お帰り [Welcome Home] - Chapter Thirty-Three
Title: お帰り [Welcome Home]
Authors: curionenene and yeonah
Chapter: 33/?
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 .
“… Something’s been bothering me for a while.” HyunJoong suddenly said, out of nowhere, having been busy cuddling YoungSaeng in his arms, playing with the felinefolk’s ears.
It took a moment for YoungSaeng to respond, lost in the feeling of HyunJoong's fingers against his ears. Forcing his mind to focus on what the Merus was saying, he tilted his head upwards so that he could blink at HyunJoong in slight confusion. "What would that be?" he asked.
“There was this strange energy gathering in the air… but it disappeared after a while. It felt similar to the one that I’ve been feeling for a while. But stronger… eviler… I was about to say something when I felt HyungJoon and the others deal with it… so I didn’t say anything to you… but…” It was obvious that it had been chewing on HyunJoong for a while.
YoungSaeng slowly sat up straight at that, looking into his lover's eyes. Seeing the concern in them, he tilted his head slightly to one side, frowning a little. "But?" he pressed quietly, fingers cupping HyunJoong's face.
“I don’t know…” HyunJoong shrugged. “It irks me being out of the loop I guess.”
The felinefolk nodded slowly. It had been a while since they'd been informed on anything going on. Ever since JaeJoong was killed, actually. "Why don't we go see what we've been missing out on?" he asked, smiling a little.
“Really?” HyunJoong blinked. He’d thought that YoungSaeng wanted more time alone together.
"Of course. If something's going on, they'll need the best pair in the organization with them, right?" YoungSaeng chuckled, leaning forward to touch his nose lightly against HyunJoong's.
HyunJoong laughed, his eyes crinkling. “Yeah, you’re right. Come on then. It’s time for the ‘best pair’ to get their arses moving.”
"Does that mean I have to get up?" YoungSaeng pouted lightly. Giving HyunJoong a light peck on the lips, he climbed out of the human's lap and stood.
“Why’d you ask a question you already know the answer to?” HyunJoong chuckled as he stood up as well, bending over to get his clothes.
"Because I was comfortable." Looking around for his own clothes, YoungSaeng saw they were a lost cause and wandered to the closet to find new ones. "Who are we tracking down first? Or rather, who's closest?"
“Hmm… HyungJoon?” HyunJoong felt around, tilting his head. “He’s nearby… In his room I think.”
"Sounds like a plan." YoungSaeng slipped into the jeans and eased his tail through the hole in the back before hunting for a shirt. After a moment's thought he pulled out one of HyunJoong's large shirts instead, pulling it on. "All set." He flattened his hair when it tried to stick up, ignoring the idea of socks and shoes entirely as usual.
“Me too.” HyunJoong looked up from wearing his shoes, smiling at how YoungSaeng was dressed in his shirt. He walked over and pulled the felinefolk into a hug, taking a deep breath. “All right. Ready to go back into the real world?”
YoungSaeng smiled and nuzzled into HyunJoong's chest, breathing in his scent as he returned the hug. "Just about." He leaned up, fingers tangling into HyunJoong's hair and pulling him down into a deep kiss, lingering against the other man's lips. "Okay, now I'm ready."
HyunJoong smiled a little sheepishly, snapping out of his daze. “Ah… right. Okay. Let’s go then.”
The felinefolk returned the smile before reluctantly disentangling himself from HyunJoong, padding over to the door and unlocking it to step out into the hallway. Waiting for HyunJoong, he glanced around before starting towards HyungJoon's room.
HyunJoong followed after YoungSaeng, allowing the felinefolk to lead. He hid a silly smile, happy that things had turned out this way.
Humming quietly to himself as he counted the doors they walked by, YoungSaeng stopped outside of the one the rabbit had taken up residence in. Knocking, he waited for a reply. When he couldn't even hear any movement from inside the room, he blinked, looking back at HyunJoong. "You sure he's in here?"
HyunJoong frowned, prodding again. “Yeah…” He said after a while. “But…” Pausing for a second, he turned the knob, finding that it was unlocked, and peered into the room. “He’s… totally unconscious.”
"What?" YoungSaeng peeked in behind him, before sliding between HyunJoong and the door so that he could open it wider.
HyungJoon was lying in his bed, eyes closed and breathing slow and steady. YoungSaeng frowned, noticing that the aura of energy that had always surrounded the White Rabbit was strangely absent. "What happened, do you think?" he murmured, noting how pale HyungJoon's skin was. He looked totally drained.
“He used all his energy on a spell.” HyunJoong said after a while. It was the only plausible explanation. “No idea what though.”
YoungSaeng slowly nodded, and slipped back out of the room to close the door quietly. "Let's leave him rest. Who else is around that we could ask? Daniel hyung?"
“…” HyunJoong tilted his head slightly. “He’s asleep too...” He wouldn’t have known if he hadn’t felt how HyungJoon’s energy felt - Tablo’s energy was soft and a bit drained as well.
The felinefolk leaned against the wall, frowning. "Him too?" Just what had happened to knock out both of them like this? "Who else is there...Mithra is probably with Daniel hyung..." Which meant the sand demon was equally unavailable.
“And JungMin and KyuJong are undercover…” HyunJoong mused. “Maybe… Tukutz?”
"How can I be of service?"
YoungSaeng squeaked and jumped, turning around quickly to see the organization leader standing there with an amused expression on his face. "T-Tukutz sshi!" The older man must have been standing there a while, his energy hidden.
HyunJoong was just as startled. Being a Merus, few people could undermine his detection. “Tukutz sshi…” He sighed, scratching his head. “You’ll never tire of testing how good your hiding skills are, will you?”
"Not if I keep receiving reactions like this," Tukutz chuckled. "What brought you both out here?"
“I sensed some strange energy building earlier. But then I felt you, HyungJoon and the rest deal with it…” HyunJoong trailed off. If Tukutz wanted to tell them, he would. If he didn’t, then no amount of digging would give them anything.
"Ah...I was wondering when that would come up." Tukutz was silent for a moment before he smiled and motioned at the room they were standing outside of. "Why don't we sit down? HyungJoonie won't mind, nothing short of a nuclear explosion will wake him up for the next few days."
“Hmm…” HyunJoong nodded, tilting his head as he followed after Tukutz. “HyungJoonie huh… well then I guess my hunch about you being his partner was right?”
"That would be right, yes." Tukutz waited until they were both inside the room before closing the door. He wandered into the bathroom, returning with a damp cloth, which he lay gently against HyungJoon's forehead. The rabbit didn't even twitch. "We've been on-off partners you could say, since he's always needed elsewhere and always traveling."
“And you need to stay here because you’re an elder.” HyunJoong completed, staring at HyungJoon and the care Tukutz took with him. “How did you get to know him anyway?”
"I'm not that old," the leader chuckled, looking down at HyungJoon for a moment before smiling over at them. "He was having trouble controlling his spiritual energy, to the point where quite a few of the other elders wanted him gone because he was too dangerous to have around. I took him in and helped him out."
“Ah.” HyunJoong nodded, before he grinned. “Well, that means you're old enough. Anyway, what was all the commotion about?”
Tukutz walked around the bed to take a seat at the end, motioning towards the chairs. "Sit down. You've missed out on quite a lot the past week or so."
YoungSaeng slowly sat down in one of the chairs, watching the human with both ears perked up. "Such as?"
"Were either of you aware that Park JungMin was possessed by a demon?"
The grin dropped from HyunJoong’s mouth almost immediately. “What?”
He knew as well as anyone else what being possessed by a demon would do to a human. Especially to one with no energy at all to protect his body.
Tukutz nodded. "We must be on the second week since. One of our associates found a demon wandering in a desert, and sent him here for us to transport back."
"Transport back?" YoungSaeng frowned.
"Right. This wasn't a demon from our world, but from the demon plane. HyungJoon was in the middle of sending him back when the hunters interrupted. Long story short, HyungJoon's concentration snapped and the demon was forced to possess someone to avoid being captured by the hunters. I heard it didn't go over so well with JungMin's partner. On the bright side, Thaestae is very cooperative and doesn't interfere tremendously, from what I've heard. On the bad side...” He rubbed his hair slightly. "He was too hasty in securing himself to JungMin, and now he can't remove himself from JungMin's body without accidentally killing him."
HyunJoong was silent for a moment before asking softly. “How’s JungMin dealing with it all? Does he… does he know that he might die from the possession?”
"No. It was decided after seeing how JungMin reacted when he first found out he was possessed, that it's safer not to tell him. You're as aware as I am that sometimes the mind can take a bad situation and make it ten times worse." Tukutz shook his head. "They were fine for the first few days, but then JungMin fell ill and the two of them have been limited to their apartment since."
“…” HyunJoong rubbed his face, looking up. “So… my guess is… tracing back the date and all… that another demon showed up earlier.”
It all made sense now… and the energy gathering in the air. The similarity of it. HyunJoong just needed some confirmation to make it all click.
"Right again," Tukutz sighed. "Right in the middle of Seoul. The others including KyuJong and JungMin dealt with it and sent the demon back where he came from, but it cost a young woman her life and nearly cost JungMin his. I was able to get some information out of Daniel and Mithra before they went to sleep. Part of that information is that Thaestae was brought here on purpose, though the summoning was far from perfect and that was why he ended up appearing so far away from anything. This second demon on the other hand..."
“They’re getting closer to success.” HyunJoong rubbed his face, an extremely troubled look on his face. “What are they planning… to do experiments on summoning demons of all things…”
"That is what we're currently trying to figure out," Tukutz mused, looking over at HyungJoon. "Unfortunately, HyungJoon and Daniel are far too drained to be of any help until they recover, KyuJong and JungMin are occupied with their own situation, and the majority of the other anti-hunters are either too inexperienced for this kind of work or unavailable." Their numbers were highly limited at a time where they just couldn't be.
"There is tremendous potential in summoning a demon from the other plane, considering how much energy even a lower-leveled imp can contain, but there much be a separate reason behind it."
HyunJoong knew what Tukutz was driving at. And he knew all too well what was at stake here. Before, he’d have agreed like a shot to help, but now…
“YoungSaeng.” HyunJoong said quietly. “What do you think?”
The felinefolk was silent, looking down at the floor as he thought. The situation was highly explosive...this world simply couldn't handle the kind of energy that those demons brought, and that was taking only the weaker ones into consideration...if a truly powerful demon was summoned and pissed off about it, whole cities could be flattened in the span of an hour.
And on the off chance that the demons' energy was harnessed for something else...
"I think we're all going to have to get involved, one way or another," he murmured, looking up at HyunJoong. "There's just too much that could be lost."
Though he hated the idea of seeing HyunJoong put in such danger, the truth was...if they didn't do something, they would all be in danger anyways. The energy in the air was like a ticking time bomb.
HyunJoong stared at YoungSaeng for a while longer, as if trying to see if there was any false note in YoungSaeng’s voice. Finding none, he turned to Tukutz, sighing. “I guess you can count us into whatever crazy scheme you’re planning.”
Tukutz smiled at them. "My 'crazy scheme' as you put it needs a few finishing touches. For now, the most either of you will be able to do is research work, and keep an eye on the energy in the air. HyunJoong, you can sense it without specifically searching for it, correct?"
“Yes.” HyunJoong nodded, sighing. “It’s like a constant buzz in my mind. A little irritating… Why?”
"Hm." The older man looked at him with his head perched in one hand. "Thought so. The truth is, none of us are able to sense it unless we specifically look for it. The energy evades us, and even now, even though I know it's there, I can't sense it unless I cast a detection spell. So far the only ones who seem able to notice it without the use of spells is yourself and Thaestae. So if there are any changes in the energy, any at all, you need to tell us right away."
“Sure.” HyunJoong nodded before grinning. “That also means no more coddling me because I’m afflicted with a curse and all.”
"You seem to be more or less recovering from that," Tukutz chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "And it's not me you need to worry about coddling you." He nodded towards YoungSaeng, who turned pink.
“Only because YoungSaeng wants me to be in this form.” HyunJoong too turned towards YoungSaeng with an amused grin. “At his whim, I’ll turn back into my useless child form. And then I won’t be much use.”
"Don't tempt me," YoungSaeng muttered. Shrinking HyunJoong and hiding him in a cupboard was sounding really promising after all the new information.
HyunJoong paled at that. “No, Saeng. Don’t even th- ACK!” There was a ‘poof’ and a yelp as HyunJoong shrank and fell to the ground, buried in his adult clothes.
YoungSaeng blinked owlishly at his master, startled by the sudden change. "So thinking about it makes it happen too," he mused, slipping off the chair and crouching next to the child to carefully disentangle him somewhat. "We might need to carry a change of clothes everywhere."
Tukutz just laughed.
HyunJoong stared balefully at YoungSaeng. “Well, you could just be careful with your thoughts…”
“And you aren’t helping at all.” HyunJoong glared as best as he could at Tukutz.
'I can't help it if I want to lock you in a closet so you don't get yourself killed,' YoungSaeng thought with an inward sigh as he smiled a little sadly and patted HyunJoong on the head.
"I'm not trying to help," Tukutz smiled. "I'll be in contact with you both when I have something for you to do. But be ready to move at the slightest notice. So try and keep him in his normal form, YoungSaeng ah."
HyunJoong sighed, spotting the sad look. He reached up and placed a chubby hand over YoungSaeng’s cheek, patting it softly. “Hey. Everything will be all right, okay? I’m not so helpless anymore, now that I have a contract with my dependable partner.”
YoungSaeng's lips quirked upwards slightly as he took HyunJoong's hand. "You're hardly helpless, even as a midget." It was him who couldn't seem to protect his master well enough. "What are we doing now? Research?" He looked at Tukutz.
"That's what I'm off to do, anything you find out would be helpful," the leader smiled, standing. "Though you might want to turn HyunJoong back first."
“Yes, turning HyunJoong back does seem like a good idea.” HyunJoong agreed, before he seemed to process what YoungSaeng had called him earlier. “And I’m not a midget! I’m a kid! There’s a difference!”
"You're a kid, and you're a midget," YoungSaeng pointed out, smiling.
Tukutz stood up. "See you both around then." With a wave he sauntered out of the room.
Hugging HyunJoong close, YoungSaeng focused on wanting HyunJoong back as he truly was, pushing the nagging fear to one side to think about how safe he felt with his master, partner and lover.
HyunJoong was about to ask YoungSaeng what he was doing, when he felt it, a lengthening of his bones. And then without warning, his form glowed and lengthened into his full form, filling out his clothes again, although one sleeve was slightly torn from the sudden change.
“Woah…” HyunJoong rubbed his face once it was over. “That was weird.”
YoungSaeng looked up at HyunJoong, ears perked upwards. He smiled when the change was complete. "You all right?" he asked. "Does it hurt to change back and forth a lot?" He tried to get up, and failed because he'd pulled HyunJoong into his lap before, and the Merus was definitely not as easy to move now.
“Hurt? Not really.” HyunJoong slowly shifted, guessing what YoungSaeng wanted, and he climbed to his feet, pulling YoungSaeng up as well. “It’s just surprising. And unexpected. Tickles more really.”
Nodding, YoungSaeng stretched a little and poked at the torn sleeve, frowning. "We're going to go through so many pairs of clothes like this...” Shaking his head, he looked back at HyungJoon, still passed out on the bed. The rabbit hadn't even twitched throughout the entire conversation with Tukutz. "Guess we're off to research."
“We could always start a new fashion trend - one with tears in clothes.” HyunJoong smiled, dusting himself off. “And yes, off to research. I think it’d be best to go back to the spots where the demons came through.”
"I'm pretty sure that's already a trend," YoungSaeng chuckled. He padded over to the door, looking back at HyungJoon before opening it and slipping out into the hallway. "Sounds like a plan. It should be easy enough to sense the remains of their energy, right?"
“You kidding me? I’m better than any trace hound in the world.” HyunJoong joked, following after. “But before we go.” Reaching out, he pulled YoungSaeng’s arm and jerked the felinefolk towards him.
Squeaking, YoungSaeng put his hands against HyunJoong's chest. He looked up at his master before his lips curled into a smile, tail waving. "Yes?"
HyunJoong let out a small chuckle, just staring at the cute image in front of him. “You’re so cute I forgot what I wanted to do… Oh right. It was this…” And he leaned down and placed a sweet kiss onto YoungSaeng’s lips.
Chuckling, YoungSaeng smiled wider at the kiss. "Glad that wasn't forgotten...” He wrapped his arms around HyunJoong's neck, pressing closer and arching against him slightly so he could return the kiss, purring.
HyunJoong could have stayed like this the whole day, with the press of YoungSaeng’s body against him, lips molding around each other, and maybe even more. But HyunJoong knew that there were more dire situations to deal with, and he restricting himself to just a few chaste kisses. ‘Tonight.’ He thought and promised himself as he broke away, gently scratching against YoungSaeng’s ears as he told the felinefolk that as well.
Purring louder at both the scratches and the whisper, YoungSaeng nodded, leaning in to steal another kiss just because he could. Then he slipped back slightly, taking HyunJoong's hand instead. "Let's go see what we can find," he smiled, before looking back at his tail. "I need to change into my other jeans..."
“Yeah.” HyunJoong nodded, his hand curling around YoungSaeng’s. “But hopefully, one day, you won’t ever need to again.”
"Maybe." YoungSaeng smiled wider, squeezing HyunJoong's hand and pulling him back towards their room. He imagined what that would be like...walking down the street beside HyunJoong, without worrying about hunters, without worrying about anything.
HyunJoong knew what YoungSaeng was thinking about, and he smiled wistfully at the thought too. Taking in a deep breath, he said to YoungSaeng what was both a wish and a promise at the same time. “Definitely.”
Ears twitching, YoungSaeng smiled and rested his head against the other man's arm lightly. "I never did thank you, did I?" he whispered after a moment. "For helping me all those years ago."
“Thank me?” HyunJoong raised his eyebrows, “What for? I was glad to do it.”
"Still, I think it deserves a thank you, let me say it without rejecting it will you?" YoungSaeng pouted.
“Alright, alright.” HyunJoong laughed, pinching YoungSaeng’s cheek. “Say it if you must.”
Wrinkling his nose at the pinch, YoungSaeng nipped at HyunJoong's fingers. Straightening a little, he drew in a breath. "Thank you, HyunJoong, for saving me and giving me a life worth living again," he said, looking up at the Merus.
HyunJoong was about to deflect the thanks away on reflex, before he stopped himself with a small sigh. “I guess… you’re welcome.”
“But, I also need to thank you, for coming into my life, and making it worth opening my heart again. And thank you for staying beside me, working with me, and making a hard job bearable.” HyunJoong cupped YoungSaeng’s cheek, “And now, thank you for allowing me to love you, to heal me after JaeJoong, and to get me to open my heart once more.”
Blinking, YoungSaeng restrained the whine of embarrassment when HyunJoong started thanking him instead. He hardly thought he deserved the thanks, considering all HyunJoong had done for him, but he couldn't very well decline the thanks when he'd just asked HyunJoong not do just that. Turning a little pink, he leaned into the gentle touch. "You're welcome too, then," he murmured, holding on to HyunJoong's arm.
HyunJoong laughed, and unable to restrain himself, kissed YoungSaeng on the cheek. “Well, all this thanking and welcoming has got me all motivated to do research! Well, actually no, just saying it to get me hyped about the arduous task ahead.”
Pouting at the human, YoungSaeng chuckled, eyes dancing. "It's not working. You know what's keeping me motivated?" He leaned up and kissed HyunJoong's ear. "The reward for all the hard work later." He slipped out of the other man's grip and continued down the hallway, purposely waving his tail in the air.
HyunJoong paused, taking the chance to savor the sight. Grinning at the tease, HyunJoong chuckled and looked up in thanks to whatever deity was watching over them. “Ah… I win in life.”
*****************************
JungMin kicked his feet, unhappy. After a long discussion/argument, it had finally been agreed that JungMin had taken enough time off work in the Hunter HQ. The organization needed someone inside, especially now after the arrival of another demon. Plus, JungMin was obviously feeling much better now, as demonstrated by a complete inability to sit still for longer than two minutes unless KyuJong either distracted him or spelled him in place.
After bringing Tablo and Mithra into the discussion as well, they'd finally reached a compromise. JungMin would be allowed to return to their undercover work in Hunter HQ...under one condition.
"Desk work? Seriously?" He eyed his leg, wrinkling his nose in disdain.
“Yes, seriously.” KyuJong sighed. There was no way that he was going to give in on this. “We’re going to spell you to make you seem like you broke your leg, so according to HyunJoong, it’s common for them to give injured Hunters desk work to do.”
Pout firmly in place, JungMin sighed as well. It was better than nothing, but he still didn't like the idea of having to walk around on crutches. "I have no choice, don't I," he mumbled, kicking his feet.
Is he always like this? Thaestae asked KyuJong. The demon was stuck between amusement at the childish antics, and exasperation because he wanted to get into the Hunter HQ through any means necessary, desk job or not.
For once, KyuJong was on Thaestae’s side. “Close. Sometimes, he’s quite the adult, but most of the time, he’s like this.”
"I can hear you both," JungMin fumed, folding his arms over his chest. "Fine fine, let's get this over with then. I demand kisses when this is over." He didn't like being made to be a cripple, spell or not.
KyuJong chuckled, moving over to JungMin’s side and giving him a peck on the cheek. “Good boy. Now hold still.”
Holding his hand over the human’s leg, KyuJong muttered a strong illusion and immobility spell over it. It took a few moments, but true enough, there was a cast now on JungMin’s leg as the spell worked.
JungMin wrinkled his nose as he looked down at the cast. "We can take this off when we get back, right?" he asked, pouting up at KyuJong and wrapping his arms around the ankou's waist, trapping him.
KyuJong had just been about to put on his pixie disguise when JungMin had trapped him. He yelped, wrinkling his nose at the human. Rolling his eyes, he flicked his finger gently against JungMin’s forehead. “Yes, yes. I promise.”
Yelping at the flick, JungMin pouted up at him, pulling KyuJong closer and kissing his soft lips. "All right," he sighed, finally letting his boyfriend go.
KyuJong softened a little at the kiss, and he ruffled JungMin’s hair. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.” He whispered, before he stood up and quickly put on his pixie disguise. “But for now, the fate of the world is in our hands. So, no hanky panky. All right?”
"All right," JungMin smiled at the whisper, carefully getting to his feet. Foot. The leg with the crutch on wasn't being very cooperative. "We have some crutches around here, right?" He hopped over to the cupboard and nearly fell over. Thaestae laughed, back to being amused at them both now that they were finally getting somewhere.
“Can’t you be a bit more patient?” KyuJong quickly ran over, grabbing JungMin before he fell and really broke his leg. Leaning JungMin against the cupboard as he opened one door and pulled out the said crutches. “You’re an invalid now, and you have a servant pixie. Let the pixie do his job.”
"I don't have to let you do your job until we're out the door," JungMin grinned at him. Taking the crutches, he balanced on them properly. Having really broken his legs a few times, he was well used to moving around with them. "Time to go?"
“Yup.” KyuJong nodded as he went over to open the door with a slight grin. “Come on, master. We have desk work to do!”
JungMin huffed at him. "Desk work, I hate desk work. And I'm getting you back for calling me that once we're back here." He used the crutches to propel himself out the door, looking back at KyuJong to lock up behind him.
“Well, then I should do it while I can then, master. Since I’m going to get punished for it anyway.” KyuJong hid a grin as he turned back to lock the door.
Resisting the urge to stick his tongue out at the ankou, JungMin made his way down the hallway, falling into the routine of hunter master and servant. It was awkward going around, especially since he knew his leg wasn't really broken, and he wondered why KyuJong was so adamant to keep him doing low-activity jobs when he had recovered fully from whatever sickness had kept him in bed.
It was something that KyuJong would keep from JungMin even if his life depended on it. Looked like it would be more of JungMin grumbling for the next few weeks, but at least he’d be grumbling… and not… yeah.
It would just be a horrid, sick joke if KyuJong had to send JungMin’s soul off now. Worse, because of Thaestae fused in JungMin’s body, KyuJong didn’t even know if that was possible.
It was a quiet walk to the Hunter’s HQ, JungMin unable to talk with KyuJong no matter how much he wanted to, because they were bound to be under watch now. Though thankfully a broken leg was the perfect excuse for his many days of absence prior, and they’d already communicated with Hunter HQ via phone to arrange for desk work.
It helped that JungMin didn’t even have to act out being annoyed at needing to stay behind a desk, rather than do proper work, so they had gotten by with minimal questioning.
Stopping outside HQ, JungMin nodded to one of Hunters and glared at another who snickered upon seeing the ‘broken’ leg before heading inside.
It was just the normal day for KyuJong - behaving as an oppressed pixie while really being the adult of the two and watching for any slips JungMin made. He also kept an increasingly nervous eye on JungMin as he got more and more disgruntled with the deskwork.
The day passed by slowly once JungMin was set up in one of the offices, working on files for the dungeons. Thankfully he didn’t have to deal with a lot of people, because he was annoyed enough at the kind of reports that were coming in, the vast numbers of non-humans in the dungeons and what was happening to them. It was all stuff they could use for the anti-hunter organization though, so when no one was in the room he carefully snapped pictures of the papers as best as he could with the hidden button camera in the collar of his shirt.
He was looking through a new stack of papers that had just come in a few hours later when something caught his eyes. Scribbles in the margins that looked absolutely nothing like the report typed up on the page itself.
It looked like equations, but one word stood out…’energy’.
He had no clue what it meant, and Thaestae didn’t either, but maybe his partner would. Snapping another picture of the page, he shifted the paper to the edge of the desk as if to put it in a new pile, the paper sliding too far and off the desk to land at KyuJong’s feet.
It was a routine that they established, and the paper quickly disappeared underneath KyuJong’s coat before anyone could notice. Then, mumbling something about helping, KyuJong moved to behind the desk, as if looking for something, but in reality, he was quickly scanning through the paper.
What he saw made him frown, and he quickly memorized it so that he could report it to Tablo.
He wasn’t too sure, but he’d had several guesses what an equation like this - an equation calculating how to get copious amounts of energy - would have use for. And the top of that list was summoning a demon.
Authors: curionenene and yeonah
Chapter: 33/?
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 .
“… Something’s been bothering me for a while.” HyunJoong suddenly said, out of nowhere, having been busy cuddling YoungSaeng in his arms, playing with the felinefolk’s ears.
It took a moment for YoungSaeng to respond, lost in the feeling of HyunJoong's fingers against his ears. Forcing his mind to focus on what the Merus was saying, he tilted his head upwards so that he could blink at HyunJoong in slight confusion. "What would that be?" he asked.
“There was this strange energy gathering in the air… but it disappeared after a while. It felt similar to the one that I’ve been feeling for a while. But stronger… eviler… I was about to say something when I felt HyungJoon and the others deal with it… so I didn’t say anything to you… but…” It was obvious that it had been chewing on HyunJoong for a while.
YoungSaeng slowly sat up straight at that, looking into his lover's eyes. Seeing the concern in them, he tilted his head slightly to one side, frowning a little. "But?" he pressed quietly, fingers cupping HyunJoong's face.
“I don’t know…” HyunJoong shrugged. “It irks me being out of the loop I guess.”
The felinefolk nodded slowly. It had been a while since they'd been informed on anything going on. Ever since JaeJoong was killed, actually. "Why don't we go see what we've been missing out on?" he asked, smiling a little.
“Really?” HyunJoong blinked. He’d thought that YoungSaeng wanted more time alone together.
"Of course. If something's going on, they'll need the best pair in the organization with them, right?" YoungSaeng chuckled, leaning forward to touch his nose lightly against HyunJoong's.
HyunJoong laughed, his eyes crinkling. “Yeah, you’re right. Come on then. It’s time for the ‘best pair’ to get their arses moving.”
"Does that mean I have to get up?" YoungSaeng pouted lightly. Giving HyunJoong a light peck on the lips, he climbed out of the human's lap and stood.
“Why’d you ask a question you already know the answer to?” HyunJoong chuckled as he stood up as well, bending over to get his clothes.
"Because I was comfortable." Looking around for his own clothes, YoungSaeng saw they were a lost cause and wandered to the closet to find new ones. "Who are we tracking down first? Or rather, who's closest?"
“Hmm… HyungJoon?” HyunJoong felt around, tilting his head. “He’s nearby… In his room I think.”
"Sounds like a plan." YoungSaeng slipped into the jeans and eased his tail through the hole in the back before hunting for a shirt. After a moment's thought he pulled out one of HyunJoong's large shirts instead, pulling it on. "All set." He flattened his hair when it tried to stick up, ignoring the idea of socks and shoes entirely as usual.
“Me too.” HyunJoong looked up from wearing his shoes, smiling at how YoungSaeng was dressed in his shirt. He walked over and pulled the felinefolk into a hug, taking a deep breath. “All right. Ready to go back into the real world?”
YoungSaeng smiled and nuzzled into HyunJoong's chest, breathing in his scent as he returned the hug. "Just about." He leaned up, fingers tangling into HyunJoong's hair and pulling him down into a deep kiss, lingering against the other man's lips. "Okay, now I'm ready."
HyunJoong smiled a little sheepishly, snapping out of his daze. “Ah… right. Okay. Let’s go then.”
The felinefolk returned the smile before reluctantly disentangling himself from HyunJoong, padding over to the door and unlocking it to step out into the hallway. Waiting for HyunJoong, he glanced around before starting towards HyungJoon's room.
HyunJoong followed after YoungSaeng, allowing the felinefolk to lead. He hid a silly smile, happy that things had turned out this way.
Humming quietly to himself as he counted the doors they walked by, YoungSaeng stopped outside of the one the rabbit had taken up residence in. Knocking, he waited for a reply. When he couldn't even hear any movement from inside the room, he blinked, looking back at HyunJoong. "You sure he's in here?"
HyunJoong frowned, prodding again. “Yeah…” He said after a while. “But…” Pausing for a second, he turned the knob, finding that it was unlocked, and peered into the room. “He’s… totally unconscious.”
"What?" YoungSaeng peeked in behind him, before sliding between HyunJoong and the door so that he could open it wider.
HyungJoon was lying in his bed, eyes closed and breathing slow and steady. YoungSaeng frowned, noticing that the aura of energy that had always surrounded the White Rabbit was strangely absent. "What happened, do you think?" he murmured, noting how pale HyungJoon's skin was. He looked totally drained.
“He used all his energy on a spell.” HyunJoong said after a while. It was the only plausible explanation. “No idea what though.”
YoungSaeng slowly nodded, and slipped back out of the room to close the door quietly. "Let's leave him rest. Who else is around that we could ask? Daniel hyung?"
“…” HyunJoong tilted his head slightly. “He’s asleep too...” He wouldn’t have known if he hadn’t felt how HyungJoon’s energy felt - Tablo’s energy was soft and a bit drained as well.
The felinefolk leaned against the wall, frowning. "Him too?" Just what had happened to knock out both of them like this? "Who else is there...Mithra is probably with Daniel hyung..." Which meant the sand demon was equally unavailable.
“And JungMin and KyuJong are undercover…” HyunJoong mused. “Maybe… Tukutz?”
"How can I be of service?"
YoungSaeng squeaked and jumped, turning around quickly to see the organization leader standing there with an amused expression on his face. "T-Tukutz sshi!" The older man must have been standing there a while, his energy hidden.
HyunJoong was just as startled. Being a Merus, few people could undermine his detection. “Tukutz sshi…” He sighed, scratching his head. “You’ll never tire of testing how good your hiding skills are, will you?”
"Not if I keep receiving reactions like this," Tukutz chuckled. "What brought you both out here?"
“I sensed some strange energy building earlier. But then I felt you, HyungJoon and the rest deal with it…” HyunJoong trailed off. If Tukutz wanted to tell them, he would. If he didn’t, then no amount of digging would give them anything.
"Ah...I was wondering when that would come up." Tukutz was silent for a moment before he smiled and motioned at the room they were standing outside of. "Why don't we sit down? HyungJoonie won't mind, nothing short of a nuclear explosion will wake him up for the next few days."
“Hmm…” HyunJoong nodded, tilting his head as he followed after Tukutz. “HyungJoonie huh… well then I guess my hunch about you being his partner was right?”
"That would be right, yes." Tukutz waited until they were both inside the room before closing the door. He wandered into the bathroom, returning with a damp cloth, which he lay gently against HyungJoon's forehead. The rabbit didn't even twitch. "We've been on-off partners you could say, since he's always needed elsewhere and always traveling."
“And you need to stay here because you’re an elder.” HyunJoong completed, staring at HyungJoon and the care Tukutz took with him. “How did you get to know him anyway?”
"I'm not that old," the leader chuckled, looking down at HyungJoon for a moment before smiling over at them. "He was having trouble controlling his spiritual energy, to the point where quite a few of the other elders wanted him gone because he was too dangerous to have around. I took him in and helped him out."
“Ah.” HyunJoong nodded, before he grinned. “Well, that means you're old enough. Anyway, what was all the commotion about?”
Tukutz walked around the bed to take a seat at the end, motioning towards the chairs. "Sit down. You've missed out on quite a lot the past week or so."
YoungSaeng slowly sat down in one of the chairs, watching the human with both ears perked up. "Such as?"
"Were either of you aware that Park JungMin was possessed by a demon?"
The grin dropped from HyunJoong’s mouth almost immediately. “What?”
He knew as well as anyone else what being possessed by a demon would do to a human. Especially to one with no energy at all to protect his body.
Tukutz nodded. "We must be on the second week since. One of our associates found a demon wandering in a desert, and sent him here for us to transport back."
"Transport back?" YoungSaeng frowned.
"Right. This wasn't a demon from our world, but from the demon plane. HyungJoon was in the middle of sending him back when the hunters interrupted. Long story short, HyungJoon's concentration snapped and the demon was forced to possess someone to avoid being captured by the hunters. I heard it didn't go over so well with JungMin's partner. On the bright side, Thaestae is very cooperative and doesn't interfere tremendously, from what I've heard. On the bad side...” He rubbed his hair slightly. "He was too hasty in securing himself to JungMin, and now he can't remove himself from JungMin's body without accidentally killing him."
HyunJoong was silent for a moment before asking softly. “How’s JungMin dealing with it all? Does he… does he know that he might die from the possession?”
"No. It was decided after seeing how JungMin reacted when he first found out he was possessed, that it's safer not to tell him. You're as aware as I am that sometimes the mind can take a bad situation and make it ten times worse." Tukutz shook his head. "They were fine for the first few days, but then JungMin fell ill and the two of them have been limited to their apartment since."
“…” HyunJoong rubbed his face, looking up. “So… my guess is… tracing back the date and all… that another demon showed up earlier.”
It all made sense now… and the energy gathering in the air. The similarity of it. HyunJoong just needed some confirmation to make it all click.
"Right again," Tukutz sighed. "Right in the middle of Seoul. The others including KyuJong and JungMin dealt with it and sent the demon back where he came from, but it cost a young woman her life and nearly cost JungMin his. I was able to get some information out of Daniel and Mithra before they went to sleep. Part of that information is that Thaestae was brought here on purpose, though the summoning was far from perfect and that was why he ended up appearing so far away from anything. This second demon on the other hand..."
“They’re getting closer to success.” HyunJoong rubbed his face, an extremely troubled look on his face. “What are they planning… to do experiments on summoning demons of all things…”
"That is what we're currently trying to figure out," Tukutz mused, looking over at HyungJoon. "Unfortunately, HyungJoon and Daniel are far too drained to be of any help until they recover, KyuJong and JungMin are occupied with their own situation, and the majority of the other anti-hunters are either too inexperienced for this kind of work or unavailable." Their numbers were highly limited at a time where they just couldn't be.
"There is tremendous potential in summoning a demon from the other plane, considering how much energy even a lower-leveled imp can contain, but there much be a separate reason behind it."
HyunJoong knew what Tukutz was driving at. And he knew all too well what was at stake here. Before, he’d have agreed like a shot to help, but now…
“YoungSaeng.” HyunJoong said quietly. “What do you think?”
The felinefolk was silent, looking down at the floor as he thought. The situation was highly explosive...this world simply couldn't handle the kind of energy that those demons brought, and that was taking only the weaker ones into consideration...if a truly powerful demon was summoned and pissed off about it, whole cities could be flattened in the span of an hour.
And on the off chance that the demons' energy was harnessed for something else...
"I think we're all going to have to get involved, one way or another," he murmured, looking up at HyunJoong. "There's just too much that could be lost."
Though he hated the idea of seeing HyunJoong put in such danger, the truth was...if they didn't do something, they would all be in danger anyways. The energy in the air was like a ticking time bomb.
HyunJoong stared at YoungSaeng for a while longer, as if trying to see if there was any false note in YoungSaeng’s voice. Finding none, he turned to Tukutz, sighing. “I guess you can count us into whatever crazy scheme you’re planning.”
Tukutz smiled at them. "My 'crazy scheme' as you put it needs a few finishing touches. For now, the most either of you will be able to do is research work, and keep an eye on the energy in the air. HyunJoong, you can sense it without specifically searching for it, correct?"
“Yes.” HyunJoong nodded, sighing. “It’s like a constant buzz in my mind. A little irritating… Why?”
"Hm." The older man looked at him with his head perched in one hand. "Thought so. The truth is, none of us are able to sense it unless we specifically look for it. The energy evades us, and even now, even though I know it's there, I can't sense it unless I cast a detection spell. So far the only ones who seem able to notice it without the use of spells is yourself and Thaestae. So if there are any changes in the energy, any at all, you need to tell us right away."
“Sure.” HyunJoong nodded before grinning. “That also means no more coddling me because I’m afflicted with a curse and all.”
"You seem to be more or less recovering from that," Tukutz chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "And it's not me you need to worry about coddling you." He nodded towards YoungSaeng, who turned pink.
“Only because YoungSaeng wants me to be in this form.” HyunJoong too turned towards YoungSaeng with an amused grin. “At his whim, I’ll turn back into my useless child form. And then I won’t be much use.”
"Don't tempt me," YoungSaeng muttered. Shrinking HyunJoong and hiding him in a cupboard was sounding really promising after all the new information.
HyunJoong paled at that. “No, Saeng. Don’t even th- ACK!” There was a ‘poof’ and a yelp as HyunJoong shrank and fell to the ground, buried in his adult clothes.
YoungSaeng blinked owlishly at his master, startled by the sudden change. "So thinking about it makes it happen too," he mused, slipping off the chair and crouching next to the child to carefully disentangle him somewhat. "We might need to carry a change of clothes everywhere."
Tukutz just laughed.
HyunJoong stared balefully at YoungSaeng. “Well, you could just be careful with your thoughts…”
“And you aren’t helping at all.” HyunJoong glared as best as he could at Tukutz.
'I can't help it if I want to lock you in a closet so you don't get yourself killed,' YoungSaeng thought with an inward sigh as he smiled a little sadly and patted HyunJoong on the head.
"I'm not trying to help," Tukutz smiled. "I'll be in contact with you both when I have something for you to do. But be ready to move at the slightest notice. So try and keep him in his normal form, YoungSaeng ah."
HyunJoong sighed, spotting the sad look. He reached up and placed a chubby hand over YoungSaeng’s cheek, patting it softly. “Hey. Everything will be all right, okay? I’m not so helpless anymore, now that I have a contract with my dependable partner.”
YoungSaeng's lips quirked upwards slightly as he took HyunJoong's hand. "You're hardly helpless, even as a midget." It was him who couldn't seem to protect his master well enough. "What are we doing now? Research?" He looked at Tukutz.
"That's what I'm off to do, anything you find out would be helpful," the leader smiled, standing. "Though you might want to turn HyunJoong back first."
“Yes, turning HyunJoong back does seem like a good idea.” HyunJoong agreed, before he seemed to process what YoungSaeng had called him earlier. “And I’m not a midget! I’m a kid! There’s a difference!”
"You're a kid, and you're a midget," YoungSaeng pointed out, smiling.
Tukutz stood up. "See you both around then." With a wave he sauntered out of the room.
Hugging HyunJoong close, YoungSaeng focused on wanting HyunJoong back as he truly was, pushing the nagging fear to one side to think about how safe he felt with his master, partner and lover.
HyunJoong was about to ask YoungSaeng what he was doing, when he felt it, a lengthening of his bones. And then without warning, his form glowed and lengthened into his full form, filling out his clothes again, although one sleeve was slightly torn from the sudden change.
“Woah…” HyunJoong rubbed his face once it was over. “That was weird.”
YoungSaeng looked up at HyunJoong, ears perked upwards. He smiled when the change was complete. "You all right?" he asked. "Does it hurt to change back and forth a lot?" He tried to get up, and failed because he'd pulled HyunJoong into his lap before, and the Merus was definitely not as easy to move now.
“Hurt? Not really.” HyunJoong slowly shifted, guessing what YoungSaeng wanted, and he climbed to his feet, pulling YoungSaeng up as well. “It’s just surprising. And unexpected. Tickles more really.”
Nodding, YoungSaeng stretched a little and poked at the torn sleeve, frowning. "We're going to go through so many pairs of clothes like this...” Shaking his head, he looked back at HyungJoon, still passed out on the bed. The rabbit hadn't even twitched throughout the entire conversation with Tukutz. "Guess we're off to research."
“We could always start a new fashion trend - one with tears in clothes.” HyunJoong smiled, dusting himself off. “And yes, off to research. I think it’d be best to go back to the spots where the demons came through.”
"I'm pretty sure that's already a trend," YoungSaeng chuckled. He padded over to the door, looking back at HyungJoon before opening it and slipping out into the hallway. "Sounds like a plan. It should be easy enough to sense the remains of their energy, right?"
“You kidding me? I’m better than any trace hound in the world.” HyunJoong joked, following after. “But before we go.” Reaching out, he pulled YoungSaeng’s arm and jerked the felinefolk towards him.
Squeaking, YoungSaeng put his hands against HyunJoong's chest. He looked up at his master before his lips curled into a smile, tail waving. "Yes?"
HyunJoong let out a small chuckle, just staring at the cute image in front of him. “You’re so cute I forgot what I wanted to do… Oh right. It was this…” And he leaned down and placed a sweet kiss onto YoungSaeng’s lips.
Chuckling, YoungSaeng smiled wider at the kiss. "Glad that wasn't forgotten...” He wrapped his arms around HyunJoong's neck, pressing closer and arching against him slightly so he could return the kiss, purring.
HyunJoong could have stayed like this the whole day, with the press of YoungSaeng’s body against him, lips molding around each other, and maybe even more. But HyunJoong knew that there were more dire situations to deal with, and he restricting himself to just a few chaste kisses. ‘Tonight.’ He thought and promised himself as he broke away, gently scratching against YoungSaeng’s ears as he told the felinefolk that as well.
Purring louder at both the scratches and the whisper, YoungSaeng nodded, leaning in to steal another kiss just because he could. Then he slipped back slightly, taking HyunJoong's hand instead. "Let's go see what we can find," he smiled, before looking back at his tail. "I need to change into my other jeans..."
“Yeah.” HyunJoong nodded, his hand curling around YoungSaeng’s. “But hopefully, one day, you won’t ever need to again.”
"Maybe." YoungSaeng smiled wider, squeezing HyunJoong's hand and pulling him back towards their room. He imagined what that would be like...walking down the street beside HyunJoong, without worrying about hunters, without worrying about anything.
HyunJoong knew what YoungSaeng was thinking about, and he smiled wistfully at the thought too. Taking in a deep breath, he said to YoungSaeng what was both a wish and a promise at the same time. “Definitely.”
Ears twitching, YoungSaeng smiled and rested his head against the other man's arm lightly. "I never did thank you, did I?" he whispered after a moment. "For helping me all those years ago."
“Thank me?” HyunJoong raised his eyebrows, “What for? I was glad to do it.”
"Still, I think it deserves a thank you, let me say it without rejecting it will you?" YoungSaeng pouted.
“Alright, alright.” HyunJoong laughed, pinching YoungSaeng’s cheek. “Say it if you must.”
Wrinkling his nose at the pinch, YoungSaeng nipped at HyunJoong's fingers. Straightening a little, he drew in a breath. "Thank you, HyunJoong, for saving me and giving me a life worth living again," he said, looking up at the Merus.
HyunJoong was about to deflect the thanks away on reflex, before he stopped himself with a small sigh. “I guess… you’re welcome.”
“But, I also need to thank you, for coming into my life, and making it worth opening my heart again. And thank you for staying beside me, working with me, and making a hard job bearable.” HyunJoong cupped YoungSaeng’s cheek, “And now, thank you for allowing me to love you, to heal me after JaeJoong, and to get me to open my heart once more.”
Blinking, YoungSaeng restrained the whine of embarrassment when HyunJoong started thanking him instead. He hardly thought he deserved the thanks, considering all HyunJoong had done for him, but he couldn't very well decline the thanks when he'd just asked HyunJoong not do just that. Turning a little pink, he leaned into the gentle touch. "You're welcome too, then," he murmured, holding on to HyunJoong's arm.
HyunJoong laughed, and unable to restrain himself, kissed YoungSaeng on the cheek. “Well, all this thanking and welcoming has got me all motivated to do research! Well, actually no, just saying it to get me hyped about the arduous task ahead.”
Pouting at the human, YoungSaeng chuckled, eyes dancing. "It's not working. You know what's keeping me motivated?" He leaned up and kissed HyunJoong's ear. "The reward for all the hard work later." He slipped out of the other man's grip and continued down the hallway, purposely waving his tail in the air.
HyunJoong paused, taking the chance to savor the sight. Grinning at the tease, HyunJoong chuckled and looked up in thanks to whatever deity was watching over them. “Ah… I win in life.”
*****************************
JungMin kicked his feet, unhappy. After a long discussion/argument, it had finally been agreed that JungMin had taken enough time off work in the Hunter HQ. The organization needed someone inside, especially now after the arrival of another demon. Plus, JungMin was obviously feeling much better now, as demonstrated by a complete inability to sit still for longer than two minutes unless KyuJong either distracted him or spelled him in place.
After bringing Tablo and Mithra into the discussion as well, they'd finally reached a compromise. JungMin would be allowed to return to their undercover work in Hunter HQ...under one condition.
"Desk work? Seriously?" He eyed his leg, wrinkling his nose in disdain.
“Yes, seriously.” KyuJong sighed. There was no way that he was going to give in on this. “We’re going to spell you to make you seem like you broke your leg, so according to HyunJoong, it’s common for them to give injured Hunters desk work to do.”
Pout firmly in place, JungMin sighed as well. It was better than nothing, but he still didn't like the idea of having to walk around on crutches. "I have no choice, don't I," he mumbled, kicking his feet.
Is he always like this? Thaestae asked KyuJong. The demon was stuck between amusement at the childish antics, and exasperation because he wanted to get into the Hunter HQ through any means necessary, desk job or not.
For once, KyuJong was on Thaestae’s side. “Close. Sometimes, he’s quite the adult, but most of the time, he’s like this.”
"I can hear you both," JungMin fumed, folding his arms over his chest. "Fine fine, let's get this over with then. I demand kisses when this is over." He didn't like being made to be a cripple, spell or not.
KyuJong chuckled, moving over to JungMin’s side and giving him a peck on the cheek. “Good boy. Now hold still.”
Holding his hand over the human’s leg, KyuJong muttered a strong illusion and immobility spell over it. It took a few moments, but true enough, there was a cast now on JungMin’s leg as the spell worked.
JungMin wrinkled his nose as he looked down at the cast. "We can take this off when we get back, right?" he asked, pouting up at KyuJong and wrapping his arms around the ankou's waist, trapping him.
KyuJong had just been about to put on his pixie disguise when JungMin had trapped him. He yelped, wrinkling his nose at the human. Rolling his eyes, he flicked his finger gently against JungMin’s forehead. “Yes, yes. I promise.”
Yelping at the flick, JungMin pouted up at him, pulling KyuJong closer and kissing his soft lips. "All right," he sighed, finally letting his boyfriend go.
KyuJong softened a little at the kiss, and he ruffled JungMin’s hair. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.” He whispered, before he stood up and quickly put on his pixie disguise. “But for now, the fate of the world is in our hands. So, no hanky panky. All right?”
"All right," JungMin smiled at the whisper, carefully getting to his feet. Foot. The leg with the crutch on wasn't being very cooperative. "We have some crutches around here, right?" He hopped over to the cupboard and nearly fell over. Thaestae laughed, back to being amused at them both now that they were finally getting somewhere.
“Can’t you be a bit more patient?” KyuJong quickly ran over, grabbing JungMin before he fell and really broke his leg. Leaning JungMin against the cupboard as he opened one door and pulled out the said crutches. “You’re an invalid now, and you have a servant pixie. Let the pixie do his job.”
"I don't have to let you do your job until we're out the door," JungMin grinned at him. Taking the crutches, he balanced on them properly. Having really broken his legs a few times, he was well used to moving around with them. "Time to go?"
“Yup.” KyuJong nodded as he went over to open the door with a slight grin. “Come on, master. We have desk work to do!”
JungMin huffed at him. "Desk work, I hate desk work. And I'm getting you back for calling me that once we're back here." He used the crutches to propel himself out the door, looking back at KyuJong to lock up behind him.
“Well, then I should do it while I can then, master. Since I’m going to get punished for it anyway.” KyuJong hid a grin as he turned back to lock the door.
Resisting the urge to stick his tongue out at the ankou, JungMin made his way down the hallway, falling into the routine of hunter master and servant. It was awkward going around, especially since he knew his leg wasn't really broken, and he wondered why KyuJong was so adamant to keep him doing low-activity jobs when he had recovered fully from whatever sickness had kept him in bed.
It was something that KyuJong would keep from JungMin even if his life depended on it. Looked like it would be more of JungMin grumbling for the next few weeks, but at least he’d be grumbling… and not… yeah.
It would just be a horrid, sick joke if KyuJong had to send JungMin’s soul off now. Worse, because of Thaestae fused in JungMin’s body, KyuJong didn’t even know if that was possible.
It was a quiet walk to the Hunter’s HQ, JungMin unable to talk with KyuJong no matter how much he wanted to, because they were bound to be under watch now. Though thankfully a broken leg was the perfect excuse for his many days of absence prior, and they’d already communicated with Hunter HQ via phone to arrange for desk work.
It helped that JungMin didn’t even have to act out being annoyed at needing to stay behind a desk, rather than do proper work, so they had gotten by with minimal questioning.
Stopping outside HQ, JungMin nodded to one of Hunters and glared at another who snickered upon seeing the ‘broken’ leg before heading inside.
It was just the normal day for KyuJong - behaving as an oppressed pixie while really being the adult of the two and watching for any slips JungMin made. He also kept an increasingly nervous eye on JungMin as he got more and more disgruntled with the deskwork.
The day passed by slowly once JungMin was set up in one of the offices, working on files for the dungeons. Thankfully he didn’t have to deal with a lot of people, because he was annoyed enough at the kind of reports that were coming in, the vast numbers of non-humans in the dungeons and what was happening to them. It was all stuff they could use for the anti-hunter organization though, so when no one was in the room he carefully snapped pictures of the papers as best as he could with the hidden button camera in the collar of his shirt.
He was looking through a new stack of papers that had just come in a few hours later when something caught his eyes. Scribbles in the margins that looked absolutely nothing like the report typed up on the page itself.
It looked like equations, but one word stood out…’energy’.
He had no clue what it meant, and Thaestae didn’t either, but maybe his partner would. Snapping another picture of the page, he shifted the paper to the edge of the desk as if to put it in a new pile, the paper sliding too far and off the desk to land at KyuJong’s feet.
It was a routine that they established, and the paper quickly disappeared underneath KyuJong’s coat before anyone could notice. Then, mumbling something about helping, KyuJong moved to behind the desk, as if looking for something, but in reality, he was quickly scanning through the paper.
What he saw made him frown, and he quickly memorized it so that he could report it to Tablo.
He wasn’t too sure, but he’d had several guesses what an equation like this - an equation calculating how to get copious amounts of energy - would have use for. And the top of that list was summoning a demon.