young Hoon did. 

'I also believe he is better prepared than before,' Young Hoon said, taking his eyes away and looking to the Chairman. He didn't notice how Shin smirked now. 'I think it will be better to pass it on to him as soon as possible.' 

'I'm glad you feel the same way I do,' the Chairman said. Shin smiled. Young Hoon wanted to laugh. Nobody felt the same way he did about Shin, especially not his cold, calculating grandpa. 'Let's find a way to hand it over to him quietly without making a big fuss.' Shin turned his head once again to look right at Young Hoon, who, ever the loyal secretary, bowed his head. The grandfather stepped away, leaving Young Hoon with the robot.

Shin had taken a cup as soon as his grandpa had left, had filled it with sake and had shot several cups back. A tiny bit dripped down Shin's chin and Young Hoon followed it with his eyes, unable to stop himself despite everything. Sometimes the robot just seemed so like the real thing...

'What are you doing?' Young Hoon finally got a hold of himself. 'Why are you drinking?'

'I haven't drunk in a while,' Shin said. 'My head's spinning.'

Young Hoon blinked, dumbfounded. Since when did the robot get so cocky? He knew he was pretending to be Shin, but it was just the two of them there now...

'I'm hurt,' Shin said, his voice turning dangerous. 'How could you not recognise me?'

Young Hoon's eyes went wide and fell to Shin's wrist. There was no watch...

'You're Shin.'

'That's right. I'm Shin.' His lips curled as he spoke. 'Not the fake Shin you're confused about. The real Shin.' He grabbed the teapot and poured more sake, knocked it back. Young Hoon was stunned. He listened as the Chairman and Shin spoke, heard a laugh from the older man. He didn't crash back down to earth until he heard his own name being called.

'Young Hoon, would you excuse us? I have a lot to say with him today.' Young Hoon felt as if everything he ever knew was slipping away from him. He stared at Shin hard and didn't blink. What on earth was he going to do now?

'What are you waiting for? Didn't you hear him?' Shin said, not looking at him. 

'Yes, sir,' Young Hoon said weakly. He still couldn't take any of this in. As he stood up and walked towards the door, Shin stole a glance from the corner of his eye. Young Hoon bowed at the two men and left. Outside, he turned his head and looked back in longingly. What was he up to?

The Chairman and his grandson, the real Nam Shin, spoke for some length. Young Hoon kept out of sight behind the doors, maintaining a close enough distance to be in earshot. Another skill he had perfected over the years.

Finally they were done, and Young Hoon left first so he could open the car door for the Chairman. Shin walked behind, strutting. The two men bowed their heads as the older man was driven away, and when the car was safely out of sight Young Hoon turned to Shin.

'Let's talk.' He didn't even wait for Shin, he just stormed off back into the room. Shin rolled his eyes, unseen by Young Hoon - luckily - and followed.

'What are you trying to pull?' 

Shin pouted before he spoke and Young Hoon was glad they were both sat behind a table. 'I wanted to see if you badmouth me behind my back.' Young Hoon looked hurt and Shin knew his words would have done just that. Good, he thought. He wanted to get his own back on Young Hoon, and this was a way he knew would work completely.

'Shin...' Young Hoon sounded sad, which made Shin smirk. His plan worked. 'Even after all these years, you still don't trust me.'

'Should I?' Young Hoon's eyes flashed at him. 'Who are you to decide whether I get what's mine or not?'

'It's not like that,' Young Hoon sighed, looking down at the table. 'Even if you return, you'll need time to adjust. It's yours anyway, it's good to get it ahead of time.'

'Who says I need it?' Shin asked, arrogance seeping through his voice. 

'What?'

'Did I say I need it?'

'You can't say that.' Young Hoon's face was stern, how it was when he had to scold Shin by order of his Grandpa. 'You know everyone went crazy because of you.'

'Did you?' Shin's eyes locked onto Young Hoon's. 'Did you go crazy because of me? Tell me.'

'Shin, I...'

'You're right,' he interrupted. 'All of you had a robot to replace me.'

Young Hoon's lips went tight, forming a very thin line. 'Shin-a...'

'Did you think I'd thank you? When did I ever want Grandpa's position? Maybe you're the one who wants it. Since you'll get more if I'm a Chairman.'

'Enough!'

Young Hoon had reached boiling point. The stress he had been under ever since he made that stupid plan to bring the robot to take Shin's place had become too much. Added to that the intense frustration he felt because of the idiot sat opposite him, and the fact they were doomed from every reaching their full potential... Young Hoon couldn't take it anymore. Shin's hurtful words had been the final straw. He banged his first against the table, sending a shooting pain up his right arm.

Shin didn't flinch, didn't blink, didn't breathe. He had seen Young Hoon get frustrated in the past, often just sighing or rolling his eyes. He had raised his voice with Shin when he had to, usually though it was always laced with care, but now... Shin had never seen Young Hoon get so angry, and never with him before. Not like this...

Neither of the men spoke for a solid minute, maybe two... the atmosphere in the room was unbearable, and neither of them wanted to be in each other's presence right now.

'What's wrong with you? I did all sorts of things to protect you. That's how we got to where we are.' Shin just glared, hot tears beginning to form in his eyes. 'How could you say that? Do you want to hear that you're worse than a robot? Please get your act together.'

Shin's lips curled up, a look of shock and hurt on his face. 'I'm worse than a robot?' Young Hoon blinked hard, licked his lips and let his head fall. Shin pouted and frowned. 

'I got too worked up,' Young Hoon said quietly, staring at the table. Shin scoffed. 'You're not even well.' Shin's eyes were almost as red as his lips were, cherry red and full. The younger man stood up and headed for the door. 'Shin-a...'

Shin's head snapped round to look at the older man, whose face now looked worn and weary. 'Don't come after me.' He left without another word, another look back. He left, leaving Young Hoon to lower his head once more, resigned.

Shin stormed off into the street, furiously hitting the call button on his phone. Ye Na answered on the first ring. 'Hi, Oppa. Where are you?'

'I'm almost there. I'll be there soon,' he said, breathless and close to losing it. He leaned against a tree and tried to catch his breath. He spotted that idiotic bodyguard, the one who liked that thing, and decided he was in the mood for a game. 'Something fun just came up. Wait a little longer.' He hung up and went in hot pursuit of Kang So Bong.

Back in the car, after the stupid robot had interrupted his fun, he was faced with a very unhappy Seo Ye Na. She had been jealous and Shin had called Kang So Bong and told her to quit. He threatened her, saying he'd use the manual switch on Nam Shin III if she didn't leave her job.

'My fiancée doesn't like you being with my face. So quit.' He hung up and turned to Ye Na. 'Happy? I didn't want to see Kang So Bong. I find it silly to like a robot. I wanted to tease her.'

'Why is it funny? Why would you tease her? That's all interest,' Ye Na replied, her voice cold.

'Ye Na-yah...' Shin went to put his arms around her, maybe even give her a kiss... but she shrugged him away. 

'Do that again, and I'll make you pay.'

Young Hoon found comfort and solace when he sat by the pool with a pack of cold beers. He had been alone for most of his life, but tonight he appreciated being by himself. He needed space and time to think... or not think. Two beers in and that stupid idiot wriggled his way back into Young Hoon's thoughts. He thought back to the restaurant earlier, of Shin's words.

'All of you had a robot to replace me. Did you think I'd thank you? When did I ever want Grandpa's position? Maybe you're the one who wants it.'

Young Hoon closed his eyes and sighed. He sensed somebody there... opening his eyes he saw the robot. 'When did you get here?'

'Three minutes and forty seven seconds ago.' The robot had that infectious grin on his face as he blinked. Young Hoon smirked.

'You're always so exact.' He wished he could be like that with the human Shin. 'I saw Shin at the company this afternoon.'

'How much of the human Nam Shin's requests do I have to take?' Young Hoon slowly raised his eyes to the robot's human face. 'Do I have to do it even if it's bad? It could be bad for me but good for him.'

'That's not possible,' Young Hoon said, copying the robot and blinking slow. He thought back to earlier, in the restaurant with Shin. It had been one of the most dangerous times they had ever been together, and yet... 'What's good and bad isn't as complicated as you think. People make it complicated to benefit themselves. If you think it's bad, it's bad for Shin too... so reject it, for Shin's sake.'

'Thank you for trusting my judgements.' The robot's smile was so sincere it almost broke Young Hoon's heart. 'Are you going to distance yourself from me? Can't we see each other again?' Those words hit too close to home and Young Hoon heard himself sighing heavily.

'Everyone grows old and dies.' Young Hoon had been summoned by the Chairman, a few days later. He hadn't seen human Shin since. He had thought about him every single waking moment. 'That's human life. You get old, get sick and you die.' Young Hoon's lips formed a weak smile. He imagined growing old with Shin, the two of them living out their last days together... another impossible dream. 'My body will rot, there's nothing I can do. I'm worried about the company though.' 

'You have Shin, so you don't need to worry,' Young Hoon said. How he wished the sentence applied to him too. If he had Shin...

'Do you trust that punk? Which Shin? The old Shin or the new Shin?' Young Hoon's eyes flicked from side to side, unsure of what the Chairman was really asking him. 'I trust you more than I trust him. Putting blood aside, and judging objectively, you're the only one who won't ruin my company.'

'Sir...'

'What? Do you feel guilty towards Shin? Or are you offended that I treat you like Jong Gil? Cast off all of those cumbersome emotions and judge. Who's perfect to replace me? You.'

Young Hoon walked closer to the Chairman. 'Yes, I am. I'm confident, and I want it too. But I only think about it. I don't want to strive for it.'

'May I ask why?'

'I don't want to live like you.' At this moment in time, Ji Young Hoon was fearless. 

'What?' the Chairman's eyes bored into Young Hoon's.

'If I want to feed my greed, I must cast off my own son and grandson and suspect everyone like you do. Does a life like that make you happy, sir? You seem very unhappy in my eyes. I don't want to live like that.' Young Hoon could think of only one way he wished to spend his life, and it certainly wasn't the way the Chairman had lived his. 'I've been lonely all my life, so I don't want to hurt Shin, who was also lonely all his life.' Until they had found each other. 'I don't want to make you nervous either. You don't say it, but you're always afraid someone will pass you. I'd rather want less and live a happy life.' Young Hoon paused and let the impossible dream fill his head for just a moment. 'I'll take care of Shin and serve you to be less lonely.'

'Loser,' the Chairman was cold with his response, a poisonous smile on his face.

'Yes, I am a loser,' Young Hoon agreed. After years and years, he had learned to take the abuse as it came. 'I'll be leaving then.'

'Young Hoon. What is that punk to you?'

Young Hoon's heart stopped beating altogether. His eyes scanned for... something. 'That punk? Who...?'

'The robot that looks like Shin.'

'A robot... that looks like Shin?' Young Hoon had tried to play dumb, but this was Nam Gun Ho. The man was evil, cold, unfeeling... but he wasn't stupid. Young Hoon almost fell on the floor when the Chairman had revealed he knew everything about the robot: he had been the one to fund it.

'I'm sorry,' Young Hoon stepped even closer. He had to protect Shin one more time. 'Everything is my fault. I brought that robot to replace Shin after his accident. Shin had nothing to do with it. He didn't know anything.' Young Hoon was breathing so heavy his chest hurt, and his eyes were stinging with hot tears.

'It's okay, Young Hoon,' the Chairman said softly. He talked about making a robot that looked like a human, something he could market to get one up on all other companies... Young Hoon barely took a word in. He only focused again when he heard the Chairman talking about who was best to succeed him. What?!

'Sir, Shin woke up. He is fully recovered... How could you compare Shin and that robot?'

'Haven't you ever thought that the robot was better than human?'

Young Hoon opened his mouth to speak, flustered. No words came out. How could he possibly answer that?

Shin had been having all sorts of fun. His anger had peaked and he had attacked the stupid robot, flinging a spanner at him first, then striking him hard across the cheek. He had caused the robot's face to be cut, revealing the wires and machinery inside. That idiotic bodyguard had tears in her eyes and had cried at him to stop. Shin doubted even Young Hoon could have calmed him down.

He had gone to find solace in his bed, but sure enough minutes later his shadow had appeared. 'What? Do I scare you because of what I did?'

'Nothing you do can scare me, Oppa,' Ye Na said. 'You must have been so stressed to do that. It breaks my heart.' Shin pulled a face. He was sick of her acting the way she did around him. At least Young Hoon used to challenge him and his behaviour. It was no fun when he got away with it.

'Don't look at me like some wet puppy,' he snapped. 'Give me my phone.' Ye Na obeyed and Shin pressed speed dial. 'Hi hyung.'

'Hi, Shin.'

'I can't stand him anymore. I'm going back. I don't care if you get mad.' In fact Shin wanted the older man to get mad. Shout at him, yell at him, anything... anything to get them interacting again.

'Let's do that,' Young Hoon sounded so relaxed on the other end of the phone, and it killed Shin. 

'What?'

'Return to work tomorrow,' Young Hoon continued. 'But we can't swap completely. You're not fully recovered yet, so let's have you take turns. I'll pick you up tomorrow.' Young Hoon hung up without saying goodbye. Shin held his phone and stared at it in his hand. He didn't even say goodbye.

'What did Mr Ji say?' Ye Na asked, genuinely interested. 'Did he let you go to work?' Shin scoffed and stared at his phone some more.

Shin's mom came in and cried some more, apologised, begged him to open up to her... Shin had lived twenty years without her, twenty years she had spent with a mechanical version of him. He did not owe her anything.

Young Hoon met with Kang So Bong, told her of the Chairman knowing and seeing all, said that they both had to save their Shin's.

The robot was kind and understanding, just like always, when he met with Young Hoon the next morning. Young Hoon explained how Shin was slowly going to be returning, swapping in and out of the role with Nam Shin III.

'The human Nam Shin hates me,' the robot said, sounding sad. 'What if he hates what I did in his place?'

'That's for him to deal with,' Young Hoon smirked. He could just imagine the temper tantrum he would throw, and guess who would have pick up the pieces after? 'We got this far because of you. Thank you... very much.' In total honesty, Young Hoon had gotten this far because of the robot. He could never imagine his life without that idiot, and having Nam Shin III, a robot, was better than not having Shin in his life at all. 

'I'm so glad it ended how you wanted,' Nam Shin III said. 'Congratulations.' The robot's smile was so big his face seemed to light up, but all Young Hoon could do was allow his eyes to fall to the ground. If only...

The next morning came, and Young Hoon had woken up well before his alarm. He had driven Nam Shin around for the best part of ten years, had seen him in almost every situation, had taken care of him when he had been sick, had made up more excuses for him than he would admit to, had devoted his entire life to the man... and yet today, he was nervous about seeing him again.

Young Hoon had spent a little extra time picking out his outfit, finding that blazer Shin had bought for him the first Christmas they had spent together. The Chairman was always a cold man, Christmas no exception. Young Hoon had no family: Shin was it. The Chairman had spent most of the day at his desk, too busy obsessing over his company to pay any attention to his family. There had been a dinner, cooked by hired help, and the exchange of presents. It had been a rather stiff, awkward day. Shin and Young Hoon had sat next to each other around the table, their almost-touching hands hidden beneath the ivory tablecloth. The Chairman thankfully retired, and Young Hoon and Shin had gone upstairs. Shin had been drinking all day and he was indeed very merry by the evening. Young Hoon had been given 'the day off', although when it came to Shin he was always working, even when he wasn't. Shin had changed now, out of his expensive shirt and tie - a gift from his Grandpa - and was in fluffy grey joggers and a mismatched grey jumper. His face was flushed from the alcohol, his cherry red lips full. Young Hoon had been busy picking up the mess that Shin had made, his discarded clothing all over the place.

'Hyung,' Shin said. He grinned at the older man and leaned against his wardrobe door. Young Hoon sighed and smiled. Shin rummaged around in his wardrobe and found a black box. He pushed with his hand and slid the box out of the wardrobe and across the floor, where it halted by Young Hoon's feet. 'Shin...'

'Pick it up. Now,' Shin beamed.

'You order me around three hundred and sixty five days a year,' he sighed, bending down to retrieve the box. 'Can't we make it three hundred and sixty four? Can you not give me just one day of peace?'

'Hmm...' Shin placed his hand on his chin and pretended to think. They both knew he was mocking the Chairman and they bit their lips to stop themselves from howling. They really were drunk. 'I'll think about it.'

Young Hoon had walked over to his wardrobe and placed the box back inside. Shin knocked it onto the floor again, so casually that Young Hoon wanted to grab him (and kiss him). 'Shin!'

'Pick it up.' Young Hoon's eyes flashed at the younger, but he did so, ever loyal. 'Read it.'

'Read - what?' Shin nodded his head and Young Hoon's eyes fell to the box, seeing it properly for the first time. There had been a small label attached to it, face down. Young Hoon turned it over and felt his heart leap to his throat as he saw Shin's handwriting. 'Young Hoon... From, Shin. X.'

'What's this...?'

'Open it and see,' Shin said, so calm and collected. Young Hoon reminded himself to calm down as he unwrapped the box. The box, once unwrapped, was plain cardboard, simple. No logo, no fuss, no mess. Young Hoon lifted the lid and removed the blue tissue paper - blue was his favourite colour - and then he saw it. A pinstriped black blazer.

'Do you like it?'

'Shin...' Young Hoon had plenty of blazers, all tokens of the Chairman's appreciation. Not many people could keep Shin in check the way Young Hoon did. However, Young Hoon hadn't ever received anything from Shin himself. 

'Do you like it?'

'Of course I do,' Young Hoon said. 'T-thank you...'

'Try it on.' Young Hoon smiled and went shy. 'Come on, it's just us here. We're friends, it's no big deal.' Young Hoon pulled a face and nodded. He was thankful for the alcohol that was in his system, false confidence was everything. He carefully picked the blazer up and put it on. Naturally, it fit like a glove. Shin had still been leaning against the wardrobe door, and he was glad because seeing Young Hoon like that, wearing something he had bought for him... it was almost too much. 

'W-what do you think?'

'What do I think?' Shin straightened himself up and slowly walked over to Young Hoon. Young Hoon had stepped back, his feet moving before he realised or had time to stop them... Shin had advanced dangerously and it was now Young Hoon who was up against a wall of Shin's bedroom. Both men were aware of the atmosphere that had been created, and the added alcohol in their blood was a deadly combination. Shin's eyes devoured Young Hoon, staring at his lips for the longest minute. Young Hoon was breathless, he didn't - couldn't - speak.

'I think...' Shin said, a cheeky glint in his eye. 'I made the right choice. It suits you. I knew it would.'

'Shin...'

'Merry Christmas, hyung.'

'Thank you for the present,' Young Hoon gave the smallest bow of his head. Shin had stepped back a little, and Young Hoon used this opportunity to get the hell away from the man. Things were risky enough right now... 'Goodnight, Shin.'

'Are you going?' Shin's voice was desperate.

'It's late,' Young Hoon said. No doubt tomorrow would be back to business.

'Don't go,' Shin said. They both knew it was an order.

'Shin...'

'Where's mine?' Young Hoon cocked his head to the side, eyes challenging his words. 'My present? Don't I get one?'

'Don't you already have everything?' Young Hoon teased.

'Almost...' Shin's eyes found Young Hoon's and locked onto them. Young Hoon swallowed hard and Shin's lip curled into a smirk.

'What could you possibly want?' Shin raised his eyebrows and Young Hoon almost fainted.

'Have you... have you really not got me a present, hyung?'

'I'm staying, as you wished. That can be your present.' Shin scoffed and nodded his head.

'Fine. Let's watch a movie.'

Nam Shin put Love Actually on. Shin lay on the sofa in his room and stretched his legs out, arms behind his head for support. Young Hoon had been sitting on the same sofa, at the opposite end. He was still wearing the new blazer. The film had been festive and full of fucking romance. Shin had watched it intently, commenting on each of the couples and saying how he wanted their stories to end. He never usually spoke like this, was always - always had to be - reserved and professional, sharp and ahead of others. A future CEO after all...

Midway through the film, Young Hoon stood up. Shin started at once. 'Are you going?'

'I'll be a minute, Shin...' Young Hoon went into his own room and took a minute to get it together. He removed his new blazer, taking care to hang it in his own smaller wardrobe. It stood out against all his other blazers, ones which seemed aged and boring now. He grabbed the wrapped present, neat and precise, and returned to Shin. 'What have you got there?' Shin asked, raising his head like an excited puppy.

'Merry Christmas, Shin-ah.' Shin beamed from ear to ear as he tore at the paper. He held up the present and his eyes found the older man.

'Hyung, I love it.' Young Hoon didn't dare tell Shin to try it on, but he hadn't needed to. Shin jumped from the sofa and wrapped himself up in the grey cardigan that Young Hoon had bought for him. It was the softest thing Shin had known, much better than everything he owned.

The rest of the film played, and before it had ended both men were fast asleep on the sofa. Neither of them realised it, but during the night Young Hoon had moved in his sleep. At first it was his fingers, twitching and flickering as he slept. Then it had been his wrists, his hands... fingers found fingers and interlocked, not letting go.

*

Shin had met Young Hoon outside, and had recognised that blazer instantly. He began to form a smile, but then he remembered and his face returned to its usual cold glare. The car ride was quiet, awkward, neither of them spoke. Young Hoon broke the silence just as they pulled up outside, telling him to take it easy, he was there if he needed him.

Kang So Bong opened the car door for the future CEO and bowed her head. 'Why is she here?'

'I told you. You'll have to take it in turns for the time being. We need her to be with you to avoid suspicion.'

'No, they'll both act arrogant about helping me,' Shin was his usually bratty self. 'Ah. She likes money, so use it to silence her so she doesn't complain later.' He said nothing more as he strutted off into the building, leaving Kang So Bong glaring. Young Hoon was surprised at Shin, how he managed to outdo himself every time. What was he going to do with him... 

'Kang So Bong-sshi,' Young Hoon said, walking closer to her. 'Thank you.' He smirked his trademark smirk and looked after Shin before following him inside.

Chapter Text

This hadn't been the first time Young Hoon had been the Chairman's punching bag, but it had been enough. Shin had said nothing in the past, only helped ice the older man's cuts after, but today he had snapped. The Chairman's hand landed with a whack across Young Hoon's soft face, skin colliding against his cheekbone. Young Hoon didn't start, barely flinched, he simply bowed his head low. Out of respect.

'Grandpa.' Shin's voice was weak, his eyes red and raw with tears.

'That's right,' the Chairman growled. 'I hit someone who is a hundred times better than you because of you. I'll keep doing that, too.' Shin's eyes found themselves looking at Young Hoon, who was silent and still. ‘Like you did today, if you can't hold your temper and get into fights or gamble and do drugs like other people's crazy kids, you won't pay for it.' The Chairman raised his fat finger and pointed right at Young Hoon's face. 'Young Hoon will.' The Chairman scowled at them both before walking away into his office.

Shin was staring so desperately at his assistant, praying he'd tell him what to do. The Chairman's daughter, Nam Ho Yeon, slithered past them, her words a further cutting remark. 'Good going.' Shin had always hated her. Young Hoon's eyes were on the floor, the older man very much aware of the gaze that Shin was burning into him.

Young Hoon slowly raised his eyes to Shin and allowed their look to last a moment longer than it should... Young Hoon's mouth formed a smile and Shin was amazed as his resilience. 'He's just angry,' Young Hoon said. As always, he wanted to protect Shin and remain a good employee to the Chairman and PK Group. Eyes finding Shin's, he said 'I'm fine, Shin.'

'How can you be?' Shin's voice was barely audible. 'After what he does to you. Why do you let him do it?' Young Hoon smiled again, giving Shin his answer.

'Let's go now,' Young Hoon said. 'Your lip is a mess. I'll get a first aid kit...' Young Hoon barely had time to blink before he saw Shin storming off - in the direction of the Chairman's office.

Shin flew into a rage, smashing the glass from various pieces of artwork and photos and certificates hung on the wall of his Grandpa's office. His hand was cut and was bleeding but he didn't care. He had never felt as angry in his entire life. He threw everything on his Grandpa's desk onto the floor, seeing pages rip and hearing ornaments smash into bits.

He was breathing so fast his chest hurt. The Chairman rose to his feet, a stunned look on his withered face. 'You punk. What are you doing?'

'I'm threatening you,' Shin said dangerously. 'Just like you threatened us.'

'What?'

'You said Young Hoon was my stand-in. Why are you hitting me? If you hit him, you're hitting me. If you abuse him, you're abusing me.'

'You...' the Chairman sounded breathless. 'Why are you doing this?'

'Don't hit him again,' Shin glared. 'Don't touch poor Young Hoon!'

The older man had heard the commotion, had followed Shin in a heartbeat. He saw the office in ruin, noticed the deep red that was now dripping from Shin's hand onto the wooden floor. 

'If you do,' Shin continued, 'I'll do much worse. Do you understand?'

The Chairman threw his grandson a filthy look and told him to get out of his sight. Shin stood still for a moment, an act of defiance. Young Hoon had stepped forward, grabbed Shin gently by the lapel of his coat. 'Let's go.'

'Take your hands off me,' Shin warned.

'Young Hoon, leave us,' the Chairman said. Young Hoon obeyed and went to find that first aid kit. He went and sat in the lounge that was specifically for Shin.

'Don't you ever touch him again.'

'You care so much about him?' Shin narrowed his eyes and walked over to his Grandpa. He towered above him and he looked down at his face, expressionless. 

'Try me.'

Shin walked away and found Young Hoon sat on the sofa in their lounge, staring at the floor. Shin threw something cold over to where Young Hoon was sitting. 'Ice it. Don't make me feel bad.' Young Hoon stared down at it then looked right back at Shin. He saw the cuts on Shin's face, his eyes and lips and sighed. That boy. Shin turned and began to walk away. Young Hoon knew he wouldn't have bothered to take care of his injuries. He'd wear the bruises like badges of honour, physical evidence to further irritate his Grandpa with.

'Don't you make me feel bad, then,’ Young Hoon's voice stopped Shin in his tracks. Shin blinked slowly, the very beginnings of a smile forming on his cut lips. He turned his head and looked at Young Hoon. 'You hurt your hand because of me.' Shin moved his eyes away from Young Hoon and over to the table, where he saw the first aid kit, open and ready to be used.

Young Hoon sat with the ice pressed against his cheek, a welcome relief to the throbbing. The two men sat in silence, and Young Hoon kept a careful eye on what Shin was doing. He had cleaned his cut hand with a wipe and was now busy wrapping it. Shin raised his eyes and found Young Hoon already looking at him. He felt his stomach do a flip. The look lasted a little longer than it should have - again... Young Hoon smirked first, causing Shin to follow suit. They both smiled and their eyes found each other.

'Here, let me...' Shin just watched, blinked slowly as the older stood up and took the bandages from him. 'Do you want to look like a Mummy?' Young Hoon took Shin's injured hand and carefully redressed it, smiling to himself at Shin's attempt. Skin met skin and their hearts beat as one. 'Hyung...'

'Pass me that,' Young Hoon said, reaching out for the antiseptic cream that was in the box. Shin leaned over and grabbed it, sitting back and getting a little too close to Young Hoon. The older cleared his throat while Shin tried to find his breath. Young Hoon grabbed a cotton bud and put a bit of cream on the tip. 'This might sting...' Young Hoon was as gentle as he could be, applying the cream to the cuts on Shin's lips. Shin winced in pain and hitched his breath. His hand had flung up out of nowhere and was now resting on Young Hoon's thigh. The older man's eyes grew wide but said nothing. His cheeks flushed and Shin saw, smirking.

'Stop that,' Young Hoon sighed. 'It's making it very difficult to...'

'I'm all better now,' Shin said. He had placed his hand on top of Young Hoon's and gazed up into his eyes. 'You made me better.' The look the two had shared in that moment was one neither of them would ever forget... or speak of.

Young Hoon's phone began to ring - whether the timing was good or bad is up to you - and he sighed, both frustrated and relieved. He answered the call and Shin knew. Duty called. 

'Shin, I have to go to the office,' Young Hoon explained. 'Please... if you can help it, stay away from the Chairman. At least until I get back. We can talk more then.'

'Young Hoon-ah,' Shin said, eyes soft and his healing lips forming a tender smile. 'Thanks.'

Shin spent the day in his own room, lost in his thoughts. How dare his Grandfather treat his... treat Young Hoon, like that. He wouldn't stand for it. He was going to do what he did best: run away. He would send for Young Hoon later, but right now he had to get out of the house before he did something he'd (probably) regret.

He threw some things into a bag, a few shirts and blazers, one cardigan belonging to a certain secretary... Shin had found it mixed in with his clothing one day. He had no idea how it had got there, but he wasn't in a rush to return it to its rightful owner anytime soon. He waited until nightfall, waiting until he knew the Chairman would be asleep and he could make his escape.

Heading out into the night, weekend bag in hand, he walked quickly, eager not to be spotted. All of a sudden, floodlights came on and a group of men ran and surrounded him as if he had been a wanted criminal. His head snapped from side to side as he saw all exits slowly blocked. His eyes were wide; he looked like a caged tiger. He heard heavy footsteps and saw his Grandpa appear in front of him. Shin bit his tongue and scoffed.

'Move,' Shin spat at the guards.

'Let him do what he wants,' the Chairman's drawl made Shin feel sick. How he hated that toxic man. At once, the lapdogs all took a step back, obeyed their command. The path for Shin to leave was now clear. Shin took a step forward. 'Regardless, thank you for everything.' He bowed his head low before heading off.

'You're the one that broke your promise,' the Chairman spat. Shin stopped dead and turned his head to look at his Grandpa. 'I said your mom would be safe in exchange for you being here. Even if you finally go and find her, your mom won't be there anymore... since I'll find her before you do.' Shin's eyes filled with hot tears and he wanted to throttle the old man, wiping that sick grin from his face. 'Go on,' his Grandpa goaded, 'do as you please.' The Chairman turned and began to walk away.

'My home,' Shin yelled, causing the evil old man to stop and turn, 'is here. At least until you die.'

'That's good,' the Chairman laughed. He said nothing more before he returned to the house. Shin was left alone, standing still. He blinked away the hot tears before they fell and his head fell to his chest, eyes fixed on the floor.

Shin had taken a taxi into the city and had settled himself at the bar. Hours had passed and he had consumed too much alcohol. He hadn't contacted Young Hoon. He had forgotten, he couldn't be bothered, he was a mess. Once again he was trapped, a prisoner in his own home, unable to escape his future. Shin noticed a pretty girl slide into the seat next to him. She held her hand out and introduced herself. She knew who he was. Shin grinned as he gestured at the waiter to fix her a drink. 

Young Hoon had returned home and had gone straight to Shin's room. When he saw he wasn't there, Young Hoon knocked on the Chairman's office door. Sliding it open, he went inside and bowed his head at the older man who was sat behind his desk, eyes closed.

'Sir... where is Shin?'

'He left,' the Chairman said.

'Wh... what happened?'

'Don't bother with him tonight,' the Chairman sighed, eyes still shut. 'He's a lost cause. I don't know why I bother with the fool.'

'He is your flesh and blood, sir,' Young Hoon felt his anger rising but of course he never let it show. Not with the Chairman. 'He is your family.'

'Do you think so?' the old man radiated poison. 'I warned him what would happen if he ran away. You'd better do what I pay you for and keep him in check. I can send you back to that orphanage again if you disobey me. Consider yourself warned. Don't make me hit you to prove a point to him further.'

Young Hoon blinked hard and gave a small bow of his head before leaving. Minutes later, Young Hoon was in a taxi into the city.

Shin and his lady friend had shared one too many drink, and somehow they were now heading upstairs to a hotel room. They were arm in arm, both flushed from the alcohol. Shin didn't exactly know what his plan was, or what he was playing at, but he wanted to cause a commotion, a scandal, something...

In the hotel room, the girl, Jin Hee, had flung her designer bag down onto the double bed and walked over to him. She hugged him from behind, closing her eyes with happiness. He placed his own hands over hers and broke contact. She turned him so he was facing her and she raised her eyebrows at him. Reaching her arm out, she went to pull him into a kiss. He stopped her and gently pushed her away. 'That's enough. Leave.'

'What?' Jin Hee was stunned. 

'I'm not interested in you,' Shin said coldly. 'So leave.'

'You jerk,' she spat. She collected her things and left, leaving Shin on his own again. He went and lay on the big double bed, the mattress softer than his own, and he closed his eyes. Peace, at last...

Young Hoon hadn't taken long to track Shin down. He had known what bar Shin would have gone to, and after talking to the waiter he had all the information required. He was in the foyer of the hotel and he saw a pretty woman storming towards the exit. 'Excuse me,' Young Hoon said. He pulled a photo of Shin up on his phone and showed it to the girl who scoffed. 'Have you seen this man?'

'You can do better than that jerk,' Jin Hee scowled. 'He isn't worth as much as people say he is. Total loser.'

'Have you seen him?'

Loud knocking caused Shin to jump, sitting upright on the bed. Shin had heard those fists banging against doors many times over the years.

'Ah, hyung...' Shin stumbled back and let Young Hoon into the hotel room. Young Hoon's eyes scanned everywhere, looking for evidence. 'You're here. Did you get my messages?'

'What messages?'

'Oh that's right,' Shin muttered to himself. 'Hyung!' Shin was yelling now. 'I forgot to send them. I thought about sending them, but I must have forgot. I'm sorry.'

'How much have you had to drink?' Young Hoon could smell the alcohol on him.

'I still know what my Grandpa looks like,' Shin said. 'Not enough.' He walked over to the mini bar and took out all of the bottles.

'Shin...'

'Drink with me,' Shin said. He sat on the bed and sorted the bottles in size order. He held the biggest one up. 'For you.'

'Shin I'm not here to drink with you...'

'Why are you here?'

'I... I heard about what happened. I thought I said we'd talk when I got home.'

'I have no home as long as he is under the same roof,' Shin spat. 'This hotel room feels more like home.' Now that you're here with me.

Young Hoon looked at the younger with softer eyes now. He took the bottle from Shin - dark rum - and sipped it slowly. 'Who was the girl?' Young Hoon had to be careful now. He didn't want Shin to get the wrong idea...

'Girl?' Shin frowned. 'What girl?'

'The one you had up here before I arrived,' Young Hoon said flatly. There was no emotion in the older man's voice. Young Hoon was working extra hard to make it that way.

'Oh,' Shin smirked. 'That.' Young Hoon narrowed his eyes. 'She was just a distraction. You weren't there, I wanted someone to entertain me until you were here.'

'Entertain you?'

'Don't be like that, hyung,' Shin pouted and he looked so ridiculous it made Young Hoon laugh. The boy was outrageous. 'Nothing happened.'

'Shin... I don't care if nothing happened. You need to be careful. She could have been trying to... use you. Did she know who you were?'

'Of course she did,' Shin's voice was back to its natural arrogant ways. 'She hasn't been living under a rock these last twenty seven years. Everyone in this stupid country knows who I am, even the fishermen.'

'Shin. You need to learn to be more careful.'

'Why are you being like this?' Shin yelled. 'I told you nothing happened!'

'I told you,' Young Hoon felt his patience slipping away, 'I don't care.'

'Tell that to your face then.'

Silence. The two men stared at each other hard, neither of them blinking or looking away. They were both breathing heavily, chests shaking, fingers trembling...

'I'm warning you,' Young Hoon said. 'Don't push it.'

Of course, Shin was Shin. He had to take it that little step further...

'What are you going to do?'

'Shin.' Young Hoon knew he had to leave. This was a dangerous situation already. If Young Hoon stayed even thirty seconds longer, everything would be ruined... He made his way to the door but Shin, despite being drunk, was quicker. He blocked the doorway with his entire body, leaning back against it.

'Get out of my way,' Young Hoon breathed. Shin slowly shook his head, a sly grin forming on his face.

'Make me.' Shin knew the situation and he was aware that all he had to do was push Young Hoon that little bit more...

Young Hoon had to leave. Now. He reached his hand out and gripped the door handle hard. He turned his wrist but the handle didn't have chance to move. Shin grabbed Young Hoon's wrist and spun him round so he was pressed up against the door. 

Shin's eyes burned into Young Hoon's, neither of them making a sound. Young Hoon's chest was rising and falling slowly; he was surprised he was breathing at all. He didn't feel as if he was alive anymore. Shin still had that dangerous smirk on his face. His eyes fixated on Young Hoon's lips and he stared hard, noticing the shape of them and the colour, which bits were soft and which parts were a little rougher. He watched as they moved, formed and spoke his name. A final plea, a desperate whisper... 'Shin-ah...'

Shin's mouth met with Young Hoon's and all the years of longing came down to this. Young Hoon's eyes had closed instantly. Shin's mouth had been made for his own. Young Hoon felt Shin's hands cup his face, felt the younger's hot body pressing into his own. The wooden door against his back should have been uncomfortable, but right now Young Hoon wanted to stay like this forever.

Shin felt the older man's tension ease away the more he kissed him. Shin smiled and Young Hoon felt it in the kiss. Shin closed his own eyes now, content enough. Young Hoon took his hands, which had previously been frozen by his sides, and wrapped them around Shin's waist. His grip was tight and he gently moaned as he felt Shin's teeth come into contact with his bottom lip.

Shin's lips were battered, broken, bruised and Young Hoon never wanted them away from him. God, this boy would be his undoing one day.

They kissed for what felt like aeons, kissed until both of their mouths were numb and red, swollen. They broke apart and thankfully the silence was no longer awkward between them. The atmosphere was buzzing, electric. They smiled softly at each other, Shin noticing the slight wrinkles near Young Hoon's eyes.

'You're getting old, hyung,' he teased.

'What do you expect when I chase after you all day long?' Young Hoon laughed. 'I had expected to go grey by now, all the stress you put me under.'

'You'd be my silver fox then,' Shin belly laughed and Young Hoon shook his head. He pushed past him gently, walking over to the bed. Shin had paid very close attention now. He felt his breathing slow as he watched Young Hoon pick up all the bottles that had been lying on the bed. Shin raised his eyebrows to question his actions.

'You need to sleep the alcohol off,' he said gently, 'not drink more. Get into bed, I'll get you some water...'

'Always so bossy,' Shin smirked. He complied now, finally removing his coat and his shirt. He had a white tank top on underneath. Young Hoon almost walked into the wall when he saw Shin's arm muscles. He had handed over the glass of ice cold water without blinking. Shin smirked, took a sip of water and placed it on the table next to the bed. He lay back, arms behind his head, and stretched his legs out. He had changed into loose fitting grey joggers. He raised his head up to look at Young Hoon, who was still in his suit and tie, standing by the foot of the bed.

'This is an expensive hotel room,' Shin said cockily. 'And there's room for more than just me here.' He spread his arm out to show the rest of the bed to the older man. Young Hoon hadn't breathed since Shin had taken his coat off. 'Get over here.'

'Shin...' Young Hoon gulped and slowly, step by step, walked over to where Shin lay. Shin had propped himself up on his elbows now, muscles flexed and god, Young Hoon was sure this was all in his imagination. It hadn't been far off from the fantasies the older man had had, for many years now. It all seemed too good to be true.

'It's warm in here,' Shin said. 'You should take your coat off...' Young Hoon's eyes found and challenged Shin's, a smirk appearing on the older's face. He nodded once.

'You're right. I should...'

'No,' Shin's hand was on top of Young Hoon's. 'Let me...' Shin stood up now and slowly, slowly took off Young Hoon's coat. Shin's eyes never left Young Hoon's face. The coat was off, gently thrown to the chair over by the door. Shin helped Young Hoon out of his blazer, slow again, and then the older man was in just his shirt, tie and trousers. Shin knew nothing further would happen tonight, they both did. They were okay with that. When it came to these two, it was most definitely a slow burn. It had taken them over ten years to reach this moment. They didn't care for now, happy enough to be here.

Shin gently pulled Young Hoon's tie, causing the older man to be dragged closer. Shin planted a surprise kiss on Young Hoon's lips, making him laugh. Shin shuffled over and Young Hoon tentatively got onto the bed. He reminded himself to breathe, yes this was really happening...

The two men lay on the bed all night, Shin holding Young Hoon tight in his arms. They kissed only a few more times, enjoying exploring parts of each other they had always thought forbidden... Shin ran his fingers through Young Hoon's hair, unaware he was doing it. The older had his eyes closed, content and so happy he could have died right now and had a smile on his face.

'Young Hoon-ah?' Shin's voice was softer now, laced with sleep.

'Yes, Shin-ah?' Young Hoon's eyes were closed, the feeling of Shin's warm body next to his like nothing he had ever known.

'Goodnight. Sleep well.'

'You too, Shin.'

The two men fell asleep in each other's arms, thankful to finally be here. Shin slept all night, a smile on his face. He had longed for this to be a reality for so many years, and now it was finally real, and Shin had no intentions of ever going back to the way things were.

The next morning, Shin opened his eyes with a grin, ready to bombard his Young Hoon with kisses. His face fell. The bed was empty.

Chapter Text

Shin tried dialling Young Hoon's number, but received no answer. He looked around the hotel room, searching for a note, a sign, anything... No trace of Young Hoon could be found. Shin spotted something crumpled in the corner of the room and he jumped from the bed, picking it up eagerly. He had thought it might have been Young Hoon's blazer... 

'Aish!' It had been his own coat, his mind and eyes playing tricks on him. Shin quickly got dressed and gathered his things, walking to the reception desk at speed. 'Did anyone leave a note for room 406?'

'One moment...' The lady behind the desk rummaged through some notes on her desk and shook her head. 'I'm sorry sir, nothing for that room. Is there anything else I can assist you with?' Shin had walked off without answering.

He had returned home in no time at all, running into every room in the hopes of finding Young Hoon there. Why had he left him?

The house was empty, and Shin fell into a chair in the living room and groaned in frustration. He saw a remote on the table and he picked it up and threw it against the wall. The force used had been stronger than anticipated, and the remote flew past the wall, hitting the glass door that led out into the pool area. The glass fell onto the floor and Shin cursed. Grabbing his phone, he bit his lip as he waited for his answer.

'Grandpa... I can't seem to get in touch with Young Hoon. Is he with you?'

'You finally came to your senses,' the Chairman's drawl was cold and unfeeling. 'I knew it wouldn't take you long. As soon as I mentioned your mother, you turned into a scared little boy again.'

SHin blinked back angry tears. 'Is Young Hoon with you?'

'Yes,' barked the Chairman. 'He has been since last night. He tried to convince you to come back, but you were your usual devious self.'

Shin felt his breath catch in his throat and he saw himself frowning in the reflection of the glass coffee table. What the hell? Shin had more questions, things he needed to know that burned through him... however the Chairman, his Grandpa, was not the right person to ask.

'Send him to the house,' Shin bit. 'I need to talk to him.'

The Chairman didn't reply and hung up, but soon enough and the familiar footsteps were getting closer and closer.

'Shin-ah.'

Shin's face looked pale and his eyes looked red and raw again, as they had done yesterday during the rampage in his Grandpa's office.

'Where did you go?'

Young Hoon's eyes spotted the smashed glass and he sighed, a stern look on his face. 'What did you do now?'

'You left.'

'Shin?' Young Hoon approached him, took a seat in the chair facing him. 'Are you alright?'

'Last night,' Shin breathed. He remembered Young Hoon's hands on his body, the way his lips felt crushing down onto his own, how they had fallen asleep together in the same bed, fingers entwined...

'You were very drunk, Shin,' Young Hoon's voice was as it always was: professional, calm, to the point. Nothing in his voice or the way he looked at Shin suggested anything intimate had ever happened... 'I tried my hardest to get you to see sense, but... you were wild last night, even for you.'

'What?'

'I went to the hotel,' Young Hoon explained, 'I knew you'd run away and I knew where you'd go to. I know you, Shin.' A tender look, but Shin's head was spinning and he couldn't tell if all of this was a dream. 'I tried to convince you to rethink this, knowing your Grandpa really is a man of his word...'

'Did he touch you again?' Shin's eyes flashed and he scanned the older's face, looking for any fresh cuts or bruising.

'No,' Young Hoon gave a little smile. 'He wasn't best pleased I had failed, but he... I think your actions yesterday stopped him.'

'You weren't there this morning,' Shin said, standing up now and closing the gap between them. Young Hoon stood up too, a frown on his face. He watched as Shin studied his face, noticing the way his eyes had gone slightly wider and the unsteadiness of his breath.

'I left last night, Shin-ah,' Young Hoon explained. 'You drained all the alcohol from the mini bar and almost hit your head. I told you to come home with me, I told you I was going to stay... I sat outside your door for two hours, but you called security and had me removed. I called the Chairman, and he told me to leave you be. I'm... I'm sorry I let you down.'

'What?' Shin breathed. He felt his entire body shaking. That wasn't the night he had remembered... 'No.'

'What do you mean, no?'

'We...' Shin's eyes went wide and he felt hot tears prick them. 'Why are you acting like nothing happened?'

'I wouldn't say nothing happened, Shin,' Young Hoon said, 'you were quite...' Shin saw the older man narrow his eyes and frown further. 'Shin, what are you talking about?'

'I'm not saying it,' Shin said. 'I'll prove it...'

Young Hoon barely had time to blink before it happened. Shin's hand found the back of his neck and he pulled him close. Shin's eyes were fixed on Young Hoon's and he closed his eyes as he went to kiss him.

'Shin!' Young Hoon had wanted this, oh god had he wanted this, but it wasn't... the right time. He had yearned for so many years now, but... not right now. Young Hoon gently placed a hand on Shin's stomach, pushing him away. 'W-what are you doing?!'

'What are you doing? Why have you suddenly gone cold on me? Why are you pretending like last night didn't happen?'

'What happened last night?' Young Hoon was really curious, perplexed.

'I just tried to show you,' Shin sighed. 'If you're having second thoughts, or you want to... take it slower, that's fine, but --'

'Take... second thoughts... Shin.' Young Hoon caught on, finally, and he sank into the chair. Shin watched him carefully. Young Hoon ran a hand through his hair and he sighed. He couldn't quite believe this...

'Young Hoon-ah...'

'I'm very sorry, Shin,' Young Hoon said, 'but... I'm afraid your version of events and mine are completely different. I'm... I'm truly sorry, but after you called security and I left... I spent the rest of the night here, at the house. You can ask your Grandpa if you don't believe me...'

'Like I'd ever trust him,' Shin spat. His face had flushed, embarrassment and arousal and pure confusion. He shook his head and then his head snapped to Young Hoon's face. 'I made a mistake. Please ignore everything I just said. I... I have to go.'

'Where are you going?' Young Hoon called, but Shin shook his head.

'Don't even think about following me this time,' Shin spat. He left the house at speed and was back at the hotel before he knew it.

In the security room, he watched with shaking hands and a pounding heart. There was still a tiny part of him that still believed his own mind, still hoped... As he watched the video playing back, he realised Young Hoon had been telling the truth, and he knew he was completely and utterly done for. He watched as he saw himself on the screen, acting like a complete brat as usual. Young Hoon had arrived, tried to calm Shin down and talk him into going back to the house... The most contact the two men had between them had been when Young Hoon stopped Shin from falling and hitting his head. There had been no other touching, no kissing, no falling asleep on the same bed.

Shin closed his eyes tight and sighed. 'Fuck.' 

It had all been his imagination, and the worst thing was that Young Hoon now knew how Shin felt... and he had realised, at long long last, that he had felt the same.

Chapter Text

Shin was back in his office, and he was desperate to find something. He knew it had to be in the room somewhere... He closed the blinds and frantically began searching through the books on his bookshelf, flicking through the pages at speed.

Young Hoon entered without knocking, scanned the room. 'What are you doing? The blinds are closed. Are you looking for something?'

'I just wanted to be alone,' Shin shook his head. Young Hoon held his gaze a moment and Shin would have wagered the older man's face looked sad. Giving nothing away, Young Hoon nodded and placed some papers on the desk. 'Here's the update on M-Car. Study it before the meeting...'

'Okay,' Shin said, reaching down to pick up the papers and getting too close to Young Hoon's face. 'You may go.'

Young Hoon's face was blank, his mind a stark contrast. He knew Shin was up to something...  

Shin waited until the man had gone before resuming his search, throwing useless books onto the office floor.

He didn't remember much, but his head suddenly began to spin and he almost lost his balance. He was being driven home by Kang So Bong before he knew it.

Back at PK Group, Young Hoon had slipped into Shin's office. He just knew Shin had something he wasn't telling him, he just needed to know what. He could help...

The room was a mess, books and bits of paper strewn everywhere. Young Hoon had a sharp eye, had adapted it over the years in order to deal with Shin and survive the Chairman, and noticed a card on the floor, under the desk. He bent and picked it up, saw that it was a long-term care hospital. His mind began to race as he wondered what could possibly have gone on.

He was a resourceful man, and soon enough was having someone look into things for him further.

'I checked but nobody here uses that number,' the old man said as he handed the card back to Young Hoon.

'Then can I get the numbers of your former employees?' Young Hoon asked.

'The person in charge left for the day.'

'I understand,' Young Hoon said. He was a little frustrated now. 'If you find out, please give me a call.' He handed his business card over to the old man. 

'PK again? Someone from there came by before.'

'Was it... this person?' Young Hoon felt for his phone, and in seconds had pulled up a photo of Shin... it wasn't the only one he had on there. His favourite, his most secret, had been the selfie they had taken that Christmas, when they had been watching Love Actually... 

'That's right! That young punk was such a jerk...'

Young Hoon sighed. That definitely sounded like Shin. Young Hoon drove home, wondering what the hell Shin was playing at this time.

Shin had just had a conversation with that idiot bodyguard, Kang So Bong. She was in love with that hunk of metal. Shin would never understand how someone could love something that was no different to an iPad or a mobile phone, just metal with clever programming.

'Would you like it if you were in my shoes? One day something that looks identical to you shows up, and wears your clothes, acts like you, steals your dad. On top of that, people tell you it's better than you...' He thought to how Young Hoon had spoken of it, how his voice had gone softer and his eyes creased as he smiled. 'How would you feel?'

Shin had gone back into his house, into his old room... and nothing felt the same. He visualised the robot, sleeping in his bed, wearing his clothes, smiling at people that weren't his to smile at... He reached into his wardrobe and angrily began taking the jackets away. He wanted nothing that the robot had touched.

Young Hoon had returned to the house, his day of meetings and deadlines finished. That wasn't to say his duties were over. Far from it, in fact. He heard a commotion in Shin's room and strode in, spotting the young heir and a blur of colour.

'I don't like anything he wore,' Shin explained as he saw the exasperated look on Young Hoon's face. 'I'm going to throw them all out. 'I'm immature, aren't I?'

Young Hoon strode across the room to where Shin's shirts were and began removing them.

'What are you doing?' Shin asked.

'I'll do it,' Young Hoon didn't look at him. 'You get some rest. I'll ask for new clothes and watches to arrive by tomorrow evening.'

Shin placed his hands in his pockets and leaned back. 'I suddenly feel insulted.' Young Hoon stopped, looked at him with his arms laden with shirts. 'Why? Do I look pitiful to you?'

Young Hoon set the pile of shirts down, and Shin noticed the way his fingers stroked them gently. 'I only thought about doing what was best for you. I didn't have time to consider how you'd feel when you woke up.' Young Hoon straightened up and looked at Shin, saw his eyes water. 'It's all my fault that you feel that way about the robot. I'm sorry.'

The two gazed at each other a moment, a moment too long... 'What's this? Why is it empty?'

'His batteries were there,' Young Hoon explained about the bare shelf. Shin scoffed, felt the anger towards that thing bubbling inside.

'Does he have any weaknesses? Ah! What's that manual control mode about? How do you control him?'

'Why are you being like this?' Young Hoon sighed. 'Did something happen?'

'Not really,' Shin said, 'I'm just curious.'

'Shin-ah...' Young Hoon blinked and felt his own eyes water. His voice was slightly softer now. 'Other people might think that you act thoughtlessly, but I know the truth. You're not thoughtless. You think way too much. Please don't try to bear it alone.' Shin studied the older man's face carefully and he felt his breath slowing. 'I know I'm lacking, but you still have me.'

Shin blinked slowly, his eyes not moving from Young Hoon's face. The older's voice had shaken as he had spoken, his own eyes burning.

'You must be tired, you should rest,' Young Hoon continued, 'I'll tell them to take these away.' He turned at once and left, leaving Shin standing there unsure of what to do or think or feel.

You still have me.

Shin had been in the mood to play games, and he had thought of the perfect way. He always imagined, when he was growing up, if he had a brother, even better a twin, how they could switch places and play pranks on everyone. It had been easy, he knew enough about the idiotic robot by now to portray him perfectly. Kang So Bong had fallen for it, had looked at him with soft eyes and a kind smile. When Shin began to cry, all was revealed and the look on Kang So Bong's face was hilarious.

'You said you'd never confuse us.'

Elsewhere, Young Hoon was back, eager to discover more about the unrecognised number and the care hospital...

'I checked but that number isn't here,' another old man said. 

'I really think it's related to this hospital,' Young Hoon said. He had a bad feeling that he couldn't quite shake. 

'Even if that person used to work here,' said the old man from the first time, 'we wouldn't know if they changed their number.'

'Is there a way to find out?' Young Hoon strode over and handed the card to the original man. 

'PK? Is it... about that?'

'About what? I will compensate you generously,' Young Hoon said, voice desperate.

'This is something even the hospital director won't talk about. They silenced the media, too... Twenty years ago, a director from PK died in here. Suicide.' Young Hoon's face fell and his eyes flicked from side to side as he began wondering, worrying...

His phone rang and he answered. 'Hey, Shin.'

'Hyung. I have a favour to ask...'

Shin had told him he needed him, so naturally Young Hoon sped off and arrived at where he was in minutes. Whatever he had been expecting, pulling up and seeing the robot... lifeless, body slumped against a car in the parking lot hadn't been it. Young Hoon glared at Shin as he stopped his car and strode over to him.

'What are you doing?' Young Hoon's voice was fierce, and he stepped close, too close, but right now that didn't matter.

'Put it in your car,' Shin ordered. 'I'll be right back...' He went to walk off, but Young Hoon wasn't having any of it. Not this. He grabbed Shin by the wrist and stopped him, pushing him back. His hand rested on Shin's hard chest, eyes burning. 'Hey!'

'Grandpa knew that he was a robot,' Shin sounded spiteful.

'Still... this is wrong,' Young Hoon shook his head. 'Give me that.'

Shin kept the robot's watch tight in his grasp. 'What's wrong? Why did that old man play along? He cared more about that jerk even if I died. Why should I be treated that way? I'm going to make it clear to him about what's real and what's fake.'

'I understand how you feel,' Young Hoon said, 'but this won't help. Do as I say.' Shin's eyes held Young Hoon's gaze and he clicked his tongue. Neither blinked a moment, and then Shin dropped the watch to the ground. He stood on it with his foot and crushed it, black fragments gathering by their shoes. He glared at the older man and saw how Young Hoon's eyes had been fix on that thing's watch.

Young Hoon slowly raised his eyes and he saw the rage in Shin's eyes. 'If you try to stop me now, you're the same as Grandpa. If you don't want me to misunderstand, act like someone on my side.' He shoved past Young Hoon, knocking his shoulder and storming off without so much as a backwards glance.

Young Hoon placed Nam Shin III into the back of his card and felt pangs of guilt. He didn't deserve this... Shin had gone one step too far. His phone rang: Kang So Bong. How could he face her right now?

He spotted them in his mirror, watched as she anxiously searched for him, saw the smug smile on Shin's face. Kang So Bong threatened him before walking off, phone to her ear, and Shin sat in the passenger seat of Young Hoon's car.

He felt the older's eyes burning into him, and he shot him a quick look before picking up the robot's ringing phone. He answered, putting on a stellar performance of the metal man. Young Hoon had enough and snatched it from Shin's hands. 'Kang So Bong, it's me. I'll take care of it and send him home, don't worry.' He hung up and bit at Shin. 'Must you go this far? Why are you acting like a child?'

'That's good,' Shin spat. 'I'm a child and you're the adult. That means you can do everything for me.' The look they had shared would have been enough to make them come undone... if the situation had been different.

Young Hoon smiled, and it was a dangerous one that Shin hadn't seen before. He drove off and the rest of the journey was silent.

-

Laura was furious when she had found out what Shin had done. She was conflicted always, of course she was. Nam Shin was her own flesh and blood, her son... but Nam Shin III had been as good as her own flesh and blood for 20 years. Her heart ached for them both, and the human Shin knew this.

'Switch it to manual mode,' Shin commanded. 'I hear I can completely control it then. We should show Grandpa that it's just a robot that can be easily controlled.'

'Shin! Please!' Laura had tears in her eyes, sounded sad, was pleading.

'Why? You don't want to? You said you'd do anything I ask. If that's just a robot to you, you shouldn't care what happens so it. Do you care more about it too, like Grandpa does? Or did you live with it for too long to let it go?'

'That's enough.' Young Hoon appeared in the doorway, his sharp voice making Shin turn. 'I know we're partly responsible for how you're acting right now. We did it to protect you, but it ended up hurting you.' Shin's eyes were, once again, fixated on Young Hoon's face. 'If that's what will make you feel better, go ahead. But promise me one thing. You will never hurt anyone else. Okay?'

'Sure.' Shin grinned. 'I promise.'

Young Hoon often found solace outside, sat by the pool. A pack of beers and the thought of Shin usually filled his lonely nights. He stood looking out at the water, his mind thinking of Shin... Nam Shin III. His eyes closed and the image of the two Shin's, human one wearing all black and gloating, the robot Shin unplugged and lifeless. Young Hoon cared for both Shin's, he'd come to realise. Of course he felt things for the human man that he could never feel for anyone else, but over time, during human Shin's absence... the robot had grown on Young Hoon and had managed to wiggle his way into the man's heart.

He was in a bind. What on earth was he going to do now? He opened his eyes, turned, took a step. Shin was standing before him. Young Hoon's eyes found the watch and he sighed.

'I experienced manual mode for the first time,' the robot said. 'My body didn't move according to my decisions. You knew, didn't you?'

'Sorry,' Young Hoon was sincere. 'I knew it was unfair, but I didn't stop him.' He knew the special hold Shin had over him, but he had never wanted to hurt another because of it.

'I'm not here to criticise,' the robot truly did have a heart of gold. 'I just need to know why Nam Shin did this.

'He heard that the Chairman knew the whole time.'

'He's taking his anger out towards the Chairman at me. What if he makes me do something against my rules? What if he hurts someone?'

'He promised he would never do that,' Young Hoon said. 'He promised me...' Nam Shin III saw the look in Young Hoon's eyes, heard the tenderness in his panicked voice. He knew. 'If he breaks that promise, we'll stop the manual mode. I'll make sure of it... Don't worry.'

'I trust you, but I'm not sure about the human Nam Shin. Would he really keep his promise?'

'He will,' Young Hoon said, unaware that the human Shin was watching this interaction through his tablet - and via Nam Shin III. 'He won't break his promises to me. I believe Shin.'

Shin slammed the tablet face down and sighed. 'I'll show them how dangerous a robot can be,' he snarled towards Ye Na.

Shin was out of control. On the roof, with the robot. Their stand off enraged Shin further. He said vile things, showed the robot he was not to be messed with. Idiot Kang So Bong interfered as always, spoiling his fun. No matter. That had been Shin playing nice. He had bigger, better, more dangerous plans in mind.

Back in his bedroom, Shin was staring at his shelf full of action figures, superheroes and robots. He picked up one figure, remembered how it had been a collectable and rare, how Young Hoon had hunted it down for him after Shin mentioning it once. He slammed it down onto the shelf as he saw Young Hoon standing in his doorway.

As Young Hoon walked over, he saw how Shin placed it down, with force, but how his fingers lingered on it a few moments more than necessary...

'Let's terminate the manual mode.' His voice was deep, soft, everything he desired. He didn't like the words that he was speaking.

'Why?'

'Dr. Oh might not know, but I do. There was no error.' Young Hoon's eyes pleaded with Shin's. 'Keep your promise. Stop it... What you did to Kang So Bong was enough.' Shin's lip curled at the mention of her name. 

'No.'

'Shin-ah...'

'You're making me want to do it more. I had gotten soft there for a moment. Thanks. It's just about to get fun.'

Young Hoon sighed, reached into his pocket and handed Shin the card.

'What's this? Did you steal it from my office?'

'I went there,' Young Hoon explained, 'and found out that your father did not commit suicide.' Shin raised his eyes, watery now, to the older's face. 'That's why you acted weird before you left for the Czech Republic... and that's why you went there.'

'Don't try to find out,' Shin bit. 'Stay out of my business.'

'It's a little late for that,' Young Hoon spoke quietly but it was enough for Shin to hear. 'I need to... I need to know what you're thinking. Make me understand what you're doing, or terminate the manual mode. Choose one.'

'Why should I? What if I won't do either?'

Young Hoon closed his eyes and sighed deep. Whatever he may have felt for Shin, right now he didn't like the person who was standing in front of him. He was behaving as he had done when they had first met, over ten years ago. Shin was being petulant, spiteful and Young Hoon was losing patience.

'This is my final warning. Don't hurt people. If you do that again...' Young Hoon wondered if this would be enough to finally make him see sense. 'I'll never speak to you ever again.' He began to turn and walk away, not even wanting to think about what could happen if he stayed any longer...

'This is your first time,' Shin's voice was different now. Young Hoon stopped on the spot. 'You've never said that to me before.'

Young Hoon was tempted, for a moment, to turn back around. He imagined striding over to Shin, hitting him or kissing him or both, something to make him snap out of it, to finally see sense. He felt his jaw clenching and he quickly left without another word, leaving Shin staring blankly, hot tears threatening to spill.

Shin picked up the robot from earlier and remembered how happy they had both been then. He stroked it gently and sighed. A message of Seo Jong Gil made his blood boil, and he placed the robot back on the shelf, carefully this time, and headed out.

Seo Jong Gil made his rage increase, told him things that made his head spin, things made sense, things made no sense at all. He knew he couldn't trust this man, had remembered all the times Young Hoon had warned him, but he had been pushed dangerously close to the edge.

He manipulated the robot, used the manual control, made Nam Shin III act in ways the soft machine would never.

The rooftop scene had been catastrophic. He had sat in the comfort of his car seat and had watched with glee in his eyes as the robot obeyed his sick command. The Chairman, his sick Grandpa, was dangled close to the rooftop edge and was choking. Nam Shin didn't know the robot would break the mode because that idiot girl had shed a tear.

Young Hoon came to the rooftop, as Nam Shin III had requested. When he saw Kang So Bong in tears, and the Chairman unconscious on the floor, he knew something had must have happened. He prayed his worst fear wouldn't come true...

'What happened?'

'Grandpa was shocked because of me,' Nam Shin III said. 'I'm sorry.'

'It wasn't because of you,' Kang So Bong said. 'It was because of that jerk... He pretty much choked his own Grandfather.'

'S-shin did this?' Young Hoon's eyes flicked side to side and he felt a piece of his heart crack. He broke his promise to me. Young Hoon put his own dilemma to one side and quickly helped the Chairman to safety.

Once he was looked over by the doctor, and safely in his own home again, the Chairman told Young Hoon he wanted a private word with him.

'Where is he?'

'We're searching hotels and everywhere we can,' Young Hoon replied. 

'Since he tried to kill me, he won't show his face.'

'I know you can't forgive him,' Young Hoon said, voice soft, 'but I'll bring him and make him beg for forgiveness.'

'Young Hoon... do you still think Shin is capable of handling my position?'

'Don't you think it was you who made him like that?' The Chairman recognised that unwavering loyalty in Young Hoon's voice and grimaced as he saw him leave.

Young Hoon dialled Shin's number repeatedly, desperate to get in touch with him. He had broken his promise, and that had hurt Young Hoon, but he wasn't giving up on the idiot yet.

'Why are you so determined to find him?' Nam Ho Yeon approached him. 'Did that punk get into trouble and hide again?'

Shin had been in self-destruct mode ever since his plan had failed... long before then, actually. He had gone on a bender, drinking too many bottles of wine and spirits and making bad decisions. He had hidden himself away and had focused on the alcohol that was burning his throat. He was so lost, and Young Hoon, the one person who always managed to bring him back, was lost to him. He felt as alone as he had done as a child. He remembered all the looks the two had shared, the hands brushing too often, their baited breaths... all the arguments, the smiles, the times Young Hoon had to discipline him and the times he let loose, like that Christmas... Shin had finished a bottle of wine and had smashed it against the wall. 

Seo Jong Gil appeared, like a nightmare, told Shin some most interesting news about the Chairman. Shin knew he was a snake, but Shin was in a dangerous way. He was close to losing it for real...

*

Shin had barricaded the Chairman in his room, the knowledge that Jong Gil had told him burning in his brain. He tried to get the Chairman to sign everything over to him, the rightful heir. Outside, he could hear Nam Ho Yeon... and then him, calling Shin's name, begging him to stop, pleading...

They finally burst through the room and Young Hoon read the contract splayed on the table. His eyes burned into Shin's and he grabbed him by the collar, dragging him outside.

Young Hoon snapped. His fist collided with Shin's sharp jaw and the younger stumbled and fell onto the floor.

'How far will you go?'

'I tried to kill my own Grandfather,' Shin said, still on the ground. 'What couldn't I do?'

'Don't do this,' Young Hoon shut his eyes tight. What would it take for him to get through to him? He had tried almost everything... 'You went into hiding because of your guilt. How much did you drink this time?'

'Not enough,' Shin snapped. He hadn't been able to get Young Hoon out of his thoughts - or dreams - so he hadn't had nearly enough.

'You can't be fine after doing something like this.'

'You're mistaken,' Shin said. He picked himself up from the floor, and as he stood Young Hoon saw that his lip was cut. He fought the hand that had flexed, wanting to help him up. 'I quit pretending to be a damaged child. It's annoying to see my hurt, when I'm so rich and powerful. How much could I make from chopping up the company? What should we do with it?'

Had Young Hoon heard right. What should we do with it?

He stepped closer to Shin. 'What are you talking about? Should I hit you again?'

'Go ahead,' Shin had a dangerous twinkle in his eye. 'Beat me up, and be on my side... where you belong.' They shared a look. 'Since you'd be hitting me for me.'

'Whatever the reason may be, you almost killed a person.' Young Hoon knew that Shin would never live with himself if he had actually murdered someone... 'Go to the Chairman, beg for forgiveness.'

'No. I'll send that old man into a nursing home,' Shin's voice was pure venom now. 'I'll let him die in there, lonely and sad like my dad.'

Young Hoon grabbed Shin by the collar and pulled him, their bodies growing closer. Shin blinked softly, tasted the metallic tang of blood on his tongue, eyes flickering down for just a moment to look at Young Hoon's lips. Young Hoon had thought of one final way he could try and bring Shin back from the brink. It would be a long shot, the cruellest gamble, but if it was worth it...

'You aren't even worth hitting,' he said as he roughly released Shin from his grasp. 'You should've never woken up.'

Young Hoon regretted the words as soon as they had left his lips, but he knew they had been a necessary evil. If this doesn't work then I've truly lost him. Young Hoon turned and walked back inside, not daring to look back. Shin stood, frozen on the spot. He was speechless. His eyes were red and began to sting. 

It was nighttime when Young Hoon left, and the hours that passed between the events that took place outside up until then were awful. Shin and Young Hoon avoided each other, only glaring at each other when they had crossed on the stairs. Shin had been drunk within the hour after being hit, and he staggered up the stairs with another carrier bag full of wine bottles. He hadn't bothered to clean his wound, a strong message for Young Hoon. Young Hoon had been leaving, had just bid goodnight to the Chairman. The two men spotted each other, froze a moment... and then Shin barged past him. Their hands brushed and their hearts both stopped, a force of habit.

'S-Shin...' Young Hoon opened his mouth but stopped himself. He had gone to apologise, to ask if he was okay, to beg him one final time to stop this madness...

'I might fall back into my coma if I drink all of this tonight,' he lifted the bag and the bottles clinked against one another. 'You'll get your wish. Who knows, I might even die this time.' Hot tears spilled down his face, and he walked away quickly before anything else could be said or done.

Young Hoon got into his car, angrily slammed the door shut and drove off. As his car travelled down the road, away from the house, he saw Shin leaning over the balcony out of the corner of his eye. He blinked his own tears away and drove into the night. Shin watched him go, swigging deep from a bottle and feeling his heart break.

With the help of Jong Gil, the Chairman signed everything over to Shin against his will. 

'Have you heard from Mr. Ji?' Shin's eyes narrowed, the dream he had had of Young Hoon last night burning through his brain. 'I guess he has completely turned his back on you. If he heard what you've done to the Chairman, it'd be even harder for him to come back to you.' Shin just glared, eyebrows raised. 'From now on, you should depend on me instead of Mr. Ji. I'll do my best to make sure you become the new Chairman without any problems.' Shin smirked his reply. Like anybody could be better than his Young Hoon.

The Chairman had been shipped off to a care home, as Shin had planned. He hadn't planned Ye Na and Young Hoon communicating.

'Grandpa just left,' Ye Na said.

'Where's Shin?' Young Hoon hadn't even breathed as he had asked.

'He didn't even come out.'

'Thank you for telling me,' Young Hoon said.

'I'm relying on you,' Ye Na said, 'Please help bring Shin back. Right now, I think you're the only person who stands a chance with him.' Young Hoon removed his earpiece, disconnecting the call, and put his foot down. There was another plan he had been thinking about...

Chapter Text

'The human Nam Shin asked Seo Jong Gil for help? That was unexpected...'

'He will manipulate Shin and dump him once he gets what he wants from him,' Young Hoon said. He and the robot were in a side room, and Young Hoon was counting on his help. 'We must stop him before Shin is destroyed further.'

'Is there a way?'

'I have an idea, but I cannot do it alone. Please help me.'

The robot explained he couldn't, and why. 'The human Nam Shin said I don't even have the freedom to disappear.'

Young Hoon closed his eyes. That young idiot could be so cruel sometimes...

'He said I'm just a machine, a machine that may hurt people. I almost killed Grandpa. I almost killed Kang So Bong, my most precious person.' Nam Shin III looked at Young Hoon's face and gently smiled, eyes soft.

'Shin did a horrible thing,' Young Hoon sighed. 'I think you've been traumatised.'

'Traumatised.' The robot thought a moment. 'Was I hurt?'

'It isn't purely Shin's fault,' Young Hoon said, and the robot heard that eternal loyalty. 'I knew you'd be hurt, but I ignored it because I thought it'll be okay, since you're a robot. I'm sorry... I shouldn't have asked. I'll figure it out somehow... so don't ever forgive Shin.'

'The rule is to help humans,' Nam Shin III said. 'I'm sorry I can't do that. I know that Nam Shin is your most precious person, but I'm sorry. I'll go now...'

'You're not just a machine. To me, you are someone dependable that I want to rely on. You might be a machine, but you're a special machine with a heart. Forget what Shin said.' Young Hoon thought back to the past few months, everything the robot had done - for his mom, for Shin, for him... 'You're a pretty cool guy, so continue living as you are... Shin-ah.'

The robot's eyes were softer now, his face breaking into that adorable, affectionate smile. 'Thank you... hyung.'

Kang So Bong met Nam Shin III, heard the conversation that had taken place, convinced Nam Shin III to help.

It was a new day, and the first day where Nam Shin was in charge of PK Group. Jong Gil and his snakes all greeted Shin at the entrance, and Shin couldn't help but feel the pang in his heart as he realised it should have been Young Hoon greeting him.

'You're the owner of PK Group starting today. You should take the Chairman's office.' Shin scowled and began to walk off. A voice halted his tracks.

'You can't do that.' Young Hoon approached them, staring deep into Shin's eyes and not even blinking as he bowed his head. 'It's too soon for that, and there are too many people watching. You should follow the proper procedures.' Shin scoffed. Young Hoon always managed to strike a nerve. 'Don't be rash. Wait patiently... sir.' Seo Jong Gil smirked, the secretary was ridiculous. 'This is why I need to stay by Mr. Nam's side.'

Shin felt that familiar thud-thud-thud of his heart at Young Hoon's words. 'Let's do as Mr. Ji says.'Wait in my office,' he ordered Jong Gil. 'I have a lot to talk with Mr. Ji about.' Shin walked off, Young Hoon tailing him, a sly smirk on his face. Nobody else deserved the place by Shin's side, it was his.

'Why are you back?' Shin stood with his hands in his pockets, staring at Young Hoon hard. 'You acted like you'd never return.'

'Considering what you pulled, I didn't want to,' Young Hoon was straight to the point. 

'So why did you come back to me? I thought you preferred that I never woke up in the first place?' Young Hoon's eyes danced with Shin's, confessing everything. Shin swallowed hard and looked away. 'I put Grandpa in a nursing home.'

'See? You caused trouble because I left you alone,' Young Hoon sighed. Shin glared into the distance. He was trying to maintain his steely exterior, but that man had a way of breaking down the walls he had spent years building. 'If you want to cause trouble, do it when I'm here. Until you break or I get exhausted, I won't give up.' What he was saying was: I won't give up on you. 'Let's go see the Chairman...' Young Hoon took a step closer, his mouth just there by Shin's ear. Shin felt the hot breath against his neck and clenched his fists in his trouser pockets. 'I'll drag you there even if you kick and scream, so keep that in mind.'

Young Hoon turned on his heel and left, and Shin let his head fall back against the wall. He tried to get his breathing back to normal, and he loosened his tie as he entered the office and sank into the cool leather chair. Having Young Hoon look at him the way he did, speaking to him like that... Shin needed to cool down and control himself.

'Why did Mr. Ji return? Do you think he's up to something? He isn't the type to go back and forth.'

'Why?' Shin spoke, trying to get that fantasy out of his head. 'Are you afraid he'll get in your way?'

Jong Gil just looked, staring blankly, and handed Shin papers, plans regarding M-City.

Young Hoon had a plan in motion, and a calculated phone call that Jong Gil overheard set everything into motion. He had planned everything perfectly, and knew Jong Gil was foolish enough to fall for it.

Young Hoon went to visit the Chairman, spoke down to him and used language that he would never normally use.

'I'll live happily with Shin.'

That hadn't been part of the original script, but nobody apart from Young Hoon knew those words were true. He had hoped to save Shin, bring him back, make him feel warm and happy and to feel love again, and then they could finally live the life they both deserved... together.

Jong Gil had heard all he needed to, and slithered off to plan his attack. Nam Shin III, Kang So Bong and Young Hoon had work to do.

The following events were dramatic, painful, epic. Revealing Nam Shin III to the world, right at the moment Nam Shin was about to be announced the new leader of PK Group was something nobody could have made up. Shin's eyes blinked hard at Young Hoon, betrayal seeping through his voice as he yelled the older's name.

Hearing how the Chairman had given the shares to Young Hoon, on the premise that the robot's AI technology was used, broke his spirit. Young Hoon addressed the crowded room, telling business men and women alike that he would help that robot run the company that he had been training his entire life to take over. Shin felt his head spinning, felt his eyes flickering, stumbled in front of everyone. He held on to the table for support and didn't see, but Young Hoon had glanced over to check on him.

Ye Na came and Laura and took him away, guiding him away from all the prying eyes. Outside, someone had been waiting for him.

'What? Why are you...?'

'Mr. Ji asked me to come just in case,' answered Cha Hyun Joon. 'He was worried about you.'

'He asked you?' Shin was stunned. 'He knew this would happen to me?'

'I have an ambulance waiting, let's go,' said the doctor. He stepped forward, reaching for Shin, but he staggered back, breaking free from everyone's grasp.

'Let go.'

'Shin please,' Laura begged. Shin scowled at her, ignored Ye Na's pleads. He heard a noise, snapping his head so quick it hurt for a moment.

Young Hoon was leading a group of PK employees, all smiling and talking excitedly about what had just happened. Young Hoon stopped when he saw Shin.

Shin stormed over to him, eyes wide and watery. Shin hit him in the face with his fists, staring as Young Hoon didn't flinch or make a sound. He simply straightened his tie and slowly raised his head to look at Shin.

'How could you do this to me?' Shin grabbed him by the lapels of his blazer, his grip tight. 'Say something.' Young Hoon just stared. 'Make an excuse. Anything!'

Young Hoon felt Shin's fingers twisting through the fabric, begging Young Hoon to make all of this stop. How he wished things could go back...

Their faces were close, Shin's eyes about to break, Young Hoon's cold and seeming to look right through him this time. He placed his own hand over Shin's - they both felt it - and he allowed it to rest, just a moment... he shrugged Shin's hands away from him and walked off without a word.

Shin was losing it. His mind was racing, the room was spinning, and the only light he'd ever known in this life was quickly fading away. He turned his head and watched Young Hoon leave. 'Hyung...' Shin began to walk forward, small, feeble steps... he staggered, too weak this time to fight the hands that reached out to help him.

*

Shin was back in that damn room, with the plants and the beeping medical equipment. He was asleep, dreaming...

He felt something cold press against his forehead, the cold flannel a welcome relief to his burning skin. 'Young Hoon-ah,' he whispered. 'I always knew you...'

'Shin-ah.' His mother's voice caused his eyes to snap open and he moved away from her touch. She handed him a plane ticket. 'It's to the Czech Republic. I booked the soonest flight. Come with me...'

Shin sat up, tore the ticket to shreds and lay back down, turning on to his side to avoid looking at her face. He heard her leave, thankfully, and he felt hot tears prick his eyes again as he remembered earlier, when Young Hoon had sung the robot's praise. He had chosen that machine over him.

*

Seo Jong Gil was fired. He stormed into the Chairman's office, saw Young Hoon sitting casually in one of the chairs. He spewed all sorts of vicious nonsense, hitting a sore spot when he mentioned Shin.

'You trampled all over him while you were right next to him.'

'You saw the notice,' Young Hoon said coldly. 'Pack your things and leave.'

'Don't you care if Shin goes to jail? Don't you care if he becomes a murderer?'

'Do you think I did this without expecting that?' Young Hoon sounded dangerous now, Jong Gil had never seen him this way before. 'I started it expecting to see it through to the end.'

'I called you out to have a drink,' Cha Hyun Joon sighed as Young Hoon signalled to the barman not to give him a drink. 'You don't want to get drunk again?'

Young Hoon smirked. 'It's still the afternoon.'

'I just don't get it. 'Why did you do that to him? You were so protective of him. Why did you throw him away like that?'

'It was the only way to stop him.' Young Hoon was saying this to himself more than his friend. 'I'll do anything to make him come back to his senses.'

'I knew it,' Cha Hyun Joon said, and as Young Hoon looked over at him, he understood exactly what it was that he knew.

'Once he calms down... and realises what it is he truly wants... I'll help him. If he needs the company, I'll give it to him.'

'I don't think he'll come back so easily,' Cha Hyun Joon sighed. 'He isn't at the house... I think he's overexerting himself.'

Young Hoon had set off to find Shin before Cha Hyun Joon had taken another shot of his drink.

Chapter Text

Shin had stormed into the hospital and was immediately swarmed by reporters with cameras flashing and microphones being shoved under his nose.

'Are you Nam Shin? Nam Shin 3?' 'Are you the real Shin or the fake Shin?' 'Are you a robot?'

'Do I look like a robot?' Shin snarled. 'Are you blind?' He shoved the vultures out of the way and entered the Chairman's room. The Chairman had been sat in his chair watching the news report about Nam Shin III on the TV. He boasted as soon as Shin entered about how the world would now marvel at his creation. He thought Shin was the robot.

'Why did you give your shares to Young Hoon? Was it intentional?' Shin felt his anger rising. 'First mom and now Young Hoon... must you take everyone away from me?'

The Chairman didn't know the person in front of him was human. He was foolish, and he fell for his own game. 'He can't find out about the kill switch. You'll be gone too...'

Shin's eyes flared and he snapped his head to his Grandpa. 'Kill switch? What's that?'

Shin had decided that the robot had played him enough. Shin wanted a turn too. Taking his hands from his pockets, he blinked slowly, as the robot did, and softened his voice and eyes. 'Do I have that, Grandpa?'

'Your mom made it,' the Chairman admitted. 'To get rid of you once the real Shin wakes up.'

'There was a way to get rid of it...' Shin couldn't believe it. 'Grandpa, who has it now?'

'It's inside of your head. It's nice and safe...' Shin thought and realised. He knew exactly where it was.

Ye Na had realised Shin wasn't the dream guy she had wanted, her rose-tinted glasses had come off and she now saw Shin for who he had become. She had tried to stand up to him, make him see that his actions were out of control, but he was too far gone, she feared. He had snatched her phone and saw that social media had blown up, the whole of South Korea losing their minds over the robot that looked like a human. He saw a post on Instagram of the robot and his idiot bodyguard and saw what the robot had been carrying... the very thing he needed to end this for good.

With Ye Na waiting outside as a lookout, Shin went into the gym and searched for the kill switch. He had to pretend to be the robot once more, fooling the idiots that worked there, and he couldn't believe how easy it had been. Softer eyes and a constant smile tricked anyone. He eventually found the black box and grinned. It would all be over soon. Outside, he saw that Ye Na and the car had gone. He sighed and called a taxi. In the taxi, his mom had tried to phone him. He ignored the call, but seconds later she had messaged him. 'Shin, come over and eat what I have cooked. I'll wait until you come.'

Shin scoffed and turned his phone off. He didn't want anyone contacting him - not his mom, not Seo Jong Gil, not Ye Na... not even Young Hoon. He had scores to settle.

Young Hoon had searched everywhere. He had tried every room in the house, every bar, every hotel he knew Shin had used in the past... he was nowhere to be found. He tried to contact the robot, planned to get Nam Shin III to track the human Shin down, but he could not get in touch with him. He asked around, showing the photo of Shin on his phone to them. People recognised him, of course, but nobody had seen him.

Returning to the house, Young Hoon found his feet leading him to Shin's room. He sank to the floor, back leaning against the wall. He allowed himself a moment to feel the pain, the anger, the hurt he had been ignoring. He released a breath and shut his eyes tight. He rubbed his cheek where Shin had hit him, gentle strokes against his skin. 'Shin-ah...' He wanted to say he was sorry, he never wanted to go behind Shin's back like this.

He spotted the robot out of the corner of his eye on the shelf. Raising to his feet, he crossed the room and picked it up. He remembered how he had bought the toy for Shin - he had hunted it down. Shin had been so happy to have it, unable to believe that Young Hoon had done that for him. Young Hoon had told him it was nothing, he had just been doing his job... but the look in his eyes when Shin's hand had brushed against him to take the toy robot had told them both something more.

Young Hoon held the robot close to him and sighed. He needed to find him before it was too late...

'Look across the street.' Shin saw the robot turn and his wide eyes focused on him. Shin had a wicked grin on his face as he lifted the kill switch high in the air for the robot to see. 'The kill switch. Your heart... Your life...' At that moment, Young Hoon popped up in Shin's mind. He gulped and shook the thought away. Young Hoon betrayed me, he reminded himself. He chose that robot over me. 'You'll be dying today. What should you do? Kang So Bong would be upset to see that. If you don't want to hurt her come with me...'

'Wait. Give me a few minutes,' the robot said.

'Fine,' Shin scoffed. 'You should say your goodbyes... Track me and follow me.' Shin said no more, just got into a taxi and drove off.

Shin had found an abandoned building in Incheon. It was derelict, dark and the perfect place to end things. Always wanting leverage, he had been standing on the top platform when he saw the robot walking in.

'You made it.' The robot turned and gazed up at the human Shin. 'Did you say your goodbyes? Are you prepared? Beg and plead. Who knows? I may change my mind.'

'You won't,' the robot argued. 'If you've decided to press it, do it. Don't toy with me.'

Shin scoffed, smirked, licked his lower lip with his tongue. He raised his foot to the low bar and leaned forwards. 'Who are you to tell me what to do? I decided when to press it.'

'Put an end to your rage by destroying me,' the robot glared up at him. Stop destroying other people.'

'Other - other people?' Shin snapped. 'Who do you mean, other people?'

'You and I both know,' the robot raised an eyebrow and Shin glared down. 'He deserves better than what he has gone through. He puts up with it when he shouldn't have to, all because...' The robot said no more, not wanting - or able - to break his promise, it would go against his rules. Human Shin felt hot tears prick his eyes as he thought of Young Hoon again. 'It all started with me,' Nam Shin III said, 'so end it with me too. Press it.'

Shin lifted the lid of the kill switch, saw the glowing red numbers, ready to count down. He balled his fist, raised it high and went to hit it, harder than he had ever done before.

'No!'

Their mom, Laura, came running and went straight over to the robot. She asked it if it was okay, tears in her eyes and worry lacing her voice. She asked the robot before the human.

Shin looked on and listened in disbelief as the robot tried to get Laura to leave, telling her it wasn't safe, that he'd be fine.

'I'm your mom, Shin-ah,' Laura told the robot. Shin blinked slowly and scowled. 'I need to step in and protect you both.' Laura looked up to her human son and called, 'Shin, let's talk. I'll listen.'

'Wasn't hiding the kill switch enough? Why did you come here?'

'He did nothing wrong,' Laura explained. 'Take it out on me.'

'You just lost your only chance to get your son back,' Shin said coldly. He thought of everything the robot had taken from him: his name, his face, his mom, his... Young Hoon... Shin balled his fist again, and this time he hammered it down hard on the button, activating the kill switch. He saw the robot's eyes glowing red, heard Laura's defeated sigh, and he grinned. He saw the screen saying 'SYSTEM SHUT DOWN' and he grinned as he left.

As he left and headed back to Seoul in the taxi, he didn't know what had happened back in the abandoned building. He didn't see Laura's last gift to her robot son. He didn't see Seo Jong Gil cause Laura's death, didn't hear her final words or see her final moments.

Lifting the lid, Shin saw the food that his mom had made for him: japchae, kimchi, seaweed soup, a pot of rice and some vegetable jeon. He scoffed and replaced the cover, remembering how his mom had made him similar food when he had been a young child. Shin had adored his mom's cooking back then, she had always been such a great cook. However tempting it looked, he hadn't forgiven her yet, and so it went untouched.

Feeling his phone ring, he sighed as he saw it was Seo Jong Gil. He sighed and answered, wondering what he wanted this time.

'Are you okay, sir? I was shocked to hear Dr. Oh's news...'

'News?' Shin frowned. 'What about her?'

'Haven't you heard yet?' Seo Jong Gil was a true viper. 'That robot lost its mind. It lost control and...'

'It lost control? What did that jerk do to mom? Tell me.' 

Young Hoon had heard, and had gone to the house as fast as possible. He knew that it would be tough, but it had to be him. He needed to be the one to tell Shin...

Shin heard footsteps on the hard floor and knew whose they'd be. Turning his head, he saw the look on Young Hoon's face and knew it wasn't good news.

'What's wrong? Did something happen to mom?'

'She passed away,' Young Hoon tried to make his voice soft. He watched as Shin slowly blinked.

'What?'

Young Hoon stood still for a moment, giving Shin a few seconds to take in what had been said. He had been a real piece of work of late, the stunts he had pulled had even shocked Young Hoon, who had never thought Shin could surprise him the way he had... but despite everything, Shin was Shin and Young Hoon was Young Hoon. They had always been there for each other, and that wasn't going to change.

'Shin-ah...' Young Hoon walked over, closing the gap that was between them. Shin stared into the distance, eyes red and tears threatening to spill. Young Hoon placed a shaking hand over Shin's. 'I'm so sorry.'

Young Hoon had been very young when he had lost his parents, but he knew the pain that Shin was feeling. They were both orphans now. 

Shin didn't move or speak, he just sat and looked in front of him. He was glad Young Hoon was with him.

'Shin-ah, we need to go...' Young Hoon told him, but five minutes later neither of them had moved, Young Hoon's hand still on Shin's.

Despite everything, that unspoken energy that existed between them was stronger than ever, and both of them had felt it the moment Young Hoon's hand had touched Shin's.

They eventually moved, and the car ride was silent.

Walking down the stairs to the funeral parlour, their bodies brushed and they exchanged a look.

'I can't go in,' Shin was shaking his head, staring fearfully at the door.

'Okay, come in after you calm your heart a little,' Young Hoon replied softly. He had kept his hands in his pockets since the car, afraid that if he were to touch Shin once again he'd never let go. Young Hoon gave him a kind smile and entered, leaving Shin alone.

Now by himself, Shin broke. He thought of his mom, remembered all the times she had been by his bedside, those nights she refused to leave him, praying he'd wake up. She had wanted so desperately to repair and heal their relationship, and Shin felt the tears forming as he remembered her voice. 

'What must I do to get closer to my son? Do I make you uncomfortable?'

Shin cried, allowing the tears to fall. He re-read the text message she had last sent him, asking him to come and eat the food she had spent so long preparing for him. He stroked his phone and felt the pain searing through him like a hot knife.

'Let's go to the Czech Republic. We'll eat, take walks...'

Shin felt himself falling to the ground and he shut his eyes tight, sobbing. He had been betrayed by everyone he had thought close to him and now he had lost his mom, the woman he had been cruelly taken from as a child. He would never see her face again, never hear her voice or see how her eyes lit up when she spoke his name. He had spent twenty years apart from her, and now a lifetime.

Young Hoon had heard Shin, but knew he needed to let it out. He had to feel his pain in order to heal. He entered the main room and saw David.

'Why is that punk crying?' David sounded cold. 'He's breaking his mom's heart.'

Young Hoon discovered that the kill switch had been activated.

'Seo Jong Gil told Shin of Dr. Oh's death,' he said. 'We need to suspect him.'

Seo Jong Gil was a dangerous man, Young Hoon saw right through him. He had tried to get his evil claws into Shin, but Young Hoon would be damned if he was to lose Shin to him.

Young Hoon drove Shin home, the journey back as quiet as it had been earlier. They returned to the house, and Shin went straight in to his room, where his hospital bed and all of the plants were. Laura had put the plants in there, telling everyone they had healing properties. It had started with one or two, but soon it had become an inside forest of sorts. Anything to help her son wake up sooner...

Young Hoon cleared the food away, putting what could be kept into the fridge and disposing of the rest. He made Shin a strong drink - his favourite, whisky - and stood by the door. He knocked, and Shin slowly raised his eyes. 'You've never knocked before.'

Young Hoon gave him a thin lipped smile and walked over to him. 'Here, drink this.' Shin took it but didn't drink, held the cold tumbler in his hands. He was sat on the steps, gazing up at Young Hoon.

Their eyes spoke a million different conversations while their mouths remained closed. Shin nodded and Young Hoon wondered why.

'Shin,' Young Hoon breathed after a while. 'I know you probably want to be alone, so I'll -'

'Stay.'

Young Hoon thought a moment and then Shin saw as his lips curled into a smile. He nodded, then took a seat next to Shin on the steps. Their legs were close but not touching... almost.

'Drink that,' Young Hoon placed a finger underneath the tumbler and lifted it, up to Shin's mouth. Shin's eyes never left Young Hoon's face as he took the drink and downed it. He set it down next to him and nodded his head at Young Hoon.

The next thing Shin knew, he was crying again. He hadn't wanted to cry here, in front of Young Hoon... the last time Shin had shed tears in front of him had been years and years ago. Things weren't... good between them now, and Shin didn't like feeling so weak and vulnerable.

His cheeks flushed, sadness and pain and embarrassment, but Young Hoon was a kind soul. He placed a hand around Shin's shoulder and held him tight. 'Shin-ah... it's okay to cry. Let it out if you need to... I'm here for you.' He felt Shin placing his own arms around Young Hoon, felt the hot breath and wet tears against his shirt as Shin sobbed into his chest.

Shin had fallen asleep with his head resting against Young Hoon's shoulder. Being stronger than his slight frame suggested, he lifted Shin up and placed him on top of his bed, covering him with a blanket. Shin had been exhausted, overcome with emotions that had been repressed for so long now.

Young Hoon stood and watched him a while, feeling his heartbeat increase as he heard Shin's breathing. He made sure Shin was safe before he left.

Young Hoon had retreated to his room last night, back in the grand house, and had poured himself a drink. He had been shaken up by what had happened and his mind was racing. He went to his usual sanctuary and saw himself reflected in the water. That punk... he thought to himself. What am I going to do with him?

Shin had woken up and couldn't remember falling asleep on the bed. He thought back, through all the tears and broken sobs, and remembered. Young Hoon had lifted him and had put him to bed. Shin knew he hadn't imagined it this time...

Young Hoon returned to the house in the morning and found him brooding on the stairs. Shin narrowed his eyes, questioning the older but he didn't give an answer. 

'Dr. Oh. He didn't do that to her,' Young Hoon revealed. 'I thought you should know. The video of him attacking Kang So Bong was on the news last night. I'm sure Seo Jong Gil was involved.' Shin's eyes flickered as he began to go over things in his mind. 'I'll go to the office and be right back.' He looked at Shin with soft eyes and sighed. He wanted to tell Shin everything he had thought about by the pool last night, finally confess to him, cross over on that invisible non-existent line between them... Young Hoon licked hips lips. Not yet. Now wasn't the right time.

After what had happened with Nam Shin III, Young Hoon knew he'd face difficulties back at the office. He approached the other PK Group workers, directors and managers, and bowed. 

'Forget the greeting, what about the plummeting stock price?'

'A robot CEO never made sense in the first place.'

'You're the agent. Did you make it kill her?'

'So many of our shareholders are here.' Seo Jong Gil slithered his way into the building, greeted warmly by the other men. Young Hoon glared at him. 'I've been dismissed, but I couldn't sit by and watch my long-time company go down in flames.' He turned to Young Hoon. 'I told you that robot was dangerous and not to let it get involved with the company.'

'I do not believe he killed anybone,' Young Hoon was confident, sure of it. 'The investigation results aren't out yet either.'

'You haven't come to your senses yet,' one of the Director's said. 'Get rid of him right now.'

'If he did not commit murder the person who'd gain the most from this is the killer.' Young Hoon glared at Jong Gil, narrowed his eyes and made a face.  Seo Jong Gil sniggered, played innocent, dumb. 'If you want to blame me, I'll accept it. And I will forfeit the Chairman's shares to Mr. Nam Shin.' He stepped closer to Jong Gil. 'The company cannot go to the scumbag who should never have it.' With a final bow of his head he left them.

Elsewhere, Shin had picked himself up off the steps and was heading out to meet Nam Shin III, unaware that Seo Jong Gil had sent his men after him...

 Ye Na was being held hostage in her own home, but the girl had more wits about her than people gave her credit for. She had placed her phone underneath the sofa in their living room, and had bugged her phone. Through her earpiece, she had heard her father concocting his evil plans with his henchmen. 'Young Hoon is the only one left now. Once he hands over the Chairman's shares, it's game over!' 'Do you think he'd give them up so easily?' 'You know his weakness. If I take Shin hostage and threaten him, he'll give up everything.'

Ye Na tried to contact Shin first but was unable to get hold of him. She feared the worst and messaged Young Hoon. 'Mr. Ji. I think something happened to Shin.'

Back in the office, Young Hoon was frantically trying to contact him too, but also got no reply. 'Shin-ah...' He heard his phone ringing and he lifted it up so quickly he almost dropped it.

'Did you get in touch with Shin? My dad is the one who killed Dr. Oh.' Young Hoon hung up and felt his mind going into overdrive. He had to save Shin.

The secretary told Young Hoon he was needed in the Chairman's office. Walking in, confused, he saw Seo Jong Gil, sat on the seat he had lusted so many years after.

'You killed Dr. Oh, didn't you?'

'I don't know, I don't really feel like answering that question,' Jong Gil radiated bad energy. 

'What did you do to Shin?' Young Hoon felt the anger starting to build.

Jong Gil took out his phone and smirked as he showed it to Young Hoon. His eyes focused on the screen and he felt his heart stop in his chest. Shin was in an abandoned warehouse, tied to a chair by his hands and feet, gagged with rope in his mouth. He was being beaten by two men with large sticks, and he was crying out in pain. 

Young Hoon had never felt the rage that was coursing through him at that moment. His eyes flickered down, side to side, then straight to Jong Gil's face. 'Where is he? WHERE IS HE?' Young Hoon slammed his fist down onto the desk. He was shaking, feeling as if the ground had disappeared from underneath him. 

'Give me the Chairman's shares unless you want to see him dead.'

'You animal,' Young Hoon spat.

'I'm not an animal, I'm a demon,' Jong Gil boasted. He laughed, and Young Hoon wanted to tear him apart. 'Will you sign or not? I can decide only after you decide. I'm warning you, don't try to act smart in front of me. If you say you'll sign only if I bring Shin to you or something, that punk will end up joining his mom... Young Hoon, think carefully about what means more to you.'

Young Hoon signed the papers in a heartbeat, running out of the office. He ran faster than he ever had before, the need to find and save Shin more urgent than ever. He was stopped by two police officers who wanted to take him for questioning.

'We need to take you for controlling the robot,' one of them said.

'Now now! I'll go later...'

They ignored him and grabbed him by the arms, leading him away. He turned his head to look at Jong Gil. 'You won't get your way. You'll see...'

Seeing Ye Na at the police station wasn't what he expected. He was even more shocked when she played the recordings of him, admitting to killing Laura and planning to hurt and kidnap Shin. 

'Don't look at me like that,' Ye Na whined. 'I only did what had to be done. I know you would have done the same.'

'I'll thank you after I find him,' Young Hoon said, rushing off. He dialled the robot's number. 'Please track Shin. Seo Jong Gil abducted him...' The robot made quick work, and thankfully located Shin within seconds. 

'I've tracked them down,' Nam Shin III said. 'I'll send you the location and head there.'

Kang So Bong and Nam Shin III headed to the location, and Young Hoon ran back to the station and informed the police what had happened. He was soon on his way - with the police.

Nam Shin had been beaten up badly now. He felt brusing all over his body, had a cut lip and was bleeding from his mouth. Jong Gil had appeared and was now staring at him with a gun pointed at his face. During the beatings, something had given Shin the strength to hold out and take it.

'You must be thinking of your late parents,' Jong Gil's voice was dark. 'You can join them now. Tell your dad I said hi.' He placed his finger on the trigger and went to pull it...

A blur of metal and white and black flew past, Seo Jong Gil being thrown against the wall. Nam Shin III and Kang So Bong were rescuing him! He felt the sweet relief when the rope was out of his mouth and his hands and feet were untied. He was breathless and panting as he raised his eyes to the robot.

'Why did you come here? Was it out of guilt of what you did to mom?'

'He didn't do that,' Kang So Bong sighed.

'Regardless. Why did you come here?'

'To relay mom's message,' the robot answered. 

'What message?'

'She said she was sorry for leaving you alone again.' Shin's face fell, his eyes watering, and the two Shin's shared an almost tender exchange.

The robot had a plan, and it involved playing the human Nam Shin one final time.

'Pretend to be me,' the robot told him. Kang So Bong led him towards the exit.

'It wasn't your fault,' Shin said to the robot. 'It's my fault mom died, so don't blame yourself.'

'Thank you,' the robot smiled, 'Shin-ah.' Human Shin smirked and quietly laughed, allowing Kang So Bong to walk him out.

They avoided Jong Gil's men and were safely concealed behind some tall railings. Shin leaned back against them, eyes shut tight. Kang So Bong's phone rang. 'I'm on my way with the police,' Young Hoon said, driving like a careful maniac.

'The police are coming,' Kang So Bong told him, 'stay here.'

'Who was on the phone?' Shin asked, hoping...

'Mr. Ji,' Kang So Bong said. Shin felt his heart flip in his chest as she walked off.

'It's dangerous for you, so stay here.'

'It's dangerous for us but not for him?' Kang So Bong was hysterical. 'Do you know what that robot you tried to destroy gave up by coming here? His life. The kill switch got reactivated. I have to save him...'

'What?' Shin had asked, but Kang So Bong was already gone.

Nam Shin III had been chased, the men chasing him thinking he was the human. Human Nam Shin had managed to climb onto one of the tall containers and was looking at the scene below. Nam Shin III had been surrounded, standing on the edge of the way by the water. He slyly removed his watch, and when the men checked they were fooled: they thought the robot was the human.

Nam Shin went to move, to come down, one true act of heroism, but the robot spotted and shook his head no, stay where you are.

Jong Gil appeared, grabbed the gun and began firing. 'Die!' he yelled. 'Die! Die! Die!'

As Nam Shin III was being shot at, Kang So Bong appeared across the water and looked on in horror. Human Nam Shin saw what was happening from above, and realised how much they cared for each other...

The robot had taken bullet after bullet, and with his failing systems he was weak now. He staggered back and plummeted into the water, sinking deep to the bottom. Kang So Bong shrieked, David cried and Young Hoon felt breathless. He had luckily been told about the swap by Kang So Bong, but it didn't make the pain any easier. Seeing that kind robot, the one who looked just like Shin, the person who had a special place in his heart, fall to his death was too much. Young Hoon closed his eyes and felt the tears rolling down his cheeks.

Human Nam Shin had hidden away, cowering, completely shocked that the robot had sacrificed himself for him.

Chapter Text

Young Hoon had realised it long before Shin had. He needed to go.

So much had happened since the accident in the Czech Republic, and now with his mom gone and the robot destroyed, Shin needed to go away and recharge.

The two men had been sat by the pool, a few days after all the drama. Seo Jong Gil had been arrested, Kang So Bong had shut herself away in the gym, and the two men hadn't spent longer than half an hour apart. Young Hoon had taken Shin to the hospital that night, while David focused on caring for So Bong.

Young Hoon ensured that Shin received the best care possible. 'We should keep him in,' Cha Hyun Joon said. 'For observation...'

'I don't want to,' Shin had been weak, breathing shallow. 'I want to go home. Hyung will look after me. You just tell him what he needs to do.' The kind doctor and Young Hoon exchanged a look and realised Shin wasn't asking.

Back at home, Shin rested on the sofa in the living room. Young Hoon had followed orders and had given Shin his medication. The wounds had been cleaned and dressed at the hospital, but they needed changing regularly. Armed with fresh bandages and a tray of chicken noodle soup he had made, Young Hoon approached Shin carefully. Things were still so raw, the pain of his mom's death and the robot too... Shin was fragile.

'Sit up for me,' Young Hoon said. He placed the tray with the soup on the table and sat by Shin's feet. The younger sat up, wincing and groaning in pain. He spotted the soup and smiled. 'Did you make it?' Young Hoon nodded and Shin's smile grew, but it hurt his face and he sighed.

'Here...' Young Hoon took a cotton swap, dipped it in some cream the hospital had provided, and gently dabbed it on his face, carefully pressing against the cut skin. Shin clenched his fists as it began to sting. He grunted and felt a hand reach out, gripping on tight to Young Hoon's arm. Both of their eyes flashed the other, their breathing halted.

'Shin,' Young Hoon's whispered, praying his voice hadn't just shaken like he feared it had. 

'What?' Shin's voice was a shaky whisper back.

'I can't... move unless you let go of my arm.' Shin looked, Young Hoon's eyes followed, and Shin realised he had been holding on to Young Hoon so tight he had been unable to move. Their eyes raised to each other and the pair just looked. For the longest time, their eyes just met each other and refused to blink, didn't look away.

'Sorry,' Shin broke it and smiled, releasing the older. Young Hoon kept himself in check and finished the rest of the tasks quickly. He barely looked at Shin as he cleaned and changed the dressing on his chest. Shin had to remove his t-shirt, and when Young Hoon saw his bare skin he almost lost his cool. He hid it fairly well, but Shin could feel the heat radiating from the older's face, and felt how his fingers had trembled slightly as his own skin came into contact with Shin's.

Young Hoon felt his heart sink though as he saw the bruising and marks that had been left on Shin's body, all caused by the beatings and being tied up like that. He shut his eyes tight and pulled a face.

'What is it, hyung?'

'You shouldn't have gone through that,' he choked. 'It should have been me...'

'Seo Jong Gil needed it to be me for the company,' Shin said. Young Hoon laughed at his seemingly shallow comment. 'You've taken enough hits for me for a lifetime. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you ever again.'

'Shin-ah...' Young Hoon felt his eyes grow wide again as Shin reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.

'I should have said this to you long ago...' Shin fixed his eyes on Young Hoon's face and the older found himself unable to look away. 'Thank you, for everything.'

They both knew what those words really meant, was he was really saying. They both smiled as they realised, once again, not yet.

'Here,' Young Hoon had to change the mood - fast. He reached over and took the tray, handing it to Shin. 'Eat this, you punk.' His voice was affectionate, his eyes soft.

'Thank you, hyung.'

Young Hoon sat back and allowed Shin time to eat. He had so much work to do, Young Hoon, but right now Shin was his one and only priority.

Shin held the spoon up to Young Hoon and offered him the soup. 'No, Shin, I'm fine...'

'Here...' Shin shuffled forwards on the sofa, placing a hand underneath the spoon in case anything spilled. Young Hoon shook his head again, smiled, but Shin was having none of it. 'Eat.' He placed the long metal spoon by the older's mouth and raised an eyebrow. Young Hoon sighed and allowed Shin to feed him. He had put too much salt in, but Shin hadn't said a thing.

'You should rest now,' Young Hoon said. He handed Shin his medication. 'Take this and try to sleep.'

'What are you going to do?'

'I'll be here,' Young Hoon addressed his anxiety. 'Don't worry. I'm not leaving.'

Shin nodded slowly, reassured. He beamed up at Young Hoon and lay back on the sofa, closing his eyes and trying to fall asleep.

**

Shin's cuts were starting to slowly heal now, the pain still there but ebbing away. He was still sad and grieving, overcome with every emotion. Young Hoon had spoken to the Chairman briefly, had arranged a meeting for next week, after... after Shin had gone.

Shin had been sat in his room, back in the big house. The Chairman had heard of Laura's death, and Shin had signed the papers for the Chairman to be released. They were back living under the same roof, however the atmosphere was still rather awkward. For once, the old man just let his grandson be.

Young Hoon came in and smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile. His eyes looked weary and he seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. 'Shin.'

Immediately, Shin knew something was up. 'What's wrong?'

'Nothing is wrong,' Young Hoon said, 'I just think it's time.'

'Time for what?'

'For you and I to say goodbye.'

'H-hyung? Are you leaving me?!'

'No,' the older smiled. 'I just think now is the perfect time for you to go and see the world. You always said you wanted to see Europe and get out of Korea. Here's your chance...' Young Hoon had Shin's passport in his hands, along with a plane ticket to France. 'You're still young, Shin. You deserve your chance now...'

'I don't want to go,' Shin said. I don't want to leave you.

'Look at this kid,' Young Hoon smirked and it made Shin's heart burst and then break. 'Given the opportunity to fly all over the globe and he wants to stay right here. You need to go, this will be good for you.'

'A-are you coming with me?'

'I'm needed here,' Young Hoon said. It was true: the company was almost in tatters, the future of PK Company looked bleak. Young Hoon needed to step up, and he finally had the chance to prove himself worthy...

Shin had wanted to say: 'I need you more.'

'W-when's the flight?'

'You leave tonight, if you want to go.'

Shin thought. He didn't want to go, he didn't want to leave Korea, didn't want to leave Young Hoon... and yet, part of him knew that this plane ticket could give him the chance to live again. He could focus on healing and ridding himself of all the negativity that had been inside of him for so long.

'I haven't even packed,' Shin said eventually, causing Young Hoon to grin.

'I did it earlier.'

Shin shook his head and smiled. 'How long am I going for?'

'I've booked you a hotel in Paris for the whole month, so you can explore all of France. ' Young Hoon said, feeling his heart ache at the thought of being away from Shin for so long. He made his heart break even more; 'But if you wanted to stay longer, or go somewhere else, you've got enough money and... if you just keep me updated with where you are, I can... keep an eye on you.'

Shin went to see his Grandpa, who wished him safe travels. He bowed his head, and then Young Hoon drove him to the airport.

The drive was quiet, both of them sombre and unprepared for their goodbye.

Young Hoon explained things to the airport staff, and Young Hoon went through the different areas with Shin right up until the boarding area. Shin had been flying business class, of course: Young Hoon had ensured the best for him.

Shin had tears in his eyes just before he boarded the plane, and this time he didn't try to hide them. He looked up at Young Hoon, face warm and heart pounding. Young Hoon's own eyes were shiny, but he had told himself to keep it together. At least for now...

They called people forward, and Shin had to go.

'I'll see you in a month,' Shin said, smiling.

'Yes.'

'If you need me to come back sooner...' Shin said, wishing that would be the case.

'I'll inform you immediately,' Young Hoon nodded. 'Go on, go.'

Young Hoon placed a gentle hand on Shin's shoulder and pressed down, one final touch. Shin wanted so desperately to reach out, touch him, hold him, kiss him, tell him he'd only go if they were together... 

The last call just went out.

'Goodbye, hyung...' Shin blinked a tear away and Young Hoon watched it fall.

He watched as Shin walked towards the gate, then turned back and looked at Young Hoon one final time before the door closed.

Young Hoon left the airport, got back into the car and reached into the glove compartment. He pulled out an envelope and took out the letter inside. One ticket to Paris. He felt the tears that had been threatening him all day finally spill, let them roll down his face. 

With Shin being in Paris now, Young Hoon was lost for a little while. He had dedicated the last fourteen or so years to Shin, so being without him felt weird. He didn't even have the robot Nam Shin III to remind him of the human man. He was without Nam Shin for the first time in his life.

Thankfully, the company business took up a lot of his time, required long hours and hard work to fix it. This wouldn't be done overnight, Young Hoon and the Chairman both knew, and Young Hoon was glad. He needed to keep himself busy now.

He had worried himself sick until he heard from Shin. Shin had sent him a photo, several in fact: one had been when he had been enjoying a drink of whisky on the flight, one when he got to the hotel - of course Young Hoon had found the fanciest one right in the heart of the city - and then one of him standing by the Eiffel Tower. Young Hoon felt that pang in his stomach, not an common thing these days.

Shin hadn't bothered unpacking, but he had been in his hotel wanting to change before he went out to dinner. He unzipped his case, rummaged around looking for a blue shirt and he felt something hard and unfamiliar. Reaching down, he picked it up - whatever it was had been wrapped in brown paper - and felt himself dropping down on to the bed.

Shin dialled his number, and despite it being 2:30am in Korea, Young Hoon answered as soon as he saw it was Shin.

'Shin... is everything alright?' Young Hoon's voice was sleepy and he sounded adorable.

'I found the stowaway,' he said lightly, looking down at what was in his hands.

'Oh, you did,' Young Hoon was grinning. 'I just thought it could keep you company, remind you of... home.'

'He reminds me of you.' Shin looked down at the toy robot - that robot - and smiled.

'How's Paris?'

'Bright and colourful,' Shin said. 'I went to the Eiffel Tower earlier. You'd love it here, hyung.'

'Maybe one day...'

'Definitely.' He made himself a promise he'd be back here again with Young Hoon. 'What time is is in Korea?'

'Two thirty in the morning,' Young Hoon said. 'Are you busy now?'

'Just going for dinner,' Shin said, 'there's an Italian place round the corner that does really nice seafood.'

'Well you go and enjoy yourself Shin,' Young Hoon smiled. 'Stay safe.'

*

The first few weeks Shin was in Paris were fun, full of new sights and sounds, people and places. He'd been friendly to the other guests in the hotel, had started thanking the hotel staff and smiling at strangers when they smiled at him as they walked past. He was sat outside a little coffee shop near the riverbank, sipping his espresso and relishing the warm sun on his face. He felt at peace, truly content and happy. Almost happy.

'Ah hyung,' he whispered. 'If only you were here...'

He wandered around the city, finding an expensive shirt company. 'I want to see all of your blue shirts,' he said, grinning as he imagined which ones Young Hoon would like and which ones he'd refuse to wear.

Shin had been walking by the river Seine one night and two men passed him. Both were holding hands and smiling. They both eyed Shin up and smirked at each other. Shin was a little flustered but smiled back. The two men held on to each other tighter as they walked off, and Shin found himself back at the hotel later that night, dreaming of walking along the river with someone like the two men had done...

The end of the month was growing nearer, and Shin had seen all Paris, and most of France, had to offer. He had eaten too much and drank too much, but he had eased the pain and his cuts and bruises were now gone. Nobody would have looked at him and see the pain and anger he had been harbouring once upon a time.

Young Hoon had worked hard, discussing and making plans with the Chairman's assistance. He had scheduled meeting after meeting with various investors, managers, directors and other shareholders. He harly slept, lived off coffee and the edge of his nerves once more.

Young Hoon had been keeping a mental note, every day that passed was another day that brought Shin closer to him again. Only twenty four hours remained...

Young Hoon phoned Shin and smiled as he picked up right away. 'Hello, hyung.'

'Hello Shin-ah. Are you packed yet?'

'Yes,' Shin sounded breathless, 'but... I'm not coming back to Seoul yet.'

Young Hoon felt his throat tighten. 'What do you mean?' He tried to keep his voice as casual as possible.

'I enjoyed being able to live like this,' Shin said. 'I had an entire month where nobody knew who I was, or what I'd done... I could walk down the street and enjoy a coffee and a meal and nobody pestered me. I can be free when I travel. I... I booked to go to Germany for a few weeks.'

Young Hoon understood. If he had the chance, he'd probably do the same. But he was needed here. 'Just... let me know you've got there safe. Please.'

'Of course,' Shin smiled even though Young Hoon couldn't see.

'Shin-ah? After Germany...'

'I'll be back in Seoul before you know it. It'll be like I never left...'

Four months had passed, and both men ached for the other. Shin had planned to return to Korea after Germany, but Poland and Russia beckoned.

The odd phone conversation had been enough in the beginning, but both men found themselves missing the other more and more. Being apart had made them realise just how much they had depended on each other, relied on their company during hard times, happy times, when they just wanted to be in the other's presence and just exist.

The Chairman was kept updated thanks to Young Hoon, and he had noticed. 

Five months passed, six... half a year of not seeing Shin's face but through a phone screen had made his heart ache. They had taken to FaceTiming each other, and Young Hoon would sit and watch how Shin would tell him all about his adventures: how he had been very drunk of strong German beer, how he had learned about the dark truths behind the Grimm Fairytales, how he had climbed mountains and dived in the cold seas. He spoke with such passion and fire in his eyes, Shin was like how he had been before the accident. It was lovely to see, and regardless of how much Young Hoon had missed him, he knew that Shin leaving had been the right thing.

Months seven and eight passed, and their FaceTime sessions lasted longer and longer. Shin asked how the company was doing, how the Chairman was, whether there had been any updates.

'Not yet,' Young Hoon replied. 'That money you gave me access to has gone to David, as you requested. He said he's hoping to use it to fix what he can.'

'Let me know,' Shin said.

'Always.'

That night, Young Hoon had fallen asleep and hadn't turned FaceTime off. Shin had been in Italy now, Venice. Sitting back on his large bed, he placed the iPad on the pillow next to him and slept too.

 David had been working hard, desperate to try and save Oh Laura's legacy. He had used the money Nam Shin had sent him - as much as he had wanted, whenever he wanted - and had used the contacts Young Hoon had provided him with to try and restore Nam Shin III. It had been a difficult process, not completely smooth, and there was still a lot of work to be done. David had to reprogram the entire system, sifting through Laura's pages and pages of notes and scribbles and whirlwind possibilities. He wanted to restore his son.

Everyone had seen the work that Young Hoon had put into the company over the last few months, the Chairman recognising over ten years of service stood for something. Gone was the scared orphan boy, Young Hoon was finally ready. Without Shin, he had been able to dedicate his working life solely to the company, something that pleased the Chairman now. Nam Gun Ho had decided long ago that there was only one rightful candidate to replace him. 

He spent the next few months training Young Hoon further, but Young Hoon kept himself in check. He had warned the old man once before that he had no desire to live like him. He didn't want to be ruthless, but kind and fair and honourable. He wanted to have a career that he enjoyed, one were employees were respected and respectful. He wanted a happy life.

'Did you mean what you told me, all that time ago?'

'Sir?'

The two men were in the Chairman's office, neither of them in the seat. They sat on the lower seating in the office, a glass of whisky in their hands.

''I'll live happily with Shin', that's what you said to me.'

'Oh.' He smiled. That. 'I...'

'Hasn't your life been better with him not here to ruin things?'

'Honestly sir,' Young Hoon smirked. Eight months without Shin had been eight months too long. 'I prefer having him here running things. Breaks the day up a little.'

The Chairman eyed Young Hoon a minute, and then his wrinkled face broke and he laughed loud. 'You punk...' 

Young Hoon looked down at the ground and smiled as he did, then he finished his drink and stood, bowed his head. He walked to the door and was about to leave...

'Young Hoon,' the Chairman's eyes narrowed at his face, 'Shin will be home soon now.' Young Hoon just nodded and left.

Finally, the day had come. Young Hoon had felt a sense of nervousness as he had dressed that morning, partly because he had tried to call Shin and hadn't been able to get through to him. Shin knew all about Young Hoon becoming the new Chairman - his Grandpa had told him.

Young Hoon entered the building to PK Company and took a breath just before he began walking. I wish you were here, Shin-ah.

As he walked, staff members were all lined up and bowed their heads as he passed them. Young Hoon was a gentle man, bowed back showing the respect a good CEO should. Waiting for him were most of the shareholders, and they all bowed low when he reached them. Young Hoon looked at them all - these the same people who a year ago had thought he had conspired with the robot to murder people - and bowed his own head before heading into the Chairman's office - his office.

There was a plaque on the desk with his name on it, and he felt a sense of pride swelling in his chest. Here he stood, Ji Young Hoon, the new CEO of PK Company. Not bad for an unwanted loser.

He took a seat in the tall leather chair and looked around the office. Something silver caught his eye, and he focused and froze. The toy robot was sat on his desk. He felt his heartbeat increasing and he turned his head as he heard the door open.

'Hey. I'm here.' Shin strolled in so casually, hands in his pockets... His face was rounder slightly, it suited him. He looked happy and healthy, free from bloody lips and bruised cheekbones. He walked up to the desk, looking round at the office. It had been redecorated in preparation for its new CEO. A time for change...

'Took you long enough,' Young Hoon didn't try to fight the smile that was on his face. He felt his eyes shining and he did not care one bit. He had missed Shin so, so much. 'Shouldn't you stop travelling now?'

'It was a long month in Paris,' Shin smiled. Young Hoon shook his head.

'I see you kept him safe.' He nodded towards the robot and Shin smirked and blushed slightly. 

'He kept me company,' Shin smiled. 'He's home now. We both are.' The two men looked at each other, eyes refusing to look away. They hadn't been together for almost a year. They both knew one thing: they'd never be apart for that length of time ever again. 'You look good sitting there. You look like you belong there...' Shin gave Young Hoon a smile that made his heart flip and bounce and then shatter in his chest.

'It's only temporary,' he countered, 'come back.'

'You keep doing it,' Shin said, fiddling with the pens in the pot on the desk. 'If I take over, I'll sell the company... and go back to France.'

Young Hoon smirked. 'Would you? Why Paris?'

Shin thought back to those two men he had seen walking by the river, hand in hand. He had watched them a while longer, when they had carried on walking, and saw how they had embraced and kissed and it was the most natural thing in the world. He had wanted Young Hoon there, so he could embrace and kiss him. He knew the way he felt about the older man was the most natural thing in the world, a power as old as time.

'Just because,' he smiled. 'How's So Bong? Is she okay?'

'I couldn't ask,' Young Hoon was serious now. 'I didn't want to reopen her wounds.'

Shin nodded and informed Young Hoon that he had been in touch with David.

'You have a busy day today, it seems,' Shin smiled as a secretary knocked on the door.

'Sir, you have a meeting in five minutes.'

'I'll be with you in a moment,' Young Hoon smiled, waited until she had left and shut the door before speaking again. He turned his gaze to Shin, who was now sitting on his desk. His eyes danced with the older and they both laughed, looking away. 'You need to leave.'

'Yes, sir,' Shin winked and hopped down from the desk. He wobbled, Young Hoon standing up and stretching his arm out to stop Shin from falling.

'How did you manage an entire year on your own without me there,' Young Hoon sounded exasperated.

Shin chose to ignore him. 'Well when your busy day finishes,' he was almost purring now, 'come back to the house. I've got something for you.'

Young Hoon raised an eyebrow. 'What?'

'It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you now, would it?' he teased. 'I'll see you tonight...'