#saeyoung

jumin (in saeyoung's route)

"why can't you understand that i don't care about your feelings?"

you can't stand to listen to it anymore. to have the man you've fallen for treat you so coldly... it's more than you can handle now.

seven holds your gaze, his expression wavering, just slightly, but you can't keep holding onto that glimpse of hope anymore. you can't keep lying to yourself. it's delusional to keep reading between the lines, looking for any sign that he's hiding behind a mask. that he's pushing you away because he cares... but if he loved you, he wouldn't treat you like this, so for once, you just nod.

"okay. i get it. i won't bother you anymore," you offer a meek smile before turning towards your room. the complete 180 in your response confuses him.

"mc?"

but you've already shut the door. softly, of course, so as to not attract any attention. he wants you to leave him alone, right? so that's what you'll do.

you crawl into bed, looking towards the window to see it's nearly dusk. the lump in your throat only feels heavier as you curl into a fetal position, your phone clutched in hand. the tears don't come yet... just an ache in your chest that makes it hard to breathe.

what is so wrong with me?

you force the depressing thought aside. you need a friend right now, but who can you even turn to in a time like this?

you open the messenger. yoosung, jaehee, and zen are all online. you hold your breath, fearing the consequences of seven seeing you whine about your feelings for him even more. yoosung and jaehee probably had good advice, but zen would only fuel the fire even more, and that wouldn't help your anxiety.

that left only jumin. but... wouldn't he be busy right now?maybe it would be better to wait until tomorrow...

these thoughts are what make the tears finally fall. it truly felt like you didn't have anyone to turn to. what were you thinking? would jumin be a good shoulder to cry on, anyway? would he chastise you like seven, telling you that your feelings mean nothing?

you squeeze your eyes shut and sob. your phone vibrates in your hand.

jumin is calling you.

your eyes widen, your breath catching. you sniffle, and sit up to take the call, trying to stabilize your voice.

"h-hello?"

you failed.

"mc? i was calling to check on you, but you sound... unlike yourself. is luciel still with you?"

"yes, um... he's in the living room right now. did you want to talk to him?" your breath wavers, fearing that you will have to face seven immediately again.

"no, thank you. i'm aware that he is working. i haven't seen you on the messenger since this morning, what have you been doing?"

"we... i haven't been doing much. i cooked for him earlier, but i don't think he ate it... sometimes i think he wants nothing to do with me at all."

why am i telling him this?

"...what do you mean by that?"

"oh... nothing. it's nothing. what were you up to, jumin?"

there's a heavy silence, and you know he isn't falling for it. you've been caught in a lie. it's like you can hear the gears turning in his head, calculating the best way to make you spill everything. your breath is unsteady, and you can feel the tears building again, but still you feign ignorance.

"jumin?"

"what happened?" the question is sudden, and it catches you off guard.

your face heats up. for some reason, when it came to you, jumin always noticed what was written between the lines. he was the one member who knew how to read you, who made you feel secure. maybe you should tell him everything? but...

"i... i don't want to bother you. it's stupid... and it's not really something you can say on the phone."

"i can send driver kim near the apartment. please, i want to know what's troubling you."

your heart swells at the gesture, and it's hard to say no, but seven's face flashes in your mind. would he let you leave the apartment at this hour, even if it was to see jumin? you're tempted to just leave and not ask for permission at all. seven probably wouldn't even care.

"okay. i will send you the address of a place near the apartment."

"i will send driver kim right away. i'll see you soon."

you hang up, you definitely feel better, but there's a feeling of dread weighing on you. can you sneak out of this apartment past a secret agent? is it better to just tell the truth?

you open the bedroom door. seven is still sitting on the floor of the living room, his back to you. his headphones are wrapped around his neck, so you know he can hear the door as it shuts behind you.

"i'm going out," you say it flatly. seven keeps typing, not bothering to look at you, but he asks, "where?"

"jumin is coming to pick me up. i'll be back later. don't wait up." your tone is dry, mocking. he obviously wasn't going to wait at all.

seven does turn to look at you, though, his expression unreadable. he just stares. but you pay him no mind, and walk out the front door.

* * *

jumin is in the backseat of the car when you arrive. it startles you, since this is the first time you've seen each other in person. his face is more expressive than you pictured it, because even he looks shocked to see you.

for some reason, you find yourself blushing, because he is way better looking in person, too. his dark eyes make you feel conscious of your appearance, and you did freshen up before leaving, but now you wish you had done more.

you quickly sit in the seat next to him, holding out your hand. "it's nice to meet you," you force out. jumin nods, taking your hand in his for a gentle handshake.

driver kim puts the car in drive, then embarks on jumin's penthouse. you can feel jumin's eyes on you. you feel a bit conscious of the fact that driver kim is listening, but you don't know how long you have with jumin, and you want to hear his thoughts as soon as possible.

"...i don't really know where to start," you murmur.

"is it regarding luciel?" it feels like the obvious question, but it gets you started.

"well... ever since he came to the apartment, he's been acting really different. he's not at all how i thought he would be... he doesn't make jokes, talk to me nicely, or even smile at all. he's there to protect me, but... he's so cruel. he hates any effort i make to be kind or be closer to him. what am i supposed to do with these feelings for him?"

"...feelings?"

you falter ever so slightly. you turn to meet his eyes, and wordlessly nod, as if curious to see his reaction, but his face is nearly blank. you had never wondered until now, but how would he feel if he knew you had feelings for seven?

his brows furrow somewhat; you're slowly able to pick up on the subtlety of his facial expressions. "i see. you love him, but he doesn't return your affections."

your cheeks dust pink, and your voice comes out small, almost like a squeak. "i-i didn't say i loved him!"

jumin looks perplexed. "doesn't 'having feelings for someone' mean love? i don't understand."

"not necessarily... i like him, but it's not love. sometimes love takes time... once you really know the person, but... i don't think i'll ever get to truly know him. he told me he wants nothing to do with me."

"oh. i think i understand now. he is not open to a relationship with you, and he won't give you a chance to try. i didn't know that love took time... for me, it was instantaneous--" he abruptly stops himself and looks out the car window, clearing his throat.

you tilt your head, your focus fully on him now. "jumin? have you loved someone?"

he doesn't answer you right away, stubbornly turning away from you. "forgive me, this is not the best time to answer that question."

your hand moves on its own, and you don't realize what you've done until you feel his wrist beneath your fingertips. he snaps out of his stubbornness and whips his head to look at you. you gasp and pull your hand away, but you don't distance yourself from him completely.

"i'm sorry... i'm sorry. but, jumin, you can tell me anything. i'm here for you, too."

to anyone in the rfa who could see jumin in this moment, he is keeping his cold, steady gaze, but to you, the softening of his eyes is obvious. his hand reaches up to find yours again, where he lightly traces it, as if dancing around the idea of holding your hand.

"you... don't deserve luciel. you deserve someone who will listen to you, embrace you, and love you no matter how you feel. you are a very dazzling person, one who should be treasured. luciel is a fool for not appreciating someone as lovely as you."

it starts to sink in, the poetic words, the quiet understanding, and the way he always dotes on you. he loves you, and has from the beginning. you begin to realize that he is what you've been looking for, and you can't see yourself ever falling for anyone else.

part 2? hehehe

saeyoung (in jumin's route)

seven hasn't been able to stop checking the cctv footage since you left. he just wants to see you walk through the door, and jump back into the same routine you always do. he wants to know you're safe. he knows you will probably be safe at jumin's, too, but the recent behavior of jumin on the messenger has become alarming.

he logged in to let everyone know that you're safe to return back to the apartment, but of course, jumin doesn't seem to think so. he wants to delay the departure for another half-day, but who knows what that will spiral into later?

seven studied your responses when zen pushed you. of course, seven has no idea what you're saying in private, but it seems like you want to leave, and he wants to help.

but what can he do?

you sit idly in the master bedroom, having just chatted with jumin and zen, where you learned you may be staying until dinner instead. you sigh. it's not that you like jumin any less, it's just that you're pretty homesick. you didn't think you would stay this long, and certainly didn't pack accordingly. jumin insisted that he would buy you anything you could ever need, and there was no reason to go back to the apartment ever again, but the idea made you uneasy. it's like he didn't understand the value of your personal, sentimental items; they can't be replaced.

i... want to go home, you think helplessly.

you read the conversation with seven back, who had informed everyone that the apartment was safe again. you wish you could talk to him to make sure that was true.

so, you call him, and he answers on the first ring.

"mc! it's you. is the princess still locked away in the tower?" he tries to be lighthearted, but he sounds exhausted.

you smile nonetheless. "yep. the princess would like to go home~" you say without thinking. "well, i mean, when jumin lets me."

"oh? what's the hold up, i wonder? did you cast a spell on prince jumin?"

"...something like that. is the apartment really safe?"

you can hear the smug smile in seven's voice when he says: "of course. our hacker has been away for a while, and i was able to secure everything again. you're free to return to your castle."

free, you think bitterly, right.

"jumin won't let me leave. can't you convince him?"

"hmm... he probably wouldn't listen to me. he seems a little scary right now, don't you think?"

your heart sinks slightly, realizing you agree with him, and suddenly the situation seems a little more complicated.

"yeah, i mean... he joked about locking me in a cage earlier, but i think if i gave any indication that it's okay, he would have it built within a day."

seven doesn't laugh at this. "you're probably right. what does he say when you ask to leave?"

"i haven't asked him too much, but he brushes me off. he doesn't always listen to what i say. he seems pretty involved in his fantasy. seven, the longer this goes on, the more anxious i get. it doesn't seem like i'm ever going home again."

"...is there anything i can do?"

you perk up, never thinking seven's help was an option.

"can you come get me?" you ask in a small voice.

"...yes, but can you even walk out the door? do i need to come up?"

this makes you pause. did jumin have cameras here? did he plant a tracker on you somewhere while you slept? wouldn't he find out you left with seven? should you come clean now?

but then you remember his obsessive behavior, and the cage, and realize you need to escape as soon as possible.

"i'll find a way. i'll climb out the window if i have to. i think something bad is going to happen if i stay. jumin is... not well right now."

"got it. i'll call you again when i'm there."

"thank you, seven. my knight in shining armor..."

he chuckles, bashfully, and ends the call.

* * *

you pack a light bag. security guards are lining the front door, both inside and out, which makes your hands shake. jumin really doesn't want you to leave.

did seven have a plan? the fairytale analogy he gave was starting to feel genuine. you were the damsel locked in the tower.

you have now resorted to tiptoeing and sneaking around, looking for any blindspots or guaranteed exit routes, but there were none. any opportunity for escape was quickly intercepted by another security guard. if jumin could see you right now, would he be hurt?

the thought is interrupted by the sound of seven's call.

"i'm here. you will be free to walk out in about ten seconds."

you hesitate. did you hear him right?

"what?"

there is a commotion by the entrance. you hear a faint, but high pitched tone sound coming from the guards' in-ears. some of them stand in confusion, others claw at their ears to remove the ear pieces. it doesn't seem loud enough to harm their eardrums, but they are definitely caught off guard (no pun intended). reality sets in, and you rush out the door. this is the opportunity seven has given you.

you raise the phone to your ear, running to the elevator.

"how did you do that?"

"whatever bluetooth jumin set up for those ear pieces were pretty strong, i could reach it from all the way down there. all i did was intercept their channel."

you release a breathless laugh, watching the floors of the elevator descend from inside. you're so close to freedom.

what can only be seven's convertible is parked near the lobby doors, the headlights shining like heaven itself came to greet you. "i see you," you say.

"come to me."

your heart nearly skips a beat at that, which feels almost wrong given the circumstances, but you can't bother to care right now. the guards could have realized by now that you're gone, and the thought makes you hightail to the passenger door. seven hangs up the phone and pushes the door open from the driver's seat.

you hesitate for half a second, taking in his appearance. his red hair is resting on the upper rims of his glasses, and he sports a casual outfit, no more than a t-shirt and sweatpants. his eyes widen slightly when he sees you, but he quickly gives you a smile that screams safety. you quickly get in the car, and he wastes no time driving off.

against your better judgment, you turn to look at the building's entrance where about ten guards pour out of the doors. they wildly look around before seeing seven's car speed away. one has his phone pressed to his ear. could jumin be on the other end?

"seven..." you breathe. his eyes flick to the rearview mirror, swiftly getting on the same page as you.

"turn your phone off," he orders, "he might be tracking you."

panic strikes as you quickly pick up your phone to do so, and at that moment, jumin calls you.

"decline it."

you obey with shaking hands, then turn your phone off completely. though he didn't ask you to, you pass your phone to him, and he wordlessly shoves it in his pocket.

"are we going to the apartment?" you ask, feeling an inkling of relief in your terror.

"yes, you'll be safe there."

"will you stay with me?" you ask suddenly, reaching for his shoulder as he drives.

seven does his best to hide the way he jumps when you touch him, but it's still plenty noticeable. he nods, not trusting his voice at that moment.

you sigh in full relief, slumping in the seat to hug yourself. you try not to look behind you, paranoid that any flash of headlights could be jumin's guards catching up.

"this whole thing was a mistake. if i hadn't left the apartment, i wouldn't be in this mess."

seven shakes his head. "you cared about him."

you notice the past tense, but you don't correct him. "i did. i thought he cared about me, too, but this isn't how you treat people you like."

"don't think about him anymore. you'll get yourself worked up again, mc."

when you look at him, you realize he's worried. his hand grips the steering wheel tightly, his eyes flicker repeatedly to the rearview mirror, and his voice is unsteady.

maybe seven cares more about you than jumin ever did.

* * *

when you get to the apartment, you stay close to seven, who has practically become your bodyguard. you don't dare touch him again, but you're practically attached to his hip. you focus on slowing your heart rate while he puts the code into the door for you.

"and you're sure they can't find me here?" you ask again.

he just guides you to the couch, his hands on your shoulders behind you. he sits you down and picks up a blanket to place on your lap. "no, they have no idea where you are."

you tuck the blanket under you, and seven sinks down beside you. "i'll be here in case anything happens," he says in a quiet tone.

your face feels warm. to your surprise, you can't seem to look away from him... his confidence in his ability to keep you safe only makes you more drawn to him.

"thank you," is all you can say after a while.

he looks taken aback at that, quickly turning to look at you. "what for?" it was as if protecting you was the most natural thing in the world for him. he didn't need gratitude or recognition.

"i feel like at the rate things were going, i would have been locked in a cage right now, so... thank you. for coming to get me."

"you don't have to worry about it. you deserve the freedom to come and go as you please. jumin is used to being in charge, and he probably didn't see anything wrong in trying to control you if he thought it was for the best. but you don't have to be afraid, i'm here for you now."

your eyes widen at the conclusion of his words. was he implying that he planned to be more involved with you?

"what do you mean, 'now'?"

now his face reddens. "i... i mean that you deserve better than jumin, that's all."

you pause for a moment to think about everything seven has done for you tonight and the days prior. he took the initiative to come get you. he calmed your worries by speaking to you gently and staying by your side. he reassured your feelings, validating that jumin was acting obsessively. he's here now keeping you safe, not just from jumin, but the hacker as well. you subconsciously scoot closer to him.

"you're right... i want someone who will listen to me, who won't try to control me. someone i can depend on."