Dean felt a sudden storm of conflicting emotions well up inside him. Damon’s suspicions weren’t entirely unfounded, and Dean was aware of that. Yet, he wasn’t ready to lay his cards on the table just yet. There was too much at stake, and perhaps, too much pride to surrender so easily.Dean took a deep breath, his gaze gradually firming up. “I don’t distrust anyone, nor do I completely trust anyone. But I trust the truth. That’s why I came to you—for help in finding it.” His words came out without hesitation, yet they carried a faint trace of unease, a subtle vulnerability. Deep down, even Dean wasn’t entirely sure of the full shape of the truth. All he could hope was that Damon would grasp this nuance.But Damon wasn’t so easily placated. His expression sharpened, his gaze cutting through Dean’s carefully chosen words. “Your reaction this morning didn’t quite say that,” he said, his tone lightly tinged with irony but still composed, calculated.Dean’s chest tightened, his pulse quicke
Damon didn’t respond immediately, merely lowering his head with a quiet sneer, as if he couldn’t care less about Chen’s accusation. But for Dean, the weight of the moment grew heavier by the second. He hadn’t expected to become the focal point of their conflict. The tension between the two men was increasingly suffocating, and it was Chen’s final words that struck him the hardest. He realized then that he hadn’t truly resolved the issue at hand—he had simply been dragged along without even realizing it.“That was in the past. Didn’t you hear him? Dean said I’ve been good to him,” Damon suddenly spoke up, his voice laced with a provocative edge. It was as though he hoped that one sentence would somehow restore his position in Dean’s mind as if to reclaim the ground he’d lost.But Chen’s gaze remained unwavering, his reply concise and sharp. “That’s just him being polite.” Chen’s words were blunt, but each one carried a depth of insight that couldn’t be ignored. He knew, as clearly as a
At Dean's words, the twins seemed to relax, exchanging a quick smile, but the next moment, they locked eyes with one another, and their relaxed expressions quickly morphed into one of challenge. Dean rolled his eyes, shaking his head in exasperation. With a push, he shoved his way past them and quickly slipped between their bodies to get out the door.Dean thought his plans for the day were neatly in place. The only hiccup seemed to be the unexpected responsibility of the twins to take him back and forth. He assumed the day wouldn't be too complicated. But not long after, he realized how wrong he was. Things were taking an unexpected turn, and the situation was rapidly veering off course. When he finally settled into Damon’s car, he waited for a long time—but Leo still hadn't gotten in.Just as Dean was about to search for the elusive figure of Leo, his peripheral vision caught sight of something near Chen's sports car. Leo was being dragged into the car by Chen, unable to escape desp
Damon's words hung heavily in the air. "I can’t help it," he said, his voice carrying a subdued weight. "It feels like if I let my guard down for even a second, Chen will take you away from me." The confession was laden with unspoken fears, a thread of vulnerability and quiet desperation woven into his tone.Dean’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at Damon and saw someone different from the assertive, self-assured person he was used to. In this moment, Damon seemed softer, almost fragile—more like a boy grappling with his insecurities than the commanding figure Dean had always known. The transformation was striking, and it left Dean at a loss.The mixture of emotions within him swirled into an intricate knot—sympathy, confusion, and something deeper, harder to name. He wanted to reach out, to offer reassurance but found himself struggling to find the right words. Damon’s openness was rare, and Dean felt both moved and unprepared to face it. All he could do was hold Damon’s gaze, his ow
The atmosphere had grown uncomfortably awkward, and Dean couldn’t help but feel a wave of exasperation—not because of Linda’s reaction, but because of those two damned twins. Damon and Chen stood there, seemingly unbothered by the unexpected tension, their indifference only deepening the awkwardness. Dean pressed his lips together, searching for a way to defuse the situation and lighten the mood.Thankfully, Tara stepped in without hesitation. “Alright, gentlemen, why don’t we head to the store and grab some ingredients? We’ll need them for the barbecue later,” she suggested, her voice calm yet commanding, carrying a no-nonsense authority that left little room for objection. “Let these three relax in the camper while we’re gone.”Turning to Linda, Dean, and Leo, she said reassuringly, “You all chat and get comfortable—we won’t be long.” With that, she took the lead, heading toward the car. Damon and Chen exchanged a glance with Dean but said nothing as they followed her. Their movemen
The atmosphere in the camper immediately crackled with tension. Dean froze in place, his expression shifting between disbelief, shock, and outright indignation. “I—You—” he sputtered, his words caught in a tangled mix of embarrassment and rage. His face burned red as he glared daggers at Leo, clearly moments away from launching into a full-blown tirade.Just as Dean opened his mouth to deliver a sharp retort, Linda surprised him by chiming in. “Actually… I’m curious too,” she admitted, raising her eyebrows with a cheeky smile. Her tone was half-joking, but her eyes sparkled with the undeniable glee of someone fully immersed in the drama.Caught in the crossfire, Dean found himself at a loss for words. His gaze shifted helplessly between Linda and Leo before he finally sighed in resignation. “It’s... different,” he admitted quietly. He paused, as if gathering the courage to elaborate, then continued, his voice tinged with an honest vulnerability. “One’s strong-willed, the other’s gentl
Tara climbed into the vehicle, carrying the groceries she’d just purchased from the supermarket. After setting them down on the table, she clapped her hands decisively and said, “All set! We can head out now. So, who’s driving?”Chen was the next to board. After neatly arranging his share of the items, he spoke up without hesitation. “I’ll drive. Dean, can you check the navigation for me?” His tone was calm, almost casual, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—an unmistakable hint of expectation, as though he was looking for a small excuse to interact with Dean.But before the words had even settled, Damon, still lingering by the door, wasn’t about to be outdone. “Do you really need Dean to handle navigation?” he quipped, stepping past Chen and making his way to the table. Raising an eyebrow and flashing a sly grin, he added, “Why don’t I drive instead? Dean can sit with me and relax—no tasks, no worries. Sounds much better, doesn’t it?”The subtle tension between the two b
The words hit Dean like a sharp, direct blow, striking deep within him. He lowered his gaze, remaining silent for a moment, before letting out a long, resigned sigh. “Maybe… But what about you? If it were you, what would you do?”Without hesitation, Linda raised an eyebrow and smiled confidently, her tone light and assured. “I’d take both.” She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world, a decision so simple it didn’t even warrant a second thought.Dean glanced up at her, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “Linda, do you know… this is way beyond anything I thought I could handle.” His voice dropped to a softer, almost reflective tone, as if speaking more to himself than to her—almost as though he were answering a version of himself from another time. Perhaps, he was not only referring to his present emotional turmoil but to the deeply ingrained taboos and principles that had shaped his past, his previous life.Linda lis
As they drove, Dean couldn’t help but guess their destination. Greg wouldn’t have called him out without a reason—there had to be something special planned. But no matter how much he thought about it, Greg remained tight-lipped, offering no clues, and even went so far as to blindfold him.It wasn’t until the car stopped that Greg’s hand gently covered his face, his voice a whisper in his ear. "Don’t rush. When we get there, I’ll let you see."In the darkness, his senses heightened. Greg’s fingertips carried that familiar warmth, and his voice, low and steady, made Dean’s heartbeat quicken ever so slightly.Greg led him forward, his steps steady and unwavering, carrying an unspoken gravity. They passed through a narrow corridor, climbed a few stairs, and then descended several slopes. Throughout it all, Greg never let go of his hand. The warmth of his palm brought a sense of quiet reassurance to Dean."Where exactly are you taking me?" Dean finally couldn’t hold back.Greg chuckled sof
Shawn chuckled softly, his voice low and warm. "There are several orphanages nearby. Today, the children will gather in the hall for a small event. I thought I'd make some food for them. Would you be willing to help?"Dean’s heart jolted at his words.The disappointment he had felt just moments ago was now replaced by a deep sense of shame.It turned out that Shawn hadn’t brought him here for romance or excitement, but for these children.Of course, he would help. Without hesitation, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing the veins running clearly along his forearms, and answered with sincerity, "Of course."In the kitchen, the steam rose, the crackling sound of the fire filled the air, and the scent of food gradually began to drift around them.Shawn took charge of the meat, his knife moving swiftly and decisively, cutting with precision. Dean focused on the vegetables, washing, chopping, and carefully selecting the seasonings, making sure every detail was perfect.At times, they worked
The same deserted island they had once visited together.As the sea breeze swept across the deck, Dean stood at the railing of the cruise ship, watching the familiar island gradually emerge from the horizon. He froze, unable to look away."Do you remember this place?"Chen stood beside him, his tone soft but with a hint of hidden anticipation.Dean turned his head slightly, glancing at the man next to him. Under the night sky, Chen’s profile appeared particularly gentle, but the glint in his eyes held a playful, tender warmth that was uniquely his."Of course I remember," Dean replied with a light laugh. "But... why bring me here?""You'll understand once we set foot on the island," Chen said with a mysterious smile. "Don't worry, it won’t be as chaotic as last time."Dean raised an eyebrow, curiosity growing in his chest.As soon as his feet touched the island, he realized that things had quietly changed.Though the island still retained its untouched, natural beauty, there were now
Dean froze in place."Hey! How could you just leave like that?! What am I supposed to do?!"He tried to shout at Damon, but the man didn’t even look back, vanishing quickly down the slope.Frustrated, Dean stomped his foot. But the snow wasn’t kind enough to let him act on impulse. With a resigned sigh, he steeled himself and began making his way down the mountain, slowly and cautiously.True to form, he ended up falling several times, his backside almost sore from the repeated tumbles. By the time he finally reached the base of the mountain, he was fuming, ready to catch Damon and give him a good scolding.But when he looked up, everything changed.The snow-covered landscape, once barren and untouched, had been transformed into a dreamlike wedding venue.A deep crimson velvet carpet stretched across the white snow, flanked by golden candelabras and pure white roses. Warm light illuminated the scene, casting a soft, sacred glow across the entire place.And standing at the center of it
He had completely forgotten one thing—these four men were not the type to play by the rules!Before the plan even began, they united to scrap it completely."I don’t accept this three-month rotation business. I want to see him every day," Damon said confidently."Me too," Chen agreed without hesitation."Exactly, three months? Are you kidding me? We're not in a long-distance relationship," Shawn scoffed.Greg crossed his arms and added lazily, "And who can guarantee there won’t be any 'accidents' during those three months? If one of us does something to Dean, the other three will be disadvantaged."Dean was speechless, "...???"Weren't you the ones who came up with this plan?And now you're all in agreement to completely scrap it?But reality turned out to be even more absurd than Dean had imagined—Not only did they not rotate, but all four of them stayed.They immediately offloaded all the affairs of their gangs onto their subordinates and stayed by Dean's side every day, without a
But at that moment, his heart felt more at peace than ever before.Once the four of them were settled back in bed, Dean stood by their side, looking at each of them—still battered and bruised. Though they could speak and laugh, their faces were pale, their weakness evident, and it made his heart ache.He let out a soft sigh and was about to find a place to sit and rest for a moment when a familiar set of footsteps echoed from the doorway.Leo and Ted had arrived, followed by Linda and Tara."My dear little brother, are you alright?" Linda walked straight in, her gaze immediately scanning Dean, her eyes filled with concern.Dean flashed her a reassuring smile and shook his head lightly. “I’m fine. They protected me.”Tara’s eyes swept over the room, landing on the four men in bed, and she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “I can tell. But you need to eat and rest too.”As she spoke, she pulled out a bowl of porridge from the thermos bag she was holding and handed it to Dean.Dean bli
Dean pressed his lips together, his eyes cast down, a faint, rueful smile tugging at his expression. “I just feel... a little greedy. And... I’m sorry for them.”The Messenger’s fingers lightly tapped on the desk, a sound that felt like both a reminder and an awakening. “Didn’t they say they don’t mind?”Dean fell silent for a moment, then gave a helpless smile. “But I’m supposed to be a decent man.”At his words, the Messenger let out a light chuckle. “Seems like you still don’t understand.”Dean looked up in confusion. “Understand what?”The Messenger’s smile faded, and his gaze grew intense as if he were peering into the depths of Dean’s soul. “Why are they all part of the mafia?”Dean froze, his breath momentarily catching in his chest.He had never truly thought about that question before.Why weren’t they ordinary people? Why weren’t they doctors, lawyers, professors, or even just regular businessmen?Why, of all things, were they in the mafia?Dean opened his mouth, but no word
Chen paused for a moment, then spoke in a low, steady voice. "Shawn wasn’t a coward. He knew the final blow would be the hardest, so he let us take the first hits."Greg picked up where he had left off, his voice calm but carrying a weight of its own. "He even predicted how Ricky would plan things. That’s why he made preparations on our way there."Dean’s pupils constricted slightly, and his mind buzzed with confusion.He remembered the blood, the agonizing screams—the ten shots Greg had taken, the hundred blows Damon had endured, the thousand punches and kicks Chen had absorbed.He even recalled the image of Shawn being dragged behind the motorcycle, the blood and flesh grinding into the pavement, leaving a glaring, gruesome trail.If what they said was true, then what about Shawn?What kind of resolve had he carried to endure all of this?As Dean’s thoughts spiraled into chaos, a cool hand slowly rested on the back of his hand.Dean snapped out of his reverie, looking down in surpri
Chen’s vision was still blurry, but he tried to focus. When he finally saw Dean clearly, a barely perceptible smile curved his lips. His voice was so weak, it was almost like a whispering breeze. “...Are you crying?”Dean sucked in a sharp breath, quickly wiping the moisture from the corner of his eye. He shook his head. “No... not at all...”Chen let out a soft chuckle, a hint of weary affection in his eyes. “You little fool.”Dean’s nose tingled, and he quickly lowered his head to pour water, trying to hide the overwhelming emotions that were about to break free.But just as he was handing the water to Chen, a muffled groan suddenly came from the other bed in the room.Dean’s head snapped around, and sure enough, he saw Damon’s fingers twitch slightly, his brow furrowed.“Damon!” Dean rushed over, his steps quickening. One moment, he was tending to Chen, and the next, he was kneeling at Damon’s bedside, his eyes filled with urgent concern.Damon slowly opened his eyes, his gaze daze