CHAPTER 20
"After all, you still keeping that junk in your care huh," Barbie laughed as her hands tingled with the temptation to open the bottle of liquor. She poured her drink into the shot glass and drink it in one go, taking her time to mesmerize the bitter liquid sliding down on her throat.
Seulji, Xion and Juyeon keep her company because she told them to do so. Seulji believes that Barbie is already a queen since she has master Hwang's child and she's even married one of the masters but it seems Sunie is the real queen. Seulji is somewhat glad.
Juyeon on the other hand was worried about Sunie. Sure thing, they heard the explosion and he sure Sunie will do something unnecessary again that will lead the masters to hurt him again.
"Man, I'm glad that we weren't the main characters," Seulji said, leaning on her chair. Barbie did hear her and she glared at the maid.
"You will not be the main character! I am the main character of this story! I'm the only one!" Barbie yelled.
"Stop dreaming bitch. You're not Sunoo." Xion mocked her and soon both he and Seulji are mocking Barbie.
Juyeon remain silent, he played with his fingers. He is really worried for Sunie. What if the masters got him then punished him again? He sighs, he knew Sunie. Sunie is a tough cookie. He knows it. Xion noticed the troubled look on Juyeon's face and the way he squeezed his fingers, he is worried. It's obvious. Xion nudge him and Juyeon flinched before looking at him with wide eyes.
"What is that?" Xion asked and Juyeon furrowed. "You look troubled. Are you worried?" He asked but Juyeon didn't answer. He just looked down at his hands.
Barbie finally finished his one last shot and she's completely drunk. She drunkenly stood up and walked out of the kitchen while muttering the words that she will seduce his husband and make another Jinnie. Seulji cringed in disgust. That woman is sick.
"I want to get out of here." She said before standing up to clean Barbie's mess.
Xion looked at Juyeon again, trying to interrogate him but the younger won't speak his mind. "Are you perhaps like Sunoo? I mean do you like him?" Xion tried to joke around since Juyeon is worried about Sunie's safety.
Xion's grinned widely, feeling satisfied after seeing Juyeon's face flushed in red. "If the masters find out that you have feelings for Sunoo, you dead."
Juyeon closed his eyes and sighed. He knows it, and he'll keep this for himself for a while until they escape from here. But Xion already knows. How Juyeon could not fall for someone like Sunie. He's tough and brave, he can handle all the pain that the masters can give. As of now, he wasn't still gone insane and Juyeon was glad. But when he caught him almost killing Barbie he felt scared that Sunie went crazy and tried to kill them all. He hurriedly runs to Sunie, pulling him away from Barbie and with the help of the others they manage to get Sunie out of the speculation.
His worry faded for a while but not when master Leelex pulled him out of the mansion. Juyeon wanted to go after them and make sure that Sunie was safe but the masters will get mad if he did. He doesn't want to die yet. Sunie needs his protection, their protection. He's been hurt badly enough and it's time for them to protect him.
Juyeon's head whipped to the door when they heard it open. His eyes widen as his heart skip a beat after seeing Sunie's crying again while master Leelex and master Han holding him. Juyeon stood up and run to Sunie.
Sunie looked up and he cried, even more, when he see Juyeon. He then hugged the older maid and cried on his shoulder.
"Clean him up." Master Han coldly ordered and Juyeon gladly accept it.
Xion and Juyeon helped Sunie up to the bathroom. Xion told them to get Sunie's new pair of clothes and he'll be back. The previous water wasn't clean at all and Juyeon need to drain the tub to put clean water for Sunie. It smelled of rust and everything seemed to be stained or molded in some way. He turned the water on, it spewing and sputtering until it shot out cold. Juyeon turned to face Sunie and found him standing awkwardly behind him. His hands were both clenched together. Juyeon approached the second youngest of their little circle of friends. He cupped his face and Sunie looked up at him.
"Did they do something wrong with you?" He asked in worried and Sunie only cried. Juyeon was sure that they did something to Sunie. The way he cried like this, it's obvious. "Did they punish you? Are you hurt?"
"They...they did..." Sunie sobbed before swallowing all the rocks that seem blocking his throat. "They do the same way as they did to Barbie before the ceremony begins." He answered and Juyeon's world seems to freeze for a moment. He stared at Sunie's face for a while, recollecting all the information of what Sunie just said.
He snaps from his thoughts when Sunie suddenly grabs his shoulder. It's so tight like he was squeezing it and Juyeon could feel his nails dig into his skin. Sunie looks scared and Juyeon worries only consume him more.
"Juyeon...I'm sorry. I know for sure that I can't get out of here and I know that I'll end up like Barbie." Sunie said and shook his head. The tears continue to flow down his face.
"Are you planning of giving up?" Juyeon asked but Sunie only shook his head.
"No." He sighs. "Everything for them is impossible. They are monsters! They have magic and such that even science can't explain."
"They did ritual and force us to cooperate, so master Hwang child and Barbie will be delivered perfectly fine." Juyeon blankly said. He can't believe Sunie will end up like Barbie. Having a child and will gonna stuck here forever.
Sunie didn't speak after that but he felt like Sunie want to say something but he couldn't and had second thoughts about it. Juyeon helped Sunie undress the rest of the way, leaving him naked by the bathtub. Sunie didn't mind not wearing clothes in front of Juyeon since they were both male and there's nothing to be ashamed of. He helped him into the cold, stinging water. Juyeon noticed Sunie flinching and wincing in the water. It burned Sunie's new cuts and stab wounds, causing him to wince. Juyeon gently washed the blood and dirt off of Sunie. Juyeon was trying his best not to hurt Sunie, his coarse hands still made his skin and wounds ache. The water slowly turned a dark brown from the dirt and blood that fell from his skin.
After the bath, just in time Xion went in and give new pair of clothes for Sunie even, it's the same clothes they wearing right now. It's better than wearing nothing.
Xion and Juyeon can see the wounds, scratches, and even the huge scars on his neck from the burn two years ago. Sure thing, they've been a lot of trauma within those years.
Xion quickly excused himself when they heard Doyoung knock outside and call him. Xion leaves not forgetting to close the door after. Juyeon gets the dirtied towel and wipes Sunie's wet body. He remains standing still, the bother on his face hasn't faded yet. Sunie looks like he wanted to say something.
When Juyeon helped him put his clothes on, Sunie suddenly grab his wrist. Juyeon was startled and looked up at him. Sunie was looking blankly back at him. His sharpened, piercing eyes feel like digging holes into his soul.
"Is there something wrong?" He asked carefully.
Light streams of tears fall on Sunie's face. For Sunie, he knew that there are no chances for him to get out of here once the masters finally decide on their own for making him one of their family, and soon will gonna have to carry a new member before the three months comes. He doesn't want that. Sunie accepts his fate. If his fate is going to die here then he will accept it but he hopes the others will make it out at the end. Sunie wants Juyeon to stay alive, he wants him to go home and favored him to go to Jinki and tell him his goodbye. He wanted them all to live and go home.
Sunie chooses not to remember everything and chooses to think about his happy memories with his brothers and of course, with Jinki, with the maids, with his friends. Just like Cha Homin said. Forget the horrible things that happened and accept his fate.
"Can you do me a favor?" He asked and Juyeon quickly nodded. Sunie formed a sly smile. He let go of Juyeon and touched his cheek. "You know Jinki? If you make it in the end please, I want you to tell him that I'm sorry."
"Hey, don't tell me--"
Sunie didn't let Juyeon finish his words and spoke again. "There are no chances for me! I'll be stuck here!"
Juyeon could feel tears flood his eyes. His heart beats painfully inside as his lips begin to quiver. He trembles as tears escape from his eyes. How could Sunie say that? No, there's still hope. They can get out of here, they can all get out of here. There's no way Sunie will accept his fate. Or worst, kill himself to escape from this misery. Juyeon want to speak but it seems like something was blocking his lungs. He can't breathe. The only thing he can do was pour his agony out and burst into tears. Juyeon shakes his head violently. No, he won't let Sunie die in here.
"Sunoo, please. Not like this. There's still a way, there's still hope for you." Juyeon shakily said, cupping Sunie's face only to cry harder. "W-we can figure this out. Please,"
Sunie shook his head, tears blurring his vision. "The masters decide on their own. I'll be one of them before the three months and the only thing I need to do is to end this." He sighs as more tears rolled down his face. "There's no way out for me."
Juyeon cried in agony. Just like he said, everything is impossible for the masters. They are monsters or to be specific, they are demons and now they taking Sunie away, taking his freedom and making him one of them before the ceremony. Sunie was going to die and there was nothing he could do to stop it. If Sunie won't die after then, he'll become like the masters, he will end up like Barbie giving birth to a monster's child. Juyeon realized now that Sunie will kill himself soon and that's the only way for him to stay human in the end.
Juyeon slumped on the floor, his face pale as he cried miserably.
Sunie's heart clenched inside of his chest as he watched Juyeon crying like this in front of him. Even he doesn't want to die but he needs to. To somewhat weakened the masters a little bit. Sunie realized that he's their treasure, their heart and if he has gone, the masters will be weakened. Yes, he does feel regret not listening to Jinki and working without thinking but somehow, he felt grateful. Is it because the nightmare will come to an end soon and the maids even the other toys will be freed?
Sunie was startled when Juyeon suddenly hugged his legs. "Please! Please I can't let you go yet! I-I..." Juyeon swallowed. Maybe it's time to spill his hidden feelings for Sunie. They've been together for years and he fell in love with the younger boy. He risks his life for him when Sunie is still a rookie to the game just to make him safe and away from the harm but Beom is caught first before him. And the masters decided to let Beom as bait for the game instead of him. He squeezed his eyes shut. "I like you! I love you Sunoo, please don't leave me! I need you."
Sunie was shocked yes, to hear that from Juyeon. He stared down at Juyeon. He wasn't the masters, right? He is Juyeon but why? How can he fall to someone like him? Sunie assumes that they all have the same pretty faces and he was sure that Juyeon doesn't like him just because of his appearance. But maybe of how long they've been together, spending Christmas and New Year as a complete group within three years. He can't blame Juyeon for falling for him and telling his feelings this late.
Sunie kneels in front of Juyeon. "I wish we can spend more time." He smiled but that didn't help Juyeon.
Juyeon hugged him, sobbing on his neck. He was crying so hard that he wasn't thinking straight, his face red and swollen from all the crying. Sunie took a deep breath. He truly want to stay beside Juyeon, he felt safe and comfortable when he was with him. Maybe he can give something to Juyeon before the masters get ahead of it. He will give it to Juyeon than to the masters.
He pulled Juyeon away and wipe his tears, his voice is wavering.
"I can give you something as a remembrance and I hope you will take good care of it."
Juyeon was confused. He doesn't have any idea of what Sunie was talking about. Is he going to give him some objects like a bracelet or necklace as a remembrance?
"This gift is more important than my life." He added. "I will give it to you before the masters get a hold of it."
Juyeon opened his mouth to ask what he mean but he soon realized what is it once Sunie pressed his lips on his'. Juyeon could feel a churn in his stomach as the younger moved his lips on his. Juyeon brought his arms around Sunie's neck and pulled him closer to deepen the kiss even more. Juyeon liked the feeling of Sunie's lips on him and the thought of their lips were fit perfectly together. Their lips were dancing together at a steady pace before Sunie moved his body on top of Juyeon's lap making the older's breath hitch. Both were really into this kiss more than they would like to admit. Sunie liked to kiss Juyeon more than the masters. He felt comfortable around him and doesn't smell, unlike the masters. It's making Sunie realize that he was making out with the humans and not with the monsters. He felt love, he felt warm and he felt taken care of by someone like Juyeon.
Juyeon then swiped his tongue across Sunie's lips making the other part his lips. He slid his tongue in the younger's mouth and explored his cavern loving the taste of the other. Juyeon bit Sunie's lips making the other whimper.
Juyeon decided to pull away and lay Sunie on the molded floor. Everything in the mansion is dirty even the beds so there's nothing to lay down. He pressed his lips back to Sunie once again. They savored every moment they had because this will not last long forever. They did it with love, pain, and grief. Juyeon's crying face and Sunie's pale face as they made love to each other. As they made their future child before the masters get ahead of them. Sunie is sure the masters did something in his body when they claimed him because that's how they do to Barbie. He knew after the three masters save him from Mr. Lawrence, he was sure that they planted something in him so he can be pregnant even he's a guy.
Sunie handle the pain in his whole body just to get this over with. He doesn't want to win the masters, he wanted to escape the maids. He looked up on Juyeon once he pulled away. He smiled and Juyeon too.
Juyeon love Sunie and Sunie will learn to like him even in his death.
-
Juyeon woke up first at the midnight. He slightly gets up and looked down at the person beside him and he can't help but smile. The memory from earlier hunt his thoughts and that made him feel happy. Both he and Sunie was naked on the bed, Sunie was hugging him while he was staring down lovingly at the younger, admiring just how pretty Sunie looked overall. Was he always this pretty up close? He probably was, just that, Juyeon remained too out of his mind to take note of it, but at least he got to do that now. He has all the time until morning to study Sunie's face, to admire it. The faded blond color highlighted the younger's hair in their beautiful shade, damp bangs of which frame up his forehead, reaching his eyelids while falling gracefully on top. His eyes trail lower, taking in the slope of Sunie's nose that looked perfect, then to his lips that looked soft, it was soft indeed, and down to his jaw that looked unique in its curve following over his pale, slender neck. The younger's side profile was but like a blessing to the vision, pleasing to the eye.
He moved his hand to touch Sunie's hair that was so soft on his palm. He sighs and embraces Sunie when the door swung open and Yeonjun went inside. His eyes were sullen.
"You two made it all night huh?" He said and smiled sadly.
"Half of the night Six." Juyeon corrected. "It's still midnight."
"Well, sorry? Anyway, you should get dressed. Don't wait the morning or else the masters will find out what two did."
Juyeon nods his head. "Right. Thanks for that. I'll wake Sunoo now."
Yeonjun smiled before stepping out of the room and closing the door. He wasn't afraid if it was still night and the guards might be strolling in the halls. He can hide whenever he wants. Juyeon finally has Sunie but, sadly, it won't last long. He heard what they talked about in the bathroom and he felt guilty for not doing anything when they planning on escaping from this place before. They've been planning it but then, nothing happens.
They are failures.
"Why are you still up this late at night?"
Yeonjun froze after he heard the familiar voice behind him. He turned around only to see one of the guard toys, the one who with Barbie when they've been punished by that woman.
Yeonjun scoffed. "Why? Are you going to tell it to the masters? Or are you going to punish me just like what a dog does if their masters tell them to do so?"
"Yeonjun--" The toy stepped close to Yeonjun but the younger only took a step back, shaking his head.
"I'll admit it to myself, we will end up like Sunoo and Juyeon." He said and chuckled with full of sadness.
"How can you say that?"
Yeonjun didn't answer him and walked straight ahead. In this place, there's no such relationship that will last long forever. They all going to die and the one who will do that is the monsters in this mansion.