The Scattered Stars Effect part eight
Pairing: HimUp
Rated: PG13
Length: 6K
part seven
The days were long and the work was hard but Himchan never complained, something Jongup was grateful for. If someone besides Youngjae picked up on his nervousness and lack of experience they would use it against him and Jongup knew he would have to go down fighting to protect him. Himchan wasn't good with the computers but he knew numbers and Seongwook had put him to work managing his accounts straight away.
The only time they were able to see each other was when Seongwook did his daily rounds through the rooms, checking in with each worker individually with Himchan following along behind him and taking notes.
"You're stalling. These mock-up's should have been done days ago," Seongwook's hand on his shoulder caused Jongup to flinch and knock over his coffee cup. "And you've grown clumsy."
The backhand across his jaw was nothing new, something he was given at least once a day, but Jongup wished Himchan hadn't been there to see it. When Seongwook calmly strolled out of the room, Himchan paused at the door and turned back to take one more look at him.
"I'm fine," Jongup mouthed, smiling because it was the first time he'd seen Himchan since the day before. He hated going even an hour without Himchan's dark eyes trained on him and being forced to be apart once again was torture. "Go on."
Himchan frowned but turned to catch up with their boss. Something Jongup had tried his hardest to make Himchan understand was that Seongwook would kill him rather than train him. He had to always stay alert and on his guard. So far Himchan had been doing great. According to Youngjae, who was free to stroll around the building as he pleased, Himchan was actually treated nicer than any of them.
"Boss says we need a pretty face to front the business." Youngjae wasn't keeping Jongup informed because he cared, it was all about letting him know that he was on the inside of everything and that he secretly held all the cards. "He won't let him be hurt because it would look bad when they go to meetings."
"Himchan's going to meetings?" That worried him. He couldn't rush to protect him if Himchan was going to be traveling all over Paris without him. "Is anyone asking too many questions?"
Youngjae shook his head. "Seongwook came back this morning laughing because Himchan grabbed someone's hand and jerked their fingers backwards when they tried to touch him. Broke a finger and had the guy on the ground howling."
It helped knowing that Himchan was able to defend himself, albeit slightly. He still didn't know how to hold a gun and Jongup would bet his life that the thought of actually firing at someone would make Himchan pass out.
"What do I have to give for you to look a blind eye later tonight?"
The grin curling up Youngjae's full lips made Jongup shiver with fear. "Big plans later, Moon?"
"I just want to talk to him. Privately. I want to know he's handling things okay."
Youngjae stared at him as he mused the idea in his head. "I'm going to keep the favor for something in the future. Anything I want, when I say I want it. Or a little bird will spill all of your naughty little secrets into Seongwook's ear."
"Fine." Anything to be alone with Himchan. He needed to feel the heavy weight of Himchan's arms around him and hear the happiness in his voice as he filled Jongup in on everything Hayoung had been doing. It had been six days since he discovered Himchan sleeping in the tiny apartment nestled deep in the city. Six days of zero contact and only lingering glances once or twice a day. "Bring me to his room when it's safe and wait outside with an excuse in case someone comes along."
The look on Youngjae's face was one that knew he would always have the upper hand and Jongup wanted nothing more than to slap it off, but until they finished the job there was nothing he could do except let Youngjae be their puppet master.
"I'll come get you later. Be ready. If I'm not there by midnight then I'm not coming."
Jongup glanced over at the clock on the wall. He had less than six hours before he would be with Himchan again. The canvasses on his desk would be his only company for the rest of the evening. He sighed and picked up his drawing pencil again. The sooner it was finished the sooner Himchan could go home to their daughter.
He already knew he wouldn’t be with them. There was no way Seongwook would let him break free again. But he could get Himchan to safety and that was all he needed.
So he forced the two of them from his mind and turned his attention back to sketching the most realistic forgery he would ever do in his life.
---
The knock on his door came at eleven-twenty. He cracked it open and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Youngjae on the other side.
"Boss is gone and Daehyun switched all the cameras to a ten second repeat. I'm giving you fifteen minutes." Youngjae led him down the long hallway with a hand on the gun shoved into his jacket pocket. His eyes swung from side to side as they walked, always on guard even when he thought they were safe.
"You told Daehyun?" Even though he was desperate to see Himchan he didn't know if he wanted to do it at the expense of another person finding out.
Youngjae made a sound that was suspiciously similar to a snort. "You're a thief not an actor, Moon. Daehyun's abnormally talented at noticing things others try to hide. How do you think he gets out of so many close calls? He asked me about it two days ago."
"Do you think he'll say anything?"
"Daehyun has a heart. He thinks it's romantic," Youngjae told him shortly. "That's where he and I differ." They stopped at a plain white door and Youngjae nodded towards it. "I didn't tell him you were coming. Don't do anything stupid. Remember, fifteen minutes." He leaned against the wall opposite the door and crossed his arms.
With a deep breath Jongup raised his fist to the faded wood and rapped his knuckles against it three times.
When Himchan pulled it open and saw Jongup standing there he blinked in surprise but quickly realized it wasn't a hallucination and reached excitedly for him. "Jong-" He broke off and glanced worriedly at Youngjae. "What's going on?"
"I missed you," Jongup breathed, stepping past him and into the room. He hurriedly shut the door behind him so Youngjae wasn't able to hear them talk. "Wow, your room is a lot nicer than mine." Seongwook must have really taken a shine to him.
Himchan didn't answer because he was busy finishing what he had started, reaching towards Jongup and yanking him forward.
When Jongup fell into Himchan's arms for the first time in almost a week it was with a smile and a heartbeat that threatened to beat out of his chest. He barely came up to Himchan's neck but it was the perfect spot to bury his face and breathe him in. His arms couldn't decide what they wanted to do as they slipped around Himchan's hips and across his back then back towards his chest where he gripped his t-shirt in a tight fist.
"What did you have to promise Youngjae for this?" The whisper against his hair sounded so tired and Jongup was filled with a renewed hatred of himself for dragging Himchan into his world.
"Nothing I'm not willing to give," Jongup murmured against the soft skin of his neck. "Are you okay? Is anyone treating you bad?"
Himchan's arms around his shoulders pulled away enough that he could fist Jongup's hair in his hand, tugging it sharply until Jongup made a low sound in his throat. "I'm fine, Jongup. I told you before we came here that I can take care of myself. You don't have to babysit me. I'm not the one that's getting backhanded every day." His thumb slid across the purple bruise painted on Jongup's jaw. "I know you're taking your time with your part of the work on purpose but you have to stop. He's getting angry. The next time he touches you I'm probably going to stick my pen into his liver. Stop procrastinating and just get it done."
"The longer it takes me the better plan I can form on how to get you home. Have you talked to Hayoung? Did you tell her I love her?"
"I used the phone you gave me and called yesterday. She's scared but I told her we're doing the best we can." Himchan laughed against Jongup's skin but it was far from funny. "Why can't we just kill them and get it over with? I played baseball in high school, I can take one out with a bat."
Because if they tried and failed the punishment would be unendurable, Jongup thought to himself.
"Just a little bit longer before home, I promise." He wanted to know what the sweat-slicked skin under his lips tasted like. He would have given everything for just one second of completeness with Himchan. "When the time comes to do the job you have to promise me you won't interfere." Their time was running out and he had to tell him what he needed before Youngjae knocked on the door. "Promise you'll stay out of it and let me do my work."
Himchan frowned and Jongup knew he was going to refuse him. "You know I c-"
"Do it for Hayoung." Jongup never wanted their time together to end but he had to pull himself together and take charge before he lost everything. "If we both get caught then she's alone. Someone has to go home to her. You have to raise your daughter, Himchan."
"I told her I wouldn't come home without you." Himchan's face crumpled, hands tightening around Jongup until he controlled himself. "And she's our daughter. You're her papa."
Everything he had imagined over the last year raced through his head. He had known planning for the future was worthless, he knew they would come for him eventually. But he had wanted this family so hard that it took his breath away. A child whose smile lit up his world and a partner whose touch could make the entire world melt away and he'd tried his best to hold onto it until it slipped out from under his fingers.
"I know what you're doing," Himchan continued, his voice rough in Jongup's ear. "You're going to sacrifice yourself to save me. It's not going to happen that way, Jongup. I won't let you." Lips pressed against the flutter of Jongup's pulse. "You're ours."
He wanted Himchan's ownership almost as much as he wanted his touches and affections. But not like this. Not with Damocles hanging over their heads.
"What if I told you I wasn't going to come back with you anyway? Would you let me go then?"
"No." Himchan's palm slipped over his shoulder and across the collarbones visible under the loose shirt he was wearing. "Because I would know you were lying."
The urge to give in and kiss him had never been stronger. The ache pounded through his body and Jongup thought that maybe, just maybe, Himchan was finally where he would accept it. The look in his black eyes was steady as he looked down at him where every time they had gotten close before was guarded.
"It's okay," Himchan whispered as if he could hear his thoughts, fingertips smoothing across the flushed skin of his chest.
He closed his eyes and let Himchan's breath guide him, the two of them slowly moving to meet halfway. When they were only a hairs width apart Jongup stopped to press their foreheads together.
"I don't want you to do this just because you're afraid you won't get the chance again." His eyes clenched shut tighter until he saw stars. "That's not fair to me, Himchan."
The sudden beat on the door made them jump apart guiltily.
"Let's go," Youngjae sounded amused through the thin wood. As if he'd eavesdropped on their conversation, which Jongup had no doubt he probably had. "Daehyun's rebooting the cameras so we have five minutes to get back."
"Don't do anything stupid," Himchan held him for a second longer but was fully aware of the consequences of anyone else finding them. He let go with a sigh and one final squeeze of Jongup's hand. "Don't do anything we can't come back from."
Jongup nodded but they both knew it was only for show.
"I'm bringing you home," Was the last promise he heard before Youngjae shut the door between them.
Youngjae was quiet as they walked quickly back to Jongup's room. For the first time since they had met there were no sarcastic remarks or teasing thrown his way.
"Thanks," Jongup muttered, reaching for his doorknob.
"You were stupid to let him follow you," Youngjae finally spoke up. When Jongup turned to question him he was surprised to see actual anger flaring across Youngjae's face where he usually only saw remoteness. "I knew you two were together but I didn't know… I wasn't aware how deep it had actually gotten." The robotic calmness took over again and Youngjae sneered as he turned his back to him. "You're going to get that man killed and you have no one to blame but yourself."
---
The day finally came when Jongup could avoid his duties for no longer. There were no grand plans in place to save them, no heroes coming to their rescue in the last minute. Just one painting in his bag and a gun that he never wanted to have to use.
"We've never done this kind of job before." Daehyun was beside him in the van on the trip back into the city. His role was smaller than Jongup's but no less dangerous since he was going to be the first man inside. "Tell me again why Seongwook changed our usual plan to this one? It made sense at the time but now I think we're just walking straight into police custody."
"They're catching on to us, you imbecile." Youngjae was puffing serenely on his cigarette but Jongup could see the slight way his fingers trembled as he lifted the stick to his mouth. "Someone thought it was a good idea to sign their work during every heist." He narrowed his gaze towards Jongup.
He smiled weakly. "It sounded like a cool idea at the time?"
The trip into Paris was long because of the rain but it gave Jongup just a little bit more time to keep finding reasons to avert his gaze to Himchan on the bench across from him. He had sat quiet since they had set off an hour before and kept his eyes trained onto the spot between his feet.
Seongwook wasn't with them, he never accompanied them to a job. 'Security reasons' was the bullshit reason he gave. So Jongup knew that if he reached a hand towards Himchan and touched his skin and looked into his eyes for the rest of the trip it wouldn't hurt anything. No one would use it against him that wasn't already planning on using it anyway.
But he kept his hands in his lap and instead touched him using only soft glances and a mantra that he kept repeating in his head that they would get home and they would be a family and nothing would keep them apart from this second on.
"Daehyun's first in," Youngjae reminded them as they started setting up their equipment inside the back of the van upon arrival. "Scout and report, no side missions." He helped fit the headset over Daehyun's head. "I mean it. Stick to the plan for once."
"Pretty sure the plan went out the window when we took on a new person at the last second." Daehyun didn't sound mad, just tired as he leaned against the side of the van and stared towards the museum lights shining welcomingly at the end of the street. "I'm going to move closer. Let me know when it's time." He reached up to switch his headset on and walked confidently in the shadows towards his destination.
Himchan had moved to the front of the van and was typing furiously on the keyboard of his computer, shoulders tensed from Jongup's viewpoint in the back. "I'll need eight and a half minutes before I can dismantle the security systems. Once Daehyun's out that will give Jongup at least twelve minutes before they start to reboot."
"Since when do you know how to hack a security system?"
The rapid typing never ceased as Himchan answered. "Youngjae taught me a few things to help you guys. I know a guy from Korea who's good with computers but he's nothing compared to Youngjae. He's pretty much amazing."
The smug look Youngjae gave him at the compliment made Jongup's blood boil. "Yeah, well he also shot three people dead at the last job we worked together. He's far from a saint."
The smile froze on Youngjae's lips but he quickly recovered and shrugged it off. "It was me or them, Jongup. Tell me you wouldn't do the same to save Himchan."
He would without a second's hesitation and they all knew it.
"Tell Daehyun to head in. I'm tired of waiting," He mumbled, pushing past him out the van doors. The air was clear and cool in the dead of night and it helped stabilize his breath so he could turn his concentration back to the job at hand. Youngjae was right and it was just another thing Jongup hated him for. Protecting Himchan was at the top of his mind right now and he'd do anything to keep him out of harm's way.
"You don't have to be so cruel to him," Himchan's quiet voice brought him back to Earth. "I've had to spend a lot of time with him since I started and he's really not as bad as you made him out to be. Jae's had a hard life. You can't blame him for being cold."
Jongup laughed humorously. "Jae? You two are close enough to use nicknames now? What's next? Channie? Chanchan? Baby?"
Himchan watched him explode with a small smile on his lips. "You done yet?"
"No." But he quieted down anyway.
"Do you always get this way before a job?" Himchan's body naturally gravitated towards him but a thump from Youngjae in the van stopped him. "Everything's going to be fine, Jongup. Our plan is solid. Two more hours and we'll be heading to the airport and flying home to our little girl."
He'd purposely kept Hayoung far from his thoughts over the last few months he'd been away. Memories of her caused his heart to seize and his lungs would become too stiff to inhale. He could still hear her giggles in his ear and remembering how she'd look at him so innocently and trusting as he tucked her into bed destroyed every wall he'd tried to build to protect them.
"You'll tell her every day that I…" Jongup tried to swallow through a dry throat. "That papa loved her more than anyone, right?"
Himchan's palm was soft against his cheek, his thumb smoothing along the chapped skin of his lip. "Our plan is good, Jongup. It will work," He promised. "You can tell her yourself the second we get home."
The finger dipped into his mouth so that Himchan could gently tug on his bottom lip, eyes fathomless as he watched Jongup's reaction.
"Himchan-"
"He's in," Youngjae's voice broke them apart. "The window in Corridor B is unlocked like Seongwook's inside man promised. Daehyun says there's a guard doing patrol but he's elderly and will be easy to neutralize."
"Neutralize?"
Jongup smiled weakly at Himchan's worried question. "We don't harm anyone unless it's the only option. I'll probably be able to just tie him up if he's too old to fight back."
Nodding, Himchan grimly went back to his computer. "I'll need to be closer to get into the mainframe. Can we get within a hundred feet?"
"I'll get us wherever you need," Youngjae grabbed his equipment and they followed along in Daehyun's path, sticking to the dark shadows of the alleys and out of sight.
They walked slowly behind him, inches apart but neither brave enough to reach for the other. The closer they came to the museum the shorter Jongup's breaths became because this was it, this was what everything had been veering towards. This was the reason he lost his family and if he failed then it would have all been for nothing.
"Are you scared?" Himchan pushed a button on the computer and line after line of code started racing through the screen.
He nodded. Lying just to look tougher wasn't something he felt like doing. Not when this was almost certainly going to be the last few moments they had together. "I'm used to just going in and taking what I'm told and then racing out as fast as possible. I'm not big on change."
Himchan smiled wryly. "Same."
The eight minutes were all too quickly counting down when Daehyun emerged from the dark alley next to the museum where he had been scouting. There was so much Jongup wanted to say to Himchan, but nothing he wanted the others to hear. Their final words to each other should have happened before they had left the warehouse but Youngjae had been in such a hurry that he didn't even see Himchan until he climbed into the back of the van.
"I don't regret it, you know." Himchan surprised him by being the first to speak. "Chasing you all the way to Paris. Putting my life on the line." His fingers were cold as they smoothed along the furrowed crease between Jongup's eyes. "You're worth it, Jongup. No matter how you feel, we think you're worth it."
He grabbed Himchan's wrist before he could move away and held it to his skin, breathing him in for a few beautiful moments. "You and Hayoung are the only things in the world I've ever wanted." The air was freezing but with Himchan's flesh on his lips Jongup felt flushed and content. "I would have given up everything for you."
"It's time," This time it was Daehyun to interrupt them, shrugging sheepishly at the angry noise Jongup made. "Sixty seconds before we go black. You've only got twelve minutes so you need to be in place." He clicked a button on the stopwatch in his hand before handing it to Jongup.
One final look back at Himchan's tired face was all he allowed himself before he steeled his mind for the hard job ahead of him. Every heist was different and the only reason he'd made it out so easily before was because he wouldn't allow distractions to overwhelm him. When you live alone and have nothing to care about you are able to use that to your advantage in certain situations.
No matter what he thought about Himchan he had to think only of the next twelve minutes or he'd never make it out alive.
"I'm going in," He had only used headsets one time and after it became tangled with an overhead cable from the air ducts he had never let them force one on him again. Once that window slammed shut behind him he was on his own and that was the way he preferred it. "If anything happens to him while I'm inside I will hunt you down and rip you apart," He promised Youngjae before jumping up to grab the windowsill over his head.
This was where Jongup shined. Surrounded by centuries of the planet's most talented artists and all by himself so he could run his fingers across the hardened paint or hold priceless artifacts that only a few people in the world had been allowed to touch. This was Jongup's idea of heaven.
Or at least it used to be until he found a new paradise. This time he was focused and only let himself have a few peaceful seconds of breathing in the scent of watercolors and oils and history.
The guard was heavyset and his footsteps were loud even when he was two corridors away. Jongup hid against corners and peered around hallways until he spotted him slowly dragging his feet towards him. Once he was passed, Jongup jumped behind him and wrapped his arms tightly around the guard's neck, squeezing until the elderly man slumped in his hold. He lowered him gently to the marble floor, cupping his head so that he didn't slam it and hurt himself on the way down. One thing he was proud to say he wasn't was a murderer. There had been plenty of people caught in his way over the years and he wasn't opposed to a little violence if it meant saving himself. But he refused to take a life. Something Seongwook always took out on him later.
The painting he was searching for was supposed to be hanging on the wall in the Baroque section. Daehyun had plotted out where each hallway led to in the giant maze of the museum so Jongup oriented himself in the direction he was familiar with and headed confidently towards the hall he needed.
Since Daehyun and Youngjae had everything planned, all the way down to how many steps he would take in each room, Jongup reached the painting with no problem and found it waiting on the far wall, ready for the taking.
He lowered the bag he had brought in with him and hurriedly pulled out the identically sized square covered in brown paper. After unwrapping and lying the two side by side even he was amazed at how well the forgery was. The only difference he could find was a slight change in expression on one of the angels in the corner, but it was something he knew would only be discovered if a photo of the original was held to it side by side.
"I'm sorry for this," He told the almost three-hundred year old painting as he carefully started to wrap it in the discarded paper. It felt sinful to leave a fake where the original had hung. Thousands of people would view it without a single hint that what they were looking at was done by a criminal in a warehouse on the outskirts of France. He would have rather just taken the painting and left a bare spot in its place. But Seongwook believed this was a better alternative. When the guard came to and the alarm system rebooted the police would be called for a statement, but if nothing was missing or broken then Seongwook thought that would be the end of it. You can't hunt for a missing piece of art if you aren't even aware it's missing.
Jongup hoisted the backpack onto his shoulders and turned to face the barrel of a gun mere inches from his face.
"Hand it over."
It took him several moments to understand what was happening but when it finally clicked anger flooded his system.
"You set me up."
Seongwook smiled, the gun unwavering in his steady grip. "You've seen what happens to people when they disobey me. What made you think you were different?"
The hand squeezing the backpack strap was trembling but he would be damned before he let Seongwook see it. "I did what you asked, I finished my job. You can't say I left you empty-handed."
The timer in his pocket gave out a shrill beep letting him know he was down to half his allotted time. Six minutes wasn't enough time if he had to fight Seongwook and they both knew it. Someone was going to have to fall.
"So this was your plan the entire time? Bring me back just to let me take the fall for you?" Jongup shook his head in disbelief. "If you think I'm just going to let you throw me off a cliff, let you have Him-" He cut off but he could already see the slow curl of Seongwook's lips.
"Did you really think I didn't know what was going on, Moon? Am I that stupid to you?" He sighed as he held his other hand out. "Give me the painting. Give it to me and maybe I'll keep him around as my final gift to you."
Images of Himchan being held under Seongwook's thumb like he had been flooded Jongup's brain. He dropped the backpack to the floor and kicked it behind him. "Come and get it."
Seongwook lost the teasing grin and Jongup could see the thinning skin around his eyes tighten at the blatant disrespect Jongup was giving him for the first time.
"What if I just kill him right now…" The gun waved wildly around the room as if Seongwook saw this all as a fun game. "Flay the flesh from his bones before I fly to Korea and burn his brat to ashes."
The angry warmth flowing through him surged to a boil at the calm promise.
"I'll kill you," Jongup whispered. If he opened his mouth any wider to speak the only thing that would come out would be a scream and he had to stay grounded to save his family. "If you lay one finger on them I will murder you with my bare hands."
"She's a cute one, that Hayoung. Pretty little smile. Looks just like her daddy."
The painting didn't matter anymore. Jongup didn't care if he damaged it throwing it onto the marble floor. He was going to make good on his word and snuff the air out of Seongwook's lungs because that was the only thing he could do right now. Time was running out on his own escape but if he removed Seongwook from the picture that was good enough for him.
The gunshot was too loud in the quiet room.
Jongup dropped to the floor in confusion, hands over his ears to muffle the ringing. Was he hurt? Was he dying? Had Seongwook missed?
The timer beeped again, cutting through the roaring sound in his ears. Two minutes before system reboot. Two minutes before the alarms could start to go off at any moment. And Jongup still wasn't sure if he was dying or had just narrowly escaped death.
"Did I kill him?"
He snapped his head to the side. "Why are you in here?"
Himchan stood over Seongwook's unmoving body, gun shaking in his grasp, hand tight over his lips. "Did I kill him?"
"Let's hope so." Questions could come after they were safely outside, Jongup thought as he pulled himself to his unsteady feet. "Come here."
The gun fell to the floor with a clatter. Himchan reached for him blindly and let Jongup half walk, half carry him towards the exit. "Did I kill him, Jongup?"
The further they walked the more hysterical the question became until Jongup was forced to halt their slow progress and grip Himchan by the shoulders. "If you hadn't of shot him then he would have done worse to you when he came out. And Hayoung."
"I heard him," Himchan blinked until his eyelashes were wet with tears. "I heard what he was saying and I…" He took a step backwards in horror. "The gun! The gun has my fingerprints!"
Before Jongup could tell him to stop Himchan was already racing back towards the room at the end of the hall to retrieve it. Cursing, Jongup started to follow him. The timer now said thirty seconds and if they didn't run with everything they had they might not emerge outside before the alarms went off.
"Get out of there, Himchan!" Jongup realized he had forgotten his bag too but he was experienced and knew to always wear gloves. Losing the painting didn't matter anymore. "The alarms are going to start!"
Himchan emerged from the room with his hand back over his mouth. His eyes darted between Jongup and the spot where Seongwook still laid, not breathing and lips parted. "I've got it. Let's go."
The first step he took was followed by the blare of the security alarm, the sound loud enough to alert everyone in the area that something was happening. Before the police even arrived there would be bystanders and cameras rolling. They were too late.
"Let's go," Jongup urged, holding a hand towards him.
It was only twelve steps that separated them but it only took six for the rest of the security maneuvers to take control.
"No," Jongup felt the scream from earlier building back up in his throat and this time he couldn't stop it from erupting through the museum. "Himchan!"
Himchan stared at him with blank eyes, the gun falling from his fingers. "I'm sorry," He whispered, closing his eyes to block out the metal bars that had dropped from the ceiling, stopping him from reaching Jongup. "Youngjae gave me a gun and said you would need my help. I ruined everything, Jongup."
"No…" Jongup stormed towards the metal barrier, shaking it to no result. "No, no, no!"
"You have to go," Himchan reached through it to grab Jongup by the neck. "When you get to Korea the first thing you do is get Hayoung. Take her to your apartment. I left everything on your bed for her. There's a fake passport, all the money you left and a burner phone if you need it. Keep her away from Korea and…" Himchan rested his forehead against Jongup's and made a sound that was a cross between a sob and a moan. "Take care of our girl, Jongup."
The only thing keeping Jongup on his feet was the feel of Himchan's waist under his palms, the shirt bunching in his fists as he murmured his name over and over.
"I can't do it without you," Jongup arched his back, trying to push himself further into the cold metal. "I can't."
"Yes you can," Himchan's hands were steady as the cupped Jongup's damp cheeks, thumbs brushing the fallen tears out of his eyes. "I have faith in you." He waited until Jongup reopened his eyes before he gave him one last small smile. "I love you, Jongup."
The brush of his lips felt like wings fluttering across Jongup's own, soft and gentle and worth waiting for. Footsteps pounded down the hall, barely heard over the alarm still blaring behind them. Jongup knew he was almost out of time but before he was caught he needed more. Just a little bit more to last him forever.
When Himchan's tongue flicked against his it was the culmination of everything they had gone through, all the worries and all the stresses, everything led them here to this moment and Jongup finally knew what it felt like to have someone love him. Himchan didn't love him in spite of his shortcomings, he loved him because of them.
And now he had lost it.
"Oh shit," Daehyun appeared behind them, jumping from foot to foot in anxiety. "Oh shit, Jongup." The arms that were still holding tight to Himchan were jerked backwards. "If you stay then you'll be arrested with him. We need to go now!"
He let Daehyun pull him down the hallway only until he couldn't see the blacks of Himchan's eyes and then he snapped back to reality and tried to tug himself free.
"Let me go, let me go!" Daehyun was the same size as him and was just as strong from the years of being an escape artist so his grip didn't budge no matter how hard Jongup struggled against him. "Daehyun, let me go! Himchan!"
The last image he had of him was of Himchan reaching up to wrap his hands around the bars. His lips were still swollen from their kiss, eyes half-lidded and full of apologies.
"Himchan!"
Rated: PG13
Length: 6K
part seven
The days were long and the work was hard but Himchan never complained, something Jongup was grateful for. If someone besides Youngjae picked up on his nervousness and lack of experience they would use it against him and Jongup knew he would have to go down fighting to protect him. Himchan wasn't good with the computers but he knew numbers and Seongwook had put him to work managing his accounts straight away.
The only time they were able to see each other was when Seongwook did his daily rounds through the rooms, checking in with each worker individually with Himchan following along behind him and taking notes.
"You're stalling. These mock-up's should have been done days ago," Seongwook's hand on his shoulder caused Jongup to flinch and knock over his coffee cup. "And you've grown clumsy."
The backhand across his jaw was nothing new, something he was given at least once a day, but Jongup wished Himchan hadn't been there to see it. When Seongwook calmly strolled out of the room, Himchan paused at the door and turned back to take one more look at him.
"I'm fine," Jongup mouthed, smiling because it was the first time he'd seen Himchan since the day before. He hated going even an hour without Himchan's dark eyes trained on him and being forced to be apart once again was torture. "Go on."
Himchan frowned but turned to catch up with their boss. Something Jongup had tried his hardest to make Himchan understand was that Seongwook would kill him rather than train him. He had to always stay alert and on his guard. So far Himchan had been doing great. According to Youngjae, who was free to stroll around the building as he pleased, Himchan was actually treated nicer than any of them.
"Boss says we need a pretty face to front the business." Youngjae wasn't keeping Jongup informed because he cared, it was all about letting him know that he was on the inside of everything and that he secretly held all the cards. "He won't let him be hurt because it would look bad when they go to meetings."
"Himchan's going to meetings?" That worried him. He couldn't rush to protect him if Himchan was going to be traveling all over Paris without him. "Is anyone asking too many questions?"
Youngjae shook his head. "Seongwook came back this morning laughing because Himchan grabbed someone's hand and jerked their fingers backwards when they tried to touch him. Broke a finger and had the guy on the ground howling."
It helped knowing that Himchan was able to defend himself, albeit slightly. He still didn't know how to hold a gun and Jongup would bet his life that the thought of actually firing at someone would make Himchan pass out.
"What do I have to give for you to look a blind eye later tonight?"
The grin curling up Youngjae's full lips made Jongup shiver with fear. "Big plans later, Moon?"
"I just want to talk to him. Privately. I want to know he's handling things okay."
Youngjae stared at him as he mused the idea in his head. "I'm going to keep the favor for something in the future. Anything I want, when I say I want it. Or a little bird will spill all of your naughty little secrets into Seongwook's ear."
"Fine." Anything to be alone with Himchan. He needed to feel the heavy weight of Himchan's arms around him and hear the happiness in his voice as he filled Jongup in on everything Hayoung had been doing. It had been six days since he discovered Himchan sleeping in the tiny apartment nestled deep in the city. Six days of zero contact and only lingering glances once or twice a day. "Bring me to his room when it's safe and wait outside with an excuse in case someone comes along."
The look on Youngjae's face was one that knew he would always have the upper hand and Jongup wanted nothing more than to slap it off, but until they finished the job there was nothing he could do except let Youngjae be their puppet master.
"I'll come get you later. Be ready. If I'm not there by midnight then I'm not coming."
Jongup glanced over at the clock on the wall. He had less than six hours before he would be with Himchan again. The canvasses on his desk would be his only company for the rest of the evening. He sighed and picked up his drawing pencil again. The sooner it was finished the sooner Himchan could go home to their daughter.
He already knew he wouldn’t be with them. There was no way Seongwook would let him break free again. But he could get Himchan to safety and that was all he needed.
So he forced the two of them from his mind and turned his attention back to sketching the most realistic forgery he would ever do in his life.
---
The knock on his door came at eleven-twenty. He cracked it open and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Youngjae on the other side.
"Boss is gone and Daehyun switched all the cameras to a ten second repeat. I'm giving you fifteen minutes." Youngjae led him down the long hallway with a hand on the gun shoved into his jacket pocket. His eyes swung from side to side as they walked, always on guard even when he thought they were safe.
"You told Daehyun?" Even though he was desperate to see Himchan he didn't know if he wanted to do it at the expense of another person finding out.
Youngjae made a sound that was suspiciously similar to a snort. "You're a thief not an actor, Moon. Daehyun's abnormally talented at noticing things others try to hide. How do you think he gets out of so many close calls? He asked me about it two days ago."
"Do you think he'll say anything?"
"Daehyun has a heart. He thinks it's romantic," Youngjae told him shortly. "That's where he and I differ." They stopped at a plain white door and Youngjae nodded towards it. "I didn't tell him you were coming. Don't do anything stupid. Remember, fifteen minutes." He leaned against the wall opposite the door and crossed his arms.
With a deep breath Jongup raised his fist to the faded wood and rapped his knuckles against it three times.
When Himchan pulled it open and saw Jongup standing there he blinked in surprise but quickly realized it wasn't a hallucination and reached excitedly for him. "Jong-" He broke off and glanced worriedly at Youngjae. "What's going on?"
"I missed you," Jongup breathed, stepping past him and into the room. He hurriedly shut the door behind him so Youngjae wasn't able to hear them talk. "Wow, your room is a lot nicer than mine." Seongwook must have really taken a shine to him.
Himchan didn't answer because he was busy finishing what he had started, reaching towards Jongup and yanking him forward.
When Jongup fell into Himchan's arms for the first time in almost a week it was with a smile and a heartbeat that threatened to beat out of his chest. He barely came up to Himchan's neck but it was the perfect spot to bury his face and breathe him in. His arms couldn't decide what they wanted to do as they slipped around Himchan's hips and across his back then back towards his chest where he gripped his t-shirt in a tight fist.
"What did you have to promise Youngjae for this?" The whisper against his hair sounded so tired and Jongup was filled with a renewed hatred of himself for dragging Himchan into his world.
"Nothing I'm not willing to give," Jongup murmured against the soft skin of his neck. "Are you okay? Is anyone treating you bad?"
Himchan's arms around his shoulders pulled away enough that he could fist Jongup's hair in his hand, tugging it sharply until Jongup made a low sound in his throat. "I'm fine, Jongup. I told you before we came here that I can take care of myself. You don't have to babysit me. I'm not the one that's getting backhanded every day." His thumb slid across the purple bruise painted on Jongup's jaw. "I know you're taking your time with your part of the work on purpose but you have to stop. He's getting angry. The next time he touches you I'm probably going to stick my pen into his liver. Stop procrastinating and just get it done."
"The longer it takes me the better plan I can form on how to get you home. Have you talked to Hayoung? Did you tell her I love her?"
"I used the phone you gave me and called yesterday. She's scared but I told her we're doing the best we can." Himchan laughed against Jongup's skin but it was far from funny. "Why can't we just kill them and get it over with? I played baseball in high school, I can take one out with a bat."
Because if they tried and failed the punishment would be unendurable, Jongup thought to himself.
"Just a little bit longer before home, I promise." He wanted to know what the sweat-slicked skin under his lips tasted like. He would have given everything for just one second of completeness with Himchan. "When the time comes to do the job you have to promise me you won't interfere." Their time was running out and he had to tell him what he needed before Youngjae knocked on the door. "Promise you'll stay out of it and let me do my work."
Himchan frowned and Jongup knew he was going to refuse him. "You know I c-"
"Do it for Hayoung." Jongup never wanted their time together to end but he had to pull himself together and take charge before he lost everything. "If we both get caught then she's alone. Someone has to go home to her. You have to raise your daughter, Himchan."
"I told her I wouldn't come home without you." Himchan's face crumpled, hands tightening around Jongup until he controlled himself. "And she's our daughter. You're her papa."
Everything he had imagined over the last year raced through his head. He had known planning for the future was worthless, he knew they would come for him eventually. But he had wanted this family so hard that it took his breath away. A child whose smile lit up his world and a partner whose touch could make the entire world melt away and he'd tried his best to hold onto it until it slipped out from under his fingers.
"I know what you're doing," Himchan continued, his voice rough in Jongup's ear. "You're going to sacrifice yourself to save me. It's not going to happen that way, Jongup. I won't let you." Lips pressed against the flutter of Jongup's pulse. "You're ours."
He wanted Himchan's ownership almost as much as he wanted his touches and affections. But not like this. Not with Damocles hanging over their heads.
"What if I told you I wasn't going to come back with you anyway? Would you let me go then?"
"No." Himchan's palm slipped over his shoulder and across the collarbones visible under the loose shirt he was wearing. "Because I would know you were lying."
The urge to give in and kiss him had never been stronger. The ache pounded through his body and Jongup thought that maybe, just maybe, Himchan was finally where he would accept it. The look in his black eyes was steady as he looked down at him where every time they had gotten close before was guarded.
"It's okay," Himchan whispered as if he could hear his thoughts, fingertips smoothing across the flushed skin of his chest.
He closed his eyes and let Himchan's breath guide him, the two of them slowly moving to meet halfway. When they were only a hairs width apart Jongup stopped to press their foreheads together.
"I don't want you to do this just because you're afraid you won't get the chance again." His eyes clenched shut tighter until he saw stars. "That's not fair to me, Himchan."
The sudden beat on the door made them jump apart guiltily.
"Let's go," Youngjae sounded amused through the thin wood. As if he'd eavesdropped on their conversation, which Jongup had no doubt he probably had. "Daehyun's rebooting the cameras so we have five minutes to get back."
"Don't do anything stupid," Himchan held him for a second longer but was fully aware of the consequences of anyone else finding them. He let go with a sigh and one final squeeze of Jongup's hand. "Don't do anything we can't come back from."
Jongup nodded but they both knew it was only for show.
"I'm bringing you home," Was the last promise he heard before Youngjae shut the door between them.
Youngjae was quiet as they walked quickly back to Jongup's room. For the first time since they had met there were no sarcastic remarks or teasing thrown his way.
"Thanks," Jongup muttered, reaching for his doorknob.
"You were stupid to let him follow you," Youngjae finally spoke up. When Jongup turned to question him he was surprised to see actual anger flaring across Youngjae's face where he usually only saw remoteness. "I knew you two were together but I didn't know… I wasn't aware how deep it had actually gotten." The robotic calmness took over again and Youngjae sneered as he turned his back to him. "You're going to get that man killed and you have no one to blame but yourself."
---
The day finally came when Jongup could avoid his duties for no longer. There were no grand plans in place to save them, no heroes coming to their rescue in the last minute. Just one painting in his bag and a gun that he never wanted to have to use.
"We've never done this kind of job before." Daehyun was beside him in the van on the trip back into the city. His role was smaller than Jongup's but no less dangerous since he was going to be the first man inside. "Tell me again why Seongwook changed our usual plan to this one? It made sense at the time but now I think we're just walking straight into police custody."
"They're catching on to us, you imbecile." Youngjae was puffing serenely on his cigarette but Jongup could see the slight way his fingers trembled as he lifted the stick to his mouth. "Someone thought it was a good idea to sign their work during every heist." He narrowed his gaze towards Jongup.
He smiled weakly. "It sounded like a cool idea at the time?"
The trip into Paris was long because of the rain but it gave Jongup just a little bit more time to keep finding reasons to avert his gaze to Himchan on the bench across from him. He had sat quiet since they had set off an hour before and kept his eyes trained onto the spot between his feet.
Seongwook wasn't with them, he never accompanied them to a job. 'Security reasons' was the bullshit reason he gave. So Jongup knew that if he reached a hand towards Himchan and touched his skin and looked into his eyes for the rest of the trip it wouldn't hurt anything. No one would use it against him that wasn't already planning on using it anyway.
But he kept his hands in his lap and instead touched him using only soft glances and a mantra that he kept repeating in his head that they would get home and they would be a family and nothing would keep them apart from this second on.
"Daehyun's first in," Youngjae reminded them as they started setting up their equipment inside the back of the van upon arrival. "Scout and report, no side missions." He helped fit the headset over Daehyun's head. "I mean it. Stick to the plan for once."
"Pretty sure the plan went out the window when we took on a new person at the last second." Daehyun didn't sound mad, just tired as he leaned against the side of the van and stared towards the museum lights shining welcomingly at the end of the street. "I'm going to move closer. Let me know when it's time." He reached up to switch his headset on and walked confidently in the shadows towards his destination.
Himchan had moved to the front of the van and was typing furiously on the keyboard of his computer, shoulders tensed from Jongup's viewpoint in the back. "I'll need eight and a half minutes before I can dismantle the security systems. Once Daehyun's out that will give Jongup at least twelve minutes before they start to reboot."
"Since when do you know how to hack a security system?"
The rapid typing never ceased as Himchan answered. "Youngjae taught me a few things to help you guys. I know a guy from Korea who's good with computers but he's nothing compared to Youngjae. He's pretty much amazing."
The smug look Youngjae gave him at the compliment made Jongup's blood boil. "Yeah, well he also shot three people dead at the last job we worked together. He's far from a saint."
The smile froze on Youngjae's lips but he quickly recovered and shrugged it off. "It was me or them, Jongup. Tell me you wouldn't do the same to save Himchan."
He would without a second's hesitation and they all knew it.
"Tell Daehyun to head in. I'm tired of waiting," He mumbled, pushing past him out the van doors. The air was clear and cool in the dead of night and it helped stabilize his breath so he could turn his concentration back to the job at hand. Youngjae was right and it was just another thing Jongup hated him for. Protecting Himchan was at the top of his mind right now and he'd do anything to keep him out of harm's way.
"You don't have to be so cruel to him," Himchan's quiet voice brought him back to Earth. "I've had to spend a lot of time with him since I started and he's really not as bad as you made him out to be. Jae's had a hard life. You can't blame him for being cold."
Jongup laughed humorously. "Jae? You two are close enough to use nicknames now? What's next? Channie? Chanchan? Baby?"
Himchan watched him explode with a small smile on his lips. "You done yet?"
"No." But he quieted down anyway.
"Do you always get this way before a job?" Himchan's body naturally gravitated towards him but a thump from Youngjae in the van stopped him. "Everything's going to be fine, Jongup. Our plan is solid. Two more hours and we'll be heading to the airport and flying home to our little girl."
He'd purposely kept Hayoung far from his thoughts over the last few months he'd been away. Memories of her caused his heart to seize and his lungs would become too stiff to inhale. He could still hear her giggles in his ear and remembering how she'd look at him so innocently and trusting as he tucked her into bed destroyed every wall he'd tried to build to protect them.
"You'll tell her every day that I…" Jongup tried to swallow through a dry throat. "That papa loved her more than anyone, right?"
Himchan's palm was soft against his cheek, his thumb smoothing along the chapped skin of his lip. "Our plan is good, Jongup. It will work," He promised. "You can tell her yourself the second we get home."
The finger dipped into his mouth so that Himchan could gently tug on his bottom lip, eyes fathomless as he watched Jongup's reaction.
"Himchan-"
"He's in," Youngjae's voice broke them apart. "The window in Corridor B is unlocked like Seongwook's inside man promised. Daehyun says there's a guard doing patrol but he's elderly and will be easy to neutralize."
"Neutralize?"
Jongup smiled weakly at Himchan's worried question. "We don't harm anyone unless it's the only option. I'll probably be able to just tie him up if he's too old to fight back."
Nodding, Himchan grimly went back to his computer. "I'll need to be closer to get into the mainframe. Can we get within a hundred feet?"
"I'll get us wherever you need," Youngjae grabbed his equipment and they followed along in Daehyun's path, sticking to the dark shadows of the alleys and out of sight.
They walked slowly behind him, inches apart but neither brave enough to reach for the other. The closer they came to the museum the shorter Jongup's breaths became because this was it, this was what everything had been veering towards. This was the reason he lost his family and if he failed then it would have all been for nothing.
"Are you scared?" Himchan pushed a button on the computer and line after line of code started racing through the screen.
He nodded. Lying just to look tougher wasn't something he felt like doing. Not when this was almost certainly going to be the last few moments they had together. "I'm used to just going in and taking what I'm told and then racing out as fast as possible. I'm not big on change."
Himchan smiled wryly. "Same."
The eight minutes were all too quickly counting down when Daehyun emerged from the dark alley next to the museum where he had been scouting. There was so much Jongup wanted to say to Himchan, but nothing he wanted the others to hear. Their final words to each other should have happened before they had left the warehouse but Youngjae had been in such a hurry that he didn't even see Himchan until he climbed into the back of the van.
"I don't regret it, you know." Himchan surprised him by being the first to speak. "Chasing you all the way to Paris. Putting my life on the line." His fingers were cold as they smoothed along the furrowed crease between Jongup's eyes. "You're worth it, Jongup. No matter how you feel, we think you're worth it."
He grabbed Himchan's wrist before he could move away and held it to his skin, breathing him in for a few beautiful moments. "You and Hayoung are the only things in the world I've ever wanted." The air was freezing but with Himchan's flesh on his lips Jongup felt flushed and content. "I would have given up everything for you."
"It's time," This time it was Daehyun to interrupt them, shrugging sheepishly at the angry noise Jongup made. "Sixty seconds before we go black. You've only got twelve minutes so you need to be in place." He clicked a button on the stopwatch in his hand before handing it to Jongup.
One final look back at Himchan's tired face was all he allowed himself before he steeled his mind for the hard job ahead of him. Every heist was different and the only reason he'd made it out so easily before was because he wouldn't allow distractions to overwhelm him. When you live alone and have nothing to care about you are able to use that to your advantage in certain situations.
No matter what he thought about Himchan he had to think only of the next twelve minutes or he'd never make it out alive.
"I'm going in," He had only used headsets one time and after it became tangled with an overhead cable from the air ducts he had never let them force one on him again. Once that window slammed shut behind him he was on his own and that was the way he preferred it. "If anything happens to him while I'm inside I will hunt you down and rip you apart," He promised Youngjae before jumping up to grab the windowsill over his head.
This was where Jongup shined. Surrounded by centuries of the planet's most talented artists and all by himself so he could run his fingers across the hardened paint or hold priceless artifacts that only a few people in the world had been allowed to touch. This was Jongup's idea of heaven.
Or at least it used to be until he found a new paradise. This time he was focused and only let himself have a few peaceful seconds of breathing in the scent of watercolors and oils and history.
The guard was heavyset and his footsteps were loud even when he was two corridors away. Jongup hid against corners and peered around hallways until he spotted him slowly dragging his feet towards him. Once he was passed, Jongup jumped behind him and wrapped his arms tightly around the guard's neck, squeezing until the elderly man slumped in his hold. He lowered him gently to the marble floor, cupping his head so that he didn't slam it and hurt himself on the way down. One thing he was proud to say he wasn't was a murderer. There had been plenty of people caught in his way over the years and he wasn't opposed to a little violence if it meant saving himself. But he refused to take a life. Something Seongwook always took out on him later.
The painting he was searching for was supposed to be hanging on the wall in the Baroque section. Daehyun had plotted out where each hallway led to in the giant maze of the museum so Jongup oriented himself in the direction he was familiar with and headed confidently towards the hall he needed.
Since Daehyun and Youngjae had everything planned, all the way down to how many steps he would take in each room, Jongup reached the painting with no problem and found it waiting on the far wall, ready for the taking.
He lowered the bag he had brought in with him and hurriedly pulled out the identically sized square covered in brown paper. After unwrapping and lying the two side by side even he was amazed at how well the forgery was. The only difference he could find was a slight change in expression on one of the angels in the corner, but it was something he knew would only be discovered if a photo of the original was held to it side by side.
"I'm sorry for this," He told the almost three-hundred year old painting as he carefully started to wrap it in the discarded paper. It felt sinful to leave a fake where the original had hung. Thousands of people would view it without a single hint that what they were looking at was done by a criminal in a warehouse on the outskirts of France. He would have rather just taken the painting and left a bare spot in its place. But Seongwook believed this was a better alternative. When the guard came to and the alarm system rebooted the police would be called for a statement, but if nothing was missing or broken then Seongwook thought that would be the end of it. You can't hunt for a missing piece of art if you aren't even aware it's missing.
Jongup hoisted the backpack onto his shoulders and turned to face the barrel of a gun mere inches from his face.
"Hand it over."
It took him several moments to understand what was happening but when it finally clicked anger flooded his system.
"You set me up."
Seongwook smiled, the gun unwavering in his steady grip. "You've seen what happens to people when they disobey me. What made you think you were different?"
The hand squeezing the backpack strap was trembling but he would be damned before he let Seongwook see it. "I did what you asked, I finished my job. You can't say I left you empty-handed."
The timer in his pocket gave out a shrill beep letting him know he was down to half his allotted time. Six minutes wasn't enough time if he had to fight Seongwook and they both knew it. Someone was going to have to fall.
"So this was your plan the entire time? Bring me back just to let me take the fall for you?" Jongup shook his head in disbelief. "If you think I'm just going to let you throw me off a cliff, let you have Him-" He cut off but he could already see the slow curl of Seongwook's lips.
"Did you really think I didn't know what was going on, Moon? Am I that stupid to you?" He sighed as he held his other hand out. "Give me the painting. Give it to me and maybe I'll keep him around as my final gift to you."
Images of Himchan being held under Seongwook's thumb like he had been flooded Jongup's brain. He dropped the backpack to the floor and kicked it behind him. "Come and get it."
Seongwook lost the teasing grin and Jongup could see the thinning skin around his eyes tighten at the blatant disrespect Jongup was giving him for the first time.
"What if I just kill him right now…" The gun waved wildly around the room as if Seongwook saw this all as a fun game. "Flay the flesh from his bones before I fly to Korea and burn his brat to ashes."
The angry warmth flowing through him surged to a boil at the calm promise.
"I'll kill you," Jongup whispered. If he opened his mouth any wider to speak the only thing that would come out would be a scream and he had to stay grounded to save his family. "If you lay one finger on them I will murder you with my bare hands."
"She's a cute one, that Hayoung. Pretty little smile. Looks just like her daddy."
The painting didn't matter anymore. Jongup didn't care if he damaged it throwing it onto the marble floor. He was going to make good on his word and snuff the air out of Seongwook's lungs because that was the only thing he could do right now. Time was running out on his own escape but if he removed Seongwook from the picture that was good enough for him.
The gunshot was too loud in the quiet room.
Jongup dropped to the floor in confusion, hands over his ears to muffle the ringing. Was he hurt? Was he dying? Had Seongwook missed?
The timer beeped again, cutting through the roaring sound in his ears. Two minutes before system reboot. Two minutes before the alarms could start to go off at any moment. And Jongup still wasn't sure if he was dying or had just narrowly escaped death.
"Did I kill him?"
He snapped his head to the side. "Why are you in here?"
Himchan stood over Seongwook's unmoving body, gun shaking in his grasp, hand tight over his lips. "Did I kill him?"
"Let's hope so." Questions could come after they were safely outside, Jongup thought as he pulled himself to his unsteady feet. "Come here."
The gun fell to the floor with a clatter. Himchan reached for him blindly and let Jongup half walk, half carry him towards the exit. "Did I kill him, Jongup?"
The further they walked the more hysterical the question became until Jongup was forced to halt their slow progress and grip Himchan by the shoulders. "If you hadn't of shot him then he would have done worse to you when he came out. And Hayoung."
"I heard him," Himchan blinked until his eyelashes were wet with tears. "I heard what he was saying and I…" He took a step backwards in horror. "The gun! The gun has my fingerprints!"
Before Jongup could tell him to stop Himchan was already racing back towards the room at the end of the hall to retrieve it. Cursing, Jongup started to follow him. The timer now said thirty seconds and if they didn't run with everything they had they might not emerge outside before the alarms went off.
"Get out of there, Himchan!" Jongup realized he had forgotten his bag too but he was experienced and knew to always wear gloves. Losing the painting didn't matter anymore. "The alarms are going to start!"
Himchan emerged from the room with his hand back over his mouth. His eyes darted between Jongup and the spot where Seongwook still laid, not breathing and lips parted. "I've got it. Let's go."
The first step he took was followed by the blare of the security alarm, the sound loud enough to alert everyone in the area that something was happening. Before the police even arrived there would be bystanders and cameras rolling. They were too late.
"Let's go," Jongup urged, holding a hand towards him.
It was only twelve steps that separated them but it only took six for the rest of the security maneuvers to take control.
"No," Jongup felt the scream from earlier building back up in his throat and this time he couldn't stop it from erupting through the museum. "Himchan!"
Himchan stared at him with blank eyes, the gun falling from his fingers. "I'm sorry," He whispered, closing his eyes to block out the metal bars that had dropped from the ceiling, stopping him from reaching Jongup. "Youngjae gave me a gun and said you would need my help. I ruined everything, Jongup."
"No…" Jongup stormed towards the metal barrier, shaking it to no result. "No, no, no!"
"You have to go," Himchan reached through it to grab Jongup by the neck. "When you get to Korea the first thing you do is get Hayoung. Take her to your apartment. I left everything on your bed for her. There's a fake passport, all the money you left and a burner phone if you need it. Keep her away from Korea and…" Himchan rested his forehead against Jongup's and made a sound that was a cross between a sob and a moan. "Take care of our girl, Jongup."
The only thing keeping Jongup on his feet was the feel of Himchan's waist under his palms, the shirt bunching in his fists as he murmured his name over and over.
"I can't do it without you," Jongup arched his back, trying to push himself further into the cold metal. "I can't."
"Yes you can," Himchan's hands were steady as the cupped Jongup's damp cheeks, thumbs brushing the fallen tears out of his eyes. "I have faith in you." He waited until Jongup reopened his eyes before he gave him one last small smile. "I love you, Jongup."
The brush of his lips felt like wings fluttering across Jongup's own, soft and gentle and worth waiting for. Footsteps pounded down the hall, barely heard over the alarm still blaring behind them. Jongup knew he was almost out of time but before he was caught he needed more. Just a little bit more to last him forever.
When Himchan's tongue flicked against his it was the culmination of everything they had gone through, all the worries and all the stresses, everything led them here to this moment and Jongup finally knew what it felt like to have someone love him. Himchan didn't love him in spite of his shortcomings, he loved him because of them.
And now he had lost it.
"Oh shit," Daehyun appeared behind them, jumping from foot to foot in anxiety. "Oh shit, Jongup." The arms that were still holding tight to Himchan were jerked backwards. "If you stay then you'll be arrested with him. We need to go now!"
He let Daehyun pull him down the hallway only until he couldn't see the blacks of Himchan's eyes and then he snapped back to reality and tried to tug himself free.
"Let me go, let me go!" Daehyun was the same size as him and was just as strong from the years of being an escape artist so his grip didn't budge no matter how hard Jongup struggled against him. "Daehyun, let me go! Himchan!"
The last image he had of him was of Himchan reaching up to wrap his hands around the bars. His lips were still swollen from their kiss, eyes half-lidded and full of apologies.
"Himchan!"