#borderine

“Where’s Baekhyun and Kyungsoo? They already finished their jobs?” Chanyeol asked, but your father didn’t seem too keen on discussing where the other members were.

“They’re conducting some business in Granada with the company party.”

“Does that mean I can go join them since I’ve finished my jobs?” The thought of being able to see you again had his heart pounding in his ears, and it was time that he made up with you and now that he was finished with everything in Shanghai, he could—

“You’re not done here.”

“What do you mean I’m not done?” Chanyeol hissed, the blood coursing through his veins began to boil as your father told him that his jobs in Shanghai weren’t done with, “I’ve completed all the missions you gave to me, why can I not join Sehun and Y/N in Granada?”

“Because you are to stay away from them—”

“You mean you don’t want me to interfere with your shitty version of matchmaking and make Y/N second guess herself…” You were his and no one else’s, Chanyeol wasn’t going to let your father keep him from you, “If you think that she is going to stay with Sehun, you’re just kidding yourself.” He scoffed, slamming his hands down onto the desk, “She is devoted to me and only me, Y/N is mine, and I’m not going to let you take her away from me!”

“Chanyeol!” Your father stood up to face him, trying to back him down to size, “You need to get your head in straight before I send you on your next mission. Go home and clear your head and be here on time tomorrow.” He could see the dark energy filling Chanyeol’s eyes, he knew that he wasn’t going back down from his spot, but his daughter deserved better than Chanyeol, “Go. Now.”

“Fuck you.” Chanyeol bellowed, “At the end of the day, Y/N is mine and will always be mine...” Pushing off the desk, he turned on his heels and made his way to the door.

“Be here tomorrow at seven.”

“Go fuck yourself.” This was going to be the last time that he listened to your father, the man who is so disapproving of him, that he sent his girlfriend and his best friend to another country just to get them together. For years you’ve always been so devoted to Chanyeol, so why now are you putting up a fight? He had cheated on you multiple times before, and you knew about it, but you continued to stay next to him—did your father and Sehun finally get into your head? He needed to get to you before anything happened that couldn’t be changed, needed to make it up to you before you changed your mind and decided to leave him for good.

The 19-hour flight was long enough for him to hack into your father’s personal accounts and find the hotel you and Sehun were staying at as well as push past the hotel’s firewall and add his name to the room reservation so he wouldn’t have to interrogate the front desk when he arrived. Getting to the room was the easiest part of the whole trip, but now that he was standing in front of the door, his skin prickled with goosebumps as he slid the room key into the lock. Upon walking into the suite, the main living area was empty, but the lights were on; he was suspicious as he walked to the stairs and snuck up them, making sure not to make any noise as he ascended them. The hall to the bedroom was dark, except a little sliver of light escaping an ajar door, the door that led to the bedroom; he approached the crack and peered inside it, his heart immediately dropped into the pit of his stomach. Sehun’s hips we’re flush with your thighs while his body was on top of yours, he didn’t have to watch long to know what was going on—Sehun had finally taken you away from him. The pang in his chest went from painful to numb; anger took over his emotions; Chanyeol balled his fists as he watched Sehun take you in front of his very eyes.

“Sehun...” You whispered between your breathless moans, Sehun pushed up from your body, revealing your face to Chanyeol. He could see the faint red glow in your eyes from where he stood, but he had no idea what was happening, “Someone—” Sehun’s hands caressed your cheeks, and he spoke softly as if he knew Chanyeol was there and he was trying to keep anything he was saying a secret to him, but he heard him.

“You’re safe. It’s just us here. I’ll always keep you safe.” Sehun pressed his lips to yours, silencing any words to escape you.

You’ve got to be kidding me…

He watched as you flipped places, Sehun was under you, and you were taking control of the situation. His eyes followed you as Sehun’s cock disappeared into you and your body bounced on top of him, the moans that fell from your lips were nothing like the ones he was used to hearing—were you just playing with Sehun or were you toying with his feelings?

The hiss of the shower pulled Sehun from his slumber; the space you filled in the bed was empty. Rolling over, he began to get up when his eyes caught the time; it had only been a few hours since you fell asleep. He stumbled into the bathroom, the bright light stinging his eyes as he made his way to the shower; stepping into the steam-filled space, your back was facing him, water beaded over your skin as you stood there. It wasn’t the first time he had seen you like this, distant, and feeling small. He didn’t have to see your face. He knew you well enough to tell by the way your body held itself together. Fingers gripping your shoulders, arms tight over your chest, face buried in the crossing of your arms—something was on your mind.

“Y/N…” He whispered while wrapping his arms around your waist, “You okay?” He asked, pulling you into him, his lips pressing gentle kisses over your fingers. You were quiet, but you let your arms fall to your side, and you leaned into him, “Did something—”

“Everyone that comes in contact with me… ends up dying…” You breathed, your voice barely making it over the rush of the shower.

“What are you talking about?” He asked, tightening his grip around you. The subtle shaking that took over your body told him that you were scared, the thoughts in your head had dug their claws in so deeply that you could feel them in the real.

“The blood that runs in my veins is of the Lee Clan… That’s why they’re after me…” Sehun felt like his heart had stopped in his chest upon hearing the words that escaped you.

“That can’t be why they’re attacking you. There’s got to be another reason besides that you’re a child of their clan.” People leave their families all the time, and you were adopted, so there just had to be another reason they were after you, Sehun knew that.

“Remember the second man? He said that killing was in my blood. The three boys I murdered, they came to inject a revealer to clear the mind block, and that’s when my memories came flooding back to me… Like a dam had burst open and now I’m drowning in the water…”

“What memories…?”

“Before I was adopted… When Chen and I were kids… We were in a cell together… and I turned him into what he is…” Everything that was leaving your lips wasn’t making sense to him. Turning you around to face him, your dark eyes held a red glow, just flickering like a flame.

“Y/N—”

“They turned me into this monster, and I turned Chen into one, too— I— I’ve killed hundreds before I could even speak—” Sehun cradled your face in his hands, watching as the glow turned brighter the more you panicked, “The man Chen killed said that… he told me that I was an outdated mutation…”

Mutation?

He couldn’t stop watching the flame grow inside your eyes, he always knew there was something different about you the past few weeks, but he never thought that your head would be filled with so much fear, “Y/N, no matter what these people say, you are you and you are the only one in control of what happens to you now… No matter what happens, I’ll be standing right next to you, willing to fight for you, and ready to protect you.” The glow faded with every word of reassurance he was offering you; in all the years that he had known you, he was always there for you, and now that he had you to himself, there was no way he was letting you burst into flames.

“I don’t want to end up losing you, Sehun…” The shaky whisper that you breathed sounded like a goodbye like you were scared to hurt him, so you were going to leave him before he could get tangled up in a mess you didn’t even know you made.

“The only way that you could lose me is if I die, and I don’t plan on doing that, ever, not while you’re still alive…” Pressing his lips to your forehead, he was attempting to melt the agony in your mind, “I love you, and nothing is going to happen while I’m here.” His gentle kiss appeared against your cheek as you closed your eyes, “We’ll end this, and we’ll change our identities…” Warmth brushed over your other cheek, making your heart flutter, “Live in a little cottage in Paris and fill its rooms with children, our children…”

“Promise…?”

“I promise.” Looking up at him, you pushed up onto your toes, raising yourself until your lips crashed into his.

“Staying with me is only going to get you killed, Sehun.” You growled, throwing your phone through the stillness of the alleyway leading to your hotel.

“What are you going on about?” He whispered, trying to calm you down, but you were past the point of calming—you were gone. The girl that stood in front of him no longer looked like you; deep crimson filled the eyes he fell for, the last shred of happiness he used to see was gone. Blood splattered over your skin as your face became a blur as his body fell to the ground.

“What did she tell you, Sehun?” Chen’s voice filled his ears as he looked up to see blood dripping from his fingers, “It was only a matter of time before she murdered you—”

“No!” Sehun shot up from his pillow; his heart thrashed inside his chest as he looked around the bedroom, finally coming to the realization it was a dream, “Fuck…” He sighed, running his hands over his face. The expression that was burned into his eyes was one that he hoped he would never see on you; he didn’t want to see the demon that laid behind those eyes. Coming back to reality, he noticed the mid-morning sun dancing over the foot of the bed, but then he noticed that your side of the bed was empty—were you really saying goodbye to him last night? Sehun had never imagined that you would leave him, especially since he made a promise to you, and he was the one not to break his promises.

“Y/N…” He heard your name from outside of the bedroom, then your voice responding. Quickly getting up, he made his way out to the top of the stairs to see you standing in front of Suho, Lay, Kai, and Chen that were seated around the table.

“Y/N.” Sehun husked as he walked down the stairs to join the group. You turned to see him, a slight smile coming to your lips, “Why didn’t you wake me?” His lips pressed against your forehead while he wrapped an arm around you.

“You needed sleep.” You hummed, leaning into his touch, “They just got here, so you didn’t miss anything.”

“What’s this?” Lay’s voice interrupted the tender moment, “You’re with Sehun now? When did this happen?”

“None of your business.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes in annoyance like he was your brother who was pestering you about having a boyfriend, “Not to mention, that’s not the reason why we’re all here today.”

“That’s right.” Sehun added, “With the rescue mission of Chen being a success, we need more detail about the Lee Clan from someone who has been under their lock and key.” Chen’s eyes jumped from the floor to you then to Sehun and then back to you as if asking permission to speak on the subject.

“Go ahead, Chen. You won’t be scrutinized for what comes out in this room.” Chen let out a relieved sigh as he leaned back into his chair.

“The Lee Clan has been experimenting on humans since day one of the gathering of the clan. They were looking for a way to make them the most superior in the country, and heaven forbid they ever die out because of trivial things like dying in combat.” Sehun furrowed his brows, listening to Chen when his last statement clicked.

“You’re telling me that—”

“Yuta, Jaemin, Jeno, Jisung, and Taeyong are still alive. The only way to kill them is to mix the blood of an X strain with their own. Ingesting, injecting, anyway that it can get into their body, the X strain mutation will mutilate the Y strain, which is what those boys are.” Sehun glanced your way to see your face drained of any color, but your expression told him that this news didn’t shock you.

“The only way they can make the Y strain is with my blood, right?” You asked, and Chen’s eyes dropped from your gaze.

“Wait…” Suho interjected, “How are they using your blood if you’re an X, and they’re trying to make a Y?”

“I’m no scientist… all I know is that the last time I heard them talk was about needing the main source of the X strain, which would be the first successful turned, which is—”

“Y/N?” Kai cut off Chen, but there was confusion in his voice, “How is that even possible? We’ve known each other since we were young, and you were never held in a lab or even remotely around other people.”

“That’s because I’m of the Lee Clan bloodline. I was put up for adoption when I was a child, way before I met you or either of the boys.” Silence fell around the room; sure it was a shock to the three boys you’ve bonded with since a young age, but Sehun and Chen already knew this, “I guess they’ve had a supply of my blood until now since they’re trying to mass-produce the Y strain.” Sehun stared off into space, lost in the information that was being dumped into his lap. They wanted you for your blood to make more of a genetic mutation to force into people’s bodies? Not only did that news not settle well with him, it included taking you away from him.

“Well, that just means we’re going to have to get you out of town.” Sehun blurted out, causing the room to fall silent once more.

“What?” You asked, looking up at him with a confused expression gracing your face.

“I’m not going to let them get their hands on you.”

“Who said that was your decision to make? To be frank, they're after me. Not you, me. So, why do you think that you get to tell me where I’m to go?” Your harsh tone had Sehun furrowing his brow in anger, he was trying to protect you, so why were you putting up a fight?

“Because I’m to protect you, job or not.”

“I don’t care—as far as I’m concerned, I’m no longer part of your job description! I have put so many lives in danger, and I could end this all if I could just—”

“No, Y/N! If I remember correctly, that man they call Taeyong didn’t care if he took you alive or dead! What makes you think that they won’t just kill you right then and there when you waltz in through their doors?! Huh?!” Sehun couldn’t stop his voice from getting louder with every point he was bringing forth. He could see your face contorting with an expression he’d never seen—a demon with red eyes glared at him like it was hungry for blood.

“Woah—” Chen quickly stood between the two of you, with his back towards Sehun, “Hey, calm down. Think about this, you don’t want to flip on him, do you?” Sehun took a step back, your face coming into view over Chen’s shoulder, “You’re not in any danger, why the flip, Y/N?” Chen’s voice was soothing, a whisper of words like he was trying to calm a wild animal.

“Out of my way, Chen… Sehun and I are not done with our conversation…” Your growled words were enough to make the hair stand on everyone’s skin, was this the X strain taking over?

“I don’t think that’s a good idea—”

“I’m trying to protect people and make sure that the hundreds of people that died didn’t die in vain, and what do I get? Talked down to like I’m a fucking child?!” Chen knew that you were in your right mind, but the mind block removal had all your hidden memories and powers coming back—the abilities you have no control over.

“If you’re going to act like a child, I’ll treat you like a child. We’re leaving this town no matter how badly you want to stay here.” Sehun watched as your eyes darted to his from Chen’s gaze.

“Sehun…” Chen spoke coolly, “I think it’s best that you remove yourself from the room for a while…” Sehun didn’t quite approve of Chen barging into the situation, but he couldn’t deny that the only thing standing in the way of you ripping him a new one was Chen.

It had been hours since Sehun faced you, Chen kept you separated from him to ensure that you weren’t going to do something you would later regret, but now that it was getting close to dinner time, he knew that you would be starving.

“Chen?” His voice rang out into the living area where everyone remained as Sehun made his way down the stairs, “Where’s Y/N?”

“She’s been on the balcony for the last hour.” Chen replied while glancing towards the glass door, “She’s calmed down for the most part, but I wouldn’t put it past her to still be upset.” Sehun sighed, his anger that subsided wasn’t misplaced, was it so wrong to want to protect you?

“At the end of the day, her safety is all that matters.”

“Who decided that, Sehun?” Suho emerged from the kitchen, “Y/N is trying to right her wrongs, do you blame her?”

“What wrongs—”

“She believes that she is the reason for all those deaths and not the Lee Clan. Imagine being told that hundreds of people died so that you could live? Imagine being experimented on and then being forced to forget everything and then having to remember everything. She is trying to figure out her path…” Lifting his glass to his lips, he took a drink before stating his request, “Let her.” Sehun flicked his eyes over to the balcony to see you pacing, left to right, right to the left. Your face was tight with emotions he couldn’t place, but it was his place to keep you safe, but it was also his place to keep you happy.

“If we stayed, that’s just putting all of us in danger…” He husked.

“We know that, but they’re going to find her regardless of where she runs to. Why not just face it head-on?” Chen added. Sehun knew Chen was right; they found you so quickly there as well as here in Granada—running would do you no good.

“I still have to try to protect her…” All eyes in the room flicked to Sehun as his voice cracked, “I’ve learned to lose her, but now I can’t afford to.noa”

“You’re taking me to the mall?” You asked as Suho pulled into a parking spot in front of the mall entrance.

“I figured you needed out of that hotel room. After that fight this morning, you and Sehun have been on edge.” You could hear the worry that was hiding in his voice, “You know he loves you, right, Y/N?”

“More than you know.” You loved Sehun. You always had, he was the one that you could go to when you were unsure of yourself or if you needed a shoulder to cry on; you were pretty sure that he was your first love, but the fact he wasn’t giving you wants the time of day was frustrating, “I understand his stance. I know his plan, it’s the same one that we’ve been using for a while… so why can’t he just listen to me?”

“You want to know what he told us?” Suho rasped, turning off the engine, letting the silence fill the space between the two of you.

“Do I want to know?”

“It might change the way you look at him…” He glanced your way to see the gears turning behind your eyes.

“What did he say?” Deep down, you had a feeling, but what Suho spoke into existence had your heart sinking into your stomach.

“He’s had to watch you walk away from him over a million times, and now that he finally gets to be by your side, he doesn’t want to lose you. I tried to get him to understand your side, but as someone who has watched you suffer from being in a relationship with Chanyeol—seeing you with Sehun…” Suho paused, trying to find the right words, “He’s good for you, and I don’t want to see that ruined.” He turned his gaze onto you to see the gears that were turning had stopped like Suho’s statement had made a difference in the plans you were already working on. Dropping your gaze down to your lap, you cleared your throat as you gathered your thoughts.

“Are you sure that he’s the right choice?” You whispered, “What if I turn him into a monster with me or worse… what if I can’t save him from the one I’ve become?”

“You know that he’s going to kill just to be by your sword, as far as I’m concerned, you’ve tamed the monster inside him. As for the question of if he’s the right one… I can’t say he’s the right one, but I know he’s the best one, and he makes you happy, right?”

“Always has…” You hummed.

“Then, you have your answer.” Suho reached over the center console and gently lifted your chin to face him, “Now, if you want to continue with our makeshift way of getting you guys to go on a date, exit the car. Your answer is waiting inside.”

“Hold on, what about—”

“Lay, Chen, Kai, and I are here as protection just in case they show up here.” Suho soothed your worry as he opened his door, “We’re making sure you guys won’t be interrupted.” Sliding out of the car, he closed the door behind him and appeared at yours to open it for you, “Are you ready?”

Sehun paced back and forth in front of the stained glass entrance of the mall, his nerves making themselves known as the knots in his stomach made it hard for him to breathe, “Sehun, calm down.” Chen sighed, “Being nervous is fine, but watching you pace is making me anxious.”

“Well, excuse me if I’m making you anxious, this is my first date with her, so I don’t want to mess anything up.” Sehun hissed, “That is if she’s no longer upset with me.”

“Wait a minute—this is your first date with Y/N? I thought you guys were already dating?” Chen cocked his head, his confusion speaking loudly.

“Oh, no, man.” Lay spoke up, “She’s been dating his best friend since they were in high school.” Sehun tried to block out their conversation, but the more in-depth they talked, the harder it was to ignore, “Chanyeol was pretty much her life, but Sehun here was practically her knight in shining armor when Chanyeol broke her poor little heart.”

“Man, that’s pitiful that you were just the cleaner-upper in their relationship. Are you sure she doesn’t just stay with you because you’re the only one she can depend on when her life spirals out of control?” Chen’s question didn’t help Sehun’s feelings, just as he was about to scold Chen, a soft voice radiated from behind him.

“I’m with Sehun because it’s always been him, even when I was with Chanyeol, it was always Sehun.” He turned on his heels to see you standing before him, part of him expected your usual aesthetic of dark clothing, but the outfit Suho had suggested for you was gracing your figure. Silence filled the air around the two of you as he took it all in; your cheeks pinked up as your fingers gripped the powder blue fabric of your sundress.

“Is it too much? Suho said it was cute on me, but—”

“You’re perfect, Y/N…” Reaching his hand out to you, Suho nudged you, pushing you into Sehun.

“You two have fun, we’ll be around.” Suho signaled for the rest of the guys to disperse, and you were finally alone with him.

Sehun didn’t have much planned for your date, he just wanted time alone with you, moments where he didn’t feel like he had to be on edge because he was worried that you were going to be attacked, or because you were in the company of another man—he wanted any. Every second he could get with you, even if it was just roaming around the mall. From window shopping to eating in the food court, he wished he could only be in the moment with you, but couldn’t get one thought out of his mind.

“Sehun?” You hummed from beside him, and he looked down at you, “You’re quiet… is something bothering you?”

“Oh…” He let a small laugh escape him as he pasted a smile onto his lips, “Nothing really, I just got lost in thought for a minute.”

“Are you worried that I’m still mad at you for forcing the decision to leave Granada?” His eyes widened at your question—you hit the nail on the head, “I’m not; there’s nothing to be mad at.”

“You seemed pretty upset that I told you that we weren’t going to stay, so can you blame me for being worried?” You stopped in your tracks, and he turned to face you, he could see a faint smile on your lips as your eyes met his. What could’ve changed your mind?

“Just as you, I don’t want to lose something precious to me. If leaving Granada will help keep you with me, then that’s what we’re going to do.” You reached for his hand and slipped your fingers in between the gaps of his, “I love you, Sehun, and… I’m ready to be with you and stay with you.”

“A-are you sure…?” He questioned, “I don’t want you to be with me just because I’m—”

“I was telling the truth when I said it was always you. I do not doubt it.” Your eyes didn’t waver as they stared deeply into his, they were still and heavy as if they were begging for him to believe every word that left your lips; you didn’t only need him to believe your words, but you needed him to believe in you.

“Prove it.” He breathed, “Only after you prove it, will I believe you.”

“How would you like me to prove it?” You asked, your eyes already telling him that you had an idea.

“Any way you want.” A slight smirk appeared on your lips as you turned on your heels.

“Don’t regret what you just said!” Pulling him, you guided him to a shop that had a bright neon red ‘tattoo’ sign above the doors.

“Hold on. You’re getting a tattoo?” Sehun furrowed his brow, and you looked over your shoulder as you entered and walked up to the desk.

“Not just me, you’re getting one, too.” Sehun just stared at the back of your head as you spoke to that man at the front counter about the tattoos.

“That’s all you want to get?” The man asked, and you nodded your head.

“Something super simple for two complex creatures.” The man gave you a slight nod and waved the two of you back into one of the rooms that looked set up minus the put together tattoo machine.

“Are you sure about this, Y/N? Tattoos are permanent…” Sehun rested his hand on your shoulder, and you placed your hand over his.

“And so is your presence in my life.” Your voice sounded so sure, there was no change in pitch or any waver in your tone—you were serious.

“Alright, little lady.” The man sat down on his chair as he hooked the machine up to the power supply, “Hop up in the seat.” You did as you were told, and within seconds, the needle began inking a thin red line around the base of your pinky, as any tattoo artist would, he asked you the same question that many have heard before, “So what’s the story behind this red line?” Sehun himself was interested in your sudden tattoo, so he stepped closer to you, getting a better view of your face.

“The red string of fate is a belief stemming from Chinese mythology. It’s an invisible red cord wrapped around a couple’s pinkies connecting them to their true love. Getting it tattooed is basically like an act of gamble. The moment that you enter into any kind of relationship, it's an act of faith—” Your eyes fluttered with the surge of pain that the needle was gifting you, but you continued, “You're giving yourself up, and that’s the most powerful thing that anyone can do: surrender and love is an act of surrender.” Moving your eyes over to Sehun, he could see the girl he knew a long time ago as you smiled gently, “So in other words, I’m telling him that ‘I’m giving myself to you’ with the trust of the needle entering our skin making a permanent red string of fate.” A slight smile tugged at the corners of his lips, hearing your reasoning behind the tattoo—that was all you needed to say for him to believe you.

The silence that filled the evening air was a comfortable one, the quiet scuff of feet over the pavement, the hum of the city just feet away from you, and the warmth that filled your hand was enough to soothe the ache around your pinky, “Thank you for today.” You hummed while squeezing his hand, “I needed it.”

“Don’t thank me, any time I get to spend with you is worth it.” Sehun lifted the back of your hand to his lips, gently burning the shape of his kiss into your skin.

“I love you, Sehun, and I’m sorry it took me this long to see.” Pulling your hand away from his lips, his eyes landed on the matching thin red rings around your pinkies and couldn’t help smiling.

“I don’t need you to apologize, I’m just glad that I can finally enjoy my time with you without having to worry about Chanyeol.” A small laugh left you as you leaned into him, your head landing against his arm.

“You don’t have to worry about him. If anything, I’ll be the one to deal with him.” That’s right, you were always the one to deal with Chanyeol when he got out of hand or had something to say that was derogatory towards Sehun. He always thought he was protecting you from him, but now that he thought about it, you were protecting him too, “Oh yeah— Where are the guys? I thought they were our bodyguards tonight?”

“Oh?” Sehun dug his phone from his pocket and unlocked it to show you the text he sent Suho, “I figured the least I could do is walk us home, I think we earned a little privacy.”

“You planning to seduce me, Sehun?” He could see the mischievous smirk appearing on your lips.

“Would you turn me down if I said yes?” His hand slipped from your grip to wrap around your waist, “I may not be able to stop like—” A sharp pinch at his neck caused him to stop mid-sentence, and his vision started to blur.