𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗛𝗡 ‣ Kimkenta

The chill air rose goosebumps over Kim Minsu's pale skin. He inhaled through his nose, arms crossing over his chest. The light shone unforgivably on Minsu's face. His auburn eyes darkened. Chiseled jaw clenched. "You are expecting me to hide Kenta, of all people?" Plump lips pressed into a thin line. "The same person who threatened me two years ago?"

The crack resonated in the office. The wooden table trembled underneath his force. Papers and pens flew onto the pristine, clean floor. His fist burnt from the impact. Sparks of pain ached in Minsu's bones.

"It'll only be temporary━" Pete pointed out, he adjusted his tie. His suit had mulitple layers and cuts; each spoke of luxuries. Proper silver cuffs adorned Pete's hands. Pete gave a strained smile.

Minsu rolled his eyes, "I'm not a fucking charity." Hands clenched by his side. "What is in it for me, huh?" Minsu grit his teeth together. The plans of returning to Korea cut short; the dream of Formula 1 shattered before his eyes. To familiar faces and races. All gone. "Other than prison time for something I didn't do?"

"Listen," Pete said, as he rose his arms in desperation. "I'll make certain your transition to Formula 1 will be as flawless as possible. I'll bring you my best race car engineers available and buy you a garage." A hand relentlessly went over his messy dark hair.

Minsu's lips twisted into a snarl. "Fine, only because you're asking." Instead of dropping a criminal at my lap like a lost dog.

A few men in black suits and matching sunglasses, greeted Minsu by his doorstep the next morning. A small onyx bag was shoved into his hands. Before Minsu managed to say anything, the bodyguards━or whoever they were, turned on their heels.

Minsu froze on his spot. The cold sensation of a pair of eyes studying his every movement.

Kenta.

Minsu cleared his throat, throwing the bag over his shoulders. His eyes narrowed toward the stranger. Kenta wore his usual black clothes. That consisted of a pitch-black t-shirt that barely fit, tight jeans in same color, and a duo of dark sneakers. "Hey," Minsu's voice cracked.

Kenta lifted his gaze. The bottomless pit of his eyes took Minsu in; as if to decipher Minsu's intentions. Hues that deepened the longer one stared. The shadows of gold within. The roughness in every stroke of Kenta's face.

Minsu couldn't breathe.

The memories came rushing back. Like a tidal wave that crushed everything in its path. Ghost of a touch from a sharpened knife that kissed skin. Kenta's palm that had almost caressed him as a lost lover. The looming threat of danger that rained upon Minsu back then.

"Minsu."

His name sounded weird in Kenta's mouth. Too strange. Void of any warmth and comfort. Minsu clutched the bag. He turned, walking further inside the apartment. One step ahead of the other. The unmistakable prickle in his neck by Kenta's unwavering stare.

Minsu reached the guest room, throwing the bag unceremoniously on the bed. He crossed his arms over his chest. Minsu faced Kenta, only to bump directly into him. He inhaled sharply the smell of smoke and ash. Tears rushed to his eyes. Minsu's lungs momentarily burnt. "This is your room," Minsu gestured.

Kenta gave a nod. His footsteps soundless over the floor, his fingers inspecting every surface. "It will do," Kenta muttered. Already reached the bag, grabbing clothing items and lining them perfectly onto the bed.

Even with Kenta's back turned to Minsu, the muscles flexed under the thick layers of clothing. As a car engine that wasn't yet tuned. Packaged and bursting to break free.

The scent of burnt ash scorched Minsu's lungs. He covered his mouth, coughing. Vision blurred from tears. Annoyed, Minsu threw his magazine onto the living room table. The magazine sprung on the surface before it fell on the floor. An itch grew underneath his skin.

Minsu walked over to the curtains, ripping them open. The sun shyly exposed its rays over the endless skyscrapers over Bangkok. Transparent windows reflected the lights. Minsu opened the balcony door. The sounds of car horns echoed like drums. A beat of the city that lived. He stepped outside, the breeze erased the smoke scent immediately. Though, the smell clung to his clothes nonetheless.

When a hand gripped Minsu's shoulder, a nauseating wave spiked through his stomach. The palm tightened its grasp. A jolt ran through his body.

"You smell different today," Kenta's voice too close for comfort. A whisper that got caught in the wind. Yet, one that demanded to be leaned into. His nose brushed against Minsu's neck.

Goosebumps sprung over Minsu's body. Breath caught in his throat. Blood rushed in his ears━silencing the world beyond. Minsu swallowed. He resisted the desire to glance in Kenta's direction. No matter how much his heart yearned to. "What do you care?"

Kenta's nose still nuzzled into Minsu's skin. Almost like a lover would; but they were neither of those things. Teeth grazed further into his flesh. Kenta hymned quietly. "I want to know you."

Minsu cleared his throat. Gently, he pushed Kenta away. His mind absentmindedly registered the bulge of muscles. That if Kenta wanted to━he could've Minsu bent over within seconds. Electricity sparked in his skin from the brief touch. It'll be different this time. "So?" Minsu raised his eyebrow. "Everyone knows I'm a Beta. Nothing special to see here."

Kenta scrunched his nose. His gaze trailed where Minsu's had been earlier, the city. And its intoxicating pulse that brimmed with life. The countless lives that laid beyond. "So am I," his voice spoke volumes. Of untold stories. "We've that in common at least."

A branch extended in peace, should Minsu chose to take it. Minsu rolled his eyes. Palm squeezed his shoulder where Kenta touched him earlier. "Don't get cozy with me," Minsu snapped. "When I can return home to Korea again, I'll take it without hesitation."

A flash of shock flew over Kenta's features.

Minsu would miss Alan and Jeff. Their movie nights or outings at the clubs. The discussions about the next new car engine or pc. And most of all, his place at X-Hunter, he had called home for those few years. None of those words escaped his lips. Caged on a stilled tongue.

"Did you forget about us?" Kenta stepped closer. His towering height shadowed the rising sun. His jaw clenched. Brows furrowed. "Are you going to pretend we never happened?" Each word slashed as knife cutting through skin. Kenta's underlip shivered. Charcoal eyes darkened into a pitch-black night. "I don't want to be here either."

Minsu stumbled backward, hand clenched onto the railing. "There never was any 'us'," he hissed. "You never protected me. Not once." Waves of uncontrollable shivers ran through Minsu's frame. The taste of iron filled his mouth. He lifted his palm to his lips, finding it rich with crimson. Oh.

Kenta froze mid-step, eyes ghosted over his hand. His features hardened. "I'll always live with the regret of hurting you." Kenta crossed his arms over his chest. Lips turned into a frown. "Whatever you believe me or not," he moved closer. "It won't change the fact you're a runaway driver. You couldn't face reality even if it was staring you right in the face."