Just Another Killer - Chapter 7
Title: Just Another Killer
Author: nitrostat
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: 2min so far
Summary: Taemin is the son of a hired killer who prides himself in killing only those who deserve death. However, one night he makes a mistake and kills an innocent man, forcing Minho into their lives. What will happen when Minho joins this group of hired killers?
Chapter 1
Just Another Killer1
Chapter 2
Just Another Killer2
Chapter 3
Just Another Killer3
Chapter 4
Just Another Killer4
Chapter 5
Just Another Killer5
Chapter 6
Just Another Killer6
Chapter 7
Minho couldn’t take it anymore. He felt like he was suffocating within the confines of the cluttered room. His chest was welling up with an undeniable rage and he felt like he would explode any minute. He was at his breaking point and he knew it.
He threw the folder, papers fluttering in every direction, and turned on his heel, stomping out of the office with only the loud ‘bang’ of the door slamming behind him announcing his outrage. His eyes were red with tears threatening to fall at any moment, and it was taking all of his will to hold them back. He wasn’t about to run-away from the problem, but he was frustrated that his feet wouldn’t move fast enough to pull him away.
He’d practically jumped down the stairs and was headed toward the front door, barely hearing the “Minho” coming from Key. He turned his head toward the source, not faltering in the least of his pursuit of the front door. At least, not faltering until he saw past Key, finding those sad eyes that belonged to a certain red-head; his heart constricted his breathing, and his anger forcing him to look away and never look back.
“Taemin, did anything else happen today? Y’know, that would explain that prick’s attitude,” Key asked, obviously upset that he was ignored at all.
Taemin could think of one certain event; images of pink lips and lidded eyes flooding his mind. It was wrong, he knew it then, but the way Minho had looked at him, with pure disgust, was making him tremble with regret. He should’ve known his feelings wouldn’t be returned, and now he’d ruined a precious friendship.
“Nothing really,” Taemin wished he could confide within Key, but he knew Minho would hate him even more if he’d told anyone. Taemin wasn’t ready to lose Minho all together, and he would do anything to try and make things normal, even if his heart would never be returned.
Minho zipped up his hoodie and pulled the hood over his head. It wasn’t really cold outside, in fact it was summer and it was freaking hot, but Minho wanted to make his self disappear. He wandered without much thought of where he was going. He eventually came to an empty park and sat down on the bench trying to calm down.
He had never been so unsure in his life. On one hand, he had found his father’s killer and he was eager to finally achieve his revenge and let that chapter of his life end. But on the other, that killer is the reason he is alive right now, and even though he was never very close with him, he was grateful for the new life he had.
He flipped of his hood and aggressively ruffled his hair in frustration.
“There you are,” a familiar voice behind him sang.
“Jonghyun-hyung, why are you here,” Minho didn’t even bother looking back at the older one, concentrating on his clasped fists before him.
“Searching for you silly,” he answered taking a seat next him on the bench, “Why are you wearing a jacket? It’s like 90 degrees out here.”
Minho quietly took of his jacket angrily tossing it beside him as if punishing it for not concealing his identity. “What do you want?”
“It’s not what I want, it’s what the frantic Key wants,” Jonghyun answered animatedly tossing his arms in the air mimicking what he figured Key looked like over the phone, “He’s pissed you ignored him, but he’s also worried for you.”
When Minho didn’t respond Jonghyun continued, “He also told me Taemin is super worried,” he noticed how Minho turned his head at the mention of Taemin, “he says, Taemin looked really depressed after you left and shut himself in the room.”
“Why?” Minho asked, trying to conceal his worry. He knew why, but he didn’t want to admit that he was so cruel. He wasn’t sure how he should feel, but he knew it was unnecessary the way he glared at the boy with hatred.
“I don’t know, key didn’t either, but I bet you do,” Jonghyun smirked. Minho glared at the other angrily. “Hey, you’re the one who stormed out and caused it, so obviously you’d know. So why did you storm out?”
Minho felt all his anger quickly return and he couldn’t keep the edge from piercing his voice as he spoke. “Why do you even ask? You all knew this would happen eventually, or did you just plan to lie to me for the rest of my life?”
Jonghyun winced slightly before running a hand through his hair and leaning back in the bench. He knew why, and he was extremely glad he was the one confronting Minho and not anyone else. “So, you found out about your father, huh?”
“What were you going to do? Just let me live in ignorance and hope I’d forget?” his voice was rising and he was ready to attack his hyung beside him.
“No, we weren’t planning on you forgetting. Honestly, we weren’t planning anything,” Jonghyun admitted, “Do you remember that night you came to us, it was also the night your father died by mistake.”
“Mistake?”
“It was really my fault. A client, your favorite Park Pharmaceuticals, hired Jay and fed him a bunch of bullshit evidence that I didn’t notice was fake until after the fact. When I found out about it, I told Jay, but of course it was too late to really matter. I’m sorry.”
“Fuck,” Miho mumbled, “he was a mistake? What a hell of a mistake! That was his life! I can’t get that back, never,” Minho was on the verge of tears.
“He regrets it every day, that I know,” Jonghyun continued sitting up, “I can understand the way you feel-“
“Can you really?!” Minho suddenly yelled, a tear finally escaping his eyes.
“I can,” Jonghyun looked Minho straight in the eyes, “Not all our lives are happy and carefree like you think. You should understand that no one gets into this kind of business easily. “Minho remained still, glaring in disbelief. “Jay’s made many mistakes in his life, and let me tell you, he wishes he could die, he would be glad that you would kill him. If he didn’t have Taemin, he probably would’ve revealed himself a long time ago and let his enemies dispose of him.”
“Then why are you trying to talk me out of it?”
“Because, like I said, I know how you feel. I wanted revenge on him too, but I decided against it and now, I’m glad because I know I would’ve regretted it,” Jonghyun explained, he leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together.
“Why did you want revenge, did he kill your father too?” Minho retorted.
“Actually, yeah,” Minho immediately regretted his words, “and my mother. And Key’s parents too, that’s how we ended up with him in the first place.” Jonghyun stared at the ground before him, remembering the past. “Key and I lived right next door to each other in the same apartment complex back when were young. I think I was nine then, but I still secretly had a crush on Key then. He was cuter than any girl at school and, not to mention, I could get close to him without him running away yelling ‘cooties’,” Minho coughed obnoxiously interrupting Jonghyun’s flashback, “Anyway, I was sleeping over one night at his apartment. In the middle of the night we woke up because there were loud noises coming from the apartment two doors down and the smell of gas was suffocating. Key, being his nosy self, wanted to look outside, and I followed of course. As soon as we got outside, the room two doors down exploded. The roof collapsed in Key’s apartment before the flames spread all over the complex. Key was banging on the collapsed door crying for his parents, I just stood there, staring at my apartment, or at least what used to be an apartment.”
“I’m sorry,” Minho mumbled finally understanding the levity of the confession.
“It was tough then, but now it’s not so painful,” Jonghyun continued, “Jay was in that room two doors down, he ran out of the door right after the explosion. He looked frantic, and when he saw us standing on the balcony, he grabbed us both and jumped over the banister, luckily we were only on the second floor. But then the big explosion happened and any hope for the rest of the complex was lost. Turns out, Jay was sent to kill the man in that apartment, but he fought back and, in the end set fire to the apartment hoping to take Jay with him. And just like that, Key and I became orphans.”
“Did you blame Jay?” Minho asked.
“Of course,” Jonghyun let out a long sigh, “Jay made a mistake and didn’t deliver a clean kill, and his mistake caused many unnecessary deaths. His guilt was the reason he took the two of us in, much like the way he did with you. Of course, back then we didn’t know exactly why the fire had started and we followed him home. Did you know he was married then?” Minho nodded a ‘no’ and Jonghyun continued, “Well, he was, with Taemin’s mother. Of course she didn’t really take us in happily. She didn’t understand why Jay was asking her to take care of two boys she’d never seen before. There was a lot of arguing that night; I remember hearing yelling while Key and I sat trembling on the couch. There was so much yelling that Taemin had woken up and wandered into the living room, finding us there. He was so cute then, you wouldn’t believe, I even-“
“Hyung,” Minho interrupted again.
“Right, well, we all ended falling asleep there. The next morning, we found out that Taemin’s mother had left and wasn’t planning on returning. Jay had told her the truth about what his real profession was and the reason behind ‘adopting’ us. She couldn’t handle it and took her life.”
Minho silently absorbed the impact of Jonghyun’s words, unsure of how to feel about this man he had wanted to kill, but now pitied.
“Jay wasn’t meant to be a good father, but he tries, really hard. He wanted to stop his way of life and live like a normal person, but he had three children and no other skill, so he made due. He revealed his true life to Taemin early on, hoping to prevent another scenario like his mother’s, and he told us the truth about what happened with us. I really wanted revenge then, but after learning the truth about everything, I couldn’t take away Taemin’s father. Key and I both felt responsible for his mother’s death in a way, that’s why Key always acts like a mother. He tries to replace what he took,” Jonghyun explained.
“But it’s not your fault,” Minho argued.
“No matter how much we told ourselves that, the guilt never went away. That’s the way guilt works. Once you admit to it, it will never leave you, no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise. That’s why I’m glad I never killed Jay. It’s easier to get over revenge than to get over guilt,” he concluded standing up and stretching his limbs.
“Hyung,” Minho wasn’t sure what to say, he was even more confused now.
“Minho, whatever you do, just make sure you can handle the consequences,” he warned, “Oh, and no one else besides Jay and I know about your father, whether you want revenge or not, please don’t tell Taemin about it.”
“Why?” Minho countered. He was unaware that Taemin didn’t know; he’d figured everyone knew and everyone was lying to him.
“Because you’re special Minho,” Jonghyun smiled widely, “To Taemin, you’re his first friend he made by his self. He admires you the most out of all of us and to know that such a tragic incident was the reason you found him would hurt him deeply.” Jonghyun noticed how Minho tensed up at the mention of Taemin’s admiration. “Of course you noticed how much he likes you, haven’t you?” Jonghyun smirked.
“Maybe,” Minho replied.
“You like him too, don’t you?” Jonghyun continued catching on to Minho’s hidden conflict.
His face was reddening and he opened his mouth trying to form words that could settle into some excuse. “I don’t know anymore.”
“Whatever, I know you do,” Jonghyun said turning his back on the flustered Minho, “Why don’t you take a couple days away from all of this to think. Now that I know Taemin’s heart is on the line too, I want you to make sure you make a right decision.”
“Way to put on the pressure,” Minho mumbled.
“That’s life!” Jonghyun exclaimed walking away, “I’ll pack a couple things for you and leave at the café by the office, don’t worry about us and concentrate on what you’re going to do, it’s probably the biggest decision of your life!”
Jonghyun was out of ear-shot before Minho could formulate any kind of reply. He groaned loudly, ruffling his hair again. Why did life have to be so complicated?
Taemin sat quietly on his bed hugging his knees close to his body and burying his face into his knees. He was so confused about what to do. He wanted to make it up to Minho and try to fix the mess he’d made, but Minho wasn’t coming back. It was already 11:30 and Minho still hadn’t returned. How was he supposed to apologize if he wouldn’t come home?
Taemin fumbled with his cell phone. He could call Minho, but he thought it better that he should wait for Minho to want to talk to him. He finally threw his phone in frustration and laid down in his bed forcing his eyes shut and trying to sleep.
Taemin awoke hours later panting. His heart was about to explode and it was actually starting to hurt. He clutched at his chest and let the tears fall freely; why was it all so painful? He wouldn’t dare go back to sleep and be faced with those images again. They weren’t nightmares; the opposite actually. He would find himself embracing Minho, slowly pulling himself up to kiss him lightly. Minho would respond affectionately and deepen the kiss while wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him tightly. It was all so real and Taemin’s heart would pound against his chest until he woke up only to realize he was delusional. He could never have that and wanted to stop wishing for it to happen. His dreams were teasing him with fantasies should never even imagine. He needed forget his feelings, or else he wouldn’t be able to face Minho and ask for forgiveness.
He stayed awake until the sun rose illuminating his room with sunshine. He glanced at the clock beside his bed and remembered it was broken. He got up anyway, getting dressed and fixing himself for school. He noticed Minho’s uniform hanging on the closet door. He swallowed his guilt and ignored it trying his best to pretend it didn’t hurt.
He walked down stairs and poured him some cereal; he ate slowly, not even registering the taste. Key came down as well and sat beside Taemin, stroking his hair affectionately.
“Minho didn’t come home did he?” Taemin nodded his answer. “I wonder what’s up with him.”
Onew also appeared, lazily descending the stairs and sleepily wobbling over to the other two.
“Long time no see,” Key commented. Onew just smiled in response. “What do you want for breakfast?”
“Chicken.”
“Aish, what a weird request. Let me see what’s in the fridge,” Key nagged while getting up to look in the fridge.
“How are you this morning Teamin?” Onew quietly asked, still half-asleep. He’s been working overtime lately, staying out late and leaving early.
“Fine,” he replied filling his mouth with another spoonful of cereal.
“But you don’t look fine,” Onew stated and Key glared at the man from behind the fridge door trying to telepathically tell him to “shut up”. Onew got the hint and didn’t press any further.
“Key-umma, I’m going to go ahead and go to school,” Taemin said as he dumped his dish in the sink.
“But, it’s an hour early,” Key pointed out.
“I know.” Taemin grabbed his back-pack and headed out the front door.
“Have a good day!” Onew called right before the door shut. Key slapped his shoulder. “What was that for?”
“Just letting my frustration out,” Key responded coldly before setting the plate of left-over fried chicken before him.
The school was different this early in the morning. There were barely any students and only a few teachers roamed the halls running small morning errands. He paced the halls exploring corridors he never took before, biding his time until school started.
A group of students huddled behind the gym caught his attention. Upon closer inspection he noticed Junsu and the other trouble-makers with him. He was about to turn around and walk the other way, but the sudden exclamation of “Minho” stopped him in his tracks. Instead of avoiding the group he found himself sneaking closer and trying to listen in.
“My dad told me that guy is wanted,” Chansung explained to the rest of the group, “He says Minho was the one who killed the last president of the company, so they’re out to get him.”
“No way,” Junsu retorted.
“I’m serious! He’s even reporting it to the boss and they’ll probably be roaming this place tomorrow looking for him. Park Pharmaceuticals can do some serious shit, my dad’s told me about some of their other incidents,” Chansung continued, eyes wide with excitement.
“Ha, that’s what that fucker gets for messing with us,” Junsu obnoxiously snorted.
Taemin couldn’t believe what he’d heard. He’d thought they were done with that company for good. They’d harassed Minho for almost a year after he came to live with them.
He quickly ran to the rooftop and pulled out his cell-phone dialing rapidly. He brought the phone to his ear and prayed for a quick answer.
“Hello,” Key’s voice sounded over the small speaker.
“I need your help with something. Can you get Jonghyun to hook me up with some small grade explosives and some smoke bombs?” Taemin frantically asked, formulating his plan as he spoke. He wasn’t sure if this was the way to mend their relationship, but he had to try. Minho always protected him from danger and this time he was going to protect Minho. Maybe then, he could ask for forgiveness.
End of Chapter 7
A/N: So it's late and I'm ready for bed, but I wanted to upload this before I went to bed, so please forgive any possible grammar and spelling errors.
P.S. I don't really like this chapter, but I promise the next one will be filled with 2min goodness!