"I'm telling you, he did not stop screaming until they got him out of the water.", Seungjae laughed hysterically, clutching his stomach. He was currently telling Youngjae the incident with Jaebum and the yacht and how his alpha-self had jumped into the water, all to realize he was afraid of the ocean.
"Y-You're kidding.", Youngjae laughed loudly, tears brimming his eyes. Jaebum was quick to smack his cousin before clasping his mouth to avoid him from embarrassing him any longer.
The youngest wiped his eyes, still laughing at the story. He quickly dismissed himself to the restroom to check his appearance, leaving the cousins alone.
"So," Seungjae started once they had both calmed down. Jaebum folded his arms, listening attentively.
"I've only been here for three days and I can already tell what's been goin' on.", Seungjae teased, raising his eyebrows. The elder tsked, leaning back as if to brush off the teasing.
"How did the family react to it, though?"
"Well, they knew it was arranged but what they didn't expect was that y'know --"
"You hesitate like it's a bad thing. Listen, I think he's great, I really do. But my dad...", Seungjae winced, tilting his head a little.
Jaebum thought of the night of the argument and the scene that had taken place, quickly apologizing to his cousin. "Don't worry about it -- actually I'm sorry. I spoke to your little one a couple days ago and y'know how dad is, he's never accepting. Let's just move passed it. " Seungjae gave him yet another smile with his perfect set of teeth, relieving Jaebum.
Right then, Youngjae returned to his seat next to Jaebum. However, the elder didn't miss the up-and-down look that his cousin had given his spouse.
~
Youngjae folded the duvet over his stomach, cuddling close to Jaebum as he laid his head on his stomach. The night was cool and the wind had somewhat of a crisp addition to it. He ran his palm over the elder's chest, closing his eyes for a moment.
"So what do you think about Seungjae?", Jaebum asked quietly, as to not startle the younger who was trying to fall asleep.
"I like him a lot, actually. Y'know, he told me about his dad and why he did what he did. It seems they're not at all alike."
Youngjae hummed quietly, still running his palm over Jaebum's torso trying to warm himself up as much as he could. Jaebum stared blankly at the ceiling, still thinking about his recent conversation with his cousin and the uneasy look he had given Youngjae.
Perhaps it was him being overprotective. Perhaps his cousin didn't mean anything by it. Or perhaps he hadn't realized that Seungjae was no longer the young teen whom he once knew.
~
Mark quietly tapped his foot to the soft beat of the music playing in the café. Next to him, sat Yugyeom who sipped his chocolate Frappuccino while scrolling through his phone. They were waiting for Youngjae to arrive and though Jinyoung wanted to join, he was called into work at the last minute.
"Could you be any louder?!", Mark growled at Yugyeom, annoyed at the sipping noises he was making.
"What? I've to get every drop.", Yugyeom responded, a little muffled due to the straw still in his mouth. Right then, Youngjae walked through the door noticing Mark right away.
After a while of catching up, Mark shifted his body towards Youngjae to ask him a question.
"Jinyoung told me you've met Seungjae? What do you think about him?", he asked somewhat suspiciously.
"He's pretty fun. Jaebum and I have taken him out a few times this week."
"Well, be careful.", Yugyeom suddenly warned, making Youngjae confused.
"W-What he means, is there's been a few -- I guess you could say -- scandals about him when he was away. He was part of a scam in company trades but I guess if you come from a wealthy family, you're rewarded for your mistakes.", Mark said bitterly, sarcasm evident in his voice.
"Did Jaebum not tell you?--", the youngest asked before Mark interrupted him.
"I don't even think he knows. All he knows -- or wants to know -- is that his dear beloved cousin is home and he gets a few days off to act like a reckless youngster again."
Youngjae wondered why Mark was so salty about Seungjae's return and why he was always so cold when talking about him. It seemed that he had held something deep inside him that grudged against Jaebum's cousin.
"And what hyung means, is that he probably just wants you to like his family. Especially after the whole fight with Seungjae's dad, he's not gonna make you think he's a spitting image of his father.", Yugyeom retorted, giving Mark a side glance.
"Maybe he is...", they had heard the eldest say under his breath before sipping from his coffee mug, avoiding their curious eyes.
~
Missus Baek carefully placed the platter of desserts on the coffee table placed in between Jaebum and Seungjae. They had been discussing work and their recent encounters before taking a short break.
"Y'know Youngjae works for a record label. He writes songs for artists.", Jaebum spoke of his spouse with much pride and adoration. His cousin nodded attentively, reaching out for a grape on the table.
"Has he let you listen to any of his songs?", he asked, popping a grape in his mouth.
"Not yet -- guess he's still in the process of creating a new one."
"You sure?", Seungjae asked suspiciously, a brow raising towards his cousin.
"Or maybe he doesn't trust you enough." Jaebum didn't say a word and only stared the younger down. And just what the hell is that supposed to mean, he wanted to say but Seungjae beat him to it.
"I also noticed what a nice watch he has around his wrist. Surely, it's enough to cover that purple mark on his skin from all your...fun.", he mocked, twitching a brow.
Confused at his sudden change of attitude, Jaebum spoke, "What're you saying, Seungjae?" It was enough that he had doubted their relationship and trust but the inappropriate remark had the elder's blood boiling to almost the brim.
"I'm just suggesting -- maybe he's just not that into you. Maybe he's just making you believe that he actually has feelings for you just so you could give him more."
Seungjae sat back in his seat, legs crossed and an annoying smoulder on his face. Jaebum clenched his left fist, resisting the urge to knock his perfect set of teeth out.
"Oh wait, that's the reason why he married you isn't it? 'Cause he's dirt poor and that's all that they want from us? He even got a bonus deal with that thing in your pan--", Jaebum threw the hardest punch at his cousin, completely tumbling the chair over and even causing the table in front of them to shatter.
He repeatedly hit him in his face and stomach, cursing at him for all the filth that came out his mouth. Missus Baek and another helper had to pull him away before Seungjae would have been completely knocked unconscious, which Jaebum was probably going for.
Seungjae wiped the blood off the side of his mouth, glaring at his cousin who stood superiorly above him. "Don't believe me? Ask him. Ask him why he hasn't let you listen to that song. Why he never wants to get personal with you."
"Like father, like son.", Jaebum spat.
~
Youngjae hopped out of the car, thanking Simon and giving him his signature smile before entering the house. He immediately noticed the shattered glass and the three individuals crowded in the living room.
"W-What happened?", he asked, setting his coat down. His eyes instantly made their way to Jaebum avoided his gaze all whilst a thick awkward silence filled the air.
"Mister Im's cousin is no longer allowed to enter this househo--", Missus Baek started.
"He's to never show his face to me, again -- him and that entire family. We've nothing to do with them.", Jaebum interrupted, still not meeting Youngjae's eyes.
The younger slowly made his way passed the helpers and stood in front of his spouse, before taking his face in his hands and holding him close. "What happened?"
Missus Baek and the other had dismissed themselves from the situation, leaving the couple alone. Jaebum breathed heavily, shutting his eyes for a moment before speaking.
"Can you be honest with me?"
Youngjae nodded attentively but noticed Jaebum had his eyes closed so he hummed in response, instead.
"Is money the only thing keeping you here with me?"