Chapter Text
If Wooyoung had to blame someone, he would undeniably blame Yeosang for it all. For being his childhood friend, for having his stupid crush, for having his weird kink, for going to this club for said kink, and of course, for accruing the debt that ultimately led Wooyoung to swooping in to rescue his poor friend. Because Yeosang had panicked, and the look of terror on his face had been too much for Wooyoung’s heart to bear. So, he told Yeosang that he’d “handle it.”
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the outcome he had anticipated or desired.
Currently, Wooyoung was staring down at the floor, dressed in tight black jeans and a black, over-sized tank that showed off too much of his collarbone for his usual tastes (unless he was clubbing, but sadly, he was not at the moment). His black bangs went past his eyes, dark smoky makeup normally bringing them out had he not been staring downward. He had tight, fingerless gloves that went up to his elbows, useless buckles on the wrists and ends. And lastly, but perhaps the most damning article he wore, was the thick, leather collar around his neck. It was fairly simple tonight; plain black leather with a large O-ring at the front and spikes studded along it.
(“You seem bristly tonight, Wooyoung,” San had whispered in his ear as he locked the collar with the small padlock. “Maybe next time you can wear something pretty.”)
Wooyoung tightened his hands into fists, annoyed with the way San had spoken to him. So, he pointedly avoided looking at the slightly older man in petulant retaliation. And almost an hour into their game, San hadn’t seemed to care, loosely holding the leash like he wasn’t even aware Wooyoung was sitting on the floor beside the couch. He hadn’t even bothered to pet Wooyoung’s soft hair, which for some reason, infuriated the younger.
As San spoke with another man sitting nearby, Wooyoung ventured a peek up at the man on the couch. He, admittedly, looked amazing tonight, as he did most nights (not that Wooyoung would ever say that to his face). But tonight, he had forgone outer layers and had opted for a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his toned forearms. As Wooyoung admired them, he saw San turn his head towards him, catching him in the act.
“Finally done pouting?” San cooed, smirking as he leaned to stroke Wooyoung’s cheek. The younger huffed before turning away, remaining silent.
“Tch, what a brat,” the man sitting beside San huffed. “You put up with that shit?”
San moved his hand to the crown of Wooyoung’s head, stroking gently. “Don’t worry…”
Suddenly, Wooyoung’s entire head was pulled back, forcing his attention to San. He ground his teeth, bearing the mild pain as he gazed up at the older.
“He can be a good Pet when he has the right incentive.” He released his tight grip on Wooyoung’s hair, opting to hold his hand out a few centimeters away from his face; an invitation. “Isn’t that right?”
Wooyoung swallowed what little pride he had started the night with before slowly nuzzling into the outstretched hand, gazing up at San with soft eyes.
“Yes, Master.”
Chapter 1: Where It All Began
Jung Wooyoung had always considered himself fairly lucky. Lucky that his parents were well-off, lucky that he had the looks that he did, lucky to have met Yeosang and become best friends. Lucky that he had gotten a scholarship to attend the university of his dreams, lucky that he got to study dance with the full support of his family. Maybe most of it was just coincidence or happy circumstance. Either way, Wooyoung’s life had been fairly easy and free of major problems or hardships.
So sitting here in the two-bedroom his parents paid for while Yeosang frantically paced the living room, borderline having a panic attack, was a bit unfamiliar to him.
“How the fuck did you rack up 60,000,000 won, Yeosang?!” Wooyoung almost-shouted, more shocked than angry.
“I don’t know!” he exclaimed exasperatedly. “It just… happened!”
“60,000,000 won debts don’t just happen, Yeosang! What did you even spend it on?”
Yeosang stopped, biting his thumbnail as he looked up from beneath his lashes at his best friend. “I… I can’t tell you.”
“You ‘can’t tell me?’” Wooyoung gawked. “Jesus Christ, did you buy drugs?!”
“No! It’s nothing illegal!”
“Then what?”
Yeosang glanced away, face clearly embarrassed as he wrapped his arms around his waist. Wooyoung sighed, allowing himself to calm down and scoot to the edge of the couch, leaning forward on his forearms.
“Yeosang, I won’t make fun of you. I’m not angry, either. I’m worried and want to help you. But I can’t help if I don’t know what the problem even is.” He patted the seat on the couch beside him. “So, tell me. Judge-free-zone.”
Yeosang hesitated for a moment before sighing, arms dropping to his sides as he slunk to the couch, sitting down dejectedly. He turned his body to Wooyoung, looking up at him from with wide eyes as his friend nodded, prodding him to continue.
“Remember how I said I met Seonghwa at a coffee shop?” Wooyoung nodded. “And how I’ve been going multiple times a week for some late-night studying?”
“Yeosang, this debt isn’t over coffee, is it?” Wooyoung sighed and rubbed his temple.
“Let me finish,” Yeosang said softly, but sternly. Wooyoung nodded, staring at his friend.
“Sorry. Go ahead.”
“I wasn’t going to a coffee shop, and that’s not where I met Seonghwa. I…” Yeosang trailed off, flustered before he brought a hand over his face. “I have this particular kink and I’ve been going to a club that specializes in it.”
Yeosang spoke quickly, in one breath as he hid his eyes. Wooyoung’s mouth gaped open a bit, his eyes wide with shock.
“Yeosang, that’s… wow.” Wooyoung blinked, laughing humorlessly. “I had no idea.”
“God, I’m so fucking embarrassed,” Yeosang groaned, slumping forward to rest his head in his hands.
“Hey, it’s no big deal,” Wooyoung assured softly, rubbing his friends shoulder blades. “We all have weird kinks.”
“But to spend as much money as I did on it?” Yeosang mumbled, head still down. “And it didn’t even matter in the end.”
“What do you mean?”
“Seonghwa was never interested in a romantic relationship. All the stuff we did together was, like, business to him.”
“Oh, Yeosang.” Wooyoung frowned “I’m so fucking sorry, dude.”
“And now I’m in fucking debt and we didn’t even fuck!” Yeosang laughed, but it had no feeling behind it. “I didn’t even get laid after all of this.”
“What kink is it that you go to a club but don’t have sex?” Wooyoung asked, curious. “Was it BDSM? I haven’t seen you coming home with bruises.”
Yeosang remained quiet, biting his lip as he stared at the floor. “It doesn’t matter anymore. My debt isn’t with the club.”
“Yeosang.” Wooyoung’s expression grew fearful. “Are you telling me that you borrowed money from people?”
Yeosang said nothing. Wooyoung leaned back and ran a hand through his hair.
“Fuck…”
“Wooyoung, please don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it.”
“How? You work part-time, Yeosang! And both of our parents will kill us if we just ask for the money!”
“I’ll get another jo—”
“While going to school?” Wooyoung glared. “Yeosang, this is bigger than just you.”
Yeosang said nothing, looking more defeated than Wooyoung had ever seen him. An idea struck the younger, and he sat up a little straighter, setting his shoulders.
“Tell me the name of the club. Maybe I can talk them into a refund or something.”
“Woo—”
“I don’t care about your kink, Yeosangie. I just wanna try and help you fix this.”
"… Fine,” Yeosang sighed finally. “But please, Wooyoung. Don’t look for Seonghwa or anything. And don’t do anything stupid.”
“I won’t,” he promised, holding his hand against his heart.
But, then again, Wooyoung had a penchant for doing stupid things.
⸞⸟⸞⸟⸞⸟
Wooyoung stood outside the address Yeosang had given him, staring at the relatively unsuspecting building. The front “entrance” was a short staircase leading to a mostly underground, concrete building. The only sign that the building was inhabited was the tall bouncer giving Wooyoung the stink-eye, and the bright pink neon sign.
“’The Pet Palace’,” Wooyoung sighed beneath his breath. “Jesus Christ, Yeosang…”
“You coming in or what, kid?” the bouncer called, arms folding to look intimidating.
“Sorry,” Wooyoung mumbled, talking down the steps to the almost unnaturally tall man.
“ID.”
Wooyoung held out his ID, the man scrutinizing it before he turned and opened the door. Wooyoung could hear sensual jazz coming from inside the dim lobby.
“Don’t start trouble. Exit is on the other side of the building.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t be here long.”
The bouncer laughed. “Yeah, that’s what most newbies say.” He eyed Wooyoung, in his skinny jeans and oversized-hoodie, up and down. “’Specially pretty boys like you.”
Wooyoung said nothing, flushing red before quickly making his way inside. He glanced back as the bouncer shut the door behind him. He was in a short hallway that led to what he assumed was the main room, the walls dark and lined with paintings. There was a counter in the middle of the walkway, a short man with vivid blue hair leaning against it and staring at Wooyoung. He smiled as they made eye contact.
“Hello there! You don’t look familiar; have you been here before?” he asked, folding his hands while remaining leaning.
“You really recognize everyone who comes in?” Wooyoung asked incredulously.
“Most of the time. But you look terrified, so that’s kind of a giveaway,” he chuckled.
“I’m just… I didn’t know this place existed,” Wooyoung mumbled.
“Of course.” The man reached beneath the counter, taking out a large logbook. “Entrance fee is 300,000. I’m gonna need your name and credit card number, unless you’re paying in cash. I also need to see your ID, because even though Mingi let you in, he kinda sucks at identifying the fakes.”
Wooyoung handed over his ID and a small stack of bills, standing awkwardly in silence as the man scribbled the information down.
“Are you a Pet or a Master?” he asked suddenly, causing Wooyoung to sputter.
“Wha— I’m not— That’s not—!”
“Or are you a switch?” The man arched a brow, eyeing Wooyoung. “You definitely scream, ‘Pet,’ but I’ve been wrong before.”
“I just need to talk to a manager or someone in charge!” Wooyoung quickly recovered from his embarrassment, remembering why he was even here. “I’m here because my friend is in trouble.”
The man stared at him before sighing. He wrote down something in the book before shutting it and setting it back beneath the podium once more. He then pulled out a small walkie-talkie.
“Hwanwoong, can you come watch the front? I need to talk with a customer.”
The radio gave a crackled, “okay!” before the man stepped out from behind the counter. He was dressed in grey slacks and a white collared shirt, the sleeves rolled up. He had black suspenders and a matching tie, giving him a casual and yet rather professional look. He definitely suited the jazz playing through the hall, Wooyoung noted.
“Let’s have a seat, Wooyoung.”
Woo nodded, following behind the man as another, slightly taller man came down the hall, waving cutely to Wooyoung.
The clubs walls were a deep red with dark brown carpeting that felt soft beneath Wooyoung’s feet. Extravagant chandeliers with mood lighting hung from the ceiling, and there were more lights along with walls, giving the room a dark but cozy mood.
In the middle of the room was a square bar with a few bartenders working and the occasional waiter to take drinks to customers. There were black leather couches and ottomans set up in areas around the main room, customers sitting and chatting with others. Many had partners on their laps or knelt before them on the floor. And while no one was outwardly having sex, Wooyoung was sure that there were backrooms for such activities.
The man led Wooyoung to a nearby chaise lounge, sitting in it comfortably as Wooyoung took the stool seated nearby, posture straight and shoulders tense.
“Relax, Wooyoungie.” The man smiled. “No one will bother us if I’m here.”
“Are you a manager?” Wooyoung asked.
“I own ‘The Pet Palace,’ actually. Kim Hongjoong.” He stuck out his hand, Wooyoung reluctantly shaking it. “Now, you said your friend is in trouble?”
“He was a regular here, I guess. I don’t know if he was a…”
“Pet or Master?”
“Yeah,” Wooyoung mumbled, blushing. “He came here a couple times a week for a guy named Seonghwa.”
“Ah, Seonghwa,” Hongjoong rolled his eyes, grinning. “Your friend’s a Pet, then.”
“I-I didn’t need to know that!” Hongjoong chuckled, grinning wide at Wooyoung’s expense.
“Anyway,” he gestured for Wooyoung to continue.
“Anyway, I guess he went into some debt in order to afford coming here so often.”
“And?”
Wooyoung frowned, looking at Hongjoong pleadingly. “He borrowed 60,000,000 won from some loan sharks, and I guess they’re giving him until the end of July to get it all back to them.”
Hongjoong’s relaxed expression had disappeared as Wooyoung finished, opting to sit up and lean forward. He sighed, clasping his hands together. “That certainly is a predicament…”
“I’m not asking you to give him all of his money back, but there’s no way he can pay them off in that amount of time while being a student,” Wooyoung explained.
“But you are asking for money back,” Hongjoong stated, voice cold.
“You don’t seem like the type to break legs if we don’t pay you back in a certain amount of time.”
Hongjoong regarded Wooyoung for a moment before leaning against the back of the chaise, folding his arms.
“So, you want me to give you money to pay off your friend’s mistake. Then you’ll owe me money.”
“I…”
“Look,” Hongjoong sighed. “I’m really sorry that happened to you and your friend. But I can’t really afford to be doing that. I have a business to run— a business that a lot of people keep secret and isn’t advertised all that well.”
Plan B then.
“I know…” Wooyoung mumbled, looking downward in defeat. “I’m really sorry, hyung. It wasn’t fair of me to ask. This is our problem, not yours.”
Hongjoong groaned, almost pouting. “Come on, kid. Don’t be all cute and sad like that.”
Wooyoung glanced up at him, knowing that his eyes were probably a bit watery as he made himself look smaller. “It’s okay, Hongjoong-ssi. We’ll figure this out on our own.”
“Stop that,” he huffed, rubbing a hand down his face. “God, you look like a puppy I just kicked!”
Perfect. Wooyoung stuck his lip out just the smallest bit, tilting his head down and gazing from beneath his lashes.
“Ugh, fine!” Hongjoong exclaimed. “I can give you a portion of your money back. But no more than 10,000,000.”
“That’s great!” Wooyoung beamed happily, tears vanishing. “Thank you so much, Hongjoong! You’re a wonderful—”
“Save it,” he muttered grumpily. “I know you guilt-tripped me just now, and I’m mildly annoyed it worked.” He eyed Wooyoung. “You’d make a high-maintenance Pet.”
Wooyoung grimaced, causing Hongjoong to laugh loudly.
“All right, I can get your money next time I go to the bank. Just leave your number at the counter when you leave.” Hongjoong stood, looking down at Wooyoung. “Otherwise, you’re free to stay as long as you like. Have a drink, maybe finesse some out of the Masters here.”
Wooyoung smirked. “Maybe I will.”
Hongjoong ruffled Wooyoung’s hair as he walked by. “Take it easy, kid. I’ll call you when I have your money.”
As Hongjoong left Wooyoung, the younger took a moment to glance around the room. A drink didn’t sound half-bad, especially after charming the man out of 10,000,000 won. He stood and sauntered to the bar, looking bored in case anyone was interested in buying him a drink. Sadly, by the time he got to the bar, he had no takers.
“Hey there!” A tall, peach-haired bartender grinned wildly at Wooyoung. “What can I get you? Are you a Pet or Master?”
“I was just chatting with Hongjoong, so neither I guess.” Wooyoung shrugged as the bartender pouted.
“Well, that’s no fun.” He pursed his lips in a pout before perking up. “What can I get you?”
Wooyoung was about to pick his poison, but a devious thought caused him to pause. Maybe it was the confidence winning over Hongjoong had instilled in him, but Wooyoung realized that there was something he really wanted to check in on while he was here.
“Actually,” Wooyoung trailed off, leaning in, “I’d rather you help me find someone. I think he’s a regular here.”
“Pet or—”
“He’s a Master,” Wooyoung groaned. “Name’s Seonghwa?”
“Oh, Seonghwa! He’s real popular lately!” The bartender blinked. “But, he’s only interested in Pets right now, and I think he’s got—”
“I just need to tell him something,” Wooyoung interrupted. “My friend was a Pet of his, but he’s busy with school and my friend just wanted to let him know he’d be MIA for a while.”
“Oh, okay!”
That was easy. The bartender scanned the room for a moment before pointing to a corner. “See that guy in the leather jacket?”
Wooyoung’s eyes honed in on where the bartender was pointing. The man in question had grey-colored hair and a leather-ensemble. He was gorgeous, that was for sure, but instead of gawking, Wooyoung narrowed his eyes as he noted the Pet in Seonghwa’s lap.
Blonde, just like Yeosang. Must have a type.
“Thanks, uh,” Wooyoung trailed off, searching for a nametag.
“Yunho!” The man beamed.
“Nice to meet you, Yunho. I doubt I’ll be seeing you again.”
With that, Wooyoung waved to the taller man before making his way to the corner where Seonghwa sat. There was another man seated near him, dressed in a white dress shirt and black slacks, his black tie loosened slightly. He had parted dark hair that was slightly slicked back, some strands falling into his face. Wooyoung regarded him for a moment before focusing on Seonghwa, anger rising in his chest.
He stopped in front of the couch, hands in his pockets as he glared at the older man. Seonghwa noticed him, arching a brow as he looked Wooyoung up and down.
“You a Pet?” he asked, voice soft. “I already have one right now, but maybe later, darling.”
“I’m not here to indulge in your fetish, asshole,” Wooyoung snapped. “I’m Yeosang’s friend.”
Seonghwa blinked, nudging the Pet off his lap as he sat up straight. “Yeosang? I thought I made my intentions clear.”
“What, that you’re not into him as a person, but it’s cool if he’s a Pet?” Wooyoung spat. “God, I don’t know why he’d like a freak like you.”
“Listen here,” Seonghwa snapped, eyes narrowing. “I told Yeosang from the start that I wasn’t interested in romance. It’s not my fault he thought he could make me fall in love with him or whatever his naïve little mind came up with.”
“He went into debt for you, you prick!” Wooyoung shouted, gaining attention near him. He saw a waiter talk into a radio before scurrying away. “He owes people money and it’s because of you!”
“He’s an adult, he can make his own decisions. It’s not my fault he made poor ones.”
Wooyoung took a step forward, anger prevalent on his face as he balled his fists. “The least you can do is help pay it! I’m sure you got something out of him being your Pet, even if you didn’t fuck him!”
“I don’t owe either of you anything. I’m not his mother.”
Wooyoung made to lunge towards the infuriating man. Suddenly, however, he felt a large hand on his shoulder.
“Time to go, buddy,” Yunho said sternly, pulling Wooyoung back a bit. The younger regarded Seonghwa with one last glare before huffing.
“I hope you get fucking syphilis!”
“All right,” Yunho sighed, grabbing Wooyoung’s arm and dragging him away with more force.
“I bet you wouldn’t fuck him ‘cause you have a baby dick!” Wooyoung shouted before turning his back on the man, allowing himself to be escorted out. Yunho chuckled beneath his breath, keeping his hand on Wooyoung. He led Wooyoung to a hallway perpendicular to the entrance, but before they could cross the doorframe, a voice from behind spoke up.
“Hold on, Yunho.”
The pair stopped and turned. Wooyoung blinked, realizing after a moment that it was the man that had been sitting beside Seonghwa. His hands were in his slack pockets, hip jutting out slightly and face expressionless. He nodded at Wooyoung with his chin.
“Let me talk to him for a sec.”
Yunho glanced between the two before sighing. He turned to Wooyoung, brow furrowed.
“Leave after your talk.” With that, he made his way back to the bar, leaving Wooyoung with the stranger. Wooyoung shoved his hands in his pockets, eyeing the slightly taller man. He hadn’t truly taken notice before, but the stranger was rather attractive
“Let’s sit,” he offered, sweeping his hand to a nearby loveseat.
While Wooyoung didn’t really want to sit next to anyone from this place, he sighed and plopped onto the cushion anyway. The man sat down carefully, legs spread wide, Wooyoung noted, and leaned against the arm of the couch. When the man didn’t say anything, Wooyoung’s brow creased in annoyance.
“Well?” Wooyoung snapped, folding his arms.
“My name’s San,” the man said softly. “You are…?”
“What’s it matter to you?”
San narrowed his eyes slightly. “It matters because I might be willing to help you and Yeosang.”
Wooyoung bit the inside of his cheek. “… Wooyoung.”
“Well, Wooyoung, Yeosang has been coming to see Seonghwa for a few months now,” San stated. “I’m actually surprised he never brought you here.”
“He kept this entire thing a secret. Told me he met Seonghwa at a coffee shop.” Wooyoung paused, then scoffed. “Makes sense considering Seonghwa was only his Master.”
“Seonghwa’s kind of an asshole,” San admitted. “But he doesn’t do relationships. He told Yeosang that the first time they met, and Yeosang said it was fine.”
“So what?” Wooyoung snapped. “Yeosang still came to see Seonghwa. He still played… ‘Pet,’ and probably did weird intimate things with him.”
“You want Seonghwa to pay for spending time with Yeosang?” San arched a brow.
“It’s more than that here,” Wooyoung retorted. “I’m sure he made Yeosang sit in his lap, and- and be cuddly, and—”
“He didn’t make Yeosang do anything. Yeosang consented like the adult he is.” San argued. But he paused, seeming to catch himself as he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, I didn’t pull you aside to argue about what Seonghwa should have to pay for.”
“Why did you, then?”
San stared at Wooyoung for a moment before leaning towards him. Wooyoung subconsciously leaned back, disliking the proximity and scrutiny.
“How much do you owe?”
Wooyoung blinked. “Uh, about 50,000,000 won.”
San gave a low whistle. “That’s a lot.”
“Yeah…”
“But I’ll pay it.”
Wooyoung blinked, not quite registering what San said. Relief momentarily bloomed in his chest alongside confusion. He went to open his mouth to inquire but was cut off.
“If you be my Pet.”
“What?” Wooyoung screeched. “What the fuck!?”
San stared at him, almost like a cat. “You need money and I’m offering it. It’s a fair deal.”
“You want me to whore myself out to you?!”
“I’m not making you fuck me,” San snapped, evidently offended. “I’m not a rapist. I’d never do anything without your full, sober consent.”
“So, what? You want me to sit on your lap and cuddle you for 50,000,000 won?” Wooyoung let out a short laugh. “Seems a little unrealistic, pal.”
“Look, you need money and I have it. I’m not asking you to be my whore or to do anything illegal.” San arched a brow. “You have a better plan of getting money quick? I doubt your loan sharks are gonna be patient.”
Wooyoung bit the inside of his cheek. “Why me? Why help me out like that?”
“Yeosang was a good guy. A little naïve, sure, but he was kind and funny. We chatted a lot while he was with Seonghwa and I got to know him a bit.”
“It’s not like you guys are friends, though. He never mentioned you, even in his little lie.”
Suddenly, San’s gaze darkened as he leaned in. “I’m not helping just because of Yeosang…” He looked Wooyoung up and down, appraisingly. “I won’t lie, Wooyoung. You’re fucking gorgeous. I don’t doubt multiple Masters had their eye on you when you walked in. But what really interests me…”
San’s voice lowered in pitch and volume as he leaned closer, faces inches from Wooyoung’s. “… You’re a brat. You clearly don’t live up to the standard, submissive Pet archetype. I don’t doubt you’d bitch and snap at any Master who’d try to keep you on a leash. You’d probably berate or swat anyone who tried to touch you…”
San glanced at Wooyoung’s lips so quickly he almost didn’t catch it, before staring Wooyoung in the eye once more. “… And I love taming unruly brats like you.”
Against everything Wooyoung anticipated, a slight shudder ran through his body. He swallowed hard under San’s stare before looking away.
“It’s your decision.” San leaned back finally, arching a brow. “I can write up an actual contract detailed what I’ll pay you, depending on the service you provide.” He then stood, looking down at Wooyoung. “I’m here on Wednesdays and Saturdays... I really hope I see you soon.”
With that, San walked back to his original seat, leaving Wooyoung shocked, tempted, and perhaps just a little bit turned on.
… Not that he’d ever admit that.