Hwang Hyunjin is the most feared member of the Scarlet Syndicate — a mafia known for its elegance and brutality. Cold, unreadable, and hauntingly beautiful, Hyunjin’s silence alone can break a man’s courage. But within the walls of the mansion, his heart belongs to one person: his husband, Kim Seungmin. Seungmin is everything Hyunjin isn’t — sweet, gentle, adored by everyone. His kindness softens even the darkest corners of the mansion, where chaos often reigns among the group’s wild members: Ryujin, Bambam, Jihyun, and Soohyun. Their leaders, Choi San and Wooyoung, balance the family — San’s icy authority and Wooyoung’s warmth keep everyone in line.

But tonight, after a mission gone wrong, tension runs higher than usual. Seungmin storms upstairs, furious over something Hyunjin said — or didn’t say. The mansion goes silent when Hyunjin follows him. For a man feared by many, kneeling before Seungmin is the most terrifying thing of all.

⸻

The sound of boots echoed through the marble hallway. The front doors of the mansion swung open, the scent of gunpowder and rain following them in.

“Mission complete,” San muttered, brushing his gloved hands against his coat. His voice was cool, steady — as always.

“Barely,” Bambam grinned, wiping a smudge of blood off his cheek. “I thought Hyunjin was gonna kill that guy for sneezing too loud.”

“Would’ve been fun to watch,” Ryujin teased, kicking off her boots and tossing her jacket onto the couch.

Hyunjin didn’t respond. He stepped inside last, his sharp eyes scanning the room once before landing on the one person who refused to look at him. Seungmin.

The younger man’s lips were pressed into a tight line. He handed his husband a towel without meeting his gaze. “You could’ve told me you were fine instead of ignoring my calls,” Seungmin said quietly. His tone wasn’t loud, but the chill behind it was sharper than any blade.

Hyunjin opened his mouth, but the words didn’t come. Seungmin didn’t wait — he turned on his heel and started walking upstairs, the soft padding of his socks fading away into silence.

“Ooooh,” Wooyoung sang softly, leaning into San’s arm. “Someone’s in trouble.”

San only smirked faintly. “He deserves it.”

Hyunjin exhaled slowly, the first crack of frustration slipping through his mask. Without a word, he followed Seungmin up the grand staircase, leaving the others in quiet amusement.

⸻

The bedroom door slammed shut before he reached it. Hyunjin stood outside for a moment, his hand hovering over the handle. He could face bullets, knives, even betrayal. But Seungmin’s silence? That killed him.

He pushed the door open. Seungmin sat on the edge of the bed, back turned, still wearing Hyunjin’s oversized black jacket from the mission. The sleeves swallowed his small hands.

Hyunjin stepped closer, his boots heavy on the floor. “Seungmin…”

“Don’t,” Seungmin said flatly, voice trembling just enough to make Hyunjin’s chest tighten. “You scared me out there. You didn’t even look at me when I called. You just— kept walking like I didn’t exist.”

Hyunjin’s throat burned. “I couldn’t answer. It was dangerous—”

“You always say that,” Seungmin interrupted, standing up. “You think I care about danger when it comes to you?!” His voice cracked, tears shining in his eyes.

Hyunjin froze. The air between them grew heavy, filled with things unsaid.

Then, without a word, he dropped to his knees. The sound echoed against the marble floor of their room.

Seungmin blinked, shocked. Hyunjin bowed his head low, his hands gripping the hem of Seungmin’s jacket. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “For scaring you. For making you feel like you didn’t matter. You’re all that matters.”

The trembling in his voice wasn’t weakness — it was love, raw and desperate.

Seungmin’s lips parted. He stared down at his husband — the man everyone else feared — now kneeling before him like a sinner seeking forgiveness.