Of Swaggers, Saloons, And Star Badges - Chapter 20
Title: Of Swaggers, Saloons, And Star Badges - Chapter 20
Character/Pairing: Jae/Min/Chun and variations of, YooSu bffery, and ninja!pairings
Genre: drama/angst, romance, and a bit of comedy and action, Korean Wild West AU!
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,337
Disclaimer: I have a what?
Previous parts: Prologue , Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 6 , Chapter 7 , Chapter 8 , Chapter 9 , Chapter 10 , Chapter 11 , Chapter 12 , Chapter 13 , Chapter 14 , Chapter 15 , Chapter 16 , Chapter 17 , Chapter 18 , Chapter 19
A/N: I apologize for the late posting, I suddenly got very busy. This chapter is Younghwa heavy but there will be more of our trio in the next chapter - I mean who else would save the day again?
Changmin had sent Jaejoong home early so that he could check up on Yoochun and was now waiting for Siwon to come in for the night shift. There was a racket outside, and before he could act, Changmin was startled by the doors to the station bursting open.
“I am here for my sons!” The middle aged man bellowed. He was tall with broad shoulders and was greying at the temples; Jung Woo Sung - Appa Jung. Behind him stood a group of what Changmin could only describe as thugs; four bulky men overly armed.
Ji Hoon moaned from his cell, half conscious. Younghwa smirked as he rose from the bench.
“So good of you to finally come; with one son dead and another well on his way.” Younghwa nodded to his eldest brother. His eyes were cold as he stared at his father’s hardened face.
“I see you have been fortunate enough to avoid such a fate.” Appa Jung’s voice held no affection as he addressed his youngest.
“Excuse me gentlemen,” Changmin said after clearing his throat to get the attentions of father and son. “I don’t know what kind of news you’ve heard Jung-shii, but Ji Hoon and Younghwa are schedule to be transported to the province capital in three days time to serve their five year prison sentence. Thus, they will not be leaving here with you.” Changmin said; voice calm but firm.
Jung Woo Sung let his eyes slide to the side to acknowledge the Sheriff but his eyes soon fixed back on his youngest son. “I will speak with my son in private.”
“This stations not going to get any more private than this, of course you are welcome to have your goons wait outside.” Changmin offered with a smirk. He could tell that Appa Jung already had an extreme dislike of him as he saw the older man clench his fists and narrow his eyes.
“One of my sons has been killed in your care and the other is struggling to stay alive, you must forgive me if I don’t rightly trust you.” Jung Woo Sung said a fake smile.
“And with that mysterious siege on my station that ultimately led to the death of your son and the injuries of the other you can see why I may be suspicious of your sudden appearance and motives.” Changmin said, trying to suppress the rage he was quickly feeling. If he let his emotions get to him then he would be showing weakness in front of the Jung patriarch and that would only make the older man more cocky.
Younghwa was enjoying the little head to head his father was having with the Sheriff. His plan had been banking on his father’s fashionably late arrival. If the hired guns had failed, then his father would have to come and break him and his brother out himself. But now things were different; Yunho was dead and Ji Hoon is practically an invalid. Younghwa had always been the one to challenge his father where Yunho had been the one that took after the infamous Appa Jung. Yunho had always been able to talk Ji Hoon into anything and everything he wanted. Younghwa, the baby, was expected to follow his brothers’ example. But honestly, Younghwa hated Yunho - he was sick and tired of follow Yunho’s whim and following after that whore. Younghwa wanted the power now and his father’s death was his ticket.
“Come on Sheriff Shim, want harm could it do to let my father and I have some bonding time while you wait outside, along with his associates.” Younghwa suggested with his best wide-eyed innocent look. This earned him dirty looks from both Changmin and Woo Sung.
Yoochun had just finished up helping Mama Kim in the kitchen with food preparation for the dinner rush when Jaejoong walked into the Saloon.
“Looking for me hyung?” Yoochun asked with a teasing smile. Jaejoong answered him by wrapping a pair of strong arms around Yoochun.
“Did you spend the whole day here?” Jaejoong asked as he continued to hold on to Yoochun. The younger man nodded.
“Oh god, why am I surrounded by people in love.” Junsu moaned from behind the bar. Jaejoong pulled back to raise an eyebrow in question at his lover in his arms.
“Apparently Junho has a crush on Deputy Choi Siwon.” Yoochun giggled before Junho threw dirty dish rags at the pair.
Once the older Kim twin had been placated, Jaejoong and Yoochun headed out of the Saloon.
“How was your day with the Kims, everything okay?” Jaejoong asked tentatively.
“Sure is, why do you ask - for the fourth time this evening?” Yoochun asked, ready to put his stern “you don’t need to treat me fragilely” face.
“Changmin may have let me off early so that I could check up on you.” Jaejoong said, finding the setting sun particularly interesting.
“I’m fine; I’ve just had something bugging me in the back of my mind.” Yoochun sighed, he had to appreciate how caring his lovers are.
Jaejoong sat Yoochun on the bench near the town’s centre, outside of the post office.
“Is this about your feelings over last night?” Jaejoong asked, try not to show the worry on his face.
“No. It’s about what Younghwa said to me when I was alone with him in the jail.” Yoochun had been able to solve the riddle yet.
“What did he say?” Jaejoong asked curiously.
“That he would be forced to make a choice and that I would understand soon enough.” Yoochun rubbed at his face. “I don’t know if he was trying to scare me or just plain confuse me.” He sighed in frustration.
“Sounds like he’s up to something. He may be a coward when guns are aimed at him, but that boy’s got the mind of a Jung.” Jaejoong said as he too began to contemplate the words.
“If only I knew what he was trying to say.” Yoochun grumbled.
Changmin had conceded. He knew he shouldn’t have but he was severely out gunned and he wouldn’t have Siwon walk in on a trap when the Deputy would come in to take his evening shift. Changmin was waiting outside the station with Jung Woo Sung’s four ‘bodyguards’ - with the station door open.
Inside, Woo Sung lit a kerosene lamp as the sun began to set. He and his impetuous son remained silent as his strong hands struck the match and lit the lamp, adjusting the strength of the flame. He turned from the desk to face his youngest son.
“Would you care to explain why I had to interrupt my business dealings in the capital to come down to this hole in the wall to get the lot of you out of trouble?” Jung Woo Sung spoke down to everyone one, including his sons - all except Yunho.
“Your precious Yunho got distracted by that whore of his again. Because he couldn’t keep it in his pants he pulled a gun on the Sheriff in front of too many witnesses.” Younghwa snorted. Yunho had always been too hot headed.
“That filthy boy is here, in this town?” Appa Jung could not believe that Yunho was still enamored by that scrawny girly boy.
“That he is.” Younghwa’s smile was feral. Everything was falling into place.
“I told Yunho to end it with him.” Woo Sung frowned.
“Yunho left the kid in his hometown; he wanted to keep the boy in a constant state of fear - never knowing when he would return. That the whore was here was a fluke - one Yunho couldn’t seem to pass up.” Younghwa explained.
“I should have taken care of that whore long ago.” Woo Sung’s nostrils flared as his anger grew.
“Especially since he was the one that shot Yunho and Seung-Heon. Hell, he probably got a few shots off in Ji Hoon too!” Younghwa could see the hatred building in his father and he took great pleasure in torturing his Appa.
“Once I get you boys out of here, I will kill Micky myself.” He sneered.
“Micky goes by Park Yoochun now and he seems to have shacked up with the Sheriff. If you really want to hurt Yoochun, we need to get at the people he cares about. We can start by bringing the lamp over here.” Younghwa motioned to his father to come closer as if he was about to impart a great secret.
Woo sung did as his son asked, curious. “How will this help us?” The flames lit up the older man’s face and Younghwa was reminded of staring into that face as it yelled at his four year old self - as close as he was now.
Younghwa grabbed the lamp from his father’s hands and threw it against the wall, setting the station on fire. “Just wait until the Sheriff comes into his smoke filled station to put out the fire,” He grinned wickedly. The room quickly filled with smoke and Appa Jung thought his son was a little bit of a genius, the smoke would provide the perfect excuse to open the cells and would also conceal any moves they made after that.
“What the hell is going on?” Changmin yelled as he raced inside his station.
“Release my sons before you are responsible for their deaths as well!” Woo Sung demanded. Changmin didn’t have time to argue, he couldn’t have prisoners die in his custody - again. He unlocked the first cell and went to help Ji Hoon out. As he did so the thugs came in to help him.
“Changmin!” Jaejoong yelled. He and Yoochun had seen the quickly rising smoke and came running.
“Jaejoong, take these men and Ji Hoon to see Jungsu. I need to go back in for Younghwa.” Jaejoong nodded but he gave Changmin a hard look; he wasn’t comfortable going off with two thugs and leaving Changmin to a burning building with more thug-like strangers. Yoochun had his guns with him so Jaejoong knew that he would have Changmin’s back in his absence.
When Changmin re-entered the building, the smoke was too thick to see through and he had to feel his way to the next cell; Younghwa and Jung Woo Sung’s shouts helped him navigate. As soon as he opened the cell door, Younghwa rushed out and there was the sound of a scuffle. Changmin couldn’t tell if Younghwa was tripping to get out or if someone else had come in. Changmin yelled at the men to get out; if it was a Jung he couldn’t be bothered to risk his life further, so he ran out before a beam fell from the ceiling. The falling lumber barley missed him. When e got outside he gasped for breath and fell to the ground. Steady arms came to drag him further from the inferno. He looked up with tearing eyes to see his Yoochun pulling him to safety.
“Thanks Chunnie-ah.” He rasped. “Where are Younghwa and Jung Woo Sung?”
“Jung Woo Sung is here?” Yoochun asked, the fear and shock apparent in his voice.
“You didn’t see him?” Changmin rubbed at his eyes and Yoochun swatted at his hands to stop him.
“No, neither of them.” Yoochun said as he took his handkerchief to wipe at Changmin’s soot covered face.
“Shit. They could still be in there.” Changmin groaned and he tried to stand up but Yoochun gently pushed him back down.
The sound of glass bursting interrupted them. The fire had escalated and threatening to spread to the neighboring buildings - which could cause a serious problem; the next door general store had a large supply of kerosene.
Younghwa flew out of the cell as soon as the Sheriff opened it. He never took his eyes off of his father. This was the perfect chance to get his revenge. He launched himself at his father and knocked him over. He climbed on top of his father and sat on him to hold him down, his knees kept the man’s locked at his sides. The fall seemed to have knocked his father unconscious but he was still breathing; at least he wouldn’t be able to scream now. Younghwa grabbed hold of his father’s head and bashed it into the floor over and over until he felt the rise of the man’s chest cease. Looking around, Younghwa could see less than a foot in front of him; the smoke filled the station and was billowing out the door. The room was over heating and the window burst from it. He stood, moving round his father’s motionless body; the fire would take care of the rest. He followed the movement of the smoke and threw himself out the back window and broke into the closed general store to hideout.
The people of the small town rallied to form a line and pass water down in large buckets to put out the fire. The Kim twins had gathered as many people as they could when they saw the smoke. Siwon joined in and even Youngwoon had hobbled over to help out. Fortunately, the station was near the town centre and the water pump. The fire was put out as the sky turned black and moon rose. The neighboring buildings were safe, but the station was in complete ruins. Changmin was heartbroken but glad to be alive.
Younghwa needed to spread the kerosene so that he could burn the rest of this horrible town down, but it still much too busy outside with the volunteer mulling about to go around unnoticed. His father’s thugs were still out, searching the rumble for his remains and those of Appa Jung. If he was lucky, they would only find ash. He decided to make himself comfortable and popped open a can of food. He would have a while to wait. Besides, he needed to secure the young doctor first so that when his revenge was done, he could be on his way with the one truly descent person he had ever met.
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Character/Pairing: Jae/Min/Chun and variations of, YooSu bffery, and ninja!pairings
Genre: drama/angst, romance, and a bit of comedy and action, Korean Wild West AU!
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,337
Disclaimer: I have a what?
Previous parts: Prologue , Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 6 , Chapter 7 , Chapter 8 , Chapter 9 , Chapter 10 , Chapter 11 , Chapter 12 , Chapter 13 , Chapter 14 , Chapter 15 , Chapter 16 , Chapter 17 , Chapter 18 , Chapter 19
A/N: I apologize for the late posting, I suddenly got very busy. This chapter is Younghwa heavy but there will be more of our trio in the next chapter - I mean who else would save the day again?
Changmin had sent Jaejoong home early so that he could check up on Yoochun and was now waiting for Siwon to come in for the night shift. There was a racket outside, and before he could act, Changmin was startled by the doors to the station bursting open.
“I am here for my sons!” The middle aged man bellowed. He was tall with broad shoulders and was greying at the temples; Jung Woo Sung - Appa Jung. Behind him stood a group of what Changmin could only describe as thugs; four bulky men overly armed.
Ji Hoon moaned from his cell, half conscious. Younghwa smirked as he rose from the bench.
“So good of you to finally come; with one son dead and another well on his way.” Younghwa nodded to his eldest brother. His eyes were cold as he stared at his father’s hardened face.
“I see you have been fortunate enough to avoid such a fate.” Appa Jung’s voice held no affection as he addressed his youngest.
“Excuse me gentlemen,” Changmin said after clearing his throat to get the attentions of father and son. “I don’t know what kind of news you’ve heard Jung-shii, but Ji Hoon and Younghwa are schedule to be transported to the province capital in three days time to serve their five year prison sentence. Thus, they will not be leaving here with you.” Changmin said; voice calm but firm.
Jung Woo Sung let his eyes slide to the side to acknowledge the Sheriff but his eyes soon fixed back on his youngest son. “I will speak with my son in private.”
“This stations not going to get any more private than this, of course you are welcome to have your goons wait outside.” Changmin offered with a smirk. He could tell that Appa Jung already had an extreme dislike of him as he saw the older man clench his fists and narrow his eyes.
“One of my sons has been killed in your care and the other is struggling to stay alive, you must forgive me if I don’t rightly trust you.” Jung Woo Sung said a fake smile.
“And with that mysterious siege on my station that ultimately led to the death of your son and the injuries of the other you can see why I may be suspicious of your sudden appearance and motives.” Changmin said, trying to suppress the rage he was quickly feeling. If he let his emotions get to him then he would be showing weakness in front of the Jung patriarch and that would only make the older man more cocky.
Younghwa was enjoying the little head to head his father was having with the Sheriff. His plan had been banking on his father’s fashionably late arrival. If the hired guns had failed, then his father would have to come and break him and his brother out himself. But now things were different; Yunho was dead and Ji Hoon is practically an invalid. Younghwa had always been the one to challenge his father where Yunho had been the one that took after the infamous Appa Jung. Yunho had always been able to talk Ji Hoon into anything and everything he wanted. Younghwa, the baby, was expected to follow his brothers’ example. But honestly, Younghwa hated Yunho - he was sick and tired of follow Yunho’s whim and following after that whore. Younghwa wanted the power now and his father’s death was his ticket.
“Come on Sheriff Shim, want harm could it do to let my father and I have some bonding time while you wait outside, along with his associates.” Younghwa suggested with his best wide-eyed innocent look. This earned him dirty looks from both Changmin and Woo Sung.
Yoochun had just finished up helping Mama Kim in the kitchen with food preparation for the dinner rush when Jaejoong walked into the Saloon.
“Looking for me hyung?” Yoochun asked with a teasing smile. Jaejoong answered him by wrapping a pair of strong arms around Yoochun.
“Did you spend the whole day here?” Jaejoong asked as he continued to hold on to Yoochun. The younger man nodded.
“Oh god, why am I surrounded by people in love.” Junsu moaned from behind the bar. Jaejoong pulled back to raise an eyebrow in question at his lover in his arms.
“Apparently Junho has a crush on Deputy Choi Siwon.” Yoochun giggled before Junho threw dirty dish rags at the pair.
Once the older Kim twin had been placated, Jaejoong and Yoochun headed out of the Saloon.
“How was your day with the Kims, everything okay?” Jaejoong asked tentatively.
“Sure is, why do you ask - for the fourth time this evening?” Yoochun asked, ready to put his stern “you don’t need to treat me fragilely” face.
“Changmin may have let me off early so that I could check up on you.” Jaejoong said, finding the setting sun particularly interesting.
“I’m fine; I’ve just had something bugging me in the back of my mind.” Yoochun sighed, he had to appreciate how caring his lovers are.
Jaejoong sat Yoochun on the bench near the town’s centre, outside of the post office.
“Is this about your feelings over last night?” Jaejoong asked, try not to show the worry on his face.
“No. It’s about what Younghwa said to me when I was alone with him in the jail.” Yoochun had been able to solve the riddle yet.
“What did he say?” Jaejoong asked curiously.
“That he would be forced to make a choice and that I would understand soon enough.” Yoochun rubbed at his face. “I don’t know if he was trying to scare me or just plain confuse me.” He sighed in frustration.
“Sounds like he’s up to something. He may be a coward when guns are aimed at him, but that boy’s got the mind of a Jung.” Jaejoong said as he too began to contemplate the words.
“If only I knew what he was trying to say.” Yoochun grumbled.
Changmin had conceded. He knew he shouldn’t have but he was severely out gunned and he wouldn’t have Siwon walk in on a trap when the Deputy would come in to take his evening shift. Changmin was waiting outside the station with Jung Woo Sung’s four ‘bodyguards’ - with the station door open.
Inside, Woo Sung lit a kerosene lamp as the sun began to set. He and his impetuous son remained silent as his strong hands struck the match and lit the lamp, adjusting the strength of the flame. He turned from the desk to face his youngest son.
“Would you care to explain why I had to interrupt my business dealings in the capital to come down to this hole in the wall to get the lot of you out of trouble?” Jung Woo Sung spoke down to everyone one, including his sons - all except Yunho.
“Your precious Yunho got distracted by that whore of his again. Because he couldn’t keep it in his pants he pulled a gun on the Sheriff in front of too many witnesses.” Younghwa snorted. Yunho had always been too hot headed.
“That filthy boy is here, in this town?” Appa Jung could not believe that Yunho was still enamored by that scrawny girly boy.
“That he is.” Younghwa’s smile was feral. Everything was falling into place.
“I told Yunho to end it with him.” Woo Sung frowned.
“Yunho left the kid in his hometown; he wanted to keep the boy in a constant state of fear - never knowing when he would return. That the whore was here was a fluke - one Yunho couldn’t seem to pass up.” Younghwa explained.
“I should have taken care of that whore long ago.” Woo Sung’s nostrils flared as his anger grew.
“Especially since he was the one that shot Yunho and Seung-Heon. Hell, he probably got a few shots off in Ji Hoon too!” Younghwa could see the hatred building in his father and he took great pleasure in torturing his Appa.
“Once I get you boys out of here, I will kill Micky myself.” He sneered.
“Micky goes by Park Yoochun now and he seems to have shacked up with the Sheriff. If you really want to hurt Yoochun, we need to get at the people he cares about. We can start by bringing the lamp over here.” Younghwa motioned to his father to come closer as if he was about to impart a great secret.
Woo sung did as his son asked, curious. “How will this help us?” The flames lit up the older man’s face and Younghwa was reminded of staring into that face as it yelled at his four year old self - as close as he was now.
Younghwa grabbed the lamp from his father’s hands and threw it against the wall, setting the station on fire. “Just wait until the Sheriff comes into his smoke filled station to put out the fire,” He grinned wickedly. The room quickly filled with smoke and Appa Jung thought his son was a little bit of a genius, the smoke would provide the perfect excuse to open the cells and would also conceal any moves they made after that.
“What the hell is going on?” Changmin yelled as he raced inside his station.
“Release my sons before you are responsible for their deaths as well!” Woo Sung demanded. Changmin didn’t have time to argue, he couldn’t have prisoners die in his custody - again. He unlocked the first cell and went to help Ji Hoon out. As he did so the thugs came in to help him.
“Changmin!” Jaejoong yelled. He and Yoochun had seen the quickly rising smoke and came running.
“Jaejoong, take these men and Ji Hoon to see Jungsu. I need to go back in for Younghwa.” Jaejoong nodded but he gave Changmin a hard look; he wasn’t comfortable going off with two thugs and leaving Changmin to a burning building with more thug-like strangers. Yoochun had his guns with him so Jaejoong knew that he would have Changmin’s back in his absence.
When Changmin re-entered the building, the smoke was too thick to see through and he had to feel his way to the next cell; Younghwa and Jung Woo Sung’s shouts helped him navigate. As soon as he opened the cell door, Younghwa rushed out and there was the sound of a scuffle. Changmin couldn’t tell if Younghwa was tripping to get out or if someone else had come in. Changmin yelled at the men to get out; if it was a Jung he couldn’t be bothered to risk his life further, so he ran out before a beam fell from the ceiling. The falling lumber barley missed him. When e got outside he gasped for breath and fell to the ground. Steady arms came to drag him further from the inferno. He looked up with tearing eyes to see his Yoochun pulling him to safety.
“Thanks Chunnie-ah.” He rasped. “Where are Younghwa and Jung Woo Sung?”
“Jung Woo Sung is here?” Yoochun asked, the fear and shock apparent in his voice.
“You didn’t see him?” Changmin rubbed at his eyes and Yoochun swatted at his hands to stop him.
“No, neither of them.” Yoochun said as he took his handkerchief to wipe at Changmin’s soot covered face.
“Shit. They could still be in there.” Changmin groaned and he tried to stand up but Yoochun gently pushed him back down.
The sound of glass bursting interrupted them. The fire had escalated and threatening to spread to the neighboring buildings - which could cause a serious problem; the next door general store had a large supply of kerosene.
Younghwa flew out of the cell as soon as the Sheriff opened it. He never took his eyes off of his father. This was the perfect chance to get his revenge. He launched himself at his father and knocked him over. He climbed on top of his father and sat on him to hold him down, his knees kept the man’s locked at his sides. The fall seemed to have knocked his father unconscious but he was still breathing; at least he wouldn’t be able to scream now. Younghwa grabbed hold of his father’s head and bashed it into the floor over and over until he felt the rise of the man’s chest cease. Looking around, Younghwa could see less than a foot in front of him; the smoke filled the station and was billowing out the door. The room was over heating and the window burst from it. He stood, moving round his father’s motionless body; the fire would take care of the rest. He followed the movement of the smoke and threw himself out the back window and broke into the closed general store to hideout.
The people of the small town rallied to form a line and pass water down in large buckets to put out the fire. The Kim twins had gathered as many people as they could when they saw the smoke. Siwon joined in and even Youngwoon had hobbled over to help out. Fortunately, the station was near the town centre and the water pump. The fire was put out as the sky turned black and moon rose. The neighboring buildings were safe, but the station was in complete ruins. Changmin was heartbroken but glad to be alive.
Younghwa needed to spread the kerosene so that he could burn the rest of this horrible town down, but it still much too busy outside with the volunteer mulling about to go around unnoticed. His father’s thugs were still out, searching the rumble for his remains and those of Appa Jung. If he was lucky, they would only find ash. He decided to make himself comfortable and popped open a can of food. He would have a while to wait. Besides, he needed to secure the young doctor first so that when his revenge was done, he could be on his way with the one truly descent person he had ever met.
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