We ruin it all!

       Soft shivers ran through the body in charcoal coat, sending vibrations that flowed like a gentle summer wave greeting tropical beach sand. If only, the weather had a fragment of warmth, it would be tolerable, but this was the coldest winter the country had seen in decades. None of the older generations could remember a winter this cold. Minwoo hid his gloved hands in his coat's pockets as he made his way to where his one true love stood. Despite how frozen his facial muscles felt, they still cracked a weak smile when his love locked eyes with him. Minwoo bumped his shoulder gently against Daehan's as he took his spot next to him. Apart from the two men in shades of black, everything surrounding them was white. The taller of the two wanted to sigh, but even that felt like a waste of energy and warmth.

       The numbers on the locked screen, counting the seconds passing seemed to be taking forever to change, the last hour had dragged out for six hours already. It was hot outside, summer was ending soon, but this hellish season breathed its hottest flames at its end, dragging out its departure with a skin-peeling heat. Everything seemed to be dragging on for too long except Soohyuk's patience. The man could not stand the suit he was wearing in this heat nor the posture he had to stay in for those formalities, let alone the fact he had to remain attentive and ready to respond if anything happens as he accompanied his boss; Dohwan. The younger man was admirable in some situations, Soohyuk had to admit---he did admire him way more before he got to know him closely, but most of the time, he just wishes he could drill a hole through his boss's skull. Soohyuk breathed out another long sigh mentally.

Slow footsteps echoed down the hallway of the building, turning on the lights operated by energy saving sensors. The slow steps did not hint to a cautious intruder, rather tired legs that still had to withstand the weight they carried until their reached their destination. The tunes of the lock pad keys followed by a familiar melody indicating the door unlocked had not been heard in---- actually Minwoo could no longer recall in his current state, he was just glad he could get some rest after his endless shift. He closed the door behind him and walked to the console where he placed his keys in their assigned bowl before turning on the lights; his habit of not turning the lights the second he enters the house had gotten him various comments from his acquaintances or “friends” as they preferred to refer to themselves. Do you not fear having an intruder in your house? You should turn on the lights first!

       The spotlights shining on the elevated platform in the middle of the room reflected on the crystals hanging from the ceiling and the wall-sized mirror, as if every ray of light was intentionally threading an intricate web of reflections in celebration along with the two women who stood on the platform with their smiles as bright as they could be and their eyes glistering with happiness. 

      The red-haired woman stood behind the blonde and rested her forehead on the back of the blonde’s neck as her fingers pulled up the dress’s zipper, remaining still for a few moments before she stepped away, letting the woman in the dress take in her reflection on the mirror. Rina bit the inside of her inner cheek as her gaze lingered on the smile on Nana’s face. She surely never thought she would be helping Nana find a wedding dress and with how everything in their lives spiraled out of control way too many times, both women had given up on having a day like this in their lives. Nana finally shifted her gaze to meet Rina’s in the mirror facing both women, and slowly her bright smile morphed into a quivering lip resisting a sadder smile. Rina walked back to her and rested her head on Nana’s shoulder in a reassuring gesture. 

“Nothing bad will happen this time, I’ll make sure of it”. Rina mumbled, knowing very well if anything happens even remotely similar to last time, she won’t be able to do anything about it. 

      A year ago, it was Jisub’s wedding and the whole gang was so thrilled to have a happy moment to celebrate together after the intense months they had spent worried for their lives and dealing with all the grief for the comrades they lost in confrontations they had with the criminal organizations. The girls were too loud, and the men too thanks to Sid who brought his friends, and they brought life to the wedding hall. Music was blasting, men dancing in synchrony, and audience clapping and swaying to the rhythm when the hall doors were forced open and the next was the sound of open fire, crash of the chandelier, deafening screams as bodies slammed against each other as people ran in different directions to escape the flying bullets. Woobin got severely injured as he threw himself in front of Jisub to get him out safely along with his wife. 

      The following week was the slowest as everyone was hanging onto their last breath as they waited for every update from the medical team overseeing Woobin’s case who was at the intensive care unit. Woobin was consumed by guilt because Jisub’s identity and involvement had became known to the mafia due to a mistake Woobin made while they were in Morocco. Towards the end of the week, Jinhyuk’s health got so bad, he collapsed and was hospitalized too. Rina and Nana stayed the whole week at the hospital, dozing off only when their bodies failed to remain alert then waking up to nightmares and beating hearts with fear. Hyosung was there holding her daughter close to her, feeling powerless as she watched everyone in their circle fall apart. Minwoo was not seen as he worked day and night to get every single one who was involved; rage was the only thing visible on his face and Hyo couldn’t recall if she had ever seen him like that before.   

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      Jieun came skipping into the bridal fitting room and a surprised shriek escaped her when she saw Nana in the white dress. The two women chuckled at the reaction from their “niece” and Rina was quick to pull the girl into a tight hug and plant a rough kiss on her cheek, leaving a print of her red lipstick. 

      The girls heard the coughs of Damien and screamed in unison “do not come here”! Their synchrony resulted in erupted laughter, and with that Rina gave a knowing nod to Nana and left the room to join her boyfriend who made her scrunch her nose the moment her eyes landed on his choice of clothes; a sight she should be used to by now but it still caught her off guard every time. There were times when she thought he did it on purpose just to capture those moments of subtle changes of expression; he was creative in his choices, she had to give him that. The red-haired woman linked one arm around the hacker’s arm and placed her free hand on his chest in a gentle gesture to leave. The two walked out of the shop, staying would mean fighting Damien’s curiosity and god forbid that boy sees Nana in her dress, the whole country would know every detail of the dress before the wedding day. 

quxrxncia​:

Today was one of those days when Ryujin had a date, so Jungkook was left to walk with Jieun for majority of the time. He usually walked her to the station then continued home, but today Jieun’s dad was in his neighborhood and was supposed to pick her, so she walked further along with him. And all was fine, while two of their classmates were with them, but the moment they separated and Jieun and Jungkook were far enough from them eavesdropping Jieun jabbed Kook in the ribs with her elbow.

“What did I do?!” the black haired male asked exasperated, rubbing his sore skin and looking at her in disbelief.

“You’re a douche, but not that big of a douche. It’s not his fault, so don’t treat him like this.” The only close people to the dark wizard that knew of Fort were Jieun and Ryujin, but none of them ever mentioned anything, unless Jungkook spoke first.

“Should I have offered to hold his hand and walk him home?” he replied in a snark manner, and puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. “I know it’s not his fault, it’s something else…” something no one knew. Jungkook was worried Fort was like him. His father and grandmother were worried too, that’s why they brought the boy to this household in the first place. Like Jungkook’s abnormally high powers and their father’s infidelity was not enough of a problem. Let’s have another potential misfortune bringer in. Add to the fact that upon finding out, Kook’s mother blamed him for it in her rage. It was really a well written recipe of ‘avoid the new brother’.

“At least stop acting like he doesn’t exist.” Jieun sighed, stopping to look at the male with her hand on her hips. “And I’m up to here. Don’t text me for the math answers later.” she waved to the male, not letting him answer and just disappeared.

■ ■ ■

“You should be back home early on a full moon night.” he heard himself say, his words sounding a bit harsher than he intended, and he felt the shadows shift beneath his feet. It was a split second, but enough to make Kook repeat the words to himself in his mind.

He stepped back from the other male, looking at the side and rubbing his neck. “It gets– odd around full moons here.” we get odd around full moons here was the proper explanation, but Kook knew his family still kept shut about the reality of the family around the boy. His grandma believed if no powers manifest until he turns 16 he will end up being a normal human, like his mother. Not like there are no records of people in the bloodline manifesting later. But there were also no records of another half human.

“Oh, did you eat?” Jungkook asked, a little after he started walking away from his half-brother, remembering Jieun’s words about at least trying to talk to the boy. “I’ll be making ramen, and mother won’t be around today… so, you know– you may roam around.” Jungkook imagined both his female friends standing next to him and shouting ‘awkward’ as he struggled to say all of that, and because it was true, and he knew it, he didn’t wait to hear what the other boy had to say. He just turned around and started walking towards the kitchen.

The day Fort came back from school to find his grandmother placing his neatly folded clothes in a suitcase was engraved in his memory; the way his eyes widened and glistened when the thought they were going on a surprise vacation only to notice the solemn look on his grandmother’s face. The look stirred a sinking feeling in his chest that seemed to deepen to his core. Fort did what his body compelled him to do and walked to his grandmother, wrapping his arms around her and remained quiet until she was the one to speak. “You are going to move to live with your.... father.”  She whispered the words as if she was afraid to hear herself say them. 

Fort’s father was hardly mentioned in the house ever since he left Fort’s mother after their short-lived romance. Fort’s mother never wanted her mother to worry so she never showed how much the whole ordeal affected her until Fort entered high school, which ironically was only months ago. Who would have thought the school Fort was eager to join ended up being the same school his older half-brother went to!

           ▢               ▢               ▢           

During the past months since he moved to live with his father, this was the first time his brother had addressed him directly. The two wouldn’t even exchange greetings of any sort, not even looks or nods of acknowledgement. To see his brother meet him at the entrance and tell him he needs to be home forced Fort’s left brow to raise as he watched the usually quiet brother continue finishing his reservoir of words. 

Full moon! Fort repeated the words in his head while watching his brother go on to act unlike his usual self and even check if Fort had eaten. Fort might be a happy go lucky guy most of the time, but even to him, this behavior was alarming. People only go to act out of their way when they are trying to hide something or are trying to avoid something, and he couldn’t tell which was the motive behind Jungkook’s unusual display of theatrical play. Fort followed his brother with slower steps, considering for a moment to leave from the same door he just entered. For a split of a second, he thought his brother was going to try and poison him, but the last words from the older on roaming around freely made the younger furrow his brows in thought. 

So his brother really did not want him outside the house tonight?

A few minutes passed in silence, Jungkook had started boiling the water and took out the packets of ramen. Fort found himself moving silently to take out two bowls and place them down on the counter as he sneaked looks in his brother’s direction every now and then, unsure what to make of all of this. 

When their eyes met, Fort’s thoughts made themselves heard before his brain could register what was happening. “What happens tonight?”

“You can do it too.”

The sound of the wind filled the silence that followed, the listener was staring into nothing, making it hard to figure out if he has heard the comment made by his friend or if he even cared for their attempt to prevent him from feeling like he fell behind his brother who had passed earlier in front of them with his friends. 

Kook was the favored son, but Fort couldn’t recall a time when he felt anything towards his brother; be that a pleasant or an unpleasant feeling. The two were half brothers, and grew up apart until a year ago when they were brought to live together. The new arrangement felt forced and Fort’s way to adapt was to stay in school until ungodly hours of the night so he could go to his room immediately. As the days passed, he realized his brother was not spending time in the house either. 

The two were complete strangers so whenever they crossed each other’s paths in public, neither acknowledged the other. 

Fort hopped off the brick fence he was sitting atop, pulling the strap of his bag along. “I don’t need to become him,” he addressed his friend with his reply and offered his usual bright smile. 

He did not feel the need to prove anything to anyone nor did he want to fit in. 

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Fort's fingers slid across the textured wall as if they were tracing for braille letters, needing guidance on what to expect. His eyes were searching in endless pitch darkness for any glimpse of light to find his way in the unfamiliar setting that has become his home.

A scream had almost forced itself through his throat if not for the hand that muffled it, he had not expected for his hand to feel anything other than the concrete so feeling another hand on his startled him. The clouds behind him pulled away, letting the full moon's light shine through the window's glass facing his back and reflect off the eyes that were staring at him.

Standing there too close to his brother sent shivers down his spine. There was something peculiarly eery about him, and Fort couldn't explain it. He wasn't a scardy cat, but this was against every fibre in his whole being. It was as if his core wanted to jump out of his body and leave the place.

"You should be back home early on a full moon night."

Drip..

Drip...

Drip....

The coldness rolled from one cell to another along the back of his neck, carrying the sensation of the drops of sweat like a line of nurses carrying a still new born from one hand to another away from a soulless mother down a dark endless corridor. One drop reaching the back and disappearing into the black fabric of the robe that was now pressed between the back and the wall behind it, gaining more pressure by the minute as if the body was trying to defy physics and get through the blocks of concrete. A force of shock pulled the body a few inches away and shoved it back against the wall, forcing it to drop to the ground like a lump of lifeless mass. 

Woobin jumped into a sitting position, pulling in a forceful inhale as if he couldn’t breathe throughout his sleep. He looked around for the sea of pitch-black feathers and shining eyes that stared into his soul in his sleep. He was finally able to regulate his breathing and reach to feel the fabric around his neck that was now soaked with his sweat, a sensation that became way too familiar the past months as the same dream haunted him most nights. 

                                                                 ✦ ✦ ✦

        “The truth...that’s never obtained. Humanity has been seeking it since its conception, but they never got there. Every discovery is merely a millimeter closer to an infinite of possibilities that no one has the slightest comprehension of.” Her words sounded intentional, Danbi was not one to approach him and then act all philosophical, it was an alien sight for her character. The black-haired woman, pulled her sliding shawl to conceal the long snake tattoo that wrapped around her arm and ended with a deep snake eyes on her shoulder blade. “No matter how much you know, there is always more that you don’t.” Danbi threw a sneaky glance at Woobin who was unsure how to react to her presence nor her words. “That’s all I have to say.” The woman who was--no is his worst enemy extended her arm to give his shoulder a light squeeze in a comforting manner before getting up, picking her clutch and strutting away in her black stilettos. No amount of coffee could help him make sense of what happened, their unplanned meeting--although nothing is unplanned with Danbi, she made sure she was there when he was, she has always been ahead of everyone in the game. Woobin sighed for the umpteenth time that night, and tossed in his bed for a few hours, before he finally decided he wasn’t going to get any sleep that night and got himself to leave Jinhyuk’s empty futon to go for a ride on his motorbike.  

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦

Soft exhales could be heard coming from the corner of the dark room. Fading beams of light from the single light bulbs that lit the front doors of the houses along the alleys shined through the small window next to the sighing silhouette. The moments of silence were interrupted by gentle footsteps that echoed through the corridor and stopped at the room's threshold as if the intruder did not dare to disrupt the sacredness of the silence any further. 

"And?" 

The silhouette finally spoke after what felt like an eternity. The intruder finally let out a breath,  making it clear she had held back on even breathing. "Minwoo cannot leave. He will have to continue helping us from back home." 

The past months had sucked them all into a turmoil of unpredicted developments,  leaving them on the edge of despair and on edge almost every second of the day. Ever since Rina and Woobin landed in Morocco in the special plane arranged by Sen almost a year ago , both seemed to have come to an agreement that it's better they speak of nothing about their emotions and focus on the task. They didn't utter a word about said agreement to each other,  it was how naturally things unfolded between them. They were not prepared for how that silence was going to make everything even harder for them. 

A few weeks earlier, Minwoo had stumbled upon untied strings. He had tried repeatedly to push the thoughts to the back of his head, but the clues kept piling up, leaving the law man unable to overlook it anymore. There have been an increasing number of reported incidents of missing girls across the country. The incidents were usually reported a few days post the incident, and the same line was in every report: We thought she ran away! In all cases, the turned off cellphone, clueless friends or coworkers, and absence of news for several days led the families to report the incidents. None of those were classified as anything alarming. The title was  “Runaway”. Minwoo would have not gotten into inspecting the cases since it’s does not pertain to his role nor his department, but the attitude of the officer who archived those files, calling it a “pain in the ass” got the lieutenant to check the folders once the officer left the archive room. While most reports were documents online, hard-copy reports brought in from various police stations across the nation were kept here at the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior. 

During the weekly meetings of the head of departments, those incidents were not mentioned nor hinted to. It was as if they never happened. Minwoo tracked how each case was handled, and they were all classified as runaway when none of those were proven to be cases of runaways, and could be cases of missing victims, but that would get the system to detect it and alert all associated sectors. Minwoo had his tasks too, so the time he could spend on this was limited, not like he had enough information to do anything. He needed to start from the beginning. He had graphed the rate at which those reports were coming in, there was at least a cast every single day even though they would reach the HQ a few days later. 

His hair locks had grown longer at the front, causing him to have to brush them to the back frequently if he wasn’t wearing his peaked cap, which he wasn’t at the time. He had long forsaken his uniform for a white t-shirt, black pants, and a light blue button up shirt that was half buttoned down up.  ❝You thought I had forgotten, didn’t you?❞ He smiled adoringly at his fiance, whom he was puzzled by for looking as energetic and lively as ever. Whenever he was around Hyosung, Minwoo’s shoulders would immediately feel lighter. The constant pain he could feel lifting off, not metaphorically, was a reminder of what this woman was to him. He was still there, with half of his sanity in-tact, thanks to her. The black-haired male leaned forward, rubbing his nose lightly against Hyosung’s cheek as they stood on a familiar rooftop, albeit renovated. The swimming pool along with sunbathing beds, the small bar in the corner, the beautiful horizon that remained unblocked by any constructions, providing a breathtaking sight of the sunset.

Several years ago, on that day, Hyosung received a phone call that started with  ❝I was going through some documents and I found the grid of lease dates for Cheonguk tenants. Today was the day you moved in.❞ It was silly at first when he started it, he was emotional that night, and was 3am when he was telling her how much he was grateful to have her in his life. It got her worried at first, it sounded as a farewell. He was choking on his words, she could tell he was crying, and the call ended abruptly. He was over-stressed, and had not realized how that call was more worrisome than reassuring. Soon after, Hyosung was in his apartment, eyes wide open with concern, and he was puzzled. Since then, the day Minwoo had made it his custom to celebrate welcoming Hyosung into his life even though his memories from then were growing hazier with every year. He knew Hyosung would call him silly for still insisting to celebrate the day, but she always had that soft smile as she teased him, and nothing could beat how much he loved that smile. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her towards him to her back rested against his chest, his face hidden in the crook of her neck as he inhaled the calming scent of the woman who could terrify a nation. 

The two had nibbled on the few hot snacks Minwoo brought along, ones they enjoyed eating together when they lived here. The sun had left them, and the night had embraced them in a gentle hug, the two laying on the sunbathing bed and staring at the dark sky above them. It wasn’t a clear sky to see the stars, but that did not prevent the two from finding joy in staring at the full moon playing peek-a-boo behind the clouds. The question finally came, and Minwoo smiled to himself. He knew he couldn’t hide it from her for long. She knew him. Even without her powers, she could read him too well. ❝Nana’s death might not be a simple accident❞. He paused, letting his words settle first. ❝and I think Sen knows❞. He sat up, and pulled his legs to land on the ground so he could sit facing Hyosung.  ❝I need her to talk❞. Being a man of the law, surrounded by vigilantes and law breakers, was a constant battle of duty versus protecting those you care for. It got them all to have this agreement that they would not disclose information that would put either of them in an uncomfortable situation as long as safety wasn’t a concern. They all knew keeping each other safe came before anything else. Now, Minwoo was implying breaking that code and asking Sen to share. Sen was well connected, even better connected than all of them combined. She knew more than any of them could handle, which is also why she was the most distant in their small circle.  

 ❝Some incidents have been happening lately, and I can’t shake off this feeling...❞ His hands were in Hyosung’s, holding gently as he his gaze casted downwards, shoulders brought down by the burden of his deductions, his voice dropping low towards the end of his sentence. The silence that passed was filled with soft caressing to the back of his hands by her thumbs, like she was reassuring him that she was with him, she’s on board, and it got him to finally let out a shaky breath.  ❝I keep having flashbacks to when I was kidnapped when I was ten...❞ He pursed his lips tightly into a defeated smile and his shoulders barely moved an inch in a weak shrug.  ❝The timing...Sen not grieving properly... when she lost both her daughter and Taegun...❞ His grasp on her hands tightened, and his gaze locked with hers.  ❝That’s like me losing you...I would lose my mind❞ He pulled her closer to him and lifted her hands to his lips to gently press a soft kiss to each hand.  There is more to this! But he did not need to say anything else, the look in her eyes told him she understood. Now they needed to figure out how to get Sen to talk.   

                                                                  ⁂    ⁂   ⁂

Like a chainsaw being pulled with force from a tangled mess of bushes, that’s how each sigh felt for the woman who was left to be finally hidden by the darkness of the night after a long day of standing at the cemetery, receiving condolences for the loss of her daughter and ... What were they? No one could label their relationship, and that tickled Sen’s pride for a long time, it pleased her so much that others couldn’t figure them out, but now, now she was realizing how they did not understand what kind of relationship they held either. When the ceremonial preparations started, Sen was ready to perform her duties, another round of exchanged words, a portrayal of sadness, and everything will be set in place. Nana will now be safe. Sam will protect her, she knows he will. She already came to terms with not seeing either of them ever. 

Or so she thought.

❝Madame. We can leave in ten minutes.❞ One of her girls informed her in a barely audible whisper as if she was afraid she would break Sen, it means Sen had put on a good show. She didn’t shed a tear and barely said anything the whole day, but standing there looking lifeless, gaze shifting to an empty spot in the room every so often and getting fixated on it. She held a picture of the three of them, one she even forgot she had until Taegun gave it to her before leaving. He grew quieter than usual during the last month leading to their departure. He fought with her before, he argued. She still recalls that look of anger and disapproval when she went ahead and contacted Damian in her preparation for the execution of her plan. Taegun was the only one who dared to oppose her, but he had stopped. She recalls vividly the absence of expression on his face when he brought her their ashes, a task he had to complete, because no one else would be able to arrange for his own funeral without leaving any traces. The stabbing pain in her chest when her eyes landed on his name as he stood there, waiting for her confirmation that she approved of his work, and so she responded with a nod, but she did not dare look at his face this time. Sen did not allow herself to feel anything after that, it was a momentary awakening of her heart that was soon put back to slumber--- that is until now. On her way out of the cemetry, passing by the long line of flower boards brought by Nana’s friends who visited to pay their respects. 

Rina, the tall girl who always looked elegant and seemed to be the opposite of the childish Nana yet were close friends, was in no way elegant today with her pulled in a half messy bun, eyes red, her body shaking as she weeped the loss of her friend. A black-haired male stood in front of her, and gave her comforting hugs whenever he could, he did not look Korean, and he reminded her of how Taegun always was her silent supporter. Sen took in everyone else who still lingered around, as if they feared leaving would mean true farewell. On her way to her car, she felt something again in her chest when her gaze met that of her guard, it was not the face that typically concealed a smirk, or a knowing smile; one she loved so much, because it always meant there will be a lot of smack talk about others, and she truly enjoyed whenever Taegun would just make fun of everyone she had to meet. It was probably his way of comforting her after every jab she had to take, people still saw her as a woman of service despite her power, and she was fully aware of those looks and whispers behind her back. Sen got into the car and kept her eyes ahead like always, she felt drained, and something within her was closing in on itself, but she couldn’t tell what it was. Stress, probably, she thought to herself, but before she could convince herself of it, she saw a familiar face and it yanked her head to look again from inside the moving car. A face he never thought she would ever see in such state stood far from the cemetery, covered in tears, hidden blood-shot eyes with long locks of hair. Why was he there? Sen felt her heart clench as she saw Jinhyuk beside him giving his shoulder a squeeze as the man in black barely managed to keep his body from shaking as he muffled his cries. 

❝Madame, do you want me to stop?❞ The voice of her cheuffeur brought her back to her senses, making her realize how easy to read she was at the moment.  ❝No, keep going.❞ She responded calmly, gathering her composure again, and this time making sure to not turn to look at anyone else. This was for the best. This was to protect her beloved Nana. This was for a reason. It’s all for a reason. That was what she would keep telling herself for the next months every time she found herself overwhelmed with an emotion she couldn’t decipher, one that was so strong, that made her bones ache, and left her breathless in the middle of the night. No medication could numb that pain, not sleeping pill could leave her senseless long enough, she would wake up with tears on her pillow and it puzzled her. What was going on with her? The picture Taegun had left for her with one word on the back, “Goodbye”, was soon hidden in the farthest part of her closet, not to be seen again. That picture she even forgot Taegun and Nana insisted on taking on one of their trips back from a tiresome gala. They stayed for the after party, and by the time they left, light was starting to pave its way back to the city’s horizon. Knowing going back to the establishment would only mean Sen would resume working as if she had not stayed up the whole night, Taegun decided to drive away to a farther location, stopping his car in front of nothing to a confused Sen and slightly amused Nana. 

Sen could vividly remember the bright smile Nana had when she realized she was there to watch the sunrise, and how both dragged Sen out of the car, not that they needed to put a lot of effort, Nana’s pouting smile and the soft look in Taegun’s eyes were powerful enough. They all stood there, breeze hitting their faces gently, messing with strands of their hair, Taegun’s arms wrapping both of them, pulling them closer to him, and that... that was probably the happiest and safest Sen has ever felt. She would’ve resisted him, but seeing how he did the same to Nana, and how the younger girl complied easily, Sen couldn’t be the one to ruin that moment. And Taegun knew. Oh he definitely knew what would get him to have what he wanted.

– Doll in Paperweight (Alina Price)

Taegeun was never one to pity people. He felt along with them if they were sad, was happy with them when they were overjoyed. But that was also because of the help of his senses. People’s emotions turned the world for him into this grand shop of perfumes, and all he did was walk the aisles all day long. And he liked some scents, some made him nauseous, others made him feel what other people are feeling… Now, the tall black haired male, for the first time in years, did not smell a thing, aside the kimchi soup he had cooked earlier. It was like someone had came in and robbed this vast mall of scents he lived in. And for the first time in his life, he understood something: people were capable of feeling nothing at all.

“You need to eat…” he barely whispered, as he walked towards the curled up, petite female. He was sure she knew he had entered the room, but she didn’t move an inch. And she was starting to worry him. It’s been almost two months, and all she did was cry, sleep, stare out of the window from the sofa she was curled up on now… Though, stare was a big overstatement. Because her eyes were dead… Like she was supposed to be. “Nana.” He spoke again softly, and this time she looked at him with her void, deep, dark eyes.

“Dead people, don’t eat, do they?” and at that his nose tingled. She was irritated. Which was an improvement, from the raging anger the first week, and the completely lack of anything, of complete apathy the past three weeks.

“I do.” He chipped in, scrunching his nose and sounding offended. Like, she was all alone in this and she forgot (although, she was. Because Sen knew, and Daehan knew he was not dead, and that was one person over the people who knew about her). There was another tingle of smells, but Taegeun couldn’t tell them apart at all, and to be honest - he didn’t want to. It was more important that he finally sensed something. “Come on.” He softly said, leaving the tray with the two kimchi bowls on the small table next to the sofa Nana was in, then reaching out to offer the girl a spoon. “If you want to hurt her… Okay, I understand it. But don’t do this to me, please.”

It took maybe ten seconds, no more, no less, when the girl finally reached to take the spoon. “Okay…” she mumbled and sat straight. She was too pale, skinnier than usual, with nothing to even hint she had soul in her. Not yet.

But she was going to be fine, Taegeun was sure of it.

It was late in the afternoon, the sun was hitting the canvas in just the right angle. Nana loved every inch of it. The colors were more golden, the jars filled with clean water were glistering in a magical fairy-dust-like way, and the moment she tampered them with her brushes the dye dissolved even more magically. This was her favorite time to be in the drawing room, surrounded by her painting, surrounded by the smell of the dye, with the setting sun painting her canvases in this astonishing golden hue. This was her heaven. And today it was even more magical, because she broke one little rule. It was going to cost her, but it was all worth it.

It was eight months since that night when the car tumbled over the road. Since she nearly, really died. It took her some time, to figure it out, but it really was not Sen’s fault, since– well… Nana took Sen’s car that night, after they fought. The elder woman wouldn’t have thought the female would do that (it was something she used to do to Woobin, when she wanted to make him mad, take his motor keys and go out). And Sen - she just took the opportunity to twist Nana’s arms. But the former escort knew the elder woman did everything with Nana’s good being in mind. It was just that– Nana didn’t like it. So she still hadn’t forgiven her.

But the reason, today was more magical, was not because the petite female finally figured all of this out, no - she figured it out months ago, she just finally managed to sneak around and make a phone call to a number she never managed to forget. Like she could not forget those cold, sharp, piercing eyes, or the smell of that overly-worn leather jacket. Like she couldn’t forget the smell of his brand of cigarettes, like she couldn’t forget each of their fights, each of their bickering, each of the gentle, yet sloppy gestures he made… Like she could never forget the night of her birthday. The taste of it, the feeling of it.

She called Woobin. Just called, heard his voice, took a deep breath, closed her eyes…      …and hung up.

Because, speaking to Woobin, was something she couldn’t do. Not now… Not after–

“Lina, mind joining me for tea.?” Her moment of reminiscence and longing was broken up when Taegeun walked in the room, holding a silver tray with a porcelain tea set. Even from this distance the female could smell the chamomile and honey, steaming out of the pot. She turned to him and saw the tall male had his eyes closed, and he inhaled deeply.

“What does it smell like?” she asked, already knowing the male’s little secret. She also wanted to scold him, for calling her Lina, because… that name was not hers. Alina Price, was some aspiring painter who came to live in Morocco half a year ago, and it surely was not Nana Kim. But the face her ‘butler’, had, made her want to drop the scolding.

“Like I am floating on a boat in the middle of the ocean.” he took one last breath, opened his eyes and looked at her. His eyes looked hurt, and she knew why. “Nana…” he left the tray on the closest table and made a gesture with his hand to just show it all. The canvases, the sketches. All her memories… Taegeun was right, just stepping inside this room was enough to understand who Nana missed the most. After all the room was filled with paintings and sketches of mostly one person - Woobin. “This room speaks for everything you are feeling, so I don’t understand–”

“Because he forgot me.” she cut him off, standing up from her stool and walking to the tall male. “I know he did. And if I’m going to move forward–”

“Why Sunghoon then?”

Nana sighed. Sunghoon was a complication. He found her two months ago, while she was walking down the streets of the town she resided in, and as much as she didn’t trust him one bit, as much as she used him, to get information for Woobin, and as much as she toyed him at the moment, so he would keep her secret (because as much as she wanted to yell to the world, that she was alive, she was not stupid and knew she couldn’t), she also enjoyed him and his company. He made her feel special, and loved, and he knew how to make her bear the situation. Nana knew his feelings for her, she just had to make him believe they were returned.

Nana looked back at Taegeun, not aware she had been staring at one of her paintings until now, one of her brother, and gave a gentle smile at the male. “This ability of yours is quite handy. I don’t even need to say it, do I? How I feel.” she took the two cups filled with warm tea, handing one of them to the person posing as her ‘butler’ but the person who provided to be as much of a big brother to her, as her blood related one. “Please… Tae, don’t tell Sen.”

The blue walls of the houses, the paved streets, the colorful stairs up. Nana had to admin, Sen knew her too well. She loved the town. Even the house she was staying it held that antique feeling filled with the charm of Morocco, with it’s tiled walls, cushioned sittings, the colorful drapes and the old vintage lamps. She was falling in love with the place more and more.

“Alina!” An elder woman, selling fruits on a street stall chipped with a wide smile. “Came for some tangerines?”

The female walked to the stall, squinting her eyes playfully and giving off an amused smile. “Auntie, David bought a lot yesterday! You charmed him, now you trying to charm me?” The elder woman, laughed, waving her hand and commenting that she couldn’t help herself when she saw Taegeun (or David Khan, as his new name was). Nana laughed along and requested some apples, since that was what she was here for.

As she got her bag and paid, she turned to walk down the street, but she noticed a tall male, one very much out of place here. And her heart clenched. She didn’t see his face, but his back resembled so much–

❝Sorry I didn’t think it would take me that long to escape.❞ Rina hanged her handback on the back of the seat before sitting down, eyes locked on the man with a soft smile seated across her. ❝You are still acting like you’re newly hired there, and it’s been almost a year already.❞ The dark haired male in a suit, who looked like he had come directly from work too, commented. Rina gave him a half-pouting smile, shoulders dropping slightly and it elicited a soft chuckle from Minwoo who only shook his head at her cute attempt to protest to his teasing. Rina’s pout was soon replaced with a wide smile when she got the reaction she wanted from her friend’s fiance. ❝So, what are we meeting about? Wedding preparations?❞ Minwoo looked like a statue for what seemed like a whole minute before he let out a deep sigh. ❝I know I’ve been keeping her waiting for too long, and I don’t know if I am making excuses by wanting to sort out all the mess surrounding us first, but I really want her to have a peace of mind when we get married. I don’t want it to be a day filled with worries.❞ Minwoo fell silent and Rina mirrored him for a while before chipping in. ❝You’ve been doing that for three years already. You know we are not a group that will ever be away from trouble.❞ It was the unspoken truth about them, they all knew their friendship was the result of a strange twist of fate. Almost each member in the group was connected or belonged to a larger group that targeted his/her friends. 

❝Talking about that...❞ a voice from behind Rina startled her, but she did not need to even turn as the woman was quick to make herself visible to Rina, and remained standing by the table for a few seconds as she gave a greeting smile to both Minwoo and his companion. Sen took the seat next to Rina, hair pulled up neatly into an elegant bun, pearl earrings adorning her ears and a matching pearl resting in between her collarbones. Minwoo bowed his head slightly once she was seated and she responded with a nod that matched her gentle smile. Rina noticed how her heartbeats had picked up, and her legs started fidgeting. Talking about Sen was one thing, but being in her presence left you paralyzed, she had an aura that got her to be treated differently even from those who did not know who she was. The older woman was dressed in black from head to toe apart from the pearls that were a lighter shade of grey. Her attire reminded Rina of what Hyo said a few months earlier about what Sen had went through. For someone who had experienced such a tragedy to be sitting so elegantly, not a sign of weakness deserved respect. Rina felt like the silence could go on forever, but she did not dare to break it and to her delight, Sen started talking. 

❝We haven’t been introduced properly before, I’m Sen❞ The older woman started, head turned slightly so she’s addressing Rina, who was sure Sen knew she did not need to introduce herself. Being in that circle of friends, Sen came up several times, there was no way she could escape hearing about her. Then… there was Nana. She learnt so much about Sen from Nana who initially seemed to want to keep Sen and her life as an escort away whenever Rina was around. The two became closer as days passed, but that’s all a fragment of memory now, one she did not dare to even hint to in front of the woman who cared for Nana more than any of them. Rina bowed as far as her position could allow her, and her act got her a gentle pat on the shoulder. ❝I think you have figured out by now that this meeting was arranged so we can talk. You are a smart girl, I’m sure I do not need to state all the details for you.❞ The serious tone got Rina to straighten her back, hands resting on her leg as she paid Sen her undivided attention. ❝Even since the incidence, many things have unfolded. Most of which Minwoo is aware of.❞ She threw a glance at the man who just looked back at her then caught Rina’s gaze and nodded once. Rina couldn’t help but think that it’s what Minwoo was referring to earlier when they were discussing his wedding plans. ❝You’ve been involved in this all along, now I want you to have an official task.❞ Rina’s eyes widened slightly when Sen mentioned she was involved, she has been trying to avoid the mess everyone else was involved in. It’s an agreement both her and Sid agreed on. They will help when the others need help, but otherwise, they are staying out of it since the two were the least to be equipped to protect their families if things go astray.