Hiro nods sternly at his alert aide. His broad eyebrows and thin lips are set on the same steep line as the warm breeze brushes through the strands of his silky hair.
"I want no distractions to come."
He glances down at his right arm, looking worriedly at their silent guest, "Not when I'm occupied," he continues, humorless and deadpanned, but utterly mesmerizing when his professional persona is taking over.
Jin's brow rises upon meeting his gaze and Hiro returned his attentiveness with a small smile.
He's still listening.
Good.
His lids relaxed as he turns his attention to the matter at hand.
The young fellow just watched him with a secret appreciative smile. He's very composed. This has to be the manliest moment he's seen him. Not when he's playful, perplexed, or in his mischievous thwarter phase.
"Understood, Sir!"
Shun, Vren, Nam, and their assistant at hand all said in uniform before they turned their backs after bowing for their departure.
Everyone else stationed heard him crystal clear through their earpieces. They do not need another word from their master to set off to start the new not-so-heavy workload on behalf of his command.
Their psychotic smiles and bloodlust eyes have never been alive since yesterday.
Gawking at all the backs of the Ahjussi in blacks, finally departing, Jin gently tugs Hiro's right sleeve with his fingers. The material felt soft against his fingertips.
"Do they work under you?" He can't help his inquisition to interfere. He, once again, failed to stop his intrusive mouth to evade.
The sight just felt a little offset. He can feel who was far more superior than the others.
Who's dominating who.
He glances up, studying the most complicated eyes he has set his gaze on, trying to read his thoughts. There's no doubting it. Seeing all the Ahjussis beckon at his authority. He has not heard them counterpart his words regarding whatever discussion they were having.
He's not surprised. He can really be intimidating. Well . . . maybe a little.
Kai halts for a moment. The corners of his lips were itching to lift as he looked down at the curious mitten beside him. He attentively brought back his thoughts to focus on Jin's fingers that are secretly rubbing on his sleeves before giving him a brief and preserved response.
"I pay them well."
He doesn't like the way he affectionately touched a mere material that's transcendent to his rather too warm skin. Why can't he be more open to him like that?
Jin's nose widens in exasperation at his response, "Sure you do."
He's not kidding, is he? He would believe him if he says his father was the one paying them instead, but who was he kidding?
Of, course he has money and he doesn't want to know more about his independence and upscaleness-ish.
Hiro moves the umbrella closer to his side, aloof and calm despite half of his face was bathed in the heat. "You sounded doubtful."
Yes, he obviously is.
"I do?" Ladies, gentlemen, and undefined creatures in wonderland, it's payback time!
An innocent smile slowly and oh-so-sweetly crept on Jin's lips as he shrugs his shoulders at him, "No clue."
Oh, the satisfaction.
That should leave him a few seconds to think about.
Unless he'd tell him whatever side job he does, it would make more sense. But why would this guy insist on having a job? This big man nearly has everything offered before him. . . even the universe agrees so.
Jin turns to leave, knowing everything must have been settled regarding the phone. At last . . . freedom from this situation. He's puzzled to even overthink things thoroughly. He doesn't know where to start.
As he strides forward, the huge circular shadow from the umbrella followed him from behind, causing his bewilderment to grow. He freezes and gazes up at his friends from afar who are still waiting for him, staring at them with what?
A puzzled expression that's perfectly mirroring his.
He glances back at the persistent man by his shoulder.
"I'm fine, hyung. You better shelter yourself from heat instead."
Because seriously he doesn't need any and it clearly means that he's shooing him away in an acceptably polite way.
Hiro frowns.
Jin was forced to turn and face him fully straight on. That's not a reaction he was expecting from him. What is his deal this time?
"What's wrong?"
His lips twist, "I don't like it." He looks downright displeased.
"Dislike what?"
The heat?
He needs to be more specific. Having a conversation with him reminded him of the days when he babysits the eight-year-old boy from their apartment neighborhood.
"What you call me. It's . . . "
There he was again, struggling to find a rather too informal word, ". . . irritating."
Oh.
Jin blinks and after a second or two, his breath turns shallow. He looks down, wishing that he could exchange lives with his rather too lucky shoes—away from experiencing life delusions--or embarrassment. When he raises his head again, his eyes couldn't hide his melancholy. A bitter taste crosses his tongue as if he ate something he shouldn't have.
He should have known better.
"I'm sorry," Jin whispers, guiltily rather than sincerely.
Another gigantic rock with 'shame' written on it fell on top of his head. He realizes too late that he hasn't even asked for his thoughts about that sudden change of honorific.
The insecurities he has come rushing back in.
Clearly, they were two worlds apart.
The matter between the to-be-weds might have been settled, but the agreements of relatives from both sides were still obscure. Even he does not wish to approve of it. He never felt more disgusted with himself, stupefied of his own recklessness.
How bad must he have felt upon hearing him saying it?
A gentle and light pat above his head interrupted his more than necessary self-reflection moment. He felt the bubble he's recently trapped in pops, feeling one big open palm keeping his head in place before pushing his head backward, tilting his head up.
His eyes meet Hiro's worried ones. He blinks.
"My name. I prefer you call me by my name."
He sounded expectant.
Jin gulps, "Hiro . . . " He tested out the foreign word on his lips and tongue, and it somewhat felt illegal, but right in all places, "Better?"
He likes his name.
Amused for a moment to think it could be used as a pet's name. His shoulders loosened as his anxiety slowly disperses, shaking his head and rubbing himself more to Hiro's hand, giving him his silent thanks.
"Yes, better," Hiro closes his eyes briefly and when he opens them he has a wide and welcoming smile on his lips with his dimples waving back at him again. His eyes were calm, serene, but . . . tired?
He looks pleased by all levels, but the moment his eyes squint in half, Jin notices the barely visible dark circles under his slightly drowsy eyes.
His merry smile was trampled by his worrying state. He looks like he needs a good rest.