MinSaeng — First Meeting

[psychomin]

((An RP log between myself and Carey on the meeting of YoungSaeng and JungMin, approximately four years ago in the Reset timeline.))


Glancing down at the address marked on the slip of paper, JungMin peeked up through long bangs to the house in front of him.  The street was right, the number on the house was right.  It looked like any other house, perhaps a bit run-down, but that was alright.  There wouldn’t be much left of it in a minute or two.

His brother was occupied with one of the gangs at the moment, JungMin didn’t really bother to ask which, so he’d sent his younger sibling to take care of this target.  And JungMin was more than happy to oblige.  It had been a while since he’d been able to let his flames dance.  Most of the jobs they got, whether from gangs or the feeble ‘government’, went to his brother and left JungMin bored and wanting action.

Rubbing his fingers together, the demon watched a thin tendril of smoke curl around the digits before a small spot of fire appeared in his palm.  Concentrating and nudging patiently with his mind, the small ball grew and grew, flames wrapping around his fingers and hand.  He’d already pushed up his sleeves, having lost a good amount of clothing that way.

Without sparing a thought towards any innocents who might be inside (He’d seen his target enter the house a while ago, that was good enough for him), he threw the ball of fire at the base of the house.  There was a dull snap and the crackle of flames, and JungMin lifted both hands above his head.  The flames followed his movement, spreading along the rotting wood and rising with a dull roar.  JungMin smiled, watching through a curtain of bangs as the house was engulfed too fast for the occupants to react, urged on by the demon.

YoungSaeng stretched as far as he could.  He had only just woken up when his father had burst into his room and begged him to run some errands for him. Sighing, he sometimes wonderd who was the child and who was the adult.

He had only just rounded the corner when the strong, penetrating smell of smoke flooded his senses.  Looking around, he saw the smoke billow from the next street over.

Disregarding the errands, YoungSaeng ran toward the fire, only to see a single person staring at the increasing inferno, a glint in his eye that quite frankly scared the teenager.  Looking around, his eyes fell on a large water pipe about five or so feet away from the man.

Closing his eyes, YoungSaeng concentrated on the water inside, willing it to become as cold as possible.  He knew he had succeeded when the pipe cracked, bursting and dousing the flames.

Windows shattered, wood groaned under the sudden pressure.  Spotting movement where he assumed the living room was, JungMin flicked his fingers at it, and fire darted through the broken window to engulf the room inside.  His brother would be displeased if their target got away.  It didn’t even seem to occur to him that there might be children in there, a family.  If the thought did pass through his mind, it obviously wasn’t stopping him.

He was close, so close to bringing the whole house down.  Concentrating hard, willing his fire to spread through the entire structure, he didn’t notice a pipe nearby creak and groan.

Suddenly it burst, and water doused both him and his fire.  A strangled yelp left the demon at the frigid iciness, the temperature difference sending his body in shock.

At least, that is what he assumed happened when there was a sudden jerk around his navel and he went toppling forward, hitting the ground with a wince.  His head spun, vision blurring before settling again.  Cold seeped through his body, making him uncomfortable; what happened to his fire?

Looking up and seeing most of the fire had been put out by the water, he sighed faintly.  How had he managed to mess it up?  Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, he looked around him while standing — And promptly fell back over again with a shout of alarm.

Lying right beside him, soaked and unconscious, was himself.  There was no doubt about it, he was looking right at himself.  “What the hell?!?” He exclaimed, flailing in a panic before going to try shaking his shoulders, or something, only to right through the him lying on the ground.  “Water can’t KILL someone, can it?  Aish, wake up, wake up!”

YoungSaeng jumped when he saw the man he believed to be the arsonist separate from his soul and fall to the ground.  "He's like me?" he questioned, though more to himself than anyone else.

He watched as the man fell, expression one of utter panic.  He recognized that look as one he wore the moment he learned of his ability.  Apparently, this was the first the man knew of the power.  Unable to help himself, YoungSaeng ran over to him, kneeling beside the spirit.  "Hey.  Hey, are you okay?  Just what do you think you were doing?!  You could have killed someone!"

Trying over and over again to somehow make contact with his body, and failing each time, JungMin worked himself up into a panicked frenzy.  This had never happened to him before.  He’d never met anyone who this had happened to either, so he had absolutely no idea what was going on.  Okay, dying was one thing, but he didn’t think he’d be taken out THAT easily!  A splash of water in the face shouldn’t have done that!

Seeing someone run up to him out of the corner of his eyes, JungMin jerked back in surprise and blinked at the other, hair in front of his eyes and obstructing his vision.  “You can see me?  What just happened?  Did I die?”  Completely bypassing the others questions, he flailed with one arm and pointed frantically at his body with the other.  He knew he could have killed someone, that had kind of been the point, but he was much more concerned about why he was looking at his body at the moment.

Realizing that the young man was working himself into a panic, YoungSaeng decided that drastic times called for drastic measures.  Calming himself, he relaxed almost completely until his spirit slid out of his body.

"See?  I can do it, too.  You didn't die.  It's an ability called Astral Projection.  You can separate your spirit from your body."

Crouching directly in front of him, YoungSaeng smiled gently, placing his hands on the other's shoulders.  "It'll be fine.  You're too worked up to resync, but once you calm down and relax, everything'll be okay," he soothed, hoping to be able to calm him.

When the younger male beside him suddenly separated himself from his body, it was like someone hit the mute button.  JungMin shut up completely mid-rant, lips parted slightly in utter surprise.  He’d never seen that happen before, and he’d seen a lot.  Deciding this stranger wouldn’t just kill himself seemed to calm him slightly, but once he got out of stun mode he was back to flailing his arms around him.

“But I don’t HAVE an ability like that!  I got fire, and that’s it!”  Reminded of his fire, he glanced at the house again, disappointed to see the water still spouting from the pipe had nearly extinguished all the fire.  He was sure he’d managed to at least get his target, but bringing the whole place down would have been cool.

Looking back at the other male, he shook his head, wondering for a moment why the other was being so nice to him.  Most people could care less, including his dear brother.  “Resync?  I don’t get it.  What if I can’t?”  He didn’t like the idea of being out of his body at all, let alone for forever.

Ignoring the once burning house in favor of the young man, YoungSaeng tried his hardest to calm him.  "Syncing with your body means making sure your body and spirit are on the same wavelength.  All you need to do is calm down and I'll help you reconnect."  He laughed lightly.  "Believe me when I say I know the feeling.  I was only nine when I discovered it.  My soul separated after an accident," he explained, hoping knowing that he wasn't alone would help.

JungMin listened intently to the other in front of him, nodding with an uneasy expression.  He didn’t understand how he was supposed to do this.  It must be similar to the sixth sense he used to control his fire, right?  If not, he wasn’t at all sure how he was supposed to get himself on the same ‘wavelength’.  He didn’t even know how to tell the difference between wavelengths.

Nine?  That was young.  “How long did it take you to…  To get back into your body?”  He questioned, swallowing thickly as he looked at both of their bodies.  This was NOT funny.  He needed to get back into his body and away before someone associated to his target came to see what all the smoke had been about.  If they saw him lying out here, he and his brother would be in hot water.  Though it was generally known they worked for anyone who asked, no one had been able to catch them working for an opponent yet.

"It took me six months, but that was only because I had to learn about it and how to fix it all by myself.  Everyone thought I was in a coma," he told him softly.

He understood that telling him may just induce another panicked frenzy, but he felt he needed to be honest.

"Okay.  I want you to close your eyes and just take a few deep breaths.  Once you're calm, just picture yourself like your fire.  How do you call it back to your body?  It's the same principle."  Voice becoming melodic and calming, YoungSaeng continued.  "Just imagine your soul slowly flowing back into your body and settling back into place."

JungMin did panic when he heard 6 months, eyes widening almost comically.  He really WOULD be dead by then, if he had to leave his body here for that long.  Besides the obvious lack of food, if he was found here by the wrong people (and there were more wrong people than right people),  he’d have a bullet between his eyes very soon after.  He wasn’t sure what would happen to his spirit if he were to die, but he didn’t want to find out.

Shifting uneasily, JungMin looked from his body to the young male in front of him.  Call himself back to his body like he called his fire?  Fire was easy enough to call, but it was separate from him, where his body WAS him.  It was confusing to think about.

Closing his eyes, he tried to get himself to calm down, but it was easier said than done.  JungMin was a warehouse of emotions, and the effort it took to sit calmly for more than a few seconds stressed him completely.  Trying to sense the path back to his body, he lost concentration quickly as his throat closed up in panic mid-breath.  Trying again, and failing, he opened his eyes, looking completely petrified.  “I-I can’t do this, it’s like coming up against a wall.”

"Then just climb over it," YoungSaeng replied, voice practically a whisper.  "If you can't sit still, get up and walk around.  Do whatever you need to do to calm down.  I know that fire isn't a part of you in the same sense, but it's the same idea, since right now, you are separate from your body."

Climb over it?  Shifting nervously, JungMin finally got to his feet.  He definitely wasn’t getting anywhere sitting still, and though he wasn’t so sure walking around would help, he did so anyways, pacing back and forth and trying to calm his breathing.  He felt completely chilled, even though no trace of water could be seen on his spirit form.  Calling his fire lightly, just to get rid of the cold feeling, he noticed that even though he felt slightly warmer, the chill went deeper than his skin, something he couldn’t get rid of.

Stopping for a moment, he closed his eyes and drew in a steady breath, focusing on that strange chilled feeling.  He lowered his head, sinking deeper into himself, searching for the way over that wall.

Something shifted into place, and he got the sudden feeling of falling a short distance and stopping.  Eyes opening quickly, he gasped and sat up so quickly he got vertigo, wincing as his damp bangs stuck to his face.  Lifting one hand to brush them away, he blinked and took in his water-lodged clothing, his sprawled out position on the sidewalk.  A silly grin spread on his lips, and he looked up for the male who’d helped him, only to see the other’s body still on the ground.  He could barely make out a shift in the air next to it though.  “It worked!”  He shouted out the obvious, relieved beyond measure.

YoungSaeng sighed in relief as the man was able to return to his body safely.  He then realized that the other had no real idea where he was, having not yet accepted the spirit plane.  It would take practice, but he had potential.  Closing his eyes, he eased himself back into his body and sat up, smiling at the man. 

"Told you you could do it."

JungMin watched as the other sat up, wringing the majority of the water out of his clothing.  He’d really gotten a good soaking.  No matter; he called his fire to himself, just enough to make smoke without the flames.  Steam rose off his clothing as it slowly started to dry.

“Yeah, but most people say that without meaning it,” he said with a shrug and grin, standing up and brushing off his pants.  “Thanks!  Why did you help me though?”  People never helped him unless they wanted something from him.  This boy didn’t look like one who would hire him to kill someone, but you never knew.  There was always a catch somewhere.

YoungSaeng couldn't hold in his laughter as he watched the other start smoking as steam rose from his clothes.

"I guess it was because I've been there and know what it's like the first time."  He paused as he got to his feet and stretched.  "If you want, I can always show you the ins and outs of Astral Projection," he offered, smiling.

JungMin grinned as the other started to laugh, but didn’t seem too embarrassed by the steam.  It had taken a while to get that much control over his fire, so that he didn’t accidentally torch his clothing when he tried to dry them.

“Really?”  Looking at the other, a strange light came into his eyes; what did this person want with him?  “What do you want in return?”  Though he didn’t have a problem with most offers, he wanted to know exactly what he was agreeing to before hand.  How often did someone you just met (and who saw you nearly burn down a whole house) offer to help with something like this?

"Want?"  YoungSaeng asked confused.  "Well, I suppose your name would be good," he replied, shrugging.

He wasn't sure why he was offering to help him knowing what he was doing only a short time earlier, but there was just something about the man that drew his attention.

JungMin blinked then laughed, slightly pointed teeth showing as he grinned.  “Ah, right.  I’m JungMin.”  He didn’t give his last name; he didn’t really consider himself to be a Park anymore anyways, so why bother?

He was confused as to why the other was helping him still, not fully believing the reason he was given, but decided to just go with it for now.  “Can I have your name too then?”  He asked.  “And maybe we should get away from here.”  He motioned to the wreck that was left of the house.  Again, trying to avoid being caught by the wrong people.

"Yeah, it's Heo YoungSaeng," he replied, smiling brightly.  Something was telling him that he wasn't being trusted, so he tried to reassure Jungmin as much as he could.

He blinked at the suggestion.  "Um, yeah.  That's a good idea."  Thinking, he turned back to Jungmin.  "We can go back to my house.  AS tends to make me hungry and I'm kinda broke.  If you don't mind parents, of course."

YoungSaeng…  JungMin tried to work out if he’d ever heard that name before.  The fact that he didn’t was a bit reassuring, but he still didn’t completely trust the other.  Then again, he didn’t completely trust anyone, so that was nothing new.

“Parents?  No, I don’t mind,” he said with a shrug.  He wasn’t promising his best behavior, just because his own experience with parents had made him disobedient by nature, but at least he wouldn’t torch the house.  He wondered if YoungSaeng was worried at all about his fire-wielding, or maybe he hadn’t realized yet how trigger-happy JungMin could be.

Deciding his clothes were dry enough, he pulled his fire back into himself until the steam faded away.  Looking the other over, he realized there was a distinct lack of any racial traits.  Sure some races like shapeshifters were hard to point out, but he was used to seeing at least some sign of what race one was.  “Are you human?”  He questioned, curious more than hostile.  He had nothing against humans, unlike his father.  Hence the reason why he was mostly in human form himself, his demon heritage given away only by his slightly pointed teeth and ears.

YoungSaeng blinked at the question.  "Me?  Yeah, I'm human.  What about you?" he asked.  He was pretty sure that he wasn't human, and he knew that he could rule out angel due to the lack of wings.  Shapeshifter, too. 

JungMin shrugged slightly, then brushed his hair back with one hand, so that YoungSaeng could see one of his pointed ears.  "Demon," he replied with a grin.  "Wow, it's been a while since I've seen a human."  There weren't that many left after all.  "Lets go?  Lets go?"  He bounced slightly and started off in a random direction, not even sure if he was going the right way.  He just wanted to move away from the house.

YoungSaeng nodded his head slowly.  It was understandable, considering the fact that few humans survived after Reset.  Used to other races, Jungmin's demonic nature didn't surprise him in the least.

He laughed as the demon bounced in place and headed off.  "Um, Jungmin?  My house is that way," he said, pointing in the opposite direction he's been bouncing in.

JungMin pirouetted back around, grinning widely.  "Right.  I knew that!"  Eyes crinkling slightly in laughter, he started off in the right direction this time.  It had really been a long time since he'd talked to anyone like this.  Most people don't care enough to have a nice conversation, and his brother would just cuff him upside the head if he were to start on any rants.

"Is it fun, being human?  I mean, you can't fly or run fast or anything.  Oh, PLEASE tell me you've flown before."  He couldn't imagine not flying.  Being grounded all the time would drive him, well...  More insane than he already considered himself to be.

"Um, I don't have wings, Jungmin," he replied, smiling.  "No way to fly."

It had been a while since YoungSaeng had a decent conversation with someone outside of his school or parents.  While they were amazing and loved him dearly, YoungSaeng's parents were quite protective of their only child.  The gang activity had increased as of late, and they worried that he would be dragged into it, either as a member or a victim.

"Is flying fun?" he asked, curious.

JungMin's eyes widened, and he looked visibly shocked, even though he shouldn't have been because there really wasn't any way for YoungSaeng to fly.  "Oh, it's the BEST!  I mean, being that high up, and the wind, it's..."  He flailed for a moment, as if waving his arms could possibly explain how great it was to fly.  He loved the feeling of freedom, of being completely separate from the world below.  There was only him, the wind, and the open sky.  And the occasional bird, but he didn't mind them intruding, they had every right to be up there as well.

"I'm going to find a way for you to fly," he declared, face determined.  "I don't think my wings are strong enough to carry others yet, but soon, and you don't look that heavy...  How old are you?  Maybe I can carry you, I've carried a few things before..."

YoungSaeng brightened, face beaming.  "Really?!  That sounds like a lot of fun!  I've wondered what flying would be like, but you'll really do that?" he rambled before remembering that Jungmin had asked him a question. 

"Oh.  I'm fifteen, but I'll be sixteen in a few months.  How about you?  How old are you?  Is it the same as human years, or are you even older than you look?"

JungMin appeared to get even more excited when he realized YoungSaeng was all up for the idea, a visible bounce in his step as he walked a bit faster.  Oh, it would be fun to bring the human up into the sky!  He wasn't sure if his wings were strong enough to support the weight, but he could carry things and had in the past, so it was just a matter of increasing the weight so that he could see where his limits were.  And then, strengthen the muscles more so that he really could carry someone with him.

"Fifteen?  That's young," he said with a grin, but other than that didn't seem too thrown-off by the others age.  "Me?  I'm eighteen only, so I still look my age."  Spinning around so that he could face YoungSaeng and walk backwards, he laughed brightly.  "So, so, you got this 'astral projection' thing...  Anything else?"  He was always curious about what others could do.

"So you have a longer life span?" YoungSaeng asked.  His father always said that he was too curious for his own good, but he was truly interested in the other.  He enjoyed learning new things and meeting new people.

He nodded in reply to Jungmin.  "Uh huh.  I can control cold and ice, which is how you ended up all wet.  I froze the pipe."  He blushed a bit, running a hand through his shoulder length hair and smiled sheepishly.  "Sorry, by the way."

He then remembered why he had done it.  "Why were you setting that house on fire?  I though it was just an empty house.  I don't think anyone's lived there for a couple years."

JungMin nodded.  "Yup!  Much longer than humans.  Which is really cool sometimes, though I don't know how many demons actually make it to the end of their lifespan."  With the world they lived in now, the life expectancy was significantly less.

"AH~, so that's what happened!"  He exclaimed, having seriously thought he'd somehow made the pipe explode himself.  Though that had never happened before.  He was a bit miffed that the other would do that, but considering YoungSaeng had helped him out of the predicament that had followed, he let it pass.  "That's cool!  Though a warning may be appreciated next time," he said with a grin.  "Water and I don't really get along."

When asked why, he shrugged slightly.  "It's my job," he said nonchalantly.  "My brother and I work for the gangs, and they send us names of people they want gone.  So we get rid of them."  It obviously didn't bother him, and the fact that he hadn't tried to torch the house again clearly said he'd done what he'd gone there for.

The gangs.  He'd been interested in learning about them for the last few years, though he kept that information close, not wanting to worry his parents.  In his mind, knowing about them was a better defense than ignoring them altogether.  "You may not want to let my parents know about the gangs, though," he said.  "They're a bit overprotective."

"So, you and your brother are kinda like hitmen or something?"

He wasn't sure why that idea didn't disturb him more.

JungMin blinked.  "Alright.  Anything else I shouldn't say?  I haven't been around parents in ages."  He wasn't one to filter his words, but he could make the attempt if need be.  This boy seemed nice, and from what he said JungMin didn't think he was looking for anything from him.

When was the last time he'd had a real friend?

"Yup!"  He grinned and saluted the other.  "Hitmen for hire!  It's mostly my brother, but when he's busy I get a few jobs.  It's not that hard, but people tend to know it's us, because of the fire y'know?  That's why it wasn't a good idea to stay so close to the house, in case people came looking."

"You might not wanna mention the hitman for hire thing, either..." YoungSaeng chuckled.  Jungmin seemed to be a good guy, but just saw no reason to hold anything back, verbally or otherwise.

After a few minutes, they reached YoungSaeng's house.  It was a modest ranch style house with a very well kept yard and showed no signs of wear and tear.  His father took great pride in the house, his great grandfather having built it.

Walking up to the door, he opened it and motioned for Jungmin to enter.  "Well, this is it."

JungMin grinned, giving a thumbs up.  "Got it.  Nothing about gangs or hitmen."  He wondered what the others parents thought about the different races, if they were as anti-demon as his father had been anti-human.  It went without saying he was going to stay in his human form; he rarely went into his demon form unless he got into a fight, or wanted to fly.

The demon was genuinely impressed at the quality of the others house.  "Wow, nice place."  He and his brother lived in a run-down apartment; neither of them had been the fix-it type, nor did they really care.  But the people who lived here obviously went through great lengths to make it look nice.  It said a bit of what kind of family YoungSaeng lived.

Entering when he was motioned to, he looked around with open curiosity.  "Really neat.  There aren't that many places like this anymore."  Except for the buildings owned by the gangs, those tended to be well taken care of.

YoungSaeng smiled fondly.  "My Great-Grandpa built it, and my father is a very handyman type of person," he explained as he led the way to his room in the basement.

He was well aware of the general condition of the world, as was his family, but his his father was a great man who had pride in his possessions, a trait that he had passed to his son.

Walking over to his king sized bed, he dropped down, hair spreading out around him.  "Feel free to take a seat," YoungSaeng said, reaching into the small mini fridge beside the bed and pulling out a soda.  "Anything you want to eat or drink?  I plan to make something in a bit, but I kinda wanna relax for a bit first."

JungMin followed YoungSaeng through the house, getting distracted from what the other was saying often by the various knick-knacks, and the general feeling the place gave off.  It felt comfortable, cozy.  It was a strange feeling to him, but he liked it.  He didn't think he could send this place up in flames.

Stopping when they reached the others room, he looked around curiously.  It was obvious from his face he was barely restraining himself from snooping around; this place was so different from what he was used to, except when he visited one of the gangs, and then he was usually under strict orders to behave himself.  After a moment, he dropped down on the bed beside YoungSaeng, grinning widely.  "Nah, I'm good.  I think your water trick stopped me from being thirsty for a while."  He laughed, eyes crinkling slightly.  "So you've been here your whole life?"

YoungSaeng laughed at the poorly concealed curiosity.  "You can look around if you want.  I don't mind.  There's nothing down here that can't be fixed for the most part," he said, only to yelp as the demon dropped onto the bed next to him, causing his to bounce up, then bump into him before resituating 

"Yeah.  I was born here, actually.  This house is really special to me, I guess."

"Really?"  JungMin questioned, not completely understanding the sentiment towards the house.  Sure it was nice, but it was still just a pile of wood and plaster.  "It's just a place though.  Places come and go like people."  He wasn't attached to his home as YoungSaeng was, nor had he been attached to the one he'd burnt down.  It was only wood, and wood vanished so fast when put to an open flame.

Unable to stay still for long, he soon bounced back to his feet and walked around the room, looking at everything with curious eyes.

"I know that it is," YoungSaeng agreed quietly as he watched Jungmin sate his curiosity.  "But it's the only place I've known, and I feel safe here.  I guess you could say that I'm more attached to the feelings I get when I'm here, but I'd still be sad if anything happened to it," he explained.

He wasn't sure if Jungmin would understand, but that was how he felt.

"Feelings?"  That was the difference between them, he supposed.  YoungSaeng obviously had good feelings here, had a good family.  He wondered when he'd get to meet the other's parents.  He wasn't nervous, per say, he just wasn't all that sure how to act.  Meeting older people was no big deal, the gangs were full of them, but then he knew how to deal with them.  Sometimes people could be so predictable.

But parents...  His only experience with parents hadn't been the most pleasant one, and that had been years ago.  The question was, how nice could he act?

"I suppose it makes sense."  He stopped at a picture, blinking at it and looking back at YoungSaeng.  "Your family?"  He questioned, grinning.

Looking at the picture in the other's hand, YoungSaeng let out a loud laugh.  The picture had been taken when the family was on vacation.  His mom held his father in a headlock as the older man flailed about wildly in an attempt to break free.  YoungSaeng himself was smiling brightly, as if nothing at all was unusual, which in his family, it wasn't.

"I think I was seven there.  My dad had said something stupid like he always does, and mom decided that a headlock was the perfect solution," he explained, smiling.

JungMin laughed, grinning widely.  "They sound like fun people.  Looks like your mom has quite the grip."  He examined the picture longer, eyes lingering on their smiles and the cheerful atmosphere of it all.  "Does that happen often?"  He thought a headlock was the perfect solution, though he preferred to settle things with fire.

"Your parents won't mind that I'm here?"  He questioned, bouncing back over to the bed to land beside YoungSaeng again, grinning like a maniac.  Once he was down, he poked the other male's side as if to put emphasis on his question.

"It happens on a daily basis," YoungSaeng sighed goodnaturedly.  "My mom can take my dad every time.  He almost beat her once, but that was because she went into labor," he laughed.  "She taught me everything I know about fighting, as a matter of fact."

"No.  they're around here somewhere, though.  So when I decide to get my ass out of bed, I'm sure you'll meet them," he replied.

At the other's poke, YoungSaeng released a loud squeak, quickly covering his mouth and blushing.

"Oh, you know how to fight?"  He questioned, grinning.  He had assumed, with what he'd seen so far, he wouldn't know how to fight at all.  Seems there was more here than he thought.  It was good that he knew how to fight though, especially with all that had happened since Reset.  Being weak in body or mind was a one-way ticket to the graveyard.

When YoungSaeng squeaked, JungMin's grin widened, if that was even possible.  "Oh~, are you ticklish?" He questioned, a mischievous light coming into his eyes.  Not even bothering to wait for a reply, he all but pounced on the other, tickling his sides.

"Well, in a world like this, you kinda have to know at least how to defend yourself.  Maybe you can teach me more, though.  I would love to learn more," YoungSaeng suggested.

While it was true that he knew how to defend himself, that was mostly the extent of his knowledge in the area of fighting.

At Jungmin's question, he only had time to widen his eyes before the man was there, long fingers digging into his sides playfully.  All he could do was release a loud, ringing laughter, trying with all his might to stop the attack.

"J-Jungmin~!!  St-top!  Stop, Min!" he yelled, voice higher with laughter.

JungMin laughed as well, grin threatening to split his face in two as he attacked the younger male.  YoungSaeng's high-pitched laughter was refreshing, and he did all he could to hear more of it.  The other's methods of stopping him were ineffective, and did little more than make JungMin laugh harder.  This was fun, more fun than he'd had in a long time.

He blinked at the sudden use of a nickname though, temporarily caught off-guard before resuming his tickle attack, more energetic than before.  When was the last time someone had called him by a nickname?  He found he didn't mind at all the way it sounded coming from YoungSaeng.

"What happened to your self-defense?"  He laughed, eyes dancing.  "Come on Saengie~, stop the big bad demon!"

YoungSaeng tried desperately to speak in retaliation, but his laughter was too overwhelming.  He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so comfortable meeting someone for the first time as he was now, though he supposed the two had met under unusual circumstances.  In fact, he was still confused on how he could feel so comfortable knowing the other's occupation.

He was still fighting when a loud voice shouted from the doorway. 

"Heo YoungSaeng, what is going on here?!"

YoungSaeng, though, knew his father well enough to know that he was simply highly amused by the situation his son was in.

"Dad!  Appa, help me out here~!!!!" he begged.

JungMin didn't let up his attack, though he did vary the spots he targeted so it wouldn't hurt too much.  No one he had met ever let him get this close, especially so quickly.  To this day, if he were to attempt a tickle attack on any of those he was around most often he'd be knocked upside the head.  It was fun, just goofing off and being able to do practically anything he wanted around this person.  Part of him was still suspicious of the other, because it was almost too easy, but the majority of his mind had moved on from that.

Not to say that he trusted YoungSaeng completely.

When a loud voice reached his ears, he jumped in surprise.  When he realized it was YoungSaeng's father, he quickly ceased the attack, looking like a puppy who'd been caught chewing up someone's slipper, putting up both hands in a peaceful gesture.  He couldn't help but be wary around parents, especially fathers.

When Jungmin stopped his attack, YoungSaeng was finally able to catch his breath.  Once he did, he looked at his father in gratitude.

"Thank you!  I thought I was gonna die!"

"Saeng, what have your umma and I told you about doing dirty things in your room?!" the man cried, tears streaming down his cheeks.  "You are to introduce them to us first, then if we approve and he can defeat me in a fight, you may proceed."

YoungSaeng's eyes widened and he turned bright red at the insinuation.  "Appa, you pervert!  How could you think that?!" he cried, jumping to his feet.  "And besides, a kitten could beat you in a fight!"

JungMin blinked in surprise, watching the interaction between father and son for a moment.  Well, the man didn't look mad, that was a start.  JungMin thought for sure he was going to be in trouble for being practically on top of the younger male.

At the others words though, he burst out laughing, at both the suggestion and YoungSaeng's reaction.  It caught him completely off guard, how easy-going the father seemed to be, or how amusing he seemed to find the entire situation.  And then there was the son, bright red and looking outraged.  The kid was just too cute.  "Aw~, Saengie's blushing," he teased, before laughing made it impossible to speak again.

"H-how... do I get your approval, sir?"  He questioned in between breathless laughter, trying to see how much redder the younger male could go.

YoungSaeng looked up from where he had his father in a familiar headlock, blush deepening.  "Jungmin!!!!" he whined.  "Don't humor him!"

The older man looked up.  "That depends.  What are your intentions with my son?" he asked, serious for a change...enough to get YoungSaeng to let him go.

JungMin grinned widely, enjoying the way YoungSaeng flushed even deeper, if that was possible.  He'd be a complete tomato if this kept up.

At the sudden serious question and expression on the father's voice, JungMin instantly lifted his hands into a peaceful gesture again, thinking he was in trouble.  "Friendship," he said, eyes wide.  "I want to be his friend."  He didn't have any other motives.

YoungSaeng sighed loudly.  "Appa, stop scaring the poor guy.  You're acting like he's gonna attack me or something..."  He turned to Jungmin.  "Ignore him.  We've learned that's the best thing to do."

His father watched the two interact before smiling brightly, taking Jungmin's hand in his own.  "I approve!  You may woo my child if you want to, though I don't know why anyone would want to woo such an aggravating child..." he man added, muttering the last line.

"Stupid old man..." YoungSaeng said, pursing his lips into a distinct pout, though he'd never admit it.

JungMin chuckled softly at YoungSaeng's 'advice', hands still up as he watched the father.  He didn't want to get on the man's bad side, not quite sure what he was supposed to say or do.

When the man grabbed his hand, JungMin blinked at him for a moment before grinning.  Seems he was in the clear again.  He was rather liking this man, he seemed interesting.  "Yes sir.  I shall take good care of him," he replied, the corners of his eyes crinkling in laughter.

Parent number one seemed alright, at least.  He had yet to meet YoungSaeng's mother, but he hoped it would go as well as this.  He didn't know it, but he was already becoming attached to the younger male, quite possibly the first person to show him genuine kindness in a long time.

YoungSaeng's pout deepened.  "Now I need taking care of?" he muttered as Jungmin and his father got along. 

He was unsure why, but he was very happy that Jungmin got along so well with his father.  It was a rare occurrence, since his father was what he liked to call a complete whackjob, so people tended to avoid meeting him.

"Is Umma upstairs?"

"Yep!  Your wonderful and amazing Umma is making an even better meal for you as we speak!"  To Jungmin, the man said, "Feel free to stay!  My loving wife is the best cook this side of the hemisphere, and probably the other as well!"

JungMin was surprised at the offer.  He'd just met them, and they were offering to let him stay for a meal?  It was unheard of for him, and he wasn't sure how to react, deciding to just go with it (like everything else that was strange about YoungSaeng and his family).

"I would be honored," he said, grinning, using what little polite language he knew.  With gangs you had to be polite or you could get your throat slit, he did have manners when he wanted to use them.  He looked to YoungSaeng after a moment and laughed at the pout across the younger's face.  "What's wrong Saeng?" he asked in a teasing tone, having already started using the others nickname.  He walked over to the other, grinning.  "Your face is gonna get stuck like that," he commented, poking the human's cheek playfully.

YoungSaeng wrinkled his nose at the poke.  "I love how you two are deciding all this without me..." he muttered, no real bite to his words.  In truth, he was amused at the conversation.  "And you don't have to be so polite, you know.  My family's pretty informal, as you've probably noticed."

Having realized that his father had left, he headed for the door, motioning for Jungmin to follow.  "He's right, though.  Umma is an amazing cook," he said as he walked out of the room.

JungMin followed YoungSaeng cheerfully, in a much better mood now, if that was possible.  "Alright," he replied brightly.  "I just don't talk to many parents so I didn't want to mess up too badly.  You have a cool father."  Being rather out of whack himself, JungMin thought he could definitely get along with that man.  As long as, as YoungSaeng said, he didn't mention gangs or hitmen.

"And you're still like a tomato," he pointed out with a laugh.

The blush deepened a bit.  "I can't help it.  My Appa's a lunatic, but he cares a lot about me and as you noticed, is protective in the weirdest ways imaginable," he explained, heading up the stairs and toward the kitchen.  He stopped outside the doorway and turned to Jungmin.

"My Umma is weird in her own way, and she's an extremely good judge of character.  If you like my Appa, you'll love my Umma."

"It's not that weird," he said with a grin and shrug.  " And it's cool that he's protective of you."  He made a mental note to make YoungSaeng blush more often; he really was too adorable.  And ticklish.  Which ensured quite a few more attacks at random.

He wondered how Saeng's mother would take him.  If she was a good judge of character, would she see something dangerous in JungMin?  Because he was dangerous, and even though he was making an effort to be nice and not say anything wrong, he might slip.  He looked at the door to the kitchen for a moment, before looking back at YoungSaeng with a grin.  "It smells good," he said with a laugh; he could smell whatever it was cooking all the way out here.

YoungSaeng laughed.  "You say that now.  Wait til you get to know the man."

He smiled.  "I know.  You'll love Umma's cooking.  I mean, it's amazing!" YoungSaeng gushed.  Opening the door, he walked into the kitchen.

JungMin followed YoungSaeng into the kitchen, looking around the room with interest.  It was really clean, which shouldn't surprise him considering the state of the rest of the house.  Gaze focusing on the woman busy at the other end of the kitchen, he gave a cheerful "Annyeong!", somewhat reassured by how easy getting along with the father had been.  The father had been the majority of his concern, so talking with Saeng's mother shouldn't be so bad, right?

The woman stopped what she was doing at the cheerful greeting from a voice she didn't know.  Turning, she looked at the young man next to her son with sharp eyes.  "Saengie Honey, who's this young man?"

YoungSaeng blinked.  "This is Jungmin, Umma.  He's a friend, and Appa invited him to stay for dinner, if that's okay..."

"Hmm," she said as she walked over to Jungmin and leaned close, observing him with narrowed eyes.

JungMin blinked as the woman walked to him, wondering if his assumption the mother would be easy to get along with had come a bit too early.  Offering a wide smile, he met those sharp eyes as confidently as he could (which admittedly wasn't much when he was dealing with parents, contrary to his through-the-roof confidence the rest of the time).  Those eyes were far too sharp, too intelligent.  He got the feeling that even if he tried to behave himself, this woman would be able to see right through him.

The only thing going for him at the moment was that despite his pyromania, dangerous occupation, and lack of remorse for taking lives, he didn't mean Saeng any harm and genuinely wanted to be his friend.

When the mother leaned close, he instinctively leaned back on his heels, meeting her eyes without looking away.  He toyed with the idea of looking down to be polite (that was what he was expected to do when meeting with gangs) but then decided with this woman doing so might mean something else altogether.  "It's nice to meet you," he said, determinedly cheerful till the end.

She looked into the young man's eyes for a moment longer before straightening and turning toward YoungSaeng.  "Oh, Saengie!  He's adorable!"  Turning to her husband, she gushed, "Darling, can we keep him?  We don't have to give him back, do we?!"

Her husband looked up from the paper he was looking at.  "He wants to woo YoungSaeng, Dear."

She turned back to Jungmin, stars in her eyes.  "Oh!  Yes!  You must woo my baby!  Then you'd be my son-in-law!" she continues before spinning elegantly back to her cooking.

YoungSaeng sighed, dragging Jungmin to the table, where he sat down.  "I told you my parents were insane..."

JungMin blinked in surprise at the sudden change in attitude, before grinning widely in relief.  It seemed like he had passed, whatever the test had been about.  He couldn't help but chuckle slightly as the mother as if they could 'keep him'.  It wasn't as if he had anyone to really get back to, though it was funny they seemed to think he did.  His brother would be miffed, but only because he'd lost a partner.  And JungMin didn't really care what the other thought anyways.

When suddenly the conversation turned back to him dating Saeng, he was helpless to stop the laughter from coming.  It was just too funny.  He was pulled over to the table, watching YoungSaeng sit down.  "I have both their permission, Saengie~," he chirped teasingly, poking the others cheek lightly.  "So I guess I better start wooing you."  He gave his best elegant (and slightly comical) bow before taking one of the empty seats.  "And there's no such thing as insanity, cause everyone's at least a little loopy."  If these nice people were insane, he must be completely and irreversibly mad.

YoungSaeng managed to blush deeply as everyone seemed to want him to date Jungmin, and the pyrokinetic seemed entirely okay with playing along.  While he would admit that Jungmin was extremely easy on the eyes, he'd never been in a relationship before, which made him nervous whenever his parents brought up the subject, which had been more often recently.

"Yeah well, my family is a bit moreso than a lot..." he replied, laughing affectionately.

JungMin's grin only widened as he made YoungSaeng blush yet again.  The kid was going to be a permanent tomato around him.  He really wasn't being serious about 'wooing' the younger, though YoungSaeng really was cute.  He'd actually been in a relationship before, though it had been anything but serious, and more about experimentation than anything.  JungMin couldn't imagine doing something like that with YoungSaeng, who seemed as far from corruption as you could possibly get.  He had no other experience with relationships, and hadn't seen any truly in love couples before with the people he hung out with.

"But your parents seem nice~," he protested, laughing as he brushed locks of hair out of his eyes.  "If your family is insane, mine must have come straight out of the asylum."  Including himself of course.

"My parents are nice, and I love them to death...they're just nuts."  YoungSaeng laughed at Jungmin's comment.  "From everything I've seen today, I'm not even doing to dispute that."

JungMin grinned at that, glancing back at the two adults.  He was a bit jealous of YoungSaeng, for having such a great family.  Turning back to Saeng, he returned to poking the other lightly in the side, over and over.  The mischievous glint in his eyes said he was coming close to tickling again on purpose.  "Are you busy tomorrow?  Wanna hang out, or I don't know, do something?  I have nothing to do and I don't want to listen to my brother all day."  If he were to stay home, he'd be prime target for his older sibling's frustration, and something was going to break.  Hopefully said sibling's head, but he wasn't going to stay that in front of YoungSaeng's parents, remembering to sensor his thoughts somewhat instead of just saying exactly what he was thinking.

YoungSaeng squeaked a couple times before sending a hard elbow at Jungmin's side in retaliation.  He did not, however, tell him to stop.  "Tomorrow?  I have school until 3, but that's about it.  What did you have in mind?"

He could see Jungmin wanting to say something else, but forcing it down.  He appreciated that the hitman was trying to behave on his account.

A wide grin spread on the elder's lips as he was elbowed, chuckling.  "I don't know.  Anything."  He stopped the poking for a moment, so that the other would think he'd stopped.  "Something fun."  He suddenly remembered a building that he'd broken into ages ago, and found boxes upon boxes of fireworks.  Old fireworks, some that didn't work anymore, but he'd sent a few up one night out of boredom and the explosions and sparkles in the sky had been amazing.  He remembered there used to be child groups that used to have small firework nights, but since gang activity had gone up it had been harder to make fireworks without someone using them for harm.

"Where's your school?  I can meet you after."  He snuck a quick poke, then stuck out his tongue cheekily.

YoungSaeng sighed when Jungmin stopped poking him.  "It's on 3rd Street.  I'm a first year there," he explained, glaring at the quick poke.

JungMin thought for a moment, then nodded.  "Okay, I know where that is."  He practically bounced in his seat, already excited.  At YoungSaeng's glare, he laughed, reaching out and tapping the tip of the others nose lightly.  "If you're trying to look threatening, it's not working," he teased.  "It just looks even cuter when you're trying to be intimidating~"

YoungSaeng wrinkled his nose, blushing lightly again.  He seemed to be doing that a lot around the Pyrokinetic.  "I'm not cute," he argued, crossing his arms petulantly.

JungMin just laughed.  "You really need to look in the mirror more often Saengie ah," he said cheekily.  "See?  Even when you're saying you're not cute you're cute!"  He wasn't budging on his opinion, that much was certain.

Seeing that Jungmin wasn't going to change his mind on the matter, YoungSaeng sighed.  A minute later, his mother had placed plates of food in front of him and Jungmin before siting down herself with plates for her and her husband.  Picking up the pair of chopsticks, he took a bite and practically melted.  His mother really outdid herself this time.

Blinking as YoungSaeng's mother placed food down in front of them, JungMin's wide grin nearly split his face in two.  "Thank you!" he chirped, his gratitude for being able to join them for lunch showing in the way he bounced in place like a little kid.  He felt happier than he had in ages, it was strange.  Waiting for his hosts to start eating, JungMin picked up his own chopsticks and picked up a piece, trying it curiously.

His eyes lit up, and he started bouncing all over again, surprised at how good it tasted.  "This is really, really good!"  He exclaimed, finding a piece of carrot next and eating it instantly.  They had nothing like this at home, just stuff that was easy to make like instant ramyun.  And carrots.  There was always a large supply of carrots.

YoungSaeng choked on his next bite, trying, yet not succeeding, in holding down the laughter at the older man's childishness.

The woman beamed.  "Why thank you, Jungmin Dear!  You're so sweet!  Unlike my mean, non cooking complimenting husband here," she said, whacking the man on the back of his head, making him choke.

Bursting into laughter as the father choked on his food, JungMin ducked his head as his entire body shook with laughter.  It was impossible to stop, nor did he want to.  Laughing had always came easy to him whatever the situation may be, but it had never come like this.

When he was finally able to breathe again, he continued eating, unwilling to let such good food go to waste.  The carrots were the first to go of course, and there was soon no trace of them left on his plate.  He kept making the occasional comment on the cooking, and when he didn't say anything, his body language said it loud and clear for him.

Between bites, YoungSaeng watched Jungmin out of the corner of his eye.  The older teen was so expressive with his emotions.  It was a very refreshing sight.  He released a few chuckled of his own at his expense.

"Like carrots much?" he asked, amused as he inhaled the meal, carrots first.

Nodding enthusiastically, JungMin swallowed.  "Carrots are amazing!  I heard once that if you eat too much, you turn orange!  Though I eat tons, and I'm not orange.  Am I orange?"  He looked down at his hands as though between the time he'd last looked in a mirror and now he'd become the first orange demon.  "I don't think I am.  Though that would be cool."  He pouted at that.

YoungSaeng was unable to control himself as he laughed loudly and clearly at Jungmin pout about whether or not he was orange.  He was a very calm person normally, but being around Jungmin just seemed to bring out another side.  He had never in his life laughed as much and as hard as he had since meeting Jungmin mere hours earlier.

JungMin grinned at YoungSaeng, listening to the younger male laugh before resuming eating, bouncing happily.  The entire atmosphere was so lightening, he wondered if this was what YoungSaeng meant by the 'feelings' he got from this house.  Picking up a piece of food with the chopsticks, he childishly held it out to YoungSaeng to eat, grinning widely.

When YoungSaeng was finally able to calm down, he raised an eyebrow at Jungmin, who was holding out a piece of food to feed him.  Still smiling brightly, he opened his mouth and ate the offered food.  "Told you she's an amazing cook," he mumbled around the mouthfull.

JungMin beamed like a child as YoungSaeng ate the food, returning to eating himself with renewed energy.  Nodding enthusiastically at the younger's comment, he ignored the bangs that fell into his eyes.  "I never had food this good before," he commented, grinning widely.  He continued eating, every now and then offering YoungSaeng a piece, being playful.  It was fun, like a strange kind of game.

The older man looked at his son and new friend, smiling.  "Would you look at that, Honey.  They're feeding each other already..."

YoungSaeng froze mid-bite and kicked his father under the table. shooting him a glare.

"Oh, leave them alone, Dear," his mother cut in.  "I think it's cute."  Turning to YoungSaeng, she said, "Saengie Sweetie, don't kick your father, please.  That's my job."
 
JungMin started laughing again as soon as YoungSaeng glared at his father.  "You really need to work on the whole dangerous look idea," he teased again, before picking up a piece of meat and placing it against YoungSaeng's lower lip.  He saw absolutely nothing wrong with feeding his new friend; it was fun, it amused the parents, and embarrassed YoungSaeng.  What was not to like?  And he liked the happy feeling it gave him.  He wanted to get as much of it as he could so that when he got back home he wouldn't be tempted to knock his brother's head off right away.  "Say ah~"

"Well then, Oh Wise One.  Teach me the ways of dangerous looks," YoungSaeng said, bowing.  When he straightened, he felt Jungmin place more food to his lips.  On what was now probably reflex, he immediately opened his mouth, accepting the food before he even knew what he was doing.

Hearing the way Jungmin spoke of his brother, he had the feeling that his home life wasn't ideal, so he was more than happy to allow the man his fun.

"Well, see, you have to have the face to look dangerous," JungMin said with a laugh.  "No matter what I teach you, you'll look about as dangerous as a hamster with food stuffed in its cheeks."  Beaming again as the food was accepted, he finished off his plate happily.  It was nice, the whole atmosphere in the kitchen.  He kept looking around, taking in every detail with endless curiosity.

YoungSaeng faked a pout and crossed his arms across his chest.  "Well, at least you're honest..." he muttered.  Once they had both finished their meals, he stood up, taking their plates and placing them in the sink.  Turning back, he watched Jungmin take in everything around him like a child, curiosity all but limitless.

JungMin grinned and gave a peace sign at YoungSaeng's comment.  He always preferred telling the truth, which was why avoiding the details he had YoungSaeng had gone over prior to coming here was hard for him.

Looking around, he didn't realize he was being watched until he idly glanced back in YoungSaeng's direction.  Meeting his eyes, he grinned widely at the other.  He bounced to his feet, bowing to the parents, in particular the mother.  "Thank you for letting me stay to eat!"  He exclaimed happily, bouncing lightly as he straightened.

The woman smiled brightly, returning the bow with an elegant one of her own.  "Well, thank you for staying, Jungmin.  My son doesn't often bring friends home, considering his father, but you are very welcome to come over whenever you want," she explained, smile not faltering at all.

JungMin laughed, grinning.  He really didn't think YoungSaeng's dad was that bad, but to each their own.  "Really?  You're both really, really cool parents," he said, eyes crinkling with laughter.  "I suppose I'll get going now, should be getting back."  More jobs would be coming in, he was sure of that.

"I'll walk with you," YoungSaeng said to the young man.  Telling his parents that he'd be back soon, he led Jungmin out.  Assuming that he was heading back in the direction that the hitman had tried going earlier, he began walking.

JungMin waved a cheerful goodbye to the parents, following YoungSaeng out of the house.  When the younger male started walking though, JungMin grinned and put one arm around the other's shoulders, steering him the other way.  "This way silly," he said cheerfully.  "My place isn't that far off, but how far are you planning to go?  It's not exactly in the nicest of areas."  They'd gotten the cheapest apartment they could, and it landed them right in gang central.  Tons of crime (most of which they were a part of), and he didn't like the idea of YoungSaeng in there.

YoungSaeng blinked as he felt himself being stopped, then turned around.  "Oh," he said, red slipping onto his face.  "Well, I guess I want to go as far as I can.  I'm assuming that you live near the gangs, right?"  He paused.  "Would it be okay if I did?  Go with you, I mean."  He was intrigued by the gangs, though he'd never openly admit it.  He'd heard talk of a ruthless leader, but also of the other two gangs, both more peaceful.  He knew that his parents would disapprove, but ignorange was most certainly not something he could afford in this age.

"Bingo," JungMin said, grinning.  "It was the best place for us to go.  Since we deal with them all the time.  You can come, I guess, but up to a point.  There's one really bad spot I'm not taking you in, cause there's always something going on.  I don't need your parents after me cause some mofo can't aim a gun properly."  He messed up the other hair with his free hand, the other still slung over YoungSaeng's shoulders.  And he wouldn't feel comfortable with YoungSaeng walking through that spot on his way back home.  Ice manipulation could only go so far, and he doubted astral projection was going to stop a bunch of hotheads from running him over.

YoungSaeng nodded slowly.  "Okay.  That seems fair."  He paused.  Is that where you live?" he asked, nervous.  If the area was as bad as Jungmin said, he knew that he'd end up worrying, but he still wanted the confirmation.

JungMin nodded.  "Yup.  Smack in the middle of it.  Sometimes the idiots need a good head-bashing."  He grinned at YoungSaeng.  "For tomorrow!  I just remembered of a bunch of old fireworks I found hanging around, when it gets dark want to send them up?  It's really cool!"  He flailed his free arm again, excited already.

YoungSaeng positively lit up and the idea.  "Seriously?!  Oh my God, that sounds like so much fun!  I haven't set off fireworks since my dad and me did it when I was little!" 

JungMin laughed, happy that his new friend was so excited at the idea as well.  "Great!  Can I meet you right after school?  We can go do whatever and then get the fireworks when it's dark enough!  I know just the spot to send them up~!"  He bounced lightly while walking, steering YoungSaeng down a shortcut between two houses and back into the main downtown area.

"Sure!  Like I said before, I get out at three.  It would be earlier, but I have choir after school," he explained, following Jungmin.  "I have to stay for that, but then I'm free to do whatever"

"Choir?"  JungMin echoed, blinking.  "What's that?"  He'd left school at an early age, and the one he'd gone to had been very basic.  He hadn't been very interested in attending classes either; though he knew all the basics, like reading, writing and math, that was about it.

"It's singing," YoungSaeng explained, smiling.  He could easily do without all of his other classes, but Choir was the one that kept him there.

JungMin made an 'o' shape with his mouth.  "You sing?  Awesome!  Sing for me?  Sing for me?"  He poked the others side again, expression eager. 

YoungSaeng laughed at Jungmin's reaction and found it impossible to say no.  "Okay, but just a little."  Taking a breath, he sang the chorus to the song that would be his solo song.((Nameless Memory))

For the second time that day, JungMin was rendered completely speechless, listening with wonder.  When YoungSaeng finished, he stared for a moment before suddenly becoming animated again, bouncing so much he could have taken off.  "WOW, you're such a good singer!  Do you have lots of practice?  That's amazing!  Can I come watch you sing sometime?  Is everyone else in choir as talented as you?  Is it hard?"  He babbled on, amazed.

YoungSaeng blushed deeply at the gushing compliment.  "If you want, you can come early tomorrow and watch, I suppose," he said, smiling.  The questions were endless, but he did his best to answer them all as they came.

JungMin laughed, clapping his hands.  "Can I?  Will I be let in?  I promise I'll be good~!!!"  He flailed, excited at the idea of being able to watch.  Steering the younger down a side street, it was obvious they were approaching the more dangerous district.  The buildings looked less and less well-kept, graffiti popping up everywhere.

"It's fine, Jungmin.  I'll just let my teacher know that you're coming," he said.  As Jungmin led him around, he took in the area, smile slowly slipping from his face.  Everything was so different here from his neigborhood.  He found himself unconsciously moving closer to Jungmin as he continued looking around.

Feeling the younger male shift closer to him, JungMin blinked and looked down at him, taking in the others expression.  Considering where he'd grown up, this must all be odd to him, but this was daily for JungMin.  It was what he was used to.  Giving a cheerful smile, he wrapped one arm around the others shoulders again.  "How many people are in this choir thing?"  He asked, curious.

YoungSaeng felt himself relax as Jungmin wrapped arn arm around his shoulders.  "Um, in the main choir, about 30, but the soloists have 6, incliuding myself," he explained.

"WOW, that's a lot,"  JungMin exclaimed, blinking.  "Your school must be big!"  Just then there was a ruckus up ahead, voices shouting angrily.  JungMin would have ignored them, verbal fights broke out constantly, but when a gun was fired he promptly spun YoungSaeng back around to face the way he came.  "Alrighty, that's far enough."  He hugged the younger male around the shoulders.  "I'll see you tomorrow then?"

YoungSaeng jumped when he heard the gunshot, releasing a startled cry.  Eyes wide, he looked at Jungmin, almost begging as he turned him around, aiming him toward home.  "Was that-are you gonna be okay?"  He had never in his life heard a gunshot at such close range, and he could honestly say that he was scared for Jungmin, knowing that he lived in such an area.  "You can come back, you know.  My parents won't mind..."

JungMin laughed, poking the others cheek lightly.  "You're so cute~."  It felt funny, to see that this boy was worried about him...  WORRIED about him.  No one had ever done that before.  "Of course I'll be okay, I'll torch anyone who aims a gun at me."  He hugged the other from behind, then let him go.  "Now shoo, before I change my mind about the fireworks," he said in a teasing voice, not concerned about the fight that had just started.

YoungSaeng continued to stare at Jungmin, eyes radiating fear and worry.  When he hugged him from behind and nudged him forward, he averted his eyes for a moment before returning the gaze.  "When I see you tomorrow, you'd better not have even a scratch, or I'll be pissed."  Looking in the direction of the gunshot, he sighed and ran away from the area as Jungmin had wanted him to do.

JungMin watched YoungSaeng run away, chuckling quietly.  That kid was really something.  Though he really had nothing to worry about.  JungMin wasn't about to be nailed by a bunch of gang hotheads.  Turning, he walked back in the direction of his apartment, absently playing with a spark of fire between his fingertips.