????????? ????

✶⋆.˚꩜ Unraveling Restraints .ᐟ˙⋆✶

Ishaan stared out of the car window, the city lights flickering past in a blur. The soft weight against his chest reminded him of the tiny life curled up in his arms—Little Cheol, fast asleep, his tiny hands gripping Ishaan’s shirt unconsciously.

With a slow inhale, Ishaan shifted his gaze to the side, where Seungcheol sat.

The other man had Seung-Haan tucked securely against him, carefully adjusting the little boy’s head to make sure he was comfortable. The sight made Ishaan’s heart tighten in an unfamiliar way—something between resentment and reluctant acceptance.

He sighed softly.

He still wasn’t sure if he had made the right choice.

Earlier That Day

The doorbell rang.

Ishaan had barely opened the door before a familiar, frustratingly persistent man dropped to his knees in front of him.

Not practically.

Not metaphorically. Literally on his damn knees.

Actually.

"Please, Ishaan," Seungcheol pleaded, hands clenched in desperation. "Move in with me. You and the twins aren’t safe here."

Ishaan's brows furrowed in anger. "Excuse me?"

Behind Seungcheol stood his ever-present companions, Tyler and Lorenzo, who were clearly used to this dramatic display. Tyler looked mildly amused, while Lorenzo simply sighed as if this was an inevitable moment they had been waiting for.

"I'm not joking," Seungcheol continued, his voice more urgent this time. "My family—those monsters—Ishaan, they will come after you. They will come after the twins. I can’t—I won’t let that happen."

Ishaan scoffed, crossing his arms. "I can protect myself and my children. I don’t need you to do it for me."

Seungcheol flinched at the way Ishaan emphasized my children.

But he didn’t back down. Instead, his eyes glistened with something raw—something real.

"Ishaan, please. I know I don’t deserve your trust, but I swear to God, I’d rather die than let them touch you or the twins." His voice cracked slightly, making Tyler and Lorenzo exchange nervous glances.

Ishaan’s fingers twitched.

He hated this.

Hated how weak Seungcheol’s vulnerability made him feel. Hated how much he could see the truth in his words.

And yet, he wasn’t ready to give in. Not yet.

That was when Tyler sighed dramatically and stepped forward.

"Look, I know our dear friend here is an idiot—" he gestured toward Seungcheol, who shot him an unimpressed look. "—but for once, he’s right. His family is dangerous. We wouldn’t be here groveling if it weren’t serious."

Lorenzo nodded, adding, "This isn’t about Seungcheol anymore, Ishaan. It’s about the twins. Do you really want to take the risk?"

That question hit him harder than he wanted to admit.

Ishaan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. He hated this.

But he couldn’t be reckless when it came to his babies.