A/N: I'm back! Thank you for your patience! I have an extra long chapter as my return xD To keep the chapters even with A03, I decided to call this chapter 25. Chapter 24 will just remain my hiatus announcement.

Jumin's POV

Exiting the penthouse, my head of security bows to Zen and I.

"Sir. Your car is waiting out front for you. Please make your way quickly through the lobby. We have tried to contain the reporters to the courtyard, but we did not anticipate how many there would be, and some may have slipped past. My apologies, sir."

I heave a sigh and nod my acknowledgment. "Very well. Come, Zen."

"Reporters here? Why would they be here and not waiting at the press conference location?" he asks as we walk down the hall towards the elevator.

"They don't want the story we willingly give them, but rather the supposed dirt we are trying to hide." The elevator dings and I step inside, Zen following silently. "You must know how those vultures will spin anything for a story. Of course," I cross my arms and tilt my head towards him, "we have nothing to hide, so they are wasting their efforts."

"R-right," he mumbles.

We reach the main floor and the doors splay open, camera flashes immediately starting to go off.

"Mr. Han! Mr. Han! Zen!" various voices call, trying to get our attention.

"Really…?" I tsk under my breath. Looking straight ahead through the glass doors of the lobby, I see the car out front, with Driver Kim waiting with the door open, flanked by two security personnel. Grabbing Zen's hand, I pull him forward with me. "Quickly."

But suddenly his hand snaps back and out of my grasp. The loss of contact tugs at my chest, and I whip around to see what, or who, tore him from me.

"I got it, Jumin," he mumbles, rubbing his wrist as he stares at the floor. Then he takes a long stride, moving past me hastily. "Let's go."

Why… did he pull away? I stare after him dumbfounded. But the further away he gets, the more the urge to follow pulls at me, and I hurry after him. Is it because I touched him without his permission…? But I thought now that he is mine… I thought we were past that?

He slips into the car, me shortly behind him. As the door slams shut behind us, he begins, "Jumin, I know we didn't talk about it, but we do have something to hide, don't we? I mean," he laughs, though it seems forced, "it's not like you were planning on telling everyone about us at the press conference, right?"

"Telling everyone what about you?" Assistant Kang turns to look back at us from the front passenger seat.

"Ah!" Zen jumps in his seat, his cheeks flaring pink as he gawks at her awkwardly. "Jaehee! What… what are you doing here?!"

"She's here to help review our statements. I had only written up something quickly last night." I pass Zen the notecards I had written up with his portion. When he takes them, our fingers brush. The simple contact makes me smile, but he lurches away again, flushing and glancing quickly towards Assistant Kang. Pain instantly wracks at my chest. What is going on with him?

"The materials Mr. Han prepared are most likely fine, but I'll have a look anyway." Assistant Kang pushes her glasses up her nose. "I am invested in this matter being cleared up and your reputation returning to normal. Especially with your big audition coming up so soon."

"Y-yes!" Zen leans forward to grab onto the back of Assistant Kang's seat. "Exactly! We don't need any more scandals right now." He looks pointedly at me, his eyes widening as if he was trying to shoot lasers at me.

Confusion envelops me, but I hold my composure. I have had such a tendency to let go around him lately - to be overtaken by my feelings for him - but with my secretary in here, I feel like I need to maintain my image of control.

I take a moment to close my eyes and breathe deeply, tucking all of my loose strings into place and knotting them tightly together. When I open my eyes again, I look at Zen with forced impassiveness. It feels… uncomfortably hollow. Familiar, and yet… so much worse than I ever remember it feeling before.

"What new scandal would there be?" Assistant Kang asks, inclining her head to the side. "All of Seoul is already going wild over Mr. Han's show of force for your stalkers. Questioning the situation, your condition, Mr. Han's involvement… What more is there?"

Zen stiffens and he continues to turn a brighter shade of red. "Nothing! Nothing! Of course there's nothing else! Right, Jumin?" He looks at me, eyes pleading. When the seconds tick by, and I remain silent in my fog of uncertainty, he grits his teeth and flips quickly through the notecards. "Well, let's just look through these real quick… AH!" Suddenly all the notecards go flying, falling chaotically around his feet.

"Zen?" Assistant Kang asks quickly. "What's wrong?"

He scrambles at his feet, shuffling through the notecards as if he's searching for a specific one. "S-sorry, there was a… a bug…" His eyes widen as he picks up a card and stares at it. Flinching, he stares at Assistant Kang, then smiles apologetically at her and scooches closer to me on the seat.

Seeing him move towards me with that gorgeous, flushed face… I feel my composure waver. I grit my teeth and swallow. "What seems to be the problem, Zen? Do you not like what I've written?"

"Correct," he says firmly, holding up the notecard in my face. "Didn't you think that maybe you should discuss this with me first?"

My eyes scan over my own handwriting. This is the card where Zen confirms that we belong to each other as lovers… My gaze flits up to meet his penetrating red eyes.

"I'm sorry. Do you not like that phrasing? Would you prefer boyf-" His hand clamps over my mouth silencing me.

"Juminnn!" he hisses.

My eyes narrow as I stare at Zen's panicked face. His hand still rests over my mouth, and I can't help but acknowledge that Zen has given me yet another first by silencing me like this. But for some reason, I don't like it. I usually enjoy Zen's brash nature, but this is making my heart sink. Are we not lovers? Boyfriends? Partners? Or does he just not want anyone to know?

"Umm…" We both turn to the open mouthed gawking of Assistant Kang. "Did Mr. Han… just apologize?" Her eyes begin to twinkle as she brings her hand up to cover her mouth.

Zen slides away from me and leans forward on Assistant Kang's seat again. "Ha, ha… Anyway, Jaehee, can you write up something new for us? I think I just ruined Jumin's notecards.

I glance down at the scattered papers then back up at Zen. My eyes glaze over as I ask in an forced even tone, "Zen, are you saying you want to keep it a secret?"

His eyes widen as relief floods his features. "Yes." He nods his head up and down, a pleading look in his eyes. "For now!" he adds quickly. His mouth opens and closes, then he murmurs softly, "Not forever…"

I grit my teeth, struggling with what to say without violating this new need for secrecy. "I think it would be better to announce it."

Zen's red eyes flare with panic again. "What?! Why?"

"You two have a secret…?" Assistant Kang closes her eyes and raises her hand to us. "If I need not be involved, please just keep me out of it." She sighs and turns forward in her seat. "I'll get some new notecards ready while you both head into the mental health facility."

Seconds later, the car lurches to a stop. Driver Kim opens my door and I step out, buttoning my jacket as I stand. I turn back and initially hold my hand out towards Zen to help him out of the car, but freeze mid reach. He doesn't want this. He wants us to act as we did… before. My hand clenches into a fist as I pull it back to my side. I try to ignore the pain tightening in my chest.

I turn and stalk forward, heading for the large and secure front doors of the Seoul Psychiatric Hospital, my thoughts swirling with each step. I just wanted to keep him safe. I thought if the world knew he was mine, they would back off. They wouldn't try to touch him anymore. They wouldn't try to kidnap him and take him away. No one ever defies the Han family, so certainly if he's mine, that power would extend to him, wouldn't it? As I reach the door and am welcomed by an employee, I turn and allow myself to look at Zen hurriedly trying to catch up to me. So handsome in my suit. So graceful in his movements. But… I'm a fool. He doesn't want to be publicly associated with me. Is he really mine, or are we nothing more than two people engaged in a tumultuous affair?

We are greeted inside and escorted to the elevator. Our guide chatters away, thanking me for my donation in return for taking in so many patients so quickly, and slipping in some not-so-subtle hints that they would appreciate regular donations. Normally, I would brush off their money-grubbing comments, but perhaps this is exactly the kind of organization that our new charity would be working with. So I listen, though I don't respond more than necessary. One thing I learned young - there is power in silence.

Zen joins in though, easily taking up the conversation. And my eyes linger on him as he speaks. Smiling and eyes alight. And even though he is near, he feels so… distant.

The elevator dings open and we are instantly met with high pitched squeals.

"Zen! He's here! Oh my God, ZEN!" come the various voices ahead of us.

Many young women are seated or standing around the folding chairs in the large, open room. Posted at each corner are hospital personnel prepared to intervene if necessary, just as I requested.

"Ladies," booms a commanding voice of one of the large men standing towards the back. His white coat with the name stitched in tell me he must be in charge here. "Remember the rules." He nods in acknowledgement to our guide as they join him, the both of them shushing the girls.

I feel my lip curl back into a grimace as I remember who these women are - what they tried to do.

"It'll be alright, Jumin." Zen's whispered voice in my ear pulls me out of my head and instantly lessens my tension. I turn, seeing his small smile surprisingly close as he leans in. "This won't take long." He begins to walk backwards out of the elevator, guiding me out with the draw of his eyes alone. Then, he tilts his head and adds, "Just relax, okay? I'm safe."

He turns then, opening his arms as he loudly greets his stalkers. My lip quirks as I close my eyes and take a calming breath. Safe? Of course he's safe. I would never have brought him here if I thought there was a chance he wasn't. Who does he think I am?

Another squeal rips through the room and I look up, annoyed. Already, the women are surrounding Zen. Touching him. Touching him! I grind my teeth, flashing hateful glares at the staff who are not immediately intervening, regretting that I didn't insist on bringing my own security inside.

And as I watch their small hands slide down his arm, reaching for his wrists, twirling the tip of his hair… all while he grins and ignores it… Something unfamiliar bubbles up within me, hot and vile. I can practically taste it.

I swiftly stride over and lean in, inserting myself rather obnoxiously into the group. Even before I speak, some of the girls who have noticed me begin to back off a few steps. Good. "Excuse me," I say in an icy tone thick with malice, "but I don't believe you have earned the right to be so familiar with Zen."

"Ah… no… no, of course not…" The women all mumble some variation of an apology as they step back. Some begin to sniffle, to which I shoot them scathing glares. Zen is clearly the victim here.

"Hands to yourselves, ladies," the lead employee finally says. "Take your seats."

"It's okay girls, really," Zen comforts them as he is finally able to sit down. "But hey, I have some important news to tell you…"

I stand to the side with my arms crossed over my chest as Zen, the kind idiot that he is, smiles generously at the women as he tells them about the charity. Many of them burst into tears. They all thank him profusely. And when he directs their thanks towards me, I also receive hesitant mumbles of gratitude. After chatting for a few more minutes, he offers them all a group hug goodbye.

And I have to look away. Despite knowing the spirit behind his actions, I can't stop the swelling pain as I watch him offer these strangers -these stalkers - the affection that I am currently being denied. He's supposed to be MINE.

Zen's POV

Through our trip to see the girls, our drive to the C&R hotel where the conference is being held, and even through the sea of reporters as we made our way to the prep room before the conference, Jumin treated me with detached indifference. He restrained from reaching out for me. He kept his eyes from lingering on mine. And I was so grateful.

When I realized that he planned to announce our relationship - our very new, very undiscussed relationship - to the entire world, I have to admit I panicked. I haven't even had time to wrap my brain around my own feelings, my own sexuality. I haven't even thought of telling our friends. I hated the way his jaw twitched and his eyes went hollow when I freaked out, but honestly… What was that stupid jerk thinking?!

We are both men, and if everyone finds out that we're together, we could both be shunned. Being found out as being in a relationship is damaging enough to my reputation as is, and that's with a woman. But being seen as gay? I might never work again. Or, on the opposite side of things, I could get job offers simply because of my relationship with him - an undeclared God of Korea. And that would be the worst. The thought alone tears at my heart and makes me feel small. I could handle and struggle through the backlash that comes with loving a man, but if I suddenly started getting job offers just because of him? It would destroy me…

And I'm sure that Jumin never thought of these things. I'm sure that in his privileged, CEO-in-line mind he sees only the good that could come from us being out together. But a world in which me and Jumin Han walk hand in hand on a date through the central district of Seoul is a false one. We both attract too much attention alone as is. But together? And together together? It would be a never ending scandal.

Which is why, as we prepare to step out to the conference room, knowing that he will keep our relationship a secret makes me look to him with immense gratitude. This is a difficult thing I am asking of him. A painful thing. But he's doing it… for me. And I just hope that one day I'll feel brave enough, secure enough in myself and my work, to stand next to him and announce it for real.

"What are you thinking?" Jumin asks me as we stand just outside the doorway. His eyes are narrowed as they scrutinize my face.

"I'll tell you later," I smile.

"Zen, you have your notecards?" Jaehee asks, interrupting my focus on Jumin.

"Yup," I say, slipping them out of my suit, then back in. "But no need. It's all in here already," I say, tapping the side of my head.

"Wonderful. Mr. Han, are you ready? You have your notes?"

"Yes. Let's get this over with," he says in a low, even tone.

"Wait!" I say quickly. Both of them turn towards me quizzically. I grin and strike a pose. "How do I look? Camera ready?"

"Flawless," Jaehee immediately says with absolute conviction. "Even a diamond will shine less in front of your beauty."

I watch Jumin, and just barely catch his smirk and slight eye roll. But then something softer fills his gaze. He looks me up and down, then softly murmurs, "Yes. You're perfect."

My jaw slacks as I inhale sharply, immediately taken back to yesterday - Jumin's hand fisted in my hair as we rubbed together. I was feeling so insecure and he melted my fears with those words. He dominated me mind, body, and soul in that moment, and yet I felt empowered. And just remembering it makes me…

"Even Mr. Han agrees!" Jaehee says brightly, but I see the obvious shock and confusion plastered across her features.

I break eye contact and look away, shaking my head slightly to pull myself out of the daze Jumin just put me in. "Thanks, guys," I say, trying to force my voice to sound casual despite the racing of my heart.

"Well, then," Jumin says, his demeanor returned to his cool air of no-nonsense. "Shall we?"

We walk out into the large conference room and I'm instantly struck by how chaotic it is. I don't why I had assumed a C&R press conference would be more subdued. The chairs were packed with reporters, cameras already going off, videos already rolling, voices already shouting question after question, from the moment we enter the room.

I follow Jumin and Jaehee up to the podium. I note Jumin's security already posted around the room, including up on the stage. Is that really necessary…?

Jumin takes the lead position. He stands tall, confident, and surveys the crowd.

As he towers over the room, I struggle to simply keep my composure. I'm not usually nervous standing up in front of people, but this is different. The way they're leaning forward and barking questions at us like hungry dogs… This is new. I've never had so many people try to get a piece of me all at once.

I glance at Jaehee, but she stands back behind Jumin, completely straight faced and almost bored. Is this normal for them?

Time ticks by, and Jumin still hasn't said a thing. According to Jaehee's notes, Jumin should do most of the talking. But as I wait on him to begin, my anxiety increases. The reporters' jumbled voices become easier to single out.

"Mr. Han, what do you have to say to stockholders who…!"

"Mr. Han, can you confirm reports of your excessive show of force against the women who…!"

"Zen, why did you insist on not pressing charges against…!"

"Mr. Han, what is your relationship with Zen!?"

"Zen, why are you staying at the home of Jumin Han!?"

Unable to take it anymore, I step forward, opening my mouth to speak. But a hand stretches out in front of me, instantly stopping me.

I whirl my head towards Jumin. His eyes lock with mine, serious and somber, and he gives me a slight shake of his head. When I step back again, he returns his gaze towards the crowd and drops his arm back to his side.

And so we stand. The seconds ticking by feel like minutes. Some of the reporters start to quiet down, but many more are still shouting questions.

I nervously glance back at Jumin, and this time I see annoyance clear on his features. With a tight quirk of his jaw, he lifts his wrist and stares pointedly at his watch. As he lowers his arm, the majority of the room begins to fall silent. The few reporters that are still shouting get elbowed by their neighbors, and quiet finally fills the room.

…Wow. I glance between Jumin and the assembly, and take in their rapt attention and his soundless intensity. His aura is almost palpable as he stands with undeniable authority over every person in this packed space. He looks so… COOL. My thoughts sparkle with glee as I drink him in. Oh man… if I ever play an emperor or a spy, I'm totally channeling this side of Jumin!

"Let's begin," he says simply, his voice firm and strong as it cascades around the room. "We will not be taking questions at this time. If you find you can not control yourself and interrupt us, I ask that you voluntarily take your leave. That, or you will be escorted out."

The air seemed to chill as an even greater hush fell over the crowd, many reporters eyeballing the security stationed around the room.

I look down at my feet as I stifle a laugh. God, what an elitist jerk, I think, my heart swelling with fondness.

Jumin waits a few more moments, potentially testing the reporters' resolve to stay quiet I guess, then pulls out his notes and begins.

I listen as his voice carries throughout the conference hall. As we had planned, he divulges many of the details of what had occurred, beginning with our relationship. That is, our friendship, which began as members of the R.F.A. He reviews his offer to help his friend with the threat of a stalker present, then goes into the details of that night. Explaining that I had thought it was safe to return home. That he had assumed the threat to be much worse based on the information he had received, and that was the reason he had mobilized such a huge force. I think that is probably a lie, but I stood straight faced through it as I listened, anyway. He reassured everyone that he used his personal funds for this, and would never do anything that would hurt the future of C&R.

And then it's my turn. As soon as I step up, someone from the crowd shouts a question about my continued living at Jumin's penthouse, but Jumin simply waves his hand, and two security personnel remove him before I even have time to get flustered. It's silent again after that.

With a steadying breath, I give the room a sexy smile and start my memorized speech. I reaffirm that I am okay, and that the women never hurt me. I discuss, without any personal details, my decision not to press charges, and the importance of mental healthcare and support for those struggling. Honestly, what Jaehee wrote was great. All I had to do was deliver her elegant words.

Then it was back to Jumin, and the unannounced part of the conference. Jumin segways from my mention of mental health into bringing up the charity. That certainly got everyone's attention, and a hushed murmur falls over the crowd as his words set in. But Jumin assures the reporters, and thus his stockholders, that this would in no way affect profits. He says he'd take it out of his own earnings if necessary. And that… his dedication to this gift for me… God, I really just want to take him back home and jump his bones.

"And in conclusion," Jumin begins the end of his meeting, "Zen and I both hope that this charity will have a positive impact on those struggling in Seoul." I expect everyone to clap, but the only reaction is a few head nods. Jumin doesn't seem fazed, though, and adds, "We will now open the floor and take a few questions."

And with that the reporters roar. Question after question is screamed at us. Some aimed at Jumin and C&R, some aimed at me.

"Assistant Kang?" Jumin says, monotone.

"Yes, sir." She steps forward, holding a microphone. "We will not be answering questions we have already addressed. Please sit down if you have no new questions." She pauses a moment while a few reporters settle down. "I heard someone ask if the R.F.A. will be holding a party for the new charity."

"Mmm." Jumin looks from Jaehee back out to the crowd. "This has not been discussed between R.F.A. members yet. Logistics within C&R will need to be settled first before any fundraising events will be held. Also, there will be no need for start-up money, as I am donating five billion won of my own money to get it established."

I can't help my blush as the room goes wild at Jumin's announcement of the funds he plans to put into this. Just accept his gift, Zen… It's going to help a lot of people… Just accept it… Oh, I remember suddenly, that's right. I need to schedule out with Jumin when to do that cat food commercial. Or maybe I should wait until after my audition. If I don't get it, which, let's be honest, I probably won't, I think as I lower my head, then I'll have plenty of time.

"Next question." Jumin's icy tone cuts through the chatter.

Jaehee listens for a moment, then her eyes widen, her mouth going slack. What did she hear? I wonder.

"T-This next question is for Zen. Are you worried that your kindness towards these stalkers might encourage more of your fans to engage in similar behavior?"

I blanch, a chill running down my spine. No… no. Would more fans really do that? I mean, I didn't even do anything, I just…

The crowd murmurs between themselves, but I can pick out some comments. "True… he insisted on not pressing charges." "Ha! They did try to kidnap him, and got set up with free assistance because of it." "I heard he even visited them at the hospital before coming here today." "Sounds like any fan's dream come true."

Did I… make a mistake?

Jumin leans into the microphone, his booming voice cutting through my panicking mind. "Let me put an end to this line of thought right now. Because Zen may be kindhearted and understanding," he glances towards me, then back out to the room as his voice lowers to a deathly chill, "but I am not. These were special circumstances. Do not assume this is the norm. Any fans who are 'encouraged' and try to act on their desires, who lay so much as a finger on him, are vile garbage who do not deserve to call themselves true fans. To even have the thought in your head to further traumatize a victim of stalking, assault, and attempted kidnapping, is the lowest form of human I can imagine. And if some piece of trash does decide to act on their selfish, fanatic urges…" He pauses here, leveling the room with his gaze as they all stare in rapt silence. "Just know that I, Jumin Han, plan to exercise the full extent of the law and my lawyers against them." Another moment ticks by, and he straightens. "We will not be taking any more questions."

The room erupts again as Jumin spins on his heels and stalks out of the conference room. Jaehee and I look at each other in stunned silence, then quickly follow after him.

We walk into the back room, the shouts of the reporters muffling as someone shuts the door behind us. Jumin is standing with his hands on his hips, staring at a wall. And I want to go to him. I want to hold him and be held by him - this absolute powerhouse of a man. I want to see that gentle, sensual look in his eyes that's only for me. I want to pour my love and appreciation down over him like a hurricane.