お帰り [Welcome Home] - Chapter Twenty-Seven
Title: お帰り [Welcome Home]
Authors: curionenene and yeonah
Chapter: 27/?
Fandom: SS501 + Epik High Cameos
Pairings: KyuMin, HyunSaeng
Rating: PG-16
Warning: Angst, AU
Summary: Black and white... white and black. It isn't always possible to tell what is good and what is evil; and four players in the never-ending fight for freedom would know. In a world where things are painted by shades of grey, taking a stand could mean life or death. And the struggle to be free, truly free, may tear them apart until there is nothing left but ash.
A/N: KyuJong, HyunJoong, and Tablo are played by curionenene , while JungMin, YoungSaeng, HyungJoon, Mithra and Thaestae are played by yeonah .
It had taken a long argument with Thaestae to get the demon to keep his anti-hunter emotions to himself while they were working in Hunter HQ. It was hard enough for JungMin to control his own anger against what happened sometimes, without the demon tacking on his ability to turn JungMin's emotions into very literal explosions.
That still didn't stop the demon from 'helping' in his own way.
Watching a truck full of freshly caught non-humans pull up, JungMin had just started forward with the other hunters in charge of unloading the truck when his eyes flashed a red that luckily wasn't seen by the others. The back doors of the truck fell off with a loud bang, frantic non-humans spilling out onto the street and bowling over several surprised hunters.
Tugging his master to the side, away from most of the melee, KyuJong took in the fallen doors before turning back to JungMin, whispering. “Was that your doing?” Those doors certainly hadn’t fallen on their own.
JungMin had to resist the urge to turn around and look at KyuJong in complete confusion. They were still in character. "I didn't..." he started, then trailed off when he realized who might have made a say in all that.
Thaestae, he said warningly.
What? the demon didn't seem bothered. No one noticed.
"If I could find a way to tie him up I would," JungMin grumbled. Though he wouldn't deny he was pleased the non-humans had gotten out, a few of them already being captured again but the majority disappeared.
KyuJong frowned, but JungMin was saved from any further grilling by another hunter calling for help to restrain the recaptured non-humans. Looking completely subservient, KyuJong turned to JungMin, waiting for his orders.
Restraining a sigh, JungMin got back into character and motioned towards the struggling non-humans. At least there were only a few now... "Put them to sleep," he ordered, wishing he could let them escape as well.
I could- Thaestae started, and was cut off by a firm no. Any more interference and they might be caught.
“Yes, master.” KyuJong bowed stepping forward and casting the necessary spell. He had to concentrate hard, forcing himself not to cast them on the other hunters instead. And when the deed was done, he slumped back toward JungMin, trying not to look guilty for working against his own kind.
Quickly putting out a hand to steady the ankou, JungMin gave a gentle squeeze of the other man's shoulders before he had to let go to keep in character. Not looking at KyuJong, he turned towards the other hunters and stepped forward to help bring the sleeping captives down to the dungeons.
Suddenly a wave of dizziness nearly swamped him, everything spinning for a moment as he stopped rather than fall over. Blinking and rubbing his eyes, JungMin shook his head to clear it and was relieved when things straightened out again. Maybe he needed to sleep earlier, he mused as he started forward again, slinging an unresponsive featherfolk over his shoulder.
KyuJong trailed behind JungMin, quickly moving forward to escape the eye of the other hunters. Although JungMin had made it pretty clear on the first day the consequences of what would happen if anyone touched him, it was still better to be safe than sorry.
As such, he nearly bumped into JungMin when he stopped, blinking up at the human, wondering what had happened. But he couldn’t ask, and had to lower his head again as JungMin moved forward. Making a mental note, he reminded himself to ask JungMin about it later.
Tuning out Thaestae's grumbling as best as he could, though he agreed with everything the demon said about the hunters, JungMin followed the other hunters inside and down to the doors of the dungeons before handing the featherfolk off to someone else. He was too new to have access to the dungeons yet.
That was their last assignment for the night. Somewhat glad for it (Thaestae was giving him a headache), JungMin headed back towards the exit, glancing back to make sure KyuJong was still there.
KyuJong had paused at the entrance of the dungeons, looking down somewhat longingly. There was the place hoards of non-humans were trapped in, and he couldn’t do a thing.
But he only sighed, before turning around and following JungMin before anyone could sense something fishy. The time would come when they would storm into the dungeons and rescue everyone there, but now was not the time.
Walking out onto the street, JungMin turned them towards home, nodding at the hunters he passed by. They were still suspicious, but seemed to have relaxed slightly. That didn't mean JungMin and KyuJong weren't followed home every now and then, but at least they weren't being watched like ticking bombs.
Finally they reached the apartment, the human sighing softly as he unlocked the door for them. He was more tired than usual, and slightly dizzy.
KyuJong made sure that no one could see inside their apartment before shedding his disguise. Stretching out into his normal form, KyuJong rubbed his eyes, observing that his master seemed a little less energetic than usual. “Min? Are you alright?”
Locking up after them, JungMin blinked at KyuJong before grinning. "Yeah. Just a little tired." It had been a long week. Seeing that KyuJong was back in his normal form, he stepped close and wrapped his arms around the other man, perching his chin on his shoulder and blowing into his ear teasingly.
KyuJong let out a small noise of pleasure and embarrassment before he wrapped his arms around JungMin’s waist, sighing in wry amusement. “If you’re tired, you should go rest.” He admonished, kissing JungMin’s cheek.
"Only if you're with me," JungMin quipped, nuzzling into KyuJong's neck happily as he closed his eyes. "I can rest right here."
“Wouldn’t the bed be more comfortable?” KyuJong asked with some amusement, before he chuckled. “Well, all right. Rest here then, I’ll carry you to the bed!”
And before JungMin could reply, KyuJong bent down, sweeping JungMin into his arms like a bride.
JungMin shrieked. "Hey!" Squirming a little, he gave up, laughing. "I think my ego just took a major hit," he pouted, though he didn't sound mad at all, head against KyuJong's chest.
KyuJong chuckled, “Well, that might make it a little easier to pick you up the next time round. Deflate you a little.” He teased, slowly carrying JungMin to the bed, making sure he didn’t slam the human’s head or legs into anything.
"Hey!" Pouting more, JungMin poked KyuJong in the chest since he couldn't do much else without making the ankou drop him. "I do not need deflating, thank you very much." He leaned up and nipped on KyuJong's jaw a little.
KyuJong shivered a little, but otherwise pushed his reactions down. He had reached their bedroom and was now standing over the bed, an amused smile on his face. “Well, let’s test that theory out then.” And he promptly let go of the human, allowing him to fall onto the thick mattress of their bed.
Shrieking as he was dropped, JungMin stared up at the ankou. "You did not just do that." He reached up, arms wrapping around KyuJong's waist and yanking the other man down with him.
“Oh yes I-ack!” KyuJong yelped as he was unexpectedly pulled down, rolling over just in time to prevent squashing the human. “Hey!”
JungMin snickered, rolling over as well so he could bury his face in KyuJong's chest, slinging one leg over the ankou's to prevent him from moving. "Mine."
“Well, yes, but what’s this supposed to be?” KyuJong laughed as he was nuzzled into. Grinning, he wrapped his arms around JungMin’s head, stroking it lightly. “Ah well… get some rest since you’re in the position for it then.”
"Yes sir," JungMin chuckled, yawning a little. His eyelids felt heavy and he was more than happy to close them. Nuzzling against KyuJong happily, he drifted off faster than normal, out within seconds.
KyuJong blinked when JungMin was suddenly asleep against his chest. It usually took more than that to persuade the human to go to sleep. But their schedule had been pretty rigorous as of late, so it wasn’t that surprisingly really.
Squashing down what he thought were irate fears, KyuJong pulled JungMin close to him before closing his eyes and falling asleep as well.
***********************
Stirring sleepily, YoungSaeng stretched out against the soft comforter, a soft mewl leaving him as he returned to consciousness. Nuzzling into the pillows, he opened his eyes a crack at the warmth beside him, lips curling slightly to see HyunJoong sleeping there. After a bit he slowly sat up, patting his hair down and yawning a little. He'd been sleeping well lately; reassured by the bond between himself and his master, and that HyunJoong wouldn't fall into such a horrible fever again. Not on his watch.
There was a side effect to the bond, that when YoungSaeng woke, HyunJoong knew that the felinefolk was awake. It wasn’t so strong that he would shoot awake immediately when YoungSaeng did, but there was a stirring in him that made him want to reach out for the felinefolk and pull him close. It was this stirring that made him crack open an eye and smile. “Mmm… what time is it?”
YoungSaeng smiled when HyunJoong opened one eye, chuckling as he tried to flatten his hair and looked for a clock. "Ten. I think we slept in." Giving up when his hair seemed determined to stick up in every possible direction, the felinefolk hugged his pillow to his chest and watched his master. "Sleep well?"
“Mhmm…” HyunJoong nodded as he stretched, shifting on the bed to move closer to the felinefolk. He didn’t comment about how if YoungSaeng slept well, he’d definitely have as well because of the bond. Instead, he smiled and snuggled close to the felinefolk. “But I’m too lazy to get out of bed…”
Amused, YoungSaeng let go of his pillow in favor of messing up the child's hair. "We're going to have to get up eventually...we have things to do." Nothing too important since they were still without an assignment, but there were still the odd tasks here and there, and YoungSaeng liked being out and about with HyunJoong.
HyunJoong pouted, nudging the felinefolk’s stomach with his head before pushing himself up. “All right! All right! Slave driver!” He proclaimed dramatically before poking YoungSaeng in the side. “Bubble bath together?”
"I am not," YoungSaeng chuckled, lips curled upwards. "You want to get my fur wet again?" He stood up, stretching out before starting to fix up the bed, with HyunJoong still in it, playfully dumping the blankets on top of his master.
“Ah! You’ve discovered my evil pl-HEY!” HyunJoong flailed as the blankets fell onto him, arms and legs sticking out from under them. “MEANIE!”
Snickering at the flailing mess, YoungSaeng put the pillows on top of the pile for good measure. "I'm just getting you back for all the torment and teasing while you're still half your size."
“Ah! Heavy!” HyunJoong complained from under the pillows, and he shook around, causing them to topple over until he could sit up easily. Staring at YoungSaeng, he folded his arms and huffed. “Well fine! See if I ever scratch your ears when you want me to again!”
"You have a harder time resisting than I do," YoungSaeng teased, eyes dancing. He picked up a pillow and held it in front of him in case HyunJoong tried to retaliate.
HyunJoong sniffled affectedly, sticking his nose high up in the air as he climbed out of bed and waddled to the door. “I, am going to take a shower. If you want to join me, please don’t. You’re not welcome in the bathroom.”
More amused than anything, YoungSaeng set about fixing the bed properly. "Don't walk into the glass door with your nose up like that."
Besides...there was another problem with the idea of taking a bath together. That had been fine while HyunJoong was sick with a fever. But after the reappearance of an adult HyunJoong a few days ago, the very idea of getting into a bath with even a child HyunJoong turned the felinefolk into a tomato.
HyunJoong huffed. “As if such a thing would happen to meeeeeeee~!”
There was a loud thud as HyunJoong tripped over a stray item on the floor and was sent sprawling. “Ow…”
Blinking, YoungSaeng laughed and walked over to the bathroom, finding an eagle-spread HyunJoong on the floor. "You should really stop jinxing yourself." He bent down and hoisted HyunJoong back to his feet lightly.
HyunJoong wrinkled his nose, then winced, finding it sore. Putting his hand on it and rubbing, he mumbled. “Then you should stop teasing me, meanie.”
"Sure, sure." YoungSaeng patted HyunJoong on the head before leaving the bathroom, smiling.
HyunJoong kept up the mock pouting pose until YoungSaeng left, and when he did, sighed, rubbing the top of his head where YoungSaeng had patted him.
It was good that the felinefolk was happy, and HyunJoong was content to act the fool if that was what did it, but the Merus was getting just the little bit discontent with their relationship. It was irrational… but he just wanted something… more.
Humming quietly, YoungSaeng finished fixing everything and changed into clean clothes before sitting down on the edge of the bed, waiting for HyunJoong to finish.
His thoughts were interrupted a few minutes later by a commotion out in the hallway. Blinking, the felinefolk stood and padded over to the door, opening it and nearly smacking HyungJoon as he did so. He raised an eyebrow at the younger man. "Why are you out here arguing with thin air?"
HyunJoong had finished his bath fairly quick - the good thing about being a kid was that there was so much less to wash. And so, he had just come out, toweling his hair when YoungSaeng left the room.
Curious, he waddled over and poked his head out of the door. “What’s going on?”
Looking over at HyunJoong as his master reappeared, YoungSaeng's lips quirked. "He's talking to himself."
The rabbit pouted at them both. "I'm just miffed I'm still getting work on my day off. Not that I can really say no," he grumbled. One of the few days he was actually able to relax a bit and he's sent out on a mission.
Then again, it was his own partner who sent him this time, so he couldn't say anything...he got assignments from him so rarely that this must be important.
“Oh? What sort of work is it?” HyunJoong asked as he stepped out. He had sensed the White Rabbit’s huge energy the first day they had met, and already had a clue as to how big a role HyungJoon played in the anti-organization because of his abilities. “Need help?”
"I'm not really supposed to tell," HyungJoon wrinkled his nose. But then he looked thoughtful. "Actually...it would be nice to have a little help...crazy guy sends me on these things alone." He looked around. "Could we talk inside?"
YoungSaeng raised an eyebrow. What could he be doing that couldn't be talked about in HQ?
“Sure…?” HyunJoong blinked, gesturing inside. “Want me to set up a sound barrier while we’re at it?”
HyungJoon nodded, and when YoungSaeng moved out of the way, he stepped inside. "Yeah, that would be great."
The felinefolk closed the door behind him, watching as the rabbit started to pace around, a habit while he was thinking.
HyunJoong had been joking, but he shrugged when the rabbit proved serious, casting a simple sound barrier around the room. He walked over to YoungSaeng’s side, watching the anxious rabbit pacing around.
Prodding at the spell to make sure it was strong enough, HyungJoon smiled and drew in a breath. "Okay. I'm doing a little bit of spy work today. My partner has been having suspicions about someone in our organization for a while, so I'm to sneak into his office and go through everything. It would definitely be easier if someone helped me out."
"Who is this person?" YoungSaeng asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Yang MyungSoo."
HyunJoong stared at HyungJoon as if he said the moon was made of blue cheese. “Yang MyungSoo? Are you serious?”
"Very serious," HyungJoon sighed. 'Which is why I can't tell anyone. Are you both going to help me?" He made a face. "His spiritual energy is sour...you must have sensed it too. My partner and I never really liked him, and some things just seem a little...suspicious."
HyunJoong looked at YoungSaeng, a questioning look on his face. He would have agreed like a shot, but he wanted to make sure YoungSaeng was okay with it first.
Chewing on his lower lip, YoungSaeng thought about it for a moment before nodding. He'd never liked MyungSoo either...and the fact that HyungJoon had actually been asked to spy on him meant they weren't alone in their dislike. "Let's see what we find."
HyungJoon grinned. "Great. He's out on assignments and meetings for a few hours, so we have the time, and I can hide our presence."
HyunJoong nodded as he struck a pose. “And I can keep watch. I’d spot his sour, gross energy miles away!”
"And Saeng hyung can get into all the tiny places," HyungJoon teased, YoungSaeng rolling his eyes.
"So are we going?" The felinefolk walked to the door, one hand on the handle. "What are you expecting to find anyways, Joon?"
"..." HyungJoon chewed on his lower lip. "I'm hoping to find nothing. But what I'm expecting...shouldn't be mentioned unless it turns out to be true."
HyunJoong blinked, staring at HyungJoon steadily, as if trying to decipher the meaning behind his sentence. What could be so bad that HyungJoon didn’t wish the sour-faced MyungSoo to be doing behind their backs? “A clue at least then. So that we know what to look out for.”
The White Rabbit smiled shakily. "What we're looking for are old documents. Very old."
"How old?" YoungSaeng raised an eyebrow.
"Anything from ten to twenty years...or older. Let's go?" HyungJoon didn't seem all that anxious to answer any other questions.
The White Rabbit was behaving oddly as far as HyunJoong was concerned. But he didn’t question it, only shared a look with YoungSaeng as he followed HyungJoon out of the door.
The second the sound barrier was removed, HyungJoon stopped talking aside from an occasional mumble to himself that YoungSaeng was unable to pick up. For someone who usually blabbed the whole story, the fact that HyungJoon was actually holding his tongue said volumes about the situation...and that even HyunJoong and YoungSaeng might not be trusted with what he was put in charge of finding out.
The whole thing had gone from somewhat amusing, spying on their least favorite anti-hunter leader, to very serious.
It didn't take long to reach the leader's section of the HQ, HyungJoon keeping an eye out for anyone who might interfere with their mission. The hallways were free of people, but covered in cobwebs of spells.
"Stop a minute." HyungJoon held out a hand to stop them, eyes scanning over the spells again before he started mumbling under his breath again. YoungSaeng shivered as a feeling like spider webs settled over him, spells to hide their presence materializing with hardly any effort from the younger man.
HyunJoong’s eyes glazed over for a minute, mesmerized with the intricacy of the spell that HyungJoon had cast. It was subtle and very elegant, meant to suggest the absence of their present without really suggesting and being a spell at all, yet it took a substantial amount of control and power to cast. It took him a while to snap out of it, eyes sliding over to HyungJoon with a frown.
After a moment, the white in HyungJoon's eyes faded and he nodded. "Let's go," he murmured, continuing on. The spells in the hallway brushed against them and seemed to go right through them, like they were merely ghosts in the living plane.
They stopped outside a door near the end of the hallway, HyungJoon laying his hand against the wood. There was a faint click as the door unlocked, and he pushed it open slowly, looking around before slipping inside and leaving just enough room for the other two to get in as well.
HyunJoong slipped quietly in after HyungJoon. The nervous tension that seemed to grip onto HyungJoon wasn’t lost on him, and his senses heightened, practically taking everything in. His eyes flitted, half seeing what was in front of him, and what was not. A person walking past… no, too far. A leaf blowing in the wind. Everything and everything set him on the edge, and not in a good way.
Once they were in and the door was closed behind them, HyungJoon went straight to the large oak desk and started searching through the drawers. YoungSaeng looked around, noting all the corners of the room. If they were looking for something secret, then it wouldn't be out where just anyone could grab it...
Drawing in a slow breath, he crouched to the ground and shifted, crawling out of the pile of clothes as his kitten form and diving into the shadows.
HyunJoong half-noted the change through the bond, and quickly picked the clothes up in case they needed to make a quick getaway. He walked around the room, looking at the items, but made no attempt to search, focusing more on watching out for MyungSoo.
HyungJoon was quiet, aside from noises of frustration every now and then as his search turned up nothing. He was careful to put everything back where he found it, casting spells whenever he finished inspecting a section to erase fingerprints. His gaze went to HyunJoong every now and then, checking to see if there was any cause for alarm. The only sign of YoungSaeng was a slight movement in the shadows, the felinefolk searching all the corners and areas the rabbit might overlook.
They were over fifteen minutes into the search when YoungSaeng mewled loudly, his claws catching on a loose floorboard behind the desk.
HyunJoong knocked out of the glaze he had settled in, eyes focusing again as he moved over to YoungSaeng’s side, hand smoothing the kitten’s fur. “What have you got, Saeng?” He murmured, small fingers easily prying the floorboard off.
HyungJoon moved the desk slightly out of their way so they would have more room before joining them, crouching down with wide eyes.
"Oh...dear..."
There were papers underneath the floating floor, stacks and stacks of them, old folders and charts poking out. YoungSaeng pulled his clothing away from the other two so he could shift back, which he did quickly, pulling on his clothes before rejoining them. "What is it?"
HyunJoong moved to pick some of the papers up to read, but his eyes widened, and he dropped them as if burned, hissing.
His eyes unfocused as the memories attached to the folders assaulted him. “Underground… dungeon… send subject… subject number 1205… tracking… tracking… beacon… experiment… successful… NO!”
Stumbling backwards, his eyes widened as he fell to the floor, feeling dizzy. “Wha…?”
Eyes widening at the words spilling from HyunJoong's mouth, YoungSaeng scrambled to his master's side. "Hyun? What's wrong?"
HyungJoon slowly reached down and picked up a folder, opening it and scanning through the first page. Swallowing thickly, he put the folder down, skin ashen.
"I thought he was joking...when he suggested we might find...this..."
HyunJoong swallowed, resisting the urge to hide his face into YoungSaeng’s embrace, instead, pushing himself up and looked straight at HyungJoon. “Are those authentic? Is there really a conspiracy about this?”
YoungSaeng looked from one to the other, confused. "What do they say?" he asked, reaching out for a folder and blinking when HyungJoon took it away.
HyungJoon sighed, looking at HyunJoong. His eyes were serious and sad. "This was the proof we were looking for, physical evidence that what happened wasn't just a coincidence."
"But the ironic thing is...all the evidence we should have needed was right in front of us all along."
HyunJoong looked away, his mouth opening and closing at what to say. He knew what they were keeping from YoungSaeng, and he didn’t know what he should do now. Should he tell the felinefolk? Or should he just… no, he couldn’t hide it from YoungSaeng. With the bond, it just wasn’t possible… but…
Entirely lost, YoungSaeng focused on HyunJoong and the expression on his master's face. "What is it?" he asked, not clear on why they were hiding the information from him.
"...” HyungJoon looking down at the folder in his hands, the one he had grabbed before YoungSaeng could see. Opening the folder, he drew in a shaky breath and looked up at them before silently holding it out to YoungSaeng. YoungSaeng looked from him to his master, uneasy.
HyunJoong swallowed, looking up with a frightened and apologetic look on his face. He didn’t know what to do really, and his hands tightened into fist, falling like rocks onto his lap. YoungSaeng should know… but how should he be told?
Watching the expression on HyunJoong's face, YoungSaeng slowly reached out and took the folder from HyungJoon. As he drew it to him, papers fell out and back into the hole in the floor, the felinefolk reached out to pick them up, gathering them in his hands before he registered what they were and the photos fell back into the hole from trembling fingers.
Faces looked up at him, faces he had nearly forgotten but still invaded his dreams sometimes. A young featherfolk girl. An ice demon family. A cloud that vaguely took a human shape. All the pictures looked like they had been taken without the knowledge of those inside them, from angles that suggested cameras, hidden cameras.
His eyes fell on one photo, half-covered by the others, and he reached down to pick it up, nearly dropping it again as he stared down at the nine people in the photo. Tears filled his eyes, blurring out the cat ears and tails and bright, golden eyes that had faded with time.
Feeling the grief welling up from YoungSaeng, HyunJoong’s own eyes teared up and he wrapped his arms around the felinefolk. “I’m sorry.” He whispered, trying to take the hurt away into himself. “So, so, sorry…”
The photograph of his family fell back into the hole, and YoungSaeng made no effort to retrieve it this time, tears spilling over and running down his cheeks as he shook, the implication of what had happened fifteen years ago finally sinking in. His arms found their way around HyunJoong's small frame, and he buried his face in the child's hair, shoulders shaking as he sobbed.
HyungJoon watched them sadly, tears in his own eyes as he gathered together everything to bring with them as evidence.
There was a soft glow, even as HyunJoong’s arms tightened around YoungSaeng and he suddenly found himself able to fit the felinefolk’s slim frame in his, almost cradling YoungSaeng in his arms.
“Cry all you want.” HyunJoong whispered, softly stroking YoungSaeng’s hair. “And I swear, we’ll make the person responsible for this pay.”
Tear-filled eyes opening as the warm body against him changed and grew, YoungSaeng looked up at his master with tears flowing openly down his cheeks before he sniffled, burying his face in the other man's chest as his arms wrapped around HyunJoong's neck loosely.
Fifteen years ago, the anti-hunter organization had lost one of their safe houses to the hunters. Half of those inside were killed on the spot, the other half taken into the dungeons. Only one made it out alive.
And now, there was evidence to show the horror that had happened that day...had been deliberate.
Whispering apologies and reassurances, HyunJoong gathered the felinefolk gently into his arms, standing up. He looked up at HyungJoon, waiting silently for the White Rabbit to be done. And once he had YoungSaeng tucked up and safe, he was going with HyungJoon to confront MyungSoo about all of this and make sure whoever was behind all this would be punished.
HyungJoon gathered everything he could out of the hole before replacing the board, clicking it down into place. Sighing, he stood up with all the papers in his arms, silently calling to his partner.
You were right. We found it.
He replaced the desk and walked to the door, listening for anyone in the hallway before pulling the spells back up and opening the door, looking at HyunJoong and YoungSaeng. The felinefolk hadn't spoken a word yet, curled up in the other man's arms with his face hidden.
HyunJoong nodded, walking forward, gently shifting YoungSaeng in his arms. “Come, let’s go back to our room and I’ll get you something warm to drink.” He whispered, as he walked out of the room carefully. Looking back, he nodded at HyungJoon, steel in his eyes.
‘Do what you have to do,’ that look said, ‘but keep me in touch.’
Then weaving his own spell of invisibility around YoungSaeng and himself, HyunJoong walked calmly away.
HyungJoon watched them go, closing the door quietly behind him. After a moment he sighed and shook his head as he walked down to where his partner would be waiting. There were no mental complaints about the amount of work he had because of this, nothing other than a deep pain.
He remembered what it had been like to wake up and find the family close enough to be his own gone, too.
YoungSaeng didn't move as he felt HyunJoong walk away, trying to burrow further into the other man and forget. But now that the memories had been brought back, he couldn't get rid of them, entire frame trembling as he cried quietly.
They'd trusted the organization to protect them, to keep them safe. And that same organization had betrayed them. Why? Why would someone do that to so many innocent people?
Knowing everything that YoungSaeng felt, HyunJoong comforted the felinefolk both physically and mentally. His arms tightened around the felinefolk’s frame as he embraced that ache together with YoungSaeng, gasping at the sudden hole in his heart. But his step didn’t falter, not until he reached their room and he closed the door behind them, gently lowering YoungSaeng onto the bed.
The felinefolk's eyes snapped open as he felt himself being lowered down and his back touch the comforter. His hands found HyunJoong's arms and held on to them, YoungSaeng looking up at the other man pleadingly as the tears continued to fall. "Don't go," he whispered, voice shaking and broken as he clung to the only person he had left.
HyunJoong’s lips tightened and he nodded, carefully climbing into the bed along with YoungSaeng without letting go of the felinefolk. Arranging it so that YoungSaeng was comfortable in his hold, he gently kissed the felinefolk’s forehead, a gesture he remembered Tablo doing often to him when he put HyunJoong to bed. “Hush… it’s all right. I’m here.”
Nodding tearfully, YoungSaeng shifted around until he was as close to HyunJoong as he could be, burying his face in the human's neck. He was able to breath in the other man's scent, the earthy smell helping to calm him down a little. His eyes closed as he held on to HyunJoong with as much strength he could summon without hurting him.
Sending as much calm as he could muster, HyunJoong sent it through the bond, gently stroking YoungSaeng’s hair. “Sleep. I promise that when you wake up, we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
YoungSaeng nodded again, his grip on the other man loosening slowly as his body reacted to his master's words. "Thank you," he whispered, nuzzling closer as he slowly drifted into sleep.
HyunJoong, however, kept wide-awake, even as time passed and his body shrank from its adult size back to its child size. Sighing, HyunJoong held up a hand to observe it, before wrapping it back around YoungSaeng’s waist. With this, he had figured out how the bond worked against the curse.
There was a slight smile as he traced his small finger down YoungSaeng jaw. “My life’s already wound around you so much, Saeng. When will you realize that I’ll never leave you?”
Kissing the felinefolk gently on the cheek, HyunJoong settled down, placing the felinefolk’s head best as he could against his small chest.
He closed his eyes, but didn’t sleep. The memories of YoungSaeng’s past flitting through him instead. And he took it all in, leaving nothing out, so that he could become YoungSaeng’s strength if the felinefolk ever needed it.
Authors: curionenene and yeonah
Chapter: 27/?
Fandom: SS501 + Epik High Cameos
Pairings: KyuMin, HyunSaeng
Rating: PG-16
Warning: Angst, AU
Summary: Black and white... white and black. It isn't always possible to tell what is good and what is evil; and four players in the never-ending fight for freedom would know. In a world where things are painted by shades of grey, taking a stand could mean life or death. And the struggle to be free, truly free, may tear them apart until there is nothing left but ash.
A/N: KyuJong, HyunJoong, and Tablo are played by curionenene , while JungMin, YoungSaeng, HyungJoon, Mithra and Thaestae are played by yeonah .
It had taken a long argument with Thaestae to get the demon to keep his anti-hunter emotions to himself while they were working in Hunter HQ. It was hard enough for JungMin to control his own anger against what happened sometimes, without the demon tacking on his ability to turn JungMin's emotions into very literal explosions.
That still didn't stop the demon from 'helping' in his own way.
Watching a truck full of freshly caught non-humans pull up, JungMin had just started forward with the other hunters in charge of unloading the truck when his eyes flashed a red that luckily wasn't seen by the others. The back doors of the truck fell off with a loud bang, frantic non-humans spilling out onto the street and bowling over several surprised hunters.
Tugging his master to the side, away from most of the melee, KyuJong took in the fallen doors before turning back to JungMin, whispering. “Was that your doing?” Those doors certainly hadn’t fallen on their own.
JungMin had to resist the urge to turn around and look at KyuJong in complete confusion. They were still in character. "I didn't..." he started, then trailed off when he realized who might have made a say in all that.
Thaestae, he said warningly.
What? the demon didn't seem bothered. No one noticed.
"If I could find a way to tie him up I would," JungMin grumbled. Though he wouldn't deny he was pleased the non-humans had gotten out, a few of them already being captured again but the majority disappeared.
KyuJong frowned, but JungMin was saved from any further grilling by another hunter calling for help to restrain the recaptured non-humans. Looking completely subservient, KyuJong turned to JungMin, waiting for his orders.
Restraining a sigh, JungMin got back into character and motioned towards the struggling non-humans. At least there were only a few now... "Put them to sleep," he ordered, wishing he could let them escape as well.
I could- Thaestae started, and was cut off by a firm no. Any more interference and they might be caught.
“Yes, master.” KyuJong bowed stepping forward and casting the necessary spell. He had to concentrate hard, forcing himself not to cast them on the other hunters instead. And when the deed was done, he slumped back toward JungMin, trying not to look guilty for working against his own kind.
Quickly putting out a hand to steady the ankou, JungMin gave a gentle squeeze of the other man's shoulders before he had to let go to keep in character. Not looking at KyuJong, he turned towards the other hunters and stepped forward to help bring the sleeping captives down to the dungeons.
Suddenly a wave of dizziness nearly swamped him, everything spinning for a moment as he stopped rather than fall over. Blinking and rubbing his eyes, JungMin shook his head to clear it and was relieved when things straightened out again. Maybe he needed to sleep earlier, he mused as he started forward again, slinging an unresponsive featherfolk over his shoulder.
KyuJong trailed behind JungMin, quickly moving forward to escape the eye of the other hunters. Although JungMin had made it pretty clear on the first day the consequences of what would happen if anyone touched him, it was still better to be safe than sorry.
As such, he nearly bumped into JungMin when he stopped, blinking up at the human, wondering what had happened. But he couldn’t ask, and had to lower his head again as JungMin moved forward. Making a mental note, he reminded himself to ask JungMin about it later.
Tuning out Thaestae's grumbling as best as he could, though he agreed with everything the demon said about the hunters, JungMin followed the other hunters inside and down to the doors of the dungeons before handing the featherfolk off to someone else. He was too new to have access to the dungeons yet.
That was their last assignment for the night. Somewhat glad for it (Thaestae was giving him a headache), JungMin headed back towards the exit, glancing back to make sure KyuJong was still there.
KyuJong had paused at the entrance of the dungeons, looking down somewhat longingly. There was the place hoards of non-humans were trapped in, and he couldn’t do a thing.
But he only sighed, before turning around and following JungMin before anyone could sense something fishy. The time would come when they would storm into the dungeons and rescue everyone there, but now was not the time.
Walking out onto the street, JungMin turned them towards home, nodding at the hunters he passed by. They were still suspicious, but seemed to have relaxed slightly. That didn't mean JungMin and KyuJong weren't followed home every now and then, but at least they weren't being watched like ticking bombs.
Finally they reached the apartment, the human sighing softly as he unlocked the door for them. He was more tired than usual, and slightly dizzy.
KyuJong made sure that no one could see inside their apartment before shedding his disguise. Stretching out into his normal form, KyuJong rubbed his eyes, observing that his master seemed a little less energetic than usual. “Min? Are you alright?”
Locking up after them, JungMin blinked at KyuJong before grinning. "Yeah. Just a little tired." It had been a long week. Seeing that KyuJong was back in his normal form, he stepped close and wrapped his arms around the other man, perching his chin on his shoulder and blowing into his ear teasingly.
KyuJong let out a small noise of pleasure and embarrassment before he wrapped his arms around JungMin’s waist, sighing in wry amusement. “If you’re tired, you should go rest.” He admonished, kissing JungMin’s cheek.
"Only if you're with me," JungMin quipped, nuzzling into KyuJong's neck happily as he closed his eyes. "I can rest right here."
“Wouldn’t the bed be more comfortable?” KyuJong asked with some amusement, before he chuckled. “Well, all right. Rest here then, I’ll carry you to the bed!”
And before JungMin could reply, KyuJong bent down, sweeping JungMin into his arms like a bride.
JungMin shrieked. "Hey!" Squirming a little, he gave up, laughing. "I think my ego just took a major hit," he pouted, though he didn't sound mad at all, head against KyuJong's chest.
KyuJong chuckled, “Well, that might make it a little easier to pick you up the next time round. Deflate you a little.” He teased, slowly carrying JungMin to the bed, making sure he didn’t slam the human’s head or legs into anything.
"Hey!" Pouting more, JungMin poked KyuJong in the chest since he couldn't do much else without making the ankou drop him. "I do not need deflating, thank you very much." He leaned up and nipped on KyuJong's jaw a little.
KyuJong shivered a little, but otherwise pushed his reactions down. He had reached their bedroom and was now standing over the bed, an amused smile on his face. “Well, let’s test that theory out then.” And he promptly let go of the human, allowing him to fall onto the thick mattress of their bed.
Shrieking as he was dropped, JungMin stared up at the ankou. "You did not just do that." He reached up, arms wrapping around KyuJong's waist and yanking the other man down with him.
“Oh yes I-ack!” KyuJong yelped as he was unexpectedly pulled down, rolling over just in time to prevent squashing the human. “Hey!”
JungMin snickered, rolling over as well so he could bury his face in KyuJong's chest, slinging one leg over the ankou's to prevent him from moving. "Mine."
“Well, yes, but what’s this supposed to be?” KyuJong laughed as he was nuzzled into. Grinning, he wrapped his arms around JungMin’s head, stroking it lightly. “Ah well… get some rest since you’re in the position for it then.”
"Yes sir," JungMin chuckled, yawning a little. His eyelids felt heavy and he was more than happy to close them. Nuzzling against KyuJong happily, he drifted off faster than normal, out within seconds.
KyuJong blinked when JungMin was suddenly asleep against his chest. It usually took more than that to persuade the human to go to sleep. But their schedule had been pretty rigorous as of late, so it wasn’t that surprisingly really.
Squashing down what he thought were irate fears, KyuJong pulled JungMin close to him before closing his eyes and falling asleep as well.
***********************
Stirring sleepily, YoungSaeng stretched out against the soft comforter, a soft mewl leaving him as he returned to consciousness. Nuzzling into the pillows, he opened his eyes a crack at the warmth beside him, lips curling slightly to see HyunJoong sleeping there. After a bit he slowly sat up, patting his hair down and yawning a little. He'd been sleeping well lately; reassured by the bond between himself and his master, and that HyunJoong wouldn't fall into such a horrible fever again. Not on his watch.
There was a side effect to the bond, that when YoungSaeng woke, HyunJoong knew that the felinefolk was awake. It wasn’t so strong that he would shoot awake immediately when YoungSaeng did, but there was a stirring in him that made him want to reach out for the felinefolk and pull him close. It was this stirring that made him crack open an eye and smile. “Mmm… what time is it?”
YoungSaeng smiled when HyunJoong opened one eye, chuckling as he tried to flatten his hair and looked for a clock. "Ten. I think we slept in." Giving up when his hair seemed determined to stick up in every possible direction, the felinefolk hugged his pillow to his chest and watched his master. "Sleep well?"
“Mhmm…” HyunJoong nodded as he stretched, shifting on the bed to move closer to the felinefolk. He didn’t comment about how if YoungSaeng slept well, he’d definitely have as well because of the bond. Instead, he smiled and snuggled close to the felinefolk. “But I’m too lazy to get out of bed…”
Amused, YoungSaeng let go of his pillow in favor of messing up the child's hair. "We're going to have to get up eventually...we have things to do." Nothing too important since they were still without an assignment, but there were still the odd tasks here and there, and YoungSaeng liked being out and about with HyunJoong.
HyunJoong pouted, nudging the felinefolk’s stomach with his head before pushing himself up. “All right! All right! Slave driver!” He proclaimed dramatically before poking YoungSaeng in the side. “Bubble bath together?”
"I am not," YoungSaeng chuckled, lips curled upwards. "You want to get my fur wet again?" He stood up, stretching out before starting to fix up the bed, with HyunJoong still in it, playfully dumping the blankets on top of his master.
“Ah! You’ve discovered my evil pl-HEY!” HyunJoong flailed as the blankets fell onto him, arms and legs sticking out from under them. “MEANIE!”
Snickering at the flailing mess, YoungSaeng put the pillows on top of the pile for good measure. "I'm just getting you back for all the torment and teasing while you're still half your size."
“Ah! Heavy!” HyunJoong complained from under the pillows, and he shook around, causing them to topple over until he could sit up easily. Staring at YoungSaeng, he folded his arms and huffed. “Well fine! See if I ever scratch your ears when you want me to again!”
"You have a harder time resisting than I do," YoungSaeng teased, eyes dancing. He picked up a pillow and held it in front of him in case HyunJoong tried to retaliate.
HyunJoong sniffled affectedly, sticking his nose high up in the air as he climbed out of bed and waddled to the door. “I, am going to take a shower. If you want to join me, please don’t. You’re not welcome in the bathroom.”
More amused than anything, YoungSaeng set about fixing the bed properly. "Don't walk into the glass door with your nose up like that."
Besides...there was another problem with the idea of taking a bath together. That had been fine while HyunJoong was sick with a fever. But after the reappearance of an adult HyunJoong a few days ago, the very idea of getting into a bath with even a child HyunJoong turned the felinefolk into a tomato.
HyunJoong huffed. “As if such a thing would happen to meeeeeeee~!”
There was a loud thud as HyunJoong tripped over a stray item on the floor and was sent sprawling. “Ow…”
Blinking, YoungSaeng laughed and walked over to the bathroom, finding an eagle-spread HyunJoong on the floor. "You should really stop jinxing yourself." He bent down and hoisted HyunJoong back to his feet lightly.
HyunJoong wrinkled his nose, then winced, finding it sore. Putting his hand on it and rubbing, he mumbled. “Then you should stop teasing me, meanie.”
"Sure, sure." YoungSaeng patted HyunJoong on the head before leaving the bathroom, smiling.
HyunJoong kept up the mock pouting pose until YoungSaeng left, and when he did, sighed, rubbing the top of his head where YoungSaeng had patted him.
It was good that the felinefolk was happy, and HyunJoong was content to act the fool if that was what did it, but the Merus was getting just the little bit discontent with their relationship. It was irrational… but he just wanted something… more.
Humming quietly, YoungSaeng finished fixing everything and changed into clean clothes before sitting down on the edge of the bed, waiting for HyunJoong to finish.
His thoughts were interrupted a few minutes later by a commotion out in the hallway. Blinking, the felinefolk stood and padded over to the door, opening it and nearly smacking HyungJoon as he did so. He raised an eyebrow at the younger man. "Why are you out here arguing with thin air?"
HyunJoong had finished his bath fairly quick - the good thing about being a kid was that there was so much less to wash. And so, he had just come out, toweling his hair when YoungSaeng left the room.
Curious, he waddled over and poked his head out of the door. “What’s going on?”
Looking over at HyunJoong as his master reappeared, YoungSaeng's lips quirked. "He's talking to himself."
The rabbit pouted at them both. "I'm just miffed I'm still getting work on my day off. Not that I can really say no," he grumbled. One of the few days he was actually able to relax a bit and he's sent out on a mission.
Then again, it was his own partner who sent him this time, so he couldn't say anything...he got assignments from him so rarely that this must be important.
“Oh? What sort of work is it?” HyunJoong asked as he stepped out. He had sensed the White Rabbit’s huge energy the first day they had met, and already had a clue as to how big a role HyungJoon played in the anti-organization because of his abilities. “Need help?”
"I'm not really supposed to tell," HyungJoon wrinkled his nose. But then he looked thoughtful. "Actually...it would be nice to have a little help...crazy guy sends me on these things alone." He looked around. "Could we talk inside?"
YoungSaeng raised an eyebrow. What could he be doing that couldn't be talked about in HQ?
“Sure…?” HyunJoong blinked, gesturing inside. “Want me to set up a sound barrier while we’re at it?”
HyungJoon nodded, and when YoungSaeng moved out of the way, he stepped inside. "Yeah, that would be great."
The felinefolk closed the door behind him, watching as the rabbit started to pace around, a habit while he was thinking.
HyunJoong had been joking, but he shrugged when the rabbit proved serious, casting a simple sound barrier around the room. He walked over to YoungSaeng’s side, watching the anxious rabbit pacing around.
Prodding at the spell to make sure it was strong enough, HyungJoon smiled and drew in a breath. "Okay. I'm doing a little bit of spy work today. My partner has been having suspicions about someone in our organization for a while, so I'm to sneak into his office and go through everything. It would definitely be easier if someone helped me out."
"Who is this person?" YoungSaeng asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Yang MyungSoo."
HyunJoong stared at HyungJoon as if he said the moon was made of blue cheese. “Yang MyungSoo? Are you serious?”
"Very serious," HyungJoon sighed. 'Which is why I can't tell anyone. Are you both going to help me?" He made a face. "His spiritual energy is sour...you must have sensed it too. My partner and I never really liked him, and some things just seem a little...suspicious."
HyunJoong looked at YoungSaeng, a questioning look on his face. He would have agreed like a shot, but he wanted to make sure YoungSaeng was okay with it first.
Chewing on his lower lip, YoungSaeng thought about it for a moment before nodding. He'd never liked MyungSoo either...and the fact that HyungJoon had actually been asked to spy on him meant they weren't alone in their dislike. "Let's see what we find."
HyungJoon grinned. "Great. He's out on assignments and meetings for a few hours, so we have the time, and I can hide our presence."
HyunJoong nodded as he struck a pose. “And I can keep watch. I’d spot his sour, gross energy miles away!”
"And Saeng hyung can get into all the tiny places," HyungJoon teased, YoungSaeng rolling his eyes.
"So are we going?" The felinefolk walked to the door, one hand on the handle. "What are you expecting to find anyways, Joon?"
"..." HyungJoon chewed on his lower lip. "I'm hoping to find nothing. But what I'm expecting...shouldn't be mentioned unless it turns out to be true."
HyunJoong blinked, staring at HyungJoon steadily, as if trying to decipher the meaning behind his sentence. What could be so bad that HyungJoon didn’t wish the sour-faced MyungSoo to be doing behind their backs? “A clue at least then. So that we know what to look out for.”
The White Rabbit smiled shakily. "What we're looking for are old documents. Very old."
"How old?" YoungSaeng raised an eyebrow.
"Anything from ten to twenty years...or older. Let's go?" HyungJoon didn't seem all that anxious to answer any other questions.
The White Rabbit was behaving oddly as far as HyunJoong was concerned. But he didn’t question it, only shared a look with YoungSaeng as he followed HyungJoon out of the door.
The second the sound barrier was removed, HyungJoon stopped talking aside from an occasional mumble to himself that YoungSaeng was unable to pick up. For someone who usually blabbed the whole story, the fact that HyungJoon was actually holding his tongue said volumes about the situation...and that even HyunJoong and YoungSaeng might not be trusted with what he was put in charge of finding out.
The whole thing had gone from somewhat amusing, spying on their least favorite anti-hunter leader, to very serious.
It didn't take long to reach the leader's section of the HQ, HyungJoon keeping an eye out for anyone who might interfere with their mission. The hallways were free of people, but covered in cobwebs of spells.
"Stop a minute." HyungJoon held out a hand to stop them, eyes scanning over the spells again before he started mumbling under his breath again. YoungSaeng shivered as a feeling like spider webs settled over him, spells to hide their presence materializing with hardly any effort from the younger man.
HyunJoong’s eyes glazed over for a minute, mesmerized with the intricacy of the spell that HyungJoon had cast. It was subtle and very elegant, meant to suggest the absence of their present without really suggesting and being a spell at all, yet it took a substantial amount of control and power to cast. It took him a while to snap out of it, eyes sliding over to HyungJoon with a frown.
After a moment, the white in HyungJoon's eyes faded and he nodded. "Let's go," he murmured, continuing on. The spells in the hallway brushed against them and seemed to go right through them, like they were merely ghosts in the living plane.
They stopped outside a door near the end of the hallway, HyungJoon laying his hand against the wood. There was a faint click as the door unlocked, and he pushed it open slowly, looking around before slipping inside and leaving just enough room for the other two to get in as well.
HyunJoong slipped quietly in after HyungJoon. The nervous tension that seemed to grip onto HyungJoon wasn’t lost on him, and his senses heightened, practically taking everything in. His eyes flitted, half seeing what was in front of him, and what was not. A person walking past… no, too far. A leaf blowing in the wind. Everything and everything set him on the edge, and not in a good way.
Once they were in and the door was closed behind them, HyungJoon went straight to the large oak desk and started searching through the drawers. YoungSaeng looked around, noting all the corners of the room. If they were looking for something secret, then it wouldn't be out where just anyone could grab it...
Drawing in a slow breath, he crouched to the ground and shifted, crawling out of the pile of clothes as his kitten form and diving into the shadows.
HyunJoong half-noted the change through the bond, and quickly picked the clothes up in case they needed to make a quick getaway. He walked around the room, looking at the items, but made no attempt to search, focusing more on watching out for MyungSoo.
HyungJoon was quiet, aside from noises of frustration every now and then as his search turned up nothing. He was careful to put everything back where he found it, casting spells whenever he finished inspecting a section to erase fingerprints. His gaze went to HyunJoong every now and then, checking to see if there was any cause for alarm. The only sign of YoungSaeng was a slight movement in the shadows, the felinefolk searching all the corners and areas the rabbit might overlook.
They were over fifteen minutes into the search when YoungSaeng mewled loudly, his claws catching on a loose floorboard behind the desk.
HyunJoong knocked out of the glaze he had settled in, eyes focusing again as he moved over to YoungSaeng’s side, hand smoothing the kitten’s fur. “What have you got, Saeng?” He murmured, small fingers easily prying the floorboard off.
HyungJoon moved the desk slightly out of their way so they would have more room before joining them, crouching down with wide eyes.
"Oh...dear..."
There were papers underneath the floating floor, stacks and stacks of them, old folders and charts poking out. YoungSaeng pulled his clothing away from the other two so he could shift back, which he did quickly, pulling on his clothes before rejoining them. "What is it?"
HyunJoong moved to pick some of the papers up to read, but his eyes widened, and he dropped them as if burned, hissing.
His eyes unfocused as the memories attached to the folders assaulted him. “Underground… dungeon… send subject… subject number 1205… tracking… tracking… beacon… experiment… successful… NO!”
Stumbling backwards, his eyes widened as he fell to the floor, feeling dizzy. “Wha…?”
Eyes widening at the words spilling from HyunJoong's mouth, YoungSaeng scrambled to his master's side. "Hyun? What's wrong?"
HyungJoon slowly reached down and picked up a folder, opening it and scanning through the first page. Swallowing thickly, he put the folder down, skin ashen.
"I thought he was joking...when he suggested we might find...this..."
HyunJoong swallowed, resisting the urge to hide his face into YoungSaeng’s embrace, instead, pushing himself up and looked straight at HyungJoon. “Are those authentic? Is there really a conspiracy about this?”
YoungSaeng looked from one to the other, confused. "What do they say?" he asked, reaching out for a folder and blinking when HyungJoon took it away.
HyungJoon sighed, looking at HyunJoong. His eyes were serious and sad. "This was the proof we were looking for, physical evidence that what happened wasn't just a coincidence."
"But the ironic thing is...all the evidence we should have needed was right in front of us all along."
HyunJoong looked away, his mouth opening and closing at what to say. He knew what they were keeping from YoungSaeng, and he didn’t know what he should do now. Should he tell the felinefolk? Or should he just… no, he couldn’t hide it from YoungSaeng. With the bond, it just wasn’t possible… but…
Entirely lost, YoungSaeng focused on HyunJoong and the expression on his master's face. "What is it?" he asked, not clear on why they were hiding the information from him.
"...” HyungJoon looking down at the folder in his hands, the one he had grabbed before YoungSaeng could see. Opening the folder, he drew in a shaky breath and looked up at them before silently holding it out to YoungSaeng. YoungSaeng looked from him to his master, uneasy.
HyunJoong swallowed, looking up with a frightened and apologetic look on his face. He didn’t know what to do really, and his hands tightened into fist, falling like rocks onto his lap. YoungSaeng should know… but how should he be told?
Watching the expression on HyunJoong's face, YoungSaeng slowly reached out and took the folder from HyungJoon. As he drew it to him, papers fell out and back into the hole in the floor, the felinefolk reached out to pick them up, gathering them in his hands before he registered what they were and the photos fell back into the hole from trembling fingers.
Faces looked up at him, faces he had nearly forgotten but still invaded his dreams sometimes. A young featherfolk girl. An ice demon family. A cloud that vaguely took a human shape. All the pictures looked like they had been taken without the knowledge of those inside them, from angles that suggested cameras, hidden cameras.
His eyes fell on one photo, half-covered by the others, and he reached down to pick it up, nearly dropping it again as he stared down at the nine people in the photo. Tears filled his eyes, blurring out the cat ears and tails and bright, golden eyes that had faded with time.
Feeling the grief welling up from YoungSaeng, HyunJoong’s own eyes teared up and he wrapped his arms around the felinefolk. “I’m sorry.” He whispered, trying to take the hurt away into himself. “So, so, sorry…”
The photograph of his family fell back into the hole, and YoungSaeng made no effort to retrieve it this time, tears spilling over and running down his cheeks as he shook, the implication of what had happened fifteen years ago finally sinking in. His arms found their way around HyunJoong's small frame, and he buried his face in the child's hair, shoulders shaking as he sobbed.
HyungJoon watched them sadly, tears in his own eyes as he gathered together everything to bring with them as evidence.
There was a soft glow, even as HyunJoong’s arms tightened around YoungSaeng and he suddenly found himself able to fit the felinefolk’s slim frame in his, almost cradling YoungSaeng in his arms.
“Cry all you want.” HyunJoong whispered, softly stroking YoungSaeng’s hair. “And I swear, we’ll make the person responsible for this pay.”
Tear-filled eyes opening as the warm body against him changed and grew, YoungSaeng looked up at his master with tears flowing openly down his cheeks before he sniffled, burying his face in the other man's chest as his arms wrapped around HyunJoong's neck loosely.
Fifteen years ago, the anti-hunter organization had lost one of their safe houses to the hunters. Half of those inside were killed on the spot, the other half taken into the dungeons. Only one made it out alive.
And now, there was evidence to show the horror that had happened that day...had been deliberate.
Whispering apologies and reassurances, HyunJoong gathered the felinefolk gently into his arms, standing up. He looked up at HyungJoon, waiting silently for the White Rabbit to be done. And once he had YoungSaeng tucked up and safe, he was going with HyungJoon to confront MyungSoo about all of this and make sure whoever was behind all this would be punished.
HyungJoon gathered everything he could out of the hole before replacing the board, clicking it down into place. Sighing, he stood up with all the papers in his arms, silently calling to his partner.
You were right. We found it.
He replaced the desk and walked to the door, listening for anyone in the hallway before pulling the spells back up and opening the door, looking at HyunJoong and YoungSaeng. The felinefolk hadn't spoken a word yet, curled up in the other man's arms with his face hidden.
HyunJoong nodded, walking forward, gently shifting YoungSaeng in his arms. “Come, let’s go back to our room and I’ll get you something warm to drink.” He whispered, as he walked out of the room carefully. Looking back, he nodded at HyungJoon, steel in his eyes.
‘Do what you have to do,’ that look said, ‘but keep me in touch.’
Then weaving his own spell of invisibility around YoungSaeng and himself, HyunJoong walked calmly away.
HyungJoon watched them go, closing the door quietly behind him. After a moment he sighed and shook his head as he walked down to where his partner would be waiting. There were no mental complaints about the amount of work he had because of this, nothing other than a deep pain.
He remembered what it had been like to wake up and find the family close enough to be his own gone, too.
YoungSaeng didn't move as he felt HyunJoong walk away, trying to burrow further into the other man and forget. But now that the memories had been brought back, he couldn't get rid of them, entire frame trembling as he cried quietly.
They'd trusted the organization to protect them, to keep them safe. And that same organization had betrayed them. Why? Why would someone do that to so many innocent people?
Knowing everything that YoungSaeng felt, HyunJoong comforted the felinefolk both physically and mentally. His arms tightened around the felinefolk’s frame as he embraced that ache together with YoungSaeng, gasping at the sudden hole in his heart. But his step didn’t falter, not until he reached their room and he closed the door behind them, gently lowering YoungSaeng onto the bed.
The felinefolk's eyes snapped open as he felt himself being lowered down and his back touch the comforter. His hands found HyunJoong's arms and held on to them, YoungSaeng looking up at the other man pleadingly as the tears continued to fall. "Don't go," he whispered, voice shaking and broken as he clung to the only person he had left.
HyunJoong’s lips tightened and he nodded, carefully climbing into the bed along with YoungSaeng without letting go of the felinefolk. Arranging it so that YoungSaeng was comfortable in his hold, he gently kissed the felinefolk’s forehead, a gesture he remembered Tablo doing often to him when he put HyunJoong to bed. “Hush… it’s all right. I’m here.”
Nodding tearfully, YoungSaeng shifted around until he was as close to HyunJoong as he could be, burying his face in the human's neck. He was able to breath in the other man's scent, the earthy smell helping to calm him down a little. His eyes closed as he held on to HyunJoong with as much strength he could summon without hurting him.
Sending as much calm as he could muster, HyunJoong sent it through the bond, gently stroking YoungSaeng’s hair. “Sleep. I promise that when you wake up, we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
YoungSaeng nodded again, his grip on the other man loosening slowly as his body reacted to his master's words. "Thank you," he whispered, nuzzling closer as he slowly drifted into sleep.
HyunJoong, however, kept wide-awake, even as time passed and his body shrank from its adult size back to its child size. Sighing, HyunJoong held up a hand to observe it, before wrapping it back around YoungSaeng’s waist. With this, he had figured out how the bond worked against the curse.
There was a slight smile as he traced his small finger down YoungSaeng jaw. “My life’s already wound around you so much, Saeng. When will you realize that I’ll never leave you?”
Kissing the felinefolk gently on the cheek, HyunJoong settled down, placing the felinefolk’s head best as he could against his small chest.
He closed his eyes, but didn’t sleep. The memories of YoungSaeng’s past flitting through him instead. And he took it all in, leaving nothing out, so that he could become YoungSaeng’s strength if the felinefolk ever needed it.