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"Run!"
He's tired.
"Jungwon, you need to leave me behind!"
"I'm not tolerating your sacrificial ass right now. Move the fuck up and run!"
His legs feel like jelly, and his feet have been aching for the last three hours, but his body refuses to stop running. Even if there are explosions left and right, even if he hears his colleagues' screams—telling him to run to safety and call for reinforcements. He's trying to, okay? He's trying, but he's so so tired.
He clutched at his injured left arm, trying to stop the bleeding while running for his life together with his remaining teammates. Heesung's head is bleeding but he still willed himself to run with another person on his back, refusing to leave him behind. The person is still alive, but barely breathing. Sunoo could hear the person's quiet whimpers despite the chaos surrounding them.
"Heeseung hyung…you're struggling. Yo-you can…leave me here. Please."
"No. No. I'm not leaving you here, Jake. Don't make me do that again. Not again. Never again."
Sunoo gritted his teeth as he fought the tears from flowing down his cheeks. This has been a disaster; it shouldn't have happened like this. It wasn't supposed to be like this. The plan was perfect, the escape route was clear, and he was sure as hell that it was guaranteed that they would succeed in this operation. And yet here they are, currently running for their lives as they leave behind the mansion, slowly falling apart.
They didn't think of a possible mole in the force, and they didn't expect their targets to be sick in the head. He could still see the burning mansion at the back of his eyes, hear the voices of their people and the pawns the organization carelessly sacrificed without batting an eye, and see their wicked smiles, carefree laughter, and endless bickering as if what was happening was something normal. He felt shivers run down his spine when he witnessed how the organization's men stood still, not even screaming as the fire licked at their shoes. They're insane.
He didn't expect the one person he learned to trust and cherish to be the one to betray him.
'It's my fault.'
"Kim Sunoo, get your shit together and run faster!"
He jolted back to reality when a hand roughly yanked him forward, gripping his uninjured arm with an iron grip as they continued to run through the forest. Sunoo didn't realize he had stopped running. He can't see any of their men anymore; only the two of them remain. He's worried about Heeseung and Jake's safety, considering their current state.
"Ni-niki, I—"
"Stop. What you're thinking, stop. It's not true. You're just a victim, just like the rest of us. You're just an easier target because you're just so kind."
'You're too kind.'
Was it? Or was he just too naive that he didn't suspect a single thing about him? It was already right in front of him! He was there all along, yet he failed to notice it. He was a goddamn criminal for a reason.
'You're too kind, Sunoo-ya. Too naive. That kindness will be your downfall.'
'It really is my fault.'
If only he hadn't let his guard down. If he hadn't given that man a chance to redeem himself and have a small portion of power by being their guide and informant—
"If only I didn't become his friend, none of this would happen." he mumbled under his breath, his legs finally giving in and letting himself fall into the dirt. He could hear Niki's agitated voice calling out to him, but he couldn't get himself to look up and run again with him. He can't keep running forever now, can he? He should do something to make this stop or give them time to run to safety. Away from this cursed place.
But what can he do? It's all over. Their targets most likely escaped already, their goons were left behind to keep the police force from running after them, judging by how they were all too ecstatic about chasing them. It must be the Mad Dog's pack, who is known for being delighted in hunting down his prey like a hunting dog would.
Maybe if he does something, the others will be spared.
'Too naive.'
Shut up.
"Well, would you look at that? It was nice to see you still breathing and kicking, Sunoo-ya."
He stiffened at the familiar voice he had just heard, slowly lifting his head, and his heart started to beat faster. There stood at the end of the cliff, the very person he had been cursing inside his head for the betrayal and pain he had just inflicted on Sunoo. In all his glory, Sunghoon looked down at them with a manic smile, his face smeared with blood he was sure was not his own. Sunoo feels sick to his stomach.
"I was actually hoping that you were. It would be a shame to cut our story short right here, you know?"
He could feel rage emitting from Niki's body, and yet he still chose to protect Sunoo instead of lunging towards the other. Sunghoon laughed at their state, playing with his gun as he watched the scenery behind them in utter delight. Sunoo was scared at the difference in the man's sudden change in personality—his reserved and aloof personality that he worked hard to crack back at the station was easily removed in a matter of seconds, the moment his feet touched the ground of his home.
'So this is the real Sunghoon.'
"You really have the nerve to show your face to us after what you just did?" Niki said as he gritted his teeth in anger. Sunoo can see the amount of effort and patience Niki has not to jump at the other, judging by his clenched jaw when Sunghoon let out a confused noise.
"Why wouldn't I? Aren't I your guide since I know the nooks and crannies of my own home? I'm just trying to make sure that you guys don't get lost."
"This fucker—"
"Sunghoon-ssi."
"Yes, Sunoo-ya?"
Chills ran down his spine at how soft Sunghoon's voice had become when he spoke his name, how his gaze turned gentle when he looked at him. He let out a shaky breath and stood up, clutching at his injured arm, and took a step forward. He saw how Sunghoon zeroed in on his arm, but his gaze never changed. He swore he saw the corner of his lips curve upward.
"You. Was this all part of your plan?" he firmly asked, trying to keep his shaking in control. He's hoping for something, but he doesn't know what it is.
Sunghoon tilted his head, "What do you mean?"
"Right from the start," he took a deep breath, "Did you let yourself get caught to get close to us? Did you give us information willingly, not to help us but to lure us in?" Did you approach me just so you could destroy me?
Sunghoon didn't answer for a while, just staring right back at him blankly. He didn't even acknowledge Niki's words, demanding him to answer immediately, nor did he flinch at the massive explosion that had just happened.
And then he smiled, "Did I plan all of this? The Captain would be sad if he heard you say that, Sunoo-ya." he replied as he shook his head.
"Let me correct you: I didn't plan any of this. I'm nothing but just one of the many pawns in this game, though my boss holds me in higher regard than those lower goons," he shrugged his shoulders, looking a bit smug as he revealed his position, "It was the Captain's orders and my boss trusted me enough to carry out a very important mission."
"You're also right about this: I did feed you information to lure you into the lion's den. Why? Because Captain says so. Do I know the reason? Not really. All I know is that the Captain was a former officer of your station, and let's just say that…it was not the best experience for him."
"An officer? Cut the bullshit. We know that you and your people only did this for fun. All of you are fucking sick in the head and it shows with how you're enthusiastic about this hunt." Niki bit back. Sunghoon just sighed, admitting defeat as he lazily stared down at them.
"I don't care if you don't believe me. You can fact-check everything I've just said when you go back to the station. I bet you'll find Kim Hongjoong's name among the elite members of your station." he grinned as he watched both of the officers' expressions—it was as if cold water had been poured over them.
"Now to answer another one," Sunghoon smiled knowingly and shook his head, not breaking away his gaze from Sunoo's own trembling eyes. Sunoo took a sharp breath, and he couldn't help but be relieved. He couldn't believe himself; it felt like he was the one who was betraying his own friends. He wanted to slap himself for feeling relieved over a criminal assuring him that it wasn't like that at all.
That Sunghoon was genuine about him, despite being sick in the head like the rest of his family.
Another explosion occurred, and this time it was near where they were, but Sunghoon didn't even move an inch, still eyeing Sunoo from where he stood. He felt Niki grab his hand, his nerves screaming at him to run and hide to safety. But for some reason, he stayed rooted at his place, eyes not leaving the man in front of him.
"Sunoo, we need to get out of here." Niki whispered as he eyed the criminal sharply. Sunoo didn't answer. He doesn't want to run away just yet, not when he still wants to know the other's answer.
But answer to what exactly?
He let out a shaky breath when he saw Sunghoon look at him with gentle eyes. It was the first thing he came to adore from the other man. He liked the way he looked at him with the utmost fondness as if they'd been together through thick and thin right from the start. As if Sunoo pulled him back from the depths of darkness and gave him the chance to feel the sunlight kiss his cold-bitten skin.
As if Sunoo was the one who breathed life into him.
And so, he bit the bullet that shot at him, "Sunghoon-ssi. Before we part ways, may I know your answer to the question I gave you days before?"
"If I were to fall after my wings were ripped out of me—If I were to lose my purity and innocence just like how you love to describe me, and If black blood started to taint me as it flows through my veins to corrupt my very core that once holds my humanity, will you still hold me gently and cradle my face with your eyes full of love and care?"
Sunghoon grinned and stretched out his arms to his side, his gun dangling on his fingers with a challenging gaze towards Sunoo.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"I would, even if your heart stopped beating and your body ran cold. I would keep you close to me and share my warmth until you've sucked me dry."
"How would I know that you're telling the truth?"
"There are two rules within the organization: One, discard your humanity as you pledge your loyalty, and two, put a bullet in your head if you're just going to lie. The Captain's Executioner hates liars, you know? Russian Roulette was his favorite game when he was trying to find rats in the household. Anyone can pinpoint who it was just from their body language."
Sunghoon held his gun and let the muzzle kiss his temple, his wide grin never fading, and his eyes never leaving Sunoo. Explosions kept on coming and kept on getting closer to where they were. Niki was getting anxious and wanted to flee with Sunoo, but the other stood firmly on the ground, even shaking his hold on his wrist away as he waited with bated breath for the other to pull the trigger.
A particularly loud explosion happened just behind them, screams of agony and the smell of burning flesh and death danced in the air. At the same time, Sunghoon pulled the trigger.
A bang was heard, and Niki's eyes widened.
"Sunoo!"
But Niki couldn't do anything but watch the scene unfold, unable to go after them when Sunoo took his gun and shot him in the leg just before both he and the criminal fell from the cliff.
Sunoo couldn't believe himself; it felt like he really had just betrayed his friends the moment he took those steps just to get to where Sunghoon was. He broke their trust when he grabbed his gun from the holster and shot his friend's leg to keep him from going after them. He cast aside their relationship that had stayed strong for a decade when he wrapped his arms around Sunghoon's torso and threw them both off the cliff.
To top it all off, he felt relieved and joy when there was no bullet lodged inside Sunghoon's head.
'He's not lying.'
A giggle slipped out of his lips as he lifted his face from being buried in Sunghoon's chest, looking at the other with glistening eyes, and found the other already looking back at him with the same fondness he wore earlier. No words were exchanged as they wrapped their arms around each other, waiting for the impact of the cold water, and even after meeting with the raging sea, they never let the other go.
Hands suddenly yanked them up, and air started flowing through their lungs again. Sunghoon was ready to fight whoever it was when he was greeted with a wild grin and a loud laugh just behind the person who was holding the back of his clothes.
"Wow, you look like a couple of wet cats."
"You let him play too much outside, he even brought a stray with him," another person said, looking down at them with a blank face, "Ah, it was not a stray. Your pet stole it from another owner."
"Not like the owner cares, he'll probably just find another to replace him," he said and looked back, "Isn't that right, Captain?"
The Captain didn't answer and instead stared at the two men still floating in the water with no intention of letting go. If he's not mistaken, the person San was holding was one of Mingi's best men. Ah, he remembers now. He was also the one Mingi proposed to lure them to the mansion. Seeing how the place was burning up and down, this guy did a good job.
He smiled kindly at them, but the others knew better, "Sunghoon-ssi, you did a good job at luring the rats right into the mouse trap." he said, his eyes sliding over to the other person Sunghoon was holding.
"Pull them out of the cold water and let them ride with us. We don't want to lose a competent family member now, do we?" he said and started gazing out at the vast sea in front of him, "Yeosangie, the stolen pet will be under your care from now on. Doll him up and take good care of him, if you would be so kind."
"Another puppet, huh." Yeosang replied, and the Captain nodded in satisfaction. This decision, however, was something another member of the family protested on. Wooyoung threw himself on Yeosang's back and pinched his cheeks as he looked at the Captain with betrayed eyes.
"Awe! Not fair! I wanted to take him in!"
Yunho laughed and pried the other away from his lover, possessively snaking his arm around Yeosang's waist, "Well, that's too bad, Youngie. It was Sangie's turn this time."
Sunghoon could only laugh in disbelief as they were pulled out from the water and were even allowed to ride with the immediate family of the Captain. He could only sigh in relief that they were safe for now; he was actually ready to die right then and there with Sunoo.
It was actually risky. Bringing in an outsider with no initial background check, there should also be some sort of "entrance exam" that every new family member must take. Then the Captain or his right-hand man—the Queen, will assign the new member under the care of one of their beloveds. Getting a pass from the Captain himself was a strong and surefire answer.
Sunoo passed his exam. He's now under the puppeteer's orders.
He tightened his hold on the other's hand and smiled to himself when he felt the other squeeze back. As he lifted his head, he met Mingi's—his boss—widened eyes.
"Oh my god, Sunghoon is in love with the new puppet!"
"Yes, Captain Obvious. The falling together, hugging, and hand holding was saying something if you didn't catch any of that."
"Jongho-ya, you didn't need to be so hard on Mingi. Don't be mean to him."
"One of my top men is fucking in love and brought in his lover to introduce to us…what the fuck."
"Why does it sound like your son just brought someone home to introduce and ask for your blessing?"
"That's one way to say it, but I see your vision."
Sunoo doesn't know if he should laugh or not. It does seem like they accepted him just like that, but he couldn't be sure. The entire boat ride, he stayed by Sunghoon's side. He was glad that his new boss didn't reprimand him for not standing by his side.
That's one hell of a career change. From being at the beck and call of the government and its people to being a new meat of the very criminal organization he was just hunting down hours ago.
At a glance, you would assume that this group of fashionable guys were just good friends with eccentric tastes and differing personalities, especially when they're goofing around like a bunch of kids. Sunoo felt a pang of guilt when his own friends appeared in his mind.
Did he make the right choice? Probably not. Choosing to be a criminal rather than stay on the side of justice should say something, but that was the least of his concerns right now.
He felt a hand sliding through his, Sunghoon's figure appearing at his peripheral vision. He looked content, serene, and a hint of joy lingered in his eyes. Sunoo looked at the calm sea, the sun starting to rise on the horizon. He let out a deep breath and squeezed the other's hand.
Did he make the right choice? Definitely not. But he had a hunch that he would not regret this decision. He will get sad, that's for sure, but he thinks that he would not regret choosing Sunghoon.
It's about time to be selfish and choose what he desires, after all. Be it to rip his bright white wings and fall, he knows there's a pair of arms that will catch him on the ground.