"You don't have to be afraid of being found out. Just accept being my son, and I'll make your safety my responsibility."
"But won't they find this strange?" Suho wiped his tears, sniffled as he wiped his running nose with his sleeves. His eyes and cheeks puffy and red.
"Definitely they will. But I will not watch you to be taken by men who meant to bury the real story just to save their asses. The royals have already chosen their theatre. In three days they will present someone to take the blame for the fire, abduction of my son and Blackthorn destruction."
Suho froze at the last words. "…Blackthorn?" His voice was rough and hoarse.
Seeing his confused state, Hawoon realised it and said, "You were unconscious," Hawoon said evenly. "…when the whole Blackthorn district was burnt to ashes. It was done by those after Hajun's abduction. They are criminal organization and Blackthorn was their turf. With you appearing and going berserk, the things got complicated for them as the whole organization was about to get expose so they torched their own turf to the ground. The very night you went rampage."
Suho's eyes widened, horrified at what he just heard. He couldn't say anything, just whispered. "They burned a whole city."
"Yes." Hawoon's smile twisted bitter. "That's the kind of cruelty you'll learn this world is full of. And the Royals? They don't care about truth. They want peace. They want one face to blame so the city can sleep soundly again. They won't come after you. They've already chosen their scapegoat."
The boy narrowed his eyes. "So they won't investigate further?"
"They'll look," Hawoon admitted. "Of course they will. They will send to tidy the scene, to find anything that might embarrass them. But they have already decided who will bow first." He shook his his just emphasise his words. "A scapegoat. A shadow. A sacrifice. It's politics, not justice."
Suho's voice fell to a raw whisper. "…You sound certain that they will present someone else. What if they just manipulating you?"
"Manipulating me?" Hawoon let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "They can't. Not this time. When the public demands a story, the Royals can only give them the theatre they've prepared. Nothing more, nothing less."
His voice grew low, steady as stone. "It's why i let the true architect behind my son's abduction walk— for now. I needed the mess wrapped up quickly, and the Royal Court demanded a neat closure. I had to choose between bringing justice to Hajun, or save a n untrained walking bomb." Hawoon drew a breath, the air between them tightened. "I chose to do both. I chose to buy us time."
"Bought us time." The words tasted foreign in Suho's mouth. He stared at the man's face, trying to pull some motive out of it. "Will that really help?"
"I know you want to destroy the person who dared to hurt… Hajun." Suho innocently questioned. He was worried and ashamed that Hawoon was putting a stone on his heart and let the real culprit free just to save him. He must have really want to give justice to his son. And, just because of me… he isn't doing anything.
"I… I think it just unfair for him, and… for Hajun." Suho bit his lower lip, anxious.
"I know what you're worried about." Hawoon said, flatly. "And, I have a solution for this. A perfect solution that even you will not reject it."
"You just have to make sure Hajun is protected."
"Protected? H—how?"
"You will stay by Hajun's side as his brother protecting him, keeping him safe from every danger. In this way, you won't have to feel your as a freeloade."
"…"
"Take this as a job. If you don't feel like a brother to him."
"Then, just act like one. Because in the end, you can never be his brother."
Suho's throat tightened. He glanced down at his trembling hands. The sight of him killing those people appeared. His eyes were still betraying him. "You asked me to be his protector when I literally killed people. It doesn't matter what you say, I... I felt it."
"I felt the bloodlust in me. I wanted them dead." Suho's voice cracked.
Hawoon's jaw tightened, his voice remain calm, deliberate. "And yet Hajun lives because of you. That choice is all I care about."
Hawoon leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, his gaze heavy with unshakeable weight. "Suho, I understand what you might be feeling."
"But, remember. Was there any other choice that time?"
"What happened was not your fault. You were terrified. Desperate. But not monstrous."
"You saw some boy in trouble. If you were monster, you would have ignored that instead of risking your life."
"But, you ran to save him, shielding Hajun with your own body. Killing those trash bastards was just self defence."
"You did what anyone would do if they wanted to live."
Silence pressed between them, thick and suffocating, until Hawoon continued.
"I'll make it so the Royals can't touch you. In three days they will present their scapegoat, someone to shoulder the blame for the fires, the rampage, the destruction of Blackthorn. You will not be their monster. I will make sure of it."
Suho looked up, swollen eyes glistening with disbelief. "...How?"
"How can you do that?"
"Because I will claim you as my son."
The boy blinked, stunned. "It's not that easy."
"Out of nowhere, you have an adopted son."
Hawoon smiled. "Kiddo, I'm a Commander of Royal Army. Anything is possible if you have power."
"Still..."
"Don't you want to take your revenge?" Hawoon asked, nonchalant.
"What? What do you mean by that?"
"I mean... it's the best opportunity to make yourself stronger, isn't it?" Hawoon internally smirked, watching Suho's confused, satisfied in manipulating him.
"You saved Hajun. You are his saviour." Hawoon said.
"To repay my debt, let me be your saviour. Let me train you... let me mould your magic in it's full potential."
"Take your time. I'll wait until you decide."
"There's no need to make a rapid decision."
Suho closed his eyes, his chest heaving, contemplated between accepting Hawoon's offer or reject it. It was best opportunity for Suho. He would get to train and make himself stronger along with security and a roof on his head. On top of that, his identity would be hidden.
It was strange that everything was to his favour. Suho knew he was being manipulated by Hawoon. Suho knew he had some ulterior motive behind his help. But, Suho couldn't care less.
He didn't care as long as it won't hurt him. So he decided.
He decided to take his offer. "...Okay."
"Hmm..."
Suho's voice barely audible. "I'll do whatever you want. Just..."
"Just make sure, I won't get hurt in your scheme."
Hawoon smirked his eyes darkening. "Are you sure? Don't you want some to think it over?"
"No! I have made up my mind. I won't back off."
"Good..." Hawoon nodded. "Then..."
"Next week," he said flatly, "we begin."
"Until then, take rest and get better."
"I'll make sure all the mess be settled in this week. Then, we will begin our training."
Suho sat frozen, the weight of conversation pressing down on him. Did he made a good decision? He didn't knew.