Doyun made it to Changmin’s hospital room. He opened the door without knocking, walking straight in. Jin-Ho stood on one side of the room, adjusting his white coat, while Changmin sat up on the bed, rotating his wrists and rubbing them. The atmosphere in the room seemed chilly, almost making Doyun want to step back out. But, he continued forward. “Hey!” He greeted them. 

Jin-Ho lit up when he saw Doyun. He walked over and hugged him, “How is my cute Lil’Vine?” 

A smell lingered on Jin-Ho as he hugged him, causing Doyun to side-eye Changmin for a second before pretending he didn’t notice anything. He hugged the healer back. “I’ve been good.” They didn’t hug long, separating after a second as Doyun made his way to Changmin. “Are you ready to go?” Doyun swallowed down the word ‘hyung.’ He almost called Changmin that, but he didn’t want to risk a fight breaking out. Changmin already looked wound up, almost as if any small thing could set him off.

“I am. Can I go?” Changmin’s last sentence was toward Jin-Ho. But he did not glance at him, already getting off the hospital bed. “Will you call me later, Hyung?” Jin-Ho practically smirked. 

Changmin harshly breathed through his nose before striding out of the room in undisturbed anger. Doyun watched him go before turning towards Jin-Ho, “You know you are only going to piss him off more. Are you trying to get him to stab you?” 

“He can’t do it.” Jin-Ho shrugged. 

His words were not wrong. Changmin had many chances to hurt Jin-Ho. God, Jin-Ho has given him tons of chances for the fun of it. But Changmin never took the final step. The thought of hurting him was like a breath of fresh air, but the action was like trying to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon powder. It physically pained him. That is why Jin-Ho keeps pushing and pushing. 

Doyun didn’t comment on those words. “Well, I will see you then.” 

“We should hang out sometime.” 

“Changmin hyung wouldn’t like it.” Doyun left the room, catching up to Changmin. When he reached him, he saw Changmin still tightly wound up, clenching his fists. “How are you feeling?” Doyun asked. 

“That today was a shitty day. I dealt with stupid newbies, the public is most likely flaming us, and I had to see him.” And not only did he have to see him, but they also slept together. The touches still linger on his skin, making him want to scrub himself into a bloody mess. 

“Don’t worry about the public, I am dealing with them.” Doyun didn’t comment on Jin-Ho. Even though Changmin hated the man, he still liked him. Jin-Ho is not a perfect person; he is more flawed than an average person, but he wasn’t horrible. If Doyun ever thought Jin-Ho was terrible, then he would have to look at himself. He wasn’t lying when he said there were similarities between him and Jin-Ho. Anyway, another reason he didn’t comment was that he could tell something had happened between them two before he entered the room. 

I should have come here first.  He thought. 

“Let’s check out,” was the only thing he could say besides his formal sentence. After checking out, they left the hospital and walked to Doyun’s car to go home. During the ride, no one spoke a word. Changmin glanced out the window, keeping quiet as Doyun drummed his right fingers on the wheel. Because the ride was silent, he started thinking about Yongsun and Jin-Sang’s offer. 

He did not give them a definite answer and said he would think about it before running off. Biting his lip, Doyun thought about what he should say. He wanted to tell them no, but the word wouldn’t form on his lips. He wanted them, but the thought of it only being about sex held him back. Doyun knew he couldn’t expect them to accept him into their relationship quickly. He heard how they are childhood sweethearts and knows the love between them runs deep. I still wish to have a place. He thought with a sigh. 

When they finally reached the apartments, Doyun parked the car, and they went up to the elevator and to their floor. Once they reached home, Doyun took out his key while he and Changmin noticed the bouquet on the ground. Doyun’s eyes lit up while Changmin picked up the red flowers. “Your anonymous person sent over new flowers. It is perfect timing as the others have already died. I wonder what flowers these are?” Changmin questioned; he was never good with flowers. The red flowers were trumpet-shaped, with long, curled petals and spider-like stamens. 

“Lycoris radiata.” Red spider lily. 

“What?” 

Doyun shook his head, “Nothing.” He unlocked the door and took the flowers from Changmin. Changmin quickly went to shower while Doyun walked to where they kept the vase full of flowers. Doyun tightly held onto the bouquet with one hand, his smile never dropping as his other hand softly touched the flowers. Hyung, do you miss our parents or me? He happily thought. With these flowers, most would probably think someone wanted them dead, practically threatening them. But Doyun didn’t think that way. Even if his brother killed their parents, he knew his brother wouldn’t harm him; he loved him. 

Doyun looked around the flowers, hoping to find a note, but when his search came up empty, he pouted. Does he still not want to talk to me? Even though his brother sent him flowers, he never added a note. Is it wrong to still want to hear from or see my brother?  

Sighing from disappointment, he tried to stay in high spirits as he replaced the dead flowers with the new ones. He dumped the dead flowers, glancing at the red spider lilies once more before washing his hands and walking to the study. I still have work to do. He pushed his brother from his mind. 

A few hours slipped by after Doyun approved everything as he changed the public’s view; the only thing he had left was the script for the conference. He read through the comments from the statements they put out, watching what people were saying while he edited the script his team sent him. He planned for Changmin and the newbies to hold the conference tomorrow, giving them time to rest. 

After putting in his last edits, Doyun sighed, rubbing his eyes. His stomach growled from hunger, but Doyun ignored it. He leaned back in his chair, getting ready to rest his eyes for a bit, when his phone vibrated. 

He thought it was his team or Hana messaging him, so he quickly checked his phone, but saw it wasn’t. Jin-Sang sent him a message. He sat up straighter in his seat, no longer tired. 

All the hunters at the Serpent Guild have his number since he is the PR manager, but the hunters there did not message him much. It was also Doyun sending messages due to work, so everything was always professional. The only one, besides Changmin, who engaged in casual talk was Dong-Min. However, his messages were always short. 

[Hunter Im: Lil’Vine, have you thought about it?] 

[Kim Doyun: I have been busy and haven’t had time, I’m sorry.] 

[Hunter Im: Hmm, it is okay to tell us no, we won’t hold it against you.] 

[Kim Doyun: It is not that!] 

Doyun’s heart jumped. How could he explain that he wanted more from them? He couldn’t! 

[Hunter Im: Then what is it? Tell us your thoughts.] 

[Kim Doyun: Is….this the right thing?] 

[Hunter Im: Why wouldn’t it be? We are all consenting adults. Are you worried because of who we are or because of what you heard?] 

[Kim Doyun: No, it is just…Can I still have time to think this over?] 

[Hunter Im: You can.] 

Doyun stared at those words for a long time, not knowing how to respond. He felt like Jin-Sang was not happy with him, but he could be overthinking. He bit his lip once more, setting his phone down. He ran his hand through his hair, sighing. Doyun wanted to say yes—his body practically radiated it. But his mind lay uncertain. 

Maybe I can have a little fun, then tell them that it cannot happen again. He thought, still gnawing on his bottom lip. Nothing could go wrong with a little fun, but he should never indulge. His crushes are throwing him a branch, and it would be a waste to let it slip. However, he shouldn’t hold onto it either. 

And it is not like they are asking for something regular. It should be okay, right? Doyun gripped his hair, almost wanting to pull out some strands as his mind went in circles. He felt like he had a devil and an angel on his shoulder. But, he knew he could never have an angel on his shoulder because he is far from a good person. 

And since I am not a good person, should I give in? How did this become a difficult decision? 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

“What did he say?” Yongsun asked. 

Jin-Sang put away his phone as they walked to a Level Three Gate that appeared near the civilian apartments. The area was quiet as the people were evacuated. Even though the Gate did not mean a dungeon break, no one wanted to risk it. 

Yongsun and Jin-Sang were the first to arrive.

“He needs time,” Jin-Sang answered. 

Yongsun clicked his tongue before grabbing Jin-Sang’s waist and pulling him close. “Waiting takes too long. Why don’t we seduce him instead?” He whispered in Jin-Sang’s ear before blowing on it. 

“Don’t push too much, I don’t want him running away.” Jin-Sang didn’t respond to Yongsun blowing on his ear, but he didn’t leave his embrace. 

Yongsun’s eyes gleamed, “But, I do love a chase.” He smirked towards the end. 

“Hmm, I know.” 

“Ugh, can you two be lovely dovey somewhere else?” Someone jumped down from a nearby building and walked towards them. 

“Senior Gil.” Jin-Sang greeted, but still didn’t move from Yongsun as the man continued to hold him. “Senior.” Yongsun also greeted before saying, “Why are you here? We can deal with the Gate.” 

Gil Hye-Su, captain of Serenity Guild and the husbands’ senior, shrugged. “I am bored. Plus, it is fun seeing all of you getting flamed online; sadly, they are no longer doing it.” 

“Then, go be bored somewhere else,” Yongsun complained. He didn’t care what the internet was saying. It is useless, and civilians are fickle people. 

“My juniors, still so cute.” Then Hye-Su bypassed them and walked straight into the Gate. Yongsun cursed, pulling Jin-Sang in as they followed after her.