The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Kang mansion, but there was nothing peaceful about the atmosphere. Taewoo was in his room, buttoning his crisp white shirt for another day at the hospital, when a sudden crash echoed from downstairs, followed by his father's booming voice.
"TAEWOO! GET DOWN HERE! NOW!"
Taewoo sighed, his shoulders slumping. What now? He finished buttoning his shirt and trudged downstairs, already dreading whatever fresh chaos awaited him.
In the kitchen, he found his father, Kang Jaesung, standing amidst what could only be described as a culinary war zone. Flour dusted the counters, bowls were stacked precariously, and the stove looked like it had survived a minor explosion. His father, the fearsome ex-mafia legend, was wearing an apron covered in what appeared to be tomato sauce and an expression of intense concentration.
"You called, Father?" Taewoo asked warily.
Jaesung gestured dramatically at the chaos around him. "The Italian guests are coming tonight. The Morettis. Everything must be perfect. Help me prepare."
Taewoo blinked. "We have a full staff of servants. And Junseo owns a café. Why are you..."
"Because I want everything done right," Jaesung interrupted, his voice carrying that particular edge that meant no argument would be tolerated. "By my own hands. No one else can be trusted with this."
Taewoo stared at the disaster zone. "You call this done right?"
Jaesung's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Watch your mouth, boy. Now, come here. I need you to add this to the bowl and stir."
He thrust a bowl of what looked like a questionable mixture of ingredients toward Taewoo. Taewoo took it reluctantly, peering at the contents.
"What is this supposed to be?"
"Traditional Italian sauce. My own recipe."
"It looks like something that escaped from a laboratory."
"Just stir it!"
Taewoo grabbed a spoon and began stirring, his expression one of long-suffering patience. "You know, if you wanted everything perfect, you could have just let Junseo handle it. He actually knows how to cook."
"Junseo makes coffee. I make memories," Jaesung said grandly. "Tonight, when the Morettis taste my cooking, they will remember this meal forever."
"Or they'll remember it for the food poisoning," Taewoo muttered under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, Father. Stirring. Very focused on stirring."
Unknown to them, a silent figure had slipped into the room. Doyoon moved with the stealth of a man who had spent years sneaking snacks from the kitchen after midnight. He watched his father and brother from the doorway, then quietly retreated back into the hallway.
Perfect, Doyoon thought, his eyes gleaming with mischief. While everyone is distracted, I can finally find out what Taewoo is hiding in his room.
He crept up the stairs, his footsteps silent on the marble. Taewoo's door was slightly ajar, and Doyoon slipped inside, his heart pounding with excitement.
The room was neat, almost too neat. The bed was made with military precision. The desk was organized. There was no sign of the chaos that usually accompanied his brother's life.
Where would he hide something? Doyoon wondered, scanning the room. Under the mattress? In the closet?
He moved to the nightstand, carefully opening the drawer. Inside were medical journals, a half-empty bottle of hand sanitizer, and...
"What are you doing?"
Doyoon spun around, his heart leaping into his throat. Junseo stood in the doorway, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"Nothing!" Doyoon said quickly. "I was just... looking for a pen! I need to sketch something!"
"In Taewoo's room?"
"Yes! He has the best pens!"
Junseo raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "You're lying."
"I'm not lying! I..."
The sound of footsteps on the stairs made them both freeze. Doyoon shoved the drawer closed and dived behind the bed just as Jaesung's voice echoed from the hallway.
"TAEWOO! WHERE DID YOU GO? I STILL NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE SAUCE!"
Doyoon held his breath, pressing himself against the floor. He could hear Junseo retreating from the room, his footsteps quick and quiet.
Close call, Doyoon thought, letting out a shaky breath. Too close.
He waited until the coast was clear, then crept out of the room and back down the stairs, his heart still racing.
In the kitchen, Jaesung was still fussing over his sauce when Doyoon slipped back in. Taewoo was now up to his elbows in flour, looking like he wanted to murder someone.
"Did you find anything?" Jaesung asked without looking up, his voice casual but his eyes sharp.
Doyoon sighed, shaking his head. "No. He's too careful. His room is like a fortress."
"Typical," Jaesung muttered. "That boy has always been secretive. Even when he was a child. Remember when he hid those stray kittens in his closet for three weeks?"
"I remember," Doyoon said, grinning despite himself. "He cried for days when we had to give them away."
"Bah. Sentimental fool."
Behind them, a voice rang out, playful and slightly too loud. "What are you two up to?"
They spun around to find Jiho leaning against the kitchen doorway, his idol smile firmly in place. But there was a knowing glint in his eyes that suggested he'd been listening for a while.
"Nothing!" Doyoon and Junseo said in unison, their voices overlapping.
Jiho's eyebrows shot up. "Nothing? You were sneaking around upstairs, and now you're whispering in the kitchen. That doesn't sound like nothing."
"We were just" Doyoon started.
"discussing the dinner preparations," Junseo finished smoothly.
Jiho snorted. "Right. Because you two care so much about dinner preparations." He stepped closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "What were you really looking for?"
Doyoon and Junseo exchanged a look. Then, almost in sync, they both punched Jiho in the stomach.
"Oof!" Jiho doubled over, clutching his midsection. "What the"
"That's for being nosy," Doyoon said cheerfully.
"And that," Junseo added, "is for being loud about it."
Jiho straightened up, his face flushed but his eyes still bright with curiosity. "I was just asking! What are you two trying to find out?"
Junseo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. I was trying to find out if Taewoo has a secret boyfriend or girlfriend."
Doyoon's eyes lit up. "And I was trying to find out if he's a top or a bottom!"
Jiho made a face at his brother. "He's an Alpha. Of course he's a top."
"Not necessarily," Junseo countered. "There are plenty of reverse Alphas who play as bottoms. The dynamic isn't always about designation. And Taewoo is not exactly the most domineering Alpha I've ever seen."
Jiho considered this. "You make a good point. He is pretty soft. For an Alpha."
"He's a marshmallow," Doyoon agreed. "A tall, handsome marshmallow who hides his feelings behind a wall of sarcasm."
"Anyway," Junseo interrupted, "you two should go to the hospital and keep an eye on him there. I'll stay here and handle the dinner preparations."
Jiho's face lit up. "Oh! I want to come too! I haven't seen Taewoo in his natural habitat."
"His natural habitat?" Doyoon raised an eyebrow.
"You know, the hospital. Surrounded by nurses and patients and... drama."
Doyoon sighed. "Fine. But you have to be subtle. No causing a scene."
"I'm always subtle!" Jiho protested.
"You're a K-pop idol who once caused a riot because you waved at a crowd."
"That was not a riot. That was a passionate display of fandom."
Junseo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just go. Before I change my mind."