Song of Freedom. Part 4.
Title: Song of Freedom. 4/?
Author: sypherus_xiii
Pairing: HakyeonxTaekwoon
Rating: R. Language, violence and later sexual themes.
Summary: In a world bound by the tangles of war, Hakyeon searches for freedom. Post-apocalyptic AU.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, just love 'em.
Part 1. || Part 2. || Part 3.
A/N: Sorry for the long time since I last updated! The holidays and work have been busy. But I hope you enjoy!
Ten days since. Hakyeon's sitting on a rock with a flat surface, studying the book in his possession. The pad of his index finger runs along the spine of it, the worn red binding reminding him of the years it's survived. As he opens the cover to stare once again at the dedication from his father, this solemn resolution takes over him. He can't lose sight of what's in front of him, which means he can't linger too much on the past. What happened over a week ago is something he'll have to accept and use as a strength to propel forward. There's still hope his mother is out there somewhere, so he can't lose sight of reconnecting with her either.
How he's going to charge forward and go on his own journey, he's not exactly sure. Day by day, though, he'll figure it out.
Suddenly someone stands in front of him, and when he looks up the figure is blocking the sun from his eyes. It's Ravi and he's eyeing the book in Hakyeon's hands.
"What's that?" he inquires about it, and Hakyeon doesn't hesitate to answer, a swell of pride coursing through him.
"A family heirloom. Apparently my great-great-great-great grandfather on my dad's side wrote it, and it's been in my family ever since." He flips to the next page, the prologue of a poem--a poem that Hakyeon has memorized.
I'll see you again at the Red Sea,
Where we'll cross to our destiny,
Once full of dreams and liberty,
Now dark with Eerie catastrophe.
Look up to the midnight sky,
Where stars shine heaven high.
When darkness falls and cloaks around,
Follow the white roots of the ground.
They'll take you to the cliff of Unknown,
So close your eyes, leap, and you'll be flown.
Ride on faith and you'll soar across,
But if you begin to doubt, forever be lost--
Ravi's expression betrays surprise but Hakyeon assumes it's marvel at the age of it. It's rare to have any form of paper scripts this old that's outside of the international libraries. Although Ravi walks away after a small hum, later that night after a full day of travel, Hakyeon sees him huddled with Leo near the van, sharing a private conversation. Ravi looks his way and Hakyeon shifts his gaze to the dance of flames from the fire, having this feeling they were talking about him.
Before he can think about what they may be saying, Hyuk nears him with an inquiring nod to the space beside him on the box. Complying as he scoots over a little, the younger boy seats himself down. Hakyeon hasn't interacted as much with Hyuk as one would think, coming from the same city (different classes). Hyuk has to be nearing the age of adulthood, a steadfast number of twenty years, his limbs long and lean as his body mass is still filling out.
Hakyeon has watched the boy grow close to some of the other guys though--sometimes he's witnessed him crying in the arms of Hongbin--and Hakyeon's grateful for he partially thinks Hyuk distances himself from Hakyeon intentionally. As much as Hakyeon disagrees with the classism and integration of slavery to help 'build' back nations, he understands if Hyuk will always see him as a Laborer, born with more freedom who never rallied behind the abolition of his people.
"Thank you," is leaving the boy's lips before Hakyeon can greet him. Widening his eyes as he peers over at him, he sees the lowered gaze and the nervous press of teeth to a bottom lip. When he speaks again, his voice is faltering but there's an earnestness in the tone, "You didn't have to save me that day. You could've ran and saved yourself but…"
Hakyeon watches as Hyuk finally lifts his eyes to meet his. The younger doesn't need to finish what he wants to say for Hakyeon nods in understanding, raising his arm to drape around Hyuk's broader shoulders.
That day Hyuk lost a friend before his eyes, and Hakyeon could've walked on and ran to save himself but he didn't. "I never considered you below me. I always thought of you as equal. We're both human and we both deserve to live."
This is the only way he can explain himself. Most people ranked as Laborer or higher wouldn't think twice about a…slave…but Hakyeon views people for who they are, not the title or class they're given.
His honest confession brings a grin to Hyuk and Hakyeon squeezes his arm around him affectionately.
"Thanks, hyung," Hyuk spouts in a warm voice, and Hakyeon chuckles despite the way that term of endearment sends his heart fluttering. 'Hyung' is a word in their vocabulary used for older brother, a verbal symbol to show that you consider someone family. It pleases him to know that the other boy trusts him and harbors positive feelings towards him.
As Hyuk stands to leave him, a smile remnant on his lips, Hakyeon drags his eyes back to a magnetic pull and he sees Leo staring at him. Their eyes lock and hold, this incredible surge of warmth shooting up his spine. Even from across the way, Taekwoon's gaze beyond the lick of fire is dark and intent. Hakyeon wants to look away but he's already hooked. Before the feeling settles in him though, Leo's the one turning away and the connection is gone.
Air exhales from him slowly, and Hakyeon still wonders how long he's allowed to stay with the group.
The next day they arrive in a larger city, the streets bustling with merchants and pedestrians and it's exhilarating. It's bigger than his own home and it's the first prominent sign of civilization he's come across outside of it. They park the camper and Ken and Hyuk are designated to watch over it. Hongbin's sent to refill up their medical supplies, mumbling something about finding an apothecary to buy herbs. Leo's the first to leave, turning down a narrow street amidst the crowd. Ravi takes Hakyeon with him who's brimming with energy to explore. Their job is to buy some food and to sell some of the minerals in their collection for Liebre.
Following close behind Ravi, Hakyeon can't keep his eyes off the stands they trail past. There's items he's never seen before like necklaces with gems of brilliant colors, material that drapes in a pallet of even more vivid colors, and when he inhales there's this savory scent he's never smelled before.
"Sausage," Ravi points it out for he can see the way Hakyeon's sniffing the air and trying to find the source. Hakyeon notices the sticks of charred meat, and he wants to ask what animal it is, but at this point he doesn't really care for he's rubbing at his stomach anyway. The beans and rabbit are pretty good, but after a while it can become a little old.
It's not his place though to ask for it, the money not his own, but when Ravi stops in front of it and orders one, Hakyeon doesn't protest. They share the sausage; the bites are juicy and smokey, leaving him humming in content with each one. They finish it so quickly that they both laugh when they're staring at a clean stick.
Continuing on their way, Ravi stopping at a booth to show a few of the white minerals to a merchant, Hakyeon walks to a couple of stands down. There's a selection of rings, the silver glint remarkable as he admires how there's even crusted jewels along the band. He fingers one of them just to feel it, a rare opportunity to someone of a lower class like him.
These were embellishments he imagines the richest of merchants or the highest of government officials wear. Maybe in the past when there was still a royal family, they'd wear jewelry like this, too. If he had the money he'd buy one for his mother in a heartbeat. She'd especially like the red, solid gem, resembling the infamous rare ruby.
"Hey, get your hands off that." Hakyeon instantly looks up, seeing a few men of considerable size nearing him. He glances at the old woman behind the booth sitting there in her chair, staring blankly out with a constant smile of missing teeth, before he looks back to the men staring him down.
"Did you take one of these from this woman here?" The first man asks him in a gravelly voice that sounds like he spends his free time smoking grass.
"No," Hakyeon answers resolutely as he shakes his head. His heart is pounding despite his calm exterior and he immediately peers over his shoulder for any sign of Ravi. He doesn't see him at the booth he was at earlier and Hakyeon begins to panic.
A hand pushes at his shoulder and he stumbles back a step. "I asked, did you take one without paying?"
Attention is being drawn to them and Hakyeon feels himself beginning to cower as his gaze lowers.
"No," he answers again, his voice smaller this time around. He takes a step back in case the man decides to push him again.
The look in the guy's gaze is distrustful and accusatory and Hakyeon knows he's not going to get out of this easily. "We'll be the ones to decide that."
As expected, the next moment he's being grabbed by two pairs of strong hands. He struggles but he can barely jerk an inch with how much force they're using on him. Hardly able to catch his balance as he's being dragged off, Hakyeon keeps whipping his head around to find Ravi. The crowd clears a pathway, no one stepping in to defend him. This is a world where the survival of the fittest applies and no one's going to barge into the business of an outsider especially.
That's right. He's an outsider now. Most of these people still have their home, and he's just the traveler passing through and now appearing to intrude as a thief, too.
They take him down an alley past linens hanging from a first-story unit. There's a wooden fence cutting off the way that stops them from dragging him further down but it doesn't stop them from suddenly shoving him forward against it. His hands sting as they brace against the wood to lessen the collision; he has little time to recover when there's a presence behind him.
"Do you know what we do to thieves?" The low voice threatens him with a thick dryness to it, hot down his neck and Hakyeon quietly gasps with surprise at a hand running down his lower back to his rear where it squeezes.
Now it all makes sense. He wasn't really being accused of stealing. He was chosen for these men to get off on a quick satisfaction with a person they knew would be helpless. It reminds him of the rumors surrounding the lowest class of people in Chawon being used for sexual favors--it makes his stomach curl.
"He's kinda pretty, boss," one of the other voices contributes and Hakyeon grimaces because being considered pretty at a time like this isn't something he wants. With Ravi gone and no tag to his name, he can easily be taken by them and kept. Heart stammering in his chest as heavy fingers now trail to his hips, they grip him harder as the space between their bodies disappears. Biting his lower lip, he's too afraid to peer behind him, the proximity too uncomfortable for him to find the right amount of air to his lungs.
Just as Hakyeon slides his eyes shut, trying with all of his will to stop any sounds of discomfort leaving, he suddenly hears a gruff exclamation and something hitting the alley wall. There's another loud noise and hands are being torn from him, a blend of vigorous growls and shuffling. He startles when he sees the man just on him falling to the ground beside him, his head knocking into the wooden fence as he slumps into unconsciousness.
Shock. Amazed. Relief. Hakyeon's not sure what to feel right now, grounded in his spot. Panting slightly from the exertion of emotions, he slowly turns, hands still raised up, curious to see who just eliminated a band of three grown, burly men. The person that greets him is the last person he expects.
"Leo?" The long-haired male is standing there, chest rising and falling beneath his ruffled white shirt, the edge of his lip a dark red from blood. Suddenly Leo's raising his intense stare and Hakyeon somehow feels a hundred times more fearful and most certainly apologetic. However, the most prominent sentiment is gratitude.
"H-How did you?" he wants to ask how he knew he was here. But that was probably a question that would never be answered for the obvious answer, so he tries again, "Thanks…thanks a lot." His arms lower slowly, the rate of his heart still pounding fast, but by the lack of movement from the men around him…he's safe for now all due to Leo standing there.
The response is expected, for Hakyeon knows he's a burden. "Stay close and pay attention." If he had stayed close to Ravi this wouldn't have happened.
The rest of his apology sits in his stomach as he follows Leo back to the truck. At some points when he thinks Leo is a step too far ahead his hand reaches out, fingers holding onto loose threads of his shirt, and he sees the man falter the first two times it happens but by the third he ignores it.
When they reach the camper, everyone else waiting, Ravi hurries up to him asking what happened back there. Everyone can see the nab of blood on Leo's lip and the dirt on his clothing, and if they don't see that, they can definitely sense the cloud of irritation surrounding him.
Hakyeon vaguely explains he wasn't paying attention and ran into some thugs when Taekwoon came to rescue him. He can't look Ravi in the eye as he shares this, the other details to the story causing his stomach to twist in guilt.
That night they take the luxury of eating at a tavern (Leo opts out to take watch over their vehicle and supplies), but Hakyeon doesn't feel content enough to enjoy it. Ravi tries to get him to drink potato wine but he refuses, appreciating Ravi's attempt to help him ease up. He even murmurs to Hakyeon that things like that can happen so he shouldn't worry about it. Hakyeon believes things like that only happen to careless, sheltered people, but he keeps that comment to himself.
It's not until later that night when he's setting up his sleeping bag, that Hongbin approaches him. This is such a surprise since Hongbin rarely comes to him.
"You shouldn't feel bad," are the first words out of his mouth, quiet but firm as he's tilting his head, dark eyes trying to catch Hakyeon's downcast gaze. As his lips part, wanting to refute and say he has every reason to feel bad, Hongbin beats him to the punch, "You should be glad he helped you. It means…he likes you."
Those words catch him off guard, immediately raising his gaze to meet Hongbin's as he swears his throat fills with a rock. The sincerity is hard to miss, the slight curve to Hongbin's lips and the warmth in his eyes not just from the campfire burning off to the side. Hakyeon doesn't question what that means for he knows what it does. Leo had seen him unrighteously taken by those men, and he could've easily abandoned him, left him in this city to fall into their hands. But the fact that he saved Hakyeon (twice now), it means he has every intention to allow Hakyeon to stay with them. Or well…to at least not fall victim or captive to strangers.
As he's settling into bed that night, the ground hard as ever and the sky darker than usual, he recalls the feeling of seeing Leo, silent and exuding this resilient aura after rescuing him. Hours later it still makes his blood warm and his heart palpitate unevenly.
Sighing softly as he rolls onto his side, wondering if this is going to be another night of little sleep, he's about to close his eyes when he notices someone's still awake. Sitting on the hard dirt by the dwindling flames, he makes out the pale figure of Leo, expression dark as he's boring into the stacked wood and remaining orange glow.
Suddenly those eyes fleet over to him and Hakyeon wants to yank the edge of the bag up to cover his face, but he's frozen. Leo's look is always magnetic but this time he acts upon it, his presence drawing him in as Hakyeon slowly sits up and unzips himself, standing carefully to cross the short distance. Nerves ride up his spine the whole way but he represses the way they want to make his knees buckle. Leo watches him the whole way until he's lowering himself beside him on the ground.
Crossing his legs as he joins him in staring into the final embers of the night, Hakyeon waits a beat or two or three before he's speaking, "Thanks for today. I…I don't want to be a burden to you and the others, though."
Silence follows and he scrounges up the rest of his courage to confess the rest. "So…I want to become better. More capable and strong."
As his bottom lip eases beneath his teeth while he inhales and exhales hesitantly, he's turning his head (his neck is so stiff it takes an extra effort), the fine hairs at the back of his neck stand on end. Being so close, the sole focus of that imploring gaze is unnerving. "Can I join you? I want to travel with all of you." The words keep tumbling out and he can't stop them. "I want to make you guys my home, too."
Finally Leo's blinking and Hakyeon's on the edge of trembling and losing all oxygen. He's so anxious of what Leo will say that he forgets where they are for a moment.
"You can." The voice, soft and permitting, sounds distant to Hakyeon. But the nod itself is another form of proof that he hears correctly. "But you'll no longer be Hakyeon of Cha."
His heart feels like it stops for a second, but it starts up again into a raging wind of more anxiety. Confusion and curiosity sink in as to why he must be given a new name and he parts his lips but nothing comes out.
And as if Leo's already planned this, already designated the name to Hakyeon long before, he explains in a steady measure of words.
"It's fate that you met us. So your name will be fate. From now on, you're N, short for Yeon."
Hakyeon's not sure why Leo considers it fate that he met this band of travelers--why he thinks it's destiny that he stays with them on this journey--but what he does know, is that he's ready to accept whatever fate befalls him alongside Leo and the rest of them.
He's given a new name, a new freedom and most important of all, he's found a new home.
Part 5.
Owari.
A/N: Ahhhhhh, done. And I need to really read more VIXX fics of other authors so if you have any recs or want to share yours with me, please leave it in a comment!
Author: sypherus_xiii
Pairing: HakyeonxTaekwoon
Rating: R. Language, violence and later sexual themes.
Summary: In a world bound by the tangles of war, Hakyeon searches for freedom. Post-apocalyptic AU.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, just love 'em.
Part 1. || Part 2. || Part 3.
A/N: Sorry for the long time since I last updated! The holidays and work have been busy. But I hope you enjoy!
Ten days since. Hakyeon's sitting on a rock with a flat surface, studying the book in his possession. The pad of his index finger runs along the spine of it, the worn red binding reminding him of the years it's survived. As he opens the cover to stare once again at the dedication from his father, this solemn resolution takes over him. He can't lose sight of what's in front of him, which means he can't linger too much on the past. What happened over a week ago is something he'll have to accept and use as a strength to propel forward. There's still hope his mother is out there somewhere, so he can't lose sight of reconnecting with her either.
How he's going to charge forward and go on his own journey, he's not exactly sure. Day by day, though, he'll figure it out.
Suddenly someone stands in front of him, and when he looks up the figure is blocking the sun from his eyes. It's Ravi and he's eyeing the book in Hakyeon's hands.
"What's that?" he inquires about it, and Hakyeon doesn't hesitate to answer, a swell of pride coursing through him.
"A family heirloom. Apparently my great-great-great-great grandfather on my dad's side wrote it, and it's been in my family ever since." He flips to the next page, the prologue of a poem--a poem that Hakyeon has memorized.
I'll see you again at the Red Sea,
Where we'll cross to our destiny,
Once full of dreams and liberty,
Now dark with Eerie catastrophe.
Look up to the midnight sky,
Where stars shine heaven high.
When darkness falls and cloaks around,
Follow the white roots of the ground.
They'll take you to the cliff of Unknown,
So close your eyes, leap, and you'll be flown.
Ride on faith and you'll soar across,
But if you begin to doubt, forever be lost--
Ravi's expression betrays surprise but Hakyeon assumes it's marvel at the age of it. It's rare to have any form of paper scripts this old that's outside of the international libraries. Although Ravi walks away after a small hum, later that night after a full day of travel, Hakyeon sees him huddled with Leo near the van, sharing a private conversation. Ravi looks his way and Hakyeon shifts his gaze to the dance of flames from the fire, having this feeling they were talking about him.
Before he can think about what they may be saying, Hyuk nears him with an inquiring nod to the space beside him on the box. Complying as he scoots over a little, the younger boy seats himself down. Hakyeon hasn't interacted as much with Hyuk as one would think, coming from the same city (different classes). Hyuk has to be nearing the age of adulthood, a steadfast number of twenty years, his limbs long and lean as his body mass is still filling out.
Hakyeon has watched the boy grow close to some of the other guys though--sometimes he's witnessed him crying in the arms of Hongbin--and Hakyeon's grateful for he partially thinks Hyuk distances himself from Hakyeon intentionally. As much as Hakyeon disagrees with the classism and integration of slavery to help 'build' back nations, he understands if Hyuk will always see him as a Laborer, born with more freedom who never rallied behind the abolition of his people.
"Thank you," is leaving the boy's lips before Hakyeon can greet him. Widening his eyes as he peers over at him, he sees the lowered gaze and the nervous press of teeth to a bottom lip. When he speaks again, his voice is faltering but there's an earnestness in the tone, "You didn't have to save me that day. You could've ran and saved yourself but…"
Hakyeon watches as Hyuk finally lifts his eyes to meet his. The younger doesn't need to finish what he wants to say for Hakyeon nods in understanding, raising his arm to drape around Hyuk's broader shoulders.
That day Hyuk lost a friend before his eyes, and Hakyeon could've walked on and ran to save himself but he didn't. "I never considered you below me. I always thought of you as equal. We're both human and we both deserve to live."
This is the only way he can explain himself. Most people ranked as Laborer or higher wouldn't think twice about a…slave…but Hakyeon views people for who they are, not the title or class they're given.
His honest confession brings a grin to Hyuk and Hakyeon squeezes his arm around him affectionately.
"Thanks, hyung," Hyuk spouts in a warm voice, and Hakyeon chuckles despite the way that term of endearment sends his heart fluttering. 'Hyung' is a word in their vocabulary used for older brother, a verbal symbol to show that you consider someone family. It pleases him to know that the other boy trusts him and harbors positive feelings towards him.
As Hyuk stands to leave him, a smile remnant on his lips, Hakyeon drags his eyes back to a magnetic pull and he sees Leo staring at him. Their eyes lock and hold, this incredible surge of warmth shooting up his spine. Even from across the way, Taekwoon's gaze beyond the lick of fire is dark and intent. Hakyeon wants to look away but he's already hooked. Before the feeling settles in him though, Leo's the one turning away and the connection is gone.
Air exhales from him slowly, and Hakyeon still wonders how long he's allowed to stay with the group.
The next day they arrive in a larger city, the streets bustling with merchants and pedestrians and it's exhilarating. It's bigger than his own home and it's the first prominent sign of civilization he's come across outside of it. They park the camper and Ken and Hyuk are designated to watch over it. Hongbin's sent to refill up their medical supplies, mumbling something about finding an apothecary to buy herbs. Leo's the first to leave, turning down a narrow street amidst the crowd. Ravi takes Hakyeon with him who's brimming with energy to explore. Their job is to buy some food and to sell some of the minerals in their collection for Liebre.
Following close behind Ravi, Hakyeon can't keep his eyes off the stands they trail past. There's items he's never seen before like necklaces with gems of brilliant colors, material that drapes in a pallet of even more vivid colors, and when he inhales there's this savory scent he's never smelled before.
"Sausage," Ravi points it out for he can see the way Hakyeon's sniffing the air and trying to find the source. Hakyeon notices the sticks of charred meat, and he wants to ask what animal it is, but at this point he doesn't really care for he's rubbing at his stomach anyway. The beans and rabbit are pretty good, but after a while it can become a little old.
It's not his place though to ask for it, the money not his own, but when Ravi stops in front of it and orders one, Hakyeon doesn't protest. They share the sausage; the bites are juicy and smokey, leaving him humming in content with each one. They finish it so quickly that they both laugh when they're staring at a clean stick.
Continuing on their way, Ravi stopping at a booth to show a few of the white minerals to a merchant, Hakyeon walks to a couple of stands down. There's a selection of rings, the silver glint remarkable as he admires how there's even crusted jewels along the band. He fingers one of them just to feel it, a rare opportunity to someone of a lower class like him.
These were embellishments he imagines the richest of merchants or the highest of government officials wear. Maybe in the past when there was still a royal family, they'd wear jewelry like this, too. If he had the money he'd buy one for his mother in a heartbeat. She'd especially like the red, solid gem, resembling the infamous rare ruby.
"Hey, get your hands off that." Hakyeon instantly looks up, seeing a few men of considerable size nearing him. He glances at the old woman behind the booth sitting there in her chair, staring blankly out with a constant smile of missing teeth, before he looks back to the men staring him down.
"Did you take one of these from this woman here?" The first man asks him in a gravelly voice that sounds like he spends his free time smoking grass.
"No," Hakyeon answers resolutely as he shakes his head. His heart is pounding despite his calm exterior and he immediately peers over his shoulder for any sign of Ravi. He doesn't see him at the booth he was at earlier and Hakyeon begins to panic.
A hand pushes at his shoulder and he stumbles back a step. "I asked, did you take one without paying?"
Attention is being drawn to them and Hakyeon feels himself beginning to cower as his gaze lowers.
"No," he answers again, his voice smaller this time around. He takes a step back in case the man decides to push him again.
The look in the guy's gaze is distrustful and accusatory and Hakyeon knows he's not going to get out of this easily. "We'll be the ones to decide that."
As expected, the next moment he's being grabbed by two pairs of strong hands. He struggles but he can barely jerk an inch with how much force they're using on him. Hardly able to catch his balance as he's being dragged off, Hakyeon keeps whipping his head around to find Ravi. The crowd clears a pathway, no one stepping in to defend him. This is a world where the survival of the fittest applies and no one's going to barge into the business of an outsider especially.
That's right. He's an outsider now. Most of these people still have their home, and he's just the traveler passing through and now appearing to intrude as a thief, too.
They take him down an alley past linens hanging from a first-story unit. There's a wooden fence cutting off the way that stops them from dragging him further down but it doesn't stop them from suddenly shoving him forward against it. His hands sting as they brace against the wood to lessen the collision; he has little time to recover when there's a presence behind him.
"Do you know what we do to thieves?" The low voice threatens him with a thick dryness to it, hot down his neck and Hakyeon quietly gasps with surprise at a hand running down his lower back to his rear where it squeezes.
Now it all makes sense. He wasn't really being accused of stealing. He was chosen for these men to get off on a quick satisfaction with a person they knew would be helpless. It reminds him of the rumors surrounding the lowest class of people in Chawon being used for sexual favors--it makes his stomach curl.
"He's kinda pretty, boss," one of the other voices contributes and Hakyeon grimaces because being considered pretty at a time like this isn't something he wants. With Ravi gone and no tag to his name, he can easily be taken by them and kept. Heart stammering in his chest as heavy fingers now trail to his hips, they grip him harder as the space between their bodies disappears. Biting his lower lip, he's too afraid to peer behind him, the proximity too uncomfortable for him to find the right amount of air to his lungs.
Just as Hakyeon slides his eyes shut, trying with all of his will to stop any sounds of discomfort leaving, he suddenly hears a gruff exclamation and something hitting the alley wall. There's another loud noise and hands are being torn from him, a blend of vigorous growls and shuffling. He startles when he sees the man just on him falling to the ground beside him, his head knocking into the wooden fence as he slumps into unconsciousness.
Shock. Amazed. Relief. Hakyeon's not sure what to feel right now, grounded in his spot. Panting slightly from the exertion of emotions, he slowly turns, hands still raised up, curious to see who just eliminated a band of three grown, burly men. The person that greets him is the last person he expects.
"Leo?" The long-haired male is standing there, chest rising and falling beneath his ruffled white shirt, the edge of his lip a dark red from blood. Suddenly Leo's raising his intense stare and Hakyeon somehow feels a hundred times more fearful and most certainly apologetic. However, the most prominent sentiment is gratitude.
"H-How did you?" he wants to ask how he knew he was here. But that was probably a question that would never be answered for the obvious answer, so he tries again, "Thanks…thanks a lot." His arms lower slowly, the rate of his heart still pounding fast, but by the lack of movement from the men around him…he's safe for now all due to Leo standing there.
The response is expected, for Hakyeon knows he's a burden. "Stay close and pay attention." If he had stayed close to Ravi this wouldn't have happened.
The rest of his apology sits in his stomach as he follows Leo back to the truck. At some points when he thinks Leo is a step too far ahead his hand reaches out, fingers holding onto loose threads of his shirt, and he sees the man falter the first two times it happens but by the third he ignores it.
When they reach the camper, everyone else waiting, Ravi hurries up to him asking what happened back there. Everyone can see the nab of blood on Leo's lip and the dirt on his clothing, and if they don't see that, they can definitely sense the cloud of irritation surrounding him.
Hakyeon vaguely explains he wasn't paying attention and ran into some thugs when Taekwoon came to rescue him. He can't look Ravi in the eye as he shares this, the other details to the story causing his stomach to twist in guilt.
That night they take the luxury of eating at a tavern (Leo opts out to take watch over their vehicle and supplies), but Hakyeon doesn't feel content enough to enjoy it. Ravi tries to get him to drink potato wine but he refuses, appreciating Ravi's attempt to help him ease up. He even murmurs to Hakyeon that things like that can happen so he shouldn't worry about it. Hakyeon believes things like that only happen to careless, sheltered people, but he keeps that comment to himself.
It's not until later that night when he's setting up his sleeping bag, that Hongbin approaches him. This is such a surprise since Hongbin rarely comes to him.
"You shouldn't feel bad," are the first words out of his mouth, quiet but firm as he's tilting his head, dark eyes trying to catch Hakyeon's downcast gaze. As his lips part, wanting to refute and say he has every reason to feel bad, Hongbin beats him to the punch, "You should be glad he helped you. It means…he likes you."
Those words catch him off guard, immediately raising his gaze to meet Hongbin's as he swears his throat fills with a rock. The sincerity is hard to miss, the slight curve to Hongbin's lips and the warmth in his eyes not just from the campfire burning off to the side. Hakyeon doesn't question what that means for he knows what it does. Leo had seen him unrighteously taken by those men, and he could've easily abandoned him, left him in this city to fall into their hands. But the fact that he saved Hakyeon (twice now), it means he has every intention to allow Hakyeon to stay with them. Or well…to at least not fall victim or captive to strangers.
As he's settling into bed that night, the ground hard as ever and the sky darker than usual, he recalls the feeling of seeing Leo, silent and exuding this resilient aura after rescuing him. Hours later it still makes his blood warm and his heart palpitate unevenly.
Sighing softly as he rolls onto his side, wondering if this is going to be another night of little sleep, he's about to close his eyes when he notices someone's still awake. Sitting on the hard dirt by the dwindling flames, he makes out the pale figure of Leo, expression dark as he's boring into the stacked wood and remaining orange glow.
Suddenly those eyes fleet over to him and Hakyeon wants to yank the edge of the bag up to cover his face, but he's frozen. Leo's look is always magnetic but this time he acts upon it, his presence drawing him in as Hakyeon slowly sits up and unzips himself, standing carefully to cross the short distance. Nerves ride up his spine the whole way but he represses the way they want to make his knees buckle. Leo watches him the whole way until he's lowering himself beside him on the ground.
Crossing his legs as he joins him in staring into the final embers of the night, Hakyeon waits a beat or two or three before he's speaking, "Thanks for today. I…I don't want to be a burden to you and the others, though."
Silence follows and he scrounges up the rest of his courage to confess the rest. "So…I want to become better. More capable and strong."
As his bottom lip eases beneath his teeth while he inhales and exhales hesitantly, he's turning his head (his neck is so stiff it takes an extra effort), the fine hairs at the back of his neck stand on end. Being so close, the sole focus of that imploring gaze is unnerving. "Can I join you? I want to travel with all of you." The words keep tumbling out and he can't stop them. "I want to make you guys my home, too."
Finally Leo's blinking and Hakyeon's on the edge of trembling and losing all oxygen. He's so anxious of what Leo will say that he forgets where they are for a moment.
"You can." The voice, soft and permitting, sounds distant to Hakyeon. But the nod itself is another form of proof that he hears correctly. "But you'll no longer be Hakyeon of Cha."
His heart feels like it stops for a second, but it starts up again into a raging wind of more anxiety. Confusion and curiosity sink in as to why he must be given a new name and he parts his lips but nothing comes out.
And as if Leo's already planned this, already designated the name to Hakyeon long before, he explains in a steady measure of words.
"It's fate that you met us. So your name will be fate. From now on, you're N, short for Yeon."
Hakyeon's not sure why Leo considers it fate that he met this band of travelers--why he thinks it's destiny that he stays with them on this journey--but what he does know, is that he's ready to accept whatever fate befalls him alongside Leo and the rest of them.
He's given a new name, a new freedom and most important of all, he's found a new home.
Part 5.
Owari.
A/N: Ahhhhhh, done. And I need to really read more VIXX fics of other authors so if you have any recs or want to share yours with me, please leave it in a comment!