Into The Dark Night (4/?)
Title: Into the Dark Night
Author: ms_awkward
Genre: AU, Fantasy, Angst, Romance, Drama, Adventure, Fluff?
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s): HyukHae(main), KyuMin, HanChul, KangTeuk, YunJae, ninja!YeWook
Summary: All they needed was light.
Into the Dark Night
Chapter 4
They were a superior race.
Physically beautiful creatures whose skin glowed and eyes shined with a distinct ring of light that seemed a mix of amber and cerulean and light and raindrops and rainbows that are in truth, never-ending. They were exceptional beings, brilliantly crafted by the wonders of nature, no one knowing exactly where they came from, how they were made.
Some say they sprang from loose dew that ran down petals of the most beautiful flowers that glimmered gold. Some say they were formed from rays of sunlight, cascading off the walls of diamond-coated caves in the darkest parts of reality. Some even say they were nature itself; the very embodiment of that which humanity slowly depleted with their endless cities and spellbound corruption.
All speculation, all completely uncertain. No one ever really knew.
They kept to themselves and rarely spoke if not to their kind. Spotted near the woods, or lost in gardens, climbing up trees or just standing under the sun once rain subsided and smiling, smiling, smiling. They were seen occasionally, admired every time.
The world’s greatest scientists could not unravel their mystery, could not get over the incomprehensibility of their existence. They insisted that there was surely a scientific explanation to what those things were. Thus began the long course of search and hunt for Lumici to use as lab experiments.
Humanity was curious, found answers and fear seeped into their veins not long after.
These creatures were a force to be reckoned with.
They were capable of things man simply did not want for their world, their reality. They were comfortable in their dreary skies and dark atmosphere, their lackluster days and tame lifestyle. They’d grown so accustomed to it, so familiar with how their lives were that they feared the change a single Lumiciant was capable of.
They greatly feared the Solis and its ability.
But what came with fear was possibility.
It was not long until the mundane were so mesmerized by this power that greed took over their minds, and they wanted nothing more than to grasp it in their soiled hands.
Ever since then, the Lumici went into hiding.
……
Back in Time
“He thinks he’s so special.”
A girl rolled her eyes, her golden hair shimmering softly in the light. “Well, that’s because he is, Yoona. He’s the-“
“Yeah, I know! I know!” She sent a cold glare at her friend sitting across her. “Stop reminding me.”
They were sitting at a pond, legs stretched out with their toes wriggling in the cold water. They basked in sunlight as they slowly felt their energy being replenished.
They watched as a brunette stood amongst the trees on a hill above them, his eyes closed and a smile evident on his lips. The light only seemed to accentuate his features.
“Look at him, Jess! He’s practically radiating with…with…” Vanity? No. Self-importance? No. Pride? Surely not.
“With?”
“Ugh! He’s just annoying, okay?” she flipped her jet-black hair.
Jessica made an amused sound at the back of her throat; knowing she clearly won that round.
“He’s actually pretty nice, you know.”
“You and your mindless crush.” Yoona rolled her eyes, as the blonde reddened almost instantly.
“I-it’s not a crush…”
“Oh please, Jessica. Spare me the denial. You liked the guy even before he was declared heir to Leeteuk-sshi.” She said through clenched teeth, jealousy running through her.
Said girl could only send her gaze down at her lap in embarrassment. Her friend’s every word rang true.
“You do know that it’s pointless.”
Jessica visibly flinched, “I know.”
The Solis were a line of exceptional beings filled with capabilities unknown even to themselves, that served as the center of the Lumici-a superior race amongst a superior race. They had the power and the duty to serve as the very guiding light of both their kind and of the mundane. Yet there was a price to pay, there was always a price to pay.
Every ten years, a Solis is chosen amongst the Lumici. When he or she is chosen, their personal lives are completely disregarded and are then dedicated to nothing but their duty, kept in the dark as a form of ‘protection’ and only being let out for occasional sunlight or when the Council feels lenient about it.
So when a circle of light appeared over Donghae’s head that fateful day, Jessica hasn’t seen much of the sweet brunette since.
She wondered about that day when he would…she cringed and tried scrambling away her thoughts.
Pull yourself together, Jess.
“Why are you so mad at him at him anyway?” she tried changing the subject.
Yoona watched as a butterfly landed on Donghae’s open palm, a smile gracing his features. Always, always smiling.
“It should be me.”
“…What?”
“Me! Jess, it should be me!” Yoona writhed in anger, “I should be the.....Not that doe-eyed brat! I am more worthy! More suited!”
Jessica stared dumbly at the black haired Lumiciant, her slender form trembling under her silky garments.
“You’ve got to be kidding me…”
Her friend had always been one of the more popular Lumici. Everyone admired her, said her beauty was extraordinary because her skin seemed to glow brighter and her big round eyes were deeply set, twinkling in the light. She lived off compliments and knew no such thing as rejection as she held her head high and walked down hallways of the hideout, her smooth black hair swaying with her every move.
Everyone said she was special.
Turns out, she just wasn’t special enough.
“Forget it.” Yoona abruptly stood, “You wouldn’t understand.” She hissed, and stormed off.
The blonde could only stare at her retreating form, her words escaping her.
It should be me.
The formerly calm lake water was now filled with nothing but ripples.
It will be me.
- - -
“How can I be sure I can trust you?”
“I’m one of them. What more proof do you need?”
“There’s no going back, you do know that.”
“I know.”
“You’re crazy.”
But this makes things a lot easier.
“I know.”
- - -
“Heechul!”
A lean man ran messily to the door, his breath coming out in restrained puffs as he placed his hands on his knees.
“Where have you been?! We were so-“
“They’re coming!”
“Who’s coming?”
“That bastard Youngwoon and his troops. We need to get out of here!”
“What?”
“We need to get this place fucking evacuated, Minho!” He grabbed the younger’s shoulders, despair written all over his face. “And we need to do it now!”
They held each other’s gaze for a few split seconds, telepathy in its works, before they both broke out into a run, heading in opposite directions.
They’re going to kill us all.
“Warn the others!” Heechul called over his shoulder, “And Leeteuk! Minho, you have to protect Teuk!”
“No one touches our Solis!”
He heard his dongsaeng’s war cry echo against the walls and smirked slightly to himself before running off to find Jaejoong.
- - -
It was one of the rare occasions Donghae's finally let out of the confines of his room and he was grateful for the space. He stretched his arms high above his head, relishing in the feeling of freedom he is often denied.
He missed the way the grass felt under his feet and was eager to feel the sun on his skin again, a reminder of why he accepted his duty, so he quickly ran to the forest. But something was wrong.
The sun wasn’t as bright as it should be, its light a mere faint glow behind the thickening clouds and forming mist.
He worriedly looked up at the sky, now a tinge of gray instead of the clear blue he remembered so dearly. He contemplated on it for a while, half wondering and half mesmerized with the sight before him. It was different from the sunniness he was used to and wondered at the back of his mind if there was anything bothering his hyung.
A single drop of water fell in between his eyes. They widened at the contact.
Then and there, Donghae knew there was definitely something wrong. He let out a quiet gasp and was about to dash back to the hideout as fast as his two feet would let him when suddenly the world was a swirl of colors, constantly moving, clouding his sight and he fell to the ground in a heap.
Leeteuk hyung…please be alright…
His vision blacked out.
……
There’s always a price to pay.
……
Present
“Donghae…?”
“You broke him.”
“I broke him?! You’re the one who let him out in the first place!”
“No, I-“
“Don’t try denying it.”
“You’re too uptight.”
“And you’re not being serious enough.”
“Hormonal.”
“Asshole.”
“Hot asshole.”
“Ugh! Every time!”
Donghae was pulled out off his reverie, the constant bicker of two very familiar voices reaching his ears. He blinked away the disorientation clouding his vision, and shook his head a bit.
He eyed the pouting Sungmin, who looked just about ready to pounce, and a smirking Kyuhyun watching with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Guys…?”
“Well, look who’s back from outer space.”
“Donghae!” Sungmin cupped his face, looking for any trace of something wrong. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, hyung.” He gently removed his hands, “Did I blank out again? Sorry.”
“It’s okay, but you sure have been doing that a lot lately. It worries me, Hae.”
“Everything worries you.”
Sungmin nudged Kyuhyun roughly in the ribs. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
Kyuhyun nudged back, “Yeah, it’s getting a bit unnerving.”
“You know you can always talk to us.” Sungmin stepped on his foot. Hard.
Donghae could only smile fondly at the two, quite used to all their bickering. They always ‘kiss and make up’ in the end anyway.
“Really, guys. I’m fine. I’ve just been having these weird dreams lately…”
Weird dreams? Kyuhyun and Sungmin shared a look.
Donghae lightly pinched the bridge of his nose, but gave a wide grin right after. “No biggy!”
They eyed him thoroughly, looking for any sign of untruthfulness on his face. “Alright, if you say so…”
“Yeah. I just need to get my usual shut eye.” After almost two weeks since Kyuhyun saved the boy from the reserve, one thing that hasn’t changed despite his outstanding growth rate is his need for sleep when the boy decides to get a bit more energetic.
“Okay then…we’ll be right outside if you need us.” Sungmin pulled Kyuhyun by the ear, “Someone here needs a little punishment.”
“Ohh. Kinky.”
Donghae heard a smack to the head before the door clicked close. He listened for their quiet padding and once he was sure they were out of hearing range, he collapsed into a heap on his bed, buried his face into the pillow and let out a groan. In all honesty, he was not ‘fine’.
He was frustrated and happy and confused and angry and curious and so many more emotions he didn’t know how to put in words.
But he hadn’t lied to his guardians either. He really had been having weird dreams lately. But most of the time, they were just fragments of senseless scenes, with people he didn’t know and places he hadn’t seen. They felt a bit different from dreams though. They felt real, almost like memories.
But that hasn’t been what’s bothering him.
Thoughts have been swimming in his head, distracting him, stopping him from thinking coherently and making him space out even more than he already did.
He just couldn’t get that redhead off his mind.
- - -
People thronged the streets, hurrying to their next train, their paces quick and unrelenting, almost as if they were in their own small, individual worlds with their own worries and own concerns instead of the one, big world they all knew and belonged together. Their minds were stuck in a cycle, thoughts going through only what was directly concerned with them, never quite taking the time to step back and just watch.
Almost as if time was running out as fast as the raindrops fell to the ground and all they could do was hurry, hurry, hurry.
Hyukjae watched them with a cold stare as his eyes swarmed the crowd for his target. His thoughts were in override, reviewing the creature’s profile given by the boss that night he was assigned the mission, remembering every detail to the dot with his photographic memory all the while reminding himself of key points in hunting he learned back when he was young.
He analyzed quickly, read everything from his name to his odd inclination to a certain type of animal.
He steadied himself, kept his breathing even and quiet as he balanced on a branch of one of the few trees left in the city. He kept his eyes trained at the entrance of the convenience center he was sure the Lumici occasionally went to buy milk.
The Rife been roaming the streets and gathering Intel for days now from unsuspecting civilians who didn’t seem to know who he was and what his presence in their city really meant. After days of searching, talking, and matching information with what he knew about his target, he’d finally gathered enough to pinpoint places the creature is most likely to appear.
Unconsciously rubbing an unusual scratch on his forearm, Hyukjae’s mind wandered off to his unprecedented encounter in the woods. Something he had to admit-much to his dismay-has been on his mind since he laid eyes on that brunette days ago.
It frustrated him, angered him that he lost focus and did something so reckless and out of protocol. What if he had been a spy and followed him from the Corporation? What if he was hiding a gun, ready to pounce as soon as he dropped his guard? Hyukjae had no way of knowing, yet he found himself entranced and need he say? Reckless.
He grunted under his breath.
This is ridiculous. Really, they’d barely even said a word to each other.
As soon as the ‘Hello’ left his mouth, his instincts kicked in and all those years of training told him to run as far away from the brunette as possible. That this was not like him.
So he ran and ran and didn’t stop until he couldn’t smell that sweet scent or hear his voice ring like bells in his head. And when he stepped out of the woods, a small scratch on his arm despite his record for remaining unscathed, he stared at it in wonder.
And so, he buried himself in work.
But always, always stopped to shake his head to rid him of thoughts of shades of brown and bells and his heart beating against his ribcage.
This is crazy.
“Eunhyuk.”
He held a gun up to his right, body working before his mind could.
If he was surprised to see Siwon, he didn’t show it.
They stared for a moment, gauging each other’s moves and motives. It’s been a while since Hyukjae heard from the Corporation-save for the occasional pestering calls from Jiyoung and Yesung. Maybe this other Rife had additional orders...?
“You just missed your target.” Siwon held a firm gaze, “Focus.” And left.
Sure enough, he spotted a flash of black hair that peeked out under a dark cloak rounding a corner and running out of sight.
Hyukjae felt like banging his head against the tree.
Dammit!
- - -
“Do that anymore and you’re going to drive me insane, Min. I swear.”
Kyuhyun rolled onto his belly lazily, watching his partner wearily. He’d been pacing around the room for almost five minutes now, switching from biting his nails to shaking his legs to repeatedly knocking his head against the wall.
“Relax.”
“Maybe I should check on him again. What do you think?”
“Sungmin, relax.”
Ever since Jaejoong told them about what Donghae really was, the two became even more protective over the boy-they weren’t really sure if he was still a boy though, it just felt right to call him one. They always made it a point to lock the doors at night, moved locations every two or three days, and watched every corner with weary eyes.
It was stressing, yes, but what made them feel worse was the fear of losing him.
Donghae wasn’t difficult to love. He was a bright boy, full of smiles and laughter and sunshine they haven’t seen in years. He cared about others, more so than himself.
Like that time he dropped the cookie jar and all he could think about was how much of a hard time Sungmin would have cleaning it up, so he did it himself; and got cuts all over his tiny hands. Or how he would always turn on the computer once he woke up because he was sure Kyuhyun was not a morning person and didn’t have the patience to go through the ritual.
He liked to play silly pranks and liked to laugh and liked to go out and pick a flower for Sungmin when Kyuhyun’s teasing got a little too much.
Small things. Insignificant things. Though really, they mattered most.
“But Kyu! You’ve heard the talk of the town!”
Kyuhyun sighed, knowing that no amount of coaxing could calm him down because in all honesty, he was getting worried too. Youngwoon had really outdone himself this time.
“Rife! They sent in a Rife!” Sungmin’s flailing got even more violent, “He knows. That Kangin guy-he knows about Hae. I sure of it now!”
Kyuhyun could only tighten his hold on the bed sheets because he knew Sungmin was right, a string of curses at the tip of his tongue at the very thought of that meaty Lord high up in his tower.
“We don’t stand a chance against Rife, Kyu.” His partner looked at him with watery eyes, “What do we do?”
His reply was caught in his throat because of two reasons: Sungmin’s voice in that tone went straight to his groin, and a sound that came from outside their room.
He immediately shot up from his position on the bed and went behind Sungmin, one hand over his mouth, the other around his waist.
“Quiet.” He whispered, “There’s someone here.”
- - -
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A/N: ....So my English professor gave me a low mark and said my writing sucks. /digs a hole and lives there in shame/ ㅠㅠ
Author: ms_awkward
Genre: AU, Fantasy, Angst, Romance, Drama, Adventure, Fluff?
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s): HyukHae(main), KyuMin, HanChul, KangTeuk, YunJae, ninja!YeWook
Summary: All they needed was light.
Into the Dark Night
Chapter 4
They were a superior race.
Physically beautiful creatures whose skin glowed and eyes shined with a distinct ring of light that seemed a mix of amber and cerulean and light and raindrops and rainbows that are in truth, never-ending. They were exceptional beings, brilliantly crafted by the wonders of nature, no one knowing exactly where they came from, how they were made.
Some say they sprang from loose dew that ran down petals of the most beautiful flowers that glimmered gold. Some say they were formed from rays of sunlight, cascading off the walls of diamond-coated caves in the darkest parts of reality. Some even say they were nature itself; the very embodiment of that which humanity slowly depleted with their endless cities and spellbound corruption.
All speculation, all completely uncertain. No one ever really knew.
They kept to themselves and rarely spoke if not to their kind. Spotted near the woods, or lost in gardens, climbing up trees or just standing under the sun once rain subsided and smiling, smiling, smiling. They were seen occasionally, admired every time.
The world’s greatest scientists could not unravel their mystery, could not get over the incomprehensibility of their existence. They insisted that there was surely a scientific explanation to what those things were. Thus began the long course of search and hunt for Lumici to use as lab experiments.
Humanity was curious, found answers and fear seeped into their veins not long after.
These creatures were a force to be reckoned with.
They were capable of things man simply did not want for their world, their reality. They were comfortable in their dreary skies and dark atmosphere, their lackluster days and tame lifestyle. They’d grown so accustomed to it, so familiar with how their lives were that they feared the change a single Lumiciant was capable of.
They greatly feared the Solis and its ability.
But what came with fear was possibility.
It was not long until the mundane were so mesmerized by this power that greed took over their minds, and they wanted nothing more than to grasp it in their soiled hands.
Ever since then, the Lumici went into hiding.
……
Back in Time
“He thinks he’s so special.”
A girl rolled her eyes, her golden hair shimmering softly in the light. “Well, that’s because he is, Yoona. He’s the-“
“Yeah, I know! I know!” She sent a cold glare at her friend sitting across her. “Stop reminding me.”
They were sitting at a pond, legs stretched out with their toes wriggling in the cold water. They basked in sunlight as they slowly felt their energy being replenished.
They watched as a brunette stood amongst the trees on a hill above them, his eyes closed and a smile evident on his lips. The light only seemed to accentuate his features.
“Look at him, Jess! He’s practically radiating with…with…” Vanity? No. Self-importance? No. Pride? Surely not.
“With?”
“Ugh! He’s just annoying, okay?” she flipped her jet-black hair.
Jessica made an amused sound at the back of her throat; knowing she clearly won that round.
“He’s actually pretty nice, you know.”
“You and your mindless crush.” Yoona rolled her eyes, as the blonde reddened almost instantly.
“I-it’s not a crush…”
“Oh please, Jessica. Spare me the denial. You liked the guy even before he was declared heir to Leeteuk-sshi.” She said through clenched teeth, jealousy running through her.
Said girl could only send her gaze down at her lap in embarrassment. Her friend’s every word rang true.
“You do know that it’s pointless.”
Jessica visibly flinched, “I know.”
The Solis were a line of exceptional beings filled with capabilities unknown even to themselves, that served as the center of the Lumici-a superior race amongst a superior race. They had the power and the duty to serve as the very guiding light of both their kind and of the mundane. Yet there was a price to pay, there was always a price to pay.
Every ten years, a Solis is chosen amongst the Lumici. When he or she is chosen, their personal lives are completely disregarded and are then dedicated to nothing but their duty, kept in the dark as a form of ‘protection’ and only being let out for occasional sunlight or when the Council feels lenient about it.
So when a circle of light appeared over Donghae’s head that fateful day, Jessica hasn’t seen much of the sweet brunette since.
She wondered about that day when he would…she cringed and tried scrambling away her thoughts.
Pull yourself together, Jess.
“Why are you so mad at him at him anyway?” she tried changing the subject.
Yoona watched as a butterfly landed on Donghae’s open palm, a smile gracing his features. Always, always smiling.
“It should be me.”
“…What?”
“Me! Jess, it should be me!” Yoona writhed in anger, “I should be the.....Not that doe-eyed brat! I am more worthy! More suited!”
Jessica stared dumbly at the black haired Lumiciant, her slender form trembling under her silky garments.
“You’ve got to be kidding me…”
Her friend had always been one of the more popular Lumici. Everyone admired her, said her beauty was extraordinary because her skin seemed to glow brighter and her big round eyes were deeply set, twinkling in the light. She lived off compliments and knew no such thing as rejection as she held her head high and walked down hallways of the hideout, her smooth black hair swaying with her every move.
Everyone said she was special.
Turns out, she just wasn’t special enough.
“Forget it.” Yoona abruptly stood, “You wouldn’t understand.” She hissed, and stormed off.
The blonde could only stare at her retreating form, her words escaping her.
It should be me.
The formerly calm lake water was now filled with nothing but ripples.
It will be me.
- - -
“How can I be sure I can trust you?”
“I’m one of them. What more proof do you need?”
“There’s no going back, you do know that.”
“I know.”
“You’re crazy.”
But this makes things a lot easier.
“I know.”
- - -
“Heechul!”
A lean man ran messily to the door, his breath coming out in restrained puffs as he placed his hands on his knees.
“Where have you been?! We were so-“
“They’re coming!”
“Who’s coming?”
“That bastard Youngwoon and his troops. We need to get out of here!”
“What?”
“We need to get this place fucking evacuated, Minho!” He grabbed the younger’s shoulders, despair written all over his face. “And we need to do it now!”
They held each other’s gaze for a few split seconds, telepathy in its works, before they both broke out into a run, heading in opposite directions.
They’re going to kill us all.
“Warn the others!” Heechul called over his shoulder, “And Leeteuk! Minho, you have to protect Teuk!”
“No one touches our Solis!”
He heard his dongsaeng’s war cry echo against the walls and smirked slightly to himself before running off to find Jaejoong.
- - -
It was one of the rare occasions Donghae's finally let out of the confines of his room and he was grateful for the space. He stretched his arms high above his head, relishing in the feeling of freedom he is often denied.
He missed the way the grass felt under his feet and was eager to feel the sun on his skin again, a reminder of why he accepted his duty, so he quickly ran to the forest. But something was wrong.
The sun wasn’t as bright as it should be, its light a mere faint glow behind the thickening clouds and forming mist.
He worriedly looked up at the sky, now a tinge of gray instead of the clear blue he remembered so dearly. He contemplated on it for a while, half wondering and half mesmerized with the sight before him. It was different from the sunniness he was used to and wondered at the back of his mind if there was anything bothering his hyung.
A single drop of water fell in between his eyes. They widened at the contact.
Then and there, Donghae knew there was definitely something wrong. He let out a quiet gasp and was about to dash back to the hideout as fast as his two feet would let him when suddenly the world was a swirl of colors, constantly moving, clouding his sight and he fell to the ground in a heap.
Leeteuk hyung…please be alright…
His vision blacked out.
……
There’s always a price to pay.
……
Present
“Donghae…?”
“You broke him.”
“I broke him?! You’re the one who let him out in the first place!”
“No, I-“
“Don’t try denying it.”
“You’re too uptight.”
“And you’re not being serious enough.”
“Hormonal.”
“Asshole.”
“Hot asshole.”
“Ugh! Every time!”
Donghae was pulled out off his reverie, the constant bicker of two very familiar voices reaching his ears. He blinked away the disorientation clouding his vision, and shook his head a bit.
He eyed the pouting Sungmin, who looked just about ready to pounce, and a smirking Kyuhyun watching with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Guys…?”
“Well, look who’s back from outer space.”
“Donghae!” Sungmin cupped his face, looking for any trace of something wrong. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, hyung.” He gently removed his hands, “Did I blank out again? Sorry.”
“It’s okay, but you sure have been doing that a lot lately. It worries me, Hae.”
“Everything worries you.”
Sungmin nudged Kyuhyun roughly in the ribs. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
Kyuhyun nudged back, “Yeah, it’s getting a bit unnerving.”
“You know you can always talk to us.” Sungmin stepped on his foot. Hard.
Donghae could only smile fondly at the two, quite used to all their bickering. They always ‘kiss and make up’ in the end anyway.
“Really, guys. I’m fine. I’ve just been having these weird dreams lately…”
Weird dreams? Kyuhyun and Sungmin shared a look.
Donghae lightly pinched the bridge of his nose, but gave a wide grin right after. “No biggy!”
They eyed him thoroughly, looking for any sign of untruthfulness on his face. “Alright, if you say so…”
“Yeah. I just need to get my usual shut eye.” After almost two weeks since Kyuhyun saved the boy from the reserve, one thing that hasn’t changed despite his outstanding growth rate is his need for sleep when the boy decides to get a bit more energetic.
“Okay then…we’ll be right outside if you need us.” Sungmin pulled Kyuhyun by the ear, “Someone here needs a little punishment.”
“Ohh. Kinky.”
Donghae heard a smack to the head before the door clicked close. He listened for their quiet padding and once he was sure they were out of hearing range, he collapsed into a heap on his bed, buried his face into the pillow and let out a groan. In all honesty, he was not ‘fine’.
He was frustrated and happy and confused and angry and curious and so many more emotions he didn’t know how to put in words.
But he hadn’t lied to his guardians either. He really had been having weird dreams lately. But most of the time, they were just fragments of senseless scenes, with people he didn’t know and places he hadn’t seen. They felt a bit different from dreams though. They felt real, almost like memories.
But that hasn’t been what’s bothering him.
Thoughts have been swimming in his head, distracting him, stopping him from thinking coherently and making him space out even more than he already did.
He just couldn’t get that redhead off his mind.
- - -
People thronged the streets, hurrying to their next train, their paces quick and unrelenting, almost as if they were in their own small, individual worlds with their own worries and own concerns instead of the one, big world they all knew and belonged together. Their minds were stuck in a cycle, thoughts going through only what was directly concerned with them, never quite taking the time to step back and just watch.
Almost as if time was running out as fast as the raindrops fell to the ground and all they could do was hurry, hurry, hurry.
Hyukjae watched them with a cold stare as his eyes swarmed the crowd for his target. His thoughts were in override, reviewing the creature’s profile given by the boss that night he was assigned the mission, remembering every detail to the dot with his photographic memory all the while reminding himself of key points in hunting he learned back when he was young.
He analyzed quickly, read everything from his name to his odd inclination to a certain type of animal.
He steadied himself, kept his breathing even and quiet as he balanced on a branch of one of the few trees left in the city. He kept his eyes trained at the entrance of the convenience center he was sure the Lumici occasionally went to buy milk.
The Rife been roaming the streets and gathering Intel for days now from unsuspecting civilians who didn’t seem to know who he was and what his presence in their city really meant. After days of searching, talking, and matching information with what he knew about his target, he’d finally gathered enough to pinpoint places the creature is most likely to appear.
Unconsciously rubbing an unusual scratch on his forearm, Hyukjae’s mind wandered off to his unprecedented encounter in the woods. Something he had to admit-much to his dismay-has been on his mind since he laid eyes on that brunette days ago.
It frustrated him, angered him that he lost focus and did something so reckless and out of protocol. What if he had been a spy and followed him from the Corporation? What if he was hiding a gun, ready to pounce as soon as he dropped his guard? Hyukjae had no way of knowing, yet he found himself entranced and need he say? Reckless.
He grunted under his breath.
This is ridiculous. Really, they’d barely even said a word to each other.
As soon as the ‘Hello’ left his mouth, his instincts kicked in and all those years of training told him to run as far away from the brunette as possible. That this was not like him.
So he ran and ran and didn’t stop until he couldn’t smell that sweet scent or hear his voice ring like bells in his head. And when he stepped out of the woods, a small scratch on his arm despite his record for remaining unscathed, he stared at it in wonder.
And so, he buried himself in work.
But always, always stopped to shake his head to rid him of thoughts of shades of brown and bells and his heart beating against his ribcage.
This is crazy.
“Eunhyuk.”
He held a gun up to his right, body working before his mind could.
If he was surprised to see Siwon, he didn’t show it.
They stared for a moment, gauging each other’s moves and motives. It’s been a while since Hyukjae heard from the Corporation-save for the occasional pestering calls from Jiyoung and Yesung. Maybe this other Rife had additional orders...?
“You just missed your target.” Siwon held a firm gaze, “Focus.” And left.
Sure enough, he spotted a flash of black hair that peeked out under a dark cloak rounding a corner and running out of sight.
Hyukjae felt like banging his head against the tree.
Dammit!
- - -
“Do that anymore and you’re going to drive me insane, Min. I swear.”
Kyuhyun rolled onto his belly lazily, watching his partner wearily. He’d been pacing around the room for almost five minutes now, switching from biting his nails to shaking his legs to repeatedly knocking his head against the wall.
“Relax.”
“Maybe I should check on him again. What do you think?”
“Sungmin, relax.”
Ever since Jaejoong told them about what Donghae really was, the two became even more protective over the boy-they weren’t really sure if he was still a boy though, it just felt right to call him one. They always made it a point to lock the doors at night, moved locations every two or three days, and watched every corner with weary eyes.
It was stressing, yes, but what made them feel worse was the fear of losing him.
Donghae wasn’t difficult to love. He was a bright boy, full of smiles and laughter and sunshine they haven’t seen in years. He cared about others, more so than himself.
Like that time he dropped the cookie jar and all he could think about was how much of a hard time Sungmin would have cleaning it up, so he did it himself; and got cuts all over his tiny hands. Or how he would always turn on the computer once he woke up because he was sure Kyuhyun was not a morning person and didn’t have the patience to go through the ritual.
He liked to play silly pranks and liked to laugh and liked to go out and pick a flower for Sungmin when Kyuhyun’s teasing got a little too much.
Small things. Insignificant things. Though really, they mattered most.
“But Kyu! You’ve heard the talk of the town!”
Kyuhyun sighed, knowing that no amount of coaxing could calm him down because in all honesty, he was getting worried too. Youngwoon had really outdone himself this time.
“Rife! They sent in a Rife!” Sungmin’s flailing got even more violent, “He knows. That Kangin guy-he knows about Hae. I sure of it now!”
Kyuhyun could only tighten his hold on the bed sheets because he knew Sungmin was right, a string of curses at the tip of his tongue at the very thought of that meaty Lord high up in his tower.
“We don’t stand a chance against Rife, Kyu.” His partner looked at him with watery eyes, “What do we do?”
His reply was caught in his throat because of two reasons: Sungmin’s voice in that tone went straight to his groin, and a sound that came from outside their room.
He immediately shot up from his position on the bed and went behind Sungmin, one hand over his mouth, the other around his waist.
“Quiet.” He whispered, “There’s someone here.”
- - -
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A/N: ....So my English professor gave me a low mark and said my writing sucks. /digs a hole and lives there in shame/ ㅠㅠ