close your eyes and pull the trigger
Fandom: EXO, Psycho-Pass
Characters/Pairing: Kai, Luhan
Rating: PG
Word Count: 500
Note: Cross-posted here.
“This is MWPSB Inspector Luhan! For your own safety, show your -”
Luhan doesn’t get to finish the formalities as the criminal jumps out of his hiding place behind the counter, knife in hand. He deftly dodges the strike, levels the Dominator to the man’s head. Cross-hairs and analysis windows appear in his vision.
‘Crime Coefficient exceeds 350’
The Dominator quivers in his hands as it shifts into Lethal Eliminator mode. Pieces of the barrel slide and open, revealing glowing machinery beneath.
His finger trembles on the trigger. One shot - that’s all it takes. There’s no hope for this man, a murderer that endangers the public. He’s just a rabid dog that needs to be taken down for the sake of society. One to take down for the safety of many. He’s trained extensively for this - even if he’s still a rookie, he knows what to expect -
The criminal lunges again, roaring with unrestrained fury, face contorted into an expression akin to a cornered, dying beast. Luhan stumbles back, narrowly avoiding the downward strike of the knife, his shoulder colliding painfully against a cabinet. The shock causes him to lose hold of the Dominator.
There’s no time to avoid the next attack.
In reality it occurs only for a split-second but for Luhan, it appears to be a long, surreal moment - the sight of the criminal’s manic, desperate face closing in, then a bolt of sky-blue energy hitting him on the temple. The head bloats, eyes bulging, flesh bubbles blooming from the neck down to to the waist.
Luhan blinks, and the criminal disappears in an explosion of blood. The knife falls to the floor, fingers still wrapped around the hilt. He feels the warm splatters on his face, watches mutely as the man’s legs crumple down in a puddle of gore.
For a while, only the sound of Luhan’s heavy breathing rises above the silence.
“Pull the trigger next time.”
Luhan turns to see Enforcer Kai standing by the doorway, exuding the air of someone who has been in this situation too many times. “If you can’t, at least let us Enforcers come in first.” There’s a hint of a sneer there, tinged with bitterness, but it’s not the time to pull rank. Not when Kai is telling a blunt truth.
The Dominator in the Enforcer’s grasp folds back upon itself, returning to dormancy. He holsters the weapon with practiced ease and leaves without another word. Luhan stares after him.
So this is how a hunting dog bites.
He bends down to pick up the Dominator on the floor. It feels heavy and useless in his hands. A leash-holder - that’s all he is, in the end. It’s not what he envisioned himself to be when he entered the force.
But as long as I can keep people safe, right?
Inspector Wu shortly comes in. Upon seeing Luhan’s face, he lays a hand on the junior Inspector’s shoulder and gently ushers him out of the scene.