[ Joon-gi hazarded a sidelong glance at Zhao and nodded minutely, not trusting himself to speak, for the moment. He'd already tipped his hand too much with that unseemly display of emotion, and his first instinct was to withdraw into his stoic shell and slip the mask back in place once more.
But that wouldn't be fair to Zhao, now would it? He promised to be more open with him, to let the mask down every now and again, at least while they were in private. ]
You don't have to do that. I know you've been pulling double-shifts at the restaurant, so you need the rest. I'm more of a night owl, anyway, so it makes more sense if I stay up with her. [ His eyes narrowed with determination. ] Besides, I'm the one that brought her home, so that makes her my responsibility, doesn't it?
[ As Zhao began to clear the table, Joon-gi reached into the box and stroked at the sleeping kitten with the tips of his fingers. He noticed a little silver patch of fur between her ears, and he brushed against it with his thumb. She merely twitched in her sleep, and he couldn't help but smile because she was too tired to pull her tongue back into her mouth.
Maybe he would call her Eun-so, for now. It was a fitting name, given the silver spot on her head. Perhaps the spirit of the old Eun-so would watch over her, too.
He sensed Zhao's approach, and then felt the sudden press of warm lips against his cheek. Joon-gi looked at him, wide-eyed, expression softening.
He never really knew how to respond to such assertions. He wasn't a 'good' person, not by his own estimation, anyway. He'd done terrible things while serving under his predecessor, things that couldn't possibly be forgiven. He'd killed people in cold blood, tortured them for information, and blackmailed those in power who threatened to move against the Jingweon Mafia.
He was cold, ruthless, calculating. Just like his predecessor. He had to be, in order to bear the name of Joon-gi Han. He had an image and a reputation to maintain, after all.
He could try and rationalize his reasons and say it was for survival, but it would never be enough to wipe clean the blood staining his hands.
There was no point in expressing such thoughts, though, because Zhao was already privy to his terrible deeds. And still, he chose to take him in, a worthless stray with neither home nor purpose.
Slowly, he reached for Zhao's hand, just as he was pulling away, and drew it toward his lips, pressing a tender kiss against his knuckles. ]
You're far too good to me, jagiya. More than I deserve. [ He gazed at Zhao demurely though half-lidded eyes. ] That's why I want to be good for you. I don't want to cause trouble for you, especially after you went through the effort of opening your heart and your home to me.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2024-09-15 03:16 am (UTC)But that wouldn't be fair to Zhao, now would it? He promised to be more open with him, to let the mask down every now and again, at least while they were in private. ]
You don't have to do that. I know you've been pulling double-shifts at the restaurant, so you need the rest. I'm more of a night owl, anyway, so it makes more sense if I stay up with her. [ His eyes narrowed with determination. ] Besides, I'm the one that brought her home, so that makes her my responsibility, doesn't it?
[ As Zhao began to clear the table, Joon-gi reached into the box and stroked at the sleeping kitten with the tips of his fingers. He noticed a little silver patch of fur between her ears, and he brushed against it with his thumb. She merely twitched in her sleep, and he couldn't help but smile because she was too tired to pull her tongue back into her mouth.
Maybe he would call her Eun-so, for now. It was a fitting name, given the silver spot on her head. Perhaps the spirit of the old Eun-so would watch over her, too.
He sensed Zhao's approach, and then felt the sudden press of warm lips against his cheek. Joon-gi looked at him, wide-eyed, expression softening.
He never really knew how to respond to such assertions. He wasn't a 'good' person, not by his own estimation, anyway. He'd done terrible things while serving under his predecessor, things that couldn't possibly be forgiven. He'd killed people in cold blood, tortured them for information, and blackmailed those in power who threatened to move against the Jingweon Mafia.
He was cold, ruthless, calculating. Just like his predecessor. He had to be, in order to bear the name of Joon-gi Han. He had an image and a reputation to maintain, after all.
He could try and rationalize his reasons and say it was for survival, but it would never be enough to wipe clean the blood staining his hands.
There was no point in expressing such thoughts, though, because Zhao was already privy to his terrible deeds. And still, he chose to take him in, a worthless stray with neither home nor purpose.
Slowly, he reached for Zhao's hand, just as he was pulling away, and drew it toward his lips, pressing a tender kiss against his knuckles. ]
You're far too good to me, jagiya. More than I deserve. [ He gazed at Zhao demurely though half-lidded eyes. ] That's why I want to be good for you. I don't want to cause trouble for you, especially after you went through the effort of opening your heart and your home to me.