Life in Purgatory ch 34
Title: Life in Purgatory
Chapter: 34/40
Rating: R
Pairing: KyuJong/YoungSaeng, HyunJoong/JongWoon, JungMin/Zhou Mi, Kevin/KiBum, HeeChul/SiWon
Crossover: Super Junior, DBSK
Genre: Angst, AU,
Summary: Society is crumbling; salvation walks the earth once more.
"We're not dying!" JungMin gave Kevin a dark look, the younger man shrinking back slightly, before turning back to Zhou Mi. "Listen, we can't think like this, or they're gonna win for sure. Giving up like this is what's going to get us killed, nothing else."
"How are you so sure?" Zhou Mi said, looking up at him with red, tear filled eyes. "How do you know we won't die Min? You don't. None of us do, but if those dreams are coming true, I have to go by what I saw. I saw you getting shot. I saw you not moving again. I saw them bring a knife to my neck and felt it slide across my skin. What am I supposed to think?"
Putting the car in park, JungMin leaned over the gearshift and wrapped his arms around Zhou Mi tightly, holding him. "You have to believe we can get through this Mi, I can't do this without you. Yeah it looks bad, but giving up isn't going to make the problem go away. We have to fight it if we're going to have any chance at staying alive. And I swear with every breath in my body I'm not going to let it happen."
Zhou Mi couldn't respond, just clinging tightly to JungMin as he tried not to cry but failed miserably. It was too much for him to deal with, to believe that they could change their fate and make it through despite what they knew. He had to try though, for both of their sakes, and for everyone else. Giving up wasn't an option, not if they wanted to win.
Even if they did die, as long as they had a chance of winning, they had to keep trying. Sniffling a little, Zhou Mi pulled back to look into JungMin's eyes. "Okay," he whispered softly, nodding. "We'll fight."
Looking back into the other man's watery eyes, JungMin smiled and brushed tears off of Zhou Mi's face, leaning in to kiss him softly. "And those horsemen goons better watch their backs, cause you and I make an awesome team," he murmured against Zhou Mi's mouth before pulling back a little. "Right?"
"Right," Zhou Mi nodded, attempting a watery smile. "I'm sorry, I think the stress of all this just got to me."
"I think tonight, some major de-stressing is in order," JungMin brushed Zhou Mi's hair back and kissed him again before straightening in his seat. "You gonna be okay to go talk to the others, or should we drop the kids off and keep going?"
"I think I'll be okay," Zhou Mi said. "But definitely de-stressing tonight, you and me."
"Yah, we're not kids," KiBum huffed a little at the comment.
"Yes you are," JungMin tossed over his shoulder, squeezing Zhou Mi's shoulder before taking the car back out of park and easing them back out into traffic. "And your brother was freaking out when we left, you might want to give him a text or something before he gives himself a heart attack."
"It's more fun this way," KiBum said, though he did pull his cell phone out to send HyungJoon a quick text. "I'm not the one he needs to worry about though," he murmured into Kevin's ear.
Kevin shook his head, watching the back of Zhou Mi's head with worried eyes. He rested his head against KiBum's shoulder, wishing there was something they could do to help.
They pulled up in the small parking lot for Babtol's a bit later, JungMin parking the car and stopping the engine. He went around to the other side of the car to meet Zhou Mi.
Linking his elbow with JungMin's, Zhou Mi leaned against him as they started for the door of the restaurant, Kevin and KiBum following behind.
"Are you guys okay?" KyuJong was opening the door, SooHyun having kept HyungJoon in his seat until they were all inside.
"We're fine now," Kevin said, giving a slightly strained smile as he and KiBum went to sit down.
"Now? But something happened, what happened?" HyungJoon asked, eyes wide.
"We were attacked," KiBum said, not wanting to beat around the bush. "By Famine."
There was a stunned moment of silence before everyone started talking at once, Zhou Mi held up his hands to get everyone to quiet back down. "Joon, hush. Let them explain before you get all crazy," he said, nodding to the two youngest. "Kevin, why don't you tell them what you told us."
Kevin's shoulders slumped, not really wanting to repeat himself but knowing he didn't have a choice. "We were up at the lighthouse, and Famine appeared and pushed KiBum over the ledge." He had to stop at the loud squawk when HyungJoon tried to get up at that, and was thwarted by SooHyun's arm around his waist, nearly faceplanting. "He was trying to get KiBum to let go of the edge before I pushed him over."
"You killed one of them?" YoungSaeng asked, eyes wide.
"No, he didn't die," Kevin shook his head, looking down at his lap. "I couldn't pull KiBum hyung back up, he was slipping and going to fall down the mountain...then we awakened, like HyunJoong and JongWoon hyungdeul."
"You... oh," HyunJoong blinked a little, looking at JongWoon beside before looking back at the other two. "How do you know he didn't die? You said you pushed him over."
"Once Kevin got me back up onto the ledge, the guy came out from somewhere behind us and made a move to hurt Kevin," KiBum continued, running Kevin's back lightly. "But it was like he hit a wall and fell over, and didn't get back up so we ran."
"Wait, he fell off the ledge, but then ended up somewhere behind you?" KyuJong asked, getting a confirming nod. "So how is it the angels and the Horsemen can transport magically and we can't?"
"Not the point, KyuJong," Zhou Mi said with a small sigh, looking at Kevin. "You need to tell them about the other thing too."
"...Do I have to," Kevin looked at KiBum for help before looking back at the others. "That whole thing, with the horseman attacking us and pushing KiBum off the ledge...I've seen it before, in nightmares."
"Another nightmare that came true?" YoungSaeng paled slightly at that, leaning back in his seat.
"What's this about nightmares?" ChangMin called from the other end of the table, looking uneasy.
"One of each pair has been getting nightmares about being attacked by the horsemen," HyungJoon said, still watching KiBum with worry. "We asked YunHo about them, but he has no idea where they're coming from, and with this, that would make two nightmares that have come true."
"Two?" Kevin blinked; this was news to them.
"HyunJoong's nightmare, it was when we were attacked by Death yesterday," JongWoon said.
"Who else has had nightmares, besides HyunJoong, YoungSaeng, and Kevin?" Zhou Mi asked, looking around.
"...Me," SooHyun raised a tentative hand. "I don't really remember anything though, not right now. It's kind of fuzzy."
"Same over here," ChangMin nodded. SiWon had also lifted his hand.
"So HyunJoong, Zhou Mi, Kevin, SooHyun, YoungSaeng, SiWon and ChangMin," HyungJoon counted, going over the group. "I was wondering if it was just virtues who had the dreams, but that's out right away with you three," he glanced between HyunJoong, YoungSaeng and ChangMin. "There doesn't seem to be any real pattern here."
"No, and it doesn't go by age or awareness either," Zhou Mi said, tapping a finger on the table.
"Well we haven't heard the others nightmares yet, but just for what Kevin has said, it seems like the nightmares are going to the people who aren't getting hurt first," HyunJoong said. "I watched JongWoon get hurt, and Kevin saw KiBum getting pushed. What about the rest of you?"
"...Same," Zhou Mi nodded, avoiding looking at JungMin.
"I think so," SooHyun said, pulling HyungJoon closer to him.
YoungSaeng couldn't remember if he'd seen anyone be hurt in his nightmares, but it didn't stop him from taking KyuJong's hand. "...Can we switch?"
"I don't think it works that way," SiWon said quietly, glancing at HeeChul beside him.
"I hope YunHo comes up with how we're getting these nightmares soon though," JongWoon slumped in his seat. "If it's not from them or the horsemen, who else could it be from, really?"
"Maybe it's a warning from God?" SiWon tried to make sense of it in his own way.
"... Can I trade with someone?" HeeChul said, looking at SiWon like he had a third head.
"The question was asked about whether or not there was a god, and all we got was something vague," Zhou Mi said, ignoring HeeChul. "If the nightmares were from a higher power, I think he would have told us."
"So whatever's causing this, it's a fourth party entirely, that can supposedly see the future," YoungSaeng murmured, watching SiWon sulk a little at HeeChul's comment. "And their motive is...to scare us? To inform us?"
"Maybe 'all of the above'," JungMin shrugged.
"Well, so far they've come true," HyunJoong said, his brow furrowed in thought. "But... both times, we've not only been fine afterward, but we've awakened, right? Maybe that has something to do with it?"
"Maybe," Kevin murmured, leaning against KiBum beside him. "But does that mean they're supposed to help us?"
"I doubt that," YoungSaeng sighed, getting frustrated. His nightmares were anything but helpful.
"Maybe we should just leave the subject alone for the moment, unless anyone else has any ideas or information," HyungJoon said.
"Yeah, not like we'll really come up with anything else until more of the nightmares start coming true," HyunJoong said.
KiBum saw Zhou Mi stiffen slightly at that and he sighed, leaning forward. "Mi.. maybe you should tell everyone your nightmare. It's obviously been bothering you a lot."
Blinking, HyungJoon looked at Zhou Mi in concern, seeing the shadows in his best friend's eyes. "Mi?" he asked quietly. "What is it?"
Seeing the attention of the entire table shift to them, JungMin wrapped his arm around Zhou Mi's waist in support, thumb stroking his side slowly.
Zhou Mi scowled over at KiBum, but he knew he wasn't going to get out of this without telling them. Not anymore. "In my nightmare, two of the horsemen have JungMin and I locked in some room somewhere. They're taunting us at first. JungMin makes a lunge at them, and they shoot him. He dies, right in front of me. Then... one of them comes up behind me, puts a knife to my throat. I close my eyes and feel the knife digging into my neck, I scream, and that's when I wake up."
KyuJong had a hand over his mouth as he listened to Zhou Mi's dream, how he remembered so much detail about it. No wonder he was so terrified of these dreams.
JongWoon's eyes were wide as saucers. "You dreamed about dying?" he said quietly, unable to believe it. If the nightmares were coming true...
"...That's why you always wake up screaming..." HyungJoon looked shocked. Snapping out of it, he reached across the table and caught Zhou Mi's hand, not willing to admit what might happen. "We're going to figure this out, okay? We'll figure out what's causing the dreams, and what they mean, and stop yours from happening."
"He's right Mi," YoungSaeng said quietly. "Just because the two dreams that happened so far were to the letter, doesn't mean they're all going to be. Maybe they're just warnings, and we just have to be careful."
"That's what I need to keep telling myself, but it's not going so well," Zhou Mi said, smiling weakly. "Enough about that, I don't want to think about it anymore."
"Okay, nightmares aside, next subject," HyungJoon straightened after squeezing Zhou Mi's hand lightly. "This 'awakening' stuff. Now two pairs have awakened, so maybe we can have a better idea about what it's supposed to be about."
"Well, there's still the orange aura thing," JongWoon said, holding HyunJoong's hand. "We were seeing it all the way here. Even in my parents, which is very weird."
"Aura thing?" KiBum blinked. "What aura thing? What happened?"
"When we went to the school, I noticed a strange aura around different people, and JongWoon noticed it too," HyunJoong said. "Apparently when we awaken, we can see how we're affecting other people, I could feel the pride in them."
"I don't see anything though," Kevin frowned, looking around. There was no one else in the restaurant, but he could see JongWoon's mother in the kitchen from where he was sitting.
"I could only see the aura while in contact with Hyun," JongWoon said. "YunHo said it's supposed to be like that for virtues. Do you see anything, KiBum?"
"Uh... no?" KiBum shook his head. "I was really paying attention to anyone else after it happened, so I didn't see anything, and there's no one here."
"Well, we'll have to see if the aura comes back when other people are around," HyungJoon frowned. "It would be nice if we could figure out how that works, so we know what to expect."
"It's something we'll just have to figure out as we go, YunHo wouldn't tell us much more than he did," Zhou Mi said. "If there was nothing else we needed to go over, I think I just want to go home right now."
"I think that was it," YoungSaeng looked around the table, seeing the nods of agreement. The group slowly started to stand and get ready to leave.
"You gonna be okay, Mi?" HyungJoon asked quietly, eyes worried for his best friend.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Zhou Mi said with a bright smile. "Don't worry about me Joon, I'll be fine."
"As long as you're sure," HyungJoon continued to watch him. "You know I'm around if you want to talk or something." He knew that when Zhou Mi said 'go home', he meant to JungMin's apartment.
"I know, what would I do without you?" Zhou Mi said, wrapping his arms around HyungJoon's shoulders in a tight hug. "It'll be okay Joon. It has to be. And I want to hear all the details about well you and SooHyun are doing, okay?"
HyungJoon flushed. "Gossip monger," he huffed, hugging Zhou Mi back tightly before reluctantly letting him go. "Try and relax, maybe go shopping tomorrow or something, you always feel better after trying on everything in a store."
"You're right, maybe I can drag JungMin to go along," Zhou Mi mused, glancing over at his boyfriend out of the corner of his eye. "Thank you, Joon, I really do appreciate you being so worried about me," he said, turning back to HyungJoon. "It's time for you to worry about SooHyun though, he's haing nightmares too."
"Yeah..." HyungJoon nodded, glancing at SooHyun out of the corner of his eyes. "But I'm always going to worry about you either way, you're my best friend. Enjoy your night Mi," he smiled at the older man, stepping back.
"Ready to go?" JungMin asked, wrapping one arm around Zhou Mi's waist.
"Night Joon," Zhou Mi said before turning his attention to JungMin. "I am, and I was thinking, it's about time that you took me shopping. I think I deserve it," he said, starting to lead him away as SooHyun came up to HyungJoon's side.
"So... I was thinking it would be maybe a good idea to uh... get to know each other better," SooHyun said. "At my place?"
Blinking, HyungJoon smiled and nodded. "Sure. Oh..." he stopped and looked at KiBum and Kevin. "Are you two going to be okay?"
"We'll be fine hyung," Kevin nodded, taking KiBum's hand.
"So, should I arrange to be somewhere else?" ChangMin asked SooHyun, both eyebrows raised and arms folded across his chest.
"Yes, don't you have a new boyfriend to be paying attention to?" SooHyun asked, nodding towards where JaeJoong was still sitting, eyeing the plate of half eaten food in front of him.
"Yes, but I wanted to know if it's safe to go back home at all today," ChangMin chuckled, before noticing JaeJoong and going to drape himself over the older man's shoulders. "Hyung, come on and eat more than that, you need the nutrition."
"But I'm on a diet, no sugar, fat or carbs," JaeJoong said.
"If you don't eat, you're going to make JongWoon think his cooking is bad," KyuJong said, clearing up some of the plates.
"What do you need a diet for, you're all skin and bones," ChangMin huffed. "Here, I'll help you, you take one bite and I'll take one bite, it'll finish faster." He sat back down and used his chopsticks to pick up some of the food for the older man.
"I can't tell if he's actually trying to be helpful or just wants to keep eating," YoungSaeng shook his head, helping clean up since he wasn't leaving until KyuJong did. JongWoon also started separating the tables again as people left.
JaeJoong watched ChangMin in horror. "But... I... my diet," he said in a pout. "I need to diet, can't eat too much. I'd say you should be on a diet too but I don't even know where you're putting all that food right now."
"This is disgusting, I can't watch any more of this," HeeChul said, getting to his feet. "SiWon, you're coming home with me tonight, I don't want any more excuses."
"Why can't he ever be subtle?" HyunJoong groaned quietly.
"Only if you agree not to try dragging me right to the bedroom like last time," SiWon said, looking pained as he stood up. "I want to get to know you first, hyung."
"I like sex, what more do you need to know?" HeeChul rolled his eyes. "Come on, I can tell you my whole life story in the ride home."
"I know there's more to you than just that," SiWon shook his head, taking HeeChul's hand and heading to the door. "Have a good day," he said to the others.
"Open," ChangMin was still trying to get JaeJoong to eat, holding the food in front of his mouth. "Don't let good food and JongWoon hyung's hard work go to waste."
JaeJoong scowled at him, but did as told and opened his mouth to accept the food. "It is good food," he admitted, sipping at some water. "That's all I'm eating though, I think they're trying to kick us all out."
"Well it is closing time, and I think we all want to relax a bit tonight," KyuJong said, wiping down one of the tables.
"Can someone give us a ride back to the apartment? We don't really want to walk back," KiBum said, holding onto Kevin tightly.
"We can give you a lift once we're closed up here," JongWoon said over his shoulder as he went to close up the kitchens.
"Want to go then?" HyungJoon asked SooHyun, taking the other man's hand lightly.
"Yeah, let's go," SooHyun nodded, his grip tightening on HyungJoon's hand and leading him towards the door. Outside on the street, he started in the direction of the train station, he lived on the other side of town. "How are you doing? You had a couple big shocks tonight, what with your brother and your friend."
"Yeah...I'm really, really worried about them," HyungJoon's shoulders slumped. "I could have lost my brother today, and now finding out Mi's been dreaming about dying...I don't want anything to happen to either of them, they're both family to me."
"I'm sure they're just as worried as you are, and worried for you too," SooHyun said, squeezing his hand lightly. "Are you sure you want to come to my place? We can go to your apartment if that would make you feel better."
"I think KiBum and Kevin want the time alone after their scare earlier," HyungJoon said, lifting his head to give a strained smile. "Not to say I won't be calling them a few times to make sure they're still in one piece."
"I wouldn't blame you, though I'd save calling Zhou Mi until the morning," SooHyun said, chuckling softly. "You'll probably be interrupting someone either way though."
"Yeah, probably," HyungJoon shook his head, swinging their hands back and forth slowly. "So uh...what did you want to do the rest of the day?"
"I don't know, we could just sit and talk," SooHyun said, looking over at him. "Watch a movie or something. I'm not particular... I usually spend my nights studying so I don't know what people do normally in the evening."
"Well, I usually sleep or play video games if Zhou Mi isn't making me study, so I'm not a good point of reference," HyungJoon grinned sheepishly. "But...a movie sounds nice." It almost sounded like a stay-at-home date.
"ChangMin has some we can watch, I'll have to warn you, a lot are about food," SooHyun said with a small sigh. "There might be one or two good ones though. You keep saying that you fall asleep a lot, but I haven't seen you fall asleep or zone out or anything."
"Yeah, I'm kinda surprised," HyungJoon blinked. "I still feel tired a lot, or don't really want to move, but it's a little easier to get past around you."
"So it would seem, and speaking of such things, I haven't even touched a reference book since I met you. You're going to be horrible for my grade average, I can tell already," SooHyun said with a small laugh.
"We're in winter break, you shouldn't be worried about your grade average now anyways," HyungJoon chuckled. "Maybe you'll help me graduate though."
"I can definitely do that," SooHyun grinned. "We'll get you on a study and homework schedule, and I'll make you stick to it."
"Okay, that might be a stretch, but have fun trying," HyungJoon wrinkled his nose, pouting. "Why a schedule, I can barely keep my class schedule."
"Because schedules are fun! You'll enjoy it, I'm sure of it," SooHyun said confidently. "And... we could even schedule some... fun time too."
"Fun time?" HyungJoon blinked at him before smiling widely. "How often do you schedule time for things that aren't work?" he chuckled, pulling SooHyun closer.
Flushing, SooHyun looked down at the sidewalk. "I... haven't done anything really fun in years," he admitted sheepishly. "I've never schedule anything fun."
"Never?" HyungJoon pouted at him before squeezing his hand. "Well, maybe I'll have some good influence on you yet," he grinned. "You can help me with my homework issues, and I'll make sure you don't drown in a sea of textbooks."
"Sounds like a plan," SooHyun chuckled at that. By that time they had arrived at the train station and they settled into one of the cars when the train arrived. It had been a long couple of days, but SooHyun was feeling better about their chances, even if some of the others weren't. He had gone over all of Zhou Mi's notes extensively and was sure they were in a better situation than they could have been.
Of course, he wasn't going to mince words with anyone about it, especially when Zhou Mi looked so freaked out over the dream. Thinking about his own nightmares, he likely would be as scared as the professor was, and he should be realistically. Especially when he could see what happened to HyungJoon so clearly. That wasn't something he had been willing to share with the others, not when HyungJoon was already upset over what happened with his brother. Maybe the next day. There weren't that many days left until Christmas anyway.
Chapter: 34/40
Rating: R
Pairing: KyuJong/YoungSaeng, HyunJoong/JongWoon, JungMin/Zhou Mi, Kevin/KiBum, HeeChul/SiWon
Crossover: Super Junior, DBSK
Genre: Angst, AU,
Summary: Society is crumbling; salvation walks the earth once more.
"We're not dying!" JungMin gave Kevin a dark look, the younger man shrinking back slightly, before turning back to Zhou Mi. "Listen, we can't think like this, or they're gonna win for sure. Giving up like this is what's going to get us killed, nothing else."
"How are you so sure?" Zhou Mi said, looking up at him with red, tear filled eyes. "How do you know we won't die Min? You don't. None of us do, but if those dreams are coming true, I have to go by what I saw. I saw you getting shot. I saw you not moving again. I saw them bring a knife to my neck and felt it slide across my skin. What am I supposed to think?"
Putting the car in park, JungMin leaned over the gearshift and wrapped his arms around Zhou Mi tightly, holding him. "You have to believe we can get through this Mi, I can't do this without you. Yeah it looks bad, but giving up isn't going to make the problem go away. We have to fight it if we're going to have any chance at staying alive. And I swear with every breath in my body I'm not going to let it happen."
Zhou Mi couldn't respond, just clinging tightly to JungMin as he tried not to cry but failed miserably. It was too much for him to deal with, to believe that they could change their fate and make it through despite what they knew. He had to try though, for both of their sakes, and for everyone else. Giving up wasn't an option, not if they wanted to win.
Even if they did die, as long as they had a chance of winning, they had to keep trying. Sniffling a little, Zhou Mi pulled back to look into JungMin's eyes. "Okay," he whispered softly, nodding. "We'll fight."
Looking back into the other man's watery eyes, JungMin smiled and brushed tears off of Zhou Mi's face, leaning in to kiss him softly. "And those horsemen goons better watch their backs, cause you and I make an awesome team," he murmured against Zhou Mi's mouth before pulling back a little. "Right?"
"Right," Zhou Mi nodded, attempting a watery smile. "I'm sorry, I think the stress of all this just got to me."
"I think tonight, some major de-stressing is in order," JungMin brushed Zhou Mi's hair back and kissed him again before straightening in his seat. "You gonna be okay to go talk to the others, or should we drop the kids off and keep going?"
"I think I'll be okay," Zhou Mi said. "But definitely de-stressing tonight, you and me."
"Yah, we're not kids," KiBum huffed a little at the comment.
"Yes you are," JungMin tossed over his shoulder, squeezing Zhou Mi's shoulder before taking the car back out of park and easing them back out into traffic. "And your brother was freaking out when we left, you might want to give him a text or something before he gives himself a heart attack."
"It's more fun this way," KiBum said, though he did pull his cell phone out to send HyungJoon a quick text. "I'm not the one he needs to worry about though," he murmured into Kevin's ear.
Kevin shook his head, watching the back of Zhou Mi's head with worried eyes. He rested his head against KiBum's shoulder, wishing there was something they could do to help.
They pulled up in the small parking lot for Babtol's a bit later, JungMin parking the car and stopping the engine. He went around to the other side of the car to meet Zhou Mi.
Linking his elbow with JungMin's, Zhou Mi leaned against him as they started for the door of the restaurant, Kevin and KiBum following behind.
"Are you guys okay?" KyuJong was opening the door, SooHyun having kept HyungJoon in his seat until they were all inside.
"We're fine now," Kevin said, giving a slightly strained smile as he and KiBum went to sit down.
"Now? But something happened, what happened?" HyungJoon asked, eyes wide.
"We were attacked," KiBum said, not wanting to beat around the bush. "By Famine."
There was a stunned moment of silence before everyone started talking at once, Zhou Mi held up his hands to get everyone to quiet back down. "Joon, hush. Let them explain before you get all crazy," he said, nodding to the two youngest. "Kevin, why don't you tell them what you told us."
Kevin's shoulders slumped, not really wanting to repeat himself but knowing he didn't have a choice. "We were up at the lighthouse, and Famine appeared and pushed KiBum over the ledge." He had to stop at the loud squawk when HyungJoon tried to get up at that, and was thwarted by SooHyun's arm around his waist, nearly faceplanting. "He was trying to get KiBum to let go of the edge before I pushed him over."
"You killed one of them?" YoungSaeng asked, eyes wide.
"No, he didn't die," Kevin shook his head, looking down at his lap. "I couldn't pull KiBum hyung back up, he was slipping and going to fall down the mountain...then we awakened, like HyunJoong and JongWoon hyungdeul."
"You... oh," HyunJoong blinked a little, looking at JongWoon beside before looking back at the other two. "How do you know he didn't die? You said you pushed him over."
"Once Kevin got me back up onto the ledge, the guy came out from somewhere behind us and made a move to hurt Kevin," KiBum continued, running Kevin's back lightly. "But it was like he hit a wall and fell over, and didn't get back up so we ran."
"Wait, he fell off the ledge, but then ended up somewhere behind you?" KyuJong asked, getting a confirming nod. "So how is it the angels and the Horsemen can transport magically and we can't?"
"Not the point, KyuJong," Zhou Mi said with a small sigh, looking at Kevin. "You need to tell them about the other thing too."
"...Do I have to," Kevin looked at KiBum for help before looking back at the others. "That whole thing, with the horseman attacking us and pushing KiBum off the ledge...I've seen it before, in nightmares."
"Another nightmare that came true?" YoungSaeng paled slightly at that, leaning back in his seat.
"What's this about nightmares?" ChangMin called from the other end of the table, looking uneasy.
"One of each pair has been getting nightmares about being attacked by the horsemen," HyungJoon said, still watching KiBum with worry. "We asked YunHo about them, but he has no idea where they're coming from, and with this, that would make two nightmares that have come true."
"Two?" Kevin blinked; this was news to them.
"HyunJoong's nightmare, it was when we were attacked by Death yesterday," JongWoon said.
"Who else has had nightmares, besides HyunJoong, YoungSaeng, and Kevin?" Zhou Mi asked, looking around.
"...Me," SooHyun raised a tentative hand. "I don't really remember anything though, not right now. It's kind of fuzzy."
"Same over here," ChangMin nodded. SiWon had also lifted his hand.
"So HyunJoong, Zhou Mi, Kevin, SooHyun, YoungSaeng, SiWon and ChangMin," HyungJoon counted, going over the group. "I was wondering if it was just virtues who had the dreams, but that's out right away with you three," he glanced between HyunJoong, YoungSaeng and ChangMin. "There doesn't seem to be any real pattern here."
"No, and it doesn't go by age or awareness either," Zhou Mi said, tapping a finger on the table.
"Well we haven't heard the others nightmares yet, but just for what Kevin has said, it seems like the nightmares are going to the people who aren't getting hurt first," HyunJoong said. "I watched JongWoon get hurt, and Kevin saw KiBum getting pushed. What about the rest of you?"
"...Same," Zhou Mi nodded, avoiding looking at JungMin.
"I think so," SooHyun said, pulling HyungJoon closer to him.
YoungSaeng couldn't remember if he'd seen anyone be hurt in his nightmares, but it didn't stop him from taking KyuJong's hand. "...Can we switch?"
"I don't think it works that way," SiWon said quietly, glancing at HeeChul beside him.
"I hope YunHo comes up with how we're getting these nightmares soon though," JongWoon slumped in his seat. "If it's not from them or the horsemen, who else could it be from, really?"
"Maybe it's a warning from God?" SiWon tried to make sense of it in his own way.
"... Can I trade with someone?" HeeChul said, looking at SiWon like he had a third head.
"The question was asked about whether or not there was a god, and all we got was something vague," Zhou Mi said, ignoring HeeChul. "If the nightmares were from a higher power, I think he would have told us."
"So whatever's causing this, it's a fourth party entirely, that can supposedly see the future," YoungSaeng murmured, watching SiWon sulk a little at HeeChul's comment. "And their motive is...to scare us? To inform us?"
"Maybe 'all of the above'," JungMin shrugged.
"Well, so far they've come true," HyunJoong said, his brow furrowed in thought. "But... both times, we've not only been fine afterward, but we've awakened, right? Maybe that has something to do with it?"
"Maybe," Kevin murmured, leaning against KiBum beside him. "But does that mean they're supposed to help us?"
"I doubt that," YoungSaeng sighed, getting frustrated. His nightmares were anything but helpful.
"Maybe we should just leave the subject alone for the moment, unless anyone else has any ideas or information," HyungJoon said.
"Yeah, not like we'll really come up with anything else until more of the nightmares start coming true," HyunJoong said.
KiBum saw Zhou Mi stiffen slightly at that and he sighed, leaning forward. "Mi.. maybe you should tell everyone your nightmare. It's obviously been bothering you a lot."
Blinking, HyungJoon looked at Zhou Mi in concern, seeing the shadows in his best friend's eyes. "Mi?" he asked quietly. "What is it?"
Seeing the attention of the entire table shift to them, JungMin wrapped his arm around Zhou Mi's waist in support, thumb stroking his side slowly.
Zhou Mi scowled over at KiBum, but he knew he wasn't going to get out of this without telling them. Not anymore. "In my nightmare, two of the horsemen have JungMin and I locked in some room somewhere. They're taunting us at first. JungMin makes a lunge at them, and they shoot him. He dies, right in front of me. Then... one of them comes up behind me, puts a knife to my throat. I close my eyes and feel the knife digging into my neck, I scream, and that's when I wake up."
KyuJong had a hand over his mouth as he listened to Zhou Mi's dream, how he remembered so much detail about it. No wonder he was so terrified of these dreams.
JongWoon's eyes were wide as saucers. "You dreamed about dying?" he said quietly, unable to believe it. If the nightmares were coming true...
"...That's why you always wake up screaming..." HyungJoon looked shocked. Snapping out of it, he reached across the table and caught Zhou Mi's hand, not willing to admit what might happen. "We're going to figure this out, okay? We'll figure out what's causing the dreams, and what they mean, and stop yours from happening."
"He's right Mi," YoungSaeng said quietly. "Just because the two dreams that happened so far were to the letter, doesn't mean they're all going to be. Maybe they're just warnings, and we just have to be careful."
"That's what I need to keep telling myself, but it's not going so well," Zhou Mi said, smiling weakly. "Enough about that, I don't want to think about it anymore."
"Okay, nightmares aside, next subject," HyungJoon straightened after squeezing Zhou Mi's hand lightly. "This 'awakening' stuff. Now two pairs have awakened, so maybe we can have a better idea about what it's supposed to be about."
"Well, there's still the orange aura thing," JongWoon said, holding HyunJoong's hand. "We were seeing it all the way here. Even in my parents, which is very weird."
"Aura thing?" KiBum blinked. "What aura thing? What happened?"
"When we went to the school, I noticed a strange aura around different people, and JongWoon noticed it too," HyunJoong said. "Apparently when we awaken, we can see how we're affecting other people, I could feel the pride in them."
"I don't see anything though," Kevin frowned, looking around. There was no one else in the restaurant, but he could see JongWoon's mother in the kitchen from where he was sitting.
"I could only see the aura while in contact with Hyun," JongWoon said. "YunHo said it's supposed to be like that for virtues. Do you see anything, KiBum?"
"Uh... no?" KiBum shook his head. "I was really paying attention to anyone else after it happened, so I didn't see anything, and there's no one here."
"Well, we'll have to see if the aura comes back when other people are around," HyungJoon frowned. "It would be nice if we could figure out how that works, so we know what to expect."
"It's something we'll just have to figure out as we go, YunHo wouldn't tell us much more than he did," Zhou Mi said. "If there was nothing else we needed to go over, I think I just want to go home right now."
"I think that was it," YoungSaeng looked around the table, seeing the nods of agreement. The group slowly started to stand and get ready to leave.
"You gonna be okay, Mi?" HyungJoon asked quietly, eyes worried for his best friend.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Zhou Mi said with a bright smile. "Don't worry about me Joon, I'll be fine."
"As long as you're sure," HyungJoon continued to watch him. "You know I'm around if you want to talk or something." He knew that when Zhou Mi said 'go home', he meant to JungMin's apartment.
"I know, what would I do without you?" Zhou Mi said, wrapping his arms around HyungJoon's shoulders in a tight hug. "It'll be okay Joon. It has to be. And I want to hear all the details about well you and SooHyun are doing, okay?"
HyungJoon flushed. "Gossip monger," he huffed, hugging Zhou Mi back tightly before reluctantly letting him go. "Try and relax, maybe go shopping tomorrow or something, you always feel better after trying on everything in a store."
"You're right, maybe I can drag JungMin to go along," Zhou Mi mused, glancing over at his boyfriend out of the corner of his eye. "Thank you, Joon, I really do appreciate you being so worried about me," he said, turning back to HyungJoon. "It's time for you to worry about SooHyun though, he's haing nightmares too."
"Yeah..." HyungJoon nodded, glancing at SooHyun out of the corner of his eyes. "But I'm always going to worry about you either way, you're my best friend. Enjoy your night Mi," he smiled at the older man, stepping back.
"Ready to go?" JungMin asked, wrapping one arm around Zhou Mi's waist.
"Night Joon," Zhou Mi said before turning his attention to JungMin. "I am, and I was thinking, it's about time that you took me shopping. I think I deserve it," he said, starting to lead him away as SooHyun came up to HyungJoon's side.
"So... I was thinking it would be maybe a good idea to uh... get to know each other better," SooHyun said. "At my place?"
Blinking, HyungJoon smiled and nodded. "Sure. Oh..." he stopped and looked at KiBum and Kevin. "Are you two going to be okay?"
"We'll be fine hyung," Kevin nodded, taking KiBum's hand.
"So, should I arrange to be somewhere else?" ChangMin asked SooHyun, both eyebrows raised and arms folded across his chest.
"Yes, don't you have a new boyfriend to be paying attention to?" SooHyun asked, nodding towards where JaeJoong was still sitting, eyeing the plate of half eaten food in front of him.
"Yes, but I wanted to know if it's safe to go back home at all today," ChangMin chuckled, before noticing JaeJoong and going to drape himself over the older man's shoulders. "Hyung, come on and eat more than that, you need the nutrition."
"But I'm on a diet, no sugar, fat or carbs," JaeJoong said.
"If you don't eat, you're going to make JongWoon think his cooking is bad," KyuJong said, clearing up some of the plates.
"What do you need a diet for, you're all skin and bones," ChangMin huffed. "Here, I'll help you, you take one bite and I'll take one bite, it'll finish faster." He sat back down and used his chopsticks to pick up some of the food for the older man.
"I can't tell if he's actually trying to be helpful or just wants to keep eating," YoungSaeng shook his head, helping clean up since he wasn't leaving until KyuJong did. JongWoon also started separating the tables again as people left.
JaeJoong watched ChangMin in horror. "But... I... my diet," he said in a pout. "I need to diet, can't eat too much. I'd say you should be on a diet too but I don't even know where you're putting all that food right now."
"This is disgusting, I can't watch any more of this," HeeChul said, getting to his feet. "SiWon, you're coming home with me tonight, I don't want any more excuses."
"Why can't he ever be subtle?" HyunJoong groaned quietly.
"Only if you agree not to try dragging me right to the bedroom like last time," SiWon said, looking pained as he stood up. "I want to get to know you first, hyung."
"I like sex, what more do you need to know?" HeeChul rolled his eyes. "Come on, I can tell you my whole life story in the ride home."
"I know there's more to you than just that," SiWon shook his head, taking HeeChul's hand and heading to the door. "Have a good day," he said to the others.
"Open," ChangMin was still trying to get JaeJoong to eat, holding the food in front of his mouth. "Don't let good food and JongWoon hyung's hard work go to waste."
JaeJoong scowled at him, but did as told and opened his mouth to accept the food. "It is good food," he admitted, sipping at some water. "That's all I'm eating though, I think they're trying to kick us all out."
"Well it is closing time, and I think we all want to relax a bit tonight," KyuJong said, wiping down one of the tables.
"Can someone give us a ride back to the apartment? We don't really want to walk back," KiBum said, holding onto Kevin tightly.
"We can give you a lift once we're closed up here," JongWoon said over his shoulder as he went to close up the kitchens.
"Want to go then?" HyungJoon asked SooHyun, taking the other man's hand lightly.
"Yeah, let's go," SooHyun nodded, his grip tightening on HyungJoon's hand and leading him towards the door. Outside on the street, he started in the direction of the train station, he lived on the other side of town. "How are you doing? You had a couple big shocks tonight, what with your brother and your friend."
"Yeah...I'm really, really worried about them," HyungJoon's shoulders slumped. "I could have lost my brother today, and now finding out Mi's been dreaming about dying...I don't want anything to happen to either of them, they're both family to me."
"I'm sure they're just as worried as you are, and worried for you too," SooHyun said, squeezing his hand lightly. "Are you sure you want to come to my place? We can go to your apartment if that would make you feel better."
"I think KiBum and Kevin want the time alone after their scare earlier," HyungJoon said, lifting his head to give a strained smile. "Not to say I won't be calling them a few times to make sure they're still in one piece."
"I wouldn't blame you, though I'd save calling Zhou Mi until the morning," SooHyun said, chuckling softly. "You'll probably be interrupting someone either way though."
"Yeah, probably," HyungJoon shook his head, swinging their hands back and forth slowly. "So uh...what did you want to do the rest of the day?"
"I don't know, we could just sit and talk," SooHyun said, looking over at him. "Watch a movie or something. I'm not particular... I usually spend my nights studying so I don't know what people do normally in the evening."
"Well, I usually sleep or play video games if Zhou Mi isn't making me study, so I'm not a good point of reference," HyungJoon grinned sheepishly. "But...a movie sounds nice." It almost sounded like a stay-at-home date.
"ChangMin has some we can watch, I'll have to warn you, a lot are about food," SooHyun said with a small sigh. "There might be one or two good ones though. You keep saying that you fall asleep a lot, but I haven't seen you fall asleep or zone out or anything."
"Yeah, I'm kinda surprised," HyungJoon blinked. "I still feel tired a lot, or don't really want to move, but it's a little easier to get past around you."
"So it would seem, and speaking of such things, I haven't even touched a reference book since I met you. You're going to be horrible for my grade average, I can tell already," SooHyun said with a small laugh.
"We're in winter break, you shouldn't be worried about your grade average now anyways," HyungJoon chuckled. "Maybe you'll help me graduate though."
"I can definitely do that," SooHyun grinned. "We'll get you on a study and homework schedule, and I'll make you stick to it."
"Okay, that might be a stretch, but have fun trying," HyungJoon wrinkled his nose, pouting. "Why a schedule, I can barely keep my class schedule."
"Because schedules are fun! You'll enjoy it, I'm sure of it," SooHyun said confidently. "And... we could even schedule some... fun time too."
"Fun time?" HyungJoon blinked at him before smiling widely. "How often do you schedule time for things that aren't work?" he chuckled, pulling SooHyun closer.
Flushing, SooHyun looked down at the sidewalk. "I... haven't done anything really fun in years," he admitted sheepishly. "I've never schedule anything fun."
"Never?" HyungJoon pouted at him before squeezing his hand. "Well, maybe I'll have some good influence on you yet," he grinned. "You can help me with my homework issues, and I'll make sure you don't drown in a sea of textbooks."
"Sounds like a plan," SooHyun chuckled at that. By that time they had arrived at the train station and they settled into one of the cars when the train arrived. It had been a long couple of days, but SooHyun was feeling better about their chances, even if some of the others weren't. He had gone over all of Zhou Mi's notes extensively and was sure they were in a better situation than they could have been.
Of course, he wasn't going to mince words with anyone about it, especially when Zhou Mi looked so freaked out over the dream. Thinking about his own nightmares, he likely would be as scared as the professor was, and he should be realistically. Especially when he could see what happened to HyungJoon so clearly. That wasn't something he had been willing to share with the others, not when HyungJoon was already upset over what happened with his brother. Maybe the next day. There weren't that many days left until Christmas anyway.