#ateezyunho

The cell was cold, dark, devoid of any life other than the calm, almost still breaths of the man who sat in the very corner of the room. His eyes remained closed. A deep breath in, followed by a deep breath out.

He repeated this. Over and over again.

It kept him serene, kept him sane, convinced him he was still in his right mind.

He timed his breaths with the leaky faucet that dripped mercilessly into the sink 24/7. At first it annoyed him, but he learned to appreciate its consistency, its determination to drive him insane.

Consistency, it plagued his mind, everything about his life now was consistent. Consistency was boring.

Wake up, eat whatever he was given, read, workout, sleep.

He missed the thrills of life, he missed his people, rather, his person. He missed the adrenaline rush that came with the inconsistencies of his life. Every day was different, every moment was different, every kill was different.

He opened his eyes, only to be met with the same grey walls he has been given no choice but to stare at for the last few weeks, five, to be exact.

Five of the longest weeks of his life.

He had gotten pretty good at guessing the time, he didn’t have a clock, but he considered his own circadian rhythm to be a strong indicator of the time. Which is exactly how he knew his breakfast was due to arrive in about 60 seconds.

“Eat up!” A loud, but firm voice exclaimed from outside his cell, the small shutter window slamming open as his breakfast tray was placed in his cell.

“Bit early,” He muttered to himself, 29 seconds earlier than usual he counted. He stood up, walking over to grab his tray, expecting the security guard to be gone, to have moved onto the next cell.

Unfortunately, he was stood firmly in place, his orange hair almost blinding the inmates.

“You have twenty minutes to eat,” The man spoke “Then I’m taking you out, you have a visitor,”

The prisoner furrowed his brow “A visitor?” He asked, maintaining his stoic expression but curiosity seeped through the cracks of his words.

The guard nodded. “You’ll find out when we get there,” He responded, voice devoid of any desire to quench the prisoner’s curiosity.

The prisoner shrugged. Taking his tray to his bed, sitting down to continue his daily routine. He didn’t even look at his breakfast before eating it, taking no time to savour the food, not that there was anything to savour anyway. He hated the food.

“Porridge is for babies,” he grumbled to himself as he ate, he decided today was not the day to mope about his breakfast, after all, he had a visitor.

He pondered on who the visitor could possibly be. It wouldn’t be any family, they haven’t spoken to him since his admission. It wouldn’t be his best friend, as he was only a few cells down, well more than a few. The two weren’t allowed to be anywhere near each other, in fear that they would end up conspiring against the other inmates.

He ate his porridge, distracted. Who could possibly be there to see him? He hasn’t done anything to warrant a transfer, in fact, he would say he’s been on his best behaviour.

“Yunho!” A voice bellowed from down the corridor. The man perked up at the sound of his name. “Times up, lets go,” The man affirmed as he approached Yunho’s cell.

Yunho. A name that sent chills down the spines of many. One that almost felt like a punishment in itself.

He got up, walking over to his cell door. Breakfast tray in hand. He was calm, collected.

The door opened.

The guard was quick to cuff him, but Yunho didn’t resist, he didn’t react, he just let it be.

The metal felt cold around his wrists, it always did. He thought by now he would be used to it, but he could never truly get used to it.

He wasn’t a monster so he couldn’t quite understand why he was being chained up like one. In fact, he hunted monsters, so why did everyone look at him like he was one?

The guard led him out of his cell, guiding him into the main atrium of the prison. Yunho’s eyes were focused infront of him, only faltering for a moment at a particular empty cell. One that was adorned with loose paper, filled with scribbles, that could easily be mistaken for nothing, but Yunho knew better, he knew that handwriting, he would recognise it anywhere. His eyes narrowed at the abandoned cell, wondering where its captive was.

The guard urged Yunho to move along. He obliged without any resistance, that wasn’t his thing.

They reached the atrium of the prison, where another man was waiting.

Unlike the officers escorting Yunho, he stood with an effortless authority that demanded attention without ever asking for it. His hands were clasped neatly behind his back, his posture impeccable, every inch of him composed.

Yunho recognised him immediately.

“Yunho.” He began.

“Seonghwa.” Yunho repeated in the same tone, a small, smirk playing on his lips. It wasn't respect.

It was amusement.

“You know why you’re here?”

“No idea.”

Yunho shrugged lazily.

Seonghwa shot a look at the security guard, who averted his gaze.

“Joong,"

The other male stiffened.

"You were meant to explain this to him.”

“Sorry..” The security guard responded sheepishly “Honestly, i didn’t know if they were meant to know, i didn’t want to get them all worked up.” He admitted

Yunho’s face scrunched up slightly in confusion,

him?

Worked up?

He wasn't exactly known for dramatic outbursts.

And who’s they?

Seonghwa sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose “I’ll explain to him.” He glanced at Yunho "Sit."

Yunho complied without argument, lowering himself onto the bench. The chains rattled softly as Hongjoong remained standing behind him, arms folded tightly across his chest.

Seonghwa took the seat opposite.

“Considering the circumstances that landed you in here.” Seonghwa started “We’ve developed a program, to help inmates like you, channel and control your…urges,” He spoke. Yunho stared at him, his expression unreadable.

"Inmates like me?" Yunho asked curiously, brow raised.

"Inmates like you and Song Mingi." Seonghwa spoke.

Ther name settled heavily in the air.

Yunho's face betrayed nothing but his attention sharpened instantly.

“I don’t have urges, they’re more like callings,” Yunho muttered blankly. Seonghwa only stared at him, his lips parting to form a response but deciding against it.

“Anyway,” He shook his head “You’ll have weekly sessions, you can talk about these…" He paused, searching for better phrasing. "...‘callings’ and whatever else your heart desires,” He continued

“Okay and where does that get me?” Yunho scoffed, feeling Hongjoong’s glare almost splitting his head open from behind.

“If you show reasonable improvement, it may lead to a shorter sentence, allowing you to cut down on the time spent here in exchange for something like parole or even community service.” Seonghwa spoke, which made Yunho’s ears perk up, the superintendent smirked. “Oh so now you’re interested.”

Yunho frowned.

“Try being in this shithole for doing the right thing,” Yunho sneered.

Seonghwa could't argue with that, it was a shithole.

The grey concrete, the echoing footsteps, the damp smell that never left, it was dreadful.

“Don’t sit here and tell me that murder is ‘the right thing’ Yunho.” Seonghwa spoke lowly.

"I didn't murder innocent people."

"You still murdered people."

"I stopped monsters."

"You decided who deserved to die."

"They already decided that themselves."

Neither man raised his voice.

Neither needed to.

Seonghwa took a deep breath.

“You’re clever, thats undeniable, but you’re not a psychopath, and i don’t think you’re a bad person either," He started.

Yunho's eyes widened, only briefly, before returning to his usual stoic expression.

"i think this could be good for you.” Seonghwa spoke “Just try it, either way, you’ll be here for a long, long time.”

Yunho clicked his tongue “I’ll do it.” He sighed.

Seonghwa visibly relaxed.

“Don’t expect me to change, i don’t regret a fucking thing.” He looked at Seonghwa, dead in the eyes.

Seonghwa stared back with the same intensity, searching for any hope of reform in Yunho’s eyes, but the other male stood firm in his beliefs.

"...Very well."

Seonghwa rose to his feet.

“Let’s go then,”

Hongjoong followed behind as Yunho was guided into a room.

One that resembled a therapy room.

A plush sofa built for intimate conversations.

A console table between them, attempting to put space between the secrets shared.

There was a reclining chair, paired with a normal, ergonomic office chair on the other side of the room.

It looked comfortable, far more comfortable than whatever Yunho had been subject to for the last five weeks.

Yunho was guided to the sofa, a cold metal cuff snapped shut around his ankle. The chain was then secured firmly to the sofa leg.

Yunho looked down.

His eyebrow cocked “What the hell do you think i am going to do,” He glared.

Hongjoong didn't look up.

“I never know with people like you, could fly off the rails at any moment,” Hongjoong spoke as he fastened the cuffs “And i wouldn’t want you to be tempted,” he muttered

“Tempted by what?” Yunho spoke, almost offended that the other male thought so lowly of him.

That was before temptation itself walked through the door.

Seonghwa opened the door, another man, of similar height, slightly broader in the shoulders and much grumpier waltzed into the room. His wrists were bound, his hair was disheveled, he looked up'

For the first time in five weeks, they looked at each other.

Neither spoke, but their eyes said everything their mouths couldn't.

A small smirk danced on his expression, Yunho matched it.

"You look awful," Mingi deadpanned as he was marched further into the room.

Yunho scoffed.

"They feeding you mirrors now?"

One of the officers shoved Mingi gently towards the opposite sofa.

"Sit."

"I was planning on it."

He dropped into the cushions with a theatrical sigh.

“So this is why i'm chained to the sofa is it?” Yunho chuckled dryly as he looked up at Hongjoong who only rolled his eyes. The other two guards ushered in with the other male, sitting him on the opposite sofa, cuffing his ankle to the sofa,

“Gentle..” Mingi mumbled “unless you’re trying to rip my foot off,”

“Fucking wish i could,” the guard fixing the cuff grumbled.

“Wooyoung.” Seonghwa warned. The sound of his voice was enough to make the guard shut up. The prisoner only smirked

Yunho stifled a laugh, maintaining his nonchalance. The other male caught it, a slight grin making its way to his face.

Hongjoong only sighed as the two males were fastened onto the sofa. The two guards that had assisted Mingi their way towards the door. Seonghwa walked towards the sofa.

“Yunho, Mingi.” He began “This is an introductory session, You will have one session together and one individually every week. Don’t even think about trying anything, i will know. You breathe differently, i will know, you move differently, i will know, if you fucking blink differently, i will know.” He warns, his tone so serious that the two boys almost sat up straight.

Seonghwa scanned the two men for any hint of trouble, but failed to find any behind their now expressionless faces.

“If i hear that you two have done anything,” He lowers his voice “I will make you both so fucking miserable you will wish you were in a worse place than prison.” he promises.

Yunho and Mingi only stare at Seonghwa blankly in response, acknowledging the threat. Seonghwa doesn’t push for a verbal reply, backing away to open up the door.

The two men exchange a look. It was something of a greeting, an acknowledgement of their reunion after weeks of not seeng each other. After all, they were partners in crime.

Their heads quickly turn as they hear footsteps echo in the corridor, nearing the room they sat in.

Heel...toe...heel...toe.

Each step had purpose, each step took in more and more of the room, as if they were marking territory.

Neither Yunho nor Mingi averted their gaze.

The steps walked around the sofas straight to the chair that sat off the side of the sofas. Facing them both. She didn't rush, she didn't linger.

One leg crossed over the other. One heel fixed to the floor to keep hold of the room, the other in the air to steady herself. Her pinstripe trousers tailored to her frame, a crisp white shirt that flared slightly at the waist, the top button undone, revealing the necklace she always wore. She looked professional.

Everything looked deliberate.

Yunho would be a total liar to say he wasn’t gawking at her beauty, he hid it well, behind a plain expression. But if you looked hard enough, you wouldn’t miss how his eyes followed her. He was curious, people were usually nervous around them, scared even, but she was...neutral.

Mingi on the other hand sported a completely blank face. However Yunho didn’t miss how his lips parted slightly when she sat down, how he let out a breath he probably didn’t know he was holding.

The silence was broken by Seonghwa’s voice slicing through the air.

“Yunho, Mingi. This is Y/N, she will be your counsellor for the next few weeks.” Seonghwa introduced. Y/N smiled softly at the two men. Yunho and Mingi glanced at each other before nodding subtly at Y/N in acknowledgment.

“I will leave you both in her care, but don’t think that there won’t be guards outside the door, i have eyes everywhere, you will not get away from me,” He warns again “Y/N will give you a rundown on what to expect, treat her with the upmost amount of respect. Do you understand?”

“Yeah,” Yunho agrees calmly, Mingi nods.

“Words mingi, i need words.” Seonghwa speaks.

“Yes, we aren’t violent fucking criminal’s Seonghwa, we aren’t going to attack her for no reason,” Mingi rolls his eyes.

“Only serial killers…no biggie,” Wooyoung mutters under his breath earning a shove from his partner, San.

Yunho scoffs to himself. “We will be on our best behaviour,” He says sarcastically. He was telling the truth, he had no intention of hurting Y/N, he was a reasonable guy, only when it was necessary.

“You guys need to think more highly of us,” Mingi huffs as he sinks into his chair slightly “Outside of this room are people far worse than us, don’t group us in with them,” He defends himself.

“We will see how this goes.” Seonghwa ignores Mingi’s comment, opening the door to let the guards out. “Y/N, let us know if you need anything.” He says as he closes the door.

“I’ll be okay!” She replies as the door closes.

Her hands tremble in her lap as she takes a sip of her water.

She hid it well, but they noticed, they always do.

“Right.” She begins.

“You’re shaking,” Yunho mumbles, eyes laser focused to her hands in her lap as his voice trails off slightly

Y/N looks at him “What?,” She smile softly, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Your hands," Yunho explains "They're shaking."

She moves her hands quickly, resting them on the armrest of the chair.

"Observant." She chuckles dryly. "It's my first day" she humours. "Was hoping neither of you would notice"

"I didn't" Mingi admitted.

"When do you ever," Yunho remarks

Mingi rolled his eyes, ignoring the other man.

The tension in the room eased, only slightly, but it made enough room for comfort to sneak in.

“Let’s start with some introductions then?" Y/n began, "I’m Y/N and i will be your counsellor for the next few weeks.”

She glances at Mingi, who smiles awkwardly, fixing his posture before introducing himself.

“Mingi,” He says “I’m Mingi,”

“Well hello Mingi, it's nice to meet you.” Y/N says softly.

Nice? Not something anyone ever said to him.

“I take it you’re Yunho then?” She looks over to Yunho, who nods in response.