Chapter 2

Daesung was looking forward to tonight's singing entertainment. He wasn't particularly bothered about the singer but the songs – they were his haven. But of course, his father had to ruin that little part of the evening by delaying tonight's entertainment for a chance to make a grand speech on the new alliance between the house of Kwon and Kang - with the added input of the Kwon Head of House himself. Not particularly interesting but what was mildly amusing was that Jiyong himself was latched to the same woman that was in his bedroom this morning. He supposed that he can thank his father for some things - he must have known he would have rejected the idea of marriage between him and her. But that would mean his father would have another women lined up and Daesung was not prepared for that. He is sorely tempted to leave this party and have a walk around the manor's grounds. But he knew for appearance sake that he had to stand proudly until the end of the speech and then talk to the guests and thank them for attending and share congratulations on the festive news. At least the singing will commence then. And Daesung could not wait until he could be rid of the tight clothing, the mask and the white wings that seemed intent on smacking the guests in the face. Maybe he would keep the wings after all.

Daesung made his departure well known to his father, his mother and the Kwons' and after much questioning from his mother on any potential candidates for his marriage – thankfully none – he was free to go. And after going through the enormous effort of pushing generously through the overcrowded ballroom, he was safely outside and free to feast his eyes on the true beauty of the outside. Of course, he wasn't alone for long as one of the servants hurried behind him and stood a little behind him as soon as he reached the pool. He smiled at Seungri who seemed disgruntled at all the gossip he will no doubt be missing.

"You didn't have to come" Daesung gently reminded him, "You could have stayed within the manor doors"

Seungri snorted "Your father would chuck me out the moment he knew and I ain't one for going homeless!"

Daesung hummed in amusement and agreement. He didn't really mind Seungris' presence; he was only boisterous when there was crowd. Strange really.

"Anything interesting in the ballroom?" he asked the youngest whilst taking off his mask and handing it to his servant.

Seungris' eyes lit up and smirked at the no doubt scandalous gossip he will divulge to the rumour mill. There was nothing like a broken reputation that can bring forth the ambitious side of Seungri. Shame he couldn't put that attitude towards the cleaning.

"Did you know that Lady Park is having the most enormous trouble holding her food down? She should have stayed home you know… with the father," Seungri said solemnly before adding slyly, "But which one?"

"Which one indeed?" Daesung repeated with a smirk. He had a feeling that the Park household was under a bad strain. Bad enough that perhaps Lady Park needed a breath of fresh air in the newer parts of town.

"The Lee household are suddenly interested with the Gongs', I believe I saw a handshake between the heads of houses."

At that Daesung raised his eyebrows, so the two houses were under financial difficulties. Best pull out from a partnership with them before the Kangs house suffer the backlash.

"And the youngest Kwon will be engaged to the lovely, Lady Beum!"

Now at that Daesung snorted, "Really Seungri, even I knew that! What!" he added after noticing Seungris' shifty look before realization dawned on him, "Don't tell me you were interested in her! My god Seungri, your taste in women is really pitiful!"

"Well, it isn't like there is a good selection in this town, perhaps you can take me over the hill and far away…" Seungri trailed off suggestively, his eyebrows wiggling in an effort to be seductive. He wasn't very good at it.

"If you were interested in the Choi's killing you, you should have said so Seungri. After all, it wouldn't be polite if your stay at the Kangs' manor wasn't comfortable." Daesung had to hold back a smile as he watched Seungri's eyes widen at the thought of the Chois'. He no doubt heard about the brawl this morning and saw the injured man.

"Well", Seungri said, in an attempt to be confident "I wasn't really suggesting to go over the hill in that direction but if master prefers…"

Daesung didn't give in to Seungris' teasing, the past 4 weeks had been filled with lewd comments coming from the youngster and whilst the first week was spent admittedly with a red face, shaky hands and the bible, he was slowly becoming immune to the disturbing imagination that were Seungris'.

Daesung made his way towards the pool that was right underneath the balcony of his room. He liked it here, it was secluded, it was fresh and he made sure that the cat chased out all the fishes that were innocently swimming in it. He didn't like fishes. Seungri of course followed him to the pool and made a face.

"Erm", Seungri said hesitantly, kicking the pebbles to the side, "Not to be crude but I'd rather not watch you undress and muck about in pond water".

Daesung laughed at that, "I see the rich has changed you Seungri"

Seungri just gave him a dirty look,

"Muck about in pond water!" Daesung mocked, his eyes forming crescents at the uncomfortable look Seungri was wearing.

There was a silence before Daesung broke it with a sigh

"I want to love Seungri."

"And I need to know this why?" Seungri said, adopting a bored look that didn't quite hide his curiosity.

"To share my loneliness with someone who is also like me" Daesung grinned

Seungri gave an outraged squeak, "I have plenty of women coming to me and demanding my services!"

"Oh really"

"I mean-"

Daesung snorted, interrupting his excuse "There is no woman out there that is willing to marry me for love. They are greedy."

"Maybe you are looking at the wrong direction"

Daesung just gave a confused look, "What?"

Seungri didn't reply and just rolled his eyes, nodding his head towards the manor, "I think it's nearly evening"

Daesung nodded in return, the evening was approaching and he didn't want the guest to believe that he was avoiding them. He led the way to the manor house, Seungri following a little behind him.


The room was hardly full with trinkets like it was at the Choi manor and Seunghyun suspected that they were moved and showcased to the ballroom to impress their wealth to the guests. At this Seunghyun snorted. Wait until his father hears about this.

His smirk didn't last for long as he heard footsteps approaching the door and before he could blink, the door opened and in came an…

Angel….

Seunghyuns heart began to beat fast. Faster. His eyes were wide open and his hands were feeling slightly wet to the touch. He didn't know how long he stood there for, staring at the beauty that was the man before him. Any thoughts about the man he came in search of tonight was forgotten.

The man was equally as surprised though it did not last long.

"What are you doing here? The angel questioned, "You are not meant to be in here"

By the gods was his voice heavenly. Seunghyun felt that was it not for pure shock that his luck had met a fortune tonight, he suspected that his legs would give out from the sheer shakiness of his limbs. He could only stare. And stare he did.

"The head would have a fit if he finds out you were roaming without permission"

His lips were full and his eyes were intense. His mane of brown hair framed his face and the long neck was visible for all to see. He watched the man walk cautiously in the room and Seunghyun breath caught on his throat. This angel was wearing wings and by the gods did Seunghyun think that this man was beautiful.

"Why are you staring?"

Within just a few seconds in this man's presence and Seunghyun could hardly speak and breathe. He was utterly captivated by this male specimen. This angel. To think, here was this man, possibly unattained for many weeks whilst he was stupidly craving the love of a Kwon. Oh how foolish he was.

"Can you speak?"

No he could not, his mouth was as dry as the desert in the east. And there were so many words he needed to say to this man. This angel before him. Words were irrelevant but his emotions were as high as the clouds. Sizzling in an effort to act on them.

"Can you understand me, are you damaged? You are not a mute are you?"

Seunghyun took a deep breath and gathered his courage. "I am not a mute but your beauty rendered me completely without voice and your voice is as heavenly as they dream the skies would be"

Daesung just raised an eyebrow, "Are you drunk, surely the wine was not as potent?" If there was one thing that he and his father agreed upon, it was the wine. The household has had too many incidents where guests were making trouble and it grew ever so tiring chucking them out onto the streets with the common beggars.

"The wine would hardly make a drunken man out of me, but your vocals are one that drives men to insanity"

Daesung decided that this was definitely disturbing and this man was incredibly drunk. But what a handsome man he was, it would be a shame of throw him out onto the street where some penniless scrounger would sink their claws into him.

"Why are you here?" Daesung asked again

"It does not matter, except that it had led me to you."

Daesung didn't know whether to be flattered or scared by this. The man was sincere, that he could tell. His continued confession of…. Whatever it was had left him feeling a little cajoled. This type of sweet talk has never been used on him, he must admit that it left him a little electrified at the thought. Without realizing it, he was smiling softly at the man whose name he has yet to ask for. Just as he was about to ask, the door abruptly opened, making Daesung jump a little away from the man.

Seungri was there, panting and Daesung was sure he was being utterly dramatic just for the fun of it.

"Your mother wants you to meet her" Seungri had yet to notice the other presence in the room, too focused on watching Daesung expression shift from peaceful to something akin to horror.

"Who's the lady?" Daesung asked frantically,

Seungri just smirked, "Your mother is waiting!" and without even any time to react, he grabbed Daesung arm and tugged him out of the room and into the ballroom. And there his mother was, dressed head to toe in a golden dress and Cleopatra dark black curls standing proudly next to women with dark brown eyes. He knew immediately that the women just wanted a powerful partner, if the glance she threw in his way was any indication. Like the others, she did not like what she saw but that didn't stop her from plastering on a fake smile as she made her way to greet him. She looked ridiculous.

Nevertheless, he smiled fully at the woman and offered an invitation to the dance, his mother glare reminding him to be nice and that the guests were watching. No, it was best not to refuse this lady just yet, but perhaps later when she is offered a bag of coins as compensation and Father won't be down his throat for another refusal.


He smiled at him. And just liked that, Seunghyun was frozen in place. His mouth half open as the words were stuck to the throat. It was a small smile but a smile nevertheless. He should do it more often, it brightened his features, making him look inexplicably angelic. He watched as he was taken away, still unable to move. Forget Kwon, this man was his! How much time had he wasted just staring at him and not acting. He foolishly let the seconds tick by, letting the man be led away. He couldn't let that man escape. This angelic being was his! And with that he followed the direction of the two men, intent on making this man… well his.

His mask was back on and the ballroom was full of dancers, dancing crazily to the trumpets and the drums, to the sounds of drunken laughs and loud talking. There were too many people, too many heads that were in the way for Seunghyun could not see much above the feathers, the tall hats and the extravagant masks. He pushed - not too gently - past the guests and hurried towards the sides of the ballroom, looking desperately to the crowd, to find-

Oh

Seunghyun could not contain his amusement at the scene before him. Looking at the grimace the man had whilst dancing to the oblivious woman, he seems averse to the idea of dancing with her. He kept glancing warily to the guests before plastering a smile and asking the Lady some questions.

But while he was watching the man dancing - reluctantly with the woman, he failed to see that he was spotted by non-other than Kwon Jiyong who gasped at the sight of a Choi in a Kang's manor. He could recognize that man anywhere. Unfortunately his gasp was heard by his own father who also looked wide eye at the sight of Seunghyun. His head frantically looking towards the Kang's head of house and to Seunghyun.

"Father? He hasn't been noticed yet" Jiyong hurriedly tried to assure his father,

"You do realize that by bringing him here, you are jeopardizing our alliance" His father furiously whispered to him,

"I did not bring him here!" Jiyong whispered back, just as angry. "He must have sneaked in!"

"I do not care how he got here! Make sure he is well away from here within the next hour!"

Jiyong did not dare to argue back at the sight of his father's face. He held in his own scream of frustration. Damn the Choi's!


Youngbae enjoys dancing thoroughly. Be it any kind of music and with any kind of partner, he will be able to feel the music through his body, allowing his movements to carry the magic of the songs into the dance. Although, of course, he loved dancing with partners, the waltz was not one of those dances that Youngbae enjoys very much. In fact, his disinterest must have shown across the face if the dirty looks his partner kept throwing his way said anything. Therefore, he was relieved when he finally saw Seunghyun after losing him to the crowd earlier that night. Hopefully he had come to his senses and this obsession with all things Kwon Jiyong has finally ended. But why was he just standing there? Who does he keep looking at? As he trailed to the spot Seunghyun was staring, Youngbae felt himself becoming drained. Of course there was one thing that makes Seunghyun stare so intensely and that was love. Those were the same eyes that looked upon Jiyong just this morning. He couldn't help but pinch his head in frustration. By the gods was he tired with Seunghyuns' easy heart! It was simply not healthy to become so obsessed in such so little time. But Youngbae knew he will still hold no sway on Seunghyuns' decisions, the man was a fool and a stubborn one at that!


Seunghyun kept his eyes on the male, not caring for the looks that strayed his way. But the male was shy, choosing to glance at him and then look quickly back at the women, biting his lips and slowing the dance, the corner of his mouth tilted upwards in a secret smile. Seunghyun could stare all day. And of course, once the dance was over, he wasted no time in grabbing his arm and hauling him back across the ballroom and into the hallway and into the next room.

The skies were darker than before, the breeze was soft and light as it fluttered into the room from the open window. They were stood close together, but the space between them was too much for Seunghyun, and yet, he liked it. Being able to observe the angel from head to toe, again and again certainly felt like he was blessed 100 times over.

"Please believe me when I say", Seunghyun whispered to him, his breath a little shaky, "that you are beautiful, it would be a true waste for you live alone-"

"Alone?!" Daesung interrupted, his eyes guarded, "I am not alone!"

Seunghyun's heart broke "I see, you are married?"

"No!"

"Then you are to be engaged?" Seunghyun heart was thudding a little

"No."

"You are with partner?"

"No. I am not with a lover." Daesung sighed to himself. He was really quite alone.

Seunghyun however felt the tension in his body ease a little, "Then may I be the thread that binds your heart whole."

Daesung scrunched his face at the wording, thread? "I'm not sure what that means?"

Seunghyun smiled at that, "I wish to court you, to marry you"

"What?!" At that Daesung backed away a few steps, "Marry! Court!? Is your head damaged?!"

Seunghyun could feel the tension poring back in again, "You do not find me suitable?"

"Suitable! That has nothing to do-"

"-I can assure you, I can pleasur-"

"-No, please stop!" Daesung's breath shuddered in his chest, "My father…this-this is entirely inappropriate!"

"We can be discreet!"

"Discreet can only get you so far, there are eyes everywhere!" Daesung shuddered at the thought of the amount of Seungri's there are in this town.

Seunghyun took a few steps towards Daesung, and another, and another until they were practically chest to chest. His heart was pounding in the silent room, pounding faster when he finally allowed his fingers to cup his face. Pounding furiously as he inched his way closer to the petrified male. He could easily read the worry in the other's eyes; he was scared, he was curious. But so was the other, if even more so. His lips parted in anticipation, his breath fanning across the other in puffs. He wasn't sure how to start, the thought of kissing him was already sending tingles down his spine, causing his breath to hitch uncontrollably, his eyes to widen and his pupils to dilate. But to be the first to connect his lips to the other was a mind blowing notion.

A notion that he wanted to performance to complete perfection.


He looked like a goldfish. He was just standing there, his lips parted, pouting, waiting. And Daesung was getting a little impatient standing in the cold room where the wind was blowing a little harsher than before. He could feel the man's breaths on his face and it was quite an uncomfortable feeling and so were the hands that were tilting his chin up. He wasn't sure if he had ever held his head that high that long before but it was starting to itch slightly. Daesung shook his head and let out a huff of frustration before pulling what he assumed was an older man against his chest. One arm locked around his back, one hand fisted in his hair and suddenly they were kissing. And if Daesung didn't feel that this was the strangest sensation he has ever felt than he didn't know what was. His stomach was fluttering, his spine tingling, his limbs shaking, he wanted to melt into the ground at the sheer sense of it all. And then the kiss deepened, whatever trance the older man was in vanished, leaving a desperate man, the kiss intensifying as they laid sloppy open mouthed kisses.

Seunghyuns hands began to caress the youngers' back, all the while biting onto those full lips, he can feel something intensifying in his stomach. A fire building up within his body. And suddenly, he wasn't just caressing and kissing, he was madly groping the body before him, squeezing here and there despite the wings that lay locked onto his upper back. His kisses becoming more frantic, there was no pause to it, their breaths becoming pants, their hands restlessly moving from place to place, their tongues dancing in their own caverns in an attempt to stem their no doubt loud vocals. But then they heard it, the sound of footsteps. They had just managed to untangle themselves before the door opened to reveal…

Seungri.

Oh how Daesung wanted to choke that boy to death.

"What is it?!" He snapped out, he was still breathing heavily. Not liking the look of dawning realization that was on Seungris' face which quickly changed to a smirk as he took in the slight laboured breaths that Daesung was producing.

"I can see that you are bus-" Seungri cut himself off when he took a good look at who Daesung was with. His eyes widened and his breath hitched before he looked back to Daesung with a look of pure astonishment. Never had Daesung seen that look on Seungri, making him worry about his servant but before he could ask, he was once again tugged by the arm and literally marched out the room. Seungri turning into a full sprint once he was out of sight of the other man, dragging his master behind him.

He went inside the ballroom whilst Daesung was desperately trying to tug his sleeve out of Seungri's grip. He was not some doll to be dragged around!

"Let go of me!" Daesung hissed furiously to his servant

"We need to move!"

"Seungri let go of me!"

But Seungri wasn't listening, intent on creating a big space between Daesung and Choi.

"Seungri, how dare yo-"

"Why are you betraying your own house?!" Seungri finally seethed out, making sure to keep his voice low in case of curious guests.

"What! What are you talking about" Daesung was nonplussed but that soon gave way to anger as to how this servant treated him "As your master, I command that you let go of me!"

But Seungris' grip on him had tightened "You were!" He accused,

"I was what?!" Daesung scoffed out.

"You were! You, You were Fraternizing with the enemy!"

"What in god's name do you mean by that! How dare you accuse me of such-"

"-You were with a Choi! And you were doing something entirely different other than fighting in that room!" Seungri finally hissed out.

There was a poignant pause before it was broken.

"I was- I was with a Choi" Daesung finally stammered out, his heart racing in fear of his actions

"That was the oldest son you were with. And he was definitely a Choi. I have no idea how he got into the manor. The security might have been low…"

But Daesung wasn't listening. His eyes finally met that of Choi who had followed the two into the ballroom. He was aware that he was shaking slightly, he should hate this man, but he couldn't. And Daesung was suddenly too tired to stop Seungri from dragging him to his father who had a few words to say about his disappearing act. But he didn't care; he was too busy watching Choi, watching his expression change drastically as he caught sight of him and his father. But he didn't look for long as his father made his farewell speech and he was hurried up the stairs and into his bedroom.

He had kissed a Choi. And Daesung knew he was doomed.


He was a Kang. And God, was the irony not lost on Seunghyun. He didn't know what to do, what to say and when he finally looked at him, he was frozen in place. He was vaguely aware of Youngbae tapping him on the shoulder, telling him to move, that the evening was over. But he was rooted to the spot - If his father ever found out… He didn't even want to think about it. But at the same time, knowing who the other male was, gave him a sense of recklessness. He was being foolish but that only furthered his feelings to possess the younger man. He let Youngbae lead him out the doors of the manor, their heads bowed low as they attempt to go undiscovered by the security. As they walked the quite streets under the stars, Seunghyun finally decided to break the silence between them,

"Youngbae" He said, hesitating a little before stating in whispered words "I think I'm truly in love."

To that Youngbae said nothing. Already feeling a headache coming along, he couldn't help but groan out "Not Again."