Zeng sighed and pouted as he saw the last glimpse of his baby brother. "He went so early," he complained while walking back to the exit gate, Yul sticking close by boyfriend's side.
"His job was done here," Yul tried comforting him and held his hand. After all the years hiding from the evil and judgemental glances of people, now they could do the simple act of holding hands openly.
"Don't be sad, Zeng ge. How about we go have some hotpot? We can visit a bookstore later, hm?" He suggested as he kissed his boyfriend's knuckles.
That had been a good idea and managed to distract Zeng successfully. That night Yul held him close and slept.
He saw a message on his phone after waking up in the morning, Zeng still beside him. It had been delivered a few hours prior from the username 'Baby Brother'.
>>I m home.
And if u really plan 2 propose 2 him,
make sure 2 sort everything out b4.
Yul sighed and closed his eyes, tilting his head back up the bedrest.
'Who is it?" Zeng asked groggily.
"Yuan," Yul answered. "He reached home safely."
Zeng let out a low whine as he checked his own phone but didn't find any messages, "Wow, he informed you but not me? Great, you stole everything from me, now my brother too." He pouted and his himself, bundled in the sheets. "Thief!"
Yul chuckled, "How can a police officer steal, ge?"
But Zeng nodded, "You did. You are a thief. You stole my heart, my world, my calm, my peaceful lone time, now my brother too." Zeng whined. "Not fair."
Yul made a noise and cuddled Zeng over the sheets. "Stop being so cute, Zeng ge! That's not fair. It will make us both late for our jobs," he complained, shaking his boyfriend in his arms but holding the bundle close.
Zeng peeked out his head, smiling. "I am happy though. I thought you and Yuan don't get along. I am glad that changed."
Yul softened, kissing him, "Me too."
Zeng had given him a lot of things. And a new family was among the top of the list. Yul as a lone child had always felt the need for siblings who could take care of him or whom he could take care of. To his fortune, he met people to fulfil those roles. Thanks to the academy, he got Subin as the annoying yet reliable older brother. Zeng gave him a younger brother in the form of Yuan. His world seemed to be slowly completing.
A few more additions would make it perfect but it's alright if it's not right now. He was content with the things he had.
=====
Chief Wang Yul was in his office, fingers interlocked and set on the table as he gazed ahead. He had to do it today. He knew the decision was spontaneous but was it actually? Wasn't he just pushing it off?
Yul had never been a person to mess around. He was straightforward, always had been. So it was surprising to him that he had to hold back this one particular truth about him. Not that he was lying or that it was anybody else's business, he just never shared it.
He wanted to put an end to it today.
On a whim, he marched out of his office. The members of his unit stopped their work and glanced at their senior from their small cabinets. All except one. JJ was biting his nails and had that look on his face that told he was not mentally there. It had been happening a lot with that guy recently.
"Alright team, gather up," Yul ordered.
The officers huddled in the open space, waiting for the announcement that the boss was going to make. The juniors had a thought that it was going to be another free food party from their chief and were excited for it but quietened down when they saw the serious look on his face.
It was not the regular 'do your job properly' serious. It was the 'I want to talk about something' serious.
Junior officer Tong looked at her friend accusingly, "Psst, JJ. What did you do?"
JJ gasped at the accusation, "I am innocent here! I even got to work on time, okay?"
Tong gave him a skeptical look. "Then what is it about?" JJ shrugged.
Yul cleared his throat, stopping the gossiping at one. He had everyone's attention now. He began.
"I have been working in this field for years and I have been in the company of excellent police officers. Some of you have shared some years of service with me. Some of you are new. I want to say that I am proud of the team I have, each and every one of you."
The officers looked pleased, smiling gleefully and looking at each other proudly.
"While the entire time I have been with you all, there's a part of me I have never shared. It may be because I thought it was not relevant enough to discuss at my workplace or because of the fear that I may lose my teammates' trust over it."
Now there was pin-drop silence. Nobody even dared to breathe. Yul swept his eyes one last time over his team and took a deep breath.
"I am bisexual. I have a boyfriend, whom I hope will soon be my husband."
A few gasps were heard. Murmurs of 'I knew it' and 'I never could have guessed' filled the room. A few stayed silent, their eyes darkening.
Now that the truth was out, it wasn't so scary anymore. Yul was almost smug about it. "If you have a problem with my sexuality, that's not my problem. It's yours. Deal with it but don't let it affect your work. This team's capabilities should not depend on whether I am straight or not."
He was done and was about to leave when officer Tong raised her hand. Yul gave her a nod.
"Sir, can we see your boyfriend's photo?" She asked eagerly, excited to see the man who swept away the most handsome man of their department.
"No," Yul flat-out rejected. Tong pouted and whined a little.
"If possible, I'll bring him to the next department event," Yul said and the girl brightened up.
Officer Chen raised his hand next, curiosity on his face and Yul gave him permission to speak.
"When's the wedding, Sir? Are we invited?"
Yul smirked and simultaneously his ears tips went pink. "Soon. Though it may take a while."
JJ raised his hand next, almost shooting it in the sky.
"I think I am bisexual too!" He yelled, startling everyone.
There was silence again. Yul spoke first. "Okay," he said simply.
Officer Tong crushed her fellow first-year into a hug. "Ah, you finally said it! Congo, dude!" Officer Chen went in to ruffle his junior's hair. One more patted his shoulder. JJ looked overwhelmed with the easy acceptance, almost dazed.
'What's with the sudden bisexual surge?" Another officer noted, scratching his head, "It's like everyone is coming out of the closet today. I can't wrap my head around it."
Yul shrugged. "You have plenty of time to process it."
There were some happy faces, some sullen, who kept quiet the entire time. Yul paid them no heed, he wouldn't unless they let it affect their work.
Now that nobody had any more questions, Yul was in his boss mode again. "Alright, team. Back to work.. Now!" He ordered and the team dispersed.