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Chapter Text

Cale stretched his arms behind his body and breathed deeply. There was endless work ahead of him, he almost wished Clopeh Sekka would attack sooner rather than later so he wouldn’t have to both hold the shield around Rain city and organise the guidelines for the other territories.

Perhaps he could act like trash and throw all the work on Eric and Amiru? 

“Human! It’s time for bed!” Raon floated towards him and set himself down on the couch that Cale had taken as his makeshift office. The couch was, of course, much more comfortable than all the chairs in the study, so he had moved everything he needed to his bedroom. 

Cale patted the eager head that was butting into his side, “Go to bed first, I still have to finish this.” 

The small dragon leaned into the hand and his tail twirled around slowly, a trait he had picked up from the cats, interrupting the candle light and causing funny shadows on the paper in front of Cale.

“I am not sleepy!” said the six year old. “I will wait for the weak human to finish!”

Cale sighed. It was not good for small children to stay awake late at night, growth always happened at night after all. He picked up the document he had been looking through and glanced at Raon. 

Raon pushed his chubby head on Cale’s lap and relaxed completely like a spineless cat, arms settled beside his head on Cale’s leg. His blinking slowed and Cale was sure it was only a matter of time till he fell asleep. 

The redhead picked up the document he had been overseeing and casually laid his other hand on Raon’s back to start petting him. 

The dragon’s wings spread, giving Cale more space to pat. 

Raon had been eating well, his scales were shiny and soft, his wing span had also increased. Perhaps Cale should talk to Eruhaben about the possibility of Raon learning how to fly with just his wings in the future. 

Cale rubbed circles into Raon's back and heard the dragon mutter something under his breath. Something about ‘Human’ and ‘Sleep’. It didn't take a genius to know what he was thinking. 

As his breathing started to slow, Cale very slowly set the document down and started the very meticulous mission of moving a highly sensitive dragon into his arms without waking him up. 

Cale stood up and suppressed a groan as his back complained and cracked. 

Raon was heavy, too heavy for Cale’s weak arms, but Cale was his guardian. That means it was his duty to make sure the six year old slept in his bed at night. Moving quietly, he made his way to the bed where the cats had curled up. 

Raon’s limbs dangled from Cale’s hold, the sudden feeling of someone’s dependance on him filled his chest with warmth. 

Cale was a parent. 

The realisation came out of nowhere. It wasn’t the first time he had moved the kids while they slept nor was it the first time they had this routine. This was a repeated situation that Cale had lived through multiple times. Perhaps that’s why the realization happened at all, because Cale had gotten used to being this comfortable with them and that had never happened before. 

Kim Rok Soo had very few memories of his parents. One of his oldest memories was of warmth and sweet nothings whispered in his ears as he floated in his father’s arms. The warmth was taken away from him when they died, but it was one of the feelings he would never forget. He often remembered it when he was at his uncle’s house, it was always too cold there. 

Cale lowered his entire body to set Raon on the bed, it was a trick he had seen before in his life as Kim Rok Soo. You have to lower your entire body with your child to keep the warmth as long as possible so they wouldn’t wake up before letting go. Cale made sure to do it even when his back started hurting him from the awkward position. 

Raon curled up and his wings twitched slightly. Cale watched silently, giving a small pat on the squishy black scales. 

“..Nya?”

Cale looked at On, the oldest and the most sensitive of all the children, “Go back to sleep, everything is fine.” 

“You’re not sleeping?” On yawned, all of her small yet sharp teeth on display. 

“Not right now,” and probably not today, Cale didn’t say, “I’ll finish some things first and sleep.” 

He caressed the silver cat’s head and On yawned once more before closing her eyes and curling back next to Hong whose legs kicked like he was running before they stopped.

Cale gave Hong a gentle caress as well before standing up. 

He turned to the window and saw the night lighting up with the power of Raon’s many shields and Cale’s own ancient power. It cast a gentle light on the kids averaging 9 years old. 

He didn’t know whether the ancient power would stick around while he was sleeping or not, but it was better not to chance it just in case. It was okay for a few hours if his shield fell, but Raon was sleeping and if someone attacked, they wouldn't be able to recast any shields. 

That’s why Cale was on night duty today. 

He had pulled all nighters plenty of times as Kim Rok Soo, this would hardly be his first time. Not to mention with the Vitality of Heart in his body, he could probably be fine if he didn’t sleep at all. 

Cale spotted the high pile of paper on the table in front of the couch and closed his eyes. 

The night was going to be long. 

“Young master.” A voice distracted his cramping hand. Cale looked at the owner of the voice who was smiling particularly coldly this - He glanced at the bright atmosphere out of the window - morning. It was already morning?

“Young master,” Ron repeated, Cale gulped as the smile got wider. Was he in danger? His heart beat louder in his chest. “Did you not sleep at all last night?”

“I had to prepare the guidelines for the other territories. It’s a time-sensitive matter.” Cale said and leaned back into the couch, grimacing when his back popped. 

Ron’s eyes stayed cold as he kept smiling, he approached Cale and swiftly set a glass of hot lemon tea right next to the document in front of him. “Drink your lemon tea, Young master.”

It felt like a threat. Or perhaps, something worse. 

Cale felt eyes watching him as he reached with trembling hands to take the tea cup and swung it back like it was bitter medicine or a shot of cheap alcohol. He swallowed quickly to decrease the amount of time it spent in his mouth and grimaced at the horrible sour taste on his tongue. 

Ron nodded at him genially like the perfect servant and went to wake the kids. 

What a vicious old man. 

Cale then noticed the breakfast cart that Ron had pulled inside when he came in, how did he not hear it? Must be an assassin thing. Well, it didn’t matter much to Cale. He got up and started filling the plates of the kids, knowing they would be hungry as soon as they woke up.

True to his thoughts, Raon immediately flew like a bullet towards the table. It was a funny sight, a small chubby dragon going for the pancakes while still rubbing his tired eyes. The cats soon followed, meowing their way into the table. 

Cale added more of their favourites as they started licking and biting through their meals. 

“Weak human!” Raon called as Cale wiped his face, “You look terrible!”

He felt offended as he looked down on himself. He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes (why change into pajamas when he wasn’t even going to sleep?) and they were a bit crumbled here and there but they didn’t look that bad. 

“This humble servant agrees with Raon-nim.” Ron appeared out of nowhere as he usually did, just to mess with Cale’s poor ancient power which was pumping blood in his chest. “Lack of sleep tends to do that to oneself.” 

That snitch-! 

As if it was a play orchestrated by Ron, all three children gasped dramatically. 

Raon flew so close to his face that Cale couldn’t see anything other than his wide blue eyes. 

“Weak human, did you lie to me? You didn’t sleep after you finished the paperwork!” He accused, and Cale raised a hand to pat him so he could quiet down. Raon just took the hand from the top of his head and held it between his paws. 

“It took me longer than expected.” Cale admitted, hand held hostage by a dragon and then the two kittens nibbled on the hand that was still on the table. It was obvious the little soft bites were punishment but they hurt even less than papercuts. They didn’t even draw blood. 

“Go sleep now!” Hong stomped his paws on the table but it caused no noise. Cale poked his head with a finger to calm him down. 

“I’ll eat first.” 

The kids thought about it and exchanged looks making Cale sigh. Look at him being bullied by kids averaging 9 years old. 

“Do you promise you’ll sleep after breakfast?” On asked. 

Cale got attacked by three pairs of eyes. 

He sighed, “Yes, yes.” 

On nodded at him and retreated to her plate, the other two also deemed his promise to them as enough because the meal continued in relative peace. 

Cale glanced at Ron who was looking genuinely pleased now, his eyes wrinkled as he met Cale’s gaze. 

He huffed, the old man wasn’t even bothering to hide his personality these days. 

“HUMAN!” 

Cale flinched and unconsciously hid the document behind him. 

Raon flew to the couch as he did the day before but with far more anger in his chubby frame. “Weak human, you promised! You said you would sleep after breakfast but it has been an hour, thirty-one minutes and twenty three seconds!” 

“I know, but I only have one-” 

“No!” The dragon stomps his legs on the couch, Cale actually bounces a bit from the heavy pounding. “Weak human is stupid!” 

He then crawled over Cale’s legs and physically pushed his chest to lie down, Cale went down so easily it was almost laughable how this six year old was easily manhandling his guardian. 

‘Dragons are truly great and mighty,’ Cale thought as Raon stood on his chest and glared down at him. ‘I shouldn’t make Raon angry again.’

“Stupid human!” he declared, flopping on top of Cale and spreading his limbs like a starfish, “It’s time for a nap!” 

“Ah.” Cale closed his eyes, the paper he had hidden was digging into his back, it was an entirely uncomfortable position to sleep in, especially with a mighty six year old digging holes into his face and crushing his chest. 

He forced his body to relax and threw one arm on Raon to rest over his wings. 

If he was lucky, Raon might get sleepy enough that he can move him in a bit. 

Needless to say, Cale was not lucky. 

He woke up four hours later. 

Back aching dully from the awkward position, Cale groaned and opened his eyes. 

Raon smirked at his face in victory.

This kid, where was he learning those expressions?

“Good afternoon, Human!” He said, entirely too loudly for Cale’s comfort, “It’s time to eat!” 

Cale’s expression blanked as he sat up and looked at the window. The shield outside shone brightly around Rain city, not even a little dulled by the sunlight. 

But Cale instinctively knew, this shield wasn’t his. Those were Raon’s shields, he must have adjusted the light effect because he was smart enough to handle these things on his own.  

His theory was correct, he couldn't keep up the ancient powers while he rested. 

Well, it was good he had gotten some hours of shut eye since he felt more energised than ever. He had also finished everything they needed urgently and could relax and preserve his energy. 

Cale nodded to himself as he carried Raon towards the table. 

He could handle everything until the war began. 

Chapter Text

Cale had stayed awake again the next day, no matter how much the kids tried to threaten him, the shield could not fall. Not when no one expected it to. 

He once again got strong-armed into bed at noon by Ron’s scary gaze. 

Cale planned to stay in bed for about thirty minutes, just to rest his aching eyes from using records all day. 

His meditative state got broken by loud purring vibrating through his ribs. He peeked through his lashes and Hong was on his chest, stretching and kneading the blanket.

Cale didn’t say anything, he kept his body relaxed. The purring helped clear his mind. He could keep his meditation going. 

Hong was going to get bored of him anyways, the small kitten had a small attention span and liked to stay active. It was a healthy attitude for a growing boy his age, Cale almost nodded but remembered that he was currently faking - resting. He was resting. Not that he needed it. He was just doing this so no one would be too worried since they didn’t know he had the Vitality of Heart or its effects. 

Hong finished making biscuits on the soft blanket Ron had tucked Cale into and promptly curled into a tight ball. The purring got louder and Cale breathed softly. 

It was absurdly calming. 

(Cale’s eyebrows, that he didn’t know were frowning, relaxed. Hong exchanged winning looks with On and Raon. 

Mission accomplished!)

Cale woke up and immediately turned his head to look at the window, his shield had vanished. 

Thankfully it hadn’t been too long since he had fallen asleep, the sun hadn’t moved much. He started to sit up to summon his shield until he realised that there was a weight on his chest. Hong hadn’t moved since he had fallen asleep. In fact, Hong seemed to be sleeping himself. 

He experimentally raised his upper body very slowly and froze when Hong rolled onto his back and his head rolled to be upside down, Cale saw tiny sharp canines poke out of his slightly open mouth. Small purrs shook his small frame. 

He couldn’t move him like this. 

Cale sighed and laid back down. 

Might as well get some more rest since Raon had it handled. 

The next day, they left him alone the whole day. 

How suspicious. 

He had just finished updating Alberu on everything in the reports when On came up to him. 

“Cale-nya?” 

Cale, who acted like he wasn’t tracking her approach, hummed in response. 

“Can you tell us a bedtime story?”

“A story?” 

Cale blinked, that was new. The kids usually passed out without any need of aid. The soft bedding and safe surroundings were enough to lull them into sleep at any given time. 

On nodded, “Nya! A bedtime story.” 

He looked behind her to see Raon and Hong looking at him with wide eyes. Their pupils were so big, constellations shone in their abyss. 

These kids. 

They were scamming him. 

His lips twitched. Oddly enough, he felt proud of them.

Cale stood up, “Okay then.” 

“Did you pick the book you wanted from the library?”

“Each of us picked a book, Human!” Raon said excitedly and got three books out from his spatial space. 

Quickly enough, they were all freshly bathed and settled in bed. Cale’d almost smiled when they all demanded that he bathed and wore his pajamas before reading the story, because it was only the rules. 

Cale leaned into the headboard. On, in her cat form, climbed into his shoulder and purred next to his ears. What a sneaky child. 

Raon threw himself into his lap, Cale had to position the book in front of him. He knew he liked to read at the same time, eyes tracking the words but never spoiling too far. Always stopping at the words Cale was pronouncing softly.

Hong stayed in his human form, cuddled into his side, eyes curiously flitting over the pictures. 

The book was fairly interesting, Cale thought it would be something like the retelling of the children stories he had heard being whispered at night in the shelter, but the fantasy world affected even story books. 

It was a tale of a hero, children tales often were, he was saving villages left and right with what the book described as ‘unlimited wit’.Cale privately thought the hero was a little dull.

“He’s like you!” Raon laughed and Cale frowned. He thought Cale was this stupid? 

“He saves everyone he meets! Like you, Human!” 

Cale didn’t save everyone he met. He couldn’t. He only helped people who were beneficial to him. He wanted to correct Raon but the six year old giggled and turned the hero’s blonde hair red. Hong laughed as well, “Now it’s a real story!”

He couldn’t reply and just glanced at On who gave him a pitying look. 

“Keep going, Human!” Raon demanded. 

Cale grumbled, “Fine.” 

“Let’s change the name to Cale, too!” Hong said. 

The dragon gasped like the idea was genius. 

The only adult between them felt like his dignity was in danger, “I think Yohan is a good name.” 

“No! Cale is a much better name!” Raon shook his head. 

On, who seemed to have finally decided to have mercy on Cale’s soul, interfered and said, “But Yohan isn’t as cool as Cale. Cale did everything better than Yohan did.” 

“You’re right, Noona! Yohan is kinda like Choi Han. He’s not the smartest but he is really strong!” The red haired child whose head was tucked into Cale’s chest, said. 

Cale felt pity for the swordsmaster. 

Raon hummed. “That’s true! Human is much smarter than this. Let’s name Yohan, Choi Han!” 

He then changed all the pictures to have black hair. 

Cale nodded, it was fitting for Choi Han to be the hero, since he technically already was. 

A hero was what Cale would make him out to be after this war. Choi Han’s name would be spoken in every street and Cale would fade into the role of an unimportant side character who went to recuperate somewhere far away and never got mentioned again. 

“Let’s keep going.” 

He went back to reading. He wasn’t the best at it, his voice lacked the emotions and the ups and downs of voicing different characters.

The kids averaging nine-years old were hooked into it, for some reason. Cale thought the book must be very well written for them to be this focused. 

The focus kept till the second book was almost done. 

By the time the third book was halfway there, Hong’s eyelids were more closed than open. 

Cale reclined them all to the bed since they were all clutching to him. Hong squeezed himself between Cale’s right arm and his chest and made a pillow out of his arm. Raon mirrored him on the left side but more wildly in his dragon body, his limbs clutched Cale’s clothes and his head lolled to the side as he tried to keep up. 

On just kneaded the space beside his head and plopped down next to his ear, she pressed her cold snout to his head and Cale unconsciously stopped moving completely so she wouldn’t be disturbed. 

That was how Ron found them a while later, Cale pressed down from all sides by his children. 

Ron smiled his genial smile as Cale glared at him. He wanted to tell him to wake him up in a few hours, just in case, to check the shield, but even a whisper would wake On up. 

His servant pulled the covers to their chins and tucked in the sides. No one even twitched. 

Cale was not jealous. He was not. 

“Sleep, Young master. We will keep watch.” 

The words flowed softly to his ears and Cale breathed out. 

He wanted to tell him he needed to be awake soon. He shouldn’t be sleeping when people in their territory lay awake, terrified that the enemy would break into their houses at night and behead them while they were none the wiser. 

But there was a hand fixing his hair away from his forehead and Cale’s mind was suddenly calm. 

It was safe to sleep, the hand told him. 

And Cale listened. 

Chapter Text

It wasn't his fault that he didn't eat the food while he was at Wind island.

Ron kept giving him vicious looks and Beacrox looked like he was about to murder him when he was looking through the food he still had. 

Cale offered to eat it now instead but Beacrox glared at him so hard he felt like he was being attacked physically. 

But no one was as bad as Eruhaben. 

The ancient dragon sat next to him and just watched him. He acted like he was reading, but the pages weren't turning. 

Cale just wanted him to take the damn jar so he could rest in peace. 

But no, Eruhaben was too stubborn. Cale had to get rest and eat food twice his weight first. 

And there they were, Cale lying down on the couch (after he had begged Eruhaben to let him get out of bed) and ruminating about life while ignoring the dragon's increasingly frequent looks. 

“Cale.”

He snapped up and looked at the golden dragon, “Yes, Eruhaben-nim?” 

“When was the last time you brushed your hair?” Eruhaben's golden eyes were locked on his bedhead. 

Cale shrugged at the question, he had been rotting in bed for a while so he knew there was going to be flyaways everywhere. 

“Go sit on the bed, I will brush it for you.” 

It was very obvious this wasn’t optional as Eruhaben snapped the book shut and summoned a golden brush with a snap of his fingers. Cale grumbled as he went to the place he gestured for him. 

The dragon took his now longer hair into his hand and started detangling the ends. 

Cale found his mind wandering to where the kids had gone. He wanted the kids in his periphery. He wanted to hear their loud laughter and their silly arguments and complaints about his bad habits. 

He wanted to forget the test had ever happened. 

He had tried not to record it, he tried to just convince himself that it was a particularly bad nightmare that he could forget when he woke up. 

But Cale was someone who couldn’t forget. No matter what he did. 

Bristles softly scratched his scalp. Cale leaned back into Eruhaben as he reached for the top of his head. 

Eruhaben’s hands were so skilled that Cale didn’t feel a single hair being pulled off. 

Dragons were, indeed, the best. 

“Are you going to keep being stubborn like this?”

The hands in his hair didn’t stop moving. Cale frowned at the question, “Stubborn?”

A huff tickled his neck, “You didn’t sleep at all last night.”

‘I have been asleep for six days’ Cale wanted to say. 

But instead, what came out was: “I couldn’t sleep.” 

He knew that wasn’t really the reason either. When he was sleeping, new records could be replayed in his dreams. He was just waiting for the records to be drowned in new ones so he could go back to his routine. 

The kids were also restless last night. They had nightmares and he had to comfort them that he was still there. 

(He didn’t think about how he mostly spent the night wide awake, listening to their breathing enough to memorise it, looking at their small chests rising and falling and feeling immense relief every single time.

The only thought in his head the whole time was that he needed to fill those piggybanks.)

– I am sorry, Cale. I should have told you. 

‘It’s over and done with.’

Eruhaben didn’t reply, he just kept brushing his hair with steady hands. 

Then, a plate of mini-sandwiches and cookies floated over to his lap. Cale blinked at the floating china. 

“Eat.” Eruhaben ordered. 

Cale paused in incredibility but shrugged. If this was his punishment, then it was a very nice one. 

Slowly, the food on the plate decreased and Cale’s stomach got fuller. 

He got more comfortable and relaxed, records sedated now that he was focused on doing something and the feeling of hands carding through his hair distracted him. 

He didn’t notice that he was leaning back into Eruhaben’s chest, but it’s not like the dragon mentioned a thing. 

His eyes got heavier. 

He didn’t want to fall asleep like this.

“How much longer? I have things to do today.” Cale asked, disrespectfully. He was pretty sure his hair was already brushed.

“It wouldn’t take this long if you brushed regularly.” Came the calm scolding.  

Cale wanted to tell him that Ron brushed his hair every single day, but he had no energy to do so. 

He grunted like a little spoiled kid and relaxed his body even more. Eruhaben was sure to push him off soon. 

It didn’t come. 

The next thing Cale knew, he was waking up in his bed. Covers tucked around him and his head dizzy with sleep. 

“What time is it?” He asked, eyes still closed. 

A fatherly hand patted his head, but it didn’t feel like Ron’s, more light in touch and smoother. 

“Sleep time.” The voice answered. 

Cale let out a small breath. “The kids?”

“Playing outside. Sleep, Cale. The world will wait for you to rest.” 

Now, Cale knew that wasn’t true. The world never waited for Kim Rok Soo. The moment he thought he had caught up a little, everything always managed to go to shit at the worst possible time. His parents dying, his uncle, the orphanage, the apocalypse, losing his only friends. Every single time Kim Rok Soo started to adapt, something happened to sweep him off his feet at the last minute. 

Records played haphazardly. 

“You worthless piece of shit!” Fists fell on his cheek and his head rang. 

Three days. Hunger. Water falling in from the cracks. The smell of decaying corpses.

Lee Soo Hyuk on the ground. Blood everywhere. Team leader. No no no no nono. 

An empty villa –

A finger smoothed his brow, “Stop thinking bad things.” 

The voice was quite demanding.

Cale didn’t know if he could control the records right now, but he tried. 

“Unlucky bastard.” was whispered near him. 

The bed dipped. “Cale Henistuse.” 

His name made him finally open his eyes. 

Eruhaben’s golden locks fell like waves onto the bed. His eyes were reptilian, dark slits bore into Cale’s soul. 

His heart jumped to his throat. Wha- 

“Did you forget what I am?” 

Cale gulped and unconsciously his glib tongue made quick work of the situation, “A great and mighty ancient dragon.” 

Eruhaben’s lips twitched, his pupils widened a fraction, “That’s right.” 

“No one will touch my family while I am alive on this earth, do you understand?” He continued, not waiting for Cale to reply, “No harm will come to you or yours as long as I still have a single breath in me. No assassins, no organisation, no White Star will ever be able to come near you while you sleep.” 

“So, sleep, you unlucky bastard. Sleep and stop worrying all the time over useless things.” He tutted and poked the space between his brows. 

Cale was supposed to be scared of the viciousness in his words, but Eruhaben’s pupils had gone so wide that it made something in his chest tight and warm. So warm that it overflowed and started crawling up to his face. Cale closed his eyes so it wouldn’t show. 

He fell asleep to gentle rhythmic pats and warmth lighting up his chest. 

No nightmares came to him that night. 

Chapter Text

Ron had something of a routine for Cale.

Cale was convinced the man was just using him as an outlet for his aggression. 

“Young master, I have prepared a bath for you. Please leave your clothes aside so they can be washed.” Ron smiled at him and Cale turned to look away. 

Cale was bloodied and dirty so the bath was appreciated, but what wasn’t appreciated was Ron forcing himself into the bathroom with him. 

“I can do it by myself.” He complained as he entered the bathtub. 

Ron was busy with the scents on the counter, picking products that Cale didn’t even know what their purpose was. 

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, Young master.” The tone was soft and apologetic like speaking to a child who couldn’t have more candy. 

Cale shivered. The scary old man must be very angry at him. 

It wasn’t fair, he didn’t even faint this time! It was just a little bit of blood and it wasn’t even that much. 

Ron walked towards the bathtub and Cale sank a bit lower into the water. The bubbles tickled his neck.

“Please, lean back.” 

Again it was that overly formal tone like the man hadn’t been killing people in the field right beside Cale. 

He obliged and leaned his head back, letting Ron run his hands through the strands and rinsing it with water. 

Cale closed his eyes to avoid looking at Ron’s frightening smile and let him do what he wanted. Maybe he would leave him alone after this. 

Ron didn’t leave him alone. 

First it was the hair and then he insisted on washing his arms since Cale was most dirty there and needed a scrub. Of course, afterwards he refused to leave him alone to dress by himself. 

Cale didn’t understand why the man loved to see him squirm, no he did, Ron was just a sadist. 

Ron made quick work of getting him into his sleepwear. A comfortable cotton set, it was one of the few that Cale actually really liked. He never could afford such expensive and soft cotton as Kim Rok Soo. 

The butler didn’t even blink at the strange tattoos on his body and buttoned up his shirt with callused aging fingers.

“You have gotten skinnier.” 

Cale thought he hallucinated the words, Ron was still focused on fixing his clothes and had him sit down to dry his hair with a very fluffy towel. 

“I’ll have to tell Beacrox to increase your portions at meals.” 

His hair was being ruffled gently, the towel warmed before even touching him. Ron was very meticulous at his job, one of the characteristics of the Molan family. 

Cale blinked the heaviness out of his eyes. It was very comfortable. There was a soft sweet scent in the air, matching the scents Cale had chosen in his bath. It had hints of vanilla in it, like freshly baked goods. 

His stomach grumbled. Cale embarrassedly put his hands on his abdomen. He had eaten three whole apple pies after the fight. Perhaps the bath made him hungrier than he usually was. 

– Cale! I am so hungry! Let’s eat something before bed! 

– We .. we need more energy.. Yo-you didn’t even eat dinner or lunch today. 

“Ron.” Cale called and the towel stopped moving, he didn’t feel disappointed about that at all, “I am hungry.” 

“What do you want to eat, Young master? I will tell Beacrox right now.” came the loyal answer. 

– Oh! Oh! The steak you had last time! Or the bread! Or BOTH! A steak sandwich! Cale, tell the handsome chef to make you steak sandwiches!

Cale ignored the glutton priestess. “Whatever we have in the kitchen, Beacrox always makes delicious food.” 

He knew Ron’s smile must have turned a bit more genuine at that, even if he couldn’t see it. He was always proud of his son. 

“I will deliver your words to him.” 

The towel was deposited around his shoulder as Ron left the room. 

Cale sighed, leaning back in the plush chair. 

Raon and the kittens have gone to hang out with Eruhaben. They must be in his lab experimenting with something or the other. 

He toyed with the idea of going to the lab as well, but his limbs were too heavy and he didn’t want to walk that far. 

Cale closed his eyes for just a second. 

When he opened them, Ron was entering the room with Beacrox close behind, pushing a small cart. 

– CALE! Food! Let’s eat! 

He groaned as he tried to sit up. He was hungry but he was used to hunger, he just wanted to sleep. 

“Here.” 

Cale blinked at Beacrox slowly.

A plate was thrust in front of him. 

“Eat.” 

Cale liked the forwardness of Beacrox better than the sneaky attitude of Ron. Beacrox was the kind of guy to beat you up if he didn’t like you, Ron would probably make you beat yourself up and watch with a smile. 

As he reached to take the plate, his wrist was seized in Beacrox’s thicker hands. 

“You have gotten skinnier. You’re practically all bones.” he growled. 

Cale gulped. 

He took it back, he didn’t like Beacrox’s attitude either. He just wanted to be a slacker in peace. 

“I will be increasing your portions. You will eat everything on your plate. No sharing with the kids.” Beacrox glared at him and Cale quickly nodded. 

The sleep completely left his body as he was watched by two terrifying assassins while he finished the plate of steak ( – YES! SO GOOD!) and ate all the sides. 

Every time his hand slowed, Beacrox got a murderous look on his face. Cale’s hand shook a bit as he ate the last few bites. 

Finally, the plates were all empty. 

Beacrox’s face had relaxed considerably as he picked up the empty plates to deposit back in the trolley. He left without sparing him another glance.

Cale sighed heavily and leaned back, feeling his stomach about to pop. 

“Young master, here is your drink. ” 

Cale flinched. Ron’s face was softened with a genial smile as he got a teapot from somewhere and went to pour him a cup.

His face soured. “I’m full, Ron.”

The redhead didn’t want to sleep with a bitter taste in his mouth. It somehow stuck to his teeth no matter how much he brushed.

“Oh, this humble servant thought you would like some sweet hot chocolate before going to bed, but I suppose –” 

“On second thoughts, I’ll have some.” Cale quickly interrupted. “Since you went through all that trouble.” 

Ron’s eyes were mocking him as he poured the sweet beverage in a tea cup. Cale wished he had a big mug instead. Perhaps he can buy some later?

Cale reached for the cup but Ron stopped his hand, “Marshmallows, Young master?” 

The tone was gentle but he could see the slightest quirk of brow that told Cale he was being toyed with. 

“Yes.” He answered. It doesn’t matter what Ron thought, as long as his chocolate wasn’t poisoned, he was okay with it. 

Ron added one piece of the homemade marshmallows that Beacrox must have made himself and Cale looked at him like he was a stingy barista. 

“More, Young master?” He asked, pleasantly. 

But there was nothing pleasant about it to Cale. 

He nodded. 

Another piece. Just one. 

Ron looked at him in askance. As if he was really an innocent old man. 

Cale almost groaned, “Two more.” 

Didn’t Ron already know that he always added four pieces in his hot chocolate? What was the point of making Cale suffer?

The butler added the last two pieces and Cale quickly snatched the cup before he could torment him in another way. 

He wrapped his hands around the cup and forgone the noble etiquette. He was trash anyways. 

The warmth spread to his hands. 

It was grounding. 

The smell wafting to his nose made his mouth water. 

He took a sip. Sweetness exploded on his tongue, he closed his eyes in bliss. The chocolate was high quality, nothing like the manufactured things in Korea. It was rich and creamy, slipping through his throat and into his insides, warming his entire body. 

The sleep that had been chased away came crashing back. 

Ron walked around the room with sure and steady steps. 

Step. Step. Step. 

It felt almost deliberate. 

Cale focused on the sound, felt his heartbeat match it. 

Ron was next to the fireplace. Adding logs to them, most likely. The room was toasty enough that Cale knew it was to keep him from getting sick since he was still a little wet. 

He took a sip. 

The fire in the fireplace crackled. 

His head was so heavy. 

The tea cup gently slipped from his hold. Cale barely realised this, brain already foggy with sleep. 

“Come on, let’s get you to bed.” 

Words didn’t register, but he did feel the strong hands picking him up like he was a newborn kitten. 

Cale grunted, face scrunching slightly. He was floating in the air, it wasn’t uncomfortable but it was making him a little dizzy.

He imagined this was how it felt when he moved Raon to bed. 

“Ron?” 

“Yes, Young master?” 

His head was pressed against his chest and he felt the voice reverberate against his ears, it was quite nice. Ron smelled of cleanliness, like clothes that had just been washed, a bit of chocolate that made Cale remember the unfinished cup, a devastating sacrifice, and finally a hint of rust. Blood, he recognised. 

The scents were extremely familiar to Kim Rok Soo. 

“Rok Soo-yah! Have some more!” His team leader pushed the large mug towards him. 

Kim Rok Soo had used instant again and he was being confined to bed in their apartment while his hyungs catered to his needs. Kim Rok Soo thought it was unnecessary. The cuts were shallow and they didn’t even hurt as much as the other times. They had already bandaged him and he knew they would heal cleanly in a few weeks even if he didn’t touch them.

Nonetheless, he took the mug and sipped the cocoa. Choi Jung Soo went and made an obscene amount of hot chocolate. Hot chocolate that Lee So Hyuk bought with a lot of money. Kim Rok Soo didn’t understand why he would spend this much money on it but he didn’t complain for fear that he wouldn’t get any. 

Choi Jung Soo was nervously buzzing next to him like a bee, he had fixed his pillows about thirty-two times. 

The room smelt of chocolate, blood and the new detergent that Choi Jung Soo bought and washed all their sheets with. 

It was warm. Unlike the last few days Kim Rok Soo experienced. 

“What do you think? Is it good?” 

It was the third cup he had. Lee Soo Hyuk asked him the same question every time he refilled his mug. 

“Yes.” He nodded. 

“Good, good.” His team leader ruffled his hair and Kim Rok Soo scowled at him. “Hey, punk. Don’t scare us like that again, alright?” 

“Yeah! You were missing for two whole days! Why didn’t you call, huh? You go and use that shitty ability of yours and then you just fall into a ditch somewhere and disappear? What were you thinking!” Choi Jung Soo, whose fuse had suddenly burnt out, exploded at him. 

Kim Rok Soo looked away. “My phone battery died.” 

“That is because you keep reading novels on it! I told you to leave your phone to charge at night but no! Your novel is more important than calling your hyungs!” 

“Hey hey,” Lee Soo Hyuk patted Choi Jung Soo on the shoulder, “It’s already done with, yeah? Rok Soo knows better now. Right?” 

The last question was asked in his direction. Kim Rok Soo muttered something like “Yeah, sorry.” then much louder said, “Jung Soo is not my hyung, he is my age.” 

“YOU -” Choi Jung Soo almost lunged at him but Lee Soo Hyuk held him back. 

“Rok Soo, stop baiting him.” He ordered but it didn’t mean anything when he was smiling at him. 

He ignored the relief in their eyes and laid a hand on his full stomach. He had a hearty meal, Ramen with too many sides and meat, and didn’t think he could finish his cup of hot chocolate. 

His disappointment didn’t escape his roommates. 

“If you’re full, just set it aside and go to sleep, we’ll make you more later.” 

“Yeah, I’ll make you all of Team leader’s secret stash if you call me Hyung once.”

“Hey! Go buy your own! How do you keep finding my secret hiding place anyways? I changed it three times!” 

“Hyung, putting the sweets in your drawer is not a secret hiding place.” Choi Jung Soo shook his head at him sadly. 

Lee Soo Hyuk squawked with indignation. 

Kim Rok Soo had a small smile on his lips as he listened to them squabble like children. 

His eyes grew heavier and heavier as they both calmed down enough to discuss details about the previous mission. Their voices were stable and quiet. 

Alive. They sounded alive. 

Ron’s scent left him just as soon the memory in his head evaporated. 

He was gently deposited on the bed and a fatherly hand fixed the covers around him. 

“Ron.” His voice was more choked up than tired. 

“Yes, young master?” He repeated, always in the same steady tone like Cale could call him a million times and he would never get tired of it. 

“I’m tired.” 

A soft touch tucked the sides of the cover. 

“Then sleep, Young master.” He said, a chuckle in his voice, “Tomorrow we have to head back to the territory. The kids were quite excited about going back home.” 

Tomorrow. Cale liked the sound of that word. Kim Rok Soo didn’t use to like it. It meant he would have to wake up again tomorrow and face another day without his hyungs. But for Cale, it meant that he would wake up entangled with his children, listening to their soft chatter and yawns and soft, easy touches trying to rouse him from slumber. 

He would wake up and he would eat to his heart’s desire. He would rot in bed for a few hours while everyone prepared for their journey. He would listen to the hustle and bustle of his family going around him and greeting him with a smile. 

Everyone would be pleasant and most importantly, alive. 

“Good night, Young master.” 

That was the last thing he heard as he sunk into oblivion. 

His dreams were good to him that night. 

But the morning was even better.  

Chapter Text

Kim Rok Soo was working late again. He wanted to go back home and read some novels, but he needed all the extra pay he could get and if he stayed late, the chef would give him some leftovers to take home with him. 

The food was practically the only reason he kept working here. The boss was greedy and paid too little, always complaining about their work habits. If the chef didn’t give him enough food to save expenses, he would have quit a long time ago. 

He walked to the table where a man gestured for him. 

“What can I get for you, sir?” He asked, trying to smile like the boss told him to. Kim Rok Soo wasn’t used to smiling. He barely had any reason to. 

As the client gave him the order, Kim Rok Soo nodded, writing it down and headed back to the kitchen.  

He handed the paper to the Chef who smiled at him. “Rok Soo! After this order is out, come to the kitchen. I have a surprise for you.” 

The chef’s name was Wi Sang Min. He was a kind man, his smiles left deep lines in his face even when he was only in his forties. He was someone who treated Kim Rok Soo like he was his own kid, worrying about his meals and remembering his birthday even when he only mentioned it once. 

Kim Rok Soo knew he had two kids of his own, and a wife who he loved very much and talked about constantly. They must be struggling, kids were very expensive these days and he was only a chef, working for the most greedy boss alive. 

Yet, he always smiled like he was lucky to be living this life. 

Kim Rok Soo wondered why. 

“Okay.” He answered. 

The food was quickly plated and he balanced it on his arms, quickly making his way outside. The customers here didn’t take well to slow steps. According to his boss, at least. 

“Here you go, sir. Have a nice meal.” 

The man grunted something before starting to shove the food in his mouth. Kim Rok Soo didn’t blame him, it did look delicious. 

He hoped the surprise Wi Sang Min prepared was food too. 

Kim Rok walked slowly this time, out of spite to his boss. 

Just as he passed by one of the structure pillars, everything slowed. 

There were screams outside. 

Rok Soo turned to look at the small window, but all he saw were huge shadows running past. 

He didn’t get the chance to look at the door. Enraptured as he was by the impossible sight in front of him. 

(If he did, he would have seen the gigantic monster running towards the building.)

And then, 

The world imploded. 

Kim Rok Soo was thrown back like a ragdoll. He was slammed into a wall. Everything was falling, screaming, crashing and then-

Cale woke up gasping. 

He looked around him. The kids were all sleeping soundly. Thankfully none of them had been too close to him while he was sleeping. 

Carefully, Cale got out of the bed. His feet slid into the fluffy slipper he had.

He wouldn’t be able to sleep again, might as well leave the room so no one wakes up because of him. 

Cale went out of the room with the softest steps he could manage. 

Closing the door behind him, he sighed. 

Where should he go? 

This place wasn’t earth where he could get dressed at any time and take a walk in the park. Nobody cared where Rok Soo went in Korea, he had no one to watch out for him. There was freedom in that, but also loneliness. 

Now, it was the exact opposite. 

His feet started moving. He didn’t know where he wanted to go yet. But perhaps, it didn’t matter. 

The hallways were quiet, the slippers were so fluffy they barely caused any noise. 

The nights were never quiet in Korea. Not even before the apocalypse. 

Cale thought of his dream. He never did find out what the surprise was. The whole building caved in when the monster ran head first into it. The only reason he survived was because he passed out close to the construction pillar. The space around it had remained somewhat patent. 

The customer and the chef must have died instantly, because Kim Rok Soo didn’t remember hearing the struggles of another person under the rubble. 

But he did hear the monsters feasting and growling. 

Could Wi Sang Min have been eaten? What about his family? 

They couldn’t have survived. Most kids didn’t survive the apocalypse and neither did their mothers, since any half decent mother wouldn’t leave her child behind. 

Some mothers still did it, however. 

Cale understood why. 

Monsters chased people through the street and no one could fight in the first wave. They could only hide. And having a baby scream your hiding place meant death. 

Cale understood, but he didn’t sympathise with mothers who left their children behind. 

He simply couldn’t. 

He couldn’t imagine leaving one of his kids behind no matter the situation. 

Cale stopped in front of a large window. The cold air tickled his cheek. 

It was also cold that day. The first wave happened in January. One of the other reasons Kim Rok Soo worked extra shifts. He couldn’t afford a heater and the restaurant was always warm.

His stomach grumbled. Cale frowned. He should have eaten more at dinner. 

But it wasn’t like hunger wasn’t familiar. 

Hunger knew Kim Rok Soo like misery knew orphans. 

“Young master?” 

Cale turned at the voice. 

“Beacrox?” 

The chef looked more perplexed than upset at seeing him, “Why aren’t you sleeping?” 

The redhead blinked at him, mind suddenly blank. 

The only reason that came to his lips was: “I was hungry.” 

Beacrox scowled. Cale immediately opened his mouth to take it back and say it was a joke but he was interrupted. 

“Follow me.” 

The chef turned and gave Cale his back. 

The redhead quietly followed, two steps behind him.  

They took a few turns and it made Cale regret that he even made it out of his room. This journey was getting tiring. He scanned the halls around him and suddenly realised that they were going to the kitchen.

They slowed down in front of the big metallic doors. Beacrox got a set of keys out and jammed them in, unlocking the door. 

Cale had rarely gone to the kitchen since he had transmigrated. Only a couple of times came to his mind since he baited Choi han with the promise of food months ago, all of them consisted of him bothering Beacrox for specific snacks. 

There was a certain smell to kitchens that he thought was comfortable. It reminded him of full bellies and easy smiles of old chefs. 

The much younger chef dragged a stool next to the counter and ordered, “Sit.” 

Cale obliged, sitting lazily on the stool and crossing his ankles. 

He watched as the chef took out some bread that he must have baked today and cut multiple equal pieces with swift clean swipes. 

Cale laid his head on his arm. It was like watching those satisfying asmr videos. The scratch of the knife against the crispy bread rang pleasantly in his head. 

Beacrox was moving methodically, not paying him any mind. Cale liked that. They didn’t have to make unnecessary small talk to keep off the awkwardness because there was none. 

Walking towards the fridge, the chef took out a bunch of ingredients as Cale lazily tracked him with his eyes. 

He went to the sink and the water turned on as he thoroughly washed all the vegetables. 

Slowly, the tension in Cale’s body started to melt. 

The cutting board was taken out and vegetables were lined up to be sliced. 

Cale closed his eyes. 

Taktaktaktak

The knife only paused when the chef finished the piece and moved to another. 

Wi Sang Min was quick with his hands, as well. His abilities could have landed him in a better restaurant but he still stayed in that hellhole with Kim Rok Soo. 

On that day, they had gotten a fresh batch of vegetables too. Early in the morning, Kim Rok Soo had to go and help Wi Sang Min with the sorting and watched him sign on the ingredients. He didn’t know why the boss wasn’t there himself, but he rarely stuck to any instructions he’d given them. 

Cale remembered everything about that day. Maybe Record had already manifested by then. Most abilities manifested shortly before the first wave occurred. As if to mock them that they could have done more but were too ignorant to try. 

The record played in his mind. 

Wi Sang Min’s tired yet softened face, he talked about how he had been baking the previous night and slept late. The oddly serious look that didn’t fit him as he scanned the vegetables and touched the green onions with determined fingers. The way he divided the portions into baskets and asked Kim Rok Soo to move them. The way he left a small portion aside, not the freshest but still looked edible, and when Rok Soo asked what to do with them, he winked and said, ‘it’s a secret.’.

He had been happier that day. More than usual, even for him. 

Kim Rok Soo thought his face would be stuck in a smile since he told him the previous night that he passed his first exams at college – 

Cale sat up abruptly. 

It couldn’t be. 

Exams, baking, secret ingredients, surprise. 

– Oh, Cale… 

He couldn’t breathe. The air was stuck in his lungs and he wanted to get it out but his chest refused to move. 

Breathe. Breathe. Why couldn’t Cale breathe? 

– Cale, can you hear me? 

Super rock’s calming voice sounded far away. 

A plate slammed into the counter right next to him. 

The shock forced the air out. Cale gulped air hungrily. 

He must have looked pathetic to Beacrox as he frowned at him and lifted an arm as if to reach out to him. 

Cale was fine. He was fine. He didn’t need help. 

“Are you done?” He asked like he had been waiting the whole time. 

Beacrox gave him an odd look and threw a glance at the perfectly made sandwiches, “... Yes.” 

Cale nodded and dragged the plate near him with hasty movements. 

Ignoring the chef, he took a bite almost robotically. 

It was good. It was really really good. 

The vegetables were extremely fresh, nothing like the ones Wi Sang Min had set aside. The cheese was creamy and had just the right amount of salt, not at all like anything the restaurant served. The bread was crunchy and soft at the same time, a perfect amount of balance. Wi Sang Min had told him once he was terrible at baking, any cake he made would need steel teeth to even be consumed. 

Would the meal he made for Rok Soo taste as good as this sandwich? 

Cale privately thought it might have tasted better. 

A napkin was gently laid beside the plate. 

He touched it with perplexity written on his face and glanced at the chef who had already turned around and began cleaning. 

Perhaps it was for him to wipe his mouth with? Did he have to keep noble etiquette in his kitchen when he was publicly known as trash – ? 

A drop fell on the bread. 

Ah. 

Cale’s face was wet. 

He slowly raised the napkin with shaky hands and wiped his face. He looked at the damp cloth and swallowed. 

It seemed it wasn’t for etiquette. 

He glanced back again. 

The chef was rinsing the cuttingboard, not even sparing him a thought. 

They stayed like that for a while. Cale chewing and acting like he wasn’t sniffing between bites, and Beacrox wiping every surface touched and not touched. 

It was more comfortable than Cale would admit. 

Only when Cale finished the plate and stood up, did Beacrox stop cleaning and look at him. 

“Are you done?” He repeated Cale’s question from before.

Cale licked his lips, “Yes.” 

“Good.” He said and took off his gloves, throwing them into the trash, “Let’s go.” 

The redhead just nodded, not able to acknowledge the fact that Beacrox seemed to have been waiting for him. 

On their way back, Cale felt the words bubble out of him without his consent, “It was really good.” 

The chef grunted something unintelligible in response. 

Cale was still holding the damp napkin, his fist tightened against it. If he gave it to the man suffering from mysophobia, it was guaranteed to be thrown away. 

It was a waste to throw it away, right? 

He stayed silent for a while as they walked, before the urge to say something came back like a persistent scratch in his throat that he couldn’t clear out.  

Too soon, they reached the bedroom and Cale hadn’t uttered another word yet.

Beacrox opened the door to the bedroom like it was his own.

He headed in after him and stood awkwardly in his own room, looking at Beacrox who seemed like he was waiting for him to do something. 

Finally, he lost his patience and pointed at the door leading to the bathroom. 

Cale stared at him. Did he want to go to the bathroom? 

The assassin closed his eyes like he was in pain, he gritted out, “Brush. Your. Teeth.”

Oh. 

Cale silently went to brush his teeth. 

Beacrox waited for him beside the door. He didn’t understand why he was still there but he was somewhat relieved. 

When he was done, the chef nodded at him like he had done a good job, and then pointed at the bed with a raised brow as if daring him not to understand this part as well. 

Cale felt like a child as he was hoarded towards the bed where his kids lay, soundly sleeping. He raised the covers carefully and scooted underneath them. 

Beacrox still stood over him, he reached out and pulled the covers a bit more to cover his sides. 

He seemed ready to turn back after safely delivering him to bed. 

A sense of urgency overtook Cale. 

As the chef turned to leave, he caught his sleeve. 

Beacrox looked back with a deep frown. 

“Thank you.” He whispered. For the food, for the napkin he was still holding, for the company when loneliness and hunger were all Cale could remember. 

Beacrox’s face softened marginally. 

He nodded. 

And Cale was calm again. 

As Beacrox closed the door behind him, the redhead closed his eyes. 

It was odd for him to sleep after a nightmare. It was even odder for him to dream twice in the same night. 

“Rok Soo-yah! You smart little bean, you!” Wi Sang Min laughed like it was his own child who passed the exams and not Kim Rok Soo who was practically a stranger. 

“Where were you hiding that brain, hm? Are you secretly a genius?”  

Kim Rok Soo braced himself against the onslaught of smacks on his back. It should hurt, but it didn’t. He only felt oddly warm. 

“Tell you what!” Sang Min suddenly burst, “I will treat you to something really delicious to celebrate! You deserve all the good food after this, you hear? Man, if my son became like you when he grows up, I would be the proudest father in the world!” 

Kim Rok Soo couldn’t help a small smile at the words. 

“Rok Soo-yah.” The old chef suddenly got serious. 

The teenager looked at him, surprised. What’s with the sudden moodswings? 

“I am proud of you, you know that right? You’re working two jobs and still managed to score the highest on your exams. That isn’t a small achievement. Your parents would have been overjoyed.” 

The last statement was said quietly, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to say it or if he was overstepping. 

Kim Rok Soo blinked rapidly at him. 

“It isn’t much.” 

“You punk!” He smacked the skinny back of Rok Soo, this time with anger. It still didn’t hurt. “Stop belittling yourself! You did well so own up to it! Be confident and arrogant! Say it with me: I did well!” 

Kim Rok Soo looked around him, embarrassed at the uncle who was suddenly shouting. 

His shoulders were seized with big hands, he had no option but to stare at the warm brown eyes that were burning with determination, “Say it, Rok Soo!” 

“I – I did well.” He cringed. 

“Louder! I did well!” 

“I did well.” He raised his voice. 

“I deserve good things!” Sang Min shook his shoulder, “Repeat it!” 

“I - deserve -” The words choked him. He didn’t know why.

“Come on!” 

“I deserve good things!” He suddenly shouted. 

Sang min’s serious face broke into a smile. Kim Rok Soo relaxed at the familiar sight. 

“That’s right, Rok Soo. You’re a good kid who deserves good things.” 

Cale woke up the next morning with a calm heart.