Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was entirely too early, and too gloomy of a day, for your phone to be ringing for the near dozenth time in the last five minutes. After the hour trek, in the rain and a packed subway as well, you finally relented and picked up the call. “What is so important you have to call me twelve times, Ji?”

“Jeez it wasn’t that much-”

“No, that’s just the last five minutes. Heaven forbid I count the calls on the subway in the last thirty minutes. Spit it out.” Hissing, you held the phone closer, dodging one of the many men in suits rushing to their own places of work.

Jisung huffed on the other side, grumbling under his breath before speaking up. “I’m worried about how your first day is going to go.”

Rolling your eyes, you sidestepped a puddle, barely managing to miss the splash of a child rushing through it. “How are you more nervous for my first day than I am?”

“Because I’m sure you’re pretty angry right-”

“Of course I’m angry! Half the unit agreed to transfer me out! After three years Ji!”

“I know, I’m sorry. You’ll do great though! You’re really driven and have a strong moral compass, the organized crime unit is lucky to have you. Just… play nice? It’s not their fault you got transferred.”

You knew he had a point but you were loathed to admit it. With a sigh you approached the small detective precinct, the heavy rain finally slowing to a light drizzle. “No, but I doubt they’ll be too happy about the higher ups forcing a random transfer on them. Look Ji, I appreciate you worrying about me but don’t. I’m not supposed to have any contact with the S.K unit for a month after that last day, that includes outside of work. They already transferred me, I don’t want to give them a reason to fire me so soon.”

“Okay okay, hint taken. I’ll check up on you soon.” He hung up first, wishing you luck once more by name before doing so.

He really was right, you shouldn’t be so angry at this predicament. Sure it wasn’t your decision to get transferred out to a new Precinct, but it was your decision to go to this one. Which, in hindsight, was stupid. You had just named the first Precinct that you knew was furthest from the S.K and the homes of your former colleagues, hurt by their betrayal. Good intentions or not, you didn’t want to leave the team.

You didn’t want them to be right though either but being a detective was your dream, and the higher-ups didn’t want to give you a second chance after this.

Pocketing your phone and stepping under the small black awning, you closed the umbrella and placed it in the holder next to the door. If it wasn’t for the plague on the door reading A.Z offices, you might mistake the inconspicuous building for one of the many other office buildings in this district. There were several detective units in the city that operated outside of the police stations, but none so secretive.

It actually piqued your curiosity and excitement as you pulled the gray door open, greeted by a typical, but cluttered, receptionist desk and foyer. There was no one in sight, the pale blue gray of the walls the only color of otherwise bland decor. “Huh.”

There was a hall past the desk, some muffled voices carrying from an ajar door at the end. You were a few minutes early, but the door was open and they were expecting you- still you found yourself carefully moving down the hall, maybe to get an idea of who you were working with before introducing yourself.

As soon as you reached the door though, things went quiet. With nothing to eavesdrop on, you opted for knocking on the door, nudging it open before calling out. “Hello?”

Footsteps were heard before the entirety of your view was blocked by a vested chest, the door halting from opening further. “Who the fuck are you?”

Tilting your head back you blinked up at the towering figure, frown pulling at your lips. Out of all the welcome scenarios you had imagined, this hadn’t been one of them. Readjusting your bag your hands went to your hips and you jutted your chin out. “The new addition to your unit, detective.” You spat out with venom.

He seemed around your age, thick lips pulled into a scowl as he glared down the brim of his nose. “We don’t have a new addition.” He moved to slam the door in your face, but a new hand stopped it, slipping under the brute’s arm to stand between you. “Hwa?”

The ash-blonde detective had a professional smile on his face as he blocked the other one from staring you down. Before you could retort he spoke your name. “We’ve been expecting you. Detective Song here just forgot.”

“Forgot? I didn’t forget- hey!” The taller man was pulled away out of your sight, protesting the whole way.

“What do you mean new addition?” Another voice spoke up from behind him somewhere, which irked your already growing discontent for these men even more.

“Pardon me but, I don’t think the rest of your unit is aware there was a transfer to your unit- and that I start today.” Lips pursed, you held eye contact.

He shrugged, taking a step back and holding the door open for you. “I might have forgotten to mention to some of them, the point is the Captain and I are very aware. I’m Detective Park, the vice-captain of the unit.”

“I see…” You trailed off, turning your attention from the vice-captain to the rest of the room. There were three more men around the room with five desks in the center. It was a typical detective office, one wall full of pins and strings connecting faces and names you didn’t recognize, papers strewn about, computers and cords connecting the five desks that were all facing each other. Some filing cabinets, a second hall, and a door. Nothing about the room itself told you anything about these men- but they were all clearly handsome.

All men.

You didn’t like where this was going.

Aside from the vice captain to your left, the tall brute was being held in a headlock by an equally tall, slightly more beefed-out man with black hair and softer features. The other two were standing near the desk closest to the second hall, the stockier one with chestnut hair glaring over at you while sipping his coffee, the prettier one next to him watching you with more curiosity.

Internally you wanted to groan, turn around and walk back out because nothing about this felt like it was going to go well. “Is there another female here or just me?”

“Well…” Detective Park next to you shrugged, motioning for the others. “There are eight of us, all men. Captain and Detective San, and Detective Jung are in the field right now, but allow me to introduce you.” He motioned to the two tall ones. “Detective Song Mingi and Jeong Yunho. And those two are detective Choi Jongho and our technical analyst Kang Yeosang. Team, this is our newest addition.”

You bowed at your introduction, forcing a relaxed smile despite feeling so out of place already. “I’m in your care.” Standing back up, you turned to the Vice again. “Where can I set my things and get to work?”

He blinked in surprise, shifting uncomfortably. “Well, the receptionist desk will be yours.”

“Pardon?”

“Right up front there-”

“No no, I heard you, I’m just confused. I’m a detective, not a receptionist.” Again, your discontent was growing as you stared him down.

But it was a new voice that spoke, turning your attention. “Well um, we have all our bases covered and really don’t have a need for another detective. This is sort of sudden.” Yunho was his name if you recall correctly, although now he was making himself busy at his desk.

Pinching the bridge of your nose you let out a heavy sigh. “The transfer was approved two weeks ago after nearly a week of consolidation. I don’t think the board would approve a transfer for a unit I’m not needed for.”

“A new detective on the books isn’t something we need.” Mingi snapped out again, once more showing his distaste for you.

You wanted to lash back, to curse them out for the blatant disrespect and unprofessionalism. They had two weeks to prepare, only some of them knew you were coming and yet none of them bothered to put any weight into that?

“We’ll talk to the Captain and put you to work then.”

“Captain isn’t due back until the end of the week Hwa, maybe later if he and San don’t get what they need.” One of the others with a familiar voice spoke up. He must have been the one who spoke up earlier- Detective Jongho.

“That’s fine-”

“Fine?” Like a twig snapping, so did your patience. “I’ve been sitting on my ass for the last three weeks just to wait another? This is ridiculous!”

“Shouldn’t have transferred then, newbie.”

“You can take your attitude and shove it up your ass with your head, Detective Song, because the likelihood of me leaving any time soon is slim. Not unless you personally want to kiss and shine the Commissioners shoes!” You stepped forward, the man stepping up towards you in response.

“So this is why you got forcefully transferred? Can’t play nice?” The fifth voice startled you, just as deep and condescending as the man before you.

You swiveled on your heel to glare at the final man, sneering. “I play nice just fine- when I’m welcomed.”

“We never said you weren’t Detective-”

“You don’t have to!” You turned your glare on the Vice Captain. “Eight of you, with three offices and five desks- an empty receptionist, lack of communication on the arrival of a new Detective in your care- You have no means or intention of including me in this unit.”

As soon as the words were out there was a drastic change of tension in the atmosphere; the professional expression the Vice Captain wore was gone, replaced with a cold stare. One glance at the others and they all had similar expressions. “Truthfully, we do not, but until we can convince the Commissioner and board that you are not needed here, we have to put up with each other.”

“So buckle up buttercup, or get the hell out.” The smug smirk on Mingi’s face had you stiffening, but not from intimidation.

No, you always rose to a challenge even if it clearly wasn’t in your favor.

Taking the time to stare each one of the men down with a similar cold stare, you bid your time before finally locking gazes with Detective Park. “You should be aware, Vice, that I bite when threatened.” Straightening your back, as if you could any more, and holding your head high you turned towards the door. “That receptionist desk will have to do then; plenty of space for me to do my work. I’m sure you won’t mind at all if I make myself at home.”

“If you have the time.”

You didn’t care which one of them said it, slamming the door behind you because you expected them to do the same. Marching down the hall, past the small bathroom you failed to notice before, you took in the receptionist desk with a huff. It was empty, probably never used and just full of trash and miscellaneous decor that never got pulled out of the box.

“These fucking dicks think they’re just going to get their way? Over my dead body. Play nice Ji said, well he can go fuck himself too because ain’t no nice here.” Mumbling under your breath you immediately began organizing the desk, making use of the trash can under the desk. There was no stool, no electronics, not even a phone- but you could fix that.

There were other boxes in the foyer you hadn’t noticed, tucked away and out of sight. This room was probably a front for any bystanders that walked in, something to discourage anyone who wasn’t supposed to be here from snooping around.

At least it gave you plenty to do over the next week, knowing that until the Captain did show up, some things you would just have to deal without.

—

Your spiteful rage motivated you for several hours, suit jacket tossed aside and sleeves rolled up to your elbows as you cleaned up the now clutter-free desk. You had found some decent decor in the junk, using it to spice up the desk. It was waist high, with a ledge to hide the desk from the other side. A fake little plant and metal bowls of varying sizes now sat on that ledge, the desk devoid of anything but your work bag.

You hadn’t heard the door open or any sounds from the back, further indicating the distance they were trying to put between you and them. It just fueled your determination to stay.

Despite what happened with your last unit, you were a damned good detective, you knew that even without Chan reminding you often. While the S.K unit revolved around cases about runaways and crimes committed by minors, it was still a police force. This was no different, even if the unit operated differently, you could handle it.

Glancing around the space, you did feel a bit proud with how it was coming along. There was a pile of boxes and garbage by the hall, which you felt ready to take care of now. Picking it up, you headed down the hall, heels clicking on the wooden floor. The door was indeed shut, but not locked, and you swung it open with a loud thud. You heard something clatter on the other side of the room, but you ignored it as you dropped the boxes of garbage on the floor.

“What the he-”

“Take care of this will you.” Dusting off your hands you looked towards the nearest one, which happened to be Mingi and Yunho at their desks, but Mingi was half out of his chair. “Since this is your unit, you can handle the trash.” Turning on your heel you made your way down the hall.

“She didn’t leave?”

“Apparently not Min.”

You could hear them as you shut the door harshly, a smirk on your lips as you made your way back to your new work area. They really had no idea just how hard you were going to make this for them, and it brought a sense of pride.

You could easily be the biggest pain in their ass, all too happy to oblige. One week? You could make them regret it by then. Maybe you could make them regret it by the end of the day, it was only lunch time.

—

Having set out to get your lunch from a deli down the street, you were a bit annoyed to come back to your newly cleaned office once more full of the trash that you had tossed back at them. Setting your sandwich down, and with all the calm you could muster, you cleaned up the trash once more. Plastering a fake grin on your features you carried it to the back, only to find the door locked this time.

Frowning, you set the garbage down, took a deep breath, and then pounded on the wooden door. “Hello detective’s? I think you forgot something!”

No answer.

You just pounded harder and called out louder. “Hellooo?”

No answer again.

Grumbling, you gave the door a kick with your heel, leaving the garbage there and instead going back to your desk. Grabbing your phone you brought it back to the door, recording once more as you banged and called out, then sighed. “See what I mean Sir? I really think there was a mix up- I can’t even access the office. How am I a part of this unit?”

Just as you had been hoping for, the door swung open and the pile of garbage you had set against it went tumbling against the unsuspecting Vice Captain. You smiled up at him innocently, pointing to the recording camera and then saving it. “Your poker face is impeccable Vice, but do you really think it’s wise to lock me out?”

“We’re in a meeting.” He deadpanned, kicking some of the garbage to the side into the office. “You were being disruptive.”

“Me? Disruptive? I have no idea what you mean, I just needed to throw away this garbage for a second time, since apparently it can walk on two legs right back to my beautiful desk you so graciously assigned me.” Thick with sarcasm you added a bit of a pout to your tone, pointing to the boxes between you two. “I had asked Detective Song and Jeong to handle it since no one bothered to show me where it goes. You do have a proper place for garbage, right? This isn’t the only place is it?”

His features darkened as he leaned forward. “You should really watch your insults Detective- You don’t want to disrespect this unit any more than you have.”

“Oh so I’m disrespecting the unit? Hardly anything to respect when you haven’t earned it.” You sneered out.

“Okay okay- calm down you two.” Yunho came barreling forward, putting space between the Vice and you while looking a bit panicked. “We can’t get anything done if we are tearing each other’s heads off.”

You shrugged, crossing your arms over your chest. “I have nothing better to do for a week, so I don’t see why not.”

“For fuck’s sake woman- you really are so mouthy.”

You glared past the two in front of you to Jongho who had a fresh coffee in his hands, sitting at the desk from before. “Give me a reason to shut up then.”

“I can give you several off the clock.” Mingi countered from his desk, leaning his palms against the surface.

You rolled your eyes. “I like dick, but not the personality type.”

“Enough!” The room froze with that one raised word, Yunho staring each of you down with a tick in his jaw. “We can all agree that none of us are happy with this situation… but for fucks sake we do have a job to do. Can you sit pretty until the Captain gets back and just hash it out with him? And can we all at least agree to try to be civil until then?”

You bit down on the inside of your cheek to keep from retorting without thinking. This had been what you wanted right? But you weren’t about to be the first to agree.

Yunho glanced at each of you once more, lingering on the Vice Captain last. “Seonghwa? We can’t afford to have an ongoing battle with another detective right now, can we make some arrangements?”

He relented with a sigh, shoulders relaxing. “Fine. You three handle this garbage… and you and I will talk.” He breezed past you down to your desk which you hesitated to follow at first. You could hear Mingi’s grumbles towards Yunho but you didn’t care.

“We’ll supply you with wifi, a seat, and a phone. As for work for the week it will be menial or trivial things. When Captain Kim returns, you can discuss with him your role.” He said as soon as you stepped up to the desk.

“And the offhand comments? The intentional sabotage?”

“Will stop.” Seonghwa relented once more with a sigh, seemingly tired of this whole ordeal. “Will this work?”

Now it was your turn to relinquish a sigh. “Yes, I came here to work not to fight over petty bullshit. As long as you follow those terms I’ll behave until your Captain returns.”

“Good. Write down anything you need for this space and I’ll have it picked up by tomorrow-”

“No need I can do so. I still have my things from my last unit, it’ll be fine.” Leaning against the wall you glanced up at him, holding out your hand. “So truce?”

He stared at your outstretched palm, reluctantly accepting. “Truce. Finish up here and come find me when you’re done. I’ll give you the wifi and a key to the front door.”

Just like that he left you alone, the click of the back office door heard a second later. Something still didn’t sit right with you, something still so inherently wrong about this whole situation, but there was nothing you could do.

Not yet at least. This was one battle won, you had a week to prepare for the boss fight.

Chapter Text

Bringing your old things from your last desk to this one was easier said than done all because you forgot the hour trek from your apartment to the office. While you had been packing up your apartment the last two weeks, your things from your old unit were still in the box by your front door so you had just grabbed it on your way out.

The subway train had been packed, but at least there was no rain on your way this time, just a bit cloudy. The front door to the office was locked so you struggled opening the door with the key but managed, finding it a bit dark. You were assured there was no alarm system you had to worry about, but the camera in the corner of the office still had you a bit hesitant- despite being told it was for show.

Nevertheless you shrugged it off, setting your box of things on the desk and then searching for the light. There was some streaming down from the hall, not much, so you didn't want to bother with whomever was there. Instead you shimmied off your bag and then suit jacket, adjusting the gun on your harness. You hadn't worn it yesterday since you didn't think it was important, but today it gave you a sense of comfort.

Truce or not you didn't expect things to be easy, even if they said the work would be.

You started off the day with unboxing your things: setting up your desk organizers, the cute pieces you used to bring some joy, but mostly pictures. One of getting your detective badge, one with you and your father who was a former detective himself, and one with-

Staring down at the photograph, your chest was tight; it was the first Christmas party with your last unit, all nine of you in chaotic Christmas cheer. Your eyes lingered on Chan a moment longer before you set the photograph back in the box. He wasn't your Captain anymore, your superior nor your friend; not after he recommended you get transferred.

Eventually you could stand to look at the picture again, it wasn't just Chan in it after all: it was your whole unit, who you adored. It was just raw right now, that's what you told yourself. You did set up the picture of you and Hyunjin at Disney, as well as one with you and Minho with the cat you had gotten him as a graduation gift from the academy.

The rest of your items were just office supplies you liked to use for organization and more. Easy enough setup that you were staring at the items unsure what to do now. You still needed a chair, having ordered one yesterday to be here some time today. Seonghwa had said he'd supply the phone, but there was none in sight. You didn't think he would go back on his word so soon, so wrote off it's absence for now.

Luckily you had brought your laptop, and while you no longer had access to your old unit, you should have some here.

That was much more limited than you thought, cursing under your breath as you attempted to access files- even the files of the detectives here were classified, which raised some questions. You were a part of this unit, you should be able to see who you are working with.

In theory that was the case, but you had to resort to a good ol’ Google search of the names you knew.

Vice-Captain of the crime syndicate unit, Detective Park Seonghwa- all that came up was his name and a lot of articles about his parents who ran Park Pharmaceuticals. So a rich kid who went into law enforcement as opposed to business like the rest of his family? Interesting.

Detective Song Mingi- a few articles of a brief mention of him as a first responder, all in successful chases. So he was a good driver? Erratic maybe. You couldn’t find anything else on him, not from Google at least, unless the dating profile for tinder that came up was his but you hoped not.

Detective Jeong Yunho- an article of a Jeong Yunho receiving an award for saving a kids’ life, but there was much more on his parents. In particular his father, a former detective who was shot and killed in a standoff with a well known, and still running, crime syndicate family. Well, he made sense.

Next was Kang Yeosang, however nothing popped up in the search engine. You tried again, adding keywords to help the search and yet still nothing. No police articles. No name on graduation lists. You started a deeper search, attempting to look at any mention of this unit in general but once more you came up empty handed. He was a ghost, and the unit itself was one to the public eye.

Definitely fishy. Even with their work, there should be some mention of this unit somewhere. You could remember media outlets covering the older unit before- so why was this one practically nonexistent?

You were getting frustrated with the lack of results, instead moving on to the final detective whose name you could remember: Choi Jongho. As soon as you put the name into the search engine however, your laptop was forced shut, a figure looming over you and holding it closed.

Looking up at the perpetrator with a glare, you bit out. “Excuse you? What do you think you are doing?”

Yeosang's cold stare met yours unwaveringly. “I should be asking you that. Why are you searching for us online?”

Letting out a huff, you turned to him as you stood up straighter. “Why can't I find anything about you online?”

His jaw tightened, annoyed you ignored his question and instead asked one he wasn't too happy about. “Because I prefer it that way. Again- why are you searching our names?”

It wasn't easy to erase someone completely from the internet, not in this day and age, but he managed to do that. Pair that with his sudden presence it left you even more suspicious. Again something fishy seemed to be going on.

“Why do I have basic level access to the police database? I can't access anything about this unit or your work and I can't do my job if I don't have access. So how else am I going to gather information?”

Yeosang met your defiant glare with his own cold stare. Neither of you said anything, his eyes seeming to search yours for any weakness but you weren't relenting. He pulled his hand off your laptop, stare unwavering even as the door opened.

You didn't have to look to know it was your chair, the delivery man announcing a package in your name and asking for a signature. You reluctantly turned, grabbing the small tablet and signing for the package.

As you did, Yeosang leaned in, his breath on your neck. “There is nothing for you to know so stop digging. This is my only warning.” He pulled away, some distance put between you both by the time you looked back up at him.

“Now you have me thinking you're hiding something.”

He stiffened, head tilting to the side as the look in his eyes somehow turned even colder. “Seonghwa might have called a truce, but keep in mind we don’t want you here. We don’t trust you, and we’ve spent years getting as far as we have with our work. Don’t risk fucking it up.”

“Or what?” You weren’t intimidated at all by the challenge in his deep voice; instead you rose to it, lifting your chin defiantly and stepping closer. “What the fuck are you going to do Pretty boy?”

He rolled his bottom jaw, tongue flicking out to touch above his lip, drawing your attention to a small stud there. You hadn’t noticed it before, but he had two small clear studs- cyber bites if you were recalling it correctly- one dead center beneath his nose and a labret as well. Funny, you didn’t expect him to be the type to have a piercing at all, let alone one like this. It just had you even more apprehensive of this unit.

The look he gave you only intensified the feeling in your gut that something was wrong. “You don’t want to find out, meddlesome bitch.”

Before you could retort, he turned and left down the hall. It took everything in you not to follow and demand he follow through with those words, your hands balled into fists at your side; instead you huffed out in frustration, trudging over to the box of your chair. “They’re the biggest fucking jerks I’ve met on the force.”

You found yourself missing your old unit at that realization. Sure not all of them had been friendly at first, but it was nothing like this. No threats had been made, nowhere near as many barriers put into place to keep you out, and their coldness had been more out of social awkwardness than a severe distrust for you. You had taken your morning routine’s for granted, the late night calls and their sometimes overbearing gestures.

Tears pricked the back of your eyes as you angrily opened the box, ripping it a few times in the process. You didn’t regret the actions you had taken that necessarily had you transferred- only the feelings that got torn to shreds when you were told of your transfer and their lack of fight to keep you on the unit. It made you question your place in their lives, and left you vulnerable and betrayed.

Maybe it was a good thing this unit was so adamant about keeping you at a distance and so open about their dislike of your presence.

All of this went through your head as you set up the chair, working through your emotions and your anger finally dissipating for now. The one month suspension to keep from contacting your previous unit was beginning to be a blessing, the distance giving you room to breathe as you knew their constant presence or interactions would just work you up like this. You couldn’t really focus on anything else the last two weeks, but now you were back at work, you had something to focus on.

Even if they weren’t going to give you work, warning you not to dig- you were going to. You had the decency not to dig into them right after the warning however, that just wasn’t smart, but you could dig into something else: their work.

Sure you didn’t have access to their files, but as you sat down in your newly assembled chair and opened your laptop, you knew there was plenty more to look at online. Gang activity wasn’t as sealed off as this unit was, you could start there. You could contact some of your reporter contacts and get information that way, and basic access to the police database was enough to see files of felons and gang related crimes.

No need to focus on your past unit, or how it left you feeling. No need to focus on this unit and their attempts to block you out- just focus on work.

Taking a deep breath and filled with newfound determination, you went to work.

— — — — — — — — —

Your old unit handled cases of runaways and cases committed by minors but you were just now realizing how many of those cases could be tied back to gang activity. Of course, the more severe the crime or case you usually were left off of; in hindsight you could now see why Chan did things that way. The number of young teens who clearly were being pulled into gangs was too large for comfort and it greatly unsettled you.

You could hardly be quiet when discovering a young child had run away due to a very abusive home and you had no choice but to send the child back to that home and file a report with children services. The hell you raised at that command had caused your first suspension and since then you had been more than a little mouthy to the higher ups and to Chan. If Chan had put you on cases that involved gang activity you knew you would have raised hell continuously as those cases would’ve been sent here.

You were rethinking your decision to come here now, aware that if you managed to stay in this unit you would question their every decision and probably break more than a few rules. You couldn’t afford another transfer, as the next time you did cause problems it would be the loss of your job.

All of this ran through your mind as you had gone out for your late lunch break, sipping on your usual cafe drink on the way back. The break had been much needed as your emotions had been getting out of hand looking at the files, but you got the gist of the organized crime of the city.

There were six gangs, three of them mafia and three new gangs aspiring to take the old down. They were organized enough, but also reckless and bold as well. Most of the underage crimes belonged to those two of those three new groups: The Blue Goblins and the Green Vipers. Each family had a color they coordinated themselves with and you had a good idea of their geographical layout based on this now.

The third newest gang was the Black Pirates, appearing about four years ago and quickly monopolizing control over the docks and trade out of the city that way. You couldn’t find anything on them, barely any members incarcerated, just a few dead ones and witness accounts from other gangs.

‘If you want to move product through the south, you have to get their permission’ was mentioned in several files. Their water based operations were fitting of their name, but you thought it odd how little there was. For the older gangs it made sense, they had so much money and time to perfect their operations- a young gang like this with so little arrests or screw ups?

Sighing you stepped back into the building, rubbing the inside corners of your eyes in frustration. You nearly dropped your drink when you saw someone hunched at your desk, fidgeting with something. Your first thought was your laptop, having left it open since you didn’t expect any of them to come out nor did you expect to be gone long.

Yunho looked up through the bit of hair that was in his fair, his expression relaxed as he stood up which didn’t help your nerves at all; you didn’t trust anything but their clear distrust of you. “Just in time.”

Apprehensively you approached the desk, walking around to see your laptop still on but now there was a phone next to it. “I was wondering when it would be brought out.”

He stepped back towards the hall, large hands stuffed into his pockets as he watched you slip into your desk chair, eyeing him warily. “Seonghwa said line 3 connects to his desk, he’ll contact you with work when he figures out something for you to do.” You nodded slowly at his explanation, setting your lunch and drink down. “Line 4 is Yeosang, and 2 is Captain’s desk when he gets back.”

You nodded again, waiting for him to leave… yet he just stood there. Clearing your throat you tilted your head with brows raised. “What else do you have to say?”

He hummed, lips pulling up into a bit of a smirk. “Just wanted to comment on your notes. They're pretty detailed for such a short time. I was curious though, with all this information what do you plan to do with it?”

You opened your mouth to respond, only to pause and turn to your notes. Everything was still there and yet you felt as if his question had a much deeper meaning. “What do you mean ‘do with it’?”

“Exactly that. Having the information is one thing, but what are you going to do? How would you do this job with that information?” He didn't seem to be condescending you but you were still wary.

So you thought it over, looking at the notes one more time. “Old mafia would be harder to shut down, especially if they have ties to law officials or higher. But they're cleaner and less harmful in the short-term.” You started off. “They would take a lot of planning and no mistakes to tear apart.” You looked over at him, somehow relaxing when he seemed to nod with approval. It sparked you to sit up straighter, a bit more enthused. “The newer gangs are the problem. Too reckless, too much blood, so they would need priority. They're also more likely to make a mistake, get too cocky.”

“Uh-huh, how would you do that?” He encouraged, leaning against the wall.

You opened your mouth to reply with the first thing that came to mind, only to stop. Technically it wasn't entirely legal, so you had to wrack your brain for the proper way. “Stake outs, gather more information, know who to watch, and figure out a way to catch them in the afternoon of the crime with enough evidence. Get enough, you can pit members against each other in confessions to lessen their sentence…”

Yunho seemed disappointed, shaking his head. “And would you do that all by yourself? With the resources you had now?”

“No I-” You frowned, narrowing your eyes on him. “You ARE being condescending!”

He grinned wider, standing up straight. “Not really, I was just curious. That is the way things work, as a unit. Keep doing what you're doing, think about that question. When you have a better answer- let me know, wise little girl.” He hummed, pulling out his hand to wave at you before turning and heading down the hall.

You flicked him off when his back was turned, calling him several curse words under your breath as you turned towards the laptop. “My other answer was fabricate evidence to aggravate the two gangs not only against each other but a larger family. They'd have their heads so far up their asses they'd piss off a big boy and get themselves destroyed in no time.” But that was neither legal nor safe really.

It was also those ideas that resulted in more than one fight with Chan. Things had to be done legally or they weren't right- you couldn't take the law into your own hands no matter how frustrating it was.

Sometimes, sometimes you wished you could.

Chapter Text

Two more days passed without another encounter, or even an assignment for work, and you felt as if you had gotten all the information you could possibly find with your access. There was an abundance of notes, including theories of ties and such, but you truthfully couldn’t find an answer to Yunho’s question that was different than before- or that you could do alone with your minimum resources.

While tomorrow the Captain should figuratively be back, you decided that you could wait another day. You didn’t want to have to deal with the Captain of this pompous team, and after mulling it over for the last hour before your shift was up, you picked up the phone and hit line 3. Part of you expected that he wouldn’t pick up, that you would be ignored, but you were more than relieved when he did.

“What do you need?” Even if he was a bit snappy.

“I’d like to have tomorrow off. Scratch that, I won’t be coming in tomorrow.” You really didn’t want his permission for anything honestly.

“The Captain will be here tomorrow, may I ask why?” His interest seemed to be piqued, which truthfully just annoyed you. Under different circumstances it might be nice that they had an interest, but you knew it was entirely because they were just too distrustful of you.

Still, you relented a bit. “Do you think I want to make an hour-long trek every single day just to get here? I get the keys for my new place tonight and I plan on moving everything tomorrow. Plus, no one guaranteed your Captain to be here and I don’t want to sit here twiddling my damned thumbs waiting.”

There was silence on the other end, only your frustrated huffs filling it for a long awkward moment. “Very well- under one condition.”

Your relief was short lived, glaring at the receiver. “What do you mean? What condition?”

“We’ve been more than jerks to you, and an hour move isn’t the easiest. Yunho and Jongho can help you move.”

Your jaw nearly hit the floor, shock being an understatement. “You want to help me settle in? What the fuck??”

There was a displeased grumble on his end, the shifting of a chair. “You don’t have any intention of leaving us anytime soon, and while yes we don’t want you on the team it’s inevitable at the moment and it is unfair to take it out on you.”

His words made sense but you were still unsettled by the offer. “You really aren’t giving me a choice either. If I want to have a day off to move, I’ll have to accept their help?”

“Mmm, if you want tomorrow off, yes. I'm sure you can wait two more days for your official day off and spend the entirety of it moving alone if you wish but I imagine it would be much more efficient this way.”

You felt your eye twitch at his haughty tone. “Fine. I accept the condition. They can meet me at my old place, 8 o’clock sharp. It sounds like you don’t need the address either.”

“I’ll notify them. Anything else?”

Biting back the urge to cuss him out every which way, you gritted your teeth. “No.” You hung up first, slamming the phone down on the receiver and huffing back into your chair.

Two hours later you had the keys to your new place in hand and headed back home, attempting to fix your sour mood by focusing on packing the very last bits and arranging everything. You booked the movers and headed to bed early still in a sour mood.

Sleep did nothing to remedy that, as the pounding on your door at five to eight alerted you to just how annoying this day was going to be. “That’s probably the rest of my help. Excuse me for a moment.” With a huff you left the mover alone to swing your door open. “Wow, I can’t believe you actually showed up.”

Yunho towered over you, widening his friendly smile- which you were sure was as fake as they come- and Jongho stood behind him, seeming as if someone pissed in his coffee… which might as well have been the case. Yunho looked you over with an appreciative hum, causing you to cross your arms over your chest defensively. You were dressed for comfort, unlike your usual work suits, which had seemed like a good idea until now.

“Of course, Seonghwa pleaded a good case. He can be very persuasive. May we come in?” Yunho nodded his head to the space behind you.

Jongho scoffed behind him. “I’d rather not.” He mumbled before you could answer.

Your sour mood definitely wasn’t going away any time soon. “You don’t have to be, I was fine on my own.”

“Sure you were.” Dripping with sarcasm, Jongho rolled his eyes as he just pushed his way in and looked around. He spotted the mover, a man in his late thirties that was the truck driver as well, and made his way over to help him.

Scoffing, you glared at his back. “I’d ask if he is always like that but I already know I’m an exception.”

“Let’s just get this done, I have plans tonight.” Yunho sighed, pushing his way inside and letting the overly friendly air around him melt away as he also went to help the mover.

You were fine with that, keep it simple and have them focus on helping the man you were paying- you didn’t want their help anyways. Huffing, you propped your front door open and went back to work.

It only took an hour before all of your furniture was safely in the truck and you were about to tear Jongho’s head off. “Can you STOP trying to break my fucking shit?!” He had, for the nth time, been too rough with some of your furniture, dropping it roughly into the truck and causing the nearby things to shake.

“Have less shit.” He shrugged nonchalantly, jumping off the truck and passing you as he headed back into the apartment complex

“I swear I’m going to- agh!” Throwing your hands up you glared after him, only to turn the glare on Yunho who was clearly holding his laughter at bay. “Want to say something?!”

With a chuckle he shook his head, setting down the box he was carrying. “And face your wrath? No thanks.”

Rolling your eyes you followed after him inside to grab the next box. “Oh please, you don’t think I’m a threat at all.” You mumbled, staring at his broad back as you two climbed the stairs. A few trips ago Yunho had pushed the sleeves of his dark shirt up to his elbows, revealing a sleeve on his right arm of black ink. You hadn’t bothered to pay it much attention, but it had you once again admitting they were attractive- the shitty personalities just ruined it for you.

“True. And if you assaulted me it would get you suspended faster.”

You felt your eye twitch, just as annoyed with Yunho as you were with Jongho. While Jongho was outright rude and grumbling his protests at every opportunity, Yunho was just passive aggressive, hiding most of his jabs behind a supposed friendly remark. The warm tone he had didn’t help either.

Still, the reminder that you could easily lose your job if you let your temper win was just the dose of reality you needed to calm down. “I’d say that’s the only downside if I left physical bruises.” You mumbled.

His deep chuckle caught you by surprise, a twinkle in his eye when he looked back at you. “I’d say that depends on how we receive the bruises, and if we get to leave some too.”

Clearly flirting, you froze up, eyes going wide. “Detective, are you implying you would enjoy fucking me?”

The smirk he gave you was most definitely real. “It has crossed my mind… attitude aside, you are quite attractive and gags are a thing.”

Steaming, you pushed past him with a sneer. “You’re a fucking douchebag.”

You kept busy after that, mouth shut and just glaring or sneering at Jongho’s remarks while completely ignoring Yunho after that. Another hour later and the truck was packed up and you had your bag and laptop in hand, giving the driver the address before watching him drive off. Turning to return the key to your apartment manager you frowned at the sight of the two detectives.

Yunho once more had his hands in his pockets, sleeves still pushed up, but now Jongho also had the sleeves of his striped sweater pushed up- which made no sense to you since he was wearing gloves. “You two are still here?”

“Of course- you aren’t done moving.”

Ignoring Yunho, you narrowed your eyes on Jongho who was avoiding looking at you. “I don’t have to tell you the address.” Jongho just rolled his eyes at your defiance, practically daring you to do so when he matched your glare.

When neither budged, or left, you shrugged your shoulders and headed inside. You weren’t surprised to find them still there twenty minutes later, your apartment key now returned, but once more you paid them no mind, instead getting a cab.

You should’ve known it wasn’t going to be that easy. Before you even shut the cab door they were sliding in on either side of you, cramping up the back seat as they stretched their legs out. “Excuse me?”

“You’re excused. Give the nice driver the address sweetheart.” Yunho adjusted himself in the seat, long legs in front of him and his right arm stretched out behind you.

Jongho said nothing on your right, his leg bouncing in annoyance while the driver watched you expectantly in the rearview mirror. With a sigh you relented, quite literally stuck between a rock and a hard place with no means of escape. Once your new address was given, the driver pulled onto the road.

The tension in the silence between the three of you during the ride was so thick you swore you could physically touch it. Jongho’s leg never stopped bouncing and both stared out the window. Yunho was practically leaning against you, his arm wrapped around your shoulders and every time you pushed it off it was back several minutes later so you had given up on that.

The drive was an hour as it was past the precinct office, more south, near the docks. Thinking about the location reminded you of just what gang territory both your apartment and the precinct technically was in- you wondered why it never occurred to you beforehand.

Was that why the Precinct was so inconspicuous? Or was that why the Black Pirates were so cautious?

Theories ran through your head, a nice distraction as you couldn’t look out either window without being reminded of the men you were uncomfortably sandwiched between. For a moment you wondered if they suspected you might have ties to one of the gangs, and that could be why they were so untrusting.

The idea had you softening a bit because that you could understand and be empathetic towards. They had years of work into trying to find a way to undo several crime organizations, which probably had their hands in law enforcement and higher, onlyfor you to transfer out of the blue? Your insistent need to stay?

Your shoulders slumped a bit, not liking the sudden understanding of their perspective- that made them less jerks and more… well more like you. It was hard to dismiss their defenses when you thought they had damned good reasons for it.

Battling with your morals for the last small leg of the drive, Yunho had to tap your shoulder to get you out of your head. You turned to look up at him, still a bit distracted. “Hm?”

Whatever he was going to say died on his lips as his eyes searched your face. His expression seemed to soften, which was the indicator that your own expression was perhaps more vulnerable than you wanted it to be. Steeling yourself, and your expression, you pulled away and lifted a brow.

He sighed, his own defenses coming back up. “We’ve arrived. Pay the man.” He huffed out before stepping out of the taxi, Jongho already standing outside.

Whether you could empathize or not, they still got under your skin so easily. Grumbling you did pay the driver before getting out of the car, looking up at the small apartment building that was now your new home.

“Is this really the place?” Jongho asked, joining you and Yunho on the sidewalk.

“Mhmm, apartment 16, third floor.” Adjusting your bag, you headed for the front door. Part of what sold you about this place was the security- the halls and entrances were monitored twenty-four seven and you needed a key code to get it- 1117. Inputting it, you stepped inside, not bothering to see if they were following. “I have to give the security guard a heads up that I’m moving things in, give me a second.”

The office was right by the front door, the security an elderly gentleman that said you could prop the door open and to ask him if you needed help. You came back out to Yunho holding back laughter and Jongho in an even more pissed off mood. “What’s so fucking funny?”

“Oh nothing nothing, this neighborhood just has some fond memories for me- Jongho isn’t too happy I brought them up.” Yunho patted the latter on the back before pointing to the truck that was pulling onto the curb. “We beat the mover, how about that.”

You didn’t push it, instead shaking your head and heading for the truck.

Despite your protest, the guard did come out to help you within the first hour of bringing everything in. While it was two floors shorter of a trek, it still took a bit to get everything into your new apartment- which was bigger and had a better view. If you could call the river docks a view, just a few blocks out.

Every time Yunho brought something into your apartment though, he had a shit-eating grin on his face that had annoyed you to no end. Whenever you questioned him, he would just shrug it off and say it was nothing important.

You did catch Jongho mumbling “this is going to make things so much worse” yet when you questioned him, he just brushed you off. That only aggravated you more, especially because there was nothing you could do about it.

By the time everything was safely in your apartment and the mover was fully paid and left, it was almost two and your stomach was growling. Having been in such a rush to get everything to your new apartment so you didn’t have to deal with these two longer than you had to, you had forgotten to eat or drink anything despite the constant physical excursion.

Despite your better judgment, you found yourself asking them if they wanted food.

“What?” Jongho's wide eyes narrowed into a glare. “You're joking aren't you?”

Rolling your eyes you shook your head. “I wish. However… you did help, and quickly too.” You admitted begrudgingly, a pout on your lips.

Yunho grinned. “Well I won't say no to free food- you are paying for it aren't you?”

“I'll pass.” Jongho headed for the door but you immediately stepped in his way, earning a sneer from him. “I thought you couldn't get rid of me fast enough? Why the sudden change?”

You matched his sneer. “I'm not an immature bitch who won't pay my debts just because I don't like you- so you can either stay and eat or accept cash.”

The two of you stared each other down while Yunho made his way over, hooking his arm around Jongho's shoulder and whispering something in his ear you couldn't hear. Whatever it was softened Jongho enough that he broke eye contact first.

“I'll stay and eat then. Fuck-” He grumbled over to your sofa.

You just fixed Yunho with a stare now. “How did you convince him to stay?”

“Easy- the longer we are here, the more we are paid. We're getting hourly for this.” Yunho stuffed his hands in his pockets, shit eating grin back. “Does that make you want to kick us out faster?”

You scoffed, pulling out your phone to order food. “Hardly. I'm not the one paying you to be here. What do you want to eat?”

Even agreeing on food was a hassle but you managed to get an order in, something that was quick to the door at least. While you waited you just started moving things around, the two men sitting on your sofa chatting under their breath and constantly sending you side glances.

It was easy to tune them out, partly because you started with your room.

You were struggling with your bed, getting the frame back together but the mattress and moving it was a problem. Like hell you were going to ask for help though, even in your hungry and exhausted state. When it suddenly moved into place, you nearly fell face first on the floor, scrambling to stay upright as laughter was heard next to you.

Turning with a glare, Yunho was standing at the other end of the bed, not bothering to hide his laughter this time. “Sorry, your struggles just got so pathetic I had to help.”

“I would have let her keep struggling.” Jongho spoke up from the doorway, a satisfied smirk on his face melting into a chuckle when your cheeks burned. “Too bad you didn't face-plant.”

“Shut up. I would have been fine!” A bit out of breath didn't help your case however.

“Are you sure this is where you want your bed?”

“I moved it here didn't I?” You snapped back at Yunho who was looking over your bed with more humor than you were expecting. “What's so fucking funny?”

“Nothing nothing- it just occurred to me that you don't have a sex life.” Yunho teased, licking his lips when he looked you over.

Stiffening defensively you hoped your embarrassment wasn't as obvious as your heated cheeks. “So what?! Don't tell me you want to change that? I'll pass.”

“If the two of you are going to fuck, let me leave first.” Jongho grumbled, turning to leave. “Food's here.”

Yunho just shrugged off both comments, still staring you down. “I'll pass as well, doll, otherwise your neighbors would get annoyed.” He motioned to the wall your bed was propped against. “And you wouldn't get your security deposit back.” Laughing at his own joke he followed after Jongho, leaving you steaming.

The images he had planted in your mind had you rethinking your bed position, which just had you even more flustered. This wasn't the time to try and hook up with someone, definitely not one of your new coworkers and a random hookup wasn't the best idea either. Yet you would be lying to yourself if what he said didn't spike some urges- the who was probably irrelevant.

Slapping your cheeks to regain some focus you headed out to the living area, telling yourself the only kind of rough play that would happen would be you bashing the heads of these two idiots in. As if your unsuspecting neighbors would be able to tell that though.

Chapter Text

Despite the urge to stick your foot up their asses by the time they left, you surprisingly felt a bit closer; or more so that you had a chance to stay in this unit and get along. While their attitude still showed that you weren't welcome, they did help you move, and ate with you.

It occurred to you that they had other reasons for doing so, but considering they couldn't stand to be in your presence, you were going to take that as a win. It left you in a bit of a perky mood as you made your way the now short distance to the agency, giving you plenty of time to stop for breakfast and what was becoming your usual morning drink. You needed some routine in your life currently with all the changes.

Stepping into the office, after unlocking the door, you were surprised to hear several voices. Setting your things down, you peered down the hall to the open doorway. You could recognize Yunho's laugh, it taunted you in your sleep last night, but there was an unfamiliar laugh as well.

Remembering the Captain was supposed to be back, you made your way down the hall, mentally preparing for a boss fight. After all, if you could win the Captain over then you wouldn't have such a problem trying to stay. Unlikely that you could win him over if the Vice Captain was anything to go off of- but you could still try.

You had the decency to knock on the open door before stepping in, drawing attention to yourself. Yunho was sitting at his desk, Mingi resting with his own head on his desk, probably out cold or struggling to wake. Jongho looked up from his own, sneering at your presence but it was the newcomer who had his back to you that had your undivided attention.

He had broad shoulders and a slim waist that was obvious from the way he was sitting and the dirty, stained with blood, white tank he wore. He turned his head to look back at you, only for Seonghwa to yank his chin back in place so that he could continue cleaning a cut above his brow.

“Who's that Hwa?” He sounded curious, attempting to turn again just for Seonghwa to scrunch his nose in annoyance.

“No one of importance-” Mingi grumbled half asleep, turning his head in the opposite direction. He hadn't even lifted up enough to look over his computer screen to see if it was you, which had you pressing your lips in a tight line.

“No one this attractive is of no importance.” The newcomer retorted, waving over at you. “Detective Choi San, nice to meet you.”

The friendly greeting kindled the bit of hope you had as you stepped in a bit for him to get a better look at you. “I'm the newest part of your unit.”

“No-”

“Well unwelcome part.” You corrected, giving Jongho a stern look to shut up his incoming insult. “Can I ask what happened?” On closer inspection he had quite a bit of bruises on him, some a bit busted open with cuts like his lip.

Seonghwa let out a huff, giving up on mending him for the moment and stepping back to finally acknowledge your presence. “Our job happened. I need to tend to the Captain and then we'll have you come in for a chat. San-” He mumbled the man's name as a warning.

San just waved Seonghwa off dismissively, jumping off of the edge of the desk he had been sitting on in between Jongho and Mingi's- you assumed it was his. With ease he made his way over to you with a smile, but you stiffened. Despite the friendlier demeanor that he had, you didn't want to trust anyone in this unit after the way they've treated you so far. “Damn they really got you scared Detective? I'm not going to bite you unless you ask, so relax.”

Clearing your throat, you forced yourself to do just that. “Again, I've been quite unwelcome so can you blame me?” In fact, the others were practically ignoring you; Jongho on his phone, Seonghwa left and Mingi let out a soft snore indicating he did fall asleep. You could feel Yunho's eyes on you but you were determined to ignore him instead.

“Not at all. You look quite familiar though… have we met?” He tilted his head to the side, looking you over with pure curiosity and a bit of confusion.

You shrugged. “Your name sounds familiar but I think I'd remember someone as gorgeous as you, even all bruised and bloody as you are.” You had to admit, he was fucking hot. Sharp jaw and sharp eyes that reminded you of a kitten currently with the way they were wide and curious. The hint of a wolf tattoo on his chest and tendril-like tattoos on his arms, both which were as defined as the rest of him.

He grinned, taking a second to look you over as he stopped just within reach. However, before he could say anything, Yunho decided to give you a full introduction: Name, age, and even went ahead and announced “She transferred because her old unit couldn't handle her. Good luck.”

You saw all curiosity and interest drain from his face, instantly replaced with a strained smile and closed-off eyes. “Couldn't handle you? Why is that?”

You sent a glare over at Yunho, once more wishing you could get away with physical violence and no consequences. “Fuck off.”

“So original doll.”

San watched the two of you battle it out mentally before clearing his throat. “You don't have to answer-”

“Good because I don't plan to.” You shot out of reflex, biting on your lip as you realized how rude that was. You didn't mean to be rude, not to San at least even if he was closing himself off to you already. “Sorry, it's just personal.” You sighed, looking away.

“You were close with them huh? The pictures on your desk?” Despite your obvious unwillingness to divulge information on the matter, Yunho of course had to poke.

Your reaction was too immediate to prevent, shoulders slumping and an arm wrapping around your waist to grip your other. “Did I not just say I didn't want to talk about it? Remember I didn't want to be transferred.” You sneered out, for once lacking bite to the words.

The tension shifted in the room but you didn't lift your head to investigate why. Instead, further awkwardness was prevented as Seonghwa stepped out of the hall, calling your name. “Follow me.”

With a bit of haste, you moved around San and down the hall, following Seonghwa to the second office on the left. There was a plaque on the door that read “Captain” while the first door had been Seonghwa's office. Stepping inside, you were greeted by a man of average size with bleach-blonde hair leaning back against a desk in the center of the room. No smile, but no glare either, just an inquisitive arch to his brow.

“This is her?”

“Yes.” Seonghwa shut the door behind you, watching as you gave the Captain a proper introduction and bow.

He ignored you however, watching Seonghwa. “Captain Kim Hongjoong- I thought she was feisty?”

“She is, just give her a second.”

“Huh- then what do you suggest we do?”

“What do you think we can do? You couldn't reject the transfer so I doubt they will let us pawn her off on someone else.”

“True true.”

You stood by silently while they had a full conversation about what to do with you… right in front of you. You were trying to hold your temper down but the blatant disrespect was always a quick thing to get under your skin. “Pardon me but I'm right here- you could include me in the conversation.” You finally huffed out.

Hongjoong smiled at that while Seonghwa sighed behind you. “See, I told you.”

The blonde man laughed, standing up and finally directing his attention to you. “Why did you ask for this Precinct?”

Hands on your hips, you straightened defensively. “None of your business.”

“If you want to stay here with minimal trouble, then it is. So answer the question.” He crossed his arms over his chest, jutting his chin out.

Lips twitching as you fought back a sneer, not liking that at all, you relented. “It was the furthest.”

“The furthest?” Seonghwa stepped around you, standing next to Hongjoong. “What do you- fuck.” When it dawned on him, he pushed his hair out of his face angrily. “So let me get this straight- you picked the farthest Precinct just to be away from your previous unit?”

It hurt that your shame was this obvious, unable to meet either of their eyes. “Pretty much. I don't know why the board agreed to it but if I had known you all would have a stick up your ass I would've tried for anywhere else.”

The two of them exchanged a look you caught the tail end of when you finally lifted your head. It was like they were having a silent conversation right in front of you, which would annoy you if not for your silent wish not to hear what they had to say. You knew what was coming next.

With the tilt of his head, Hongjoong turned to you once more. “You were supposedly close with your previous unit, why did you want to be so far away?”

Bingo- right on a nerve.

Shifting your weight from one foot to the next, you nibbled on your bottom lip. “I never wanted the transfer, but it was my unit chief that requested I get one. Several of the unit agreed and pushed me to take the transfer. As far as I’m concerned, I want as little to do with them as I can right now.”

Hongjoong nodded his understanding, leaning back against his desk. “Very well. Head back to your desk, I’m going to talk with my Vice-Captain here and then we’ll call you back in.

“With all due respect Captain-” you gathered up your courage to hold your ground “-I'd prefer to be present when my career is being talked about.”

“Doesn't matter what you prefer, you're dismissed.”

Now the sneer did make its way onto your lips, narrowing your eyes on the Captain. “The last time I wasn't a part of the conversation I ended up here so I will be staying right here.”

He stepped up to you, Seonghwa stiffened behind him and fixed you with a cold glare. Paired with the menacing expression on the Captain your nerves felt a little fried. “I will personally drag you out of this office by your hair if I have to, Detective, but I am attempting civility here.”

“I am as well, Captain. Your team has been hostile since I've arrived and I am sick of it. The board will take it out on me if you attempt to boot me out of this unit so soon and I am not above taking others down with me if that happens.” You gritted out through clenched teeth.

“Are you threatening me?”

“Does it sound like one?” The two of you were practically chest to chest now, eyes locked and the air thick with tension around you both.

To your surprise, he didn't retort or threaten back- instead, he grinned wildly, laughing as he turned to Seonghwa. “She's a fucking firecracker, look at this. I like her spunk.”

Seonghwa had a deep frown on his features at this, letting out a long sigh and a shake of his head. “It would be better if it wasn't pointed at this team.”

“True true. I suppose a little force is necessary.”

Before you could react, he was gripping your arm and dragging you to the door. As you started to struggle the door swung open and you were roughly pushed out. You managed not to fall to the floor but instead stumbled into the wall on the other side, turning to glare at the door as it was slammed shut.

The urge to kick it down was strong, but instead, you flicked it off for your own benefit and cursed them both out under your breath.

Frustrated, angry, upset- and so much more- you had every intention of standing right here.

“Pay up-”

“Dammit.”

“Who had bets she would be thrown out?”

“Jongho did.”

At the entrance of the hall the rest of the team stood, exchanging bets. You turned your glare on them, hands balled into fists at your side. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?”

“What does it look like?” Jongho held up the wad of cash the other four had given him. “Betting on your demise. You're good for predictability at least.”

You hardened your glare on him. “Seriously? You all have to be some of the shittiest detectives there is.”

“I think you take the cake there buttercup.” Mingi grumbled. “Getting kicked out of your old unit? How fucked up of a detective do you have to be for that?”

A plethora of emotions washed through you, forcing you to blink back tears. “That's none of your business.” If standing around here was going to get you further ridiculed, you would rather go wait at your desk before you really did something stupid. You stalked forward, only Yunho, San and Yeosang moving out of your way.

“But it's in your file. Your unit Chief requested it right? Want to know the shit he had to say?”

You stopped in your tracks and glared over your shoulder at Yeosang, chest tight. “You have no right!”

“We have every right. We don't want you here-”

“You made that abundantly clear!” You cut off Mingi, turning to face them and practically shaking. “I don't understand what the fuck I did to earn such hostility from you lot but you can shove it elsewhere. I don't know if your inflated egos can handle the idea of a female detective on your team. I don't know if your assignments made you distrustful- but I don't fucking care. You are grown ass men, and this is a work environment, I believe I'm owed better fucking treatment than this- even after your Vice's so called attempts at a truce.”

Sometime during your rant the Vice in question, and Captain, had stepped out of the office. You ignored the tears that had welled up, the emotion in your voice, and pushed forward. “Grow the fuck up, get your heads out of your ass, and just accept that despite NONE of us liking my presence here, I am not leaving!” You pointed a glare at the two in the back specifically before turning on your heel. “Figure out what to do with that on your own.”

You didn't go far, leaving the door open and instead slipping into the bathroom and slamming the door shut. It wasn't the most private but… you could be spared some shame as you worked to stop the tears you now let overflow.

The overwhelming loneliness was suffocating, only widening the hole in your heart further.

— — — — — — — —

Seven pairs of eyes watched you go, two of them wincing at the loud thwack of the door getting slammed.

San was the one to break the heavy silence that followed. “What the fuck did you all do to her?”

“We played nice-”

“You call that nice Yunho? For fuck'a sake she's not mafia. She's not an enemy, why did you all have to treat her like she is one?”

“Why are you getting defensive? You just met her, San.”

“Should a supposed comrade breaking down like that not bother me? Should I be smirking like this fuck face here?” San jabbed a thumb towards Jongho.

All gazes moved to Jongho who immediately wiped the smirk off. “What? I don't like her, comrade or not.”

“Don't be a fucking child.” San grumbled off and then headed for the door. “Since one of us needs to be nice, it'll be me.”

They watched him leave, hearing him knock on the bathroom door and call out for you sweetly.

“We do need to dial it back. A lot.” Seonghwa didn't tear his eyes from the hall. “You saw the report Yeosang, why did she get transferred? The board won't explain, and we were trying not to dig too deep and raise flags.”

Yeosang sighed. “Do I ever leave evidence?”

“True- still, let's refrain from digging any more than you have. We have enough eyes on us as is.”

“She's still a liability. Unit Chief Chan had written in his report that she is a damned good detective, but attempts to bend and break protocol often. She can take cases personally when believing that the system is being unjust or not working in favor of victims but that it's also a great motivator for her job. He expressed how he thinks she could do greater things in a different unit, and feels as if the S.K unit is potentially holding her back and keeping her from being properly disciplined for the job simultaneously.” Yeosang recited the report for the others, giving them food for thought.

Yunho frowned, leaning back against his desk. “So driven but reckless and with a strong moral compass. She'll have a lot to say about the way we run things.”

“That's fine. She's a part of this unit now.” Hongjoong tore his gaze from the door as he heard the bathroom door open. “Change the board and put up all we know about the Green Vipers. We're going to test her. Yeosang, give her access to our files on them and let her get up to date. We can't treat her like we would outside of this Precinct, so treat her like a detective.”

“You can't be serious, Captain!? How long do you think it's going to be before she fucks up our operations? Or dig into something she shouldn't. Why not transfer her out?” Jongho clenched his fists at his side, angry with the decision.

Seonghwa and Hongjoong both fixed him with a stare. “We didn't say we are trusting her, but let's trust her track record. We are stuck in a rock and a hard place and that's only going to get worse if we fight her and this new reality any more.”

San stepped back in the room with you right behind him, defenses back up and that fire burning in your eyes the rest of them were beginning to associate with you. Some of them had to admit, seeing your eyes devoid of that spunk had left a bad taste in their mouths.

With a deep breath, you bowed deeply, fists clenched at your sides. “I'm sorry for my outburst.”

Yunho smirked, pleased with how steady your voice was now. “Truthfully we deserved it. Didn't we Mingi?” He slapped his friend on the back, causing him to stumble forward.

Mingi had been quiet since your rant, a permanent frown on his features as he avoided eye contact. “Maybe a little.”

San smiled down at you, nudging your shoulder for you to stand back up. “Told you we aren't the biggest assholes.”

“That's debatable.” You muttered under your breath, causing Hongjoong to widen his grin.

He stepped forward, outstretched hand for you to take. “True. Let me apologize on their behalf. Welcome to the team, but we still don't plan to make it easy for you.”

You grinned, lighting up your features as you accepted his hand. “I prefer a challenge anyways.”

Chapter Text

As an apology, and to give you a little break, Hongjoong had sent you out with San to grab food for everyone- yourself included. San changed out of the bloody shirt into a black button-up after he let Seonghwa finish bandaging him up. They let you pick the place and you offered the deli down the street you had been going to. San took their orders and walked with you, encouraging you to rant about the others and he listened, giving you his full attention. You had been apprehensive about it at first, but a part of you wanted to lean on him.

He had come to your figurative rescue earlier, knocking on the door and apologizing for them. He managed to coax you out, and when you opened the door he had been sweet, joking about beating up the others on your behalf and that he could get away with it. Plus, you needed an ally, even if it was just partially.

You didn’t understand why San wasn’t hostile to you from the start like the others, why he sought you out to comfort you and why now he was listening so intently… but you liked it. You didn’t trust him of course, but you enjoyed his company nonetheless. Arriving at the deli he gave everyone’s order and looked at you expectantly.

“I still have my food at the office.” You were just thankful for the excuse to come back out.

“It's probably cold by now. Get something. It's on the Captain's card so don't worry about the price.” He smirked, showing off the card between two of his fingers. “Come on, make it hurt.”

Grinning, he did have a point. You ordered more food than you could eat but San encouraged you by saying he could hide the rotting food in one of the other's things. The childish prank idea had you giddy.

On the walk back he insisted on carrying all the food and some of the drinks, leaving you with one carrier and your own food. He didn't struggle with it, and continued talking as if you two had been working together for a while. It was almost alarming how easily you got swept up in his charm.

“See I'd bet Jongho would just flip his shit, desk too, if he found a moldy mass just hiding in his back drawer. Either him or Mingi would have the best reactions.”

“What about Yeosang?” You asked, amused by his descriptions of how each of them would react.

San shrugged. “He keeps himself locked in his work room, it would be hard to sneak it in there. Captain would also be a good idea as his office is usually left a mess but you would have to hide it well enough that Hwa wouldn't find it while cleaning. If he did- well he'd just blame the Captain.”

You tried to picture an argument between the two over a moldy forgotten sandwich, bringing a smile back to your face once more. “Now that sounds even more interesting. And you said Yunho would be the least reactive?”

“Mhmm, not much actually pisses him off. He'd probably just throw it away when he saw it and forget about it in minutes.”

“I see…” He had appeared to be the friendlier of them, or well least angry. Despite his teasing and condescending interactions, he had talked to you the most. “The amount of testosterone between all of you is absolutely infuriating, you know.”

“Yeah- I know. If circumstances were different I wouldn't be surprised if they had a bet going of who would fuck you first.” He chuckled dryly, the building in view.

You made a disgusted face at that. “UGH, men.”

He was still laughing when you two entered through the front. You set your food and drink down first before following San to the back, your now good mood getting more tense with each step.

You wanted to believe things were resolved- wanting to believe there was no more hostility- but they attempted a truce before and that turned into the argument earlier. So as you followed San to the nearest desk and set everything down, you were visibly on edge.

“I'm going to go eat now…” You told San, not bothering to look at anyone else that might be in the room.

San reached out and grabbed your wrist gently, eyes searching your expression. “You sure you don't want to eat with us?”

Shaking your head you pulled away. “No thanks, I'm not going to push my luck. I've had enough testosterone today.” With a heavy sigh, you turned to head back to your meal- only to run into a chest. “Ou-”

“Sorry, figured you would be more on your toes.” Seonghwa grabbed your forearms to steady you, the hint of a smirk on his lips.

You narrowed your eyes in response. “Forgive me for not being more on edge.”

His expression fell, as did his hands. “That wasn't- it wasn't a jab, I'm sorry.” He looked you over, standing in your way to keep you from leaving. “Captain asked if we could join you to eat? He wants to have a chat.”

Stiffening a bit, you knew it was an order and not a request. “Do I- fine, I'll be at my desk.” You bit off your defensive retort and relented defeat, making your way around him with a heavy sigh.

You were much more mentally exhausted than you had believed, your temples beginning to throb as you made your way back to your desk. You were given a moment to sit down and collect your thoughts before the two of them joined you. Seonghwa stood on the other side of your desk while Hongjoong sat down right next to you- he had dragged a stool back and plopped it down right next to you.

The difference between the two was almost comical: Seonghwa keeping his distance but a watchful eye while Hongjoong saddles up close without a care in the world as he set up his lunch and dug in without a word.

“Make yourself comfortable I guess.” You mumbled, turning to your meal.

Hongjoong let out a pleased hum, cheeks full of food as he gave you both a thumbs up. Seonghwa replied with a scowl. “I guess I’ll do the talking.”

You just shrugged, focusing on your food just as Hongjoong was.

“For starters, we’ll be increasing your access to our files. We’ll be assigning you the Green Vipers which San is the most familiar with. We want you to familiarize yourself with all the information we have available and run it all by San. When he believes you’re ready, we’ll pull you fully on the case.” Seonghwa sipped on his drink, which you believed was some strawberry type if the pink coloring was anything to go by.

You were still trying to wrap your head around the news that they were not only giving you access but letting you work a case. “What’s the catch?”

Hongjoong mumbled something with his mouth full of food before he was met with a glare from Seonghwa. He swallowed and then repeated himself. “Yeosang needs to install a security program on your laptop, and this is technically a test. The first time you do something to jeopardize the mission- you’re off of it and stuck at this desk with nothing to do until we can transfer you out.” He chased the food with his drink before turning to you fully. “Do well, and we’ll start you in the field where the real work happens here.”

It was hard to clamp down on the excitement that surged through you, well aware your eyes and posture lit up at the news.

“You're not just yanking my chain? I can stay?” You looked between the two, Hongjoong grinning with amusement while Seonghwa had a frown on his face but nodded. “Thank you!”

“Don't thank us yet, you have a lot to prove.” Seonghwa warned, finally digging into his food. “And we aren't going easy on you.”

“I told you I like the challenge.” You pointed at him, then looked at them each. “I know you have your reasons for not trusting me, a lot of the work you do is secretive and it's years of progress. I don't plan on undoing that, I have an idea of how bad these mafia groups are.” Some of the articles you had found during your solo research had been stomach-churning.

Hongjoong paused in his eating, nodding. “Definitely a firecracker, but I like that.”

“Captain, please don't flirt with the newbie.”

“Why not? Flirting is harmless.”

You rolled your eyes but bit back a smirk. “You're the smallest one here, I'll pass.”

“Oh? Size matters to you? I thought you liked a challenge.”

Now you did smirk. “Really? And you're a challenge?”

“I'm good at all positions, so you tell me.”

“Oh my God you two.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, Seonghwa shook his head. “I don't need this, I'm barely holding this unit together as is- can we not chase tail?”

Hongjoong pouted out his pretty lips, batting his lashes at Seonghwa. “Why not? All work and no play makes Captain a dull boy.”

“Talk about an old married couple damn.” You laughed, grinning at the two of them.

The glare they each gave you was identical. “We aren't.”

“Mhmm sure.”

“Back to the point-” Hongjoong started.

“There was no point, drop it.”

“No point yet, don't ruin my fun Hwa.”

“Please-”

You decided to let the two bicker, watching them as you ate. This was a stark contrast to the Vice-Captain you had met before, a good portion of his icy demeanor had melted with his Captain’s partial approval. Despite his disapproving view of the Captain's current behavior, you believed that his loyalty was unbreakable.

You thought you had that once. With that thought entering your mind, you set your drink down and cleared your throat. “Was there anything else the two of you needed?”

They stopped mid-bicker and turned to you, noticing your drop in mood. Seonghwa straightened, back to business. “No, I'll inform Yeosang and San to come over so you can get started on that. You can head home when San says and we'll see you Monday.” Gathering up his things he moved around the desk. “Come on Captain.” Like a mother, he started picking up the mess his Captain made.

Hongjoong didn't move though, instead fixing you with an intense stare. “I do have one question actually-”

“I'll see if I can answer it.”

Hongjoong stood when nudged, instead holding up the picture of your old unit Christmas party. “Which one were you dating or sleeping with?”

First, you had no idea when he had found the hidden photo as you had been right next to him the whole time. Second, his question filled you with so much fury that you surged to your feet. “The fuck?”

Hongjoong shrugged nonchalantly, setting it down. “Mmm so I was right-”

“No! None of them! They were my friends and colleagues- I didn't do anything with them.”

“Doesn't mean feelings didn't blossom.” As you glared he just grabbed the stool and moved to follow Seonghwa. “I'm not going to judge you for it, how hypocritical of me after I was clearly flirting? Relationships are something the team needs to know about, in or out of the Precinct.”

Your fire lowered to a simmer, taking a deep breath to calm yourself further. “Because they could get compromised?” You had to remember just how dangerous this unit was compared to your old one.

He blinked a few times before nodding, giving a thumbs up. “Yep, that's the reason. If it happens just let us know. Man, woman, multiple- we don't care but we do have to know.”

“Multiple?” You squeaked out, flabbergasted as he just chuckled.

“Mhmm- we'll send San and Yeosang over, firecracker.” With the change in subject, he left, leaving you too stunned to speak.

You didn't like him poking around in your personal life but you hadn't lied. Warily you picked up the picture, eyes scanning the familiar faces and softening on more than one. Multiple? That was something your old unit might have found shameful, one of many reasons your now hurt feelings were never verbalized.

That was in the past now, you just wanted to focus on the now and get through this. Stay a detective, feel like you are making a difference again, and do it right this time.

San came down the hall first, a smile on his face as he took Seonghwa's spot and leaned on the counter. “So I heard the news, you're my temporary partner?”

“Temporary?” You had fixed your desk in that short time and gathered your wits about you.

He nodded. “Correction, more like you are under my wing. I think you'll do just fine but for starters, give me a run down of what you know.”

That you could do.

“The city is basically split in half by older, traditional Mafia and new gangs-” You started off, pulling your laptop open and looking for your notes. “The southern part of the city has always been smaller gangs, which I think the three big organizations profited off of their turf wars. That was until about a decade ago when things changed and the number of gangs lessened while their power grew. Now there are 3 major ones that, while they don't match the power of the bigger 3, they hold enough power in the city to be a threat.”

“You got all this on your own? Impressive.” He whistled appreciatively, looking over your notes. “And just from looking online?”

You shook your head. “I called in a few favors and asked some colleagues.”

“Alright let me quiz you- what are the names of the big 6?”

“The White Guardians, Red Wolves, and Golden Circle are the big 3; the others are Blue Goblins, Green Vipers, and finally the Black Pirates. They can usually be identified by some color or accessories while more important players get tattoos.”

As if your early troubles were nonexistent, you were about to throw yourself into a tangent explaining each of them when Yeosang cleared his throat. Clenching your jaw, you just silently handed your laptop over before he asked.

“I can do it here.” Stepping behind the desk and effectively caging you in, he plugged in a flash drive and went right to work. Cornered on all sides, you pressed back into the corner to be further from Yeosang, still stinging from his earlier comments.

“You were saying?” San urged as if sensing your distress.

Tearing your eyes off of Yeosang you looked back over to San. “The big 6- right. I can give you territorial layout as well as their main operations. It's just a rough outline, since I don't have access to your files yet, but it was the only start I could think of.”

Once more he whistled appreciatively, grinning to the point you could admire his dimples a bit more. “That's still impressive. We gave you a hostile work environment and limited resources and you deduced that much from this desk?”

You could feel the tips of your ears burning but paid no mind to it. “It's really just basic knowledge that any of the members of these gangs would know, you don't need to show praise for something so simple.”

“Mmm true. Well, enlighten me anyways. The White Guardians, what do you know?”

“They're the most secretive of the big 3, only mentioned by other gangs who had dealt with them. Not much is known by them but anytime one of their members or their sub-unit, The Silver Dogs, get in trouble with the law, everything seems to get wiped clean. All that's known for sure is their territory is the northwest where crime levels are low. I would suspect they mostly likely have law-” You stopped yourself, realizing you were just about to divulge too much information.

But San was watching you with intent, motioning for you to continue.

However when you were about to relent, the deep voice next to you reminded you that the two of you weren't alone. “They most likely have the largest amount of dirty law officials, cops, judges and congressmen in their pocket. Right?”

You looked over at him, nodding slowly. “I kept that out of my notes though…”

“I didn't have to read them to know. We assumed the same. They will be the hardest to take down- if we can at all.” He went back to your laptop, messing with some download screen with a quick-moving bar under a bunch of code.

Your shoulders slumped at that admission. “If you can't completely eradicate the criminal organizations, what goal do you have?”

“Lessening it. Crime is never going to go away, there will always be people who play by their rules and corrupt others- our job is to prevent as much damage by those groups as possible and diminish what we can.” San's tone was softer than before, as if urging you to have some hope.

You wanted to. “I see-”

“Onto the next one- The Red Wolves.” He prompted.

Clearing your throat you went on another tangent. “The Red Wolves are Northeast along the river. Out of all the organizations they have the dirtiest hands and some of the most ruthless. Crimes of human trafficking, and prostitution rings as well as the most recorded crimes committed by minors and to minors. They have the biggest feud with the White Guardians who, according to some Red Wolves, have been interfering with their work for years now. They are also the only gang that doesn't go through the Black Pirates for access to transportation by water considering they have territory of half the river. What really makes them fierce is their hitman unit the Crimson hounds. Whatever their tactics, it's enough to keep the others from attempting to interfere.”

“Again- I'm really impressed. Now the last one, the Golden Circle.”

“Center city and the oldest of the three. Most likely composed of corporations that use the Golden Circle as their cover for illegal activities. Their main motivator seems to be profit by any means stemming two sub groups: The Pink Boas and Gray Bones. The Boas are a believed-to-be all female group that handles underground brothels and club life in downtown. The Gray Bones are their equivalent of the Hounds, their hitman group. Out of the three mafia families, this is the only one that's been hit by the newer gangs.”

“Oh? Why do you think that?”

“Territory massacre in the west between them and the Blue Goblins. The Goblins won, gaining access to downtown enough to spread out their drug distribution. They are the most power hungry, even using minors. They have a lot of younger members, runaways and troubled kids from the slums, so they feel as if they have something to prove and nothing to lose.”

Yeosang slams your laptop shut suddenly, spooking you out of your rant that you might have been getting too passionate about. “How do you know?”

“Excuse me?”

“How have you gathered information like that? From this desk?” He was staring you down with his jaw clenched, leaving you perplexed.

You narrowed your eyes in response. “Because I remember quite a few of the names that came up- they were kids I had to arrest, that we had to charge and interrogate and send off to Juvie. So I knew some of them.” You crossed your arms over your chest. “Or did you forget that and just want to assume I'm involved?” The sneer came out from habit but it was too late to take back now.

Yeosang sighed, pushing the laptop towards you. “I know your file inside and out; you're too impulsive for it. Although you act like that… like you have nothing to lose and everything to prove.”

You lifted a brow, stepping closer. “So what if I do? Do you think it makes me any less of a detective?”

“Of course we don't-”

“I wasn't asking you, San.” You winced as you said it. “Shit I'm-”

“No no it's okay.” San stood up straight, avoiding your eyes.

“I'm done here so I'll be leaving.” Yeosang said instead, making a hasty retreat and leaving you with a bad taste in your mouth.

Swallowing hard, you leaned on the desk to try and capture his eyes with yours. “San? Are you pouting?”

“No-” He most definitely was. “Okay maybe. I don't know how they can stand it when you snap at them, it wounds me.” He put a hand over his chest, effectively lifting some of the tension.

“It was a reflex, I'm sorry.”

“Hmmm…. Apology accepted. Now, where were we?” He flashed a charming smile that disarmed you and had you scrambling for your train of thought.

Already Yeosang was forgotten again and so were his words. At least for now.

Chapter Text

San spent a great deal of time going over the Green Vipers with you, in fact, the Black Pirates had never gotten discussed as the two of you had been so wrapped up in the discussion you didn’t move on. He had moved around the desk and leaned next to you while he pulled up the files through your access, letting you write down any notes and taking his time.

The two of you were discussing the hierarchy of the known heads of the Green Vipers when your phone started buzzing, a picture of a pretty boy lighting up your screen. San looked over curiously, brow lifted as his lower lip jutted out in a pout. “You know pretty boys like that?”

With a sigh, you picked up the phone more so to ignore San’s teasing pout. “Hyunjin I’m on probation I can-”

“Sure you can because currently I’m not on the team.” Hyunjin’s sass was heavy already but he caught you off guard. “Don’t worry sweetcheeks, it’s not permanent.”

“Explain.” Standing up straight your eyebrows scrunched together as the phone call now had your undivided attention.

Hyunjin hummed on the other side mischievously. “I can tell you now or maybe over some lunch tomorrow? You moved away and now I have to actually make time to come visit you. Do you know how that hurts? My best friend moving across the city from moi? Like just tell me you don’t love me anymore next time.”

Despite the dramatics, you couldn’t help but smile. You missed this, missed him, knowing damn well that despite what happened each one of them could easily worm their way back into your heart. You loved them after all. “Still dramatic as ever.”

“Should I be anything less? Jeez that’s an insult sweetie, you know better.”

A genuine laugh was pulled out of you, grin widening. “I do, I do. Then lunch tomorrow? Text me a place?”

“Who says I don’t already have one in mind? I better see you looking as fine as the day I wed you my boo. I’ll text you. Kisses.” Hyunjin blew a few into your ear which you happily replied with one of your own before hanging up with a laugh.

As you set the phone down you were still grinning, nearly forgetting you weren’t alone… until San cleared his throat. “Boyfriend?”

A bit startled, you blinked a few times before shaking your head. “Friend. Hyunjin.” You pointed at the photo of the two of you at Disney. “Old unit, he just wants to hang out tomorrow.”

“Aw, I want to join.”

Your face scrunched up several levels of disgust and judgment. “Excuse you?”

He chuckled, watching you with a slightly more intense gaze than he had before. “I liked your laugh, I want to hear more of it.”

The heat that coursed through you burned your ears and cheeks. “Wha- where? Excuse you?!” More flustered by the second he grinned, turning so he was leaning his side against your desk. “I laugh plenty normally!”

“I’m sure you do, but what’s the likelihood it’ll be in my presence where I can just soak it in?”

You felt your face get even more heated, scoffing at his words. “Some other time when I like you more.”

“You don’t like me already? Damn I’m not doing a good enough job then.”

With a grunt, you shut your laptop annoyed. “Oh, just drop it.”

“I don’t wanna.” He stood up and blocked your way with ease as you tried to get out of the little space behind the desk. “So can I join you?”

“No!” Huffing, you squeezed past him but not without pressing the entirety of your side into his chest. “Stop fooling around and let me go-”

“But where are you going? We weren’t done.” He had a wide shit-eating grin on his face that popped his dimples out the entire time you dodged and tried to put some space between you two.

He just stalked you around the lobby, clearly getting a kick out of how you were running from him. “I’m packing up for the day and heading home! I’ve had enough of this team’s mental torture for one day don’t you think?”

He pouted at that, hands going up in the air in surrender. “Fair point. I’ll let you head out for the day- but we’ll be going over everything Monday when you come back.”

Sighing with relief you slid back behind your desk to finish packing up your things. “Thank you. Liking you more already.”

He chuckled, standing on the other side of your desk and watching you pack up your laptop and notes. “Noted. I’ll let Captain know I dismissed you.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets, watching as you slung your bag over your shoulder and headed for the door. “Enjoy your day off sweetcheeks.” He winked, using the nickname Hyunjin had called you.

Flustered all over again, you rushed out, stomping on the urge to flick him off considering he was doing you a kindness- even if he was teasing you about it.

— — — — — — — —

You were more than a little excited about your lunch date, dressing up your usual casual because otherwise, Hyunjin was just going to judge you- with love of course. He had messaged you a time and place and informed you with plenty of spam not to be late.

Which you weren’t, but he was. Something you expected really, the man did like making a dramatic entrance when he could.

You kept glancing at your phone, tapping your toes on the concrete outside the small, most likely family-owned restaurant. Looking around when you weren’t waiting for a text, you couldn’t find his pretty self anywhere at first.

When you did spot him, he made a show of waving but didn’t rush. He was, as usual, dressed in style; you knew modeling and fashion was his second career choice. Pocketing your phone when he closed the distance, you sighed, only to pull him in for a hug which he was just a tad reluctant about at first. “There’s my drama queen.”

“And my feisty boo.” He gave a gentle squeeze before pulling away and looking you over scrutinizingly. “Hmmm… it checks out. I was afraid I’d have to drag you shopping before lunch if you weren’t up to my standards.”

You rolled your eyes, smiling despite the banter. “Oh please, you would love to go shopping.”

“Caught me. But this way it can wait until after lunch, I’m famished.” With a wink, he pulled you into the restaurant. Perhaps to show you some mercy he didn’t immediately hound you with the million questions he wanted to ask, instead berating you for moving so far and complaining about the absolute travesty it was that you did. He was watching your every move and expression as he did, waiting until food was ordered before he dropped his so-called niceties and dove in. “Be honest, how are you doing without me? Absolutely lost right?”

You rolled your eyes and sipped your drink, thinking over the last week. “It’s been hell, Jinnie. I miss you. I miss the team. But I also can’t believe things happened like that. Even Minho agreed! I’m just so- ugh!” Slamming the drink down, rage surged through you. “I know I can get ahead of myself, that I can bend the rules and get worked up on a case but how can they just-”

“Sweetie…” Hyunjin softened and reached out, placing his hand over yours. “I’m sorry they did that, you belonged with us and it pisses me off that they forced you out like this. It hasn’t been easy without you. Fuck it’s a mess.”

“Then why… Hyunjin, why do I have to start over with a unit that practically loathes me?” Tears pricked your eyes, emotion making your throat tight. “It’s infuriating, and it hurts. Chan, Minho, Felix… even Binnie. I never expected any of them to just boot me like that, especially Minho! We made a promise in school to be detectives together. Partners. He might have joined the S.K unit before me, but we were partners before the unit.”

Hyunjin looked torn, his thumb brushing the back of your hand. “Listen… it was shitty of Minho, of them all, but I also understand why. As much as I hate it. You deserve to do bigger cases than dealing with minors. Sweetie you are so driven and such a damned good detective. You shoot as well as Minho, you can run as fast as Changbin and solve puzzles as fast as Thing 1 and 2-”

“Min and Innie would not let you live it down if they heard you call them that-” You interrupted, earning a playful glare.

“My point is, you have the skills to do more as a detective and it’s not with our cases. What pisses me off was that it wasn’t your choice- you needed to be the one to decide when you were ready to do that, not Chan or the board: but you! That was shitty as hell the way they handled it but I understand why they think you deserve a different team.” He took your hand in both his, leaning forward to be a bit more intense. “I still deserve to be your partner but I’m not as cool of a detective as you.”

You blinked back tears, staring down at your joined hands. “I know… I know you all feel that way; I read Chan’s report. And someday I’ll be able to forgive them, but not right now. Fuck Jinnie, you know how I felt about them, how much that team and being a part of it meant to me. I still needed them and then they just pushed me out the door?”

“I know… I know.”

You shook your head, looking up through your watery lashes with raw emotion. “Hyunjin… you don’t know the half of it. That night we went out clubbing and I got wasted? Chan was in my apartment when I woke up...”

His gasp was scandalous, eyes going wide as he leaned in more. “Did you fuck him? Oh my God-”

“No! He told me he slept on the couch. I guess you called him to come pick us up when we were both just blitzed out and he took you home first. He said he stayed because I asked, but uh…” You trailed off, cheeks burning bright as you recalled the morning a week before you were told you had to transfer. Chan had been in your kitchen making coffee… shirtless considering you were wearing it. “He definitely had a hickey on his neck and there might be a chance I put it there after drunkenly confessing. But I’m positive no sex happened.”

He groaned with disappointment, pulling his hands away and shaking a finger at you. “I don’t remember a hickey but he had been insistent on turtlenecks all week. Chan isn’t the type to sleep with a drunk woman… oh my God-'' When it dawned on him, he sat up, once more appearing scandalized but grinning from the juicy gossip. “You finally confessed? Even drunk? Did he ever come talk to you about it?”

You shook your head, frowning deeply. “No… the next conversation we had alone he was handing me the paperwork that informed me I was being removed from the unit and would have my choice of precinct to transfer to. I had to fill it right there…”

His face fell again, watching you when it clicked: you confessed, drunkenly, and in response you got kicked out of the unit in as nice a way as possible. “Oh no, baby…. That’s…”

Tears pricked once more but you blinked away, unable to look at him. “Yeah. So, I’ve been rejected by him as not only my Chief but also as one of the men I’ve been madly in love with for what, a year?”

“Well fuck him, but not literally- oh food.” He stopped the conversation as lunch was brought out, effortlessly flirting with the waiter.

You rolled your eyes, looking elsewhere so you didn’t have to cringe at the level of charm Hyunjin had. While your eyes lazily scanned over the restaurant, they caught familiar faces. You narrowed your eyes, the two men turning away and fixing their so-called disguises. “Jinnie, you were tailed?”

“Oh I forgot about them, I just got so excited when I saw you.” Hyunjin turned his attention back towards you as the waiter walked off. “Are you mad about that?”

You sighed, shaking your head and looking back at one of your best friends. “Not at all. Jisung called me on my first day you know; it makes sense that such an anxious bean would follow you to check up on me. And Felix is just as bad of a worrywart. I adored that about him though.”

“Neither of them have been happy that they can’t check in on you. I swear Jisung’s squirrel energy has just increased tenfold without you around.” He paused to dig into his food.

You laughed at the image, wiping away the unshed tears as gently as you could before also digging in. “Want to give them a run for their money? I’ve been meaning to check out the neighborhood.”

“Well duh, I did say I wanted to go shopping.”

“Maybe we can get them better disguises while we’re at it. Whose idea was the trench coats?”

Hyunjin glanced over at the two men huddled at a table on the other side of the restaurant. “Hmmm, hard to say, they both would. Don’t they realize that makes them stand out more? Like seriously, they’re detectives, how shameful can they be?”

He steered the conversation to lighter waters while you two ate, which was mostly just scrutinizing Felix and Jisung’s outfits and behavior. You pointed out they would do horrible undercover work which switched the talk over to that. Hyunjin easily agreed he couldn’t stand trying to blend in to watch someone or spend hours to days doing that but he could see you thriving.

By the end of the meal, he had your spirits back up and stomach full.

The two of you spent quite a bit of time after that walking around. You found some cute shops you liked, some places you wanted to check out, but overall got a vibe for the neighborhood. You were just a couple of blocks before the warehouse and docks, but you noticed quite a bit of newer businesses. Even while spending time with a friend you couldn’t pull yourself out of work mode fully, taking note to look into that later on.

Usually local businesses take a hit from heavy gang activity and you knew this was Black Pirate territory. Of course, aside from the White Guardians, you knew the least about that gang.

“I know that look.” Hyunjin was watching you with a bit of a smirk. “So, going to tell me about it? Your new unit?”

You sighed, shaking your head as you both grabbed food from the food truck you ordered for dinner. Several hours had passed and you two hadn’t realized it until the sun was setting and you were hungry. The two tagalongs were still following, clearly making a day out of it as well if their bags were anything to go by. “They don’t want me there, well most of them.”

“Most?”

You shrugged at his inquiry, taking a bite to avoid answering right away. “I met the Captain yesterday and another Detective. The Captain seems odd but doesn’t hate me entirely I think and the other one has been… nice.”

“I hear a but there- and not a nice butt.”

“The others have not been. In fact they made it perfectly clear they don’t want me around. From straight up rude and blunt to condescending and yanking me around. They refused to give me an actual desk- I work at a receptionist desk and they tried to give me that job!”

He listened intently, walking with his hands full. “Sounds like a bunch of dicks.”

“Mhmm. But considering the nature of the unit, I'll refrain from speaking out too much. We do have two tails.” You winked over at him, glancing back and waving at the two. You had waved once a few hours ago but they didn’t join you, more so bending the rules than outright breaking. That was fine with you, you didn’t want to handle Felix just yet.

Sweet intentions didn’t make the pain less.

“True true. Ready to head to your new place then? I need to see where you live so I know where to suddenly crash when I miss you. And I also want to get back home before it gets too late, my beauty sleep counts on it.” Hyunjin sighed heavily.

“Thankfully we aren’t very far.”

It was nice to have a normal conversation, and some comradery after the last few weeks. Hyunjin made things normal for you, talking as if you were still part of the unit as if nothing had changed at all. You relished in it on your walk back to your place, the sunset and dinner fully settled in your stomach as you approached your building.

You slowed when you recognized a familiar figure at your complex door, an arm loosely around a woman that was attached to his arm. Your sense of normalcy was dashed away when he turned to smile down at the woman, confirming who it was. “Well fuck-”

At your curse Mingi looked back, the smile wiped clean off by an expression of confusion.

“You know him?” Hyunjin asked next to you, looking between you two but you just shook your head. “The girl?”

“Don’t worry about it Jinnie- come on up.” The door was opened and you rushed to get it before it closed, glaring at Mingi’s back as he ushered the woman inside. You were hoping, with every fiber of your being, that it was the woman who lived here.

But as you led Hyunjin up the stairs, Mingi was clearly directing the woman up the stairs too. You were getting more annoyed by the second, more anxious, as you stopped at the top of the stairs and watched. Mingi took her down the hall and stopped at an apartment. Only when he pulled the keys out and unlocked the door did your blood run cold.

Apartment 17, right next to yours.

Cursing under your breath you strode down the hall and stopped at your own apartment, putting the bags down as you got your key out. “This is fucking insane. Oh my God, how bad can my luck be?”

“Sweetcheeks, are you sure you don’t know him? He’s staring right at you? And he’s hot.” Hyunjin leaned down to mutter in your ear, staring over at Mingi whom you knew was watching you.

At the woman’s giggle, you looked over, eyes going wide as Mingi dipped his head just then to kiss her. Not your sweet chaste kiss, but he dragged it out, pulling the woman close and his hand going to her ass in the miniskirt. Your cheeks heated up, turning away and unlocking the door before pushing it open. You pulled Hyunjin in quickly, then the bags, and slammed the door.

Mingi was your new neighbor, and he just brought a date home.

Chapter Text

“You mother fucker.” Striding into the office with a permanent scowl on your features you pointed right at Yunho. “You knew didn't you?!”

Yunho looked up from his coffee, stirring in some of the cheap creamer they had at the corner coffee station. “I know a lot of things, have to be a bit more specific, doll.” He drawled out with a teasing smirk as you stomped over to him.

“You fucking knew didn't you? That HE'S my neighbor?!!” You pointed at Mingi's empty desk, even more pissed off that he wasn't here yet for you to yell at as well.

Yunho's smirk turned into a full blown grin. “Oh… that.”

“Why is there yelling first thing today?” Seonghwa emerged from his office, frowning.

“Did you know?!” You swiveled on Seonghwa, arms spread wide and brows raised high.

Seonghwa tilted his head in confusion, looking to Yunho for clarification but he was laughing too hard to answer. “Look- I need an explanation.”

It was your luck Mingi walked in down the hall, probably from a back door, in a seemingly good mood. He paused when he saw you, expression shifting. “Oh look, my new neighbor.”

You groaned, rolling your eyes and head, pointing at him. “I could have lived the rest of my life not knowing the sounds you make during sex. And did you HAVE to pound into my wall all night?”

Yunho's laughter increased in volume behind you, his coffee set down as he held his stomach. Even Seonghwa chuckled.

Mingi just shrugged, making his way to his desk with visible marks on his neck. “I wouldn't mind if you got off to them buttercup, since you'll have to get used to them.”

“Oh my God are you serious?!” Even more frustrated you pinched the bridge of your nose.

“Sounds like you're stressed- have you tried sex? I hear it's great.” Mingi chuckled as he sat at his desk, patting his lap.

“Go fuck yourself.” You flicked him off, glare trained on him but you noticed Hongjoong and a sleepy San entering from the same direction that Mingi had come from.

“Why do that when there are plenty of women who want to do it for me?” Mingi shrugged, receiving a high five from a still-cackling Yunho as he sat down with his coffee.

“Fucking manwhore.”

“And not even a man whore would sleep with you.”

“What did we miss?” Hongjoong chimed in, adjusting the suit he wore while San was in jeans and a black form-fitting long-sleeve. Seonghwa leaned in and filled in Hongjoong.

“I mean I offered- but apparently I wasn't good enough.” Yunho huffed out, catching his breath.

You zeroed in on San, huffing in frustration. “He's probably the only one here I'd take up on that offer.”

San lifted his brow, the wound from the other day no longer covered up. “Is that an invitation?”

“Ew, I don't want to hear that shit.” Mingi gagged out, being dramatic about it.

“Too fucking bad.” You sneered out at him, hands on your hips. “It is an invitation.”

Before San or Mingi could say anything else, Hongjoong cleared his throat. “While I am enjoying the banter, we’re burning daylight. Mingi, Yunho, you two come chat with me for a moment, I have a new assignment for you probably. San, get them caught up so that you can get back to your assignment.”

“I can help him with that.” Seonghwa offered, stepping past you to the board you now realized was rearranged. “We set this up for you.”

You were almost touched- almost. Their kindness always came with a secret motive, even if you don't know what that is yet. Still, you offered your thanks. “The Green Vipers right?”

“Mmhmm.” San stepped up to your right, looking over the board just as you did. “Ah- we have to fix something.” He rushed off, leaving just you and the Vice-Captain as the others had slunk away.

He stood to your left, his presence almost domineering. But as the seconds passed you realized that was more so you being on edge. Very little he's done has left a good impression on you, but the quiet between you wasn't that bad. That might have to do with the entirety of your focus being on the board.

You recognized some of the names, but there were some new ones. One stood out to you the most, and you tried to place it. He wasn't one of the big 4, but right under. “Who is that?”

Seonghwa had been watching you, immediately glancing at the picture you pointed to. “Hwon Taejin, he's sort of a freelancer. While he has ties to the Green Vipers, he sort of runs his own organization of runners he sells out to whichever gang pays him the most. Currently it's the Green Vipers.”

“Huh… I think I've interviewed him before.” Your mind flitted through your previous cases. “Actually… his name came up a few times.”

“Not surprising, since his runners are usually minors. They get less time for bigger crimes, or uniforms just overlook them or give them warnings. Your unit dealt with those crimes huh?”

You nodded slowly, pieces being put together. “When I interviewed him… it was because of his nephew who he has sole custody of. He got found with too much illegal goods to just be ignored. I think the kid only got a few months in Juvie and was supposed to be seen by child protective services. He was thirteen…” That was a year ago and you remember the hell you caused Chan after that case. All because you had a very bad vibe about this Hwon Taejin.

Your jaw tightened just thinking about it. “This scumbag- I didn't realize he had ties to the mafia but it makes sense.”

San returned then, a file in hand. “Forgot to grab this from Yeosang. A new case connected to this.”

“Was it the murder?” Seonghwa asked, moving around you to take the file from San as the latter went to the board and pinned up a few pictures.

Your mouth fell open, taking a step forward and ripping it off the board. “He was murdered?”

San frowned down at you, then looked over to Seonghwa. “Does she know the kid?”

“Seems so. She was just telling me-”

“He was just a kid. Was it his uncle?” You looked up at San, interrupting Seonghwa.

He shook his head. “It's probably the Green Vipers doing. They… have a certain way of dealing with members who want to leave. It doesn't always result in death but that's more likely for the adults who can take a beating.”

“I thought you said Hwon didn't belong to the Green Vipers?” You turned to Seonghwa, hands trembling as you clutched the picture tight.

Something in your expression caused him to soften, taking a step forward and gently taking the picture out of your iron grip. “It's possible Hwon sold the kid to the Vipers and the kid wanted out. We don't know for certain but we'll look into it.”

“He's just a kid… w-was just a kid.” Without the picture to hold onto, your arms wrapped themselves around your stomach.

San gently called your name, flanking your other side and reaching out as if to touch your back but made no physical contact. “We'll get them.”

“How?!” You snapped out, stepping away from them both. “The S.K unit was supposed to get minors safe and off the streets- get them on better paths. I arrested this kid, I charged him and sent him to Juvie and we did ALL we could by law to help him- and that clearly wasn't enough. What happens when it's another kid? When it gets worse than this?” You nodded to the picture Seonghwa put away.

The young boy wasn't even recognizable from how bloody and bruised he was. Head smashed in, clothes dirty and soaked in old blood and just left in an alley to rot. If it wasn't for the mug shot San had put on the board you wouldn't have been able to guess who it was.

“We do the best we can.”

“Oh don't give me that shit Vice! I heard enough of that from Chan. ‘If we don't follow the law we don't lead a good example’. Or my favorite being ‘we have to trust in the system’. Ha!” You scoffed, jutting your chin at the board. “These fuckers run circles around the system and laugh at it and it gets young kids killed. Fuck the system and I don't care if you write me up for it.” You snarled out.

Seonghwa and San shared a look, watching you huff and pout at the board with your nose scrunched in disgust. After a moment, Seonghwa asked “What would you do then? To stop them?”

Still frustrated, you answered honestly. “Make them destroy each other in a way that causes the least damage to the general public. Two organizations have smaller units just to control and clean up nuisances. I'd make a nuisance out of this fucker to the point that the others have no choice but to take care of him. Preferably in a very painful way.” You sneered out.

San chuckled, nodding. “That's a pretty good idea. How'd you make him a nuisance?”

You thought about it, letting your mind wander. “Plant evidence. I'd take it a step further and pin two groups against each other. From what I know the Green Vipers do mostly illegal fight clubs- that's their main source of income. But they're cocky… I'm sure it won't be hard to get them angry enough at a large group, maybe the Red Wolves? No, they'd just take the minors and lower members for their trafficking.”

“What about the White Guardian's?”

You looked up at Seonghwa at his suggestion, snapping your fingers and grinning. “Yes. They care about keeping a low profile. If the Green Vipers stir up enough shit, they would take action. San mentioned how a few of the smaller gangs had disappeared over the years because they were drawing too much police attention. The running theory is the Guardians took them out right?”

“Mhmm.” You don't know what it was about Seonghwa's expression, but it felt like a mother encouraging their child's inspiration. There was no judgment in his eyes, you had his undivided attention and it felt… accepting.

It urged you to keep going. “The Black Pirates are also good for control. If we could get them to tighten the Green Vipers trade and limit their funds… no, I don't think I know enough about them just yet.” You trailed off, pinching your chin between your thumb and forefinger in thought.

“What do you know about them?” San asked this time, done fixing the board but you refused to look at it; not with the picture on the board.

You shrugged, recalling your notes. “They seem more on regulating crime than doing crime. They monitor and control usage of the docks by other organizations. According to the Blue Goblins, they have to pay a hefty fee to do business in the south part of the city and in regulated areas. There was a small massacre between them two years ago when the Goblins broke that rule- their drugs were smeared on one of their hideouts with several members beaten to near death and clearly tortured. They were put away for a good amount of time. I don't know their methods but clearly the Pirates are feared enough not to be tested.”

“Good, you're correct.” Seonghwa's praise went straight to your head and you found yourself stepping close to him as he continued. “They launder money and tax heavily for both legal and illegal work in the area. However- they seem to also invest in the community as well.”

“I noticed that yesterday. Heavy gang areas normally have a hard time thriving. Actually… I noticed a pattern with the gangs in general.”

“Tell us about it.” San hummed out, stepping next to Seonghwa.

Whether they meant to or not, their gentle urging was validating you in a way you realized you needed after what happened with the S.K unit. Back then, you had to do things the proper way, the safe way, and think for the unit. You loved Chan, you loved them all, but the restrictions of the job had left you feeling less.

You relaxed, a smile spreading over your face as you continued your tangent with the slight prompts from them. “The old and new gangs, they're sort of mirrored. The White Guardians focus on control and secrecy, so do the Black Pirates. The Golden Circle prioritize providing pleasure and business, so do the Green Vipers even if they're more violent in their ways. Then there are the Blue Goblins and Red Wolves: both focus more on the illegal trade and business with no care for the consequences or how they treat their people. The parallels actually make it a bit more interesting….”

San chuckled, a twinkle in his eye when you looked up at him, perplexed by his reaction. “Sorry, I'm just impressed. You are quite the detective, discerning all that from the last week of your own research?”

Your face warmed up considerably, huffing in response. “I take my job as a detective very seriously, San.”

“Considering you're insisting on staying here despite the way things started, I believe that.” Seonghwa chimed in, then he did something unexpected: he reached out and rested his hand on top of your head, ruffling it softly. “Good job.”

Your whole body felt warm at the touch, nerves lit and eyes wide as you stared at him.

San whined next to you both, saving you from stuttering out a reply. “Hwa- your mothering is showing.”

Seonghwa's hand dropped at that, smiling sheepishly down at you. “Sorry if that bothered you.”

“No no- it's fine.” You brought your hand up to the top of your head, looking away as you cleared your throat. “Anyways, back to the original topic- exactly what's the game plan against the Green Vipers? What pieces are in play?” You turned your back to them both, scrutinizing the board as if that would help you focus back on the task at hand.

San cleared his throat and moved back into your peripheral. “You should learn all the players on their side first- then I can explain what we're doing.”

“But all those pieces are right there and you went over it yesterday. Hwon Taejin is a new factor but he's not a current mark is he?”

“No-”

“Then what are our pieces?” You glanced over at San, finally having your bearings about you. You told yourself the praise and attention meant nothing, that you weren't a part of this unit and had no reason to accept it or expect it. You had plenty to prove and truthfully so did they.

San sighed. “Detective Wooyoung is currently acting as a freelancer just like Hwon, employing and renting out bodies and products. Currently we have a contract with the Green Vipers. Aka I'm a fighter in their rings and Wooyoung is my… well he handles the business.”

“I see. So he makes the connections and you're the product he sells to lock those connections in. That's why you were all bloodied up when I met you?”

He nodded, reaching up to touch the cut on his brow. “Yeah, but I won the fights.”

“I'd hate to see the other guys.” You let out a soft laugh, forcing the image of San fighting in a ring out of your head as well as ignoring the contrasting emotions that were brought out because of it.

“All fights are orchestrated by this guy right here-” He pointed to the middle of three pictures: they were the three directly under the head, in charge of different portions of the gang. “We're using him to get closer to the head, but he isn't our only mark. The guy on the right handles their product, Mingi has been handling that.”

“Their product?”

“Recreational drugs but they're usually sold through clubs that require a reputation to get into the back rooms. He's building that.”

You sneered at the reminder of Mingi. “What- as a womanizer?”

“Sort of… they're the ones who have to invite you in. He's also the one scoping out downtown for the clubs run by the Golden Circle and the prostitution rings from the Goblins.”

Your face scrunched with even more disgust. “He needs a condom attached to his dick at this point, that can't be safe.”

San chuckled, shaking his head. “There are a few of us that partake to increase the chances and surveillance. Sometimes it's worth it.”

“The fucks that good?”

“Mm maybe.” He stepped closer, dipping into your field of view with a wide, playful grin. “They probably have nothing on you I bet.” The dark look he fixed you with had heat running down your spine and settling in your core.

“Maybe you'll have a chance to find out.” You matched his stare, letting your lust for him show from the flutter of your lashes to the way you bit your lip.

The rumble that vibrated his chest sounded like a pleased purr. “I'd like that… sweetcheeks.”

At the use of the nickname, you rolled your eyes and gently pushed at his chest. He grabbed your hand and held it flat against him, stalking forward as your eyes went wide. “San-”

“Yes baby?” His voice dipped as he lowered his head, closing the distance with each step back you took.

“W-we have a job to do don't we?” You looked around for Seonghwa in hopes of asking him for help but the two of you were alone and you were running out of places to run.

“Why not a quick break? You've been so worked up- maybe I can take care of that?” As your legs hit the desk you nearly toppled back, squeaking as San's other hand wrapped around you and supported the small of your back. He pulled you flush against his body as you arched back in an attempt for some distance. “What do you say?”

There was a very large part of you that wanted to say yes and jump his bones right then and there, but a glance behind him and you could see the pictures hanging up- the dead body of a boy you had desperately wanted to help before. It snapped you out of the lustful fog you had found yourself in and you pushed away roughly, face and neck hot.

San whined out, letting you put distance between you both. “Was that too much?”

You floundered for the right words, mouth gaping like a fish out of water. “I uh…. It's almost alarming how dangerous you lot are.”

“Dangerous? Me? I'm as cute as a kitten.” He batted his eyes at you, demeanor changing.

You rolled your eyes, hand to your chest to ease the mess of emotions there. “Don't you separate work from life?”

He shook his head, watching you move back to the board. “No- it's one and the same. You'll learn that when you get in the field.”

“So you think I will?”

He laughed. “Oh no question about it. Sweetcheeks, I happen to think that you fit in so fucking perfectly here. In fact, you are fucking perfect.”

You rolled your eyes again, glad your back was to him because truthfully his words had you elated.

Chapter Text

Before you knew it, a week had flown by and a routine was formed. Mornings were spent going to your deli and getting your coffee, where you started picking up San's as well. You weren't sure if you should grab it today since he informed you on Thursday that he had to go undercover for the weekend.

You hadn't seen Yunho or Mingi until Friday, which you expected when you heard Mingi the night before loud and clear. Of course, you bitched at him when you saw him, surprised by how easy the banter that followed and the insults. The same thing happened Saturday and even last night you had heard him. It was getting annoying, even if you had ways to block out most of the sound, you didn't like how it made you feel.

San didn't make it any easier, casually flirting with you, laying on the charm and compliments whenever he could just to leave you flustered but he was respectful about his timing. All week until he had left, leaving you frustrated in a whole new way with his absence. The fact you missed him during the weekend left a bad taste in your mouth, you didn't want to get attached. This position was temporary at best, the unlikelihood of it being permanent better than at first but still slim.

Two weeks didn't make you part of the team after all. Even if you had a growing routine and the reception was less icy, you knew that.

Getting your hopes up was a bad idea, yet here you were, standing in line at the deli for the coffee and breakfast you got almost every morning. You debated on getting San's coffee, since he said he should be there today. Would he be beaten up like last time? The bruises and cuts had barely healed before he went off and you had to admit you were a little worried.

That might be because of your old unit. Hyunjin would complain if he had a cut on his pretty face and Jisung couldn't handle a cold. Neither could Binnie, with both Felix and Minho mothering whenever anyone was injured or feeling sick. Then there was Chan-

Sighing, you shook your head, not ready to go down that road just yet. Today was the last day of your probation and you still weren't ready to talk to him or half of them- Hyunjin had been the exception because, well, he was Hyunjin. And he didn't give you the option to be ready, he insisted on being a part of your life as if nothing had happened: which you truthfully appreciated.

“Why’s such a pretty thing like you sighing? The week just started.” A voice behind you garnered your attention, so you turned to look. A pretty attractive man widened his smile, which surprised you wasn’t sleazy in the least; despite his outfit screaming a typical sleazy man. The animal print button-up, sunglasses pushing his dual-toned hair back, and the hint of a tongue stud as he licked his lips- normally it would have you sneering but on him it looked damned good. Maybe it was the eyeliner?

Either way, he was hot, and he called you pretty. “Mm no particular reason, maybe I’m just not feeling up to work today?” You offered a smile, deciding to take it a step further. “Definitely don’t want to now, not when my day just got more interesting.”

You were glad that his charming smile turned more flirty, even more so when he stepped up next to you. “I’d have to agree, not really in a hurry for my coffee now. You are much more refreshing, pretty girl.”

“Already onto pet names? Before I get your name?” You couldn’t help but tease.

He chuckled, holding out his hand. “Friends call me Mito. Nice to meet you-” Once you gave your name, he hummed thoughtfully. “Pretty name for a pretty girl. Gotta say I think I’d remember seeing such a beauty around here. New job brings you this way?”

You nodded slowly. “Yeah, I recently moved to the area too. Do you come here often? To this cafe?”

“A friend of mine told me to check it out, I usually go to another one about a block away.” He hummed out, stepping with you as the line moved. “But if you’re here, that’s plenty of reason to make this a regular stop.”

“Or you could just ask for my number?” The words were out before you could even stop yourself, fighting off the heat that flooded your cheeks. Were you that touch-starved that you would be so bold with a man you just met? Who didn’t even give you his real name, just a nickname?

You didn’t regret your words when he was looking at you like that, as if you were the best damned meal he ever saw and he couldn’t wait to get a taste. Hell, you were ready to let him have it. Maybe it was because he was the first in a while that had flirted with you? That was a lie, there were plenty. You just had your eyes set on someone else before… now just about anyone was up for grabs.

Did that make you easy? Should you be ashamed? Maybe, but it really had been so damned long and it wasn’t like you were going to pull your clothes off for him right now.

“Then how about your number first? And I buy your coffee?” He finally offered once he pulled his eyes back to yours.

No harm in at least seeing where this goes right? “I’ll put my number in for you.” Holding out your hand, you couldn’t help but be a little giddy when he handed you his phone, contacts already open. Few seconds later and you sent yourself a text from his, handing it back just in time for the both of you to step up to the counter to order.

He rattled off four different drinks, while you rattled off two- one of them the same as one of his. You thought it was interesting, San having a common order. “Drinks for friends?”

“Co-workers. What about your extra?” Mito countered, a cheeky grin on his lips as the two of you stepped aside to wait.

“Co-worker.” One that definitely got to you in a way a co-worker shouldn’t… you could blame your sudden boldness on him. Yeah, this was all their fault. San with all his flirting and teasing and Mingi with his constant annoyance and sex sounds the past few nights.

You tried not to show how heated that train of thought made you, nor did you want to admit it any further than that.

“Mm well they’re lucky to get a coffee on me.” He winked, not at all bothered to have bought it.

“I’ll let him know the hottie at the coffee shop hopes he enjoys his coffee.” Laughing, you relaxed against the counter next to him, the two of you sharing a flirty glance. “I also appreciate it, it definitely makes my day better.”

He shrugged. “My absolute pleasure dear, I can always make your day better in other ways too. Help you relax at the end of a long day of work.”

Now that sounded really tempting. Before you could further flirt, your drinks were announced. “Well, that’s our cue, I really needed to get to work anyways.” You didn’t think they would care, but if San was there you did want to get him his coffee and check up on him. “Call me?”

“Oh definitely. Good luck, beautiful.” He sent a wink in your direction before he turned to start grabbing a few of the good sugars and things. You didn’t stick around to see what he did with them.

It wasn’t until you were halfway down the street that you realized you had forgotten your usual breakfast; instead of turning around to go grab it, maybe giving you a chance to see him again, you shrugged it off. Just meant a bigger lunch or you could always order something.

You wanted to tell someone about the hottie at the cafe… was it too soon to text Hyunjin about it? Would San listen? You grimaced at that idea. Sure, tell one man you wanted to bone about a complete stranger that was much more likely to get into your pants and fast.

Such an amazing idea for sure.

Sighing as you headed into the office, you could hear the voices in the back, but you weren’t in a rush to see them just yet. You took your time setting your bag down and your laptop before grabbing San’s coffee to see if he was back.

You might have gotten a little too excited to hear his laugh when you approached the office door, only for it to drain away when you did see him. “Fuck that looks bad.”

San glanced up when you hissed out, brightening up despite his black eye and arm in a sling. “I’ve missed that beautiful face.” With a dimpled grin he slid off the desk to make his way over to you, stopping only because of the glare you gave him. “What? It’s not as bad as it looks!”

Rolling your eyes you approached. “Sure it isn’t, that sling is just for show. Sit your ass down, I brought you coffee.”

“Aw, but you didn’t know I was going to be here today-”

“Can you two not with the damned couple bullshit?” Jongho sneered from his desk, currently cleaning his weapon. “If it’s not you two flirting up a fucking storm, she’s at Mingi’s throat and I can’t ever tell if they are gunna fuck or fight… or both.”

Yunho laughed from his spot, nudging his friend next to him. “Well that would be great to see regardless. Think you would come out on top?”

Mingi scoffed. “Of course I would, that tiny thing couldn’t handle me. All bark, no bite, like a damned chihuahua.”

“Chihuahua’s bite.” Yunho pointed out with a grin. “And I think this little pet would claw and do some damage. Might be hot as hell though.”

Jongho gagged, pointing his empty mag at the two. “Truth be told my money is on the chihuahua, we forget Mingi is scared of dogs that bite.”

You ignored their banter for the most part, considering it was becoming a daily thing for you, and instead made San sit at his desk while he was watching you with an expression that was almost sweet. “I was hoping you would be, sue me if that makes me soft but at the moment, you are the only thing keeping me from putting a bullet in half the idiot's heads here.” You matched his grin, taking his coffee over to the little coffee station to look for the sugars he liked.

“I’m so touched, sweetcheeks.” He had fully taken the pet name from Hyunjin and made it his own- considering how it still managed to fluster you a bit even if you were rolling your eyes at him.

There was a loud bang from a door down the hall, what you recognized as the back entrance, but you ignored it until an unfamiliar- or perhaps somewhat familiar- voice rang in through the office.

“I’m back, bitches!!” In a high-pitched singsong tone, a new person stepped into the office. Curious, and suspecting this to be the final detective of the unit you hadn’t met, you glanced over your shoulder.

Only to freeze.

The gaudy shirt gave him away immediately, the man from the cafe setting the coffee’s on the unused desk as he began talking a mile a minute. “Sannie my man, looking better from the fight already. Got us quite a bit of rep this time around and what better way to celebrate than with a great fucking pussy? Seriously met the hottest fucking broad getting coffee, had no idea such a beauty would be around here but like fuck- got her number.” He giggled like a schoolgirl, bringing a coffee over to San.

San grinned up at him. “You do seem to work fast but I’ll pass on the coffee. Got one already.” He motioned over towards you, Mito turning to finally notice your presence.

“How’d you get one- OH!” It was with great amusement, and perhaps dismay, that he dropped the hot beverage when he realized you were right there in the room. San was quick, catching it mid-air and cursing as he set it aside. “Holy fuck what is my luck today? This is that new job huh?”

Now you weren’t so sure you would take him up on his offer of after-work pleasure; not that you didn’t find him attractive just that you were attempting to draw a line. The whole reason you really hadn’t taken it past flirting with San; he was a co-worker.

Seriously, what was with you and wanting to fuck your coworkers?

“Hi there again, Mito. I take it you would be the famed Jung Wooyoung?” With a light laugh, you waved, attempting civility.

“You two know each other?” Mingi grumbled, leaning in as if this was juicy gossip. He wasn’t the only one, even Jongho had stopped cleaning the barrel of his gun to glance at the still-shocked detective.

Wooyoung recovered quickly, cheeky grin back. “The hottie whose number I got- was hers. Mmm, I get to see you in the office too? Damn- wait, how the fuck had no one told me we have a drop dead gorgeous Goddess as part of our unit now?” He swiveled on the others.

“Didn’t think it was relevant.” San bristled, glancing over at you and the coffee you brought. “Plus you were undercover.”

“Undercover?” Wooyoung asked in obvious confusion. “She doesn’t know how we do things does she?”

Something about the way he said it piqued your interest. You already questioned some things they did here, writing it off as part of the job and necessary: Like Mingi’s constant fucking, how bad the fights were with San, and how deep of an undercover this new detective had to be to have the same influence as Hwon- a known freelancer in the underbelly of the city. That seemed like a pretty solid reputation that would require some years, and better product than just one fighter to get.

So why did he act as if being undercover was news to him?

Before you could question him, Captain came in with Seonghwa right behind him. “She’s still in a trial run Wooyo, calm yourself. We were also waiting until you got back to see about field work…” The look he shared with his vice didn’t go unnoticed, not when you were on edge, observing every little tick between the seven of them.

“Oh so she gets to work with me now? Fucking sweet.” Cheering a little, he turned back to you with a wide grin. “So beautiful, I know I can’t compare to some of these fine gentlemen but I promise to treat you good- in the field and out of it.” With a wink he made his way over to you, more flirtatious than he had been back at the cafe. Which would have been nice if you weren’t actively fighting off attraction now.

You couldn’t help but scoff. “They set the bar pretty low, I'm sure you’ll be fine. Already making a better impression than most of them in the full two weeks I’ve been here.” You shrugged off his advances, turning to finish making San’s coffee which you just now realized you knew by heart… after barely a week.

Fuck.

Wooyoung whistled next to you. “Man were they that disappointing in bed? Wow their game must have dropped considerably. I can make it better for ya.”

Mingi and Yunho both looked up at his comment, stopping the little conversation they were having, just as you glanced up at him. “If you’re implying I slept with any of them, no. Aside from mostly San, they were more ready to kick my ass to the curb.”

“WHAT?!” The holy shriek he let out had you flinching, but he was already turning to the others. “You are telling me that you have been gazing on this fine fucking beauty for two whole fucking weeks and none of you have even gotten a taste? Shameful. All of you are absolutely shameful.” He tsked dramatically, taking in the view as you brought San his coffee. “Not even you Sannie?”

“Not all of us think with our dicks-”

“Mingi does- Fuck not even Mingi fucking Malik had a taste? Ya’ll trippin. Where does she even sit? Was she at my desk? Please say yes-”

“Receptionist.” Seonghwa finally stepped into the conversation, fixing Wooyoung with a glare while Hongjoong was giggling under his breath behind him. “Wooyoung, can you please quiet it? It’s Monday-”

He was broken off by Wooyoung’s flabbergasted gasp. “Up front alone? Damn they really gave you the cold shoulder. It’s okay, beautiful, Wooyoung is here now. Need a nice warm seat, my face is available- or dick. Wouldn’t mind being a step stool either.”

It seemed he would have ranted more if San hadn’t ignored the coffee in your hand to reach out and grab the man’s jaw instead, squeezing it still. “Wooyoung- stop. Fucking stop. Do you think it’s nice to be talking about how you want to fuck our new addition to the unit in front of her?”

“No-” Wooyoung got out through the grip, glancing over at you as you watched with a lifted brow. “I really don’t get why you haven’t- yall fuck around a lot. And she’s beautiful.”

His constant praise was a bit touching, and a few things he said had been very tempting, but you were determined to keep it professional. “I don’t want to sleep with my unit members anyways.”

“Why not?”

“Complicates the job.” You admitted, finding yourself much more calmer despite the turn this morning had taken. Back to square one really.

Wooyoung scoffed, pulling out of San’s grip to look you right in the eye. “Can’t imagine how- or are you unaware that half the time we are on each other’s dicks? I mean Captain’s office is locked half the time because his pants are down and he’s having a grand ol’ time with-” His mouth was quickly covered by San who appeared panicked.

You took a second to glance around the room, noticing that Yeosang had joined in and was grabbing a coffee from the few that Wooyoung brought. Seonghwa looked much more stressed than normal and even Hongjoong seemed a little ticked off, poking the inside of his cheek with his tongue. Jongho had gone back to cleaning his gun but there was an ever present smirk on his face while Yunho seemed to be enjoying the chaos unfolding. Mingi’s reaction struck you as the oddest, as he almost appeared as panicked as San did.

What the fuck were you missing?

“So what, you all fuck each other? In the office too?” You looked around for clarification but the only one who would look at you was Yunho and he just smirked wider.

San seemed even more panicked, glaring at Wooyoung only to be pushed back down on the desk. With his arm in the bind, he fell back. “See for yourself, beautiful.”

Out of all the things that you could expect, watching the new detective lock lips with San was definitely not on the list. Your mouth dropped open, eyes going wide as you tried to comprehend just what you were seeing.

You didn’t have time to process at all, Hongjoong calling out your name before he grabbed your arm and pulled you to your office. The only thought in your head was why were you getting pulled into the office?

Seriously… what the fuck.

Chapter Text

It wasn’t until the click on the lock resounded in your skull that you realized you were now in Hongjoong’s office, standing awkwardly before his desk still trying to wrap your head around what you just saw. He was quiet, only the sound of his breathing indicating that he was behind you: deep inhales and shaky exhales.

Swallowing hard and licking your dry lips, you managed to call out. “Captain…?” It was all you could manage because where exactly did you start with the questions? Hell, what even were your questions?

“I know. Fuck I know.” Grumbling he moved around you and leaned back against his desk, head slumped forward. “I would ask you to ignore the things he said, but we both know that’s not going to happen. You’re too stubborn.”

Hongjoong had been neither welcoming nor unwelcoming until this point, seemingly giving you orders just to keep you busy or because that was his job, but really you couldn’t figure out the enigmatic Captain. You knew he valued the opinion of his team, the Vice the most, and that he would do things without an explanation and they all just trusted him enough not to ask. But you were also well aware some things that had been said just didn’t add up to what you expected a unit like this to run: maybe it was more so that it was things your unit would never say or do.

The sudden thought was jarring, a frown pulling at your lips. You shouldn’t be thinking about them when they weren’t your unit anymore- and they proved the way they did things was just not for you either.

Was it any better here?

Before you could dwell on that question, Hongjoong continued. “To answer one of the questions I know is in your head: yes we do have sexual relations with each other in the unit. Did you think I, or San for that matter, flirted just to do so?”

“To be honest, I refused to give it much thought.” You replied dryly, still reeling a bit. To think they would be open about sex with each other? Not only coworkers, but other men. How were they so open minded to such concepts but were so adamant about not needing you or welcoming you? Hell, Jongho continued on a daily basis to remind you that he didn’t like you. Did they think you were going to judge them?

Did they think you were going to be such a priss about it?

One glance at Hongjoong and you relaxed: of course, they thought you were. These men were a tightly knit group, and you were an outsider forced upon them. They trusted each other, now realizing on a much deeper level than you suspected, and they didn’t want you a part of that.

That shouldn’t hurt.

“But it’s not really my business is it? It’s not like you’re making me watch, nor forcing me into the same boat. Who you all fuck is really not my concern.” You clarified, attempting to ease the frown on his brow.

It just deepened, your name tumbling from his lips. “We know it’s against regulations and policy-”

“And? You think I’m going to tell anyone? Would make me a fucking hypocrite, probably.” You scoffed.

He tilted his head in confusion. “Thought you didn’t do anything with your last unit?”

“Doesn’t mean I didn’t want to.” You fixed him with a hardened stare. “Not that they would’ve done anything, they are so adamant about following the rules. And I’d rather you not press. That is what you want to tell me, isn’t it? Keep my nose out of it as much as I can?”

His eyes widened a bit at your attitude, shaking his head as he stood up. “That’s not- fuck. You seem upset about that.”

“Why would I be upset?” Okay, the way you snapped it out definitely said you were. Trying to take a deep breath, you shut your eyes for a moment. “With all due respect Captain, I’m not here to get close or be nice; I just want to do my job and help where I can. One unit has already kicked me to the curb, I would rather that not be repeated, so you can rest assured I won’t do anything to draw the board’s attention. It would be the word of a troublemaker against yours anyways, and that is a battle not worth my time. So if you want me to keep my nose out of your personal life, so be it. Is there anything else you wanted to say?”

Opening your eyes to his mouth hanging open wasn’t what you expected, but the lack of immediate response was enough of an answer for you. “Very well, I’ll take my leave.” You turned on your heel with a hardened expression, reaching the door quickly and stumbling with the lock.

The door was slammed shut before you got to open it far, Captain’s hand holding it shut while the other caged you in. Again he muttered your name, breath fanning against the back of your head telling you just how close he was. You attempted to ignore the way your heartbeat skyrocketed, and the heat that tinged your ears.

“Yes, Captain?” You breathed out in response, hand still on the handle and not moving.

“I didn’t bring you here to warn you to stay out of it… I’m offering to give you an explanation to any questions you have.”

His tone was sweet, soft, almost pleading… and it disarmed you in a way you didn’t like. “I don’t have any questions right now, Captain. I’m still trying to process all that happened.” The questions that did come to mind weren’t ones you believed he could answer- no he wasn’t the one you wanted to ask. “When should I expect field work?” You asked instead, turning your head slightly and breath catching in your throat.

Hard to ignore how gorgeous he was when his face was right there.

“I’ll talk with Seonghwa, we’ll figure out how to implement you into the field and then Wooyoung and San will brief you before you go. Give us a few days to put it together, alright firecracker?” His thumb was on your chin, turning you a bit more so you were more face to face.

You felt almost hypnotized by how soft he was, the touch solidifying that even more for you. “A-alright Captain. What should I do for now?”

“How about you head home for the day and just relax? Go over your notes or go to the shooting range downtown? One of the others can go with you?” He ran his thumb just under your lip, gaze dipping before a second before locking onto yours. “Would you like that?”

“Maybe. I’ll take the day off then.” You weren’t sure you wanted to be here anyways. Not without looking at all of them and trying to figure out who fucked who. Wooyoung’s earlier comment about the Captain and his office got to you- maybe that’s why you were so easily swayed by him right now?

He hummed lowly, dropping his hand and stepping back. “Good girl. Don’t worry about the rest. Go on.” He stepped away and leaned back against his desk, giving you ample space to leave.

You were too flustered to do anything but nod and leave. Didn’t even glance at the others, just headed for your desk.

San, the ever knight-in-shining-armor rushed after you though, calling your name.

“Yes?” Still feeling a bit dazed, you glanced up at him, chest tight as you were reminded of his injuries. “You didn’t have to run after me.”

“You don’t look okay, I was worried.” He looked you over, bringing his good hand up to your forehead and frowning. “You look like you have a fever but you're not that warm.”

“San- I’m just overwhelmed, please.” With much more calm than you were feeling, you reached up and grabbed his hand off your head. “I need to know though… about Wooyoung-”

“It’s just physical, I promise.” He interrupted, almost panicking. “He shouldn’t have- that wasn’t how- fuck I’m sorry you-”

You cupped his face, stopping his ramblings. “It’s okay, I’m not judging you or anything Sannie. Just… surprised. It’s… it’s just a lot to process. I knew you guys did things differently, I just didn’t expect this I guess? Don’t think this changes anything.”

He softened into a pout, bringing his hand to cover yours. “You fit in so well here sweetcheeks, I wish you knew that.”

You smiled wryly, pulling your hands away. “I don’t think I do. I’ll see you tomorrow, get some rest, okay?” You patted his uninjured shoulder as you passed him, not giving him a chance to prove you wrong as you rushed out the door.

You didn’t even grab your coffee.

—------------------------

San returned to the back to see that chaos was one thin string away from exploding everywhere. Hongjoong stepped out of his office and fixed Wooyoung with a glare as he advanced.

“W-W-Wait a second Captain! We can talk about this- ngh!” Wooyoung scrambled back against his desk, just to be yanked forward by the collar.

“What the fuck was that? Huh Detective? Did you forget you are part of this fucking unit, that you are technically working as a policeman?” Hongjoong gritted his teeth, nearly throwing the man to the floor. “You nearly fucked up a little too much!”

Wooyoung tumbled to the floor, grabbing his glasses that had fallen in the process. “None of you told me about her!? What the fuck did you want me to do?”

“Keep your mouth shut!” San was the one to belt the words out, stepping over to his partner and planting his foot into his side. “Instead you just rambled and ranted in Wooyoung fashion. How the fuck does she know you as Mito? She wasn’t supposed to know!”

Yunho pulled San back, taking note of how pissed he was. “She should’ve been gone before you got back.” He winced when San shrugged him off, putting distance between him and the others.

“Then why isn’t she? Will someone explain to me what the fuck I missed and why you’re getting all huffy over a broad that ‘should’ve been gone’? Huh?” Wooyoung looked around, spotting Yeosang and relaxing a bit. “Sangie?”

Yeosang fixed him with a slightly colder stare than usual, tension in his jaw. “You should’ve asked instead of questioning how none of us fucked her yet. She’s a detective, not one of the women your mother- you’re used to being around.”

Wooyoung narrowed his eyes as he pushed himself up onto his knees. “Were you about to bring my mother’s work into this?” His voice was dangerously low, the already heavy tension growing in the room.

Yeosang seemed just as taken back by his own words, shaking his head and glancing down at the drink in his hand. Wooyoung took notice, then glanced at San who was still watching him with a fixed glare. With a look of understanding, he stood up. “Got it, fine. Anyone willing to fill me in? Or do you want me to continue trying to fuck her?”

The way San straightened just confirmed Wooyoung’s suspicions. But it was Hongjoong that answered, arms crossed over his chest. “She was forced to transfer from her old unit. Higher-ups approved her transfer here-”

“Let’s be honest, they were hoping she would throw us off.” Jongho spoke up, reminding them he was there as he put his gun back together. “And at this rate, she will. Some of you are getting too fucking buddy buddy and that’s going to blow everything we worked for if she digs too much.”

“Well if she is going to blow it, Wooyoung just gave her plenty of ammunition. Should we move up our plans?” Yunho chided in, standing up and stretching. “Mingi and I already set up the bait like you asked. It’s only a matter of time before it’s taken.”

Seonghwa shook his head. “If she was going to be a whistleblower, I feel like she would have been given an offer by the higher-ups: give them information to tear us apart and all her bad rep goes away. With how much she misses her old unit, I assume they still might give her the ultimatum. What do you think, Joong? You pulled her aside to gauge what she would do with this information.”

Hongjoong shrugged, shaking his head. “Hard to tell. She said she wouldn’t, that she doesn't care what we do. I think she was being honest. You would know better though, wouldn’t you San?” He glanced over at him. “You’ve been with her the most.”

“She won’t. It’s not harming anyone so she won’t feel the need to do anything about it. And if she is offered redemption for information on us, she won’t do that either. She feels pretty betrayed by her last unit for kicking her this way, so she wouldn’t do anything that would cause us harm, despite some of us deserving it.” San snarled at Wooyoung and then glanced at Jongho. “She’s loyal to her own moral code, probably loyal to some of her old unit but she doesn’t feel as if she has to work with them to be loyal. Higher-ups won’t do anything to jeopardize that unit.”

“But the other enemies might. They catch wind of her-”

“Don’t even entertain that idea, Jongho.” San stepped forward.

Seonghwa sighed, sharing a look with Hongjoong. “I think we have to make a decision, as a group. Either way is going to be a risk. We either fight for her to transfer out, or we decide to integrate her.”

A chorus of protests rang through the office, some louder than others.

“Then we fight for the transfer?”

Wooyoung scoffed. “Yeah no, let me get this straight first. That beautiful woman gets forced to transfer out of her last unit and ends up here because the higher-ups insist?”

“Apparently she requested it because they made her choose- and we are the farthest from her last precinct.” Seonghwa mumbled, indulging the information she had said in their office. “The board and commissioner just pushed it instead of trying for elsewhere.”

“Okay okay- so she is forced to transfer by the unit, the very people she trusted, and was hurt enough by that to go as far as she could from them? Yeah?” He looked around, some of them unable to look them in his eyes. “And it sounded like you all gave her piss poor treatment since she got here.”

“Sounds about right.” Even Jongho looked away, a little guilty.

Wooyoung scoffed, rolling his eyes. “And yet some of you are getting so fucking offended over my talk of having her on my cock- that right fucking there Choi San, you’re obvious.” He pointed at his friend who had stepped forward ready to punch him. “So we are just gonna- what- push her away and break her even more because none of us want to give her a chance?”

The atmosphere felt even more grim as his words weighed on their shoulders.

“It’s not as simple as that- we worked too hard to take that chance!” Jongho stood up, fire blazing in his eyes. “I'm not going to let her problems get in the way of what we already accomplished! So what if she gets hurt? If she can’t trust us or blames us for turning her away? You want her to sacrifice the things we have? Want this to be her life?”

“Jongho has a point- we accepted this, all of us made this our responsibility because of our own reasons, our own choice. We can’t expect her to do the same. Does she even have any ties, Yeosang?” Yunho glanced over at the quiet man, who just shook his head. “She made it personal over a dead kid she arrested a few times? Big whoop.”

San narrowed his eyes on Yunho. “When did you find out about that? It was just Hwa and I-”

“Heard you talking it over with her.” Mingi grumbled next to him, apparently in a sour mood.

Hongjoong cleared his throat. “Then I think you two would find that the most relatable, wouldn’t you? With your own experiences?”

Mingi scoffed, shifting into the chair but Hongjoong continued. “You could’ve been that dead kid Mingi, you know that. We all know that. But officer Jeong-”

“Captain, I know where you are going with this and please don’t. We don’t need you comparing her to my dead fucking father.” Yunho fixed the smaller man with an intense glare.

“Sure we do. If we keep her on, it’s likely she’ll meet the same fate.” Hongjoong was unphased as Yunho slammed his hands on the desk, pivoting on his foot to step away and run his now shaking hand through his hair. “So you agree?”

Wooyoung rolled his eyes. “Back to what I was saying! Our options are to force her onto another team, which sounds like she is the type to get in way over her head wherever she is anyways, or take her on fully and let her help. And it seems like you already gave her plenty of ammunition on the green vipers, which, I’m assuming is where her personal vendetta you so graciously mentioned came from? If we’re talking about that newest kid that got killed- who is to say she won’t do what some of us have thought of?”

Several men in the room stiffened, guilty of the assumption.

San was the first to speak after a drawn-out silence. “She would too. You don’t have to spend much time with her to know she would. Fuck! I don’t like what you’re implying, Wooyoung!”

“I’m not the only one. Right Captain?” Wooyoung smirked at him. “You’re so pissy with me because I forced your hand too soon, but this was your plan? She fits in here, I noticed that and I just met the chick.”

All attention switched to Hongjoong, his own expression impassive. It was a gentle nudge from Seonghwa that had him speaking up. “She’s made incredible progress, even suggesting something we hadn’t thought of. Mentally she is a great detective, and strategist, and would make a valuable asset to the team-”

“You have to be fucking kidding me? You can’t be serious, Captain!” Jongho was the one to slap his hands on the desk now, sneering at him. “Absolutely not!”

“This isn’t just your decision Jongho!” San stepped over to him. “Test her if you want, but she does fit.”

“Maybe on your cock.” Mingi threw out, in an even more sour mood.

San rolled his eyes. “Fuck you Mingi.”

“Come do it then.”

“QUIET!” Seonghwa yelled out, silencing the room and halting the movements of everyone; even Yunho turned back around to take it all in. “Your Leader was speaking, and you will listen.”

Hongjoong waited until all attention was back on him. “I’m not saying she knows everything, or be completely involved right away, but she would be a valuable asset. So we bring her in, find a place in this all where she could be helpful but won’t infringe on our other works. A few months, maybe a year, and then we can decide. Either she trusts us, works with us, or we handle things properly. After all… wouldn’t be the first time a cop dies on the job, right?”

With solemn expressions, each one of them nods, calling out in unison “Yes, sir.”

Wooyoung took note of a few things that had him believe it wasn’t going to be so black and white… and he was excited to see how this unfolds.

Chapter Text

There was a good chance you overdid it at the shooting range yesterday, if your sore muscles and oversleeping were anything to go by. The fact you dismissed all of your alarms at different times, without even attempting to get out of bed, was also a good indicator.

When you had realized you were late for work, the momentary panic was quickly chased away by the realization they probably weren’t even aware of when you got there so why worry about being on time? That mindset had you falling right back to sleep, not even the idea of San worrying about you could keep the sleep at bay.

Your phone going off startled you awake, knocking it onto the floor in the process and leaving you scrambling for it out of habit. You didn’t even check caller ID, hitting answer and expecting an emergency because why else would you be getting a call?

After grumbling out your name, you froze up at the familiar voice on the other side. “Ah so you’re not dead?” Your nose scrunched up as you flung your feet over the side of the bed.

“No Yunho, I’m not dead. Is there a reason you have my number and are calling me?” You scoffed out, taking one glance at your clock on your desk and wincing. Oh, it was that late?

“I’ve been tasked with finding out why our beautiful Goddess hasn’t arrived at work yet despite it being an hour after her usual time and no notification was given. Considering how prideful you are of your job, I assumed death was the only reason to miss out.” He easily drawled over other muffled voices in the background, which did wonders for your imagination. It even overlooked his heavy sarcasm that might normally be a reason to bite back.

You spent several hours shooting targets to get these damned curious thoughts out of your head and apparently it was all for naught. Not like you could hear what was being said, but with all their secrecy, you could only blame it on one secret you now knew. “Just overslept, and didn’t think anyone would miss me enough that an hour would matter.” While that was true, an hour did have your panic spiking a little bit.

It was very unlike you to be this late, and the reason just had shame bubbling in your gut. Like hell you would tell Yunho that of course, trying to play it off as nonchalantly as you could.

“Aw, already tired of us? Every second counts, especially if you want to do field work so how about you get that cute ass out of bed and down here to the Precinct? You have work to do.”

“Yunho you could say it nicely!” This time you heard the other voice, trying to pinpoint who.

Yunho scoffed, pulling away from the phone a bit. “If you wanted it said nicely you could’ve called, Vice. It’s done so stop yapping.”

“May I remind you that you insi-” Seonghwa’s voice was cut off as the call was dropped, leaving you a bit confused and plenty awake now.

The one thing that really stuck from that phone call was that, to an extent, your presence was noticed, and your absence was cause of enough concern that Yunho called you.

Whatever emotions were going to blossom from that, were derailed when you noticed many many notifications on your phone: all from the S.K Unit.

Right, your probation was up regarding them now. That was… you weren’t sure how to feel about it, but being late on time already you ignored the messages and started getting ready. Thirty minutes later and you were stepping into the precinct, unsure of what to expect. The lack of bodies around when you walked in was a tad disappointing, which you wouldn’t ruminate on, but finding a coffee and lunch on your desk from the deli was a nice surprise.

Since you were late- was left on a note in handwriting you didn’t recognize, but of course you haven't seen any of theirs enough to tell. San would be the most likely option, since he was the only one who knew your order, but you couldn’t put it past any of them with their ability to surprise you. Either way, you smiled down at the drink, just as you liked it, and didn’t care who it was from.

You sat down to enjoy your gift just as the phone on the desk beeped, line 3 flashing red. Right, probably should have let them know you arrived. “Yeah I’m here Seonghwa, sorry about that.” You called out after hitting the button to connect.

“We thought we heard the door. Glad you made it safely.”

“Mhmm. What would you have me do? Captain mentioned field work but said it would take a few days?” Better to keep the conversation on work. Keep it on work.

Seonghwa chuckled on the other side, humming a bit in thought. “Wooyoung is taking care of San’s injuries so that will take a few days anyways. I suppose we can test your undercover skills, would you be up for that? I can talk to the Captain about the suggestion, we can get back to you by the end of the day. Why don’t you get more familiar with the other gangs in the meantime, we have a new board set up for you back here.”

One surprise after another, it was really throwing you for a loop. “Oh uh, sure. I’ll head back there after I eat then?”

“Take your time.” The line went dead afterwards, leaving you a bit lost.

“Huh… are they sucking up to me? This is… weird.” Mumbling to yourself, you shrugged it off after a moment and enjoyed your free meal and drink, checking the notifications finally from S.K. You only really looked at the names, not ready to read what they had to say.

Most were from Jisung and Felix, quite a bit from Changbin and a few from the two youngest as well. Hyunjin’s chat was the only one you read, which consisted of a miniature spiel about a cute guy he saw at the gym this ‘fine morning’ that could spice up your lack of a sex life. You scoffed, sending him a few choice emojis to tell him to kindly fuck off before finishing up your meal.

You couldn’t help but notice not a single message or call or anything from Chan or Minho, and it somewhat hurt. Did you really expect them to apologize though?

If they did, would they mean it?

Sighing, you grabbed your coffee and headed towards the back. No use worrying over those two, not when you just wanted to move on and do your job.

“Ah there she is, definitely not dead.” Yunho startled you when you stepped into the back, a smirk on his features as he leaned back against his desk. “Come to join the party?”

Rolling your eyes, you ignored him and instead turned your attention to the board. It was definitely set up differently, several different faces and gangs by the looks of it. “What’s this?”

“This is how downtown is run.” Mingi stood before the board, tacking up a picture before stepping back. “Downtown is where a majority of gang activity goes on. It’s mostly prostitution, illegal gambling rings and brothels, drug rings. It’s considered neutral territory despite being part of the Golden Circle and heavily run by the Pink Boas- but they’ll let anyone operate there for a fee. Most independent players will operate there as well.”

“Like Hwon Taejin?” You sought out his picture instantly, jaw clenched as your eyes landed on the familiar face that had your blood boiling.

Mingi and Yunho shared a look before Mingi stood in your way. “Yes, but that’s not the point.” He narrowed his eyes on you while Yunho wouldn’t even look your way now. What the hell had suddenly gotten under their skin? Sure you expected hostility but this felt different.

“Oookay, then continue.” Not your problem, that's what you told yourself, glancing back at the board.

“The point is, that downtown is where all the action happens. As ‘neutral’ ground, any deals or talks between gangs will happen here. Drops of product, money, but the most important is that fights don’t happen downtown, meaning less likely to get killed accidentally.” Yunho offered, a chip in his tone that was hard to miss at the end.

They couldn’t actually be worried you would get yourself killed? Is that where they were going with this? “So what I’m hearing is, this is the area I am most likely going to be in the field. Plenty of opportunities and information to pick up without my head getting blown to bits or choking on poison?”

They both nodded solemnly. “New players are always watched carefully by the Pink Boas, and they don’t have to take you out on their turf. So it will also be a test to see how well you can maintain undercover. Course, no idea what you’ll be doing in the field, could just be doing stakeouts like Captain does.” You narrowed your eyes on Yunho as he shrugged, but he still wouldn’t meet your eyes.

Mingi also hadn’t insulted you once since you got here. Something felt off.

“What the fuck is it? What did I do this time or not do? What did you fuckers do?”

Both of them paused as you cocked your hip, hand nestling there with coffee in the other. “Uh, nothing?”

“Exactly! No insults and you’re acting like a sad kicked puppy for fucks sake-” You jerked your chin at Mingi before pointing at Yunho. “And you were so snarky on the phone and when I walked in and now you’re like a ball of anxiety or some shit. The desk is going to break if you grip it any harder.”

Once more the two shared a look, Yunho’s grip relaxing on the edge of the desk so his veins weren’t popping out- which you totally hadn’t noticed multiple times- and Mingi’s cocky grin was back. But neither could give you an answer before Yeosang stepped in, calling your name. Great, another ass to deal with.

“We were given orders to give you a bit of a break from our… abrasiveness. And I have some things to upload to your laptop, may I?” He held up a flash drive, his sculpted face impassive of any emotion. You couldn’t tell if he was good at hiding it or just didn’t have much emotion. Annoyance he had shown plenty of, is this what was left under it?

It felt… odd. You didn’t like it. “Yeah, I’ll give these two some time to, I don’t know, pull the sticks out of each other’s ass? Suddenly being nice to me? No thanks.” You shivered at the thought, making your way towards the hall to your desk. The laughter from the two that were left behind eased a knot in your chest you didn’t know was there.

“What do you need to upload?” Glancing back at Yeosang, you tried once more to get a read on him. A vibe or something, but he resembled a walking doll almost.

He opened his mouth to reply, eyes moving past yours and brows pushing together. You turned to see what had gotten his attention, just to visibly stiffen.

“Hey there Trouble.”

“Don’t even start.” You pointed your finger at him, hoping he didn’t notice the sudden tremble. “You don’t get to call me that any more, Chan.”

Really, what right did he have to walk into your new workplace as if he was here for a friendly visit or lunch? As if he wasn’t the reason you were here in the first place. As if he hadn’t turned his back on you.

He didn’t need to come into your new space, looking fine in his jeans and tight tee, watching you with that smile of his that said “I’m here” as if to take on all your problems for you. There was no need for him to remind you of your feelings… the same feelings you had hoped you had smashed in the last month.

“Who’s this?” Yeosang stepped around you, clearly a bit annoyed that their space was being trespassed on by someone unfamiliar.

“My old unit Chief. Who was just leaving.” You snarled out, crossing your arms over your chest. “You can just upload whatever you need to Yeosang, don’t pay him any mind.”

Chan’s smile faltered, shoving his hands into his pocket. “I was worried about you tr- sorry, won’t say it again.” He chuckled nervously when you hardened your glare. “I know you weren’t happy about this-”

“Who would be happy that they got kicked off their team? Seriously?” You took a step closer. “You didn’t want me there Chan, and I don’t want you here. So fucking leave.”

Chan didn’t back down, lifting his chin a bit as he pursed his lips in thought. “Can I… Can I at least apologize?”

You scoffed, rolling your eyes as you shook your head. “I don’t want to hear it. You made your choice Chan, just fucking live with it.”

When he called your name out in a plea, taking a step closer, you would have preferred “Trouble” instead. “Please let me explain, I didn’t want to hurt you.” He closed the distance enough to reach for you, just for you to slap his hand away.

“I think she told you to leave.” Yeosang’s voice rang out behind you before you could tell Chan off yet again. “And frankly speaking, we don’t allow anyone else here in the Precinct unless you clear it with our Captain or Vice. I don’t think you did, so I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

Chan looked between you two, shoulder’s slumping in defeat. “Alright. I’ll talk to you another time.” Before you could make a quip back, he was walking out the door.

Your head pounded from the sudden increase in stress, hand going to your temple as you turned to Yeosang. “Was that true? The Vice or Captain needs to give permission for visitors?”

Yeosang steeled his expression the moment you turned back, gently pushing your open laptop towards you. “Yes. Considering our work, we can’t just let anyone walk in. Especially other cops. Your pin?”

It was comforting to hear, typing in your password quickly before pushing it back towards him. “That’s… reassuring. I didn’t think any of them would bother me here.”

“Would… would you prefer they not?”

Shrugging, you leaned against the desk while he plugged in the flashdrive, dozens of screens popping up as Yeosang got to work. When you didn’t answer right away, he glanced at you. “Oh well, definitely not him. There’s one or two I don’t think I’d mind- wait no, that’s just a bad combination waiting to happen.” You grimaced, thinking about what would happen should Hyunjin come here or the two worrywarts. The conversation would get far too sexual or the poor beans would get too worried about you and most likely plan, very poorly, your kidnapping away from this unit.

Changbin could be the only one you saw getting along well enough but chances of him keeping quiet to the others? Unlikely.

Yeosang nodded as if you had just given him vital information, odd but somewhat endearing of him. “I see. I’ll let Seonghwa know.”

His fingers flew across the keyboard, focused on whatever he was doing. “Can you… not? Or at least avoid the details. I don’t like how much you all know of me and my unit already. My beef with Chan I would like to keep on the downlow.”

“What makes you think I would keep it as such?” Yeosang asked, lacking any sort of condescension or malice, just pure curiosity in his voice.

You shrugged, standing back up. “You didn’t like it when I dug into you all when I first got here, so privacy is important to you. And whether it’s personal morals or because you were told to play nice, I don’t think you are going to go around sharing my business.”

He paused what he was doing, turning to you confused. “You have reason to believe I would though?”

“No, I don’t.” You sighed, leaning back down. “Just because you don’t like me or haven’t been the nicest doesn’t mean you would purposely exploit sensitive information about me. You can still have morals even as an asshole. Anyways, what are you doing? I can’t follow along with any of this.”

Yeosang let his head fall forward a bit so his hair blocked his eyes from your sight, his fingers moving once more. “It’s a program I built that only we here at A.Z use. Takes a bit to install, connect to our servers here. I'm still working on the mobile version, but this has to be installed with a copy of the program. If anyone without access to the program tries to get in through one of you, the program will wipe itself clean and the connection.”

“That’s… a bit scary of a protection measure.” You mumbled out, but also quite impressed.

“These gangs have access to multimillion dollar security companies and tech, better not to risk them trying to get our information. We also have different levels of information. Right now, you are getting access to level one, which is a bit more detailed than what you already had on the Green Vipers. We’ll move you up if you gain a successful cover,” he explained, moving a few things around and code flashing across the screen.

It took you a moment to realize what he meant, what this all meant. “Is this… I thought I still had a trial run?” Your voice was soft, afraid to speak any louder as if it would scare off the possibility.

Yeosang paused once more, hunching further over the computer. “Well uh, I- that’s not for me to…”

“Welcome to the team, Firecracker. Believe it or not, we are happy to have you.” Hongjoong called out, drawing your attention to the hall, a smirk on his face.

“He means on the team. Happy to have you on the team.” Seonghwa sighed behind him.

“Well that too.”

“Joong- is it really a good time to try and flirt?”

“It’s always a good time. Especially now that she knows what we do around here- oh? Is it that funny?” Hongjoong broke off, brow lifted as laughter had bubbled out of you.

“It’s just- mmm, I think I’m a bit happy to be here. When ya’ll stop trying to act so damn friendly fake.”

Hongjoong and Seonghwa shared a look before the Captain matched your very real smile. “I knew you liked the bickering. Ready for your first mission briefing?”

You practically bounced up straight. “Yes, Captain, ready.”

Chapter Text

“I liked the other one better.” Jisung added his input for the dozenth time in the last half hour, earning a glare from Hyunjin. “What? You asked!”

“I asked my sweetheart here, not you. I know what you like, so shush.” Hyunjin waved his hand dismissively before turning back to you and once more held the two dresses up. “This one hides the fake tits better, but this one gives me an ass. So again, which one.”

You carefully debated each option before pointing to the black dress. “The first. You do want to pass for a female more than your pretty face after all.”

Hyunjin looked over the leather dress once more before sighing. “You’re right. I can just give it some accessories to spice it up. Felix! Hurry up there, it's my turn to change!”

The freckled detective stuck his head out of your bathroom shyly, glancing at Hyunjin. “Can you come help me with this?”

“Do you not know how to put on a dress?” Hyunjin stared, flabbergasted as he shook his head. “You wound me.” Still he pushed himself into the bathroom with the other, their muffled voices filling the space.

You turned to Jisung now that you were alone. “Now you be honest with me, red dress, or pink?”

“Red.”

“You didn’t even look!”

“Didn’t have to. Red is so your color for one, and two, everyone loves a woman in red.” Jisung pointed out, then motioned to your hair. “Plus, you have enough of an innocent vibe with the long wig styled like that. Can’t tell it’s one either, Hyunjin is scary good about that stuff.”

You nodded in agreement, grabbing the tight red dress in question and looking it over. Yes, it would look better. “I’m wearing the leather heel boots with it. Fishnet?” You glanced back to catch the shake of his head. “Panty hose?”

“Thigh stockings with the garterbelt that's going to show, and the black studded heels. Leave the boots to the other two.”

“Hm, you’re right. One of us has to show off our amazing legs- might as well be me.” Laughing softly, you grabbed the items in question and then knocked on your bathroom door. “You two can finish in here, we still have to do makeup!”

Felix cried out over something as he was immediately scolded by Hyunjin for it, but before anything could be cleared up, Hyunjin was throwing the door open. Both stepped out in their outfits: The pretty wigs on their head, fake tits, tight dresses, and the heels making them much taller than you in your slippers. “We’ll work on that, you dress up. Lix sweetie, stop fidgeting with the dress.”

“It’s not that long,” he grumbled in his deep voice, swallowing hard when Hyunjin fixed him with a stare so he repeated it in a more high pitched tone that would make it easier to get mistaken as a female.

“I can’t believe you two convinced Felix to do this.” Jisung was trying not to laugh on your bed, earning a glare from the three of you. “What?!”

“Well Binnie had been all for it but we all agreed his shoulders would give him away too easily. Though that cake would look fine in a skirt.” Hyunjin pointed out.

“Don’t forget those pecs! He wouldn’t need silicone tits in one of my bras for that!” You called out as you moved past the two into the bathroom to change.

It might not exactly be the best idea to involve these three in tonight, but you were enjoying it none-the-less. Jisung was far too eager to spend time with you, and he wasn’t half bad with makeup and you wouldn’t think about getting all dolled up without Hyunjin. It was Felix that was the big surprise, arriving on your door with the other two, wanting to apologize.

And how could you tell the sweet sunshine boy no? What excuse would you give for turning him away anyways? He had begged for your forgiveness, literally, and offered to do anything to make it up to you: including his homebaking.

You always had a soft spot for Yongbok, could never stay mad at him or truly be hurt by his actions. Sure, you were a little hurt still, but you knew even during the probation that you would forgive him. He was your sunshine, he just burned you a little.

Smoothing out the dress and pulling on the shoes, you looked yourself over in the mirror. All that was left was your makeup, but already with the wig and clothes you looked like a different person. Hell, you looked hot even by your own standards. Vaguely remembering the last time you had dressed up like this, your chest hurt, but you pushed it all back as you stepped out.

The three of them didn’t notice you at first, Hyunjin holding Felix still as Jisung worked on his makeup. You cleared your throat to get their attention however, Hyunjin glancing over first and grinning. “Now there is my feisty boo, ready to slay?”

The other two turned, Jisung nearly choking on his spit while Felix’s eyes went wide. “Holy-”

“Wow…” Felix’s deep voice rumbled, earning a light smack from Hyunjin. “What?”

“Lighter tone Miss, and don’t just wow. This is why you should have come out with us more. Both of you. Though I don’t think Boo will be getting drunk tonight right?”

You shook your head, unable to look at Felix when he was staring at you like that: like you were a wonder to the world. It was a little late for him to finally notice you like that so you couldn’t meet his eyes.

“No. My new unit wants to see how well I can go undercover, so I need to be sober.” That was as far as you could tell them, but Hyunjin was clearly disappointed.

“So you can’t even get laid? Bummer.”

“She doesn’t need to be drunk for that!” Jisung turned back to Felix, who the makeup was really suiting. He looked even more ethereal than normal with the added shimmer and lashes, the lip tint drawing attention to his lips.

You sighed, sitting down next to them on the bed. “Hurry up and do mine Ji, we have a long drive and no- I won’t be bringing anyone home.”

“No no, now I’m on Jisung’s side- you totally need to. Like when was the last time hm? And you’ve told me about your loud ass neighbor, give him some payback.” Hyunjin grinned and moved over to the wall. “We could fake it.”

“Dramatic as ever Jinnie-” But the idea of pissing off Mingi when you know he was there right now, and not alone as you know Yunho was there too, had you grinning. “I like it.”

“Wait until I’m done and the makeup is off the bed before you start that shit!” Jisung huffed, applying a gloss to Felix before he scrambled to gather up the makeup in question.

Felix stood up and adjusted the skirt, clearly concerned where this was going. “Aren’t we in a time crunch?”

“I can make noise while Ji does my makeup. You two are in charge of the bed.” Grinning, you sat at your desk where Jisung was setting things down.

“Lix, on the bed.” Hynjin didn’t give him much of a choice, pushing him face first into your covers as he scrambled not to face-plant.

Jisung whined. “Don’t ruin my work!”

“Felix is the work, now shush. We have neighbors to fuck with. Cue the moans!” Hyunjin began to rock your bed, lightly hitting it against the wall at first, only building momentum as you let fake moans drop from your lips.

Jisung rolled his eyes as he worked on your makeup, though you had a nice base already. He stayed quiet, hyperfocusing on his task. Felix joined in on making sounds, his deep voice reverberating through the room.

“Fuck, Angel- so good.” When Felix moaned that, the two of them rocking the bed and not in an innocent manner, it had you flustered. Sweet sunshine Felix making such pornagraphic sounds? Of course your body reacted.

Jisung huffed when you squirmed in your spot, gently smacking your knee. “Missy, try not to squirm.” He hissed, but you just moaned out loudly.

“Oh fuck! Right there please!” You cried out in sync with the rocking of the bed as they slammed it harder against the wall now. The cacophony of moans and bangs really did sound just as you wanted, but adding a little extra spice. “Cumming Daddy! Please!”

Jisung blinked, covering his mouth to hold back his laughter as Hyunjin nearly collapsed onto the bed with his own silent laughter. Felix, however, did faceplant into the mattress. The bed stuttered to a halt, the four if you needed a moment not to completely ruin your play with laughter.

To keep the performance believable, Hyunjin turned on some music and the rest of you talked in hushed voices while you finished getting ready. Only because Hyunjin had sent Felix to “stand guard” by the front door were you alerted to the two leaving. Apparently one of them cursed at your door loudly, which you assumed was Mingi.

“Now that was some fun payback.”

“He’s totally going to be thinking about you moaning Daddy now. Fucking himself to the thought.” Hyunjin snickered, resulting in a light push from Felix.

You groaned, grabbing your small black bag that rested on your hip. “I don’t want that image in my head!”

“Seconded!”

“Thirded!”

Hyunjin narrowed his eyes on all three of you. “Why not? He’s hot. Seriously, I refuse to believe there is no sexual attraction between you two.”

You shrugged it off, but really you couldn’t deny that there was some on your part. “He does sound hot.”

Hyunjin snapped his fingers, having his “ah-HA” moment with a wide grin. “Knew it! Are all your new coworkers hot? Do I sense an office romance?” He wiggled his brows, doing a once over on Felix’s outfit.

The man being circled had a soft pout. “Dating in the workplace sounds complicated.”

“For our unit, maybe, considering how much of a stickler Chan is,” Hyunjin pointed out, glancing over at you. “But you might have a chance now, sweetcheeks.” He winked, tugging Felix towards the door.

Both Felix and Jisung glanced over at you, confused. “You like someone from the unit?” Jisung stopped packing his makeup just to drop the lipstick in his hands and rush over to you. “Who? Why didn’t you tell me? Oh my God is it me? It’s me isn’t it?”

“No!” You playfully pushed him away, glaring at Hyunjin. “He already shot me down so it doesn’t matter.” You didn’t dare mention that there had been two, not with the other in the room.

Felix frowned, stepping over and patting your shoulder. “I’m sorry Angel…”

Hearing the pet name he moaned earlier had you putting some distance between you two in an attempt to hide how flustered it made you. “It’s fine, it’s in the past.”

“And you have a whole slew of men to choose from now!” Hyunjin wrapped his arms in both yours and Felix’s. “Or at least getting dicked down, like your neighbor.”

Rolling your eyes you tugged him towards the door. “Go get the cab you two, I’ll help Ji with his makeup.”

“I’m fine! Just about done.” Jisung rushed back to his things, huffing. “You’re not touching it, you’ll try and reorganize it!” He quickly put everything else away, puffing his cheeks out when you laughed.

“But you’re worse! The one time I let you stay the night at my apartment and my bathroom was reorganized when I woke up. I had such a bad hair day because I couldn’t find-”

“On a time crunch you two, come on. The duo left already and technically I have to find them at the club.” You shut them up, glancing at Felix. “Can you take care of him?”

“‘Course.” Felix had no issues dragging a still ranting Hyunjin out of your bedroom and shortly out your apartment.

With a heavy sigh you double checked your own appearance while Jisung finished up. Packing up his bag, Jisung slung it over his shoulder and walked with you out. “Seriously though, who was it?”

You shook your head. “Don’t want to talk about it Ji. You’ll be fine getting home?”

“Yeah. Are you going to be fine… in general?” He retorted, watching you critically. You knew that look in his eye, knew that you weren’t going to get out of this with just a simple yes or no.

Slowing your pace a bit, you watched each step you took, careful on the stairs. “I don’t know Ji. I want to be. I want to like this unit, be good at my job and make a difference, but…” You trailed off, shaking your head. “It’s starting to feel like I won’t ever live up to my father.”

Jisung gently rubbed your back as you stepped out of the apartment complex. “You aren’t him, remember? And frankly speaking, I think you’re much better.”

“You also never met the guy.” You pointed out but did find some comfort in his words.

“Wouldn’t want to, because then I would be comparing him to you and I can’t see anyone shining brighter than you.” Jisung patted your bag, giving you a nudge towards the two standing on the curb. “Don’t let those two out slay you either, Queen.”

Laughing softly, you kissed his cheek. “Thanks Ji. Text me when you get home. I’ll do the same.” You rushed off ahead just as the taxi pulled up. “Now remember, lady voices.”

“No promises,” Felix teased with a rumble, resulting in both you and Hyunjin giving him a look.

Somehow you ended up in the middle, probably for being the shortest of the three but barely. Hyunjin needed his space sp ‘not to mess up his fit’ which left you awkwardly pressed against Felix. You suspected this was on purpose, but Hyunjin played innocent when you glared at him.

Felix didn’t mind, wrapping his arm around your shoulders as the both of you stared out the window.

“So-” With a singsong voice, Hyunjin drew your attention, “-who’s dick do you think is bigger?”

Despite Felix’s attempts to divert the conversation, Hyunjin was determined to talk sex. Insinuating multiple times that you should at least try one of them out for a test drive. To satisfy his curiosity, you kept things vague.

And might have indulged that yes, there might be a few of them you would love to take for a test drive. You didn’t let him ask more than that, finally arriving at the club. From what you knew, women got in with little issues when in groups of three, thus your entourage for the night. That and you were given three tickets for the night as you asked for them. You weren’t going to question how they were gotten, or their validity, but they got you in rather quickly in the vip line.

Already ten at night and the place was quite packed for Thursday, just goes to show how popular of a club it was. But Downtown was always busy, every night when the sun went down.

You remember coming here once or twice with Hyunjin, but never remembered leaving. Every time Chan would be the one picking you two up, or just you. You never bothered with drunken sex with a stranger, just not your thing. Making out though? Or a little more in the backrooms? Oh a time or two.

There were so many options for that, Hyunjin getting rather excited as he scanned the crowd but Felix stepped closer to you. He wasn’t the clubbing type- dancing sure, but this? Nope. Still, he agreed to come with you. He agreed to dress up in full drag and get hit on by drunk men for you.

Well, for Hyunjin. You had just asked him to bring a third for the night, Felix being the one next to you was not something you could ever foresee. “Let’s find a place to sit.”

You nodded at his suggestion, eyes scanning the booths on the raised dias around the room, as well as the second floor. All of them were good options but the second floor was off limits- that was for club members. The only real option you had though was- there.

“How about that booth?”

Felix followed your finger, then nodded. “Okay. Hyun-”

“I’ll meet you there with drinks!” Hyunjin called out, already off to the bar as soon as a place to sit was established.

“Have to move fast if we don’t want to share the booth.” You grabbed Felix’s hand and pulled him through the sweaty, already drunk crowd.

You could feel his hand tighten, ignoring the slurred words of some of the people around you as you passed, the booth in sight. It had a good view of the dance floor and exits, but what you cared about was that it was mostly empty.

“Excuse me?” You smiled at the three at the table, biting down a bit of disgust as the one in the center pulled away from the nape of the woman on his arm. “Most of the other booths are full, would you mind if my friends and I sit here?” You giggled shyly, leaning forward to flash a bit more skin.

Just as you hoped, you watched the eyes dip down over the glasses, the annoyed expression wiped clean with a smirk. “We got plenty of room so sure, have a seat.”

Giddy, you motioned for Felix to sit. “In you go, Lix, the other ladies aren’t going to bite.” Smiling from ear to ear, you watched the man slide into the booth, but you weren’t the only one watching. The two women went back to asking the man in the center for his attention, but he let his eyes linger.

You wonder what Mingi would think if he knew he was eye-fucking a man in drag right now?

Chapter Text

Watching Mingi flirt shamelessly with the two women on his arm was actually amusing. He had the charm, the charisma, and yes- the big dick energy that made sense. The two were hooked on his deep voice, his tongue flicking across his thick lips, and the promises he whispered into their ear.

But you were also aware that he wasn’t oblivious to his surroundings, noticing his attention on you and Felix more than once. He was as subtle as you were with your own glances, but whenever you were caught you just offered a coy or shy smile, attempting to be flirty.

You were getting quite concerned when Hyunjin took his time, eyes scanning around for the man in drag only to spot him at the bar chatting it up with target number two. You expected Mingi to be dressed with the intent of picking up girls, but the fuckboy fit on Yunho? It took you by surprise.

Hyunjin was clearly liking it, laughing at something he said and sharing a grin. You nudged Felix, nodding in the direction. “Our dear friend found herself someone, maybe we should too?”

Felix's eyes went wide, leaning in for your ears only. “You want me to flirt with a guy like this?”

“Mhmm. Maybe dance.” You laughed at his expression. “Come on Lix, we are still here to have fun and you agreed to this. Gunna let poor lil me try and jump on someone's dick alone?”

He scoffed, fixing his tone. “I am here to be a wing woman only.”

“Fine, fine.” Sighing dramatically you collapsed back against him, laughing when he fell back. You kept your tone, voice, even your laugh a little different so as not to be recognized. You did want to see how long you could fool the other two.

Considering Mingi was paying more attention to Felix, you figured you were going under his radar. Rude, but fair, Felix did make such a pretty woman all dolled up. He also had two other women still sandwiching him, but you noticed one was getting impatient.

“When is your friend coming back with the drinks?”

“Soon, baby girl. See, he's coming now.” Even you could hear Mingi, the booths around the floor were surprisingly easier to talk in, no need to shout over the music. You tried not to make it obvious when Yunho approached, but considering Hyunjin was on his arm you bounced up.

“You finally made it back with our drinks! Yes!” You eagerly made room for him as, surprisingly, Yunho set your drinks down.

“You didn’t tell me your friends were just as cute as you.” Yunho let his hooded eyes look you both over, his smile turning sly before he turned back to Hyunjin. “Must be my lucky night.”

Hyunjin giggled, scooting into the booth next to you and smirking up at him. “Maybe it’s mine.”

Whining, you placed your chin on Hyunjin’s shoulder. “No fair, you got a head start on the hottie.”

“Well maybe you should’ve gotten the drinks.”

“And leave sweet Lixie alone with you?” you whined again, turning to Yunho and batting your lashes at him. “Hi there, I’m Nabi, the hotter friend.”

Hyunjin rolled his eyes but was grinning. “Just because you have the better tits doesn’t make you hotter.”

“Just because you have thicker lips doesn’t either, honey.” You retorted, not taking your eyes off the tall man before you as you sat up a bit straighter just to show off the tits in question. “Wanna make your night luckier and join us?”

Mingi had his eyes on you now, the two women as well but you didn't waver from Yunho's gaze. His flirty smirk widened further, tilting his head towards his friend without pulling his eyes from yours. “What do you think, Malik? Should I?”

“But you promised-” The woman closest to Yunho whined, detaching herself from Mingi to reach for the other.

Yunho glanced down at the hand she grabbed him with, pulling it away roughly. “I don't recall promising anything.”

“I can keep you plenty company, come here.” Mingi motioned her back, the woman pouting as she curled back under his arm.

Yunho shot him a grateful look before returning his full attention towards you and your friends. “Mind if I sit?”

Hyunjin wasted no time in standing up and letting Yunho slip into the booth next to you. You shared a flirty smile, letting your eyes wander and expression turn coy, ignoring when Hyunjin sat down with a whine. “Nabi~”

“I'm playing fair Jinnie, so shush.”

“Ladies, no need to fight over me, there's enough of me for the both of you- or three.” Yunho slung his arms over the back of the booth, easily encompassing the three of you; a reminder of how big he was.

Felix grumbled no thanks, freckled cheeks pink even in the dim lighting as he grabbed his drink. Even with him being shy, it didn't put a damper on the heavy flirting that enveloped the table, which got more risqué as the drinks kept coming.

Hyunjin was bold with his statements, between hyping up your body to just what his mouth could do- much to Felix's chagrin, seeming too innocent for this kind of talk. Of course, neither of you wanted to seem too desperate, slipping away from the booth to dance, taking turns dancing with Felix and Yunho.

Hyunjin played it smart, made sure Yunho wouldn't feel something he shouldn't, and at first you had played it a little hard to get but clearly enjoying being chased. At first. Several drinks in after an hour of “getting to know them”, you let him touch you more: a hand on your back, arm, or knee when sitting down. He got more physical as time went on as well.

That's how you found yourself in your current position, dancing with him and his hands on you. Particularly running the length of your sides, down over your hips as you moved them to the music, his head hovering above your shoulder, breath on your skin raising the hairs on the back of your neck. It was far more intimate than you wanted to get, and somehow not intimate enough. You didn't question where such thoughts came from, scared of what you would find.

You glanced up at Hyunjin across from you, somehow he had grabbed Mingi's attention and was dancing with him now; probably because the two girls he had been with left him for someone else. They had gotten impatient with him for flirting with you and your ‘girlfriends’. You were grateful for that, you didn't want to hear them fucking once you went home. You assumed he latched onto Hyunjin since Felix hadn't been giving him the time of day.

“Why are you looking at them?” Yunho breathed against your ear, sending a shiver down your spine.

Trying to hide his effect on you, you gave him a coy smile, “wouldn't you like to know?” A gasp left you when he pulled you firmly back against him, hand on your lower stomach to hold you still. “H-hey!”

“Come on, tell me. I'm right here, baby girl, and yet you're staring at my friend. You want me to touch you like he's touching your friend?” Yunho brought his mouth closer to your neck, mimicking Mingi's lips on Hyunjin's neck. Damn, he moved quick. “Or is it his lips?”

You groaned, tilting your head and letting him run his nose over your skin. “Why would I want him when I have you right here?” Your hips never stopped moving, bringing a hand to place over his on your stomach. The way he was touching you, moving with you, certainly had some wires in your brain short-circuiting but you were blaming that on the alcohol and your lack of a sex life.

He chuckled, nipping at your earlobe “I didn't say you had to have just one of us.” This time you couldn't hide the shiver that ran down your body. “Oh you would like that huh? Two mouths on you, four hands and two cocks to do with as you please. Naughty naughty girl.”

That shouldn't sound so damn good- shouldn't have you pressing your thighs together- but it did. Reeling from your own body's reaction, you didn't reply and he rolled with it.

“That's so hot.” He pulled his lips away and motioned for Mingi. The other man muttered something to Hyunjin before your friend winked in your direction and headed off towards Felix.

Feeling far more intoxicated than you did a bit ago, you didn't question when Mingi closed the distance, standing just before you with an expression of awe. “Want to share her, Malik? I think she would like that? Wouldn't you, butterfly?” You nodded to Yunho's words without even fully processing what was said.

Mingi chuckled, running his hands up the bare skin of your arms before pulling them up and around his neck. “She does look quite nice pinned between us like this.” Hand on your hip he pulled you up against his knee, sliding your skirt up in the process.

“Oh you do work fast.” You couldn't tell if you were still moving along to the music anymore, nor did you care. Their hands on your body, Yunho's lips so close to your neck as Mingi leaned in. You were enveloped by them, physically and in all senses. They were all you could see, feel, smell, hear- and suddenly taste.

“No need to play when I know just what I want.” The brief touch of Mingi's lips on yours had you reacting almost desperately. You pulled him closer to you, whimpering against his lips and going so far to push yourself further up his thigh.

Yunho followed suit, pressing against you so you were even more sandwiched between them, his lips on your neck, continuously nipping just under your ear. You could feel his cock beneath his pants right against the curve of your ass, just exciting you further. Fuck you were throbbing already, aware of just where their hands were and you wanted them lower.

You whined when your lips were pulled away from Mingi's, the noise getting swallowed up by Yunho's lips. They had your body alive and willing to melt to their every touch, molding it to their will. Mingi's hands slid up your dress, digging his nails into the soft plush of your cheeks as he pulled you further up his thigh, running you over it and pulling another moan out of you. Part of your subconscious screamed at you to stop, asking you just what you were doing with these two?

The only answer you could muster wasn’t a good one, blaming your shameless behavior on the alcohol and just how touch-starved you were. You told yourself you needed this, moving your hips for more friction, panties rubbing on the jeans of Mingi’s thigh. Riding his thigh to get off in the middle of a club was definitely something you never thought you would do, typically far too prideful to do this sober and with someone you liked.

Yet every thought of pulling away, as well as every moan, was swallowed by their lips. As soon as Mingi pulled his lips away to groan and praise you, Yunho’s took your breath away. “Fuck you’re soaking my jeans pretty girl. So needy, so hot.” His deep voice in your ear had the words fuzzing up your brain and making it that much harder to focus. You couldn’t go home with them, better lighting would be harder to hide just who you were and they would never let you live it down at the office.

Pulling your lips from Yunho’s, your lipstick smeared on his, you began your protests, stopping the rhythm of your hips much to your disappointment. You shouldn’t be, you could get off on a pillow just as well, a toy even better. Mingi pulled away first, letting you fall back against Yunho as someone garnered his attention.

“Sorry to interrupt, you all seem to be having a grand time-” Hyunjin spoke clearly over the music, right into your lust-addled brain and finally shaking some more sense into you, “-but I have to steal my friend back. There is a, hm, situation she has to help me with.” Oh Hyunjin, swooping in to save your ass before you did something absolutely shameful. You could practically kiss him with gratitude.

“I’ll be right there Jinnie.”

“Right, better fix your clothes before the whole club sees your undies. Black lace right?” Hyunjin winked, turning on his heel before heading back to Felix who, now that you could see him, seemed far too drunk. Shame hit you like a ton of bricks as you began to scramble to adjust your clothes, cheeks burning from embarrassment.

Yunho helped you right your skirt while Mingi was beginning to protest. “Just a little more and she would’ve gotten off. Do you really have to go baby?”

“Course she does, but we can continue this tomorrow after work.” Yunho released you, letting you step away from them with a knowing smirk on his face. “I’ll call you again if you’re late.”

“Tomorrow? What do you-” Mingi was clearly confused, looking between you and Yunho as if one of you would give the answer away. You didn’t stick around to see him figure it out, a fire under your heels lit by the realization that Yunho had and you had no idea when.

Did he kiss you, touch you like that knowing who you were? You banished the thought as quickly as it came, knowing that was a dangerous route to go down. At least right now.

Rushing over to Hyunjin and Felix, you diverted all your attention to them. “Thanks for the save, Hyunjin, let’s get out of here.”

“I can totally take Felix back home if you want to go take those two home.” Hyunjin giggled, watching over your shoulder no doubt the two in question.

You didn’t get a chance to retort, Felix grabbing your hand with a pout. “Let’s just go, please?” He looked distressed, tears brimming his eyes. Something was wrong, you just didn’t know what.

“Y-yeah, let’s go. Hyunjin, you’re coming back to my place right?” You double-checked that you had all your belongings, pulling Felix towards the door with your best friend following.

Your escape out of the club wasn’t speedy enough, Mingi catching up quickly, calling out to you. “Wait! Nabi!” He grabbed your hand just as you stepped out, the humid night air barely hitting your sweaty skin when he said your actual name.

“Just stop!” You yanked your hand out of his, glaring up at him. “Took you long enough to figure it out.”

His face dropped, brows pushed up together in shock. “It really is-”

“Mhmm and you were all over her.” Hyunjin laughed, stepping in and putting some space between you and Mingi. “Sucks to suck pretty boy.”

“Can we just go.” Felix whined out, deep voice grumbling and getting Mingi’s shocked expression next. The full events of the night must be hitting him, the realization that he had no doubt thought about fucking a guy in drag settling in. You didn’t think he minded, considering that the eight back in the office clearly were sexual with each other. If he minded anything it was that he was fooled double time.

Mingi didn’t seem to let it get to him for long, turning back to you with a vulnerability you didn’t like seeing on his features. “But- you kissed-”

“Kissed both of you and tried getting off on your thigh. Yep, she definitely did that.”

“Hyunjin, you are not helping.” You hissed at him, pushing him away from the crowd that was starting to pay attention to the four of you. “Kissing is nothing Malik, so just drop it.”

His eyes somehow got wider, head tilted. “Nothing?”

“You do it all the time I’m sure. Just a kiss. You’re hot, so what, I can separate your shitty personality from your cock just fine.” You got defensive, attempting to walk away.

“Doubt it. Buttercup, can we talk for a second. What the fuck?” His confusion and vulnerability were twisting to anger, clear in his snippy tone.

Felix blocked him when he tried to get close, glaring at him as Mingi glared back. “She said to drop it, find someone else to fuck. Come on Angel.”

Mingi seemed to recognize his voice, “You- ah I heard you earlier.”

Getting fed up with the conversation, you pulled a stunt that in hindsight, was stupid. You pulled Felix by the chin, capturing his lips in a kiss and purposely deepening it. Not how you ever wanted to kiss someone you were in love with, just to prove a stupid point, but tonight seemed to be the night of stupid actions you usually would never.

You pulled away just to do the same to Hyunjin, knowing damn well you didn’t have the parts he liked but he caught on to your dramatics, kissing you back happily. “See, just a kiss. See you at work.”

You left him flabbergasted, dragging your two friends down the street and away from him. What was his deal? Why did it matter so much to him about a stupid kiss?

A kiss, that you had to admit, left your stomach in knots and so damn eager for more. A kiss that, if you actually let yourself admit it, felt like fireworks in your blood and a passion you don’t remember feeling before.

“Well I would hate to be you tomorrow, Boo, you have to go back to that. And at work. Why’d you get so into it anyways? Thought you didn’t want to fuck em?” Hyunjin’s mouth ran a mile a minute while Felix had been deadly silent since the kiss. To be fair, so were you until Hyunjin gave up the questions.

They tried to stay the night, but you had them changed and out the door before it got too late. Hyunjin went to grab the cab while Felix was slow with his goodbye, no longer in drag. “Listen… about the kiss…”

“I meant nothing by it, Felix, don’t overthink it.”

“But I-”

“I mean it. You’re still one of my best friends and that doesn’t change anything okay? Go head home and rest. Please?”

He reluctantly nodded and left. Truly you had meant nothing about it, it was no different than kissing Hyunjin. There was no spark, no chemistry, no feelings- nothing that the kisses shared with the two dickheads had brought out. You hated to admit it, hated this realization. Felix was sweet, honorable, a really good person and you did love him.

So why had your body reacted the way it did?

It was going to keep you up all night thinking about it. And when that didn’t, hearing Mingi’s moans a bit after you rested your head on the pillow definitely did. More so the fact it was only his voice… and he was moaning your name.

Chapter Text

Maybe you should have stayed home, after all how could you face them? But backing down wasn't in you, not when you had done everything last night very willingly. And since it was entirely your decision, whether smart or not, you would accept the consequences of your own actions. That and you would have to talk with the Captain and Vice to get the verdict on if you could actually do undercover work or not. You hoped the kissing and drinking part didn’t hinder that.

While you most definitely could not stay home, you did take your sweet sweet time getting there. Ordering your breakfast at the cafe and eating there, taking note of your walk to the office and even stopping to help someone with their things. None of it helped the growing anxiety that still grew with each step towards the office, especially when it was in few.

What you didn't expect was to find your desk occupied. Your current favorite coworker sat at your desk, no longer a sling holding his arm as he swiveled in the chair with a pout on his sharp features. His presence did relax you a bit but then begged the question why was he here? He perked up when he noticed you, his face obviously lighting up, a wide grin pulling out his dimple and turning his eyes into happy crescent moons. “Sweetcheeks.”

You swallowed hard, fighting off the heat spreading up your neck and attempting some calm as you closed the distance. “What are you doing here?” You set your bag on the desk, avoiding meeting his eyes as you focused on pulling everything away.

He wasn't making it easy, leaning around you and looking up with the same happy expression. “Because I missed you. You were late and you're usually early. Plus I didn't get to see you all week because I was stuck in recovery. I'm all better now, are you proud of me?”

You swore he was like a cat seeking praise, asking you to pet him and tell him he's cute. With a light laugh you patted the top of his head gently. “Yes Sannie, I'm proud. You did good.”

He grabbed your hand and pulled it down to his cheek, nuzzling and holding it there. With his face healed, or at least the remaining damage covered up with makeup, you could fully appreciate his features. He might act like a cute kitten but the eyebrow and lip piercing that was there now just brought out his fierce features and made him anything but cute.

When he turned his cheek to press a kiss to the center of your palm, it was just another reminder of the dangerous predator he could be. That he loved to chase you around the office with a slow stalk, cage you in and get so close you couldn't see anything else but him- quickly you pulled your hand away, taking a step back and holding it to your chest as if you got burned. You might as well have, as his teasing behavior was a reminder of how physical you had gotten with two others in the unit and they could very well use that fact against you. You expected it.

“What is it, sweetcheeks? Usually it takes more than that to fluster you.” San stood up straight, wearing a playful and cocky grin.

You scoffed, grabbing your coffee. “I have to go talk to Vice Captain Park is all, so I don't need you flustering me right now.” You created quite a bit of distance between you both, cocking your hip and placing a hand on the curve. “Go be a playful kitty with someone else for now.”

“But I missed you.” He whined, closing the distance with a pouty expression. It was so cute it almost gave you pause. Almost.

“Missed you too little kitty, but work first. I took too long getting here as is. Besides, it's about field work.” You were just being honest, but you saw the way he got shy, pouting his lip out further and fidgeting side to side.

“You really missed me?”

Damn, he was being cute. Tall, broad-shouldered hottie was so freaking adorable you couldn't resist. “I did, Sannie. You're cute face and adorable pout. How could I not miss you?” You softened considerably, a soft smile as you watched him with pure adoration.

Without waiting for a reply you headed down the hall, hoping this went well because yes you adored San. You wanted to stay, wanted to be around him. You could suffer a little humiliation for him right?

Stepping into the back it took everything in you not to look over at the desks, heading for Seonghwa's office and knocking. You ignore the scrambling sounds of someone pushing up from their desk. You ignored a deep voice calling out your name. And you ignored the touch of his hand on your arm as you pushed into Seonghwa's office as soon as it opened.

You expected teasing. You expected laughter or being shamed for your behavior. Jabs at your expense or the usual banter just more humiliating. So why did Mingi so sound fucking desperate for you??

Seonghwa looked rather confused, shutting the door after staring Mingi down quizzically. He didn't spill any tea, so Seonghwa shut the door with a sigh. “Did you fight with him?”

“I wouldn't call it a fight. More like his pride is hurt from last night.” That's what it had to be for your own sanity.

Seonghwa didn't look sold on it however. “You know, I'll have to call them in here for the report you want to give me. I can't just take your word for it. I also need to have their expert opinion as they were the ones fooled. I'm assuming that was the case?”

You shrugged, plopping your body down nonchalantly in one of the leather chairs before his desk. “Mingi didn't find out until the end of my time there. Roughly 3 hours? And that was because Yunho pointed it out. I have no idea when he did. He certainly had no change in his behavior towards me all night.”

Slowly Seonghwa moved around his desk and sat down, shaking his head. “I didn't expect Yunho to be fooled the whole time. He's far too observant normally and you've been his fixation for weeks.”

That caught you off guard, head snapping up to stare at him in disbelief. “You're joking? Does he find me that fun to toy with?”

Seonghwa lifted a brow, staring you down for a moment before he pressed a button on his landline instead of answering you. “Yunho, Mingi, come here for a moment.” He leaned back in his seat, using his cell the next second.

The next moment the door opened, Captain stepped in first with the two tall ones behind him. He flashed you a smile as he moved to stand next to Seonghwa. “So? How did last night go?”

Mingi looked confused, staring you down and then his Captain but Yunho didn't take his eyes off you. You had spared that quick second to look at them before finding Seonghwa's face very interesting.

“I had a feeling you two set her up to it. So now we get to what? Tell you our assessment of her undercover work?” Yunho sounded a bit distant. You knew he was still staring at you because Seonghwa kept looking between you two confused.

“Yep. You two know her the most outside of San here, and I trust your judgment. Do you think she is ready for undercover work?” Hongjoong asked, brow lifted and expression serious. He was staring his men down with an intensity you weren't sure you could handle directed at you. At least not at this moment.

“Yes-”

“Absolutely not!” Mingi shouted over Yunho, drawing your attention finally as you gawked. You thought you did well though?

“Mingi, she says you didn't realize until you were told?” Seonghwa turned his questioning gaze to him, which Mingi stiffened under. “Is that not true?”

“It is, but-” Mingi started to protest awkwardly.

“She did well, Captain, hardly recognized her.” Yunho cut him off, stepping in front of Mingi when he looked your way almost pleadingly.

“Then what is Mingi's issue?” Hongjoong crossed his arms, chin jutted out as he demanded an answer.

“Well I'd say she did too well for his liking. He didn't recognize her, 3 hours of flirting and even with drinks, touching- kissing - he didn't. I would have been fooled too even.” Yunho admitted, turning his attention to you again.

You were shocked, and just even more confused. “What do you mean by that? Too good? Then why protest? Why the fuck does it matter to him how well I do in the field as long as it's well enough?”

“Because then you'll do that shit with those shitbags!”

Silence followed his outburst which even he was shocked by. He grew flustered, agitated even, and refused to meet your eyes. Before anyone could recover enough to speak he left the room, the tension heavy for a different reason.

Why did it matter to Mingi who you kissed? Who you touched or slept with? He disliked you- when did you start thinking that as opposed to hate?

Hongjoong cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention to him but he was focused on Yunho. “Before you go see what that’s about, fill in the blanks for me on your statement. When did you realize it was her, what gave it away, and is there anything she needs to work on?”

Yunho cleared his throat before shifting on his feet. “I figured it out about an hour into her charade I think. I sat between her and her friends, which were two dudes in drag and I didnt notice at all. But it was her beauty mark on her neck, and the fact I knew some of her habits.”

You were still stuck on the fact that he was well aware of who you were before kissing you and touching you like that. And with the way he kissed you… you mentally slapped yourself for getting flustered over that. “What habits?”

“For one you, you always lick your lips a certain way after a drink. Two, you have a bit of a dimple that pops up when you smirk, just the left side. And you have a very distinct beauty mark on the back of your right hand here-” He pointed on his own, between the index and middle finger knuckles, “-and one just behind your left ear.”

Your hand shot up to your neck, knowing of the freckle he mentioned that was almost in your hair line. It’s been three weeks and he knew those sort of details about you. Now you couldn’t hide how flustered you got, eyes wide as you could only stare.

“Just from those four things?”

“Well he does have a hyperfixation on her Joong, though I expected this much attention to detail from Yeosang first.”

“True, he probably knows much more. Very little escapes him when he’s focused. And with his tech-” Hongjoong sighed, lost in their own conversation. “Well, anyways, I don’t think anyone else is going to notice said habits. I’ll have her go out with Wooyoung next so he can test how well she gathers information. You can go now.”

When you went to stand as well, Seonghwa motioned for you to sit back down. “Not you. We have a few things to go over.” So you sat back down.

Yunho left, and right after Hongjoong started grilling you on your night. They had you explain in detail everything you did. When you got to the fact that Mingi had been kissing on Hyunjin, Hongjoong couldn’t contain his laughter and even Seonghwa seemed genuinely amused. You quickly moved on, unable to look at either of them as you explained how you had made out with them both while grinding on Mingi’s thigh.

“Firecracker… look at me.” Hongjoong called out, something in his tone had you shrinking into yourself. When you didn’t look up you heard him approach, his feet in your view before he was gripping your chin and forcing you to look up at him. There was an undeniable heat in his eyes, gaze flickering to your lips when your tongue darted to wet them but that just left them feeling even more dry. “What happened next?”

“Hyunjin grabbed our attention and we pulled apart. Yunho gave away he knew who I was, and then filled Mingi in once he was obviously confused. I grabbed my friends and left.” He most certainly didn’t need to know the rest.

His fingers tightened on your chin, other hand gripping the back of the chair just behind your head. “And after that? You’re hiding something from me.”

His stare was intense, causing your body to react in ways you didn’t want to acknowledge but would have to when you changed your underwear later. “Mingi chased after us, after me. And he found out the other two were men. He was being… oddly persistent about the kiss and so I showed him kissing means nothing to me. I could do it. I’d do whatever I need to.” You had been sure Mingi had doubted that you could really be undercover, that you could do things like that with anyone. “Kissed both my friends and we left for real. That’s how it went.”

Hongjoong studied you with that intense gaze, blocking your view of Seonghwa but you heard him clearly say his Captain’s name in warning. The kiss he gave you a second later no doubt being the reason for the warning. It fell on clearly deaf ears, your shock being used as an excuse for Hongjoong to keep moving his lips against yours. They felt nice, his lips, curious with each stroke- almost as if testing you. It *was* a test, to see just how true to your word you were, so you kissed back.

He chuckled against your lips, pulling away with a chaste kiss to your nose. “Well you are an amazing kisser, I’d be sad if I had to share it with scumbags too.”

“Captain!” Seonghwa marched around and pulled Hongjoong away from you, an almost sadistic grin on Hongjoong’s face as he licked his lips. “Did you have to go so far?”

“Of course I did. You should kiss her too Hwa, go on.” Hongjoong patted Seonghwa forward but the man glared over at his Captain.

“Will you not?” He shot back, turning to you with a much softer expression. “You can go, I’ll handle him. I’d advise you not to mention the kisses to anyone else, unless you want similar treatment like him.” He jabbed his thumb in Hongjoong’s direction.

You shook your head, just even more perplexed by this unit and its Captain. “I highly doubt that but alright. When should I expect to talk with Wooyoung?”

Seonghwa shrugged, staring his Captain down hard who was still smiling in that amused and twisted way. “Probably Monday. I think for the weekend we’ll have you work with San at a gym we have, have him test your physical capabilities, how good a shot you are, all that. Plus he’ll get you a key.”

The gym sounded nice, you didn’t like sitting around the desk as much as you have been the last few weeks. “Alright, thank you.” You stood up and headed for the door, only to stop when Hongjoong called out your name.

“Just one more question,” he started when you turned to look at him “how far would you really go? Kissing is one thing but would you fuck the enemy to get information? Would you kill someone to get into their ranks to get the information and take them down? Just how far are you willing to go to bring them down?”

You were a bit taken back by his words, having heard similar questions before. Chan would often question how far you would take the law into your hands, and you got good at giving him the answer he wanted despite constantly going against it. You swallowed, meeting Hongjoong’s gaze and remembering his lips on yours.

You officially kissed three of the unit, thought about kissing another often, and you couldn’t say it was just for the sake of the mission. For the sake of doing well, of winning against the power hungry fucked up underworld. You glanced at Seonghwa, appreciating how beautiful of a man he was and acknowledging how willing you would have been if he had kissed you- but neither of those posed an answer to Hongjoong’s question.

“I’m not entirely sure Captain. I can give you the answer I told Chan all the time, or I can give you the one I think you already know.” You smiled at the Captain, a twisted half smirk with a cold fire in your eyes. “Otherwise you wouldn’t have kissed me.”

He shrugged, his grin widening and earning a baffled sigh from his Vice. “Maybe I just wanted an excuse to kiss you firecracker.” He winked, pleased with himself when your actions froze for a second in shock.

You shook it off, sighing and then opening the door. “I’ll head out now, Captain. You know where to reach me if you need me.” They called their goodbyes as you shut the door, looking around and finding no one at the desks. No Yunho or Mingi, no Jongho, and no San. You expected Yeosang to be in his tech room as usual but not San? You frowned and headed for your desk, wondering if San was still there.

Familiar sounds stopped you right outside the bathroom, the light shining through the cracks showing it was occupied. At first you thought you were mistaken, until you heard it again. A low and deep moan.

Fuck, Mingi- Your body reacted to the sound you had grown too familiar with, shock rooting your feet in place.

“Shh, you don’t want our feisty butterfly to hear do you?”

“Y-yunho, fuck, don’t talk about her right now.”

“Why not? Admit it, you wish it was her hand touching you right now- or better yet her cunt you were fucking? Sweet puppy got it bad for our butterfly?” Yunho’s familiar voice was as low drawl, shocking you to move and try to forget just what you heard.

In the fucking bathroom? Right by your desk? You could easily picture what their words had implied, which did nothing for your own need.

These men were driving you crazy. You really needed to get laid. That would chase all these desires away.

Stepping into the front of the building you spotted San sitting at your desk, perking up when he saw you just like earlier. “Hey Hwa just told me that-”

You didn’t give him a chance to finish that, grabbing your bag and his shirt and pulling both towards the door. “Perfect, then let’s go.”

Maybe you could work some frustration out on a punching bag.

Chapter Text

“So are you going to tell me what’s up?” San asked from the other side of the punching bag, holding it still for you. You had very much taken out your aggression on the inanimate object, repeatedly, for the last fifteen or twenty minutes or so.

One glance past the receiver of your fists and you could see San’s concern written all over his features. You hesitated your next punch, lacking impact and hitting it with poor form. Hissing you stepped back, cradling your hand to your chest as pain surged from your knuckles. San was before you in seconds, pulling your hand away and examining it closely.

Your frustration had not gone down at all, it just jumped to another fixation. Sure you were no longer thinking about the sounds Mingi had been making- or the fact Yunho was the one pulling them out of him- but instead just how good San looked before you.

The two of you had stopped by your apartment to grab some workout clothes, and some travel sized bath products so you could use the showers here at the gym if need be, and both had changed in the locker room. The tight muscle tank and gray sweats were a sight to behold and definitely had an effect on you.

An effect that you took out on the punching bag of course.

The fact he did have you struggling to focus kept you from outright admitting it to begin with. You could hear what Hyunjin would say about this situation, in filthy detail too. The others were still… well you didn’t trust them enough anymore with any intimate talk, not like you trusted them enough in the first place to come out and say you wanted multiple men to fuck you. And that was when you just had feelings for two. Unable to decide which dick you wanted out of more men than that was… well not a problem you could share.

You could however beat a sandbag to a pulp. “Can you just let me get the stress out please?”

San pouted, but held the bag still as you started working through the routine you had in your head. “What has you so stressed out? Come one Sweetcheeks, you can tell me about it can’t you?” He still wasn’t dropping the subject though.

With a heavy sigh, you rolled your shoulders back, feeling a bit of sweat accumulating on your shirt already. “A lot, San. I’m not exactly past my old unit, and it’s hard to find someone to trust with personal matters.”

“And I’m not one of them?” It was less of a question and more of a dejected statement.

You pulled your bottom lip in between your teeth, staring him down hesitantly. He had been by your side and doing his best to make this unit welcoming to you. He hadn’t once made you feel unwanted, or unneeded, despite that moment when you first met that you were sure he was going to be closed off to you. Did you dare trust him? Open up to him about something you know some of the others might use against you in the unit?

With a huff, you ran your hand through your hair. “It’s just… you’re one of the reasons San.”

“What do you mean? I thought you liked me?” He stumbled back when you started swinging at the bag again.

“That’s the fucking point San. I like you. I’m comfortable around you and you are one really hot fuckable co-worker while I’m so damned deprived your stupid gray sweats have my underwear wet!” You accentuated every few words with a hard hit, harder and harder than the one before, ending with a roundhouse that had San stumbling back onto his ass.

He stared up at you, clearly shocked and muttering out your name.

Realizing just how much you probably just fucked up, you cursed and turned on your heel. “I’m going to take some steam off on a run.” You grumbled, definitely not ready to delve into the bomb you just dropped.

San must have realized it, letting you wander off to the treadmill as he just sat there staring after you. His eyes on you didn’t help at all, putting on some music on your phone and letting it fill up the small gym as if it could somehow drown out the sexual tension.

He didn’t bring it up again, but was eerily quiet. Even once you calmed down from running on the treadmill for a while, he spotted you on several different machines, checking your form and taking note of how much weight you could comfortably lift. You swore you caught him staring at you with a heat in his eyes a few times, body reacting and all that time working the steam off for naught.

Ready to call it a day and hope to whatever God there was that your toys would be enough to satisfy you, you began to head to the locker room.

Just for him to catch up and grab your arm. “Wait, one more thing.”

“Yes?” You swore you did a set on every machine they had available so what could it be?

He pointed to the boxing ring in the center. “Spar with me?”

You were sweaty and worked up and most certainly didn’t think it was a good idea. Yet you found yourself following him to the ring, wiping some sweat off your forehead with the back of your forearm.

He gave you a minute to catch your breath and drink some water, stretching despite already working out for easily over an hour, almost two. “I believe you mentioned taking taekwondo before?”

“Yeah, I stopped in highschool but I occasionally take a class to freshen up on it. Took a few other martial art classes through college that definitely helped me in my days as a uniform.” Talking school and career was a safe topic, stepping more into the ring as he did. “Ready when you are.”

He hummed, circling you and watching you with a predator’s gaze by the time he was back in your eyesight. “I bet you were top of your class. Probably didn’t settle for less at all huh?”

You could remember quite a few other students that complained about how driven you were, how they disliked sparring against you because even if it looked like they won you were far too persistent and always turned the tables when they least expected it. “My dad also gave me lessons growing up. He was a cop too, and would always say he saw too much of what the world could do to a woman alone and wanted me to be able to protect myself.”

“Sounds like a good dad.” He didn’t give you a chance to reply, beginning the spare after that.

Quickly you realized he was stronger than you, and quite quick, but you held your own. More focused on parrying his hits then going on the offensive.

The constant workout beforehand did put you at a disadvantage, making you weak to his grip when he did grab you. What was truly only a minute or so felt longer now that your ass was pressed back against him while he had you in a chokehold. You tried your usual tactics to get out, finally having to tap out and call the match.

“One for me.” His voice was huskier as he rolled his neck and shoulders, your eyes naturally following the movements as his muscles rippled from the action. “Two out of three?”

“S-Sure.” You weren’t thinking much about actually winning now, something much more predatory about your sparring partner than you had ever discerned in him before. How could you forget that he was also an undercover fighter for the illegal fight rings that the Green Vipers ran? And that he regularly won.

You could hold your own in a fight, but you knew your limitations. If San had actually been a threat, your game plan would be to cripple and run as he was not an opponent you could win against. But this wasn’t about winning, this was about testing how well you can do in a fight.

His tactics had changed this round, seemed more intent on cornering you and trapping you than attacking to cripple or fight. Your smaller stature was useful to avoid a grab here or when he had you physically backed into the corner of the ring, but every time he did grab you, you struggled.

Blinded with a need to escape, you danced around the ring until he had you on the ground face first, sitting on the back of your thighs and arms held behind your back. When he leaned over, you felt something hard against the curve of your ass.

Fuck he was hard.

“Sannie- '' You panted out, turning your head to look back at him, but he was staring down at your ass. You couldn’t see it, but you guess he could easily see the way he pressed into the soft flesh of your yoga pants.

With his free hand, rough and calloused, he ran it down your side to your cheeks, giving a soft and slow squeeze, his breath noticeably hitching. Especially when you lifted your ass to not only press back against him, but moved so his bulge rubbed your core, pants slick with your sweat and arousal. His grip tightened on your arms and ass, pulling a needy whine out of you. How easily he could just pull your pants down and fuck you.

You wanted it, but couldn’t bring yourself to jump that final hurdle of asking. “Sannie please don’t tease me-” A warning, hoping he would back off, or go through with it himself.

The low groan of your name that left his lips had you believing the latter, especially as he kneaded your ass more, hips bucking against the wet patch. Even with the clothes in the way, it was enough friction to pull another breathless whine out of you and push back.

“All the times you had me pinned down like this, I thought of it like this.” He muttered to himself, and if it wasn’t the harsh thrust he gave that sent tingles up your spine you might question him.

It didn’t matter, you were finally getting touched… which made you far too desperate for more. “M-more please, Sannie- God I want your cock.”

“Fuck don’t say that, it’s hard enough to hold back.” He growled out, still grinding his clothed cock against you however. “This is not the place I want to have you on my cock. Want to take my time with you. But you’re so fucking sexy being needy like this. You want to get off that badly?”

“Y-yes please!” As soon as the plea was out of your lips your pants were shoved down, exposing your bare ass to him. He released your arms, just to pull your ass up into the air as he leaned back. You braced yourself on the bouncing floor of the ring, glancing over your shoulder to watch him pull your cheeks, and lips, apart and admire you in full view.

You were about to whine and beg again when his thumb found your clit, a jolt running up your spin. Slow tantalizing circles as he pushed in a finger, similar pace. You were sure if it was the same hand, you didn’t care, it felt so good but still not enough. Your head fell forward, bracing against the ring and shutting your eyes. “Don’t toy with me Choi San. Either get me off or let me go home to do it myself.”

With a breathless laugh he hoisted you up onto your knees, an arm wrapped around your shoulders to hold you back against him as he grabbed your pussy from the front, two fingers roughly shoved in and thumb back to its ministrations. “Poor baby needs to get off so badly? How badly hm?” He muttered in your ear, nibbling on the lobe as his fingers curled deep in you, making it hard to fully process what he said.

“B-badly please… please Sannie. Do you want me to beg? I will. Just don’t- ah- don’t stop. R-right there oh fu-uck.’ Your head fell back against his shoulder as he found your sweet spot, relentlessly rubbing his tips against the spongey spot while his thumb rubbed just right over your clit. He felt better than your hands, and it was so accurate, more than a toy, you were a moaning mess without an ounce of shame.

It was just you two there, and even if he did decide to impale you on his dick, you wouldn’t care. Hell you didn’t think you would care if one of the others walked in. What kind of face would Mingi make if he saw just how easily you could be putty for him if he played nice?

The thought had your hips jerking, picturing the tall man on his knees before you, watching the way San fucked you and begging for a taste. You must be quite deranged to think about both of them touching and fucking you at once just from San’s fingers inside.

But it had you coming into his hand and crying out his name, your nails digging into his forearm around your chest. You expected him to stop, but only his thumb did as his fingers continued to fuck you through your orgasm.

“That’s it Baby, I’ll make you feel so good.” He pushed in a third finger, moving slowly as you came down from your high before the pace started up again, even more relentless than before, especially since he knew your sweet spots now. Thumb back on your sensitive bud as he was grinding against your ass as well.

What if you were filled in both holes? Maybe someone’s cock in your mouth as you were used for their pleasure but not as much as they wanted to give you. You let the deranged, completely filthy scenarios fill your head, to the point you moaned out someone else’s name.

San wasn’t even surprised, chuckling against your ear and working you through yet another orgasm while Mingi’s name tumbled from your lips. “I knew you wanted him. Bet you want a few of them, hm? You know- you could ask them too.” He was breathless, panting against your neck as his own hips were erratic behind you. “Wouldn’t mind one, or even all, watching you come undone for me.”

The idea of them all watching as you bounced on San’s cock filled your mind, helping him roll one orgasm into the next. You made a mess of his hand and your yoga pants, even the ring beneath you, your cry echoing in the small private gym, mixed with a soft cry of San’s own.

You could vaguely feel his cock twitching against your ass, a sticky wet spot that was indistinguishable even among all your own sweat. Just from humping against the curve of your ass he came, or did your own pleasure and filthy thoughts add to it?

He pulled his fingers out, bringing them to his lips and groaning at the taste while he loosened his hold on you. “You should probably get a shower, sweetcheeks, we can talk about this after.” He gently rubbed your back as he leaned back, reaching for your pants and pulling them up for the moment.

Good thing you brought extra clothes. “A-alright.” Slowly you got up and headed for the showers, still reeling a bit from the way he had you coming three times from his fingers. It had been several minutes, and as soon as he had found your sweet spots he used them to drive you crazy.

While you were in the shower you had plenty of time to think over the implications of what just happened, of the things he said and what you thought. You were disrupted from your thoughts as San called out your name.

“Wooyoung needs me asap so I’m leaving you your key in your locker and heading out. We’ll talk about this later, I promise.” His voice echoed in the room, but he called out again when you didn’t reply.

“O-Okay San. I’ll see you later.”

You heard him actually leave and let your shoulders drop. No reason at all to feel dejected over this, you got exactly what you wanted.

Maybe you just had too many other questions now.

—-----------

San had just finished cleaning up when he got the call, frowning since it was Captain’s other cell. “Choi speaking.” He answered, tossing the dirty rag into the hamper before throwing on clean clothes. One glance towards the showers and he knew you were still in there.

“They reacted to the bait. Wooyoung needs you on sight for backup asap.” Hongjoong answered, causing San to sigh. He didn’t want to leave you, not when he had gotten to finally touch you after so long.

But he did leave, knowing this was even more important. Couldn’t blow his cover after all.

Still he thought of you, of how sweet your moans sounded and how your pussy clenched around his fingers. He couldn’t help but smirk, knowing he could rub it in Wooyoung’s face, or even Mingi’s. San knew them all well enough to know he wasn’t the only one who was being wrapped around your finger. He heard the two in the bathroom earlier, knew they thought of you just as you apparently thought of them.

You were perfect for them, San was even more sure of it now more than ever. The way you blossomed over the years, and some parts of you were still the same if not more set in stone.

He wanted to tell you, remind you of who he was but he couldn’t. Not without so many questions being asked of him he wasn’t ready to answer.

Some day though he would, when you were his… no when you were theirs.

Chapter Text

You were more than a little disappointed that San wasn’t there the next day, but confused over your mixed feelings over Mingi and Yunho’s absence. But as that one day turned into a week, you were getting concerned.

No it wasn’t because you wanted to invite San back to your place, or confront the two giants on what they did in the bathroom, hoping to have some answers to your own feelings, but because you were genuinely worried.

Seonghwa didn’t help with your nerves one bit, spending a good amount of time with him over the week, as well as a forced training session with Jongho. Your ass still hurt from the number of times he happily knocked your ass on the mat. It was only thanks to Seonghwa’s presence that he wasn’t a total ass, actually listening to the Vice-Captain and keeping his comments mild. The unnerving part was the way Seonghwa seemed on edge.

Something Jongho had commented on when he had forgotten your presence.

So by the next Saturday you were on edge all over again, the release San had given you felt wasted. Of course admiring how pretty Seonghwa was in a blank tank, showing off the neck tattoos you had spotted peeking from the collar of his turtlenecks and button up, did not help there. Or the fact you spotted a hint of ink peeking out of the back of Jongho’s shirt, a deadly combination with how thick the man was.

If you were pissed off enough you might have suggested a hate fuck. With his strength you were sure it would’ve left you bruised up and sore in all the right ways.

You might have been a little too excited when Wooyoung popped his head around the corner to startle you at your desk. “There’s my favorite Goddess. Miss me?”

Laughing, you smiled, “Can’t say that I have. Haven’t seen your handsome face around enough.”

“Oh but I am handsome-” He stood up straight and called back loudly “hear that?! She thinks I’m handsome. Beat that fuckers!” His attention was back on you as soon as you started laughing louder. “Mm San was right, that's a pretty sound.”

You couldn’t help but get a bit flustered, realizing San talked about you. “Is he here?”

“Unfortunately he got booted to bedrest back at our apartment. So my company better be enough.”

“You can’t hog her to yourself.” Hongjoong called, stepping around Wooyoung and looking you over. “I hope Seonghwa kept you busy.”

Rolling your eyes, you replied “Not enough. Sparring with the asshat who has some vendetta against me wasn’t much fun. Is it just San that’s not back?”

“Are you that eager to see him?” Wooyoung actually pouted, taking a step closer to you and setting his hands on your thighs. “Come on, get to know me a bit, Goddess. We can make it a physical activity.”

It definitely crossed your mind to take him up on that offer, after what you let San do to you, the images he encouraged in your mind, all it would take is a simple yes.

The two of them could tell you were seriously thinking about it, Wooyoung’s smirk widening as he ran his hands up your thighs more. Hongjoong watched curiously, taking a step to the side to get a better view. “Well?”

With a sigh, you shook your head. “Maybe another time.” Patting both of his hands you peeled them off you and pushed him back in the same motion that you stood up. “Do I get to hear about where everyone has been the last week or am I excluded for that?”

You weren’t happy at all as their expression fell just enough to know the answer to that. “Not entirely. There was an increase of Green Viper activity, so Wooyoung needed San for that. We had to deal with some altercations between them and the Red Wolves. It’s mostly paperwork the rest of us need to fill out.” Hongjoong tried to mend but you knew differently, you still didn’t have enough trust to know.

It irked you, but you understood. You didn’t trust all of them fully either, in fact the only one you could confidently say would have your back in a fight was San. Some of them were questionable, would definitely like your back in their bed, but otherwise you were still an outsider of sorts. “Can I leave then? I’m still a bit bruised up from Jongho’s stupid ass.”

“Aww, you don’t want to be around me?” Wooyoung pouted, reaching for you again but you pushed past just as Hongjoong pulled him away. “When do I get to work with her Captain?”

Hongjoong offered you a friendly smile, still trying to ease the tension that had formed between the three of you. “That’s something we can talk about. It’ll take a few days, so if you can take those days to rest. We’ll give you a call to come in and brief you but let us get it all set up.”

“Yeah sure, whatever.” You started grabbing your things, pissed off. A week you sat around and worried about them and they got back just to send you off and have you swindle your thumbs at home? Seriously?

“Firecracker…” Hongjoong followed you to the door, grabbing your hand and stopping you. “Don’t be upset, it’s not on purpose and it’s not because of what you think.”

You ripped your arm out of his, glancing over your shoulder just to glare at him. “Sure it isn’t. I know I haven’t earned my place yet, but it’s been over a month Captain.”

“I know I know. But you have. It’s just, we have to rework some things after this incident and figure out where best to put you. Not to keep you out of our way but where you would be the most useful. Where you do make a difference and shine the most.” He reached up, cupping your cheek and turning you more towards him. “I believe you’ll do wonders here Firecracker, but integrating you into the work we have built up over years is going to take some time. Alright?”

It was a wonder how he said just what you needed to hear, and you could believe him too. The man, while neutral about your presence so far, has provided you with ample opportunity to prove yourself. And when you did, he acknowledged your skills.

Relaxing a bit more, you leaned into his hand, looking up at him. “Alright Captain.” You mumbled, pulling away and clearing your throat when you realized how soft you just were. It felt good to be acknowledged for your work, especially from Hongjoong, Captain of the unit you were having a hard time with.

He was most certainly not looking at you as if you were just a member of his unit though, not like a Captain should. It threw you off, glancing back at Wooyoung and waving. “Next time handsome, maybe you can convince me of getting to know you better that way.”

You left before either could reply.

The short walk home was ample time to actually think over the interaction. You found yourself comparing Hongjoong to Chan, knowing where Hongjoong was teasing or lenient, Chan was not. Chan looked out for you, showed his concern for you but always as Captain of the unit. It was always the unit over you.

Hongjoong hadn’t done any of that. He had concern for the unit, sure, but he was giving you a chance, eager to see you prove yourself. And the way he had comforted and reassured you, the way he touched you… that wasn’t what you were used to.

You weren’t sure what to make of it, but arriving at your apartment building and seeing your previous Captain there was some shitty timing. Did you just manifest him with your thoughts? You wish you could manifest him away.

He stood up straighter when you approached, relief on his features as he called out your name.

“Did I not make myself clear last time? I don't want to talk to you or see you or anything.” You pushed past him, putting in the code and moving inside.

“What if I say this is about Felix?” He followed after you, which truly aggravated you a bit. He was usually respectful, even when upset, so this was out of character for him.

Huffing you ignored him as best you can as you climbed up the stairs. Why the fuck was he following you? “Then Felix can talk to me about it himself. You aren’t his fucking parent Christopher.”

He called out your name again, still not leaving you alone, reaching out to grab your wrist instead. “Can we please just talk?”

“No! And I don’t know why you insist we do! You hurt me Chan, you know you did.” You snarled out, ripping your hand out of his grip as you moved up the stairs faster.

At first he didn’t follow you, but as you turned up the landing towards the next flight of stairs, you saw him skipping steps to catch up. “And I want to make it up to you!”

“Why?” You turned on your heel quickly once you reached the top of the stairs, glaring up at him. “I’m not a part of your unit anymore Chan! I’m nothing to you.”

He looked taken aback, stuttering over his breath over something to say but you could see the hurt in his eyes. It had your ire spiking, after all he wasn’t the one who paid for his decision.

Scoffing, you turned to head to your door, with every intent of locking him out and calling the security at the front. You hadn’t seen him at the desk so you assumed he was making his rounds. You wanted Chan gone, especially before the tears that burned behind your eyes fell.

He wasn’t making it easy, stopping you again by moving in front of you. “Please listen to me.”

“No.” You sidestepped.

He blocked you. “Dammit, please.”

“I don’t want to, Chan! You had plenty of time to explain yourself!” To the other side.

He was there to block you again, grabbing your biceps to hold you still, pleading out your name. “I thought you would understand!”

You stiffened, glaring up at him. You remembered clearly how the last conversation you had with him before he handed you the transfer form- the tension between you two in your kitchen: you in his shirt while he was shirtless sporting a hickey you were sure you had given him the night before. The reminder had your chest tight. “I do understand Chan. You chose the unit over me. You couldn’t have me around after what I did. Didn’t have the fucking balls to turned me down after I confessed?”

“No! Fuck that isn’t it at all! This got so fucked up I’m sorry” he pleaded with you.

But you were having none of it, struggling in his grip. “Stop trying to save your ass. You rejected me, in probably the shittiest fucking way asshat.”

“I’m not I just- please I just want to explain myself to you. You can hate me all you want after I just… it wasn’t because of your confession. I promise, please-” He held you still as you tried to push past him again, the tears brimming your eyes.

“You’re not giving me a damn choice so just out with it already! Criticize my work, tell me how I’m too emotional and I get too invested. How I cost you something stupid because I gave a fuck about you as a man!” You yelled, your own emotions clouding your judgment even now, which frustrated you as it proved what you were saying.

“None of that is true dammit! I didn’t give you the transfer because of your confession! I turned you down at the time because you were drunk and I wanted you to be sober when I told you I loved you.” He raised his voice, a tremble in his tone. “I love you trouble. I wanted a real relationship with you and I didn’t think I could have that if we were in the unit together. I was already being pressured about your behavior and I just thought it was a small price to pay, okay?”

You gawked at him, completely thrown off by his sudden confession. He was sincere, you could see that, but you were as far from elated to hear about his feelings as you could be. “A broken heart is a small price to pay when you aren’t the one who paid it! You are the one who gives a damn about separating work from pleasure. Your morals cost me everything I cared about Chan!” You pushed at him, the tears beginning to flow freely down your cheeks. “It’s too fucking late, I’m done with you! Just leave me alone, I’m not a part of your unit anymore and I’m not someone you have to care about. You love me? Then suffer while I live without you.”

His devastation was obvious on his features, pain in his eyes, but you didn’t feel the least built guilty. If he had you transferred out just so he could pursue you romantically without having to sacrifice anything- you didn’t feel a least bit guilty. “I loved you Christopher BangChan. Past tense. I don’t anymore. You hurt me in a way I never ever thought you could. I don’t need you any more. Don’t want you anymore.” You sobbed out, pulling away.

You never saw it coming, never heard the door or his footsteps, just that when Chan pleaded your name again, a fist connected to his jaw. Now facing a tall and familiar back.

“Do you intend to make her cry even more? Beat it fucker, you heard her loud and clear.” Mingi snarled at him, standing protectively before you.

Under any other circumstances, you would have been miffed that he came to your defense. He had been a dick to you since the beginning, making him untrustworthy, or at least you had said he was. So why were you trusting him now? Finding comfort in his heroics?

Were you just that done with Chan that any assistance was welcome? Even from Mingi?

“This isn’t your business.” Chan hissed, but you could tell from the tremble in his tone he was pissed. Pissed and hurt.

“It damn well is when it’s my girl you’re touching and making her cry.” Mingi reached behind him, placing his hand on your hip protectively. You leaned into the touch, gripping the back of his shirt. “Head to your apartment Buttercup, I’ll be there in a moment.” He softened his tone considerably, the deep rumble reverberating down your spine.

This was a battle you were happy to hand over. “Make it quick.” You added for Chan’s benefit before rushing around to your apartment. You didn’t look at Chan, didn’t want to meet his questioning gaze that you could feel.

The second your door was shut you could hear harsh muttering in Mingi’s deep voice. You couldn’t make out what was said, but you didn’t want to know. Taking a deep breath you wiped away the tears and started getting comfortable in your apartment, asking questions you didn’t have a chance to ask a second ago.

How did he find your apartment? Why had he brought up Felix? What really happened the night you confessed?

Why had Mingi come to your defense… better yet why were you happy he did?

Setting your suit jacket on top of your bag you sighed, feeling worn out and dejected. You couldn’t help but think of Hongjoong again, how he had reassured you earlier. He said things you wished Chan would’ve said. He encouraged you to grow, and instead of asking you to change to fit into the unit, it sounded like he was changing things so that you would fit them.

How hard would it have been for Chan to admit his feelings before? Talk it over with you like an adult. His love didn’t mean he had to play favorites. It didn’t mean he couldn’t be your boss. Why did he expect you to change to fit him?

You were crying again when you turned at the sound of the door, Mingi bowing his head in apology. “I’m sorry about that Buttercup.” He froze when he lifted his head, spotting the tears in your eyes. He strode over easily with his long legs, brow furrowed in concern. “Fuck I should’ve kicked him in the balls. Or aimed for the eyes for permanent damage.” He grumbled to himself, whipping your tears away while you gawked up at him.

“Mingi?” Slowly you grabbed his hands, breath hitching when his gaze met yours. You couldn’t see an ounce of hatred or distaste, or anything other than care for you and anger on your behalf.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how painful this had been for you. I just thought you pissed your boss off I didn’t know-” He swallowed hard, suddenly bashful as he averted his eyes. His ears were tinged with color, tongue running over his thick lips like they were dry.

“Why does it matter? Why come to my figurative rescue. I don’t want to be some damsel in-”

He interrupted you, “That’s not it! I couldn’t stand to hear it anymore. The pain in your tone and how he was treating you. The fucker chose his career, his good morals, over you? How fucking stupid could he be. You’re a damn fine detective, and you hold your own plenty well.” He dropped his hands, even more flustered after his compliments.

You lifted a brow, heart racing in your chest. This bashful side of him was unexpected, but cute. “You sound like you like me, Mingi. Were all those insults your flirting?” You teased in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“I uh… maybe?” You weren’t expecting that, at all. But he was towering over you and flustered, looking almost innocent with his pleading boba eyes. “Would you reject me if I did like you? If I did want you?”

You licked your lips slowly, his eyes following the movement. Considering the thoughts you had of him lately, was rejection even an option.

In answer you brought his hands to your hips, looking up at him as you stepped closer. “Depends on how well you convince me that you do want me.”

He was confused at first, catching on as your arms wrapped around his neck. “Gladly” was all he rumbled before his lips were on yours.

Chapter Text

The kiss was different from the one in the club, probably because he knew who you were this time, but just as breathtaking. Slow and dip, his thick lips softer than you remember and easier to get lost in. You could remember Yunho’s lips just as vividly, wondering if he would kiss you like this as well.

He wasn’t the one you should be thinking about, and you couldn’t once Mingi deepened the kiss, letting out a gravelly noise that went straight to the fog building in your head. You could feel yourself being guided back until your calves hit the couch. With a hand on your hip he guided you down to the cushions and you didn’t mind one bit, especially when his tongue asked for entrance and you obliged.

He could do anything to you right now and you probably would let him.

The realization startled you, but you couldn’t deny it, not as his lips moved to your neck and his large hands ran up your sides, loosening your clothes. “Mingi~” You sighed sweetly when he found a sensitive spot, responding by latching on and sucking to pull a low moan from you.

The sound shifted things, Mingi’s hands and mouth becoming more desperate as he hovered over you. “Can I take this off?” He tugged at the buttons on your work shirt despite undoing one to kiss along your collarbone.

You nodded, reaching for his own shirt. “Take it all off Mingi.” It was sweet of him to ask, but you weren’t looking for sweet despite his somewhat confession. After listening to the sounds he made while fucking for so long, after driving your libido insane with the thoughts of him making such sounds for you, now that he was at your fingertips you wanted to indulge. “You want to, right?”

“Fuck yes-” He breathed out, fingers snapping the buttons open one by one with quick precission as he shifted above you. You pulled his shirt up as soon as the last button was undone, pulling it over his head and tossing it aside. He helped you out of yours before leaning back to admire for a moment.

You did the same, breath caught in your throat as your eyes ran down the expanse of his torso; he was lean, toned, and gorgeous. The tattoos he had on his lower abdomen, two flags with the poles running along the line of his V and pointed to his dick, had you smirking a bit. “That proud of what you have in your pants?”

He tore his eyes from your chest to glance down, smirking as you ran a finger over one of the flags. They looked more like pirate flags, each with a different letter. B and P. Was he that cocky? Two flags like a finish line for his big penis? Better yet, how true was it? “Mm, you want to see?” He tugged at the waistband of his jeans, but from the bulge that was already there you assumed it wasn’t a lie.

You definitely wanted to see, sitting up on your elbows as he leaned back, working open his jeans and exposing the black boxers beneath, a noticeable wet spot already there. You squeezed your thighs together, tongue darting out to lick your suddenly dry lips.

He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his boxers, pulling it out but not down, only teasing you of it before letting his slap back to his skin with a chuckle. “Not yet Princess, I want to see more of you first.”

“No, you should give me what I want first.” You protested, teasing back as you met his gaze. “You have to convince me you know.”

Mingi licked his lips, gaze darkening at your eager teasing. “I had another way in mind of convincing you, but you have to lose those pants first.” He tapped your thigh, eyes now burning a figurative hole where your hole was, his fingers running a trail up your thigh to the button of your slacks. “May I?”

Despite already giving him permission, you were touched he asked again. “Very well, show me what all your talk is about. I want to know if those women were faking it or you really could get them screaming.”

His lips spread into a wide wicked grin as he tugged your pants off, arching down to steal a kiss, teeth tugging on your bottom lip. “I knew you were curious.”

You rolled your eyes playfully, reaching a hand to comb your fingers through his dark hair. “By nature I always am.” You followed him to capture his lips in a kiss this time, a surprised but happy sound leaving him as you did. He kept your lips together in a kiss that quickly heated up, becoming messy and needy as he peeled off the rest of your clothes except your underwear, leaning back and holding you onto his thigh.

You let out a whine when you felt that his jeans were still on, the noise turning to a moan when he pulled you along the expanse of his thigh, rubbing your clothed core against the fabric. “I haven’t stopped thinking about this, the way you fucked yourself on my thigh.” He muttered against your lips, voice husky with desire. “Couldn’t stop picturing you doing the same movements but impaled on my cock, wondering how tight your pretty pussy would be.”

His admissions had your hips moving on their own despite his hands on your thighs guiding you. His fingers kneaded your flesh, almost in sync with the way you gripped the hair at the back of his skull and his shoulder, the touches urging you both on. Not as much as the way his thigh felt beneath you, adding pressure against your clit and angling your hips just right that as you dragged your hips down it had your breath hitching and small moans escaping.

He swallowed each and every one in the messy kiss, saliva smeared against your lips and chin and stringing between you both. The more you kissed, the more desperate your hips became and the harder he pulled you against his thigh until you couldn’t focus on his lips on yours anymore. You pulled your head away to look down and watch the way he dragged you against his thick muscular thigh.

“Fuck look at that-” Mingi was watching as well, cursing at the wet patch that had grown on his jeans, your underwear no better as you were so wet, and so damn close. With his deep voice right there in your ear you responded with a moan, nails digging into his back. “You want to come, Princess? Want to soak my pants even more? Go on, I want to feel you do it, show me how you’re about to ride my fucking face.”

How could you hold back when he said that right against the shell of your ear, a husky whisper that had you gushing into your underwear and crying out for him. Your nails dug into his flesh, pulling a low pulled out groan from him as he littered your neck in open mouthed sloppy kisses, holding you on his thigh as it flexed under you. “Such a good girl.”

You trembled slightly, under his kisses, muscles tense from your climax as he leaned you back, lips trailing lower. When they latched onto your nipple, you were brought back to reality quickly with a sharp gasp. “Mingi-”

“Yes?” His breath was hot against your flesh, looking up at you as his tongue circled your hardened peak.

“I liked these undies, now you have them ruined.” You puffed out, gripping his shoulders and pushing him back. “So on your back.”

He chuckled and obliged, clearly smug as he flicked his tongue out for you.

You rolled your eyes but was grinning as you stepped off, glancing at the large wet spot you did leave on his jeans. “Pants off, I want to see now and it’s only fair you get to be naked with me.”

Mingi tucked his thumbs in his waistbands and quickly pushed both articles of clothing down and off, kicking them to the floor before he was stroking his dick a second later- which was definitely big. It was hard not to drool as you wiggled out of your underwear as well, adding them to the pile of his clothes. “So do I have a right to be cocky about it?”

“Fuck yes.” You leaned closer, reaching out to run a finger along the red leaking velvety tip of his cock, then down, simply just admiring the size of his dick. Your breath hitched when you noticed a glint at the base of his cock, right above his ball sack. “You know that actually fits.” But fuck did it have your inner walls clenching in anticipation.

As your finger touched the warm metal, Mingi’s hand came down on your bare ass with a slap, kneading it a second later and chuckling at the sound you made. “Couldn’t help it with it in my face like that. Come here, I told you what was next.”

With a puff of air from your nose you turned back to him, climbing onto the sofa and taking note of his overly eager expression. “I was going to suggest riding that pretty cock of yours.”

“Maybe later, this is about you getting drowned in the pleasure I give you, not the other way around.” He guided your cunt to hover over his mouth, both hands on your rear. “So use my tongue baby, I want to drown in your taste.”

Hearing him talk to you like this instead of his usual jabs and teasing humor was a welcome change. As long as it wasn’t any of that fake concern or niceties, you wanted only genuine behavior from him. From them. And he was so genuine about how much he wanted to drown in your taste. As soon as your pussy was attached to his lips he gripped your thighs and held you down on his mouth as he devoured you like a starved man.

With the experienced tongue of a glutton.

You fell forward a bit, gripping the arm of the couch and moaning from how deep his thick tongue was inside you, his nose brushing against your clit with such perfect motion you knew he was doing it on purpose. “F-fuck Mingi-” It was hard to tease him about how eager he was when he was fucking you so well.

His nails dug into the flesh of your thighs leaving small crescents in their wake, dragging your body along his mouth much like he had with his thigh. So damn good. Almost too damn good. You were practically putty above him, no kisses to devour your soft moans and gasps, the rise and fall of your breath with each perfectly timed rub of his nose or his tongue shoved in to fill you up, your pussy soaking up his moans only escaping whenever you rocked your hips just a bit too far. It was almost not enough, but also just enough.

He had your thighs trembling and stomach in knots before long, but when you got close he stopped, turning his mouth to your inner thigh and pressing a soft kiss, chuckling at the desperate whine you let out at the loss of your approaching climax. “Dammit Mingi why did you- oh~” Your protests turned to a moan as he pushed two long fingers into you, using them to spread you out while his lips locked onto your sensitive bud.

He was sucking with the intention of making you cum, but it was the sight of him staring up at you from between your legs with a dazed look in his eyes as if he was pussy drunk that had the high snapping free. You gripped his hair tightly, riding his fingers as you cried out and held him there while you soaked his mouth.

He licked you clean before pulling away, careful not to rub your clit too much as he did. You were trying to catch your breath, releasing his hair and sitting back on his chest as he kissed along your thigh, down to the inside of your knee, all while looking up at you. “Think you can handle my cock now?”

You shivered with excitement, glancing over your shoulder to take in the size of his cock. He had stretched you out a bit with his fingers, and you were already two orgasms deep but yes… you wanted him inside. “Condom?” You inquired, glancing back down at him. You didn’t have one, since you had no idea you’d be getting fucked anytime soon.

“I have plenty in my apartment- fuck.” He broke his statement off with a hiss, lifting his head to see you stroking him. “I can go- Princess you are making this hard.”

You enjoyed teasing him, taking in the way his breath hitched when you tugged on his cock just right, the way his hips jolted when your thumb ran over his tip, but mostly the way he lost whatever thought he was speaking whenever you touched the piercing at the base of his cock. So it made him sensitive?

“Are you clean?” You had your birth control, but were more worried about anything you might catch with how often he sleeps around.

“Yes but- Oh fucking hell.” His mouth fell open as you pushed in his tip, his hands gripping your hips to hold you still. “Are you sure about this?” He panted out but his gaze was hyperfocused on the way your pussy stretched around his cock, the way it pulled him in more and more despite his hesitation.

You lifted a brow, circling your hips and taking him in bit by bit, pleased with the way his hands gripped your flesh tighter. “Stop questioning me before I change my mind.” Huffing again, your hands flat on his chest, you pushed him the rest of the way in, momentarily losing yourself to the intense pleasure that shot through you, causing your legs to tremble and breathe heavy.

Mingi wasn’t much better off, heavy pants leaving his parted lips as he looked more fucked out than before, nails nearly breaking your skin from how tightly he was gripping you and cock throbbing inside you. You felt so full, moving a hand to just under your navel where you swore you could feel him inside, right there. It was almost too painful, but that little bit of pain just spurred you on.

You didn’t want for him to adjust, just that you adjusted enough, before twisting your hips in circles while rising up, then back down, repeating it while he tried to stop you, only to get lost in the pleasure. The first whine he let out was intoxicating, and you were determined to hear more. Much more.

That was hard to do when every movement you made his cock was hitting all the right places.

Mingi could tell apparently, your movements getting sloppy as your climax approached, so he gripped you still and began thrusting up into you. You were bouncing on his cock in seconds, cries tumbling from your mouth as the pleasure shot through you with each stroke. You let a high pitched cry you weren’t familiar with making before as your climax hit, much stronger than the previous times.

“Fuck you look better than I thought you would. Perfect fucking tits bouncing like this, tight fucking pussy that’s going to have me hooked.” He drawled out in a husky tone, panting between words.

You could barely register what he was saying, too deep in the ecstasy he was giving you.

“You sound better too. Come on Princess, cry out for who’s fucking you so good.” The pace became even more brutal, cock head hitting the back of your cervix with ease, walls tight on his cock trying to milk him for all he was worth.

How could you not call out for him when he most definitely was fucking you so damn good you might be the one hooked. “Mingi! Mingi- mingi fuck Mingi!” Like a chant his name fell from your lips, bringing your hands up to cup your breasts and pull and pinch the nipples for him.

He liked the show enough to pull you down and latch his lips onto the least abused peak, moaning against your flesh while the different angle had you seeing stars when you came almost instantly.

It had been awhile since you fucked someone but had it always been this good? Always been so euphoric and blissful? Always had your vision blurry when you came and so hard that both of your thighs felt soaked? No, this was entirely Mingi and his big fucking cock that had you drooling and grinning like a fool.

Hearing him moan out your name lowly against your ear a moment later while he filled up your womb with his seed had the tears over overstimulation falling, but you were too blissed out to care.

Hell you were too blissed out to remember anything else that had happened that day, or why you had suddenly given into the man when he had technically been a dick to you and had shown no interest in you but sexual and that was only because of what happened in the club.

None of that filtered through your mind as you collapsed against him, his cock still pulsating inside you even as it was spent. Both of you had been too caught up to even think about where he would cum, but you were glad it was inside. It felt… possessive.

His hands ran up and down your body, labored breathing slowly returning to normal but your head still felt quite light. “Mingi?” You still found yourself calling out for him.

“Yes?” He kissed your shoulder and you can tell he was smiling.

“I think… I need some more convincing.” You mumbled after a moment, pushing yourself up and grinning down at him.

He looked up at you incredulously before grinning. “I’m supposed to be resting for a few days… I promise to have you thoroughly convinced by then.”

You were looking forward to it.

Chapter Text

Mingi stepped into the office through the back door, being gentle as he shut it as he was late. He was hoping to just slip over to his desk so Seomghwa wouldn't notice, but he froze up when the door to Yeosang's office opened up. He briefly spotted the plethora of monitors inside, but it was the man's expression that stopped him.

Yeosang looked… hurt almost. “You're late” He mumbled matter-of-factly, but didn't call out to the others like some of them would.

“Phone died.” Mingi replied sheepishly, holding up his phone that still only had a single digit battery percentage. He was usually good about charging his phone but last night he was far too preoccupied with you to remember and it died sometime between round four and round seven if he had to guess. And that was over twenty four hours ago.

His cock was twitching just at the memory of all you both had done.

Yeosang observed his face for a moment before his own expression shifted and then closed off. “Tell it to Hwa. Wooyo is already testing his nerves.” He stepped out of the room and headed down the hall without another word, something in his hands: several thick folders.

He had been digging into some new people.

Mingi’s curiosity almost had him forgetting his predicament, but he got close to his desk before his name boomed through the room. Flinching, he looked over to Seonghwa, a sheepish smile on his own face to try and defuse his anger.

The loud moan coming from Hongjoong’s office had him realizing that Seonghwa was not going to play nice any time soon.

Yunho laughed at Mingi’s crestfallen expression as he sat down next to him, just to have the sound die in his throat, eyes fixated on his neck.

“Now that almost everyone-” Seonghwa winced at Wooyoung’s cry from the Captain’s room, “-is here we can start.” He stood up a bit taller, hands folded behind him and jaw tense.

“When was the last time he fucked you Hwa?” Yunho chimed in, leaning back in his seat. “It’s making you pissy. One of us could do the job?”

Jongho scoffed, also in a bad mood. “Please. Everyone else has been waiting for the newbie to spread her fucking legs. Like dogs in heat just begging for a taste.” He narrowed his eyes on San. “You especially. Just fuck her already.”

San rolled his eyes, setting down his usual drink that didn’t taste the same since you hadn’t brought it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The gym? Really? I’ve been waiting to tear into you about it. In the arena? Seriously gross, we use that for practice.”

Mingi sat up a bit more, brows pushed up. “What do you mean?” He turned to San. “Did you fuck her already? In the gym?”

San blushed, looking away and rubbing the back of his neck. “I just got her off with my fingers. Then Wooyoung called, Captain wanted me in the field and I had to leave her. I haven’t gotten to talk to her since.” The main reason for that was the swollen eye, again, and the stab wound on his thigh. He hadn’t wanted to worry you with his injuries again, so he had gone straight back to his shared apartment with Wooyoung.

“And you won’t either. If we can move on from fucking her we can talk about putting her to work.” Seonghwa demanded everyone’s attention, clearly annoyed it took a moment for them to settle down. “She will start under Wooyoung-”

“Seriously?” Jongho stood up quickly, hands on the desk. “He might-”

“She will start under Wooyoung.” Seonghwa repeated through gritted teeth. “Because the rest of you have other orders. Yunho and I are returning to the warehouse and making our move there. San, you are to rest and stay in contact with the few informants of the Green Vipers. We need to know every move they make and to keep the suspicion off of us. Jongho-” He snarled his lip and pointed to the seat. “Sit first.”

Jongho did, reaching for Yeosang who stood by his desk. Seonghwa took note of the files in Yeosang’s hand and frowned. When the quiet man noticed, he cleared his throat and spoke up. “Before you give me orders I would like to say something.”

Seonghwa was clearly confused, but nodded. “Speak.” Behind him the Captain’s door opened and out stumbled Wooyoung with a shit eating grinning, wiping off some spit from the corner of his mouth. Seonghwa didn’t dare look back just yet.

“I’d like to look into the S.K unit some more-”

“Binnie’s unit? Why is that?” Wooyoung walked over to him and wrapped an arm around his friend. “Oh you have his file? Not like you to snoop without an order Sangie. What’s the deal with the S.K Unit?”

“It’s Butterfly’s old unit.” Yunho chimed in, interest cleared perked.

“With that shitty fucking Captain?” Mingi sneered out, adding on.

Wooyoung looked surprised. “Chan is the Captain that kicked her out? He didn’t seem shitty, really righteous and stubborn though.”

Mingi scoffed, rolling his eyes. “You mean self-absorbed prick? He hurt-” He clenched his jaw, going quiet.

Yunho gasped though, following his train of thought. “Oh you have it worse than I thought. Is that why you have hickies on your neck?” Several of them in the room reacted in shouts simultaneously.

“Hickies? From Sweetcheeks?”

“Oh did you two fuck?”

“You’re fucking joking?! Thought you hated her too.”

“Oh nice, me next!!”

Seonghwa silenced them all by speaking over them? “Enough!” The chaos settled and he stared at Mingi who was now avoiding everyone’s gaze. “Spill.”

“It’s not my place-”

“They did.” Yeosang spoke up, an edge to his tone. “Back to what I was saying, Captain Chan has bothered her twice now and she had repeatedly told him to leave both times. First here, then at her apartment complex Saturday evening. She’s emotionally involved with most of the unit at least as friends, using two to help her with her undercover trial. I’d like permission to dig up anything I can use to get them to back off if they get too close.”

The room went quiet, Wooyoung gawking at his friend while several others were just as shocked.

It was Hongjoong’s laughter that broke the silence. “Wow, this is… wow.” He stepped up around Seonghwa and leaned against the nearest desk: Wooyoung’s. “So let me get this straight, Mingi has fucked her-”

“Nonstop since Saturday evening.” Yeosang added with a deadpan expression.

Hongjoong held up his hand to quiet the budding exclamations. “Mingi has been fucking her like a rabbit in heat, since Saturday, where I assume he had stepped into the altercation between Firecracker and Captain of the SK unit?”

Yeosang nodded, giving his Captain all his attention. “Punched him and acted as her boyfriend. Wouldn’t want him to cause problems should he realize Mingi is part of her unit now.”

Hongjoong chuckled at that, glancing at Mingi appreciatively with the others. “Good job. We’ll talk about the sex later.”

“Then better scold San too. He did get her off in the gym. In the arena. Saw it on Yeosang’s monitor. Unfortunately.” Jongho sneered out.

Hongjoong glared in his direction. “Thank you for your input. Yet it is looking like you are the only one who isn’t open to the idea of fully integrating her at this point, Jongho.”

“He doesn’t want another woman. Man is still angry about the last- ouch!” Wooyoung hissed out when Jongho had reached around Yeosang to step on his foot. “It’s true!”

“I still believe she won’t be able to handle it.” Jongho grumbled, arms crossed. “But half of you are so whipped for her already what’s the point in fighting you on it. You want her, fine, but I still refuse.”

Yeosang patted his shoulder before urging his Captain to speak. “Mingi has been fucking her, punched another Captain, San got her off in the gym-”

“When did the Captain stop here?” Hongjoong asked curiously.

“The day she was late and missed her usual breakfast. You had me install our information network on her laptop.” Yeosang offered, the room falling silent. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

San sighed, leaning forward a bit. “How often do you watch her Sangie?”

He furrowed his brows in confusion. “It’s surveillance San. I need to make sure she is trustworthy.”

“How do you know her usual breakfast then? And how often she’s been fucking Mingi? And when her old chief bothers her?”

“He has a point.” Wooyoung said with a grin. “Does Sangie finally like someone?” When the man in question grew flustered, he teased him further “ooo, did you get off on her getting off? Probably found the best angles to watch her get fucked by Mingi?”

“I don’t have a clear view of every angle of her apartment.” Yeosang didn’t deny it though.

Mingi gawked. “You were watching me fuck her? Damn, I thought Wooyoung was the sex freak.”

“Hey, that would be like at least half of us.” Wooyoung huffed out defiantly.

Seonghwa sighed and sat down. “This is going nowhere. Joong, you’re enjoying this too much.” He elbowed the grinning man next to him in the side.

Hongjoong just chuckled. “They like her, it’s cute.”

“You set down precautions to keep Wooyoung in check right? Ensuring she doesn’t discover anything she shouldn’t?” Seonghwa ignored his comment, instead voicing his concerns.

“Wooyoung will do his job well and Yeosang will be surveying their work as usual, yes. You and Yunho will be overseeing things in the warehouse. Make sure the Vipers struggle. If our little Firecracker’s idea is going to work, the Vipers need to be pressed on multiple sides.”

“And if the Red Wolves catch on it was us that invaded their territory and not the Vipers? Will she be ready for action?” The others were going on about their own perverted tendencies, saying quite a few lewd things they wanted to do to you or see done to you. Neither Seonghwa or Hongjoong wanted to stop it for now.

“Let’s hope we can get her focused on the Pink Boas and away from our other plans so that if things go south, she won’t be involved.”

“And Mingi? Jongho?”

The both looked at the two men, the former flustered as Yunho teased him about the hickies; the latter sneering in disgust at the conversation between Wooyoung and Yeosang as the techie was teased for his voyeurism. “While the Wolves have retaliated against the vipers, they are bound to spill something useful. They’ll be with me overseeing that.”

“Will you be able to keep them from tearing each other up over the newbie long enough for that?” Seonghwa lifted a brow, naturally leaning towards his Captain.

Hongjoong chuckled and nodded, reaching out to touch the small of Seonghwa’s back. “Yes, I think I can manage that.” He looked around the room taking in everyone’s current mood before demanding their attention, waiting until they were quiet before speaking. “Thursday. Until then we rest. Yunho, you're with Seonghwa. San rest but stay in contact. Mingi, Jongho will be with me and Wooyoung-” He smiled wider when the man straightened up, almost giddy. “You’ll be showing the ropes to our newbie. I briefed you earlier on the task, do make sure she is integrated well. Yeosang as always will keep up surveillance, communication and watching online activity.”

He stood up, clapping his hands together. “Go rest up, it’s only monday. Oh and Mingi-” He smiled over at him. “Make sure you both can fucking walk thursday. Dismissed.”

_____________________

You didn’t expect to wake up to knocks on your door, and you had no intention of actually getting up and out of bed unless you were finally called back to the Precinct to work. So you rolled over, about to nudge the man on the other side of the bed to have him deal with it, but it was empty.

Frowning, you lifted your head up and looked around the room, Mingi nowhere in sight. Right, it is Monday and he didn't have the day off like you did. Embarrassment flooded you at the thought of him telling the others about you, how you had been practically attached to his cock since Saturday night. You hadn't stopped to think about it, you didn't want to, and it had felt so good to just fuck and not think. You could think about it after some more sleep.

But there was more knocking, whoever it was clearly wasn't going away. And, they wouldn't be at your door unless the knew the code and you only told Hyunjin and registered it with the guard. Sighing you got out of bed, grabbing a house robe as an afterthought to hide the insane amount of hickies and bruises Mingi had left. You were sore, but deliciously so; Hyunjin didn't need to know that.

Hyunjin was not the one at your door though, but Mingi. You frowned, knowing it was still pretty early in the day- plus part of you didn't expect him to come back… didn't want to feel special when he did.

Stomping that feeling down you opened your mouth to greet him but froze up when Yunho leaned around him with a grin. “Damn, you weren’t lying.”

You narrowed your eyes, moving to slam the door shut. Mingi’s hand shot through though, forearm getting stuck between the frame and door. Wincing at his grunt of pain, you let it swing back open. “Dumbass.”

“Well you were going to shut us out!” He huffed, stepping in and reaching for you. He pouted when you stepped away, swiveling on your heel and putting distance between you and them. “Princess, why the cold shoulder now?”

He knew why, you were certain of it, shooting a glare over your shoulder at Yunho who stood behind him. His presence meant you couldn’t just continue what you had been doing. No, now you had to talk.

Which meant acknowledging things you weren’t ready to.

Yunho lifted a brow, meeting your glare nonchalantly. “I won’t stay for long if I’m in the way of you two fucking, though I am so curious now.”

Mingi looked between you two, that wide boba eyed, wet lip look that you thought was adorable on his features. Not that he had shown it often, usually aroundYunho when he wasn’t paying attention to you. But that’s also changed since Saturday. You suspected he only showed such an expression around those he was vulnerable with, and now that he did so in your presence, that would include you.

It should stay just as sex, you told yourself, crossing your arms over your chest. “Then why are you here?”

Mingi pouted out at your crisp tone, taking a step towards you until Yunho grabbed his arm. It was like a splash of ice water, a needed reminder of just what you were doing: stupid shit.

It was stupid to sleep with Mingi, you made yourself vulnerable to him, yet you knew they were still keeping things from you. You weren’t a part of the team just yet, and you would never have what they had. It had your throat closing up, the distance between you was now suffocating.

It was just sex.

Yet you didn’t want it to be.

Mentally cursing yourself, you were saved from the downward spiral of your mind when Mingi did step closer. “I can have him go if you want, but he wanted to make sure I told you about the meeting today.”

“Was pretty sure he would get on his knees and try to bury his face in your cunt as soon as he saw you if I didn’t. Though I would not complain if he did.” Yunho clarified, watching you with a now unreadable expression. It was almost calculating, but sympathetic? You didn’t understand, so you didn’t try.

Mingi’s reddened ears were far more interesting. “Down that bad for my pussy?” You teased, unable to suppress the smug smirk.

“Can you blame me?” He grumbled out hoarsely. “Anyways, you’ll be working with Wooyoung come Thursday.”

You relaxed at the change in topic, especially for the topic to be work. Progressive work. “Oh? What will I be doing?”

“Only Wooyoung knows that, but he’s the one that is the deepest in undercover, so chances are you’ll be starting your work there. Either stake outs, or being given a target to watch of high interest. The Green Vipers have been acting up so we need to have a good portion of our focus on them, and can’t be neglecting the rest otherwise.” Yunho started wandering around your living space, taking in the changes you have made since you unpacked. He smiled at a few things, which you would have paid more attention to, except Mingi was now right before you.

And the fact that yes, you were finally doing your job. You could be crucial, you could do something inside this unit except argue with them and, well, fuck them.

Your eyes met Mingi’s, a question in them you couldn’t put into words just yet. So you deflected. “What’s up with the Green Vipers?”

Mingi reached out to play with the belt of your robe, waiting for your attention but your eyes were on Yunho as he now circled you both nonchalantly. “They invaded Red Wolves territory, killed a few of their men. San had been part of the-”

“San? Is he okay?” Instantly worry filled you, knowing he got hurt so often and if he was involved in something that had others killed-

“He’s fine, Butterfly. Resting at home.” Yunho stopped just behind you, leaning over your shoulder until you could feel him barely touching your back. Before you could react, the robe was open and Yunho had a good view of the marks on your neck and shoulder, down your body, and every inch of your naked skin. “Damn, you should be resting too. Mingi did such a number on you. You know he doesn’t like to leave marks on anyone outside the team.”

You told yourself to push him away, but the position reminded you of the night at the club and you had so enjoyed being sandwiched between them. “I was resting until someone woke me up.”

Mingi chuckled, knuckles tracing the curve of your chest before pinching your nipple in his hand and tugging. Your body reacted immediately, part of you ready to let them have their way.

Jeong Yunho just had to open his damn mouth though. “Chan is the biggest dumbass for letting you get away from him. San too for not fucking you when he had the chance. He heard those sounds and restrained himself?” He scoffed, leaning in to press an open mouth kiss to your neck.

Only to meet air as you had slipped out of their reach and pulled your robe tight over your body. “You told him?!” You hissed out at Mingi, furious. You didn’t want your shame known to anyone else, it was a hard enough pill to swallow that Mingi was a part of it. And San? Did San spill the beans of what you did?

Was every ounce of intimacy you shared with them a frat joke to pass around behind your back? Had Mingi gone in detail about the many ways you let him fuck you? About how you had enjoyed it? It made your blood boil simply because you had not been ready to share. Not with most of them. Despite your questionable desires, you had hoped there would be enough respect to keep it between you and the one you had been with… otherwise you felt like a used slut to be passed around.

They seemed to realize how they fucked up, Mingi’s eyes wide while Yunho looked almost apologetic. “Princess I didn’t mean-”

“Save it.” You hissed out, lifting a shaking hand towards the door. “Leave. And do not bother trying to talk to me until I am ready to talk.” Venom laced your words, and from their reactions it hit home.

You watched them leave like pups with their tails between their legs, only when the door was shut did you let out a strangled cry.

How did things get even more complicated?

Chapter Text

With a few days to rest and be alone with your mind all you could do was think about Mingi. You came to terms with the fact it wasn’t that he told the others about you two fucking, you partly expected that, but it was about Chan. The fact they knew about Chan, what had happened.

And that San, unlike Mingi, didn't seem like the type to brag about his sexual encounters.

By Thursday morning you had done nothing but sit and stew and worry. You were ready to dive head first into the work, into whatever cover you were given and completely forget how vulnerable you had been with two men and how they aired your dirty laundry for their friends, who not all liked you, to hear. Part of you was dreading Wooyoung as you were sure he had questions you did not want to answer, probably ever.

Yet he was at your apartment door, first thing in the morning, with breakfast and a shopping bag in his hand. “Morning sunshine, time to prepare to slay the day.” He barged right in, pushing the bag into your hand and then making his way to your couch. “Wear that and then come eat. We’ll do your makeup after.”

Brow furrowed, you watched him for a moment more before sighing and heading to your room. Right to business then, that was fine by you. But you took a shower first at least.

The clothes themselves were gaudy and tight, but not to the point to draw attention to yourself. Well, depending on where you went. You were assuming downtown, all things considered, which this worked for. Dressed, you sat down on your sofa next to him to see he made himself at home: TV on, lounging back against the cushions, mouth full of the breakfast sandwich he was eating. He motioned to the other sandwich and coffee set out, right down to your preferences.

When had he learned them? “Did San tell you what I like?” You hummed out, taking a sip of coffee, remembering the surprise breakfast the day you had been late.

“Yeosang did. Scolded me when I tried to get you something different,” He replied nonchalantly, taking a sip of his own coffee.

You gawked, unsure if you heard him right. Yeosang did? The grump that barely liked to talk to you or look your way? He got his panties in a twist making sure you got food you liked? That just didn't add up.

As if sensing the disturbance in the force, Wooyoung glanced over at you, chuckling at your slack jaw. “He's anal about specifics, don't worry about it. Just eat, we have a lot of bases to cover today and you need to do your hair and some makeup. Sunglasses would work or a mask. Windows are tinted but we'll be walking around a bit as well.”

With a nod you focused on your food, Wooyoung laughing at something on the TV. He glanced at you often, grinning when you met his eyes, but didn't speak up. He let you eat, even once he was all done. You took the chance to look him over, to take note of his appearance. Baggy white washed jeans, blank tank under an open button up that the sleeves were pushed up to his elbows, exposing that one of his arms was completely covered in black and white ink, small hints of color. His dual hair was pulled back in a half ponytail, really showing off the blonde under it.

The growing smirk on his lips told you he was aware of you checking him out, and you found yourself grinning in turn, laughing under your breath when his tongue poked out and up at the side of his mouth, chuckling without looking at you directly.

It was kind of cute actually.

“Like what you see?” He quipped once he got his laughter under control, glancing at you out of the corner of his eye.

“You know it.” You set your empty wrapper aside and leaned towards him as he turned more towards you, finally giving you his full attention since he got here. “I never did thank you.”

He lifted his brow, the slit even more defined in it. “Thank me for what?” His eyes flickered down to where your hand now laid on his knee, his pupils dilating in response.

You realized how easy it would be to play with him physically, but quickly chased that thought away. While you had been open to it beforehand, your anger at Mingi and the others flared to life once more. “Oh just being honest with me; whether it was about how attractive you think I am, or about the others. I am still surprised you just blatantly kissed San like that.”

He noticed the change in demeanor, the smirk faltering on his features but slipping into an almost sympathetic expression. “They aren’t very honest with you are they? How rude of them. If you asked me to bark, I would. Asked me to eat their cum out of your cunt, I would gladly. Asked me to-”

Your hand covered his mouth quickly, ears hot from his words. “Easy easy, what you would let me do to you sexually has nothing to do with what you would tell me in confidence.” You pointed out, creating some distance between you as you stood up. “And now isn’t the time for any of that. I’ve been twiddling my thumbs far too often. I would like to work.”

Maybe it was an excuse to avoid the topic further, since Wooyoung had seemed intent on making it sexual, but you were really eager to get to work.

He thankfully let the subject drop then helped you with your hair while you did minimal makeup. The accessories were a different story, much more than you were comfortable with for undercover work but understandable. So many necklaces, earrings, bracelets and hair pieces. He really was selling the gaudy appearance.

He took you out to the car once you complained for the nth time that you did not want to waste another hour on your appearance especially if you were going to be in the car for most of it. It had you almost pouty as you climbed into the undercover car, windows so tinted you really couldn’t see inside at all, but it was crystal clear inside- the rundown exterior did not match the luxury of the inside. “The fuck? Can the department afford this?”

“Nah this is my personal car. Well, one of them anyways. Buckle up Goddess it’ll be a long drive. We have a lot of stops to cover. Oh and-” He reached for the center console, tapping some buttons on the screen there until Yeosang’s face popped up illuminated by blue light from multiple computer screens. “Sangie say hi will you?”

You were reminded of Wooyoung’s earlier comment, now taking in the onyx hair that fell in Yeosang’s eyes a bit, noticing they weren’t as dark as the others or that could be the light from the computers illuminating them. The light also illuminated a birthmark by his left eye, part of it on the outer corner and another a bit away, nearly shaped like a heart. His features were beautiful, even on this small screen, and you were surprised they didn’t immediately twist in disgust when he noticed you.

In fact he seemed a bit shell shocked, eyes widening as he took in your appearance as you did his, only pulling away when Wooyoung cleared his throat. “Can you two not eye fuck each other in my presence? Thanks.”

Yeosang tore his eyes away immediately to glare at Wooyoung. “I wasn’t! She just looks… different.” The pink dusting of his golden cheeks said differently but you weren’t one to question it.

Instead you were questioning what had changed. Your last interaction with Yeosang was when Chan appeared, and while the man had been a bit civil there, you didn’t expect it to warrant this level of… what was this? Acceptance? No, but he didn’t seem at all upset about your presence.

“Don’t tease Wooyoung, let’s get this started okay? Is he going to be with us the whole ride?” You buckled in and got comfortable, setting your purse down that held your gun and credentials. Wooyoung had insisted you didn’t need them but you felt safer with them. Not really even safer but more confident in your capabilities.

Wooyoung started up the car and pulled away from your apartment complex. “He is. We still want to log how you do in the field and if we need any information instantly, he will be here to get it. Whether on the screen or in our earpieces, he will be listening in.”

You rolled your eyes. “Sounds like I’m being babysat.”

“Quite the opposite Goddess, I’m the one being babysat.” Wooyoung grinned over at you, Yeosang’s attention on other screens in front of him so you got his side profile more than anything. “Gotta make sure I actually focus on the job and not on getting you on my cock.” The words left him effortless and had Yeosang choking on air.

Glancing at the man on the screen for a moment, you nearly yelped when you felt Wooyoung’s hand on your bare knee. “Though they forgot I don’t mind an audience and I think Yeosang would love to watch my cock driving up into your- owowowowow my hand!” Wooyoung cried out, trying to pull his hand out of your now crushing grip.

You let him go if only because he was driving, glaring at him. “I can see why you need a babysitter. Are you constantly turned on or something?”

“Definitely close to constantly, at least in your presence.” He whined out, now rubbing his injured hand to his chest as you had stopped in traffic. He pouted out at you. “You can squeeze my cock like that-” You grabbed his shirt and pulled him over, fist raised as if to hit him when he put his hands up in defense, “-okay okay I’ll calm down! Eesh!”

Yeosang was wheezing on the screen, hunched over the desk with his face out of sight but the back of his head was shaking in the frame, shoulders as well. You could almost make out laughter, which had you sneering a bit. Yeosang was not going to be a very good babysitter apparently.

And this was going to be one long ride.

_________

Despite Wooyoung’s innate ability to turn everything sexual or mention how much he wanted to fuck you, constantly, it was turning into an informative day. He took you around downtown, stopping at first in the red light district, an arm around your waist as he shifted his walk as if acting and dragged you around. It was a bit surprising for such a district to be busy even before lunch, which you suspected was due to the success of those that were here.

Yeosang was in your earpieces, explaining to you each place you stopped at since Wooyoung could not do so out loud. You were beginning to like the man’s deep voice in your ear, and the lisp that popped up whenever he spoke English was endearing.

But there were a few things he said that had peaked your interest. Like, for one, once you two hit deeper Pink Boa territory, a small section of downtown with an extravagant strip club with apartments above, Wooyoung pointed to one of the windows and said “Mom lives there” and easily moved on to point to the night club across the street. “I got kicked out of there when I was a teen. Mom caught me sneaking out alcohol.”

You moved on to a men’s host club further down the street and learned another fun piece of information. “Hwa worked there at one point. Should see him dance.”

“Woo, stop pointing these out, it's irrelevant at the moment.” Yeosang said in your ear, and Wooyoung’s as well.

“It is interesting though.” Wooyoung turned to you. “Does any of this bother you? These sexual places we worked or lived in?” You swore you noticed something else in his eyes, a deeper question you couldn’t name.

“Why would it?” You questioned, looking back at him. “Do these things change how you treat me?”

He paused for a moment, contemplating your words before nodding. “And if you had to live here or work here to do your job?” He asked under his breath, pulling you closer to his side.

You realized this was the sort of stuff they would do for undercover work, or well remembered it since Mingi had constantly brought women back to sleep with and get information. Wooyoung was essentially asking if you could do it.

Humming softly, you turned him so you were chest to chest, pressing closer and running your hands down his chest to hook your forefingers in his belt loops. “You should see me dance, I think I can put Seonghwa to shame.”

He smirked, leaning in to brush his nose over yours. “I’m sure you could.” He leaned in more to whisper in your free ear “I’m sure you fuck better than him too.”

He pulled away and out of reach of your swing, predicting it before your hand was pulled back to smack him. Laughing he skipped ahead, and you followed.

Then there was the car, no longer in the red light district, but more center town where it was a bit more high class. The shopping district was uptown center but this seemed to be a bit more important.

“Where should I show her next?” Wooyoung had parked the car for the moment, talking to Yeosang in the small screen and ignoring your incredulous look.

“I thought you had this all planned? We eat lunch and now you’re stumped?” You scoffed, rolling your eyes and slipping further into your seat.

“I do have a lot to show you but it’s a question of what you’re ready for Goddess.” He winced as soon as you rounded on him. “I mean, shit-”

You had grabbed Wooyoung’s shirt and pulled him closer, finding that you manhandled him very much, and most of the time it wasn’t even intentional; he just brought it out of you. He did also touch you just as much, and if it wasn’t for the work you had a sneaking suspicion he would fuck you.

Which you might let him. Not that you would tell him.

Yeosang sighed as you furrowed your brow even further at the pretty detective in your hands. “He doesn’t mean how you think, sweetheart. You might be a little… shocked at how much of center city is run by mafia families, that’s all.”

You shook your head and let go of Wooyoung, if only because you were taken back by what Yeosang called you. You were pretty sure he wasn’t even aware he did so. “Don’t worry about it. I need to know all about this area, and the players. So get to it.”

Wooyoung sighed and then spent the next hour or so pointing on the major alleys and corporate buildings with ties to the mafia. Yeosang chimed in, clarifying which ones they suspected definitely had a member of the Golden Circle running it but one particular one stood out to you: Park Pharmaceuticals.

That rang several alarms in your head once you realized why it stood out. It was the company Seonghwa’s parents ran. You did not once think that these men had actual ties to any of the mafia, yet now you couldn’t help the buds that were planted.

The bud was pushed to the back of your mind momentarily, the two of you driving up to the north center. It was here Wooyoung showed you the specific places that money drops would be made or sometimes casual business talk. Not at the mall, no, but a little deeper into the district, where adult shops and hookah bars were.

“These places are run by the Golden Circle, but that one is run by the Red Wolves-” He pointed over at a lingerie shop, “- never shop there alone. It might look run down but their security is top notch, Yeosang can’t get in without hacking and that could be dangerous.”

Frowning, you glanced at the small screen where the techie was already avoiding your eyes. “Why is their security so difficult? Isn’t Yeosang like a genius?”

Wooyoung nodded solemnly. “He is, but hacking that would give away who is hacking. Yeosang’s the only one who can hack his own code safely and they know that.”

“Wooyoung!” Yeosang hissed out, sneering now at the man next to you. “I was a kid I didn’t- you make it seem like I work for them!”

You hadn’t thought of it until he said it, tingling more alarms in your head. Just how good was Yeosang then? If he was the best? If even as a kid his code was so good that no other could hack it safely?

How much of their undercover, or work, was as a detective, a pursuer of justice? The things Wooyoung had already revealed had you second guessing what you knew about this unit, about how deep they went. Was all this necessary to stop organized crime in the city? Was it even making a difference?

Unaware you were spacing out, you snapped back to reality when Yeosang spoke your name. Your eyes flickered to his on the screen, taking in the hint of concern there; he was getting easier to read. “We do a lot of things we aren’t proud of on this team, and before, but I swear we want nothing more than to stop the ceaseless violence and crime. The inhumanity of it.”

He sounded so sincere, and for a moment you were swayed. But then why did it matter to Yeosang what you thought? Why did he feel the need to clarify?

It only made you more suspicious.

Before, you had been worried that maybe they thought you were tied to one of the groups, that you were corrupt. You never once thought the possibility might be reversed.

Seonghwa’s family company. Yeosang’s programs being in the hands of the criminals. Wooyoung’s childhood in the red light district.

Were they really just detectives? Really out here to serve and protect?

Would they kill you off if you got in the way?

Schooling your features as best you could, you smiled at Yeosang, almost sweetly. “I believe you. Now, why shouldn’t I go there? If it’s only the security that is tight?”

Yeosang swallowed, looking away almost as if ashamed but Wooyoung was the one who answered. “That’s one of the stores they use to scope out potential products for their sex trafficking ring. So, again, don’t go in there.”

Now what fate would be worse? Kidnapped by the red wolves for sex trafficking, or torture by your new unit. Gee, you were liking the former.

Chapter Text

You knew just how dark the underbelly of the city was from your extensive research and the cases you dealt with back in SK, but this still had your stomach churning in disgust. In particular, what you knew about the Red Wolves.

The number of times for the rest of Wooyoung’s ‘tour’ that he had to warn you to stay away from anyone with red studs in their ears that looked like fangs. Red bandana’s or a choker were signs of Red Wolf property and when dusk hit, you saw a frightening amount of people with such indicators.

The idea of being trafficked by them opposed to dying by your new unit’s hands no longer had any appeal; you'd rather take your chances with the two in the car with you.

“While the wolves are the most ruthless, and open about their organization from the main three, we really haven’t made a dent against them. Arrest one member, two more pop up. Free one from their clutches, two end up dead.” Wooyoung was solemn for once, a look in his eyes that spoke of a man you weren’t familiar with. One who was much deeper than just the flirt you thought he was. Perhaps that was the detective in him? Or deeper than that, the real vulnerable man underneath.

It had you conflicted, but just as that glimpse had appeared, it was gone, replaced with his charming half smirk once more. “Anyways, ready?”

Your brows twisted together. “For what?” You looked around, the car parked and Yeosang slurping on some noodles at his desk oblivious to the conversation. You were back downtown in the Pink Boa category, in front of the club that Wooyoung had told you about earlier. Two prostitutes walked across the street and slipped between the car you were in and the one in front of you, pink gemmed chains around each of their waists: Boa’s.

The two women were immediately approached by three men who had red fang studs in their ears, the men that Wooyoung had just been talking about. The warnings of the Red wolves were ringing in your head as Wooyoung was talking about something that wasn’t registering, only because one of the creeps grabbed at the women.

No one else was batting an eye, but you were out of the car before you even realized it, anger surging through you at the look of fear on the girl’s face. “Yo! Hands off buddy!”

Vaguely you heard Wooyoung curse out behind you, but he didn’t get to stop you before you had fully situated yourself between the Boa’s and the wolves, chest to chest with the man who’s wrist was now in your grip just as he had grabbed the woman behind you.

The man certainly didn’t mind, eyes flickering down to your low cleavage and smirking in a way that made your skin crawl. “Are you offering yourself in exchange then, slut?”

You snarled your lip back, pushing him by the wrist to get him away from you. “Fuck off, they’re on my time right now.” You lied through your teeth, hands placed on your hips as you jutted out your chin a bit intimidatingly.

It did get the three men to hesitate, especially when you felt an arm wrap around each of yours. “I told you we weren’t available.” The woman on your right goaded, running her nails up your bicep. You could feel her stare on your features, but you didn’t tear your eyes from the men.

The man on the far left swallowed hard, but not with fear. “How much to watch then?”

“How much to get lost?” You countered instantly, pulling out your wallet for the cash you kept on you. You didn’t have much but you were in too deep to back out now.

Mr. Handsy sneered at your gesture. “Forget it. Come on, we can find more willing prey elsewhere.” He flicked his fingers and turned on his heel, giving you one last look over before scoffing and walking away.

As soon as they were out of ear shot the two girls started squealing. “God that was hot babes.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to stand it if some other sleaze tried to step in.” The other added on, both kissing your cheek before giving you a slight tug closer. “Want to get a room with us? So we can show our gratitude? Free of charge babes, haven’t gotten to share a pretty woman in so long.”

While you certainly appreciated their gratitude, you weren’t oblivious to the way they touched you, light but with clear intentions. It was almost purely sexual until you noticed the way they tried to coax the wallet out of your hand.

Wooyoung pulled you back against him, arm around your waist that was tighter than you expected. “Sorry girls, this one is here to see Madam.”

“Oh it’s Mito.” The first one huffed, suddenly disinterested.

“Boo, that means she’s not on the market.” The smaller, curvier one pouted as she crossed her arms to pout even cuter.

Wooyoung smiled over your shoulder and out of the corner of your eye it almost looked strained. “Yes yes, sorry. We’ll be heading in now.” He pulled you back some more than turned you so his arm was around your lower back but his grip was just as tight as before. He leaned into your ear once you were halfway across the street. “What the fuck was that?”

Oh, he was angry with you.

With a huff, you tried not to let it get to you, keeping your head high. “I couldn’t just watch-”

“Yes you fucking can and you will. This is downtown, have all my warnings gone out your fucking ears?”

You didn’t like his tone, nor the way he was gripping you so tightly, but you waited until you were across the street before pulling away and glaring at him. “I will not, Mito, just sit by and watch. Whether it was my job, no matter my career or place, I won’t. I won’t stand for it.” You snarled out, staring him down unwaveringly.

He broke first, shutting his eyes for a brief moment before smiling down at you. “We’ll talk about this later. You really have no idea how it runs, what flies down here, how to play the game-”

“Then teach me, but know that I will not follow rules I don’t like. If that includes watching a woman, no matter her affiliation or career, get harassed to the point fear is obvious, I will not.” You stepped back even more taking note his anger seemed to have passed, or at least wasn’t at the forefront.

No, he seemed almost… elated as he stepped closer and grabbed your hip, pulling you flat against him, lips close enough it would be so easy to close the distance and kiss.

“Then would you go against the rules and laws to protect someone in that sense? Someone who lives here, who works the corner, who has blood on their hands if they’re in trouble and you see it?” He whispered against your cheek, his fingers playing with the hem of your shirt, teasing your skin he exposed.

“Wooyoung-” Yeosang’s voice warned in both of your ears before you had a chance to reply.

With a huff he pulled away, now grabbing your hand. “Come on, you have a job interview.” He was pouty as he pulled you into the night club, past the bouncer who nodded at him. It wasn’t lost on you how you two skipped the line without a single word, like he worked here or something.

Or something was probably more accurate, every working girl smiled or giggled at him as you both passed. A dance floor to the right takes up over half the club, with booths along the wall and a large bar to your left run by three people with a dancer on a small stage on either side. You could make out kitchen doors behind one of the dancers in clubbing attire, but it was quickly pushed out of sight as you headed up secluded stairs to a second floor.

While the dancefloor was mostly exposed from this floor, due to the waist high thick railing the activities up here were much more secluded; that included the private booths that lined the walls above the floor, just out of sight. The bouncers didn’t stop Wooyoung from pulling you to the right, away from the open area and clubbing below, to a hall that had a sign hanging above reading “employees only”.

Since you missed his explanation, you could sort of hear Yeosang in your ear repeating the plan. “You’ll be meeting the madam of the club for a position as a bartender or waitress, but don’t accept anything for dancing. You should do well enough but also remember not to freak out at the customers.” The rest of his warnings fell on deaf ears as you stepped around a corner in the hall where another bouncer was, this one stopping you both by holding up his hand.

You immediately took notice of the gold chain on his wrist with three rings for a charm. A sign of the Golden circle. It made sense that at least one of the workers here would be one, considering the Pink Boas were their subgroup. But something also felt so out of place of once single Golden Circle this far from the rest of the business of the club.

Not that you had time to dwell on it.

Wooyoung didn’t speak to the bouncer, giving him only a moment to step aside before he took you forward. You passed a few doors with odd symbols, stopping in front of a door with a golden snake in a circle, the one eye of it a pink topaz that felt almost like a warning. And in a way, it was.

He had brought you right to the head of the Pink Boas.

You swallowed hard, trying not to let the sudden onslaught of nerves show. This was not the head of one of the six, but a subgroup, one that was all female and probably the least intimidating group to come face to face with.

Wooyoung smiled over at you, brushing your hand with his own. “Don’t worry Goddess, you’ll do fine. When in doubt, do what I do or Yeosang says.”

You rolled your eyes. “Because that’s going to get me the job.” You laid the sarcasm on heavy, getting a dry chuckle out of him before he knocked in an odd rhythm. Three times, pause, then once, another pause, then two more times.

The door opened almost instantly, an older woman with a stone expression standing on the other side. You had a moment to admire the perfection of her makeup, the subtle extravagance of her outfit, and the way she carried herself all before she was turning her back to you both and stepping further inside.

Wooyoung motioned for you to go first, stepping in behind you and letting the door shut behind him. The cool demeanor of the woman shifted immediately as she swirled on her heel and was now beaming at you, hands clasped in front of her. “Oh I’m so happy to finally meet you!”

You were shell-shocked before you were pulled into a hug, the flowery scent of her perfume an undertone to something more earthy, but not unpleasant. Almost homey which was an odd thing to think of a woman who ran a sub-mafia family. But not as odd as the fact she was hugging you so tightly.

Glancing at Wooyoung in a panic, he laughed and gently pried each other apart. “Easy easy, I told you not to do that!”

“But you would not stop talking about her! I was really excited alright?” The woman pouted as she smoothed out your clothes, a twinkle in her eye. “We’ll have to get you into something less gaudy for your job here. Wooyo tells me you have bar experience?”

“Wha-”

“Wooyoung, how much did you tell her?” Yeosang sounded exasperated in your ear, but you were still lost.

Wooyoung shrunk away from your gaze, rubbing the back of his neck. “I can’t help it, Sang- not when it’s…” He trailed off but you weren’t going to wait for him to clarify.

“I’m sorry but can someone fill me in? You’re the head of the Boa’s right? The symbol was a dead give away. I thought this was a job interview.”

The woman laughed, pushing some of your hair behind your ear before and noticing the ear piece. “You can call me Haru, and this is a job interview. Wooyo already filled me in, and I promise you will come to no harm here.”

Your brow furrowed in even more confusion before it fully hit. “Oh- I see. That… is not what I expected. Are you really?” You chose your words carefully, hoping she would catch on.

“Whatever you are thinking, yes. He can explain later I’m sure. He referred to you as Goddess but I don’t think that will be a good cover here. How about Dalnim? You’ll be referred to as Dal by the other workers.” She explained before sitting against the edge of her desk. “I don’t care what you see here and what you tell him, but the one thing I do care about is that if it’s concerning my girls you inform me first. Understand?”

“I- hold up. Hold the fuck up.” You had to put your hands up, turning on your heel to start pacing, nibbling on your thumb. “Explain.” You spoke to Yeosang in your ear, but Wooyoung opened his mouth to do so. You pointed a finger at him, a stern glare on your features. “You shut up, I’ll deal with you later.”

Yeosang was silent for a moment, you could tell from the fact you heard no sound what-so-ever he probably had himself muted. You heard a click a moment later, and it wasn’t Yeosang’s voice that spoke.

“Sorry about this Firecracker, are you going to back out?” Hongjoong’s voice rumbled in your ear and you stiffened in your spot, breath hitching a bit.

“Captain- are we really going to-” Yeosang was pleading in the background, and someone else was there.

You glanced at Wooyoung for a moment, his eyes on the floor. Where did his confidence go? He looked nervous, and not just from a scolding from his Captain. Haru was staring you down with a look of curiosity that seemed familiar, but it was when she grinned that you realized something else.

She resembled Wooyoung quite a bit, like a softer, more mature version. She laughed when she saw it click on your features, a nod giving you the confirmation.

This was, by far, so much deeper than you ever thought. But your earlier suspicion had also been confirmed: She knew you were a detective, she knew Wooyoung was, and she was setting you up and giving you permission to use this position as a way to gather information.

Wooyoung was providing you the perfect undercover, with someone he clearly trusted with his life.

“No, I’m not backing out.” The words escaped you the moment you made up your mind, announcing to those present and those not. “So this position, I’m just bartending right? Starting simple? I can do that.” You straightened your shoulders, regaining your confidence.

Haru smiled wider, clapping her hands together. “Oh Wooyoung was right, you are such a smart woman. Capable too. Yes, that is the case. I can give you more details on your first day, but first… I need to make sure you leave here safely.”

She waved at Wooyoung dismissively, pointing towards the door as she stepped over to you. The way she moved was captivating, her whole demeanor becoming seductive, predatory even, like a snake coiling back to attack it’s prey. Her tongue even ran over her vibrant pink lips as if to taste the air.

Her hand was on your neck the second the door was shut. “Now that I have you alone, almost, let me give you the real welcome.” She pulled the earpiece out of your ear and slipped it into your pocket while she swiveled you towards the desk.

While you knew, logically, that you should be afraid, intimidated even, you were not. It didn’t matter her relation to Wooyoung, or how you felt about the unit- which was in dire need of being questioned- she was the head of the Pink Boas. A very capable woman who had risen in the Golden Circle enough to establish this sub group and make it her own. A woman capable of running the downtown underbelly, successful businesses, and navigating it all with such ease you hadn’t even know she had a son.

You couldn’t be intimidated, instead admiring her too much to feel any real threat from her. Because if you had been, you were sure you wouldn’t have made it here, right now. Though when she leaned in, lips brushing against your ear, your breath hitched in anticipation.

Your real name cascading from her lips in a low, sultry tone might be enough to make any woman gay for her. “Listen very carefully now. I”m going to tell you something, but I need you to act for me so he doesn’t hear. So no one does.” She bit down on the shell of your ear, chuckling when your breath hitched in an almost moan.

“Yes ma’am.”

She laughed a bit, hands pushing your shirt and touching you everywhere almost as if feeling you up, but it seemed more strategic than that. You let out a loud moan for her, remembering how you had faked it for the two neighbors not that long ago. This felt easier, since the little touches were turning you on just a bit.

“That’s it, such a good girl. You’ll treat him right won’t you?” She whispered as moans and whimpers fell from your lips. “I know you’re still so new, that you don’t know much of anything really, but I want you to. Do you want to? Do you want to be a part of what he and his little friends have going on?”

“Y-yes Mommy. I do-” You whined out, purposely adding that just to fuck with Wooyoung.

Haru laughed breathlessly, a hand now in your hair messing it up as she tugged it back. “I want you to learn everything about them, and I’ll help you baby girl, but you have to promise me something. And if you ever- ever - break that promise…” He teeth scraped your neck before she sucked a hickey there, making you moan out for real. Oh this woman knew just what she was doing.

“Well, you’re a smart girl, I think you know just what would happen if you did, yeah?”

“Yes yes-”

“Good good. Now that promise is that no matter what you learn, you never hold it against them. Especially not my little boy. Because if you hurt him, pretty girl, you’ll suffer worse. And you know you will, with how fucking prettily you melted in my arms like this.” Almost as if she couldn’t help herself, she cupped your mound between your legs and squeezed in a way that stimulated your clit.

“Fuck-” You whined out, for a split second forgetting what you were supposed to say. “Y-yes I promise Mommy. Promise. C-can I come now?” You whined, playing your part perfectly.

She gave your mound a little pat before stepping back, laughing under her breath as she nodded. “I almost feel bad for playing with you knowing his intentions.” She muttered to herself as you cried out, faking an orgasm for the listening ears, but you didn’t miss what she said.

Haru let you leave after that, making sure your clothes were still a mess and the hickey on display. You couldn’t meet Wooyoung’s gaze when you did, nor could you put the earpiece back in.

But as you passed the Golden circle bouncer, you noticed how intently he looked you over, eyes lingering on the forming hickey on your neck, a scowl forming. That’s how it clicked, that bouncer wasn’t there to guard Haru, but watch her.

You just got yourself into some really deep shit.

Chapter Text

By some grace of the God's Wooyoung didn't look at you or speak on the way back to the car. But once the doors were shut and the screen was turned on you didn't think you were going to get any more luck in that department.

“So…” You say at the same time as Wooyoung, ignoring the three men now on the screen.

Determined to speak first, you turned, grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him close. “Your mother?!” Your upper lip was pulled back in a snarl.

Wooyoung looked about ready to piss himself. “Well- you see-” He glanced over at the screen but you tightened your hold on him. “You’re the one who let her get you off! Before me!! That was my mom!!”

You scoffed, ignoring a few sounds of surprise from the screen and the heat rising up your neck. “That’s beside the point.”

“No no, that is the point, somewhat.” Yeosang spoke up meekly. You were so shocked by the statement you glanced at the screen.

He was sitting in his chair, slumped back, with Hongjoong and Seonghwa leaning over his shoulders. They looked rather amused, both with a much darker look in their eyes you couldn’t place through the small screen. But Yeosang’s was far too obvious. The flush of his cheeks, the pout on his lips, the way he squirmed in his seat. He was either really nervous, or really excited.

The fact it was the latter, which you had no doubt in your mind, just short-circuited your brain. Didn’t he dislike you just the other day? First calling you sweetheart and now clearly flustered by what had gone on with Haru?

Were the other two? You glanced back at them both, Wooyoung taking this as an opportunity to slip out of your grasp a bit as you were leaning over the center console anyways to hold onto him. Realizing they had your attention now, Hongjoong tilted his head expectantly while Seonghwa’s expression quickly shifted his walls back up.

“Well… what was that about then? You have a pretty obvious hickey Firecracker.” He prompted, lips curling into a knowing smirk. “And I don’t think it was one of us who left it there unfortunately.”

“Unfor- Captain!” You all but shrieked out, leaning back in your seat and running your hand down your face. “”My God I’m surrounded by horndogs.”

“Says the one who just got off with someone’s Mom!” Wooyoung huffed out, pouting in his own seat.

You gawked over at him, lifting a brow in disbelief. “Is it really that hard to wrap your head around?”

He puffed his cheeks out and his bottom lip, muttering in a whine “Should’ve been me. I would’ve called you Mommy all you want. Why don’t you want to use me? Sit on my face, break my cock with your pretty pussy, just something.” His words grew more desperate, ending on a pleading tone as he turned back to you.

Somehow you didn’t think it was just sex he was asking for. “Wooyoung-”

“Will you two just fuck already? I can taste the sexual tension from here.” Seonghwa interrupted as he stood up. A quick glance was perfectly timed to see him adjusting his pants. Oh that was interesting.

But it also made you want to run for the hills. You had the attention of four men on you, and now the knowledge that every single one of them wanted you to some extent. It was… perhaps a little difficult to fully wrap your head around that and the way your body reacted.

“I’ve been trying Hwa, but she keeps denying me. Don’t get why she can ride Mingi’s dick multiple times but won’t ride my face.” He puffed out, relaxing more now that your full attention wasn’t on him.

Big mistake on his part.

You reached over and grabbed him by the underside of the jaw, turning him to face your stormy expression. “Do you want to say that again?”

“Oh-”

“Fuck that’s hot-”

And groans were all heard from the screen while Wooyoung was pliant in your grip. His mouth still had a mind of its own apparently.

“I don’t get why you can fuck Mingi, let San get you off, let my own mother get you off, but not me.” There was something to his words that hit a little deep, striking a cord with a part of you that kept buried deep and bringing it to the surface.

”Why am I not good enough?”

How many times have you asked that of yourself? When it came to your old unit? When it came to your own father’s legacy?

Your grip loosened a bit on his jaw, just for his hand to shoot up and hold it there, brow pushed together pleadingly. “Please Goddess. Why not me?”

Something about his expression had you snapping, gripping his chin tighter and yanking him forward just as you leaned in and crashed your lips to his. Tilting your mouth to get more of him you felt a groaning mess in your underwear at the pure pornographic moan that you ate right up.

He reached for you but you grabbed his wrist and pushed his hand down to hold him still, lips meeting his own desperation until you were reminded that you had an audience. The idea of ruining him in front of the others crossed your mind as you pulled away, but you didn’t act on it.

Whatever compelled you to kiss him didn’t sit right with having the others watch… not yet.

Though the fact they had all leaned into the screen with a mixture of lust and desire in varying degrees on their faces did have you throbbing even more between your legs. Not as much as Wooyoung’s blissed out wide grin, or the way he now palmed at the obvious tent in his pants as you let him go.

So much for keeping things professional. What were these men doing to you?

Clearing your throat, you shifted back in your seat and exhaled slowly to regain some composure. “If you answer my questions I’ll let you have a taste.”

“Yes, that's my mother.” Wooyoung immediately let slip from his lips while there were protests on the screen. “Oh well, too bad you can’t do anything about it.” He stuck his tongue out and immediately turned off the screen. He started up the car a second later, driving away from the curb before you could buckle up. “Anyways, yeah, she’s been running the Pink Boa’s most of my life. I grew up surrounded by it, and was a runner when I was a teen, among other things. She’s worked hard to make sure I stayed an unofficial part.”

That… made a lot of sense actually. How he was always undercover, how his connections seemed to be much more than a simple cop could make. He used his connections from before, as well as his mother’s connections. You bet if you looked him up, the name Jung Wooyoung would not pop up in any detective base.

He was their ace in the hole, and the realization had you appreciating him even more. And questioning why he was giving up this information just for the taste of your cunt.

“I see, so that’s how you got San into the Green Vipers pretty well? You already have some street cred.” You nodded matter-of-factly, glancing down when his hand found it’s way on your thigh. “Wooyoung? I didn’t say-”

“I answered your question. Ask another.” He hummed out, pulling around a corner. You didn’t know where he was taking you, but it didn’t matter at the moment.

Sighing, you mulled over what more you wanted to know, especially since he was so willing to answer them. “Why is that Golden Circle bouncer there to watch her? She works for them right? And if she’s been running it for so long… why would they need to watch her?”

Yet as you looked over at Wooyoung, the knowing smirk on his features, you knew why. And he also knew you figured it out. “Everything was fine until a couple years ago. And truthfully that’s my fault.” He answered instead, slipping his hand your leg further since you technically weren’t stopping him.

“How is it your fault? For becoming a detective?” Of course the information he got from his mother and the Pink Boa’s being used in police investigations would cause suspicion. Respect bloomed in your chest for both Wooyoung and his mother. Him for taking such a career despite everything and Haru for helping him and protecting him still.

Especially if one wrong move would cost her life, his, and potentially the whole unit.

How deep their connections justified some of the other questionable things but there was still so much that didn’t sit right with you.

Like the way Wooyoung’s expression twisted, glancing at you with such obvious guilt you realized that wasn’t the case at all. What if he wasn’t a detective at all?

“Wooyoung…” Your tone was dangerously low, the warning obvious there.

He immediately flinched, moving to pull his hand from your thigh. You grabbed his wrist again, careful not to have him swerve into oncoming traffic or into a building. “Listen, about that-” He had enough sense to pull into a parking garage, parking a moment later before turning off the car and continuing. “I never went through the correct channels for that.”

You scoffed at his admission. “Well no duh, I figured as much. You have a history. And with your mother being the head of the Pink Boa’s?” You stared at him with a frown, urging him to continue.

He looked rather perplexed. “It… doesn’t bother you?”

You scoffed, unbuckling and shifting a bit in your seat. “No. I… Well, it’s clear that the city is far more illegally run than I thought. Some of the companies you pointed out, the absolutely terrifying numbers of the red wolves who sex traffic. The fighting rings. The drug distribution.” Biting down on your lip, you opened your legs a bit more, fingers working on the button of your shorts. “To be honest Wooyoung, knowing the law enforcement is as corrupt as it is pisses me off. I want things done. I don’t want to see any more dead kids on the streets, or the bastards who put their bodies there, running free.”

Wooyoung was practically salivating as he watched you undo your shorts. “I don’t either. Don’t like it. Don't like the things my Mom had to do just to get by, that I had to do.” He shifted quickly, reaching over but pausing his fingers on the hem of your shorts. “Can I now? Please please tell me that I can have a taste now. Promise to make you feel good. You can call me Mommy if you want. Call me anything you want, Goddess.”

He was so eager to do so it flustered you a bit, heat running up your neck and the tips of your ears. You couldn’t think of any other questions at the moment you thought you could get him to answer, since they didn’t concern just him, so you nodded. His features lit up as he quickly yanked your shorts down and groaned at the sight of your wet panties. “Oh fuck yes.” He didn’t even let you move into a more comfortable position before his lips were against the wet spot on your underwear and he was sucking.

Sucking in a breath through your teeth you gripped at his hair. “W-wooyoung not like- oh.” Your head fell back against the window as he sucked on your clit through the fabric, vibrating your nerves with a moan of his own.

There was just no way he was going to be able to get you off like this however, so you pushed at his head until he reluctantly stopped sucking and let you. Before you got a word out, he was pulling your panties off. “Sit normally, seat all the way back and lean the seat back. Now please.” The urgency in his tone had more slick coating your folds.

So you were quick to oblige while he shifted as well, holding onto your panties for a moment before he set them blatantly on the headrest of the driver seat. You scoffed, but didn’t comment on it as you leaned the passenger seat back as far as it would go. He climbed onto the floor in front of you, flinging your left leg over the console and pushing you up the seat more to give him more access.

“Fuck I could stare at it every day.” He murmured, running his fingers up your inner thighs, noticing some fading hickies and bite marks. Something clouded his expression for a moment, you guessed jealousy since he had shown it earlier and here was proof of Mingi all over again. “You have no idea how much we want to worship you.” He breathed more to himself before his fingers slipped up through your folds, gathering your arousal before bringing it to his lips.

The moan he let out as his eyes rolled back into his head just had your walls clenching wanting to be filled. “Woo-”

“Call me something else Goddess.” He demanded breathlessly before leaning in, running the flat of his tongue over your lips to gather more and more of your juices. “Don’t want to be a just coworker to you.”

His words had your mind reeling, just as his lips on your bare clit had electricity shooting up your spine. You’ve barely talked to him, spent what, three days in total in his presence? So what did he mean by that? Today was the first day you actually got to talk with him- yet it’s ending with his mouth on your cunt.

The attraction he felt for you was such a force to be reckoned with and you couldn’t deny that you felt it too. That you had wanted this since the first time you saw him. That with every word out of his mouth you liked him more and more.

Was this just sexual or more than that? That was the million dollar question. One of them at least.

Not that you had time to ponder when he was now working at your pussy with such a hunger it took your breath away. Slipping a hand into his hair, the least you could do was indulge him. “That’s it, such a good boy. So hungry for me aren’t you?” Your voice dropped into a more sultry tone, the pleasure ringing in each word.

He seemed to like that, a pleased rumble leaving his lips as his tongue delve deep between your lips, rubbing his nose against your clit while his hands now dug into your thighs to keep you from squirming too much. Instead you just tucked harder on his hair, pulling him closer as your pants became soft whines.

Wooyoung knew how to use his tongue, teasing you with perfect precision just like his mother had. Apparently sexual prowess was passed down from generation to generation.

“Fuck-” He mumbled against your folds, switching back to press his tongue against your bundle of nerves and add just the right amount of pressure. “Taste so good. So fucking good. Could cum just from the taste of you. Could get addicted.”

“T-then don’t stop” you moaned out, tugging him closer as you lifted your hips a bit, not wanting the waves of pleasure to stop. The heat coursing through your body or the little shocks that made your toes want to curl in your heels. “M-more baby.”

“I’ll give you anything you want, Goddess. Worship you. Make you my religion.” He was back to tongue fucking your, hands ghosting over your flesh as he rubbed up and down your thighs, softly kneading them then much more harsh. You were dripping all over his seat the more he worked on you, making it harder to contain your moans especially as you felt heat pool in your lower stomach.

Glancing down your moan turned into a high-pitched whine as you met his eyes, realizing he had been watching your expressions this whole time as he suffocated himself in your pussy. You felt him grin, slipping his arms around under your legs, then pulled you closer as he ate you out with new found fervor.

Awestruck by the sight of him, you forgot to give him warning before you were coming, head falling back as you arched, crying out for him as you soaked his mouth to a whole new degree. He moaned as it hit his tongue, lapping at your juices as if it would be a crime to let a single drop escape his mouth. It probably was in his mind, a crime to do so.

You had to tug his mouth away at the constant stimulation to your clit even after your high had passed. He obliged, now pressing kisses to your thighs: in particular the leftover marks from Mingi. “Really could live off your pussy. Just drinking you in. I’d sell you any secrets just to feel it clenching down on my cock. Better yet to have you use me like a toy. Can I be your toy, my Goddess?” He kissed up your thigh and leaned up to kiss you, sharing the taste of your arousal.

Lazily you kissed him back, a bit too at ease in the seat now. You were sure you’d let him fuck you for free, let him do it right now, maybe outside against the car in the very public garage.

It was someone clearing their throat that snapped you back to reality, especially since it wasn’t Wooyoung and it came from inside the car. You pulled away sharply, turning to look, while Wooyoung oddly let his head fall to your shoulder with a groan of defeat.

The screen was back on, the three of them still there and they were quite the sight. Hongjoong was closest to the screen, licking his fingers that still had some cum on them while Yeosang was sagged in his seat looking as blissfully fucked out as you did. You couldn’t tell whose cum Hongjoong was licking off, since Seonghwa was in the back, fixing his pants and clothes in disarray, but frankly it didn’t matter.

Not when Hongjoong stated, “you forgot to turn the camera off.”

Chapter Text

You had demanded Wooyoung take you home, staying quiet on the ride and ignoring both him, and the others on the screen. Er well, pretended to.

It was quite difficult to keep a straight face as Wooyoung and Hongjoong had a conversation about how you tasted. Seonghwa had left the room in frustration when Hongjoong wouldn’t stop, Yeosang going with him hesitantly to eat it seemed. You hadn’t bothered putting your underwear back on, mostly because Wooyoung had cleaned you up with them and then kept them in his hand as he did drive you home.

You had wanted to talk about what just happened, but the fury and shame had been just a bit much. A fresh sting on the burn you felt over Mingi and San.

Clearly you could do nothing with one of them without the others being involved or knowing about it. Almost as if they had an intent to share you. How you felt about that would remain to be seen- once you did calm down.

That didn’t happen until you were back in your apartment, in your shower, leaning against the wall and thinking about the day.

Again, you were in some deep shit.

Something was going on between the Pink Boa’s and their head group the Golden Circle and Wooyoung just slapped you right in the middle. The fact it’s his mother that runs the Boa’s, and that if she goes down the unit will take such a huge hit you could kiss your job, maybe life, goodbye.

Yet at the same time, Hongjoong had trusted you with this undercover mission. And you knew enough about him, about the tightness of this unit, to know that you would not be put in such a meaningful situation without trust in your capabilities.

Without respect for you.

Your chest warmed at the thought, corners of your lips pulled up into a grin before you were aware of it. He was putting faith in you. Though the alternative was that he put you in a situation where if you did fuck up, you would be removed by someone else’s hands.

That thought wiped the grin right off your face.

Was this another test? Either you could handle the work, the underbelly, or else you would be taken out?

Instead of fear coursing through you, you stepped out of the shower with a grin. You could handle this. You would handle this. There was no way you were going to back down. There was too much to lose, too much at stake and not just for you.

The sex aside, your previous unit aside, this was a job- this was more than a job - and you were determined to do it right.

Daily Wooyoung picked you up and took you Downtown. Daily he took you back. You worked night shifts as a bartender and waitress at the club, revamping your wardrobe with some clothes that were suitable. Wooyoung never stayed around while you worked, but Yeosang would ask you about certain things on the car ride back.

Certain customers. But he would also mention some irrelevant things. Asking about a drink you made, or complimenting your outfit for the day. They were few and far between in the week that passed but definitely had an effect.

It was also cute how he never looked you in the eye. Cuter how he would force the screen off whenever Wooyoung would start to tease him for complimenting you. Now that he wasn’t hating on you, it was hard to ignore how soft he seemed.

He was smart, attentive to every detail and observant to the point that it was impressive. Even with the multiple screens in front of him, which was a guess, he was able to pick up on details you hadn’t been able to while inside the building itself.

Of course the night Wooyoung had eaten you out wasn’t forgotten entirely. Yes it wasn’t brought up again, Hongjoong and Seonghwa were nowhere to be seen and other than Yeosang avoiding eye contact there was no other sign that he had watched. It was Wooyoung who would constantly remind you, every time he dropped you off at your apartment he would follow you up, begging to come inside and get a taste again.

”I’m going to wither away without another taste soon. Come on Goddess. Please? I know you loved it. Please use me.” He would beg up until you shut the door in his face. He’d leave with a whine, but you were always left hot and bothered. You had loved his mouth on you, how desperate he had been to taste your cum and to hear your moans.

Every time he begged you were more and more likely to give in. Until Mingi got involved.

Wooyoung was begging as usual, and this time you were debating on giving in, letting him pin you to the door and nose against your neck while he whined. “Please. Just another taste. You could use my cock this time if you want? You want to don’t you?” He pressed closer, hands fiddling with your skirt that was the shortest yet and that might have been the reason Wooyoung was even more desperate than usual today.

Your fingers played with his black and white strands of his hair, exposing your neck and letting him press kisses there. He really did whittle down your defenses, play into your desires, and there was just something about him that made him hard to resist.

The sight of Mingi a few feet away, gawking with a pained look in his eyes, was enough to have you pushing away though. Wooyoung whined, holding on tight, just to have Yunho rip him off you. “What the fu- oh, Yunho.” Wooyoung’s curse quickly turned into a grin as he took note of the two of them. A grin that faded with confusion as Yunho was staring him down with a hardness you hadn’t expected on his features.

Mingi wasn’t taking his eyes off you however. He looked… worse for wear with a busted lip and scrapped up cheek, his hair cut and dyed differently to give him a more ruffian look. But nothing was a bigger shock in his appearance than his wide boba eyes becoming glassy with unshed tears and vibrant pain.

It pissed you off that he had the audacity to act hurt over this. Standing up straight you immediately shifted your demeanor to a defensive stance. “What? Why the fuck are you looking at me like that?”

Mingi winced at your harsh tone and for a moment you regretted it. The moment was dashed away when Yunho turned on you quickly and boxed you in, hands braced on the door by your head. “Are you satisfied? Do you plan to hop on his dick and then get pissed when he tells us about it?”

You jutted out your chin, glaring up at him. “Considering three of you already watched it, I doubt I’d get pissed.”

“What?” Mingi gawked, turning to Wooyoung for an answer. You expected the latter to have a shit eating grin on his face.

He happily filled in the blanks as well. “Ate her out in my car. Forgot to turn the camera off. Yeosang, Captain and Vice saw it all. Got off to it too.”

Yunho scoffed above you, hand moving to your neck and thumb pressing up into the soft spot under your jaw. “So why the fuck did you get pissy?”

“Because of Chan!” You pushed him back immediately, anger searing through you. How dare they get defensive! “Because you passed around something so vulnerable about me but wouldn’t let me in. Why do you all get to know of my pathetic rejection and release from my last unit? But you keep me in the dark about everything concerning you and the unit? Pass me around like some fucking toy to use and yes, I like the physical contact but god dammit!” You pushed at him again, stumbling Yunho back into Wooyoung. “I want to be your equal. And you haven’t treated me like that. Neither of you. For fuck’s sake Wooyoung is the only one who has. Who has been honest. I know more about him than either of you and I spent more time around you!”

Tears pricked your eyes as you stared them down, trying to keep up the intimidation and anger but the way your voice had cracked hadn’t been lost. Your own words rang inside your head and it was true.

Even after a week, learning more about the Boa’s and this world that was quietly weaving through the city you grew up in, the most important thing you wanted from this unit was to be their equal. And if that came to sex, to more than just co-workers, you still wanted to be their equal. Especially if sex was involved you wanted to still be a part of the unit, a part of their team.

Was it so wrong to want a place to belong?

Angrily you wiped the unshed tears as they were too shocked to move. “You’re all so God Damn confusing. Doing shit like this. Getting upset I let Wooyoung touch me, contemplate letting him fuck me, but stopped with you? Won’t let you. You made it so damn clear you wanted me gone at first.”

“Princess-”

“Don’t Princess me!” You cut off Mingi. “Can you really fucking blame me for this? You had the fucking audacity to get upset over this? I seriously can not with you right now.” Huffing, you turned towards your door. “For the last time, I’ll talk to you when I’m ready to.” With the last bit of anger you walked into your apartment ready to shut the door.

But Yunho was stepping in behind you, locking the door behind him and quickly closing the distance between you. When you reached out to push him away he grabbed your wrists, backed you against the wall and pinned you there. “G-get off me! Fucking jackass!”

Squirming in his hold you ended up bringing your knee up into his crotch roughly, just for him to groan and hold both your wrists with one hand and grab your leg with the other. Slotting his thigh between yours, he slid you further up the wall and pinned you there with his body weight.

He kissed you, shutting up the string of curses leaving your lips and instead resulting in you biting his. He pulled away, muttering your name in a soft plea to calm down. It was the nickname that had you stilling. “Butterfly please- I’m sorry.”

“S-sorry for what.” You stammered out, attempting to make eye contact as he pressed his forehead against yours.

“Everything. All of it. For putting up my walls. For all of us. We haven’t been fair to you.” He pulled away just enough to stare you down, a softness there you weren’t used to seeing on his features. “You… remind me of my dad a little. In particular, in the way you’re righteous to your own morals. The justice system is second to you right? What comes first is protecting the people and giving them the justice they deserve.”

You nodded slowly, unsure where he was going with this since he brought up his father of all people. You could remember the long list of articles about his father. A good samaritan, a cop who volunteered at schools and children centers and worked with his wife, who was a nurse at children's hospitals, often. He had an amazing track record, and you had a feeling Yunho would be a bit similar.

Well, the fact he had you pinned up against the wall after forcing himself into your apartment aside that is.

“He… he’d take me on patrols sometimes. Or have me come up to the precinct when there was a child in his care. Mingi was… one of the regular ones.” The more he spoke the less you wanted to run, full on here to listen now that he was finally opening up to you. Realizing this, he dropped your arms and lifted your other leg so you were straddling his waist. “My father opened up our home to him. He became my best friend, always over, even skipped school to hide in my room. Dad got him to go to school regularly, to do well, and he did.”

Resting your forearms on his shoulders you took in the sight of him. The vulnerability he was finally letting slip free despite the promiscuous position you two were in. “Found out Mingi was one of those kids often dragged into gang business. The one that died you got all riled up about… that could have been Mingi you know? I think about that a lot. I get angry about that a lot. And you.” He reached up, cupping your cheek and letting his thumb run over the corner of your lips. “You reacted just as he would have. He wouldn’t stop until he got justice. He worked so hard to make the streets safe for kids and you saw how it is now.”

You softened in his hold, remembering clearly how his father had died. Gang violence. What seemed like petty gang violence and was reported as such, you had noticed a pattern. “The Silver Dogs took a hit out on him… didn’t they?” That’s how they resolved the conflict. That’s one of the things you had learned in your time undercover and your research.

Yunho chuckled wryly, bringing his lips to yours, ghosting soft touches but not giving you what your body apparently craved. “You are something, butterfly, having figured that out already. I can see why they’re dead set on you. You fit, more than you realize. More than we like, really.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You said with a bit of a pout.

He chuckled with a bit more warmth, lips trailing over your jaw to your neck, just under your ear. “You’ll see. Just… promise me you won’t regret it? You’re going to get deeper, and deeper, into our shit. Into this world. Into our unit. And into our hearts. You really want that? Because if not, you're not only going to get hurt… you’ll hurt us. Hurt Mingi, and Wooyoung and San. You care about them right?”

You nodded as you tilted your head back, giving him access. It was astonishing how you melted in his embrace considering you had been angry moments ago, but you supposed that was because he was being vulnerable with you. It felt like he was giving you a piece of him with this information, like he was giving you a piece to the unit. “I do care… I want to be a part of it.”

He sighed heavily, setting your legs down and pressing a quick kiss to your nose. “We want you here too, I promise. Jongho excluded. He’ll warm up soon enough.”

With a huff, you tugged at his hair to pull him away and have him look at you. “Does that just mean for sex, or as an actual partner in this unit?”

His eyes widened slightly but he laughed the next second. “Butterfly… Wooyoung told you we all fuck each other right? It sort of goes hand in hand.”

The image of Hongjoong licking cum off his fingers, accompanied by Wooyoung kissing San, floated through your mind. He did say that but… “All of you? Even sour puss Jongho?”

He shrugged, hands running over your sides. “Well, that’s a little different. He’s sworn off women for one, and two… he really only fucks Yeosang and Wooyoung. The latter in frustration. But this is a partnership, both in the field and in the bedroom. Does that bother you?”

You found yourself grinning up at him. “Surprisingly… no. But that does make you all the oddest detectives I have ever met or heard of. Wooyoung especially since he made the cut through other means.”

“He told you about that?”

“Mhmm. Met his mom too. Oh, should I not be saying that?”

He shook his head. “It’s fine here. With us. It’s proof that we are opening up to you though. Already meeting the parents.” He wore a cheeky grin on his lips as he stepped away, receiving a light slap to his arm from you. “There you are. My butterfly is back.”

Heat rushed up your neck and settled in your stomach. “Will you leave now?”

He gasped over dramatically, placing a hand on his chest. “We just had a touching moment and now you want me gone?”

“Mhmm. I’m exhausted and I don't plan on jumping on anyone’s cock tonight. Besides, I’m sure Mingi is waiting for you.” You pushed him gently for the door, glad he was at least moving now.

He stepped out a moment later, Mingi still out in the hall but so was Wooyoung, both wearing solemn expressions. Wooyoung hung up the phone the second he saw you, both of them lighting up at the sight of you.

Yunho smiled over at Mingi and quickly pulled him into an embrace, now pressing their lips together. You laughed, shifting to rest your hand on your hip. “Point proven Yunho.”

“Are you still upset?” Wooyoung asked from your other side, reaching out for your arm and latching on.

Tearing your eyes from the two giants now making on- seemingly having forgotten you- you turned towards him. “I’m good Wooyoung, why don’t you head home?”

He pouted, glancing over at the two towers as Yunho mumbled things for just Mingi’s ears. “Mm… alright. Just, one more question.”

“Yeah?”

“San wants you to call him. He won’t stop pestering me for details. And uh-” He quickly kissed your cheek. “Call me if you need anything, Goddess, not just to get off.” He was almost shy as he offered it up, which you found endearing.

Taking his hand in yours, you pressed a soft kiss to the mole under his eye. “I will. Go rest. And you-” You turned towards Yunho and Mingi then, “please don’t be too loud.”

Unfortunately they took that as a challenge. Even going so far as to moan your name. It irritated you, caused you to toss and turn and wish that you had taken up Wooyoung’s offer now if only to spite them.

You were ready to do so the next day, hearing a knock on your apartment door. You were already reaching out to grab his shirt to pull him in and take him up on his usual offer when you realized that it wasn’t Wooyoung.

Seonghwa stared down at your hand on his mesh shirt, brows knitted together. He didn’t say anything until you quickly retracted your hand and stepped back, rambling apologies. “May I come in?” Quickly you stepped back to let him in, taking in the mesh shirt over a tank top, as well as jeans with an attached half skirt and boots, even his hair and makeup was done differently.

As soon as you shut the door, before you even got a chance to speak he said “We need to talk.”

Chapter Text

“What do you mean talk?” You mumbled out, crossing your arms over your chest.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck which reminded you of the tattoos he had there. You swallowed, reminding yourself that it wasn’t uncommon for cops and detectives to have tattoos, you had some yourself. “I mean just that. We need to talk. I’m… well aware of how close you’re getting to everyone. Well, mostly everyone.”

You still didn’t relax, instead you were bristling now. “If this is another warning to mind my business I-”

“No no, it’s not that. It's pointless to try and keep you out of this now. But that isn’t going to stop me from worrying. Can I take you out to lunch? Have just a normal conversation about this? I’ll drop you off downtown today instead of Wooyoung.” He didn’t appear ready to tear you a new one or threaten you with a wad of cash to disappear like you half expected… the tea you’ve been hearing at the club was starting to get to you. This isn’t a k-drama.

“Okay.” You reluctantly obliged, letting your arms drop and reaching for your heels.

Seonghwa reached out and grabbed a pair of leather boots instead. “You’re going to need these instead.”

Skeptical, but not going to ask questions, you took the boots and pulled them on. Thankfully they still went with your outfit but you didn’t understand why the boots-

Until you were standing before a motorcycle and Seonghwa was holding out a helmet to you. Taking it, you watched with new appreciation as he pulled a leather jacket on. Somehow biker was not on the list of hobbies you thought he would have. In fact you hadn’t thought too much about Seonghwa in ways you liked to acknowledge, more often than not just admiring how fucking gorgeous he was.

But that had changed since last week, when you were sure he had gotten off to what Wooyoung had done to you. He hadn’t shown interest before then, so it had sent your mind in a downward spiral any time you did think of him.

Once more you were marveling at this new information about him as you pulled the helmet on, climbing onto the bike behind him once he motioned for you to do so. Where to put your hands was another thing.

Seonghwa didn’t hesitate, grabbing your hands and wrapping them around his waist, your mouth suddenly going dry as you realized how small his waist was. You could hear his chuckle through the helmet, your body getting pulled with his as he leaned forward a bit to start the bike. Your chest was pressed firmly against his back, breathing hitched as you tried to just focus on anything else but him.

Then you two were moving through the streets with ease, the heat and hum of the bike beneath you was as exhilarating as the wind on your bare legs and the ripple of his muscles under your hands. You wanted to feel it more, releasing your grip to sit up straighter, just to have his hand cover one of yours. He didn’t tug you back in place, but fingers entwined to keep you from going too far.

It was almost romantic, and you hated how it had your heart racing for a whole other reason than the adrenaline pumping through your veins.

In an attempt to get your bearings about you, you shut your eyes and just took in the moment, debating on just how much you could trust the man before you. His icy welcome, his attempts to control Hongjoong’s flirting, the way he refused to kiss you when Hongjoong did…

But there was also the way he scolded Yunho the one time you had been late, telling him to be nice to you, when you knew he didn’t have to. His attempts at a truce, at keeping the peace, managing you and the others. But then there had been the gym, the practicing, his praise and encouragement when they first started opening up their work to you.

Could you confidently say that Seonghwa hated you? That he disliked you? Or had he just been trying to be protective over his friends? Tried to manage the hostility from the beginning and it just came off… wrong?

Lost in your head, the sudden stop had you hitting Seonghwa’s back with a surprised gasp, blushing under the helmet as his body shook with laughter. In an attempt to save face, you pulled your hands away and looked around. You were more uptown, still center city, but were outside a cute mom and pop cafe that seemed to have quite a bit of business despite the starbucks a few buildings down and a few other chain mainstream stores around.

Stepping off the bike you took off your helmet, keeping your back to him since you still felt quite flustered. “This is where we’re eating?”

“Yeah, this would be my favorite place to go.” Seonghwa hummed, taking off his helmet, not a hair out of place as he set both on the bike and secured them. “Do you like sweets?”

You shrugged, watching him with as cool of an expression as you could muster. “On occasion, yes. I got my favorites. You like strawberry things right?”

His eyes widened, lighting up with pure joy as he stepped closer. “So you pay attention to us too?” The charming smile on his lips disarmed you, finding yourself even more flustered.

“Has anyone told you that you’re just unbelievably too pretty?”

He laughed while you were gawking, a hand now covering your mouth at your outburst. Oh this felt dangerous. “Maybe. I could say the same about you though Angel.” He brought a hand to the small of your back, guiding you inside.

Oh hell, you were speechless.

It took every ounce of brain function to take in your surroundings, what you thought was a simple cafe was a bakery of sorts, but there were tables filled with all sorts of people eating lunch and sweets or just enjoying a coffee. Simple things like sandwiches, cakes, melon bread and more. Despite the busyness, it still had a homey feel to it with the decor, the staff, and just the general vibe.

There was nothing you could give your full focus to that would keep you distracted from Seonghwa standing next to you, his hand on your back a constant reminder as well. This felt too cozy, he felt too comfortable with you. And after what had happened the last time you saw him? After what happened yesterday? You felt too charged up and vulnerable and he was just seeping into you through the cracks.

“What would you like?” He dipped into your field of view, expression friendly, almost innocent with the wide glossy eyes and sweet smile, a stark contrast to the outfit he wore that oozed sexiness. It caught you off guard, you had never seen him with such an… open expression in your presence before.

“Um… surprise me?” As if you could focus on food anyways. Your nerves lit up in all sorts of ways.

He whistled appreciatively, nodding with enthusiasm as he quickly rattled an order off that, to your own ears, sounded like something you would order. His earlier words came rushing back: So you pay attention to us too?

The breakfast order that had been on your desk before. The notice when you had been late. You had chalked it all up to San but didn’t Yeosang scold Wooyoung to get you food you liked? Why did what you like to eat matter to these men? That wasn’t something you needed to pay attention to if you distrusted someone, if you wanted to keep them at bay.

But didn’t you also know Seonghwa liked strawberry things? That he admired his Captain and that it was probably more than a work relationship? You knew how San took his coffee, knew Yeosang was a genius with computers and that he had a cute lisp that always brought a smile to your face.

The more and more you thought of it, the more your face dropped, eyes widening. Seonghwa’s hold suddenly tightened on you, his free hand coming up to cup your jaw and force you to face him. “You know, sometimes it’s easy to read you like an open book. Does it frighten you that we pay such close attention to you?”

You shook your head slowly, answering without even thinking about it. It was true, you weren’t scared at all by the attention: but by how much you liked it.

What if this ends up like S.K all over? You fall for one or a few of them, and then once you no longer fit their way of things, they would just toss you aside like Chan did?

Panic swiftly washed over Seonghwa’s visage as he began to dab at the tears gathering in your lashes. “Angel. Angel, it's okay. This isn’t a bad talk. I’m not chasing you away or putting down boundaries. Not trying to scare you.”

How soft he was being just had your throat tight with the need to sob. “I’m going to… find a seat.” You mumbled under your breath, afraid to speak up more as you turned and searched for a table. There were really only two, both right next to each other, and you sat at the one against the wall, facing the wall so that the rest of the crowd would not be able to see it if you broke.

What the fuck was wrong with you? Had the week away from the others fucked with your brain? Deteriorated your walls to keep them at bay? You couldn’t trust them.

Right?

Or was it just the fear that if you did, you would get hurt again?

You couldn’t believe yourself. You weren’t afraid to get shot, stabbed, run over by a car if you had to do so for your goals. Your career had always been the focus of your life, following in your father’s footsteps. He was forced to retire after getting severely injured stopping a serial killer, now a retired detective who climbed up the ranks before recently retiring. Detective work had been his life, and by extension, yours.

That was who you were, who you pride yourself on being. A damned good detective, an enforcer of justice and protecting the innocent at the cost of your own life. So why the fuck were you about to sob in the middle of a lunch rush in an unfamiliar cafe just because you realized this unit was worming their way into your heart, and it was beginning to seem mutual. Why the fuck did it scare you to get close? Chan couldn’t have fucked you up this badly?

Was it the betrayal of them all? Your loyalty should be to the job, not the unit. But did that make you like Chan? Loyal to the job, not your emotions.

Everything was so messed up.

The tray of food and drinks getting set down in front of you startled you, gaze flashing up to meet Seonghwa’s concern. His brow scrunched together further at the look on your face. “We have a lot to talk about it seems.”

“I- Vice what is this talk about?” Work. Just focus on work.

“Well, you mostly. How you’re adjusting to the unit. To everything that’s happened. I know a lot of what happened is not… normal. And we haven’t been treating you right either.” He handed you the drink and sandwich, then set his in front of him. Immediately he started sipping on the strawberry drink, some of the whipped cream smearing on his upper lip.

Once more you were thrown for a loop. “I don’t- fuck is this a wellness check? Does my well-being really matter here?”

Seonghwa nodded without hesitation, long tongue flicking out to clean up the cream, the glint of the piercing short-circuiting your thoughts. Oh fuck, him too?

“It does matter. And not just because of the job. You want to be a part of this unit right? You want the respect, the trust, the bond we have?” His lips curved into a wry smile, watching you for a moment before he leaned forward, reaching out to cup your cheek. Your emotions, your desire for what he said must be so obvious on your features. “Angel… has anyone made you feel like you belong before?”

It shattered you, his words.

There were times you thought you had it, but did you? Chan? No, he chose the unit, the rules. Minho had even scolded you many times, backing up Chan, becoming a second voice to him as opposed to as your best friend. Hyunjin might have that spot, and truthfully he felt like the only one who loved you as you were. Unconditionally. But even he had said that he wasn’t right to be by your side, saying you belong elsewhere, somewhere more.

Seonghwa swiped your tears away. “We’ve been so cruel to you haven’t we? And yet you’ve been fighting tooth and nail to prove yourself to us. You fit well in your undercover work, you fit well with us. Wooyoung sings your praises daily, and Yeosang’s reports only have good things to say about your work. You work so hard Angel.”

His words felt like a warm, comforting blanket that encompassed you but also shook you to your core. You could remember so clearly getting accepted into the police academy, graduating at the top of your class and immediately rising through the ranks as a uniform. And in all of those moments had your father been proud? No, he just expected you to do these things. Your mother harking you whenever you had troubles “If you had been a boy, you’d be better at your job. You’d be more like your father.”

Had you ever made them proud?

You had blossomed under the praise Chan gave you when you first started, doing everything to seek it out. Until you realized how unjust some of the cases were. Then most. And his praise usually was followed with a scolding. And it resonated with you. Those kids, those cases, facing unjust rules that they couldn’t do anything about.

Like you. Hadn’t Yeosang said that before? You had everything to prove, and nothing to lose.

“Seonghwa…” Your voice croaked as you leaned into his hand, staring up at him with a new found vulnerability that seemed mirror in his sweet brown eyes. “I want to be an equal. I do want to belong.”

He smiled softly, stood up, and leaned over to press a kiss to your temple. “Alright Angel, I hear you loud and clear. Now, tell me honestly how you feel.” He sat back down and pushed the sandwich closer. “After you eat and catch a breath. The questions are mostly about the… sexual encounters and tension so I want you prepared.”

Heat flooded your cheeks, but you nodded and listened. You had, for the most part, been going with the flow of things, refusing to talk about the underlying emotions because, as he just pointed out, you had been too busy trying to prove something.

To prove your worth. Was it actually possible that they really did see it? That some of them did at least, and that the others might?

Were you actually seen, accepted, and equal?

He was nice enough to let you sit with your thoughts as you ate, focusing on his own food and watching for your reaction to your first bite. You saw the relief flood his features when you clearly liked it, swallowing and smiling softly.

Seonghwa seemed as eager to please as you were, it seemed.

The meal quickly calmed your nerves, getting comfortable with the realizations he had come to, and making more as you did. That’s why Yunho’s vulnerability had meant so much to you, while Wooyoung’s honest desire slipped past your walls so easily, and why you could understand their apprehension of you so well.

Even, you dare say, sympathizing with Jongho. He had his reasons, you were sure, and you knew just how hard it was to trust after being hurt.

Now the sex- that was the topic of discussion once you swallowed the last bite and Seonghwa was now returning with a second strawberry drink, with impossibly more whipped cream. It was cute, until his tongue flicked out and scooped up a generous amount. His tongue was long, and considering what was about to be discussed, had you thinking some questionable thoughts about it.

“So, let me make sure I know everything that has happened so far- and please, do not get upset that I know about these things, I’ll explain that alright?”

You nodded as he squared up his shoulders, the professional aura surrounding him showing how serious this conversation was, but there was no judgment, nothing alarming about his posture either. You mirrored his posture, knowing that yes, this is a serious thing. It was sex in the workplace, and, if you were being honest, it was more than that.

“It started with the club, which technically you did amazing with, but I can’t say that your shared kisses with Yunho and Mingi were just a part of your cover. They don’t see it as just a kiss, which I’m sure you’re aware of by now considering what happened with Mingi. There is also, from my understanding, what happened in the gym? Which… San should’ve been honest that we have security cameras in there that Yeosang has access to.”

Your cheeks burned at the idea that Yeosang had seen what San did to you, but it also was relaxing to know it wasn’t San who spilled. That did bring up the urge to talk to Yeosang about it, apparently he really liked to watch you get off? That didn’t necessarily upset you either.

“When was it brought up? What happened in the gym?”

“When Mingi came in sporting hickies. He didn’t have any targets scheduled for the weekend so we had to question. As you know, any connections have to be known to the rest of us. And it’s not just because of our work. Wooyoung’s hinted at it, you’ve had a few glimpses as well… We have something that… that a majority of people would consider wrong or disgusting, but I don’t think you would. This isn’t like an offer for you either, but so you can understand what you might be getting into.” He continued, brow furrowed as he seemed to search for the right words.

Especially since you were now smiling at it seemed to throw him off. “It’s a polycule right? Or well, of sorts. I sort of figured it out, though I had never known about it beforehand. Yunho sort of explained last night but I learned the term from some of Haru’s girl’s. They like to yap my ear off since I apparently have Haru’s approval.”

He sighed with relief. “Yes, that’s pretty much it. Sex is a casual thing between us, though not all of us sleep with all the rest. I think Wooyoung would be the only one?”

You laughed at that. “Oh I can see that. I swear he didn’t turn the camera off on purpose.” You pointed out and Seonghwa’s smile turned pained.

“Yeah, probably not. He enjoys being watched, and you… well he wants you to be one of us. Has been set on it since the beginning. And no matter how much of a little shit he can be, he’s got the best damn judge of character, and we all trust it wholeheartedly. Plus…” Now it was his turn to get flustered, the tips of his ears red. “He knows us well.”

With a tilt of your head, you urged him to continue. “What do you mean by that?”

“Well… he left the camera on not just for himself, but because he knew we wanted you. We want you. The only one I can’t speak for is Jongho but, Angel, being equal and part of our bond would mean being a part of what we have, and while most of us want that, we would never force it on you. It can be just sex and work for now, or whatever you need it to be. Just on one condition?”

For the most part, you were shell shocked. He said it wasn’t an offer but it was clearly there, to an extent. But he was also emphasizing that there was no pressure to be a part of it. “What’s the catch?”

“No matter how deep you get, I need you to talk to me about things. If it ends up being too much, if you have doubts, if you’re struggling with others. My job in the unit and in the polycule, is to take care of everyone else. To keep the peace, and help resolve conflict. Can you do that for me? Can you trust me enough for that?”

You mulled over his words, staring him down as he now fidgeted with his hands, barely noticeable if you weren’t looking for some tell that this was a lie- but that tell was simply that he was nervous, maybe even a little scared. Scared you wouldn’t trust him.

“I trust you Seonghwa. And I agree to your terms. Thank you for trusting me with this.” You reached over and placed a comforting hand over his, watching him visibly relax. Mentally, you were cursing yourself, scared this was going to end just like it did last time: trusting people, thinking you belong.

It was too late to turn back though, wasn’t it?

Chapter Text

The two of you shared a moment before you pulled away, finding the spark of tenderness in his eyes alarming. Despite the trust you just spoke of, it was still hard to lean into it without anxiety.

Others had shown you tenderness.

“So, you said you wanted to know my feelings right? Now that everything is on the table.” You glanced down at your drink, only for your eyes to flicker up when you thought he flinched- but his expression was the same, just a new tilt to his head.

“Right right. Though I think I understand already, Angel. We're growing on you aren't we? But you're scared? After the way your last unit handled things, I can understand that-”

You sighed when he trailed off. “But not entirely huh?” At his nod, you know it's your turn to indulge some personal information. “It was more than just a betrayal of comrades. I was close with them, considered them family. Mingi didn't… he didn't tell you all?”

He shook his head, his undivided attention on you now, listening with encouragement that was making this talk a bit easier. “He said a few choice things about Captain Chan but otherwise didn't go into details why his negative feelings were so strong. We assumed he just felt that strongly about you, considering he admitted to punching him and pretending to be your boyfriend during an altercation.” The corners of his lips turned up vaguely, which you assumed was due to your own flustered expression.

You were touched by Mingi's feelings, remembering his many attempts to prove he did like you and wanted you. As well as the fact that he hadn’t seemed to give up details about your harsh rejection, just how he had stepped in and played the rough hero you hadn't wanted but needed. “I see… I owe him an apology then. I assumed he had told you all about what happened.”

“Camera in the hall. We have Mingi bring women there because we can get surveillance footage of it all up to when He takes them inside. So… Yeosang indulged a bit and we didn't give Mingi a choice. Though he didn't go into details…”

You sighed, somewhat appeased. “Yunho made a comment… So I assumed.”

“Ah, Yunho is a different story. Those two tell each other everything. They grew up together. Would you be comfortable telling me?” It was the fact he was asking, putting your comfort first, that eased your nerves enough.

So you told him, recounting the story with a detached tone to make it easier on yourself. You told him of how you confessed to Chan supposedly, how the next time you saw him he served you with the transfer papers. You told him of your outburst immediately after, demanding the others to tell you who agreed you should transfer since Chan said it was a team decision. Minho, you're best friend had agreed and he hasn't contacted you. And then there was Felix.

That's how you were banned from contact because of the hell you raised. Changbin had to remove you from the office with some uniforms, an ugly sight. The man had no doubt sported a bruise or two on his face afterwards.

You told him about Felix, how you were sure you had loved him, and that you couldn't have faulted him for it. He thought he was looking out for you. Always sweet intentions.

You ended the story with the altercation in front of your apartment, playing with the empty beverage cup and unable to keep the emotion in your tone as you told him of Chan's confession before Mingi stepped in.

Silence followed, the air heavy and weighing down on your shoulders. The longer it lasted, the more anxious you became until you finally sparred a glance at him. After pouring your heart out, figuratively, pure undiluted anger was not what you expected to see on his face.

“Angel… I-” He started off, gaping like a fish as he seemed to struggle with what to say. The way his expression hardened like cold steel, eyes still burning with that ire as he glanced behind you, had you shifting to turn. “Don't turn around. You have some bad luck it seems.”

You were quite confused until you heard it, heard them. “Chan, that's not what I'm saying at all.”

“Then what are you implying Minho?” The sound of chairs scraping behind you slid up your spine like nails on a chalkboard. “First her, then Hyunjin, now Felix. I'm losing the hold on the unit.” The familiar gruff voice told you just how stressed he was, and you knew he hadn't been sleeping again.

Guilt grabbed at you as if this was your fault, hands bracing on the table to stand up and leave because like hell you wanted to stick around and listen to this. To let them hurt you even more.

Yet Seonghwa's hand reached out and grabbed your wrist, shaking your head and bringing a finger to his lips. Whatever game he wanted to play, while it confused you, your hands relaxed and you stayed silent.

“Hyunjin will come around, he always does, he cares for Felix and the rest. He made it no secret he was unhappy about the transfer. And Felix… he'll listen to you. You just have to talk to him- properly this time.” Minho urged, his voice closest to you.

“Because I do that so fucking well. You told me everything would work out if I put in the transfer request, Min. But why haven't you talked to her either?” A beat of silence. “Yes I'm aware you haven't reached out. Hyunjin was loud about that when I pushed Felix for answers. You're her best friend, why are you silent? Did you fuck this up on purpose? I trusted you when you said I could have her this way.”

Panic surged through you at this revelation; is this why Minho hadn't talked to you? Your whole transfer was his idea? Why? You had believed he had known you best, that he would have been on your side. That, just maybe, he hadn't talked to you because he was just giving you space?

This betrayal hit harder than Chan's.

“I thought she would understand. You received enough warnings about her, they were going to take action against the whole unit at that rate.” Minho sneered out, the edge in his tone snapping you out of the dizzying spell the pain had you under.

Chan scoffed. “Please, you didn't want her to get in the way of your career. I know the higher ups talk down on you, even when they are bad mouthing her they still recognize her drive. You were in her shadow and-”

Seonghwa slammed his hands on the table, standing up now. He glared at the two behind you with such a menacing fury it snapped you out of the spiral in your mind and gave him all of your undivided attention. Especially when he growled out your name.

He moved around the table and pulled you up by your waist. You were captivated by the wrath radiating off of him when you realized it was entirely on your behalf. “Vi-”

He shut you up with a harsh kiss, pulling you fully onto your feet with the motion. The sounds Chan and Minho made noticing your presence were distant noises to your own thoughts at Seonghwa's kiss. You could feel his anger, but also his desire for you with every harsh stroke of his lips. Heat flooded your body, drowning out the cold betrayal that had settled in the pit of your stomach a moment ago.

The groan he let out when you kissed back went right to your core. For a quick moment he deepened it, grip on your waist tightening enough to pull a moan out of your lips. It was that sound that had him pulling away, but only his lips to glare back at the other two. “Your trash, our treasure.”

It left you spinning, the emotion ringing in those words as he dragged you out of the cafe. You hadn't even bothered to look back at them, staring up at Seonghwa instead with a plethora of emotions on your open expression.

Seonghwa chuckled as he pulled you over to his motorbike; it was a dark and unhinged sound that added to the growing cotton in your head. He had just shown you how caring and sweet he could be: respectful even. And then the anger- you couldn't really untangle the mess of emotions that had you feeling, just that you didn't dislike it.

And there was a touch of horniness there. Well… that's interesting.

Seonghwa once more jostled you out of your thoughts as he lifted you up onto the bike facing him, stepping closer to slot himself between your open legs. You glanced up at him, once more with your thoughts and emotions worn on your features as you were still figuratively reeling. “Vice?”

“Call me by my name- no my nickname Angel.” He said as he leaned forward, pressing his lips to the apples of your cheeks, then the tip of your nose, forehead, and finally lips. “And tell me not to go in there and get violent.”

You couldn't help the gasp that left your lips, immediately getting swallowed by him in what felt like a desperate kiss. He had just told you he was a peacekeeper, a negotiator of sorts, so for him to say he wanted to be violent?

“Hwa-” It fell from your lips like a soft caress, your arms wrapping around his neck to pull him closer against you, “-Don't go in there and get violent.”

Despite doing what he said, he protested with a pout, lips trailing along your jaw to your neck. “Why not? They hurt you. Absolute scum. Treated you like trash when you're so… so much more than them. They lost a good fucking thing.” His angry words were paired with little bites and nibbles, grip tight on your ass now As he pressed the length of his torso against yours.

It warmed your heart, and turned you on even more. “Th-they deserve your anger, Hwa. Would rather- ah fuck- rather have you like this.” He had found your sweet spot, melting you further against him as his lips attacked it once more with a soft bite. “Hwa~ please I-”

Tugging at his hair to pull away, you tugged on it harder when you heard those two familiar voices calling out to you. He delatched himself from you, quickly turning you on the bike and pulling the helmet on. “Time to go.” Voice still gruff as he pulled his own helmet on.

He started up the bike just as the two reached you, this time you allowed yourself to look. Chan looked pale, distraught, tears in his eyes you weren't going to acknowledge. But Minho- it was the first time you saw him in nearly two months and he too looked ragged… and angry. But he always looked angry when he was upset about something, even if it wasn't you, so you didn't think about that either.

Instead, as the bike beneath you roared to life drowning their words, you gave them the bird as you latched onto Seonghwa’s waist with your other arm. He drove off in the next second, speeding through the streets to leave them both behind. Both literally and figuratively.

They weren't your unit anymore, especially those two.

Seonghwa dropped you off at the club soon enough, the bike still running as you got off and handed him the helmet. You used the ride to really think about what had happened, what Seonghwa proved to you.

You tapped on his helmet, asking him in a roundabout way to take it off. He shook his head in reply. So with a bit of a pout, you kissed the visor where you guessed his cheek would be. “Thank you for today Hwa. I appreciate it. You'll be picking me up?”

He nodded.

Smiling, you fixed your hair. “Then I'd like to continue later if we can.” With a wink you turned and headed inside.

Minho's betrayal felt like a distant memory now, wrapping yourself into work and looking forward to seeing the Vice-Captain again.

You had loved Chan, loved Felix, but neither of them, or anyone else you knew, made you feel like this.

Seen. Respected. Cared for. Supported. Wanted. All of that and genuinely.

Well, no one before this unit. Wooyoung popped up in your head. So did Hongjoong. San, Yeosang, and Mingi too, to an extent. There were moments with them all that had you feeling like this.

As if you weren't fully alone. In those moments you had felt like you could let your walls down, let them in, and feel loved and accepted as a whole.

Seonghwa had you feeling like that again when he picked you up, quiet on the ride back but once he was parked in front of your apartment again, he was a gentleman. He took your helmet off first, then his, and immediately pressed a kiss to your forehead. “Were you okay today Angel?”

You knew he wasn't talking about the work, but what happened. “Surprisingly… yeah. And I think that's because of you.”

His eyes went wide as he cupped your face, pupils shining in the lowlight from the street lamp. “What do you mean?”

Suddenly flustered, you tried to look away. Ah, feelings and admitting them: two things you struggled with. “I mean… the way you reacted, to what I told you and to them, was uh… oddly comforting? I didn't feel… well it's kinda like-”

He chuckled softly, placing a hand on the small of your back. “Take a moment to think about that but I think I know what you mean.”

“You do?” You looked up at him as he lead you inside, letting you put in the code before stepping in.

“Yeah. I uh, don't get along with my parents. Didn't follow in the family footsteps. It's a choice I made alone and it was scary, I didn't really have anyone who would understand my situation either… until I met Hongjoong. I told him about it, when I found out they are setting my sister up to be married off to, well, one of the underworld. He got angry, but not at me. It was the first time I saw him so furious as well.” He sighed, walking you up the stairs, taking his time to just talk with you.

You caught on to the vital piece of information he dropped, realizing that while Seonghwa’s parents had Golden Circle connections, he was working hard to take them down. He had something at stake here, making him the fourth- no fifth one in the unit who had some tie to the underworld.

Your vendetta against Taejin Hwon felt so small in comparison.

But you also noticed the fondness that settled over his features at the memories he brought up, an adorable curve to his lips and a soft light in his eyes at the mention of Hongjoong's anger specifically.

He cared for Hongjoong deeply, and you admired that about them; felt a bit jealous even.

“He was angry for me, because it hurt me, and it was the first time in a while I didn't feel so alone. It was comforting, and the weight on my shoulders was a little less debilitating.” Stopping in front of your door, he turned to you fully. “And it seems this was that moment for you… am I right?”

“Y-yeah. I mean I've had people get angry for me before, to an extent but this felt… different.” You couldn't meet his eyes, feeling unnaturally shy for once. Perhaps it was due to the amount of vulnerable moments you've had with him today; opening up in a way that took even Hyunjin a while to get out of you.

You couldn't forget Han and Felix, he'll even Changbin and the two younger ones- they all had moments you knew they genuinely cared. But this was different. Seonghwa, and this unit was different. You just couldn't put your finger on it.

“Talk with San tonight, maybe tell him what you told me?” Seonghwa offered, lifting your chin so you would meet his eyes again. “Can I have your permission to confide today with Hongjoong? Only the details you want told of course, I wouldn't-”

“You can tell him everything.” You blurted out, grasping onto the bravery and courage you usually had and pulling it to the surface. “I trust you Seonghwa, more than I'd like to admit right now but… if you trust Hongjoong enough you get all doe eyed when you talk about him, then I trust he is as trustworthy of this information as you are.”

Seonghwa blushed at that, a beautiful sight to behold, before he buried his reddening cheeks against your shoulder. “You are… truly a treasure.”

Now it was your turn to get flustered. “Hwa… will you come inside?”

“Want to… but can't.”

“Why not?” Your fingers carded through his hair, pout in your tone.

He hummed softly, leaning in closer. “Because if I come in right now I won't leave so easily. And I have somewhere to be before the sun rises.” When you whined again, he pressed a soft kiss to your collarbone before stepping back. “Sorry Angel.”

He left a moment later, and nearly an hour later you were calling up San while laying in bed, freshly showered.

“Finally! I thought you forgot about me sweetcheeks.” His voice in your ear had you flustered.

“I just needed a little extra courage to call. Are you doing okay?”

“I'm fine… Why the extra courage?”

“No reason in particular, just, wasn't ready to talk about what happened in the gym. Especially since I know they know.”

You heard him hiss, picturing him physically flinching at your words. “I'm sorry about that I-”

“It’s alright. I know it was Yeosang. I'll be talking to him later about it. For now. I miss you. Is it okay to just talk?”

And you did. You told him, surprisingly, everything. About Wooyoung, the job, Seonghwa, and of your old unit. He listened, even reacted much like Seonghwa did.

You felt it again. That sense you were loved, that you weren't alone… but this time you figured it out.

It felt like you were finally home.

And as San said, once again, you were perfect for them- You thought it went both ways. They were made for you.

Chapter Text

Three weeks. Three weeks had gone by and you had to admit, you missed them. Well, some of them.

Wooyoung’s incessant need for you. San and his flirting- his dimples. Yeosang’s cute little lisp and the sound of him tapping away on his keyboard. Hell you even missed hearing Mingi fuck others and keeping you awake at night.

You might even miss Jongho’s constant scowl in your presence.

Seonghwa had been taking you to and from the club every night, five nights a week, and would tell you to rest the other two. You wouldn’t come into the office but now you wanted to. Maybe then you could do something about this odd bundle of emotions in your stomach.

Yeosang sent you instructions on how to fill out a report of your undercover work on the program he installed in your laptop, which automatically stored the vital information and categorized and compared it with the rest. So in short, now you couldn’t even tell them about the new rumors you’ve picked up at the club.

At least now you knew why they were so busy, far too busy for you. The Vipers and the Wolves were still at each other’s throat, fucking up cash grabs, stealing product, or raiding known businesses of the other. San told you he was cleared to head back to fighting soon, and it worried you that the Wolves would hit the fighting ring while he was there.

But, what could you do about it?

Undercover work was something that took months to years to gain enough influence to make a difference. You were nothing more than a fly on the wall gathering information, searching for weaknesses to use against the big players. A slip up that could get them behind bars.

Once more you thought of the dead boy in the alley. Once more you pictured someone else as that dead body. And once more you realized that, as a detective, there was nothing you could do to prevent that. It was a frustrating feeling.

And that’s why you found yourself heading to the gym on your next free day, ready to punch the frustration out or work up enough of a sweat that your muscles would be screaming at you until tomorrow.

It was a nice sweet surprise to find Hongjoong there, working on one of the machines, a thin sheen of sweat coating his bare arms and calves. He was wearing a hat, black tank and black gym shorts with an airpod in as he was chatting with someone. He didn’t notice you at first, but when you got close enough to hear his conversation, you frowned at how quick he hung up when he did notice you.

“I’ll call you back later.” The weights dropped as he let go of the handles to turn the call off, shifting to look up at you with a bright and charming smile despite your deepening frown. “Firecracker, lovely to see you here.”

“Cut the bullshit” you weren’t having it today. Had the three weeks away changed something? Had your observations just been wishful thinking? Why was he hiding things from you?

They still didn’t trust you fully did they?

Ah, that hurt.

Hongjoong seemed to catch on by your tone and stance, the smile softening to something more genuinely welcoming. “It was San, he was giving me an update on the Vipers I-”

“Am I not allowed to hear what you had to say?” You cut him off, still staring him down. You shouldn’t be getting so worked up, you really shouldn’t.

But Hongjoong seemed good at reading you, reaching out and holding his hand palm up. “Would it ease your mind to know what is going on? What he was telling me? Or can I ask you to trust me on this, and you can learn all about it later?”

You stared at his hand for a moment, eyes running up his arm to the tattoos that covered his bicep. Briefly you glanced at the ink before meeting his eyes.

“It’s a delicate matter?” You decided to ask, arms uncrossing to rest at your sides.

“Yes. The war they have going on is turning into a bloodbath.” He didn’t elaborate, just smiled wider when you did take his hand finally. Gently he pulled you closer.

Relaxing a bit further, you let him. He didn’t need to explain, because you realized what he meant. The Vipers were losing everything, and the Wolves would take what they could from them. Killing, maiming, or selling off each member or even associate. “I see… what are we doing about it?”

He lifted a brow at your choice of words, pulling you right between his knees and holding both of your hands. You don’t know why he insisted on this sort of touch, but you didn’t mind one bit. “Nothing we can do. We can’t pull San out safely, but there isn’t a way we can stop the Wolves either. Not without risking more. Did you come here to blow off some steam? Worried about him?”

Slowly you nodded, staring at your joined hands. “I don’t want to punch anything, just not think. The Boas don’t care much for either, but I hear how ruthless the Wolves are. They’re scared of them much more than the Vipers and-” Your words were cut off as he pulled you onto his lap. “Captain?”

“How do you think San can get out of this unscathed? I’m worried too, Firecracker, and even if we can’t do much, it’s better to have some hope that something can happen to save him. Right?”

He was comforting you, wasn’t he? The notion had your cheeks warming, mind shifting to the question. With everything you knew, what needed to happen for San to be truly safe from the Wolves?

“I… well the Vipers are no match for the Wolves alone but if they had help… then San’s chances of- well you know. The Guardians are the only ones who can stop the Wolves, but I don’t see how they would get involved. Not unless this war causes significantly more damage, or they believe it will.” Your original thought was the Guardians getting rid of the Wolves anyways. After all, the more you learned about them, the more you realized that the biggest, scariest monster out there was the Wolves. The Vipers would be easier to take down, same with the Goblins. The Golden Circle could just be bought out, most of them just greedy cowards. And the Guardians and Pirates? They cared more for regulation to an extent than chaos.

The Wolves enjoy being cruel for cruelty’s sake. Sadists, killers, men who wanted to see the world burn and wanted to be the hands responsible for it. People were toys to them. Ones they wanted to break and use any way they saw fit.

You’d rather see San with his busted lip and black eye from a fight in the ring rather than the possible torture the Wolves would put him through. “The Wolves won’t stop until every last Viper is dead or turned to them or sold. I’d rather the Vipers win, and that can't happen without the Guardians. Either working together or the Guardians step in to apply pressure to the Wolves to back them off.”

Hongjoong’s sudden bright smile threw you off and you were on your feet in a second. “What?”

He chuckled, just to pull you back down with enough force you tumbled into him, hands on his chest and lips suddenly on his. He swallowed up your squeak, pulling you fully onto his lap as his tongue sought yours.

You hadn’t expected it, but he tasted so good that you didn’t want to pull away. Yet as soon as melted into him, he was separating your mouths. “You really are a genius, I think. That’s something we never thought of.”

You blushed at his compliment, staring up at him as his fingers carded through your hair. “What ideas did you have?”

“Ones that involved what the Vipers alone could do, or we as detectives. Sometimes we forget to take a step back and see all this from a different angle.”

“I see… but can we really do anything like that?”

He shrugged. “We could have Wooyoung or San suggest it. If the Vipers are smart, and want to survive, they’ll latch onto that idea hopefully before it’s too late.”

Pride swelled through you, as well as respect. Hongjoong did respect you, to go from easing your worries, to turning your thoughts into something productive, and then backing your idea as an equal. All while he was kissing you, touching you, melting you in his arms like you were his lover.

“Captain-”

“Please call me Hongjoong, or something like that outside the office. Especially when you’re in my arms like this.” He stopped you, arm tightening on your waist while his other hand massaged your scalp a bit. He chuckled at the pleased sound you made at the touch.

“H-Hongjoong… did Seonghwa- ah Hwa- tell you about…” You trailed off, eyelids getting heavy the more you relaxed in his embrace.

He nodded.

“S-so you know how much this means to me?”

“I do, Firecracker. And he told you how things work, and his unofficial invitation?” When you nodded, his hand tightened in your hair enough to pull an unexpected moan from your lips. “I’m going to take how pliant you are in my arms as an acceptance of that if you keep this up. Wooyoung might be the most vocal about his desire for you, but I feel it just as intensely.”

Your hands gripped his tank tightly, lips parted as you enjoyed the way he was getting a bit rough with your hair. Massage, then tug. Smooth then tug harder. “Then why pull me onto your lap?”

“To treasure you, though I didn’t think you would let me.” He admitted, shifting you on his thighs a bit until you could feel his hard on against the side of your thigh. “Yeosang is going to get another show at this rate.”

Laughing under your breath softly, you shifted on his lap. “Good. I’m not too happy about him telling you all about San and Chan. He likes to watch and then run his mouth to you all? I should show him what he’s going to miss because he’s always hiding behind those screens.”

Detaching yourself from Hongjoong, you stood back up between his legs, wrapping your arms loosely around his shoulders to card your fingers through his hair at the base of his neck, just under the cap. Latching your lips onto his to keep him from questioning you, your mind wandered to Yeosang and the expressions he made when he had been watching you and Wooyoung.

Would he make those now? Better yet… What expressions would Hongjoong make?

With your lips still attached, brushing over his soft ones, letting him chase yours with each stroke, your hands ran down his chest. His shirt stuck to him with damp sweat, muscles tensing under your fingertips: first over his pecs, which had a nice curve to them, and then over his stomach. The lower they got, the more desperate his lips on yours.

The sound he made, the breathy whine as you cupped his sizable bulge in his shorts, turned you on even more. So eager to see just how far you could push him.

In a way, this was your first time initiating with them. As you slipped down onto your knees, palming at his hardening cock through the material of his shorts, you acknowledged the fact he hadn’t asked for this, or done much to make you want him: you just wanted him, and wanted to do this.

Wooyoung had begged and begged. And Mingi had wanted to prove to you how much he wanted you. You just let them have the opportunity, reaping the ecstasy they gave you. And as much as you loved taking what they had to offer, you wanted to give back as well. In particular to the man before you. The man who was trying so hard not to pull your hair too much. Who was gripping the seat beneath him as his hips rolled up into your hands, pretty lips parted and swallowed from your kisses.

If Hongjoong had turned you away, or tried to block you at every turn like you had expected him to do before meeting him, you wouldn’t have this growing warmth in your heart at every thought of them. The swell of pride at your ongoing work. You wouldn’t have a confidant in San and Seonghwa. Wouldn’t have the eager lovers Wooyoung and Mingi. The witty banter of Yunho and Yeosang.

And perhaps, pressing your lips to where you could feel his tip twitching beneath the material, you wanted to convince them that they had to have you, just as you had to have them.

Selfish, greedy, maybe a little manipulative: that’s what you thought of yourself as you pulled his shorts down enough to expose his cock, staring up at him with a question in your eyes.

Maybe you were all those things, but it was worth it as he tightened his hold on your strands significantly and pulled you against his cock, smearing the bit of precum and sweat on your lips and cheek, pleading with you. “Take what you want, gorgeous, I’m yours to use.”

How could you deny him- deny yourself- when he looked so delectable like this?

Taking the invitation for what it was, your tongue ran up his length as your hands worked his pants down further. His words rang in your head, the adoration mixed with lust in his expression adding to the pit of emotions coursing through you.

With your lips wrapping around his tip, eyes focused on his expression, you marveled at the warm metal now clicking against your teeth. Quickly you pulled away and glanced down, breath hitching at the metal bar on the underside of his tip, right through the soft flesh in between the twi curves of his hood. “Oh fuck-” Mingi and him? Different places but you could remember how the piercing felt… if you took Hongjoong inside, you’d feel the metal scraping against your walls and the thought had you dripping in your underwear.

Wanting him to want that just as much, you took him back in your mouth, humming as you quickly took as much of him as you could. His eyes rolled back momentarily, breath hitching and fingers curling in your hair. He could fuck your mouth right now and you’d let him.

You’d let him do a lot of things if he continued to let out sweet whines like the one that just fell from his pretty lips. He wasn’t small, but definitely not Mingi’s size. But Hongjoong never needed size to get his point across, or for you to notice him- there was much more about him and the man utilized that to command a room and gain a grip on anyone he wished.

Right now you were the one in his grip, both figuratively and literally, as you pushed his shorts down and spread his thighs wider. Shuffling a bit closer, you took more of him in, humming around his cock once more as it hit the back of your throat, nose so close to his pelvis, but you managed. The sweat didn’t bother you, neither did the feel of the hard floor under your knees, not when he seemed to be unraveling at your touch.

You were enjoying him so much you swore you could suck him off for hours without a reprieve. So what if your throat was sore? If you were tasting his cum and sweat for hours after with every drink and food you devoured? Pressing your tongue up as you pulled off his length, sure to add even more pressure to the piercing and was rewarded with a whiny moan as his body reacted: hips bucking and hand tightening in your hair to hold you still.

Oh so it made him sensitive?

Bobbing your head back down, taking as much of his length as you felt comfortable with, you focused more attention on his tip. Every time you pulled away you added pressure, letting your teeth scrape against it or twisting your head just enough as you pushed back down.

Hongjoong was noisy, between high pitched pants, to low curses under his breath, his fingers in your hair a give away to what he liked best. You used that to your advantage, nails digging into the inside of his thighs when you realized he liked that.

“Ah- fuck- gorgeous- Gunna make me- mmm fuck fuck~” His head kept rolling back but he would push forward to watch you as much as he could, mouth hanging open, teeth clenching in little hisses of pleasure. You hummed and moaned around his cock, picking up pace and pressure as your own need was clouding your thoughts. Have him cum first then maybe you could convince him to fuck you in the showers.

Your nails dug into his thighs more when he started pushing you, just slightly as if guiding, down on his cock. His head rolled back again, moans gaining volume as your name and praise joined the sweet sounds.

In awe of him you nearly choked when his thick cum hit the back of your throat in spurts. You pushed away a bit, lips still latched onto his twitching tip as he emptied his pretty balls on your tongue.

He lifted his head once he was spent, panting heavily and meeting your gaze. He slipped out of your mouth with a loud pop, your tongue lolling out to show the bit of cum still pooled there before you made a show of swallowing it.

“Fuck, Firecracker… I didn’t expect you to do this.” He smoothed out your hair, your scalp a little sensitive from how hard his grip had been.

Smiling, you rested your head on the inside of his knee, smoothing over the crescent marks you had made with your nails and admiring the piercing on his softening cock. “I wanted to. Wanted to show I want you too. I know I wasn’t as… vocal about it. Maybe with work but not in this way.” You tilted your head to look up at him, licking your lips and still tasting him on them. “If you have time… would the showers be private enough? I think Yeosang got enough of a show.”

He chuckled, pushing the hair out of your face before gently tapping your cheek. “I should. Stand up for me?”

Once you did you watched as he pulled up his underwear and shorts. Now you had a moment to admire the work on his arm, you liked learning about them and most people got tattoos that represented a part of them. Plus, tattoos were big in the underworld, often a way to show your rank or who you belonged to.

You noted a few portraits, black rimmed hats and masks, the eyes sharp. There were eight, you counted, surrounded by waves with… with a pirate boat detailed on the upper part of his arm.

He called your name, moving just as you took note of a few letters on his arm. Sex was no longer on your mind, your brow furrowed as your mouth fell open to speak the first question that formed instead.

But the words were overshadowed by an alarm ringing through the gym and Hongjoong cursing. “Fuck- there’s an emergency.” He quickly pecked your cheek. “Head back to your apartment and wait for a call? I’ll let you know when everything’s okay.” He started grabbing his other things, but you were in shock.

The alarm turned off once he was gone but you were still rooted in place.

The letters you had been able to make out, two of them had been “B” and “P”, just like Mingi had.

Were they part of the Black Pirates? Were they… the enemy?

Chapter Text

It occurred to you the alarm that had gone off wasn’t really an emergency, but a ploy to keep you from asking questions you shouldn’t. After all, Yeosang had been watching. You didn’t know where the camera’s were, or what he could see, but you were even more certain that was the case a week later.

You had purposely asked Haru if she knew of anything going down around that time, and she had just confirmed your suspicions. Then you picked up that later in the week the Guardians had interjected, backing up the Vipers just as you had told Hongjoong.

But the real suspicious activity was the Vipers’ increase of goods from the docks- they were doing business with the Black Pirates.

Some of the girls speculated that the Pirates were helping for more territory over the river; others said they saw that without the Vipers, they would be the target of the Wolves. You supposed both could be true, but if you were correct you knew the most viable answer: if the Vipers lost, then San was lost.

The conflicting emotions and morals inside your head and heart were starting to boil over, unable to look Seonghwa in the face as he picked you up for the night. It was later than usual, the club had been more packed than normal with quite a bit of players killing some time. You were quite good at bartending, adding a little extra alcohol for some to get their lips loose, losing track of time in the process.

Yet Seonghwa hadn't been waiting long at all when you came out the back, a reminder that Yeosang had been watching and probably told him when you started closing up. Adjusting your skirt that kept riding up you approached him, taking note of the subtle way he eyed your legs.

Good, that would make this easier.

The skirt rode up even more once you were on the bike, bare inner thighs pressed against his rear, pressing closer as the heat from the bike radiated onto your skin. Your arms were tight around His waist, chest against his back, usually shy deliberate touches were now bold ‘accidental’ touches you would constantly apologize for.

Like digging your nails into his hips when he would make a turn, or grabbing his thighs when he would stop so you could ground yourself. The way you “adjusted” your skirt every chance you got just to rub against him and press your chest closer. You could tell from the way his muscles tensed up, and the white-knuckle grip on the handles that he was affected.

Once you arrived at your apartment, you didn't immediately step off the bike, nor unlatch from him. Your hesitance to head inside showed, thankfully it played in your favor.

“Angel?” Seonghwa sounded concerned. Good. Perhaps this would make it easier to bring him inside.

Slowly you stepped off the bike, took the helmet off and appeared flustered. “Can we talk? Inside? Please?” When he appeared reluctant you added on “you told me if I had doubts to talk to you. You aren't going back on that now?”

He softened, shaking his head and stepping off the bike once he turned it off. “Of course not. Let's head inside.” With his hand on the small of your back you made your ascend to your apartment.

Each step felt like an added weight on your heels, glancing back as you held his hand. If he could tell you were nervous, he didn't let on. Maybe you could play it off with your concerns. Seonghwa was a smart man though, so who knows how long you could keep up with deception.

Hopefully long enough to subdue him.

Once inside your apartment you kicked your shoes off, taking his hand once more once his were off too. “What is it, Angel?”

His obvious concern felt like a knife in the already growing wound. “Has Captain told you… about what we did in the gym a couple weeks back?”

Only because you were looking for it did you see it: the slightest tell of recognition. He buried it quickly under a look of confusion. “No, he hasn’t. What did you do?”

That obvious lie was like a shot of adrenaline. A sharp reminder of what you had to do. Any thought you had about asking him straight out was dashed from your mind.

With a coy smile you pulled him by the hand to your bedroom, his gaze dipping to the way your hand worked off the zipper of the jean vest you wore, nothing but the lace bra under it. The undercover work required more revealing clothing, but this you wore with this moment in mind. “I sucked him off, I wanted to do much more than that but there was an emergency.” Your words clearly affected him, just as you wanted, but you were still cautious. “But I haven’t seen or heard from him since… did I do something wrong?”

Seonghwa followed your every step, letting you pull him into the bedroom as your vest was opened and chest displayed. “You didn’t do anything wrong Angel… I’m sure I would’ve known about it.” You were positive he did know though.

“Then… can you ease my worries? W-with Chan I-” You trailed off, playing the part of dejected woman perfectly as you pulled those feelings to the surface. “I don’t want any more uncertainties about if I’m wanted or not. Please? Just a reminder?” It helped you had been so vulnerable with Seonghwa before, he didn’t seem to suspect it was staged.

Not as he followed you onto the bed, lust taking over his features as he reached out, fingers trailing over the lace bra. “We’ve been neglecting you again haven’t we Angel?”

You nodded, scooting more and more back on the bed so there was plenty of room for you both. “Just a bit.” The closer he got, the more you shut off your emotions. The wants and desires to do this under different circumstances. To completely indulge in the way his gaze devoured your body, to trust him with your heart, and give yourself over to the partnership the eight of them had.

But you weren’t one to trust so easily, not any more, and you couldn’t handle the lies. Not after everything. This wasn’t a desire for them physically any more, or a need for respect in their work. His lips on yours felt like a game, as if they gave what you wanted just to keep you at bay, to twist and manipulate you so you suited their needs.

This was personal.

You kissed back just as you wanted to, because even as your world was crumbling you still desired him, desired them. His touch still had heat pulsing between your thighs, still had you so eager to lose yourself to the way his hands worshiped your body. Over your breasts, down your sides, pushing your skirt up so he could slot his thigh between yours.

With a ragged moan you rolled the two of you over towards your right, straddling his waist and grinding down on his hips with clear desperation. “Hwa~ You look so good like this, under me.” Your lips were back on his in a heated kiss before he could respond, rolling your hips to stimulate the growing bulge you could feel. You were throbbing imagining it inside you, hitting deep every time you slammed down.

Shaking those thoughts off, your hands slipped up his shirt, slowly pushing it up. His kisses became hesitant, pulling away once your fingertips met his perky little nipples. “W-wait Angel, my shirt…”

“What about it?” You trailed kisses along his jaw, pulling one hand away to grab his hand and place it back on your ass when he had pulled it away. “Are you shy?”

“A little… please?” He pushed at your hands, pleading up at you.

With a reluctant sigh, you nodded, moving your hands to brace yourself by his shoulders, capturing his lips again as your hand slid into his hair. “Just don’t stop touching me then.” Thankfully he listened, his hands back on your ass, kneading the flesh there as you continued to kiss him.

In an instant it all shifted, the gun you were now pressing to the side of his head the reason. You kept one in your pillow to help you sleep better at night ever since you started the undercover work, and it was a blessing once you started to suspect.

Slowly you leaned back, keeping the gun trained on him as you wiped away all signs of desire from your features. “Cut the bullshit Seonghwa.”

He too had a stone expression, eyes hard as he stared down the barrel of your gun. “What are you doing?”

“Getting answers. You know how good of a shot I am, so why don’t you just listen to what I say and you’ll walk out of here alive.”

“With Mingi right next door?” He cocked a brow, meeting your gaze.

You smirked. “Really? That’s your retort? Nothing about my morality or oath I made as a cop? But threatening me with Mingi next door? You don’t want to get the police involved in this, don’t you? Better to kill me and cover it up huh? If I’m willing to shoot you, don’t you think I’m willing to shoot him too?”

His jaw went tense, eyes flicking away for a brief moment. If you still believed that he did care for you, you might take that as a sign of remorse. “What do you want to know?”

“First-” Keeping the gun trained with precision, you grabbed his hands and pulled them up to the headboard where you had a pair of cuffs hidden. “I knew you would look good in bondage.” When he pleaded your name, you tightened the cuffs. “Don’t. You had plenty of chances to tell me.”

“Tell you what?” He insisted, seemingly unaffected by the gun as you moved down his body and pulled his shirt up. He went deadly still, your eyes falling on the very evidence you needed. Scrawled on his ribcage, were the words “Black Pirate”.

Gone was the last bit of hope, the last chance you could convince yourself that you were being paranoid and that your distrust was wrongly placed. And with it, you just snapped. Laughter boiled out of you, insane laughter like this was the funniest, craziest thing to have ever happened. “I- I can’t believe it. I was right?”

You didn’t want to be.

“Angel-” Seonghwa’s plea was cut off by the muzzle of your gun being pressed to his lips.

“No. Don’t call me that. I’m not that.” You sneered out, laughter gone. “I wanted to trust you. I did trust you. But this? The Black Pirates?? Seriously?”

It irked you how his gaze softened, concern there like a mother wanting to comfort their hurt child. “We were going to-”

“Tell me? When? After I fucked you all? Killed someone for you? Got so deep in that I wouldn’t have any escape if- Oh my God you were huh?” You swallowed hard at that daunting realization. “You were only going to tell me when I was so far in that you had no choice. Not because you trusted or cared for me. But because you were stuck with me and once I had enough blood on my hands only then would you tell me?”

He couldn’t meet your gaze. It hurt even more.

“The team comes first, it’s our shared secret, our personal feelings don’t matter.”

With a rise of anger clogging your throat you pressed the gun closer. “You had me believe I could be part of that, but I’m not. I’m not part of the team, of any of this! You used my vulnerability over Chan against me. Took advantage of the way they just tossed me aside. I trusted you, but you couldn’t trust me? Not without…” You broke off, shaking your head and trying to clear your thoughts.

You were a detective first. You had the law to uphold. This was not the right way to do it. Taking a deep breath to calm yourself you climbed off him, keeping the gun trained on him as you patted down his body. You found a gun on a calf hostler, tossed it on the chair out of reach with his pants, patting both down for any wire or tracking device. You turned his phone off for good measure, knowing Yeosang could probably track the location.

The whole time Seonghwa was watching you with that look in his eyes that was making your blood boil, but he didn’t speak.

With the silence it gave you a moment to think. What could you do, this was a member of the black pirates- the higher up would be pleased. But you were also aware you had no way of bringing him in alone. Your evidence was nothing more than the tattoos now and the fact Seonghwa wasn’t denying that yes, they were. It was the whole unit too, and being the department of organized crime- well they would be the ones who would normally be called in to deal with this.

But you also couldn’t just let him go. You’ve held him at gunpoint, threatened his and Mingi’s life, and you knew their secret. They weren’t going to give you a chance to get evidence against them, nor were they going to let you live for very long either. You had this one night to figure it out.

Burning the bridge with SK was now a very bad idea. You were entirely alone, and doing something reckless and stupid.

No wonder why you got transferred.

“Angel-”

You swung back around to point the gun at him again, your emotions boiling in the pit of your stomach. “Stop calling me that!”

“Then talk to me! I can’t help-”

You climbed on top of him quickly, pressing the gun to his forehead as you sneered. “Help? Why the fuck would you want to help me? Your team comes first, and I’m not part of that remember.”

“Is that what this is really about?”

“No!” Yes- screamed in your head. “The Pirates have been active long before any of you became detectives. Wooyoung isn’t even an official one, and with the way Yeosang can erase an entire person from the internet, with access to police records and sealed files, I’m sure he could make any crimes you all did just disappear. Could make me disappear.”

“And you’re smart enough that you know this entire situation only hurts you, whether I live or die.” Seonghwa attempted to reason with you, and you wanted it to work. “So let me help you. Let me go, we can go talk to Hongjoong, and we can resolve this together. You don’t have to do this alone.”

You wanted, more than anything, to believe him. And you would’ve. You lowered the weapon, just an inch as you blinked back tears, only to jump into action when you noticed a shadow in your peripheral, adrenaline still pumping through your veins. You plummeted to the bed, large hands pushing your body down as the gun was tossed from your hands.

Instead a large hand was on your throat, squeezing hard enough your windpipe felt tight. Yunho stared down at you with such a murderous glare that any belief you had in Seonghwa was dashed. How could you talk it over with someone who wanted to kill you?

“Yunho! Don’t!” Seonghwa pleaded as you choked, grasping at his gloved hands to try and get him off you.

“She had a gun pointed at you so don’t give me that shit!” He snapped back, tearing his eyes away for just a second long enough for you to turn the tables. You kneed his balls and then kicked his leg to have him stumbling to the side. With a timed punch to his own windpipe you were out of his hold and rolling off the bed to grab your discarded gun.

He was quick to recover, grumbling curses as he followed after you, grabbing your leg to pull you back on the bed. With a silent gasp of surprise, you kicked back any part of him you could, hitting his jaw then shoulder, just to have him grab your other leg and have more leverage against you.

You managed to get the gun, grabbing it and bringing it up just as he had you on the bed again. He stilled, staring down the barrel of your gun as he held your waist down. “You reeeally want to do that, butterfly?”

The nickname brought back flashes of the club, the desire you had seen then once more in his eyes which just astonished you. He was panting, busted lip and a smirk on his features as he stuck his tongue out and licked the muzzle of the gun, daring you to pull the trigger.

He used your befuddlement against you, lifting your hips with one hand so you could feel the bulge in his pants, catching the spark in his eyes as he stared down at your throat where you knew there were bruises forming. Bruises in the shape of his fingers.

“Yunho- don’t.” Seonghwa warned again, something different about his tone this time that had you afraid of something else. They were mafia, meaning they committed crimes, killed people and probably-

You swallowed, throat sore as you tried to speak. “I’ll shoot-” It came out like a croak, much less threatening than you hoped for.

He laughed around the muzzle, tongue still playing with it like he was kissing it. “Yeah? Do it. Shoot me. Come one baby girl, you can shoot me, or you can fuck me.”

“For fuck’s sake Yunho now isn’t the time!!” For the first time since you had pulled the gun Seonghwa began to squirm to escape, attempting to at least. It would have clicked sooner in your brain if you weren’t so fixated on the way he licked the gun.

“But it is… isn’t it? You wanted us, wanted to trust us, and now that you think we don’t want that you’re lashing out. You want proof yeah? That we still want you?” Yunho’s words cut deep but-

He wasn’t wrong.

At your core, you just wanted a place to belong. No matter how well you did on the job, how many things you achieved, it all meant nothing without someone to trust. Someone in your corner. You’ve never had that, and they have given you a taste of their corner.

You wanted that. But it meant nothing unless they wanted that.

All the fight was pulled from you as Yunho flipped you over, holding your hands above your head with one hand as he ripped your panties off with the other. He was rough. Two fingers shoved into your pussy before you could even react.

“She’s so wet Hwa- fuck. You get off on the fight baby girl? Like to be choked and tossed around? I like doing that to you.” Yunho whispered in your ear, nibbling at the flesh as his fingers pumped into you roughly.

The gun was still in your hand, you could easily point it at Seonghwa to get Yunho to stop. This was wrong, he was being mean about it and yet-

With a moan you dropped the gun, instead gripping the sheets and lifting your ass for more of what he was giving you. “Told you.” He chuckled darkly, fingers removed just to get shoved into your mouth.

Even as he let go of your wrists to undo his pants, you remained pliant under him, glancing over at Seonghwa while you sucked your own juices off the two appendages. He had stilled, watching the scene before him while biting his lip.

You held his eye content as Yunho pushed his entire length into you, a raspy cry leaving your sore throat and eyes going wide. You knew how this looked, especially on paper, but you made no effort to stop it.

Not when Seonghwa looked at you with such impatient desire your pussy throbbed around Yunho’s dick slamming into the deepest parts of you. His size matched Mingi’s, and there was the drag of metal on his tip that hit all the sweet spots with you still being so tight. No pleas to stop would be coming out of your mouth, just moans and pants as you just gave in.

Yunho fucked you with such a force the whole bed shook, his hand grabbing your throat again to bend you back, the shift in angle having you cream on his dick with the lack of oxygen. You felt high, even a bit like you were going to pass out, but you latched onto consciousness like your life depended on it.

In a way, it did.

“That’s it. Maybe San was right, you are made for us. Taking my cock so fucking well- I can see it bulging out your cute tummy. See that Hwa?” Yunho rasped out against your ear, staring down your front.

Seonghwa shifting into your view was not what you were expecting, his now freed hand pressing against your stomach and hissing. “You’re being too hard on her.” Yunho must have tossed him a spare handcuff key and you were just too delirious to notice.

“The brat was acting out, I’m just- ngh fuck- putting her in her place.” Yunho’s words were now heavier, his grip on your throat different from when he was choking you earlier, this time with the intent to be pleasurable for you. Couple that with Seonghwa pressing down on your stomach where you could feel Yunho bulging it out with each thrust, you felt completely fucked dumb.

Just let them do what they want to you, because at least they wanted you. Tears sprung in your eyes, from the pleasure, pain, and raw emotion that began to surface.

Seonghwa wiped them away, now kneeling before you and cupping your face in his hands. Finally you moved your own hands, grabbing his biceps to hold on as both you and the bed rocked harder from Yunho’s growing erratic thrusts. “It’s alright Angel, we’ll take care of you.” His soft words were a harsh comparison to Yunho’s roughness.

You couldn’t formulate any words as another climax hit you, this time your vision becoming hazy as your eyes rolled back. Fucked through your orgasm, as soon as Yunho’s hips stopped their assault you blacked out, the last things you felt were hot cum filling your womb and gentle kisses on your face.

In the darkness of your mind, both warmths eluded you… drowned out by how utterly broken you felt.

Chapter Text

The sting reverberating through your cheek woke you up, followed by mumbled obscenities. If you wanted to open your eyes, now you didn't, not when you recognized the voice.

Jongho.

“I know you're awake, your breathing changed.”

Huffing, you relented and peaked an eye open, wincing at the harsh light swinging above you. You lifted your head that had been hanging back haphazardly, attempting to bring a hand up to block out the bright light but you found them tied… to the chair you were in.

Blood running cold you tested the ropes, glancing down at yourself to at least take notice you weren’t in the clothes you had been before. Even cleaned up, modest tee-shirt and jeans, hair pulled out of your face but no bra and underwear. “Who the fuck cleans someone up they plan on killing?” You scoffed out, forcing your anger to the surface and everything else into a box in the back of your heart to better deal with this situation.

After all, who the fuck would fuck someone like that just to tie them up like this?

It was so hard to believe them when they did such contradicting stuff like this. And to leave you with Jongho? The man that wanted nothing to do with you?

Your glare matched his, even if your head was throbbing. No windows or outside light to give you a time so who knew how long you were out for. It didn’t make sense to be out long enough for this after what had happened, but could you get answers?

Did it even matter?

“Why don’t you just kill me?” You spat out instead, gaze running over his attire as he was now leaning against the only door in the room. Ripped jeans, black sweater pushed up his elbows and for once, no gloves. You could make out some lettering on his knuckles, three on each hand but from the angle, you couldn’t tell what they were.

He caught you looking, flexing his hands before running the palms over his thighs and displaying the tattoo: P-I-R-A-T-E. If he was trying to intimidate you, it didn’t work, you were already expecting your death.

You knew you had fucked up bad, so this was your own fault. Plus… what did you really have to fight for? You were a realist, there was no getting out of this. You couldn’t take down a group of skilled men that had ties in both the justice system and criminal world. But you also didn’t think they had a place for you among their group, not anymore.

Those hopes were dashed.

“You look pathetic.” Jongho sneered out, snapping your attention back to his face. “Given up already?”

“I’m not delusional, I know how this ends for me.” Did you have the resources and resilience to run? Not without throwing your pride aside for abandoning your job. Your life meant less than your pride apparently.

Jongho rolled his eyes and closed the distance, grabbing your jaw and forcing you to meet his gaze. “You’re a fucking idiot.”

“So I’ve learned. Have any other new insults or will you just end it already?” This time you literally spat in his face, right on his cheek. He wiped it away slowly, the anger in his gaze much fiercer than any he had shown before. This must be how he really felt about you.

How could have things worked out with the unit with him like this anyways?

Your own anger began to dissipate, a feeling of helplessness rising up to choke your bruised throat.

“You held a gun to Hwa-”

“Ah so you want to beat me up first for threatening the pretty man? Well do it.”

“They would have told you if you just asked.” He snapped back, voice raised,

You rolled your eyes, struggling with the ropes. “And why should I have? You lot haven’t been the most welcoming. You made it perfectly clear, and still are, that I am not welcome here. Why should I have trusted you wouldn’t do this in the first place if I had come to them?!”

Perhaps it was the throbbing of your own head but you thought he winced at your words. Just imagining things, you told yourself.

“So you threaten us first?!” He spat out, fists clenched at his side.

“What else do I have left to lose?” Your tone shifted, the weight of your actions, the pain this entire ordeal had inflicted on you, finally reared it’s ugly head. “I have nothing. Nothing but my pride. So just kill me. Get it over with. If you’re going to anyways, just do it. I’m no use to you alive, I have nothing you gain from keeping me like this.”

Your head drooped forward, shoulders slumped. It was the truth, you had no value, no worth, and nothing more to fight for.

Silence dragged on for what felt like an eternity, but if you counted your breaths it was a meer couple seconds.

“This is why you should've stayed away. This life takes everything from you." There was an ache in his voice that shocked you, but not as much as the pure defeated pain on his features when you looked up.

It had occurred to you before, that each of them had some ties or reason to really hate the criminal underground and one of the existing families. Seonghwa’s parents trying to sell his sister off to the Golden Circle- Yunho’s father dying in a hit, Mingi’s own troubled adolescence running for the gangs. Yeosang’s program is owned by the red wolves, Wooyoung’s mother being the head of the Pink Boa’s… but you hadn’t once thought about Jongho.

You had tried not to think about him as often as possible, but now you couldn't help but wonder. What had happened to him that he didn’t want you getting involved with this life? For a moment, you wondered if he had been worried about you.

It was dashed away when you heard other voices and he made his speedy escape out of the room. Sure you were now curious but what right did you have to know?

You didn’t expect to leave this, well what looked like a safe house, alive.

Unfortunately Jongho didn’t come right back, leaving you to stew in your rage, fear, and sadness. You didn’t like to be left alone with your thoughts for too long, then you would start to doubt yourself.

But what choice did you have? What outcome could you think of that you haven’t already? The potential to join them? So that you could live?

The longer you stayed tied to the chair, the more dying seemed like a better option. You were ready to give in, to give up. Pride be damned. Your parents be damned. S.K and your friends be damned. You were tired.

Minutes dragged on until you were sure an hour passed, hearing no sounds outside the door. You debated attempting to escape, but the camera in the corner of the room dashed that idea.

“Are you enjoying this? Fucking pervert, always watching.” You taunted, staring down the camera so you didn’t have to think. If you attempted to escape, Yeosang would just alert the others… Was that how Yunho knew? Did Yeosang alert them that you took Seonghwa into your apartment? He did admit to having access to the camera’s in the halls, but that didn’t sit right with you. How would they know that you meant harm? How would they know you weren’t just going to fuck the man?

Because if they knew, why would Seonghwa even go into your apartment? Why kiss you? Why would he let you see his tattoo?

It didn’t make sense, and you were far too mentally exhausted to continue mulling it over. So, taunting an imaginary enemy sounded plenty fun. “Are you salty Yeosang? I figured things out before you had a chance huh? Kinda liked you watching. Pretty and smart but that little perverted side?” You licked your lips and tilted your head. “Kinda hot. Too bad I can’t see how you’re reacting to all this? Getting stuck watching me while you all- what? Decide how to make me disappear?” You scoffed, rolling your eyes. “As smart and resourceful as you lot are, I’m surprised you didn’t have a plan for this set up just in case.”

Or was this the plan? Were they just keeping you occupied until they had it all put in place?

If that was the case, you didn’t want to wait around for that… well it wasn’t smart to do so. What you wanted was entirely different from what you needed to do to get out of this. You should escape, at least attempt to. You should be giving your all to trying to live another day. To survive.

But those doubts you had pushed to the back of your mind earlier were now pushing forward once more, asking you why you should even try? They just grew stronger the more you struggled. The ropes were thick, rubbing your wrists raw as you struggled but that was the only part of your body exposed to them. Your ankles, knees, and waist were all tightly bound over your clothing. You could potentially grab the chair by the armrests your hands were tied to and prop yourself onto you feet awkwardly to smash it against a wall, but the chair seem bolted to the ground.

So after working up a bit of a sweat struggling, you slumped in the seat and glared at the camera. Still no Jongho, or anyone else, just you, a camera, and your thoughts.

Your thoughts easily won. Minutes ticked by to another hour- maybe more- as you mentally cycled through your life for some purpose to live for, as well as something to bargain or a different outcome than this. Maybe the past few weeks meant enough to them they’d just have you leave the country?

Would you go?

Could you trust them enough to agree?

No, you didn’t think you could. You had to admit to yourself, whatever connection you had felt growing between you and them felt foreign and broken now. You couldn’t trust it, trust that they weren’t playing you like a chess piece. They hadn’t wanted you there from the beginning, and you were going to cause problems… of course they would’ve played on your vulnerability to get you compliant enough to stay out of their way. That’s what you would have done if the roles were reversed.

You mulled over everything they had done. The harsh words, the cold shoulder, the disgust at you: an outsider.

The tests, the praise, the desire that had grown and become more visible from them the longer you were there. Yeosang and Mingi having your side against Chan. Seonghwa’s comfort and understanding, his kisses, what he had said to Minho and Chan at the cafe.

“Our treasure.”

Taking in deep breaths to fight off the tears, you shifted your attention back to anything else. It was no good to focus on those things, not when those very same men had you tied to a chair at a location you didn’t know.

It was when you finally got your emotions under control, pushed those feelings back to the box enough you no longer felt like suffocating on them, that the door opened finally.

Both Hongjoong and Seonghwa stepped in, wearing gaudy outfits that really solidified they were mafia for you. As if they should be on the streets starting a fight, yet for a brief moment you let yourself admit they were attractive. Fur hats suited the Captain, and Seonghwa in a low cut gold shirt, neck tattoos on full display, and with black hair styled in a half updo? Somehow he was intimidating.

His eyes softened on you though, while Hongjoong shoved his hands in his jeans and rocked on his heels, not meeting your eyes.

Somehow you managed to keep your cool, relaxing your shoulders and watching Seonghwa through disinterested eyes. “So, no one is denying it. I want to hear it.”

“We’re the Black Pirates.” Hongjoong chimed in before Seonghwa could, stepping up to his second in command and lazily drooping his arm over his shoulder. “Half of us were in it before the unit, the other half joined through the unit.” The man smirked as your eyes went wide, a sparkle of hope in them.

You dashed it away as quickly as you could though. “How did you know I was questioning Seonghwa?”

“I had Yunho and Jongho install cameras in your apartment when they helped you move in.” Seonghwa admitted, tearing his eyes away from yours. “We’ve had tabs on your phone and laptop as well.”

The anger in the back of your chest tried to rear up again, but you didn’t let it despite a clench of your jaw and a few tightly wound words. “Is that so…”

“Ever since you saw my tattoo at the gym, we have been taking some precautions. You are a firecracker after all, an unpredictable one at that.” Hongjoong added, keeping eye contact as he smiled at the sprinkle of praise in his words. You could hear it in his tone, attempting to block it out of your heart. “So when Seonghwa would pick you up, Yunho was to follow a few minutes behind. He acted the second you pulled the gun out, not far from your place already and we had a duplicate of your key just in case.”

“I know Yunho getting involved messed some things up-” Seonghwa paused when you scoffed, frowning as it was now your turn not to look them in the eye. “I wanted to talk to you as calmly as I could. Remind you that we do give a damn about you.”

“Is that what that fuck was about?” Blinking back tears, you narrowed your eyes on the pretty man, chanting in your head not to break down. You had done that enough around them.

“You enjoyed it didn’t you?” Hongjoong quipped out, stepping up to you and taking your chin in his hand. He was much more gentle than Jongho but still firm. “Firecracker… come on, don’t turn us away. I promise we were going to tell you. Just have… some things to clean up first. Now that you know we are the Black Pirates, think about our position. What we have at stake.”

You wanted to argue, but his words did ring in your head. San was still in trouble, even more so if he was a Pirate and a cop and they found out. “Then… why? Why are you a crime syndicate when you’re also the legal unit responsible for taking it down?”

Hongjoong dropped his hand, standing up and pocketing his hands in his jeans. “Because as one or the other we’ll never be able to shape the underworld into what we need. Seonghwa will lose his sister to the Golden Circle. Wooyoung’s mother will always be under their thumb, unable to get out. Yunho will never get justice for his father… These are all stories you’ve heard of ours and they’re true. The combined power is the best we got.”

“Angel…” Seonghwa stepped up and knelt next to you, expression soft as he cupped your cheek. “We aren’t going to kill you. But you have to make a decision. Either you have to join us, which we hoped you would, or we can arrange for you to leave the country or countryside. We can pull strings so your law enforcement credentials are still valid and can get you a career elsewhere.”

The most telling thing was that they didn’t want to kill you. You could see it on their faces. The softness of Seonghwa’s features, the desperation in his eyes, and the way Hongjoong was fidgeting and avoiding your gaze.

It was the loud way your stomach grumbled that broke the heavy tension, Seonghwa fighting off a smile while you tried not to let heat build in your cheeks at just how loud it was.

“I think food is in order first. We’ll go make you something and give you time to think about it.”

“And by we he means him. I’ll uh, supervise.” Hongjoong offered a charming smile that did calm some of your nerves somehow.

Seonghwa rolled his eyes as he pulled the man by the cardigan to the door. “You will update some of our very worried members about Angel’s state. If I remember correctly, Wooyoung had some very nasty threats if you didn’t update him about her state before nightfall, and it is evening already.”

“We were giving her time to think things over first!”

“Well now she has some more. Come come, go make that call.” Seonghwa pushed Hongjoong out of the room, smiling back at you. “Think about it, we’ll untie you to eat and talk things over… like partners okay?”

How could your heart not swell with affection?

The moment the door was shut you were grinning, unable to help yourself. Crime bosses they might be, but they acted like an adorable married couple at times. And they reassured you the offer to join them, fully, was still on the table.

You could remember both your promise to Haru and to Yunho. They knew this was coming, and now you could see they were asking you to really think this over once it was time. You didn’t know what it meant to be a part of a crime syndicate, considering the other ones at play in the city, but you could not imagine them selling people or producing drugs just for profit or pimping out young girls.

Perhaps you could ask them about what their organization actually did, since they worked so hard to keep the Black Pirates out of law enforcement reports, your knowledge over them was limited after all.

Relaxing as you thought of what questions to ask, what was important in your decision, you heard chaos outside your door. It had only been maybe ten minutes since you were left alone, and now Seonghwa was busting through the door. You could hear yelling now, multiple voices, and he seemed disheveled.

“Time to go Angel.” He moved around you to start undoing the knots, but got frustrated and just started cutting them instead.

“What’s going on?” Most of the yells you heard were screams of pain, while words were too muffled to hear but none were Hongjoong.

“Ambush. Crimson Wolves by the looks of it. Yeosang no doubt has the others on the way for back up but I don’t think we’re making it out of here.” There was a hardness to his tone that frightened you, but no panic. Seonghwa probably didn’t think they were going to die here. So captured and tortured?

Your blood ran cold. “Let me help.”

He chuckled, finally freeing you and handing you the knife. “They would kill you. It’ll ease our minds if you get out and find one of the others. Left of the hallway there is a backdoor. Find the alley and keep running left until you hit main street. You’ll know where you are and can head back to Yeosang okay?” In a moment of desperation, he kissed you.

Not a goodbye kiss, but there was a desperation there you could taste. Your lips lingered for a second, Hongjoong’s cry for Hwa pulling him away.

One last longing look and he was gone. Now you could run, head to Yeosang, or just run in general. Maybe to SK.

Or, you could try and fight. Make up your mind about where you want to belong. FIght for it.

You left the room with a new found determination, your choice made. There was no going back now.

Chapter Text

The bright lights woke the two men from their awkward slumber, Hongjoong being the first to lift his head despite a swollen eye. For three days of torture, the two of them were still pretty much in tact. It left Hongjoong feeling a bit… disappointed.

This was the feared Blood Hounds?

The red chains around their necks were a give away, and with five of them it shouldn’t be too hard to cause some damage. So why were they mostly just bruises and busted skin from punches? The brass knuckles hurt something fierce, but aside from a dislocated shoulder all his bones were intact. He assumed it was the same for Seonghwa.

Twenty-four hour observation, no food or water but sleep was provided surprisingly. Probably to keep them coherent enough for the questioning.

And that was just as dull. Despite hunting them down, they knew so little. Didn’t even notice their connection to the law, or their full place in the Black Pirates. That was probably due to the Red Wolf that did the questioning. The man sat behind the lights, late thirties, early forties, and had his jacket open to expose his bare chest and the red wolf on his side. He even flaunted it often, making Hongjoong assume this man’s ego was bigger than the abandoned building they were in.

That was fine by him, it made it easier to play the game.

“Let’s start from the beginning shall we? The black pirates are responsible for the hit on our territory a few weeks ago, correct?” The way the man emphasized ‘our’ just showed his pride over this situation. If Hongjoong had to guess, he was given this interrogation role as a test, most likely an ass kisser that worked his way up the ranks. A true coward under it all.

It made it hard not to mock him. “Not sure what you mean, please elaborate.” He licked some of the blood off his lip, tilting his head back and knocking it against Seonghwa to wake him up a bit more. The bright lights around them were annoying, but only really kept them awake now that they were.

The man stood up and began to circle them, a little ticked off it seems with how harshly he glared. Hongjoong just yawned, seeming unaffected. Bored even. Because he was.

That just pissed off the wolf even more, throwing one of the lights to the ground in a rage as it broke and sparked out. “Three days we’ve been at this! How much longer are you going to keep playing this game?!” He shouted out, stomping over to Seonghwa and out of Hongjoong’s sight and gripping his hair.

Seonghwa spit in the man’s face. “As long as we want. Really, do you think you’re terrifying?” While he had a lot of bravado in his tone, Hongjoong could sense the underlying fear there. He knew his partner.

It had been three days and they weren’t sure if they had been out longer than a day. They had gone through scenarios like this dozens of times in case they were captured. Wooyoung could use his connection to the Pink Boas and as a freelancer to get out of his ties to the Pirates, something his mother had said she would always help with, but if it was any other member but Yeosang they had a plan.

Three days. That was the minimum needed for rescue. It gave Yeosang plenty of time to track their whereabouts, and the others to mobilize an extraction. It would have begun the moment there was an attack on the safe house. But Hongjoong knew it wasn’t for them that his partner was scared for, but he was sick with worry over you. Had you made it out? Did you go to Yeosang or did you run? What if you fought?

Even Hongjoong couldn’t deny that was an option, knowing how feisty you could be. You weren’t the type to run anyways, but for once Hongjoong wished you were.

Sure their torture was pretty minimal but for you? A random woman in a Pirate safe house? Oh they wouldn’t attempt to question you, he knew that. He tried not to think about it though, tried not to let the unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach bother him. The implications that they were going easy on the torture on purpose and that it might have something to do with you.

The real torture was not knowing if you were safe. The hits, starvation and dehydration were nothing. The soreness of his muscles he thought would be a nice excuse to beg you for a massage. Still, none of that compared to how he was sure Seonghwa felt.

He had watched over you since day one, first like a protective mother to see what damage you would do to his nest, then you were part of it. They wanted to make it official, maybe have you spend a few nights in their bed after all this was over.

So he knew Seonghwa didn’t care about the punch the man threw, jolting to the side as it connected with his jaw. He spit out blood onto the concrete just in Hongjoong’s view, but he kept his face stone cold. He never liked when Hwa’s pretty face got hurt.

The smug look on the man’s face was just as disgusting. “Then maybe a little bit more?” He nodded to two of the men and they left the room. There was a door opening somewhere, loud bass heavy music filtering out that hummed through the concrete under their feet.

“Of what? Boredom?” Hongjoong through out with a bout of dry laughter. “I’ve had more intense fucks than this. Not even a whip or paddle or a knife? Booooring.”

“Don’t give him any ideas, love, he’s already struggling with his creativity.” Seonghwa added on, finally lifting his head. “I think he might make it in a kindergarten painting class now.”

In retaliation he grabbed Hwa by the hair again, yanking him up. Hongjoong was proud of the sinful moan Seonghwa let out, resulting in their ‘interrogator’ dropping his head and stepping back with a groan of disgust. “Seriously? Are you two getting off on this?”

“Hardly. It’s not rough enough.” Seonghwa hummed out, licking his lips as he turned as if to look at Hongjoong. “You do it so much better baby.”

“Ugh, gross.”

Hongjoong had took a risk that the red wolves wouldn’t use them against each other sexually, too homophobic to do any touching or raping of sorts. He was glad that the risk was paying off.

Off in the distance they could hear the door and music again, and that feeling of dread returned.

The wolf smirked, motioning to one of the men and pointing to the lights. Hongjoong watched with a frown as the hound turned two of their lights to the door, shining on the dark hallway just outside. A spotlight for a show.

“What? Got some fancy torture machine you’re going to bring out? Really, it’s like you want to get us off.” Despite that growing pit in his stomach, Hongjoong forced the taunt out.

He wanted to wipe that disgusting smug smirk off his face the second the spotlight illuminated up the three people in the doorway.

Seonghwa’s pained gasp hurt as much as the sight of you. “Angel?”

Hongjoong steeled his expression, taking in the sight of you to fuel the growing rage and bloodthirst that was building. Every cute, every drop of blood, every bruise, he would pay them back tenfold. None of that mattered compared to the mental damage they no doubt did on you, as you hadn’t even reacted to Seonghwa calling out for you. Body limp as you were dragged further into

“Not so cocky now?” The wolf hummed out, making his way over to you and with each step Seonghwa and he began to thrash in their chains. “Oh you really don’t want me near her? Where do you think I am when I’m not here with you?” He slid up behind you, hand running over your exposed stomach and down.

The way you tensed and began to shake wasn’t lost on the two men, both unable to look away from the one part of your naked body they had tried so hard to ignore. When the disgusting man cupped your bloody privates, Hongjoong let out a yell, thrashing even more against the chains. They had been loosening them slowly, but now it hadn’t been fast enough.

Not when the blindfold was removed from your eyes and the dead look in them brought tears burning behind their eyelids. Not when you wouldn’t look at them, you didn’t even seem mentally there.

“Can’t say her pussy was so good that I’d fight like this for it. Maybe her mouth if she hadn’t tried to bite off my dick. Ass far too tight…” He grabbed your mouth as he talked, smearing some of the dried blood from your lips and then thrust his hips against your back. Hongjoong knew he was taunting, just rubbing in the damage he had done to you, and it was working.

Seonghwa tried calling out for you again, desperation and pain in his tone that twisted Hongjoong’s heart further. Once more you didn’t react.

“You son of a bitch let her go.” He threatened lowly, throttling hard enough the studs that kept the chair in place were beginning to break.

For the briefest moments they froze, the brandishing of the knife against your throat giving them pause. You didn’t even flinch, but you trembled. The fear radiating off of you was palpable. What the fuck had he done to get you like this?

Only the beating of their hearts told them time was still passing, even their breath halted, the smug look on the wolf’s face growing by the second. He opened his mouth to taunt, but all hell broke loose before he got a word out.

The next few moments rushed by quickly, all starting with Seonghwa finally picking the chain and the metal falling loosely around them. Either because he finally got it loose, or because of who they saw just in the shadows of the bright doorway. Before the wolf had time to react, the knife was pulled out of his hand and tossed to Hongjoong who caught it easily, just as a gun was thrown to Seonghwa, thanks to Jongho rushing into the room and dislodging you from the man.

Finally, just in time, the others were here. That bit of relief had the other two men moving with confidence, fueled by their rage of what was done to you.

You fell limply against Jongho’s chest as he kicked the man right into one of the spotlights. He tripped over it, both crashing to the ground, which Hongjoong took as his opportunity to pounce on the man.

He spared no mercy as he first slit the man’s throat, just a bit shallow so he would suffer, then jabbed the knife into him over and over before he could bleed out. He kept eye contact, wanting his fury known. Even long after the body was limp beneath him he kept going, Seonghwa having effectively eliminated the blood hounds with a precise bullet to each of their skulls, leaving no enemy alive.

Only his rage.

One stab for each mark on you. Each bruise. Each cut. For the number of times this disgusting being had probably violated you. For the dead look in your eyes, the way you trembled.

It was all Hongjoong could do, screaming at the dead man as if it could somehow take away the pain he inflicted on you.

Seonghwa had to walk over and peel Hongjoong off of the dead body, grabbing his wrist to get him to drop the knife. They shared a look, Seonghwa shaking his head and then nudging his chin in your direction. He followed, tensing up at the sight of you huddled against Jongho’s chest, holding onto his shirt with such a death grip.

Hongjoong knew you both still didn’t trust or like each other, so it shocked him out of his rage, the pain boiling to the surface once more. Jongho was leaning against the wall, holding you to him with both arms around your back. You were laying your cheek against his shoulder, breathing heavily and uneven but seemingly dazed. Tears had started falling down your cheeks, and Jongho looked as pained as Hongjoong was feeling.

“We need to get her out of here Joongie.” Seonghwa gently prompted, rubbing his lover’s back. Despite how distraught he had been moments ago, Seonghwa sounded much more clear headed now. It helped ground Hongjoong, dropping the knife.

“Where… where are the others?” Hongjoong managed to get out, still panting from the excursion of, well, murdering someone brutally.

Jongho didn’t even look up from you, gaze glued to your face, following each tear that fell down your cheek. “Yunho is out front with the van, Mingi is setting up the explosives on the ground floor, San and I split up and he checked the floor below us-” He stopped as he heard music, the base vibrating through the concrete, and then it stopped. “That music was louder on the first floor, we took out the guards there when it was vibrating the place…” He trailed off when they heard screams.

San’s screams.

They were screams of anguish.

The three of them shared a silent look of understanding before glancing at you. He must have found the room you were kept in, aware the building was currently clear of enemies if he had entered the room to begin with.

Hongjoong looked at Seonghwa with a pleading look. “He’ll need you, I won’t be calm enough.”

“And I would be?” He hissed out, motioning to you just to have you flinch. It was both a good and bad sign. Good that you were still, to some extent aware of your surroundings… but that meant you were probably aware of what they just did. “Angel…” He sighed, relenting as he pocketed the gun and moved around slowly so as not to spook you. “Get her to the car, and then let's blow this place up.”

Seonghwa left then, hurrying down the hall and leaving behind silence. Hongjoong was afraid to reach for you at first, freezing up when his bloody hand got close. You stared at the blood there, seemingly more present, then looked up at him. He gave the softest most gentle smile he could muster at the moment. “Hey firecracker. You're safe now.”

Your gaze shifted to the dead body behind him, then back to him questionly. “Yes, I killed him. He hurt you, he didn't deserve to live another second. Now… do you want to go home with us? We can clean you up and feed you. Does that sound nice?”

The both of them waited for some answer from you, and it came in the form of wrapping your arms around Jongho's neck. The man held on tighter, looking up at his leader for answers on what to do.

Hongjoong motioned at the door. “Carry her out, she's probably in a lot of pain so be gentle. You have Yeosang on the line?” He pointed to his ear where the piece was. At Jongho's nod while he slowly picked you up, Hongjoong grabbed it and stuck It in his ear.

“How bad is it?” Yeosang immediately spoke into the piece and Hongjoong could hear a nervous clicking on the other side. “When I saw them grab her the other day I tried to get Yunho there I-”

“Yeosang. This isn't your fault.” Hongjoong chided as he followed Jongho out of the room, keeping an eye out but he knew Seonghwa would have dealt with any strangers on his way. “She's alive, but I need you to warn the others. Where is Wooyoung?”

“He's with Minjae at the base. He was going to bring them in as backup if needed. He won't… he won't handle it Captain.”

“I know. So you're going to tell him to check the other locations and safe houses we have with Minjae and the others and that I want a full report tonight. We need to…” his gaze flickered back to you, still trembling in Jongho's arms and hiding your face against his shoulder. Jongho himself looked as pained as Hongjoong felt, but he was whispering gentle words to you so low that not even Hongjoong could make them out. “We're going to give her time to rest before Wooyoung sees her.”

“Understood? What else?” There was a firmness to Yeosang's tone that took Hongjoong by surprise, but he pushed on.

“Just warn Mingi and Yunho not to panic. Hwa is with San. If Yunho has a blanket or something to cover her, he needs to have it ready. Contact Wooyoung’s mother for a female doctor, Firecracker might trust-”

Hongjoong broke off when he heard someone else on the connection. Seonghwa. “Joong… there are pictures of what he did to her. The bed is soaked in blood and the chains…”

“What the fuck do you mean?” Mingi's voice suddenly cut in, broadcasting on all channels. “What the fuck did they do to our Princess?!”

“Easy Mingi. She needs us calm right now okay? Get this building ready to blow.” Hongjoong attempted to pacify him as the ascended the stairs. The skipped the floor below, hitting the ground floor and headed for the entrance. Mingi met them first and Hongjoong quickly moved to get in the way.

He hated the way his eyes went big and glassy, the color draining from his face as he stared at you. When Mingi tried to reach out though, Jongho stepped back, shaking his head. “She just stopped shaking. Don't. No more surprises for her.”

Hongjoong was shocked by the defensiveness of Jongho’s tone, so was Mingi, both staring at him like the many just grew a second head.

Jongho dipped his head and just rushed off for the door, past the two dead guards there. So Mingi turned to Hongjoong, finally taking in the blood that covered him before asking. “Tell me that belongs to the one who hurt her.”

“It does.” It was Seonghwa that answered, holding an angry San by the back of the neck as they descended the stairs. “He's nothing more than a mutilated corpse. We started a fire in the room she was held in, but let's burn this whole place to the ground.”

“Is she…” San prompted, blood sneered on his cheek and a crumbled picture in his hand. “She’s alive right?” He refused to look at either of them, his shoulders and voice trembling.

Hongjoong knew that this was hardest for San no doubt, with his experience and his past with you. Softly Hongjoong patted his broad shoulders. “She needs us to be strong, okay? Would our firecracker want us looking at her like she's broken goods?”

“No.” The three others, and Yeosang, all chimed in.

“Then let's go. It's about time we take her home.” He guided them outside to the waiting van, the door was open and Jongho was sitting on the floor, his back against the driver seat a very pissed off Yunho sat in. The man was gripping the steering wheel hard enough the veins on his hands were sticking out.

Hongjoong forced Mingi up front, climbing in the back with Seonghwa who was already covering you up with the blankets since Jongho refused to let you go. Er, well, you were now holding onto his arm so Hongjoong could only assume you didn't let him.

That just hurt more.

No more than a few seconds of pulling away from the building did a series of explosions go off, the building crumbling to rabble but for Hongjoong that wasn't enough. He couldn't take away what had happened to you, just the place it did. Nor could he undo the fact it happened to you… because of him. Of them and where they had you.

Only silence accompanied the somber tension in the van.

Chapter Text

Somehow, despite Yunho’s speedy driving, you fell asleep by the time they arrived at their shared home: a small industrial building on the south river that was repurposed as their base of operations. It was also Hongjoong and Seonghwa’s main residence.

Hongjoong had Jongho take you right to the master bathroom, which he followed. Jongho didn’t want to set you down to undress you, so with the hot water running from the multiple shower heads, they both stood fully clothed as they washed you up. Jongho was careful to keep the water from hitting your face, turning you slowly and as carefully as he could while Hongjoong was just as gentle cleaning the blood - and dried semen - off your body.

It was an effort to remain calm, both freezing up when you made any movement to wake. How you managed to sleep through the entire shower, which was not quick by any means, only had them concerned. While it made sense you didn’t sleep during your time held hostage, it still hurt.

Stepping out of the shower they were faced with the dilemma of getting you dry despite both in their soaked clothes. A knock on their door drew their attention, Yunho freshly changed and standing in the doorway. “Hwa sent me as back up.”

As if handing off a fragile valuable, Jongho gently handed you over to Yunho and into the towel he had. He didn’t take his eyes off you, pain burning brightly in them. Hongjoong did the best to comfort their youngest, patting his back to avert his attention. “Let’s change and then regroup with everyone. She needs her rest. Is the doctor here yet?”

Yunho nodded, already leaving the bathroom. “I’ll send her in once I put Butterfly down. She said it was best to keep her naked until after she examines her. I’ll stay with her to put her in something comfortable after.”

“Good. Clothes- ah thank you.” Hongjoong trailed off as Yunho pointed to two piles of clothes on the counter before leaving with you.

Once both men were dressed in clean clothes, and Hongjoong was sure there was no more blood on him, they left to join the others downstairs, passing the doctor Haru sent on the way.

Seonghwa had changed and cleaned up as well, standing behind the large sofa that both Yeosang and Mingi were sitting at, San pacing off to the side. There were no remnants of the rescue mission on any of them: no blood or dust or dirt. As if reading his mind, Seonghwa spoke up. “We didn’t want any reminders of what happened in case Angel woke up and saw us. Is she…?”

“She slept through the whole shower and is now being checked out by the doctor. Yunho is going to stay and get her comfortable after.” With a deep breath, Hongjoong crossed his arms over his chest. “Let’s make this quick, I want a debrief.”

“Now?” Mingi gawked, swallowing any other retort at Hongjoong’s glare. “Right. Um, Yeosang?”

Yeosang glared at him for throwing him under the bus, but sighed and relented. “She never left the safe house.” He knew what they wanted to know the most, how you had gotten caught. Why you hadn’t been safe. “After Seonghwa let her go and joined you to fight off the Blood Hounds, she tried to find you both.” He swallowed hard, remembering what he had seen on the screen at the time, the pride he had felt followed by the fear. “Some had stayed behind after you both gave yourself up. You were barely in their van when she… she killed one of them, and then got caught. They had her in a different car.”

“By the time Yunho and I got there, she was long gone.” Mingi added on, looking up at his leader. “Yunho thought it would be a good idea not to let the others know right off the bat, considering San was knee deep in Viper territory and Wooyoung was the middle man for some negotiations. He didn’t want to risk either of them getting too emotional.”

“You didn’t tell me until the day of!” San swiveled on his heel as he snapped at him. “I could’ve been out looking for her sooner!”

“San, he has a point.”

“Don’t give me that shit Seonghwa! She was held hostage and tortured, and the fact no one told Wooyoung is-”

“You haven’t either.” Yeosang chimed in nonchalantly. “He just knew about Captain and Hwa.”

San however looked away with obvious guilt on his face, broad shoulders somehow getting even more tense. “Of course I didn’t. He would’ve-”

“And you would’ve too.” Hongjoong brought the attention back to himself. “Both you and Wooyoung will act first, plan after, especially if it would come to her. So if we wanted her back to us alive, Yunho made the right call.” That was the reason he was third in command. He made smart and logical decisions even in the middle of chaos. There were times both Hongjoong and Seonghwa had needed Yunho to keep them levelheaded even, especially when it came to you. “But we will have to tell him now. Once she’s a bit more rested.”

“You know… it was shocking how Jongho reacted.” Mingi pointed out, drawing attention to the youngest who had been silent behind Hongjoong. “You volunteered to work on it, looking around the area the van was last spotted at well through the night.”

Jongho was visibly uncomfortable at the topic, swallowing hard. In fact he was avoiding everyone’s gaze. “I thought they were going to kill her.”

Silence fell over the room, a solemn tension as they each thought of how they would’ve felt if the Blood hounds had actually killed you. Would it have spared you from the torture? No, chances are they would have tortured you until you died. That just left how empty they would have felt with you gone, the guilt that would eat them alive.

They were still wrestling with those thoughts as Wooyoung strutted in up the stairs, letting out a sigh of relief. “You’re back!” He ran over with the intent of hugging them, but slowed once he got to San, noticing his body language and how the bigger man seemed to shrink away from him. “Sannie? What happened?”

No one wanted to be the one to break the news, but they couldn’t hide it. Seonghwa and Hongjoong shared a look while Yeosang pulled out his tablet to look through the camera’s; he probably had one Junghoon on surveillance back at the precinct so he could be here for you. Mingi very obviously avoided looking at Wooyoung, even Jongho couldn’t hide the guilt on his features.

Wooyoung looked at each of them, expression hardening as he realized quickly they were keeping something from him. Before he could question however, the door to the closed off loft, Seonghwa and Hongjoong’s area, opened and down the steps the doctor descended. Wooyoung’s eyes narrowed, recognizing the woman. “Dr. Handong?”

The woman adjusted her glasses as she stepped forward, adjusting the bag over her shoulder. “I finished my examination, it’s just like you had said. Most of the cuts done were pretty shallow, but there were some older ones that were pretty deep. My best guess is due to struggling.” She had ignored most of the men and spoke directly to Hongjoong and Seonghwa. “No broken bones that I could make out, though her ankles and wrists are swollen from the binds she had been in. I left some painkillers and instructions for her care with the one upstairs and I can send over a female nurse to oversee her care for about a week?”

“Can someone explain to me what’s going on? She’s not talking about our Goddess is she? Why would she be all banged up?” Wooyoung’s voice rose an octave as he barked out questions, a tremble that grew with each word.

“Wooyoung…” San reached out for him, but the man dodged him and stepped more in the room. “I think you know why.”

Hongjoong moved to block Handong from Wooyoung’s view, needing this taken care of first. “Is there a reason a female nurse needs to be present? We can take care of her can’t we?”

“No offense, but from my experience women don’t tend to lean on men after one has assaulted her in this way for days. She’s torn up pretty bad there, and it’s going to hurt and be uncomfortable for her to use the restroom, maybe even sit. It’s likely she’ll prefer female company, and a nurse would be able to make sure she is properly cleaned so no wounds get infected.” Handong replied coolly, unaffected by the reactions of the men. “You can leave the decision up to her, call me should she request one. My lady also extended the offer to have her recoup with us.”

“She’s not going anywhere!” Wooyoung’s shout startled Hongjoong enough to glance back, not at all surprised to see the fury and pain on his features. “Her home is with us and we’ll take care of her. My mom knows that.” He hissed out, pulling his arm from San’s grip and marching past the others.

Mingi stood up to try and stop him, but Wooyoung was nothing if not quick.

Jongho however grabbed him, yanking him back from the stairs. “Will you stop, she’s sleeping.”

“Oh now you give a damn about her? After all the shit you said, you care how she is?” Wooyoung snapped out, struggling against his grip. “Let me go! You all did a fine job taking care of her after all.”

“Wooyoung that’s not the case and you know it.” Hongjoong followed him in an attempt to help Jongho pull him away. Seonghwa had swept in and was seeing Handong out, the others rushing in to also keep Wooyoung from disturbing you.

But he could be a force to be reckoned with, especially when it came to you recently. He climbed over Jongho and onto the stairs, both of them scrambling and beginning to fight. Somehow Wooyoung was on top, connecting a fist to Jongho’s jaw and giving up on passing him. Instead, he released his anger out on him. “Stop keeping me from her!”

“Woo!” San reached for him again, just to be elbowed back. The stairs were too narrow for them all to intervene.

“Shut up San! It’s his fault! If he hadn’t been so dead set on keeping her out just because of his hurt pride she wouldn’t have been there! We could have kept her safe better!” He brought his fist down again, Jongho catching it and rolling them over and held him down.

“Will you shut up! She’s sleeping!” Jongho hissed out, pinning his arms above his head but that didn’t stop Wooyoung from squirming under him.

“Like you give a damn with your ‘I hate all women now that I was two timed by one’ mentality! Seriously get over yourself! You’re just fucking pissed your ego got hurt.” He spat out, earning a punch from Jongho that had his head hitting the concrete stairs.

“You don’t have room to talk, throwing a fit she didn’t fuck you first.”

Suddenly Jongho was yanked off, surprisingly by Hongjoong, and pushed back into the others that held him still. “You two, enough. We can bitch about who’s fault it is all day but that does nothing to help her right now. It happened, she’s hurt, right now she needs-”

“Don’t tell me what she needs, Captain.” Wooyoung hissed out as he sat up, glaring at Jongho intently. “San and I both told you all how well she fits. How perfect she is for us. But you didn’t want to believe it, insisting she was going to play us just like that bitch did you. She’s dead now, would it take her dying in your arms to get through your thick skull that she’s not like that?! Is that-”

“No!” Jongho’s broken cry interrupted him, shoulders falling as he vehemently shook his head. “She might as well have when I caught her today. I knew she would get hurt if she got wrapped up with us and she did! I was-”

“Right? Are you happy you are?” Wooyoung wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand, staring him down. “It was going to end up this one way or another. Either we killed her off or she ended up as one of us. Captain said so, Jongho! But you kept fighting! Every time we made a vote you insisted no, and this was an all or nothing decision!”

Jongho winced at his words, looking away and fists clenched at his sides. “I know… I-”

Yeosang stepped up to him, taking his hands in his for silent comfort. Just as he did, San made his way over to Wooyoung, hesitating to see if the man would even let him approach.

Wooyoung did, reaching out for him. “Am I wrong Sannie?”

Instead of answering, the man pulled Wooyoung onto his lap and held him. “Let’s not fight. Please? She needs us right now and… I need her to be okay.” He buried his head in the crook of Wooyoung’s neck, breathing him in as he held on tight.

Wooyoung softened significantly, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and holding him closer. “Oh baby, you’re right. I’m sorry… I can’t imagine how this feels for you.”

Now that it seemed Wooyoung was calming down, focusing more on finding comfort and giving comfort with San, Hongjoong let out a long sigh. He moved to offer comfort as well, just to wobble and lean against the railing. “Shit…”

They had been so concerned with you that Hongjoong had forgotten that he too had suffered torture, even if it was no where near as extensive as yours. It had been days since he ate or drank anything after all, and then somehow finding the strength to pull Jongho off Wooyoung? He was starting to crash from the adrenaline, now in the safety of his home, all of his lovers safe and secure.

Mingi was the one to catch and support Hongjoong when his legs gave out, having been silent the whole time. The man had his thoughts on the situation, but no one was in a condition to listen. “Should we get takeout?”

The simple question had a few of them laughing, food on no one’s mind but definitely on their stomachs with the few growls that resounded.

“No need, I’ll cook.” Wooyoung lifted his head, voice strained from the silent tears he was finally letting slip. “I don’t plan on going anywhere any time soon, Sannie and I can take care of our baby girl upstairs.”

“That’ll be good.” Seonghwa called out from across the room, finally rejoining them. “Joong and I will eat and then rest down here. We all can take turns sitting upstairs with her in case she wakes up. We don’t want her to be alone.”

Hongjoong nodded, leaning into Mingi and thankful for the support. “We’ll need some of you to be out on the field, but we can rely on Minjae and the others to oversee the Pirates main functions for now. Wooyoung can do a lot of work from here as can Yeosang so…”

“I’ll have Yechan bring me some things from my place at the precinct, I don’t want to leave.” Yeosang chimed in, his entire focus still on Jongho. “You want to stay too, right?”

Slowly he nodded his head, leaning into Yeosang. “My jaw hurts.”

Yeosang cracked a smile while Wooyoung laughed. “Good! My strength training is paying off. Soon I’ll have San sized muscles!”

“Oh please, like we need more muscle.” Yeosang teased, taking Jongho over to the couch.

Mingi also took that as a sign to start helping Hongjoong over to one of the couches around the large open spaced area. After setting him down, he helped Seonghwa. Wooyoung and San had gotten up and made their way to the open kitchen with the intention of feeding and taking care of the others. San started grabbing drinks while Wooyoung put all of his energy into cooking.

Were any of them really okay? No. Silence fell over them as they busied themselves with whatever task, but every single one of them constantly glanced over at the windows of the loft, the black curtains hiding the room and any sound inside. They fretted over when you would wake up, over what your reaction would be, and so forth.

Wooyoung made a small feast and had it laid out on the coffee table so Hongjoong and Seonghwa could eat easily, the others also digging in with uncharacteristic silence. No flirting from Wooyoung or fight stories from San. No old man jokes from Jongho or mom and dad moments from their Captain and Vice. No teasing Mingi, or shenanigans that usually surrounded them when they ate together in this place.

Nothing but a heavy weight on their shoulders that didn’t feel any better with each bite.

Wooyoung finally convinced Hongjoong to let him take food up to Yunho and for you, the man rushed up the stairs with a tray after he fretted over making it pretty for several moments. Stepping into the room he held the tray tightly so as not to drop it, but his heart felt like it fell through the floor.

Yunho was on the bed with you on his lap, sobbing as he rocked back and forth gently. He looked up when Wooyoung entered, making a motion to keep quiet, but it drew your attention.

You lifted your head just as Wooyoung set the tray down nearby. Seeing the tears run down your swollen and red eyes hurt, but not as much as when you dislodged yourself from Yunho and lifted your arms up to Wooyoung.

The man burst into tears, easily sweeping you into his arms as he sat on the bed next to you. “It’s okay baby girl, you’re safe now. We aren’t going to let anything like that happen again.”

You sniffled and sobbed, burying your head into the crook of his neck. “Wooyoung- don’t leave me.”

The broken tone just tore at his heart even more and he sobbed silently into your hair that smelled of Seonghwa’s shampoo and conditioner. “Course not Goddess, how could I leave you? Never again you hear? I love you too much for that.” His own voice trembled with the confession, hands rubbing up and down your back, recognizing one of Mingi’s shirts that he kept here. They all had some clothes kept here and it was a joy to see you in them, to have you smelling like them and holding onto him like this. He just hated how it came about.

His confession seemed to relax you, the soft touch of your dried lips on his neck sending a shiver down his spine as you breathed him in. “I love you too.” Just as his words had eased your mind, your confession eased his. He moved to lay you down under the blankets, continuing to hold you close and comfort you as best he could.

Chapter Text

To say you haven’t had a moment alone would be an understatement. Someone was with you always, even when you had to use the restroom. Which- that was an embarrassing situation on its own, but after you had tried to take care of yourself alone the first time… well the embarrassment was better than the pain and anguish.

Surprisingly you didn’t mind someone glued to your side at all times. If it wasn’t Wooyoung, it was San. If it wasn’t one of them, it was Seonghwa. On occasion there were multiple. Sometimes Hongjoong was in here with Seonghwa, sometimes Yeosang was sitting in the corner on his laptop while Wooyoung or San, or both, had your undivided attention.

You couldn’t say how long had passed. A week? Maybe more? You hadn’t really moved from the room you were in, everything you could possibly need was brought to you. Food, water, any clothes from your apartment or belongings. Though you opted more for their clothes, the eager way some of them had begun to fight over who’s clothes you would wear next had you laughing.

Only for it to die as soon as you noticed the way they were looking at you. In awe, like their chest was aching.

It felt… wrong.

You were both grateful and appalled at the attention, and at the way they gave it. Ready to serve you, which from Wooyoung was normal and easy to accept- but when it was Seonghwa? Or the rare moments Mingi or Jongho or Yunho were here and soft with you… it left a bitter taste in your mouth.

None of them talked about it. They didn’t mention what had happened, nor the days before. Not even when you woke up screaming from a night terror, fighting off and hitting Hongjoong who had been the one watching you. The fact they felt the need to watch you was aggravating to say the least. Yet you couldn’t bring yourself to be the first to say it. To mention it. To speak it into existence.

Once the pain began to subside, it was easier to forget it happened, pushing it to the back of your mind. In fact you were determined to act as if it had never happened, which wasn’t very easy to do, sandwiched between Wooyoung and San.

They were the touchiest, which you didn’t mind. Wooyoung was always touchy, but unlike before they were gentle and sweet: cupping your cheek, playing with your hands, kisses to your knuckles, and back rubs. San gave the better back rubs, rough and larger hands easing the tension there, but there was still a hard limit to how much they would touch you, as if the wrong touch would set you off.

With a huff you pushed yourself up, both of them sitting up just as quickly ready to get you anything you needed. You let the annoyance show. “I’m hungry and I want to shower. One of you is a radiating heater and I am laying in my own sweat for fuck’s sake.”

San chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry Sweetcheeks, I can help you with the shower-”

“No, I want to shower by myself. You can help Mister Chef with the food.” You stared down your nose at him, daring him to say otherwise.

“How about I stay right here just in case you need me?”

“San.” You warned, ignoring Wooyoung who was watching the battle of wills with his fingers over his mouth in shock. “I can handle a fucking shower by myself.”

Sensing this was something you weren’t going to budge on, he sighed. “And you can shower by yourself, but I would like to sit out here and wait for you in case you do need me. I’ve been cleaning you up all week, who knows you might want me to fix the spots you missed.” He winked, resulting in you rolling your eyes.

His words did make you feel less suffocated, and you knew that was why he said them, which just had you conflicted. He read you a little too well sometimes.

“Fine then. Chef Wooyoung-”

“Yes my lovely Goddess?”

“I would like to come downstairs and eat so take your time.”

“Hm alright, I’m sure the others have suffered without my cooking anyways. Enjoy your shower Goddess. Would you like my clothes today?”

“I’m wearing them now.” You pointed out with a smirk. His sweats were the ones that fit you the easiest. “But I suppose.” Patting his head you climbed around them, ignoring the twinge of pain from your sore muscles. Being bedridden did numbers on your body, even recovering, but you ignored the damage in favor of putting on a brave face.

You also ignored their gazes on your back as you made your way to the bathroom, completely forgetting the fact that you had showered daily since coming here. Sometimes twice. Usually to keep your wounds clean, but mostly because you felt unclean. And each time, Wooyoung or San, or even Seonghwa, would stand in the shower in their swim shorts and a shirt to bathe you properly.

Before, you would focus all your attention on them, just follow their lead. Let them take care of you. It was easy.

Now, as you stare in the mirror with the shirt off, it was not easy.

The cuts and bruises had faded significantly but they were still there. There was still so much proof of what had happened. How can you pretend it didn’t when it was right there?

Taking a deep breath you pushed forward, muttering under your breath it was fine. You had left the bathroom door cracked, despite telling yourself it would have been fine to lock it and give yourself some space but the idea of you alone in a locked room?

You could handle this, you weren’t broken. He didn’t break you. It was just a shower.

Mentally you talked yourself through each step until you were under the nice luxury shower, shutting your eyes and letting the water run down your body.

Big mistake.

There was no San or Wooyoung to keep you grounded. No clothes or sounds to remind you where you were, or keep your head out of that place.

You just wanted to forget. Just wanted to move on. But no matter how much you told yourself it didn’t happen, there was so much irrefutable proof that it did. No matter how much you didn’t want it to affect you, it did.

A scream erupted from you as arms were wrapped around you and you were pulled out of the shower. You slammed your fists down, hitting broad shoulders, but it didn’t deter whomever had you.

Not until you recognized San saying your name repeatedly.

You locked up, eyes flying open with fresh tears running down them. He had fresh scratches on his cheek from your nails, but his eyes held nothing but concern for you. “Are you with me now?”

Slowly you nodded, realizing you were panting- no hyperventilating just a moment ago. “I- yes. Yes I’m here.”

“Good. We need to talk.” He turned the shower off and then grabbed a towel. He wrapped you up and carried you out to the bedroom, door shut and curtains pulled tight: usually both were open so you didn’t feel more trapped.

They put so much effort into making you feel safe, you really didn’t know how to handle it. Was it because you were broken? No good to them? Or did they just feel like sucking up after what happened. You knew they felt guilty, from the moment you had latched onto Yunho when you woke up frightened. Then Wooyoung’s promise- which he had been keeping.

It was their way of caring for you, you couldn’t fault them for that. You just hated the why. Why they had to do so much. Treat you this way. And that without it you would be far more lost than you were now. You couldn’t run from it no matter how much you tried. How much you wanted to.

So as San sat you on the mattress and knelt before you, you peeled yourself away from him and grabbed the blankets to cocoon yourself in comfort. “Why did you come into the bathroom?”

San looked a bit perplexed, knees on the floor so he was still beneath you of sorts. “You were sobbing, quite loudly, and when I went in there you were struggling to breathe.” By your reaction, he gathered you hadn’t been aware of that. “Listen, I'm no stranger to these types of panic attacks. Sweetheart you have PTSD, which is understandable considering what happened. But pretending it didn’t happen isn’t going to fix it. Our bodies remember years after these things happen. I still struggle sometimes.”

Hugging the blanket tight you stared at him through the small hole you left yourself to breathe. “What do you mean? You went through something like that? Really?” It was hard to hide your disbelief, after all who could have gotten the jump on San? Big, muscly, trained to fight San?

He smiled wryly at you, and nodded. “Yeah… I did. I uh, guess it’s about time I let you in on my little secret. We went to school together, in fact you used to kick my ass in Taekwondo. I was a lot smaller then, higher pitched voice. Seemed to hit puberty late- yeah, now you remember.”

The more he had described himself, the more you did. The small twink that was a grade under year, and the only kid that wasn’t afraid to spare with you in your last year of high school. But he was shy, didn’t talk to you much, and he didn’t look much like the man before you. “But… didn’t that Choi San go missing shortly after his graduation? Don’t tell me you just joined up with these guys?”

He scoffed, but shook his head. “No, something happened first.” He crossed his arms over the mattress and rested his chin on the back of his hands, dropping the bomb. “I got sex trafficked. Red Wolves. I was one of the few that got sold in the city instead of shipped off, one of the Golden Circle business men had a certain… taste. It’s been a couple years but I still freak out about the idea of bottoming. I just…” He sighed, trailing off despite the bit of hurt in his voice. “Not with anyone here usually, but some days my mind just pluments and I can’t help it.”

Tears sprung back into your eyes at the imagery his words created. To imagine San, the sweet sunshine boy you remembered, going through something like that? “How’d you get out?”

“Wooyoung.” He brightened considerably at the name, smiling up at you. “He was hired as a call boy by the guy to do some things with me. He got me out by pulling some strings, and then put me here. I’m not the only one he got out of a tough bind, Yeosang too. He’s working hard to hopefully get his mother out of her situation but, that’s a lot harder than buying a sex slave or freeing you from someone else’s hold. Mingi too knows what it’s like, his mom got him into some serious shit when he was a minor.”

Your heart hurt for every single one of them. You couldn’t imagine the pain and fear you felt belonging to one of these men. Sure they were mafia. Sure they lied to you. But how could you doubt them when they had treated you like this the past week or so?

So much made sense, and it warmed your heart to know their care wasn’t out of pity, but understanding. They knew the fear that you were put through. And they knew what came after.

“Does it… does it ever go away?” You mumbled out, scooting closer and reaching for him.

San didn’t hesitate, sitting up straighter and holding his arms out. You climbed down onto his lap, shivering at the cold but he pulled the blankets back over you, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“Yes and no. It’s something that’s going to live with you forever. It’ll shape a lot of what you do, but if you mean the pain… that does go away. As long as you address it and feel it when it pops up. But then you have to remind yourself that it’s in the past. That man can’t hurt you any more- hell Hongjoong made sure of that. He was covered in the man’s blood.”

“I remember. I didn’t…. I didn’t know what to think about it at the time. I could barely process that Hongjoong and Seonghwa were there. That they were tortured too. I realize not like me… or maybe?”

“Yeah, what you went through was that bastard's way of trying to hurt them too. And I’m sorry about that baby girl. You're always going to be a weak spot for us, because we care so much about you. Wooyoung told you he loved you… he’s not the only one you know.” San gently rubbed your back, the same way he had every chance he got recently. It soothed you, helped regulate your breathing, and now you knew he did it because it probably worked for him too.

Smiling, you buried your face into his neck and breathed him in, always a comforting scent. “Are you going to confess now too?”

“Honestly I’m ashamed I wasn’t the first one. I liked you long before they even knew you.” He admitted with a huff and you could feel him smile as you laughed. “Even when you kicked my ass I thought you were the coolest girl and I had the biggest crush.”

Lifting your head you arched a brow. “Oh, now I see, that’s what you meant when you had said you had imagined pinning me down so many times. Twink 3000 was a major pervert huh?” You teased, laughing even more as he blushed, stumbling over his words.

“I was hoping you would forget I said that-”

“How can I?” You interrupted, cupping his jaw and forcing him to look at you. “There were times he would… touch me… that I comforted myself by thinking about those times with you guys. With you in the gym, Mingi, Wooyoung… I didn’t want to be scared of being touched like that.”

He softened, bringing his hands to your sides and holding you there. “It’s okay to be scared of it. It’s okay if you don’t trust us like that yet. Or ever again. We aren’t going to think less of you. We aren’t going to get upset if you don’t want us like that. Or if you only want one of us like that. Jongho doesn’t fuck all of us. Yeosang doesn’t either. Captain and Hwa share this bed, they’re a bit more than the rest of us but that’s fair. No one expects you to love or want us equally, but that doesn’t make you less of an equal in the ways that count.”

“Sannie-”

“It’s okay if you start crying randomly, or you need space or need the opposite. If you need a break or need to work. You went through something traumatic and you’re going to figure your triggers out and go through it differently than us.”

“Sannie.” You said it a bit louder this time, trying to get him out of his little tangent.

But he kept going, intent on getting his point across. “We just don’t know what you need yet so we were doing what works for us until you do but there isn’t anything wrong if you wanna keep this up too so like-”

“San!” You snapped out, then crashed your lips to his.

He was so startled he fell back, holding you to him but responding without hesitation once the shock passed. Of course kissing wasn’t something you thought you would want to do. Anything sexual, just as he had pointed out, but this was San.

This was your rock, your solid mountain. Your dimpled sunshine and perfect muscly pillow and you loved him. Just as much as you did Wooyoung.

Sure you hadn’t intended on confessing to the little yapper, but you had been spurred on his and knowing you were loved after what happened was oddly healing. There was a long way to go though.

Your hands found San’s hair, curling in the short black strands and moaning against the kiss as you proved to yourself you could enjoy this. At least until his hands roamed down to your ass. Pulling away while simultaneously catching your breath you grabbed his hands. “Kisses for now. And yes, I love you. If you had stopped with your big ‘It’s okay’ speech for two seconds I could tell you that.”

He chuckled bashfully but was grinning up at you so much his dimples were on full display. “You looove me~”

“This is the part where you say it back dumbass.”

He laughed, sitting up just as he swept you into his arms and somehow managed to get you on the bed and him on his feet in a matter of seconds. “I love you too baby girl. Now let’s find those clothes for you and then we can go downstairs and eat. Though I am vetoing you being alone naked, or in a locked room until you actually feel comfortable and am not doing it just because we annoyed you with our clinginess.”

With a pout you nodded in agreement. Considering both seemed to be things you just couldn’t handle alone - yet - you could agree there. “Can I freely roam the building then and, I don’t know, try and do some work?”

“Oh so you do want to work?” He hummed out, moving over to the bin of clothes that had been gathered for you. “As a detective or…”

Now that was the real question. Traumatizing hostage experience aside, and your love for two of these men, where did you stand with them? As individuals, in a career sense… in a partner sense?

“I guess I should talk to everyone and figure it out shouldn’t I?”

Chapter Text

It was a lot more nerve wracking descending the stairs than you thought, a lot less prepared for this conversation than you had hoped for. You could see the majority of the open space, the industrial pipes and vents above with the fans blowing air. The whole space was renovated nicely, with a large sitting area that doubled as a game or theater set up with the large flat screen on the stone wall. Shelves occupied the rest full of books and other items, including a dagger and sword collection.

Wooyoung was the last to notice your presence, moving about the large industrial type kitchen cooking up a feast just as you had asked, but the others had all stopped to look up at the stairs the moment the door opened.

San had let you step out first, taking it slow as you fought off the panic that threatened to engulf you. You told yourself you had no reason to be scared, they wouldn’t hurt you. Yeosang was watching from over his monitors he had set up on the dining table, Jongho standing next to him, while the other four were standing in the living area discussing something important if you had to guess from their demeanor.

They just… stared. Some smiled, like Hongjoong and Yunho, even Yeosang had a shy little smile. But otherwise their concern was so evident it almost made you turn and run back into the room. Wooyoung, bless him, noticed that when he noticed you.

“There’s my pretty girl- hey! Y'all stop gawking at her! Not unless you’re going to get on your knees and beg for her love.” He pointed his spatula at a few of them as if ready to hit.

Yunho chuckled and made his way over to meet you at the bottom of the stairs. “Sorry about that butterfly, we’re just happy to see you moving about.”

You rolled your eyes but took his outstretched hand once you reached the last step. “Yeah, well, get used to it. I’m not about to be some doll you keep in a box.”

He smiled wider, stopping you there instead of helping you down like you thought. “Wouldn’t dream of it Butterfly, you’re meant to fly after all.”

Blushing at his comment, you gently smacked his shoulder. “Shut it charmer, I’m hungry and I’d like to chit chat.”

“Of course, anything you want.” He hummed out and then swept you into his arms. He hadn’t been as clingy as the other two, so the contact threw you off, for a moment reminding you of the night you found out everything.

It left a bad taste in your mouth and had you scrambling out of his arms. “I can walk just fine.” With a huff you moved past him to the others: in particular Hongjoong. “I want answers. Please.”

He nodded, sombering up and looking to the others. They each sat down and both Yeosang and Jongho made their way over. Yunho took his seat next to Mingi, placing a hand on his thigh to still Mingi's bouncing leg, Yeosang sitting next to Mingi on the other side and and Jongho sat on the arm next to him, all on one sofa. You glanced at San to have him sit, which he did, sitting on the far end of the other couch next to Seonghwa.

Even Wooyoung paused in his cook, leaning against the counter and giving you all his attention.

While you were thankful they did, none of them standing above you and giving you ample space, the intensity of their stares made you uneasy. Unwavering attention, somber expressions, even Jongho’s usual tense demeanor was for a different reason: concern for you.

Taking a deep breath, you let it out in a huff, placing your hands on your hips and furrowing your brow with a playful glare. “I swear to fucking God if you don't relax a little I'm going to start swinging! I'm not going to suddenly combust and I'm not made of crystal either.”

At your threat, there were some tense smiles, but other Wooyoung scoffing in the kitchen no one relaxed.

“Yes you are.”

Surprisingly, it was Jongho who spoke up, drawing your attention with eyes wide with shock. “What did you say?” You took a step closer, ready to fight him on it. You weren't fragile. You weren’t-

“You are fragile. Ready to combust. Crystal or glass or whatever.” He repeated, shifting on the arm rest as Yeosang grabbed his arm with alarm. “I'm just saying what everyone is thinking! And it's true. When I found you…”

As he trailed off you stepped forward, thigh brushing his knee as you stared him down with a locked brow. “What? What about it?!”

“Easy Gorgeous, this is what you wanted to talk about right?” Hongjoong stood up to try and intervene but you held up a hand to stop him, gaze locked onto Jongho's in a battle of wills.

“When I found you… when you held on to me, I thought… I thought we lost you for good.” His tone significantly softened, but he held eye contact, seeming just as shocked as you were by his words. “We don't want to lose you.”

“And when was I ever yours to lose Choi Jongho? Maybe some of the others but yours? Don't make me laugh.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes and waving him off dismissively.

Just for him to grab your hand and pull you closer. Out of reaction. You brought your other hand down in an attempt to hit him, just for him to grab your wrist. Both were now locked in his hands, his feet hooking behind your calves and effectively trapping you against him while he still sat on the arm of the couch unwavering.

“Let. Me. GO!” You still struggled, but while you were smaller and could be quick, he was much more physically fit and overpowering. Despite your best efforts your breathing became labored, eyes wide with unbridled fear as your body reacted from trauma as opposed to Jongho himself.

Despite his rough grip, his face softened. “Look at me, little one, I’m not going to hurt you.”

Stiffening at the pet name, heat flooded your senses, mingling with the icy fear that was in your veins and somehow balancing it out. He didn’t say anything else, nor make a move, just waited out for your struggling to seize. Instead you deflated, hands balled into fists to try and keep your fingers from trembling more than they were.

“Why does it matter to you?” Your previous demeanor to take action and demand answers was long gone, the vulnerable side of yourself that you often rejected coming back to the surface. These men had a way of bringing it out, apparently that meant Jongho as well.

“I…” He started, dropping his hands from your wrists to settle on his thighs, giving you the option to back out if you wanted. When you didn’t, he continued, a tremble in his voice. “You… you matter to me little one, more than I’d like to admit. Butting heads with you, watching you thrive in this kind of work, seeing the way you interact with my partners here… It all matters to me. I’m sorry I reacted poorly, I thought if I could get you to walk away before you got too deep there was a chance for you to be happy elsewhere but… that’s not an option anymore is it?”

You shook your head, staring at him as if he had just grown a second head. Softness was not something you expected to ever see from this man, and coupled with the pet name it had you feeling some type of way. “No… it’s not. I want to be a part of this. No, I need it. With you all. I want…” You paused, taking a deep breath to gather up what courage you could, turning to look at every single one of them before meeting Jongho’s still soft gaze. It felt like you had to tell him this the most. “I want to join the Black Pirates.”

The way he smiled up at you had the apples of your cheeks burning, for a brief second finding him adorable. “For new members we take a vote and if it’s not unanimous, it fails. Should we take a vote?” He looked to the others, but you were staring at him, a question in them. “It’s not the first time for the vote… no, but I disagreed every time. I get it if that makes you angry at me.”

Swallowing hard, you shook your head. Now that you understood a bit of why he was so hateful to you, you couldn’t be upset with his actions. Well, not at this moment. You might give him hell for it later though. “Just you though?” You couldn’t help but glance over at Yeosang and Yunho, having thought they two might have protested at least. You know San and Wooyoung wanted you since the first time you met them both, and the others had shown so as well over the last few weeks.

Yeosang caught you looking at him and smiled sheepishly, nodding his head. “I want you here. I uh- well…” He trailed off, getting more bashful the more you stared expectantly.

It was Wooyoung that chimed in, making his way over in a rush, announcing himself with a giggle before he pulled you back against him once he was sure you would not panic about it. “Sangie is obsessed with you, Goddess. Asks about you constantly, praises you. It’s so fucking cute to get him flustered just by mentioning you. You know, if you sat on his lap right now he would practically combust? He’s never been with a woman, just us, you could teach him a few things.”

“Wooyoung!” San stepped in, huffing as he stood up. “Let’s not suggest things like that right now.”

“Why not? I think it would be very healing for her to hear just how much we want her and care about her. Did you know, love, that he’s been your secret admirer for awhile? Like that breakfast waiting for you the day you were late. Oh that was fun to get out of him.”

You could hardly process what he was saying, watching the way Yeosang fidgeted and now refused to look at you, much like a shy boy in the presence of his crush. When Jongho slid his hand through the man’s hair, eliciting a low deep moan from him, your brain went haywire. Of course you had already decided Yeosang was adorable and had a lot of cute habits, like his lisp and the way he would preen at your praise just to name a few.

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.” Shit, were you actually getting aroused by this? It was a nice thought that you actually could, but you knew the act itself was off the table. Especially if Jongho touching you like that had adrenaline running in your veins ready to fight and run.

So you turned your attention right to Mingi who was sitting next to the pretty boy. He was watching with those boba eyes of his that melted your heart. You hadn’t talked to him since he had interrupted your time with Wooyoung, pouting from your lack of attention. “Do you want me here?” The sex, the shared moments in between, and the brief moments after… you couldn’t say for certain that he did want you here.

He looked offended you asked. “Of course I do Princess. Do you have any idea how badass and amazing you are? You’re an upgrade to our team for sure. And not just because the sex was amazing, I like you for way more than just that.” He elbowed Yunho next to him. “Right?”

Yunho nodded, smiling softly as he patted his thigh and met your gaze. “Remember what I told you, Butterfly? This is another way I meant it, as a Pirate. San has always been right about you being perfect for us, and that means in this way too. You’re a hard worker, you fight for what you believe in, and you’re a force to be reckoned with. My balls still hurt thinking about your knee, you know.” He teased with a wink, resulting in a blush on your own cheeks.

“I do feel bad about that but it didn’t seem to affect your performance.” You pointed out, shifting in Wooyoung’s arms.

The man tightened his hold on you, chin resting on your shoulder as he let out a whine. “And you know how San and I feel already. We love you. Cherish you. Most definitely worship the ground you walk on Goddess. Having you as a Pirate with us? It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

Fighting off the smile that wanted to spread across your lips was hard, so you didn’t. Especially when you locked eyes with San, his own smile mirroring yours, his dimples on full display. “You two are charmers, I swear.”

San chuckled with Wooyoung, the broader man nodding. “It worked, we got you now don’t we?”

You couldn’t deny that, warmth spreading through your body at their obvious affection. That meant six out of eight agreed for you to join. Six out of eight of them wanted you, wanted to work with you as an equal and a partner.

Hesitantly you glanced at Seonghwa, feeling a bit intimidated despite knowing he did care for you. Still, you had held him at gunpoint, he had freed you at the safe house and you had, essentially, killed a man to try and fight for him and Hongjoong. Did they know that? How you had made that decision, in that moment, to fight for them? With nothing more than a knife?

The way Seonghwa softened, you thought maybe he did. You felt shy, insecure, anxiety eating in your chest. So much had happened, all the care shown to you over this last week being second guessed at this moment. And he seemed to know that.

“Angel?” He started, standing up slowly as you removed yourself from Wooyoung’s hold, his presence suddenly overwhelming for you. “Hey, it’s okay-”

“It’s not. It’s not okay.” You stammered out, backing away from Wooyoung to create some space as heavy weighted emotions took hold in your heart. It finally hit, not just what had happened by the Red Wolves hand, but what led up to it. Your questioning at gunpoint, the way Yunho fucked you, being held hostage by them and still choosing to fight. What if that changed things?

Did that really make you good enough? Did that really make you deserving of their words?

Seonghwa shared a quick glance with Hongjoong and both approached you, stopping when you backed up. The guilt and pain that twisted their features suddenly twisted your own emotions in your gut. “You don’t think you deserve this… do you? Being a Pirate?”

When you nodded, they reacted in a way that had you jumping, staring at Hongjoong now on his knees as he had fallen to them with a groan of pain. Seonghwa was shaking his head, using your shock over Hongjoong to close the distance and grab you by the waist. You jumped at that, attempting to pull away until you saw the gun.

“This is why, isn’t it? You don’t think we want someone that hurt us?” There was pure anguish in his voice, pushing it against your chest. “You think you’re a liability after what happened? And wondering just how we can agree to having you on board huh?”

You hated how right he was, holding onto the gun because he wasn’t giving you a choice. “You wouldn’t have gone with them if I wasn’t there. I wouldn’t have been there if I didn’t hold you at gun point. You wouldn’t-” You were shut up with a kiss, words muffled against Seonghwa’s lips as he held you tight against him. Your mind went blank, confusion settling under the bliss that came from his sweet lips on yours.

When he pulled away, he directed your attention to Hongjoong who was gripping his knees tightly, still on the ground but tense. He presented himself as if he was offering his life up to you for a mistake. And in hindsight, he was. He blamed himself for what happened, you could see it in his eyes, hear it in the way he said your full name, slowly and syllable by syllable. “We signed up for situations like that, you hadn’t. Being a Pirate means there will always be a chance of that happening again-”

The air in the room grew thick with a new tension, somber expressions befalling each member as they looked at you almost protectively. You normally would hate it, demand that you could take care of yourself.

But they knew you could, they admired that you could, and therefore their protective demeanor meant something entirely different to you.

Tears were running down your cheeks unexpectedly, finding new strength to pull from Seonghwa. He let you, watching as you were on your knees before Hongjoong the next second, wrapping your arms around his neck and holding onto him. He latched on, burying his face into the crook of your neck, trembling in your arms. “Being a Pirate means I’m with you, all eight of you, and that’s more than worth the risk Hongjoong. I can’t think of anywhere else I want to be, or that fits me more. Working with you all, being with you all, just… this is my home, isn’t it?”

There were arms wrapping around you both, a kiss pressed to the top of your head. You didn’t have to look up to know it was Seonghwa, the sound of his humming filling your ears. “Welcome home then Angel. We’re happy to have you.”

Hongjoong’s arms tightened around you, a wet spot forming on your shirt from his own silent tears. “We’re in this together, Firecracker. Promise not to let you get hurt like that again okay?”

As much as going through that again would terrify you, you glanced around the room, taking note of the others. Wooyoung was now holding San’s hand, freely crying while San was trying not too, both looking as if they wanted to come join. You waved them over, and they joined rather fast, surrounding you with so much warmth. Wooyoung on your right across from Seonghwa and San now behind you. Both kissing the top of your head just like Seonghwa did.

Then there were the other four, Mingi and Yeosang leaning into their respective partners, both Yunho and Jongho sharing a look of determination, all four watching you.

With your own determination, you took a deep breath and kissed the top of Hongjoong’s head instead. “If I do… I’ll be okay. I’ll have the eight of you right? I think I can handle anything if I have you all in my corner.”

The four of them squeezed you tightly, the amount of emotions in the room overwhelming but it felt right. It felt right to experience this with them all, to be vulnerable with them and receive this support. This is what it meant to be with them all, to be in this together.

Seonghwa said the final words, making it official as he seemed to comfort his family; his lovers. “Then together. Welcome home Angel.”

Chapter Text

There really isnt much to this other than to post about book 2! Doing this now as the masterlist is about to drop for it on tumblr as well!
The fic has been created with an AN so that you fellow readers can mark it down!
However, here is the good stuff! (legit just copied over my description from tumblr lol)

Pairing: Poly 0t8 Ateez x fem reader
AU: Mafia/detective
Genre: action, romance, thriller?
Summary: After 3 months since agreeing to join them fully, you had buried yourself into work to make up for how less you have been feeling since the traumatic incident. However, crime does not stop so you can properly heal, nor is it a burden you have to face alone. Eight is now nine, a lesson to be learned while also fighting for everything you believe in, and learning to believe in something new.
General Warnings: 18+, member x member smut content and side ships, poly dynamics, lots of gay, kidnapping, killing minor characters, some members showing sadistic sides. Reader is recovering from a huge trauma so there will be light triggers, panic attacks, etc. General dark themes like stalking, killing, kidnapping, cnc, blood play, and a criminal world that condones human trafficking, r@pe, child slavery, and more. Smut warnings on the chapters that have them.
About "Reader": For the sake of the story Reader is physically fit and professionally trained as a detective. There are some personality traits that are more based on the backstory of reader and so forth so I understand that it isn't entirely "reader insert". I try to avoid using y/n completely, thus the pet names. Reader is Fem for plot purposes however, reader's height, skin, weight, hair and eye color are left as vague as possible so you may picture her as yourself. Otherwise you can read it like an oc and picture your version of a femme fatale badass.
Author's Note: I would like to note that the city this all takes place in is fictional, same with the country. Like Gotham or something similar. I know nothing about being a detective or undercover work aside from what i've seen in dramas. The world, characters, and actions are completely fictional and do not reflect on any of the idols used in this fic!

Book 2 can be found on my page! Will be creating a Series Link as well!