Work Text:
10 years ago
"This is the villain your tasked to kill with today." His boss spoke after 5 suspenseful minute that had him holding his breath— waiting for his verdict like he was getting publicly executed
Minho could only stare wide eyed, blinking in confusion as his boss produced a packet of documentaries out of nowhere and dropping into onto the wooden table Infront, the papers spilling around messily.
Minho scrambled to pick them up with shaky hands, sweat still clinging onto the back of his neck due to his training session a few seconds ago, feeling the effects of over exhaustion and muscle fatigue—added with the profound fear he felt when he was suddenly summoned to his office unprompted.
Staring at the profile of a very bulky looking man, he called out.
"Yang yoohyuk?"
"Yes. You may only come back once you finish this mission. Or don't come back at all."
His voice boomed through the quite room, making him flinch slightly, as his once again reminded of how ruthless his boss is.
The only reason he even stayed for this long is to repay his debt of when the organisation picked him up from the streets—suffering from homelessness and starvation at a very young age.
Becoming a hero wasn't his choice: to put it bluntly. But he wouldn't say that he doesn't enjoy it, knowing how many people's lives his saving. But it wouldn't be his first choice, knowing that the organisation is probably using him for their own benefits and could care less about his health.
(Minho could say that there were almost as worst the villains. But what would he know?)
"Okay."
After this mission, his running away. He had enough of people pushing him around.
"Consider my debt paid for you after this mission." Minho stated, his voice devoid of any emotions.
"Oh? Your planning to leave?" His boss asked, voice tinged in suprise as he turned around slightly from where he was facing the wall, eyebrow raised challengingly.
Minho gave no reply, making the man chuckle.
"You may try. Minho." It was warning. Minho could tell.
It made a shiver travel through his spine— but he gave no outwardly reaction.
Once he made his mind up, his planning to do it till the last breath. Minho is stubborn that way.
And that was not something the organisation can beat him out off.
He can be submissive when he realised there is no way to win the battle, but he knows when to be stubborn and put his foot down. It was just a matter of right time.
"He has a kid too. Take care of him."
That made Minho pause, his hands freezing from where it was just about touch the cold doorknob, ready to leave. Minho tried to hide the frown of confusion when he turned around.
He didn't know the boss wasn't as heartless— that he would forbade him from killing a child.
Minho opened his mouth to ask about it— but something stopped him from asking, so he decided to asked another question instead.
"He has a kid?"
"Yes. Just read the files I gave you thoroughly before going. This mission won't be as easy as any other mission you had."
Those were the last words of his boss as the door clicked shut behind him, sealing his fate.
Taking a deep breath, he read through the contents of the client documents.
I let out a tired sigh, keys jingling against the Back pocket as exhaustion worn down me like a suffocating cloak.
Another mission done— and I could already feel the familiar feeling of pride mixed with fierce lethargy taking root parmenently... wondering why I haven't quited being a hero yet.
Nothing, and no one was holding me back. I am now working under a secure, healthy organisation— one where I can enter and leave without feeling like I have eyes watching from every corner.
Not the terrible dingy JY-something or whatever organisation I used to work for 10 years ago.
The front door clicked open, making me loose my train of thoughts as I went inside, the darkness welcoming me with open arms.
my eyebrows furrowed as I searched through the darkness, hands immediately flexing on the butterfly knife in my back pocket, causing my muscles to burn from protest.
The kitchen is usually never dark when I come home. Something is wrong.
"Jeongin?" I softly called out, switching the light on.
The kitchen was completely empty— as I went around checking to see if everything was right were it was before I left, nothing amiss or strange.
Letting out a sigh of relief when i found nothing, I decided to check jeongin's room— realising that he probably fell asleep.
I was being paranoid for no reason.
For some reason, there has been this strange immenant feeling appearing these past few weeks that I can't seem to shake off. Like something was about to happen.
And I don't have time travelling powers, so I can't even check to see if something is about to happen— which probably even goes against the Cardinal rules of time travelling or any shorts of power related to time— so I just became extremely vigilant, often choosing to stay home and not go on mission. Today was an exception.
True to my words, jeongin was sleeping in his room when I checked, his snoring quite literally echoing through his shoebox room— making me chuckle quietly.
There were his study books thrown everywhere on the floor, which I cleaned up before leaving, wondering what to cook for dinner.
Once I finished showering and treating the measly cuts and bruises I obtained from the scuffling with the vilan— he wasn't even much of a fight, a faux actually— before padding towards the kitchen, wearing a fresh pair of black pants, grey sweatshirt and cat socks.
Watching the noodles bubbling in the golden cooking pot, I let my mind drift like a buoy floating on water. Aimlessly.
There was only the sound of cooking filling the silence— until it wasn't.
Hearing the door unlock made me stand up properly, my hackles raising as I stared at the door, heart pounding.
Only me and Jeongin had the keys to the house. There was no one else that I knew and trusted enough to give the keys.
Grabbing a butcher knife, I waited for whoever trying to break into my house to succeed.
It was a grueling few minutes of the wait— (damn are they really that bad at picking at locks?) one that made me hyperaware of every single shift in the air as I tried to stay silent while slowly inching towards the door.
The door finally opened, the figure letting himself inside instantly making my heart stop.
"Chan!?"
I shouted, memories flooding through my brain like rivulets of water flushing out of a a broken tap— but quickly lowered my voice when I remembered that Jeongin was asleep.
"What are you doing here?" I whisper shouted while stared at him incredulously, the appearance of the older— a thing of the past I would say— Infront of me in all flesh and bones, giving me a whiplash.
Chan gave me those stupid dimple smiles, the ones he gave me when I was younger— while leaning on the shoe rack casually like he didn't just break into my house.
He hadn't change since the last I saw him: burnt caramel coloured hair coiled against the nape of his back, broad shoulders stark against the white shirt he was wearing, built burly and strong as ever— still towering over my lithe frame. A sight for sore eyes, truly.
And it seems that Chan noticed as well, considering the glint in his eyes as he walked towards me and pinched my cheeks— like a child—while cooing.
"Stop, get of me chan I'm literally 29- not a child anymore. Unless you forgotten?-" I deadpanned while trying to dodge away from his treacherous hands, making him pause as he pouted.
"Hey!- what happens to calling me hyung?-" he whined— literally how is he older then me?— while I tried to hide the traitorous smirk threatening to appear.
"You haven't changed one bit 'hyung'." I said sardonically, making the older dramatically gasp.
The jokes eventually died down as the vibe became more serious, finally sobering up from the initial excitement of meeting as we realised the elephant in the room— the tension coiling around our friendship, causing a slight rift.
And that realisation immediately made me wonder why Chan was seeking me all of a sudden.
Unless something truly life threatening is happening that I needed to know— he wouldn't be trying to talk to me.
We were both cowards at heart, not wanting to confront each other after we had a fight— making my mind scream danger!danger!danger!
Worse of all....I can't tell if Chan brought the danger, or if he wanted to warn me about the danger.
Despite our history, I can't rule him out to not conclude the former
With that thought, I immediately stepped back while securing the butcher knife in my hand.
I don't think I'll need to use it...but I still want to be more careful.
It's not only my life that's on the line.
The reminder of the innocent heart beating inside his room made my eyes harden in resolute.
Of course chan noticed too— that bastard is too observant— as he smiled ruefully, hands raised placatingly.
"Minho-ya..I just want to talk, I swear." He trailed off, his tone hesitant; making it obvious that he didn't know where to start.
I searched through his face, scoping out for any sign of malice.... but obviously found none.
I took in a deep breath first.
"Speak." I demanded, holding in the urge to point the butcher knife at his throat like he was a villain in hostage. instincts.
"I'm assuming you want to talk about our fallout." I put it bluntly, making him exhale sharply— like I just put salt on a wound that Is still festering even after I left.... judging by his eyes swirling with a mix of confusion, exesperation, anger, desperation and guilt— which did make me feel guilty in turn too.
Chan licked his lips.
"Why..why did you leave me Minho?" He asked, voice trembling in hurt, making me inhale sharply instead.
"Leave?" I repeated with a mocking laugh, the place suddenly turning icy chilly.
"Your speaking as if your not the one who left in the first place Chan." That immediately made the older grit his teeth in anger, his fist clenching.
"You know it's for the missions, Minho. I was forced to go." He managed to get out, face turning a bit red in anger, making me laugh again.
"Forced? You? The golden boy of JYP entertainment?- the money maker?."
That made him immediately shut down with immense guilt. I continued anyway.
"I know you weren't forced to go. You went because you had people that needed you, I understand that-" my eyes flickered with hurt.
"But still...I thought we had something between us Chan? I thought you thought of me as your little brother... What changed?-"
"OF COURSE YOU WERE IMPORTANT TO ME MINHO— I SWEAR YOU ARE-"
"THEN WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME WITH THEM!?"
My voice echoed through the room as I felt salty tears trail down my cheeks, while a painful look passed through the older man's face. Regret and remorse.
"WHY? WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DO TO ME!?- DO YOU EVEN REALISE THAT BY LEAVING ME THAT THE TORMENT GOT WORSE?!-"
My voice cracked in the end, unwanted and sudden unresolved emotions that I didn't even know existed— burst open like a balloon.
Apparently, the older did not know about that little information as his eyes widened, filled with unfiltered guilt and realisation, like it finally clicked in place...like he thought that-
I couldn't even finish as the flood gate opened, sobs breaking out as I cried.
There were warm hands circling my body, ones that used to promise me safety— now felt cold...yet unfortunately familiar and welcomed.
Betrayel was still there, yes...but there was also this sudden lightness as my chest caved; all the stress and tension draining away.
Who knew sharing it with someone could help a lot?
I could feel the vibration of his voice as he apologied over and over again, which I didn't bother listening to as I buried my face into his broad chest.
Once we both finally calmed down and stopped crying, I slowly removed myself from him before moving to sit on the chair— finally remembering to be civil.
Chan followed suit as he sat across me, his eyes still red.
There was an awkward silence. Once where we both didn't know what to say after such an emotional moment.
"Soo...how's Felix.?" I blurted out after a while, wanting to break the silence.
The effect was instantaneous, the mention of the particular name made something in him light up— as if remembering something chan had forgotten as soon as he entered our house— his face becoming stoic and serious. The sudden change made me stare in shock, as the dreaded feeling slowly started to resurface.
"D-did something happen between you and Felix?." I asked tentatively, my mind combing through the brief moment where Chan mentioned years ago about the fact that he has a boyfriend named felix— before going MIA per usual.
I heard nothing about Felix after that. And that was because I didn't meet Chan again from the longest time—The final straw after constantly feeling so sad and betrayed by Chan perpetually leaving with no follow up— that I completely cut ties with chan after my final mission working in that organisation before running away and acting like he didn't exist.
It wasn't an easy feat. Just like the boss unfortunately warned me about; because he proceeds to send literal hitman's to assassinate me or drag me back to the organisation, and that was while I had to take care of an actual baby.
It was tough times— literally made me shiver at the thought of that.
I still can't believe that I realised what the boss meant when he said to "take care of the kid"...only after 10 years had passed, when Jeongin was all grown up under my careful and tender care.
Well it wouldn't matter anyway...as i wouldn't kill a toddler even if i was held at gun point.
I'm especially stubborn with my moral codes. Even if the person was tainted by 'vilan blood' like boss would say. And i didn't have the heart to leave the baby under orphanage care, when most of them were evil anyway.
"No. Nothing happened with me and Felix. Just...had to ask you something very important..." Chan started, twisting his fingers together nervously.
"About?" I inquired, feeling restless and impatient.
"About your last mission." That hit it, as my eyes widened.
And that's when I remembered that he was still in the organisation.
"H-how did you know about that mission?." I laughed nervously.
"That was like...10 years ago."
"I came back after I finished my mission." Chan interrupted.
Of course. He always comes back after his missions without a fail. Even if it's 3 business days later— when a person looses hope on whether they would meet again.
"And boss told me how you quit, and ran away after the mission with the Yang." My heart started pounding hard against my chest like a caged bird, while I scooled my expression to show nothing.
"But. He had one little doubt about your mission."
He said, eyes narrowing on me.
"And that is?" I asked, as if I already did not have a hunch.
"The child."
There it was.
"So? What about him?-" I said defensively, slowly reaching towards the knife again, while Chan let out a sigh.
"Listen... I know you didn't kill the child because I know you wouldnt want to do that someone innocent no matter what— as you don't have that bone in your body... and I'm actually, really glad." As soon as Chan said that, my shoulders loosened, letting go of the knife as I let out a sigh of relief.
He understands, thank god.
"But. Yang jeongin is not innocent." Those words echoed through the room like gunshot, while I prayed that he was asleep.
My eyes immediately sharpened again, feeling the betrayel and disappointment— along with the deep found anger emerge again while I swiftly picked up the knife.
"What are you talking about? He is innocent. He is just a kid, and he barely knows how to even use a knife, or know how to properly use his tele- his power. " I spat out angrily, holding the knife like I was ready to stab him any second.
"Felix saw in his vision, that Jeongin would grow up to be the worlds most powerful supervillain— one that would destroy the whole entire world. And we can't let that happen."
My bones immediately chilled at the implication of the sentence, anger and betrayal coursing through my vein that it was probably very obvious even from my expression— but of course chan won't care, as he currently has his professional facade on, completely stoic and indifferent... Like he would do whatever it takes to complete his mission.
One thing that I absolutely hated, and despised an about Chan— is that he leaves no loose end, no matter the circumstances. He was meticulous in his doings.
"So what!? Your just going to believe a phony little vision that hasn't even happened, probably assumed to happen for years to come— so never— and kill an innocent child!?" I yelled angrily, wanting to punch his face so bad for the accusation, and also to knock that stupid emotionless expression off his face.
"Yes. Especially since the visions was what saved over ass when we went around saving people from the villain."
Chan yelled exesperationgly, like I was the one that was being unreasonable here.
I didn't bother trying to crack the 'we'— all i heard was the undeniable truth that made me let out a breathless chuckle, making the chan close his eyes, like he was regretting saying it just now.
"No way... You wouldn't do it." Minho spoke, trying to reason...my stomach a cocktail of emotions brewing, the prospect of hyung... Someone who was incredibly kind and forgiving, and saved my life when I was a kid— actually planning to kill a child. A child.
I desperately wished it was a dream.
But if this isn't a dream, then I'm planning to protect Jeongin with my life.
Opening my eyes that were slightly teary, I glared at chan— who was my best friend just a second ago... now my biggest enemy.
"Fine. If you really want to kill jeongin— you have to get through me first-" with that, I threw the butchered knife at him with my eyes closed at the very last minute to not see the bloodshed of once my closest friend, tears streaming down my face— forgetting the most important part.
Chan can teleport.
My eyes immediately snapped open with a trembling no escaping my lips, shame and unfiltered fear gushing out like water fall— at the realisation that I forgotten something so important.
I ran so fast like my life depended on it, the distance between the kitchen and the younger's room suddenly feeling like miles apart.
But I was too late, as I heard a loud painful, heartbreaking scream that would haunt me for years to come— one that sounded so younger and youthful, like it didn't deserve to scream so desperately— like it only deserved to be used for singing, not to cry for help.
My vision immediately tunneled as raw, unfiltered sobs raked through my body.
"JEONGIN!"
I screamed his name while breaking the door down...but I was too late.
he was covered in the puddle of his own blood, so much...so much blood oozing out his body that it sounded impossible for someone to bleed so much as I collapsed besides him, grabbing his bleeding body that was slowly loosing energy— hands desperately roaming over his body to staunch the bleeding, eyes wild as I suffered through the gutteral cries of Jeongin begging me to save him over and over again like a broken radio.
"JEONGIN-BABY. PLEASE DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES YET—" i begged while ripping my own clothes and wrapping it around the places were it was bleeding most— but it wasn't enough.
"Hyung...I'm sorry.." jeongin whispered painfully, before his eyes grew shut, as his body went completely still and limp
It felt like my heart stopped when his stopped, pulse none existing as his soft voice faded away with it, never to be heard again.
Jeongin was gone. He was gone for ever.
The little toddler that was the light to chance away the darkness and the boredom of my life...the only pure white innocent soul in my life that I was protective off...gone...ripped away.
That was when I finally became aware of the murderer standing in the corner, covered in the shadow— and all I saw was red.
"YOU BASTARD!- ILL KILL YOU-" I roared, my veins pumping with red hot blood as I charged at him—wanting to kill him and severe his head.
blood..blood everywhere. A literal blood bath. A field of macabre, with only skeleton bones acting as pathetic wilting flowers taking root.
And this...this was nothing to Minho. He was immune to it— numb by years of practice in the organisation. Both for demonstration and survival purposes.
But, staring at the floor were the dead body of Yang yoohyuk was being crushed under a giant closet, the metallic tang stinking up the air— he knew this was in no condition for a child to live in.
So, leaving the body to rot behind in the suffocating sound proof room, Minho walked past the kitchen and went towards the nursery— patting down his hair and searching everywhere for any sign of blood splatter or violence— before he quietly entered the sanctuary of pure innocence.
Seeing the small, fragile body made something in him melt, his eyes softening at the sight of the sleeping quietly, his raven black hair fanned around him like a halo.
'Abusive father, charged with several crimes and a Dead mother.'
Minho remembered reading those exact line on the file, and something in him shifted.
He couldn't let an innocent soul suffer any longer. He was getting him out of here.
Just like Minho was tasked to do.
and suddenly, at the ripe age of 19; Minho became a father.
But ofcourse— Chan used his superpowers to his advantage, as he teleported behind me midsecond that I got distracted by memory— and when I finally blinked out of it, I was trapped in his burning arms, struggling to get out of his Iron grip, my limbs weakened with grief.
I wish I kissed Jeongin goodnight before he left...
That was my last thought before something stinged against the back of my neck while I fought viciously.
"'Im sorry."
Chan whispered into my ears, before the darkness caved in.
"hyung hyung!"
minho looked up from where he was propped up on mounds of pillows, his laptop illuminating blue light over his face as he stared at Jeongin who stood Infront of him, rocking back and forth on his heels excitedly while holding the Peter Pan story book they always read together.
"Read this for me please?" He asked with a deep smile that showed his dimples and crooked teeths.
Endeared by the younger, he let out a chuckle as he turned the laptop off and moved it aside— finding a job be damned— before clicking on the lamp and scooting over, wordlessly making space for Jeongin.
Beaming happily, he scrambled towards the bed and laid down, throwing a leg and arm over Minho's torso and moving impossibly close, trapping him into a cuddle like a clingy koala.
Minho could only stare at him fondly with a tender smile— which Jeongin noticed a few minutes later, making him blush a bright red as he whined.
"Hyunggg stop looking at me like that and just read the book for me."
"Fine you big baby." He teased with a grin, rolling his eyes for theatrics; before he took the book from Jeongin and opened it, the satisfying sound of paper rustling filling in the quite silence.
The orange light casting from the lamp illuminated the old worn out pages of the book as he stared reading it out loud.
"Once upon a time..."
"...... and then the girls fell asleep after saying goodbye to Tinkerbell and Peter Pan, feeling content after their fun adventures. The end."
Minho finished off and closed the book, his gaze returning to Jeongin who was already nodding off— but seemingly fighting it off stubbornly, not wanting to fall asleep yet.
"Go to sleep innie. We have to go to the dentist early in the morning." Minho gently reminded him.
" 'kay hyung." Jeongin slurred out, his head rolling onto Minho's chest as he finally fell asleep, soft snores echoing in the room.
Staring at the boy's peaceful face, Minho tightened his grip on the younger while reminding himself that the boy was safe in his arms, and no one was going to take him away— that he was safe from the cruel world.
After all, most villains are born, not made. And Minho would make damn sure that he was treated no less than a human— just because he shared blood with an evil man.
Jeongin was not like his father at all. He is kind, curious, and innocent. hell he is so clumsy he can't even cut vegetables without cutting himself. So there was no need to scone him and treat him like dirt.
And Minho will make sure of that he is cared for till the day that he died. Because Jeongin is his child. His everything.
Kissing jeongin's forehead and whispering goodnight, Minho eventually felt his eyelids close as he sinked into his pillows, the comfortable weight against his side lulling him into a deep sleep.