Zero Hour Part 2
Title: Zero Hour
Pairing: Yongguk/Himchan
Minor Pairings: Daehyun/Jongup, Youngjae/Zelo
Part: 2
Rating: PG-13
Genre: drama
Disclaimer: they own each other
Warnings: language
Summary: A bank robbery gone wrong has life-changing consequences.
Opaque/Oscillate
“He’s caving. I can feel it,” Himchan exhaled as Hyosung silently handed him his third cup of double shot latte. “There’s a reason he’s doing this; it’s not just for the monetary gain. Just a little more and I’ll be able to coax it out of him.”
“How are you holding up?” asked Hyosung, crossing her arms.
“Fine, fine,” Himchan answered absently, tapping his fingers thoughtfully. Hyosung’s eyes narrowed as they took in the way Himchan’s hands were shaking ever so slightly. Himchan quirked a smile when he saw the direction of her gaze and pulled his sleeves down further. “Spare me the lecture, Cap. We’ve been through it a million times before.”
“I know. Caffeine helps you think, puts you at the top of your game, and if you don’t have a heart attack inducing amount every time you’re in the field, innocent lives will be at stake,” Hyosung recited monotonously. “But still.”
“Better than smoking,” Himchan offered weakly.
“We got the visual,” Sunhwa interrupted before Hyosung could reply. Hyosung shot Himchan a meaningful glare before leaning over Sunwha’s shoulder to look at the screen. Sunhwa pointed to a man dressed in a black sweatshirt. “That’s our guy.”
“Hostages look safe,” Hyosung said, relief coloring her tone. “Okay, run his picture through the system. I want to know everything there is to know about this guy: where he lives, what’s his job, family, history of violence or mental disorders.”
“Not bad looking. He’s totally my type,” Himchan said lightly. “In any other situation, I’d be flattered to be receiving so many phone calls from him.” As though on cue, his earpiece lit up, indicating an incoming call. “Bingo.” He answered. “Hello, Jepp.”
Pandemonium/Political
“Are you going to let me go yet, Himchan?”
“These things take time, Jepp.”
“Time is something I don’t have.”
“Jepp, do you have a family?”
“A little brother, but-” He cuts himself off. Shit. He’s revealing too much. This guy is good. “Why?”
“Just wondering. I have a younger brother myself.”
He pauses for a moment, wondering if this suddenly affectionate tone is some kind of trap. “What of it?”
“He’s a great kid. Growing up, our parents were never around much- always traveling- so I pretty much raised him myself.”
“Why are you telling me this?” he demands gruffly, ignoring the ring of familiarity.
“No reason; just thought we ought to get to know one another a little. How about yours? What is he like?”
He bites his lip. “He’s the smartest, most talented kid I’ve ever seen. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t love him the moment they saw him. That kid…that kid was going places.”
“Was?”
Quell/Quintessence
“You pay more attention to her than you do to me,” Junhong accused, digging his plastic spoon into his Jell-O cup.
“That’s not true,” Youngjae argued, eyes glued to the television screen. “I’m here for you, aren’t I?”
“Physically, not mentally,” sniffed Junhong. He kicked Youngjae from under the sheets. Youngjae let out an undignified squeak and flailed to keep his balance.
“Hey, watch it. You’re going to kick me off the bed,” complained Youngjae, shoving Junhong over to make more room for himself.
“It’s my bed,” Junhong countered petulantly as he glared at the pretty girl on the screen. “What do you see in her anyways? Can’t you be like a normal person and like an actress or singer instead of a reporter?”
Youngjae shrugged. “Song Jieun is just better qualified than any old actress or singer. The fact that she graduated from college makes her infinitely more attractive than any uneducated pretty face.”
“We’re barely in high school though,” Junhong pointed out grumpily, picking at his white sheets.
Youngjae laughed and put Junhong in a friendly headlock, careful to avoid all the tubes that were Junhong’s lifelines. “Age doesn’t matter when it comes to love. Did I mention that she also has a minor in music? My major is going to be music!”
“…breaking news of a hostage situation. Officials have confirmed that all hostages are so far unharmed. A picture of the perpetrator has been released. If anyone recognizes this man, please call the hotline…”
Youngjae stilled as the picture popped up on the screen. Sensing something wrong, Junhong looked up too.
“No way,” breathed Youngjae. The picture was blurry and there was a cap obstructing part of his face, but there was no mistaking who it was.
“It can’t be,” whispered Junhong, looking sick. “It can’t.”
Relinquish/Reach
He came back from yet another phone call, a conflicted expression on his face. Jongup silently prayed that it meant he was starting to feel bad and not that he wanted to start shooting.
“Hey, you,” the man- or Jepp Blackman, if Jongup’s ears did not fail him- said roughly, pointing to a young mother. She clutched her baby closer and tightened her protective hold on her toddler. “You and the kids are going. Come with me.”
“What’s going on?” Daehyun asked Jongup under his breath as Jepp escorted the woman and her children towards the front door.
“The negotiation must be working,” Jongup replied, feeling a wave of relief. “Generally, it is asked of the hostage taker to release a few hostages as a show of good faith.” Daehyun nodded as there was a loud cheer from outside.
Jepp returned to the rest of the group, staring at them with an unreadable expression. “The rest of you stay where you are. Don’t try anything funny.” He went back behind the counter, making a beeline for the phone.
Serenity/Shrapnel
Daehyun was terrified. He had calmed down some since the initial panic, but the fear was still there, sinking into his bones. He tried not to show it though because he felt that he needed to be strong for Jongup- dear, sweet Jongup. But Daehyun didn’t kid himself. He was not the strong one right now; Jongup was- Jongup, with his steady reassurances and deep vein of inner strength that Daehyun had always known was there, but never actually witnessed firsthand.
Daehyun squeezed Jongup’s hand, and Jongup squeezed back. Daehyun thought that, if anything, he wanted Jongup to live. Even if something happened to him, the younger boy needed to go on living. He would very much like the both of them to get through this together though. They hadn’t had enough time yet. He still wanted to be with Jongup, to hold Jongup’s hand, to take Jongup out on dates, to kiss Jongup, and to one day, when both of them were ready, whisper those sweet words to Jongup and see those eternal promises reflected back at him.
Touch/Tender
Hyosung could see that Himchan was close to breaking as she observed him conversing with the perpetrator.
Despite his delicate features, Hyosung knew that Himchan was one of the strongest people she was acquainted with. He had one of the hardest jobs in the squad, yet he performed with an almost one hundred percent success rate, boasting the best track record of all hostage negotiators in the country.
But he was coming apart at the seams no matter how hard he tried to hide it. Hyosung wondered what it was exactly that was storming around in that pretty head of his. She watched carefully as he took a sip of latte, hand shaking so badly that he missed his mouth several times and spilled some liquid in the process. As much as Hyosung wanted to blame his caffeine addiction and, by extension, his inability to sleep properly, there was something deeper going on for this particular case. Hyosung considered Himchan’s unorthodox methods of negotiation; no doubt forming a personal connection with perpetrators was taxing on him.
Troubled and already forming a lecture about taking care of oneself for Himchan in her head, Hyosung turned and glanced at the screen in front of Sunhwa. She was just about to look away when a mop of blonde hair caught her eye.
“Sunhwa,” said Hyosung, voice tight. She pointed to the screen. “Is that…?”
Sunhwa leaned in closer before recoiling in recognition. “Oh god, I think it is,” she breathed, shocked.
“Fuck!” cursed Hyosung, slamming her fist down on the table, startling Sunhwa. “Fucking hell! Jongup’s in there. That’s why Himchan’s freaking out.” She glanced over at Himchan, who was still discussing something calmly on his earpiece despite his inability to stop the shaking of his hands now. “I’m taking him off the case; this is getting way too personal.”
Usurp/Ubiquitous
“You’re off the case,” spat Hyosung the moment Himchan disconnected the call.
Himchan was taken aback by the aggression, but to be honest, he wasn’t surprised; Hyosung wasn’t appointed captain of the force for being unobservant. “Why?” he asked anyways.
Hyosung’s eyes narrowed dangerously, but she humored him. “Because your brother is one of the hostages. This compromises your objectivity to the situation. Hand over your earpiece. I’ll be taking over from here.”
“You know, the field of hostage negotiation doesn’t leave room for objectivity anyways,” Himchan pointed out wryly. He resignedly took off his earpiece and put it into her waiting hand, ignoring how his hand shook so much that it took several tries.
“Go sit somewhere,” Hyosung ordered, putting in the earpiece. “And for god’s sake, don’t drink any more caffeine.”
Obediently, Himchan found himself a nice, empty corner in Sunhwa’s tech van and proceeded to have a mini-mental meltdown as Hyosung’s second-in-command, Hana, attempted valiantly to keep him calm. But he didn’t get to stay there long.
Vertigo/Vicarious
“Where’s Himchan?” he demands, tightening his grip on the hostage as he tries not to think about how many guns must be pointed his way at the moment. “I want to talk to Himchan! If you don’t let me speak with him…” He brandishes his gun at the hostage’s head. “Which one of you is Kim Himchan?”
There is the sound of a throat clearing. “I am.”
He turns and gets his first look at the man he has been conversing with for the past few hours. Himchan looks about his age, maybe a bit younger. He has a slight frame and a pretty face, and even from the distance, he can see the fire burning in Himchan’s eyes.
“And so we finally meet,” says Himchan, walking closer.
“Why did you leave?” he demands. “Why did you stop talking to me? The chick who replaced you wouldn’t tell me anything.”
Himchan chuckles. “That’s Cap for you- tougher than steel and twice as sharp.”
“Well?”
“If you must know, it’s because of my brother, Jongup. The one I’ve been telling you about? He’s in that building behind you right now.”
To say he is surprised would be an understatement. “W-what?”
“My little brother is one of your hostages,” Himchan repeats casually.
He is at a loss for a moment, unsure what to do next.
“You asked me if I knew what it felt like to have my little brother’s life hanging by a thread in the hands of someone else,” Himchan continues, the corners of his lips curled upward in an ironic, joyless smile. He feels his heart drop, knowing the words that are coming, but dreading them anyways. “Yes, I do, actually. I’ve been feeling it for the past hours. I have been trying to calmly talk down the person who could very well decide whether or not my brother lives. So now I have a question for you. Do you know what that’s like?”
“Yes,” he whispers thickly, trying to ignore the lump forming in his throat.
Himchan walks closer until the only things separating them are the stairs to the building, a terrified hostage, and a few words. “So if you’re asking me to help your brother out of a situation,” he says softly, “why are you putting mine in one, Jepp?”
Whimsical/Wryd
The terrified hostage scurries away to safety as he releases his grip. He slowly puts his gun on the ground and then raises his hands above his head in a gesture of defeat.
There is a moment of hushed silence, a sharp contrast to the chaos of the previous minutes, but he doesn’t pay attention to it. This moment is between him and Himchan.
Himchan seems stunned, shocked at the turn of events.
He shrugs, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he asks, “So are you going to cuff me or am I going to have to do it myself?”
Reverie broken, Himchan closes the gap between them, pulling a pair of handcuffs from his belt.
“Thank you,” Himchan whispers as he secures the handcuffs on his wrists. He looks up from his voluntary bonds and is surprised to see tears forming in the other man’s eyes. But he is even more surprised when Himchan reaches out and touches his cheek, softly, tenderly, thankfully. “You are a good man, Jepp.”
But he isn’t. Himchan is. Himchan, who stopped him from doing something terrible. Himchan, who saved him. Himchan, who he should feel thankful towards. He can’t put into words all the emotions, so he instead rasps, “Take care of him, please. I have no one else to ask. Junhong, he’s a good kid. No matter what I have done, he doesn’t deserve-”
“I will.” The two of them stand there for some time, merely looking at each other, sharing the same breath. And it’s the look in Himchan’s eyes, giving off the same warm passion that has been present throughout all their conversations, that finally pushes the long-suppressed tears he has been hiding for so long to the surface.
Xenolith/X-ray
Jongup wasn’t surprised when Jepp didn’t come back into the bank; instead, there was a squad of police officers and paramedics, all intent on making sure everyone was unharmed.
“We’re fine, we’re fine,” Jongup quickly assured the officials, anxious to get outside. He dashed quickly to the door, only to get mobbed by an army of reporters and flashing cameras. “Please! Excuse me!” But the crowd only pushed forward, nearly bowling Jongup over.
A hand reached in and pulled Jongup out from under the stampede. Jongup looked up and saw Daehyun, a small smile gracing his features. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” said Jongup, squeezing Daehyun’s hand tighter. “Thanks.”
“Jongup! Daehyun!” Before either could turn, they were enveloped in a bone-crushing hug.
“Hyung, too tight,” Jongup gasped, and Himchan relinquished his hold.
“Thank goodness you two are okay,” said Himchan.
Jongup peered at his older brother’s face. “Are you…crying?” he asked incredulously.
Himchan didn’t answer, simply bringing the two in closer. Jongup could only hold on as his older brother, his idol, the strongest person he knew, broke down.
Year/Yield
“…suspect has been apprehended. All hostages have been released and there are no casualties reported. There’s no saying how long he will have to serve, but the public can feel safe in knowing that he is now behind bars. The hero of the situation, 27 year old hostage negotiator Kim Himchan, was not available for commenting. More on the story later. This is Song Jieun, reporting live from the crime scene…”
“It can’t be,” Junhong choked out, barely registering Youngjae’s attempts to calm him. “It can’t be!”
The end of an era.
The tentative start of another.
Zephyr/Zero
“Hey,” Himchan said once he took the seat across from him.
He was relieved by how Himchan sounded the same even through the old phone. It was comforting. “Hey,” he replied.
“You look good,” Himchan commented, smile undiminished by the glass separating them.
“You look like crap,” he replied honestly, frowning at the pronounced bags under Himchan’s eyes. “You haven’t been sleeping, have you?”
“Paperwork,” Himchan said dismissively, waving a hand. “Anyway, Jepp-”
“Yongguk.”
“What?” Himchan looked startled.
“Yongguk. That’s my real name.”
“Oh, sorry. I forgot.” Himchan smiled apologetically at him. “Force of habit.”
“I would like you to call me Yongguk. Can you do that for me?”
Himchan grinned, recognizing his line being fed back to him. "Alright then. Yongguk."
-
A/N: Written for my fiction class.
Pairing: Yongguk/Himchan
Minor Pairings: Daehyun/Jongup, Youngjae/Zelo
Part: 2
Rating: PG-13
Genre: drama
Disclaimer: they own each other
Warnings: language
Summary: A bank robbery gone wrong has life-changing consequences.
Opaque/Oscillate
“He’s caving. I can feel it,” Himchan exhaled as Hyosung silently handed him his third cup of double shot latte. “There’s a reason he’s doing this; it’s not just for the monetary gain. Just a little more and I’ll be able to coax it out of him.”
“How are you holding up?” asked Hyosung, crossing her arms.
“Fine, fine,” Himchan answered absently, tapping his fingers thoughtfully. Hyosung’s eyes narrowed as they took in the way Himchan’s hands were shaking ever so slightly. Himchan quirked a smile when he saw the direction of her gaze and pulled his sleeves down further. “Spare me the lecture, Cap. We’ve been through it a million times before.”
“I know. Caffeine helps you think, puts you at the top of your game, and if you don’t have a heart attack inducing amount every time you’re in the field, innocent lives will be at stake,” Hyosung recited monotonously. “But still.”
“Better than smoking,” Himchan offered weakly.
“We got the visual,” Sunhwa interrupted before Hyosung could reply. Hyosung shot Himchan a meaningful glare before leaning over Sunwha’s shoulder to look at the screen. Sunhwa pointed to a man dressed in a black sweatshirt. “That’s our guy.”
“Hostages look safe,” Hyosung said, relief coloring her tone. “Okay, run his picture through the system. I want to know everything there is to know about this guy: where he lives, what’s his job, family, history of violence or mental disorders.”
“Not bad looking. He’s totally my type,” Himchan said lightly. “In any other situation, I’d be flattered to be receiving so many phone calls from him.” As though on cue, his earpiece lit up, indicating an incoming call. “Bingo.” He answered. “Hello, Jepp.”
Pandemonium/Political
“Are you going to let me go yet, Himchan?”
“These things take time, Jepp.”
“Time is something I don’t have.”
“Jepp, do you have a family?”
“A little brother, but-” He cuts himself off. Shit. He’s revealing too much. This guy is good. “Why?”
“Just wondering. I have a younger brother myself.”
He pauses for a moment, wondering if this suddenly affectionate tone is some kind of trap. “What of it?”
“He’s a great kid. Growing up, our parents were never around much- always traveling- so I pretty much raised him myself.”
“Why are you telling me this?” he demands gruffly, ignoring the ring of familiarity.
“No reason; just thought we ought to get to know one another a little. How about yours? What is he like?”
He bites his lip. “He’s the smartest, most talented kid I’ve ever seen. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t love him the moment they saw him. That kid…that kid was going places.”
“Was?”
Quell/Quintessence
“You pay more attention to her than you do to me,” Junhong accused, digging his plastic spoon into his Jell-O cup.
“That’s not true,” Youngjae argued, eyes glued to the television screen. “I’m here for you, aren’t I?”
“Physically, not mentally,” sniffed Junhong. He kicked Youngjae from under the sheets. Youngjae let out an undignified squeak and flailed to keep his balance.
“Hey, watch it. You’re going to kick me off the bed,” complained Youngjae, shoving Junhong over to make more room for himself.
“It’s my bed,” Junhong countered petulantly as he glared at the pretty girl on the screen. “What do you see in her anyways? Can’t you be like a normal person and like an actress or singer instead of a reporter?”
Youngjae shrugged. “Song Jieun is just better qualified than any old actress or singer. The fact that she graduated from college makes her infinitely more attractive than any uneducated pretty face.”
“We’re barely in high school though,” Junhong pointed out grumpily, picking at his white sheets.
Youngjae laughed and put Junhong in a friendly headlock, careful to avoid all the tubes that were Junhong’s lifelines. “Age doesn’t matter when it comes to love. Did I mention that she also has a minor in music? My major is going to be music!”
“…breaking news of a hostage situation. Officials have confirmed that all hostages are so far unharmed. A picture of the perpetrator has been released. If anyone recognizes this man, please call the hotline…”
Youngjae stilled as the picture popped up on the screen. Sensing something wrong, Junhong looked up too.
“No way,” breathed Youngjae. The picture was blurry and there was a cap obstructing part of his face, but there was no mistaking who it was.
“It can’t be,” whispered Junhong, looking sick. “It can’t.”
Relinquish/Reach
He came back from yet another phone call, a conflicted expression on his face. Jongup silently prayed that it meant he was starting to feel bad and not that he wanted to start shooting.
“Hey, you,” the man- or Jepp Blackman, if Jongup’s ears did not fail him- said roughly, pointing to a young mother. She clutched her baby closer and tightened her protective hold on her toddler. “You and the kids are going. Come with me.”
“What’s going on?” Daehyun asked Jongup under his breath as Jepp escorted the woman and her children towards the front door.
“The negotiation must be working,” Jongup replied, feeling a wave of relief. “Generally, it is asked of the hostage taker to release a few hostages as a show of good faith.” Daehyun nodded as there was a loud cheer from outside.
Jepp returned to the rest of the group, staring at them with an unreadable expression. “The rest of you stay where you are. Don’t try anything funny.” He went back behind the counter, making a beeline for the phone.
Serenity/Shrapnel
Daehyun was terrified. He had calmed down some since the initial panic, but the fear was still there, sinking into his bones. He tried not to show it though because he felt that he needed to be strong for Jongup- dear, sweet Jongup. But Daehyun didn’t kid himself. He was not the strong one right now; Jongup was- Jongup, with his steady reassurances and deep vein of inner strength that Daehyun had always known was there, but never actually witnessed firsthand.
Daehyun squeezed Jongup’s hand, and Jongup squeezed back. Daehyun thought that, if anything, he wanted Jongup to live. Even if something happened to him, the younger boy needed to go on living. He would very much like the both of them to get through this together though. They hadn’t had enough time yet. He still wanted to be with Jongup, to hold Jongup’s hand, to take Jongup out on dates, to kiss Jongup, and to one day, when both of them were ready, whisper those sweet words to Jongup and see those eternal promises reflected back at him.
Touch/Tender
Hyosung could see that Himchan was close to breaking as she observed him conversing with the perpetrator.
Despite his delicate features, Hyosung knew that Himchan was one of the strongest people she was acquainted with. He had one of the hardest jobs in the squad, yet he performed with an almost one hundred percent success rate, boasting the best track record of all hostage negotiators in the country.
But he was coming apart at the seams no matter how hard he tried to hide it. Hyosung wondered what it was exactly that was storming around in that pretty head of his. She watched carefully as he took a sip of latte, hand shaking so badly that he missed his mouth several times and spilled some liquid in the process. As much as Hyosung wanted to blame his caffeine addiction and, by extension, his inability to sleep properly, there was something deeper going on for this particular case. Hyosung considered Himchan’s unorthodox methods of negotiation; no doubt forming a personal connection with perpetrators was taxing on him.
Troubled and already forming a lecture about taking care of oneself for Himchan in her head, Hyosung turned and glanced at the screen in front of Sunhwa. She was just about to look away when a mop of blonde hair caught her eye.
“Sunhwa,” said Hyosung, voice tight. She pointed to the screen. “Is that…?”
Sunhwa leaned in closer before recoiling in recognition. “Oh god, I think it is,” she breathed, shocked.
“Fuck!” cursed Hyosung, slamming her fist down on the table, startling Sunhwa. “Fucking hell! Jongup’s in there. That’s why Himchan’s freaking out.” She glanced over at Himchan, who was still discussing something calmly on his earpiece despite his inability to stop the shaking of his hands now. “I’m taking him off the case; this is getting way too personal.”
Usurp/Ubiquitous
“You’re off the case,” spat Hyosung the moment Himchan disconnected the call.
Himchan was taken aback by the aggression, but to be honest, he wasn’t surprised; Hyosung wasn’t appointed captain of the force for being unobservant. “Why?” he asked anyways.
Hyosung’s eyes narrowed dangerously, but she humored him. “Because your brother is one of the hostages. This compromises your objectivity to the situation. Hand over your earpiece. I’ll be taking over from here.”
“You know, the field of hostage negotiation doesn’t leave room for objectivity anyways,” Himchan pointed out wryly. He resignedly took off his earpiece and put it into her waiting hand, ignoring how his hand shook so much that it took several tries.
“Go sit somewhere,” Hyosung ordered, putting in the earpiece. “And for god’s sake, don’t drink any more caffeine.”
Obediently, Himchan found himself a nice, empty corner in Sunhwa’s tech van and proceeded to have a mini-mental meltdown as Hyosung’s second-in-command, Hana, attempted valiantly to keep him calm. But he didn’t get to stay there long.
Vertigo/Vicarious
“Where’s Himchan?” he demands, tightening his grip on the hostage as he tries not to think about how many guns must be pointed his way at the moment. “I want to talk to Himchan! If you don’t let me speak with him…” He brandishes his gun at the hostage’s head. “Which one of you is Kim Himchan?”
There is the sound of a throat clearing. “I am.”
He turns and gets his first look at the man he has been conversing with for the past few hours. Himchan looks about his age, maybe a bit younger. He has a slight frame and a pretty face, and even from the distance, he can see the fire burning in Himchan’s eyes.
“And so we finally meet,” says Himchan, walking closer.
“Why did you leave?” he demands. “Why did you stop talking to me? The chick who replaced you wouldn’t tell me anything.”
Himchan chuckles. “That’s Cap for you- tougher than steel and twice as sharp.”
“Well?”
“If you must know, it’s because of my brother, Jongup. The one I’ve been telling you about? He’s in that building behind you right now.”
To say he is surprised would be an understatement. “W-what?”
“My little brother is one of your hostages,” Himchan repeats casually.
He is at a loss for a moment, unsure what to do next.
“You asked me if I knew what it felt like to have my little brother’s life hanging by a thread in the hands of someone else,” Himchan continues, the corners of his lips curled upward in an ironic, joyless smile. He feels his heart drop, knowing the words that are coming, but dreading them anyways. “Yes, I do, actually. I’ve been feeling it for the past hours. I have been trying to calmly talk down the person who could very well decide whether or not my brother lives. So now I have a question for you. Do you know what that’s like?”
“Yes,” he whispers thickly, trying to ignore the lump forming in his throat.
Himchan walks closer until the only things separating them are the stairs to the building, a terrified hostage, and a few words. “So if you’re asking me to help your brother out of a situation,” he says softly, “why are you putting mine in one, Jepp?”
Whimsical/Wryd
The terrified hostage scurries away to safety as he releases his grip. He slowly puts his gun on the ground and then raises his hands above his head in a gesture of defeat.
There is a moment of hushed silence, a sharp contrast to the chaos of the previous minutes, but he doesn’t pay attention to it. This moment is between him and Himchan.
Himchan seems stunned, shocked at the turn of events.
He shrugs, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he asks, “So are you going to cuff me or am I going to have to do it myself?”
Reverie broken, Himchan closes the gap between them, pulling a pair of handcuffs from his belt.
“Thank you,” Himchan whispers as he secures the handcuffs on his wrists. He looks up from his voluntary bonds and is surprised to see tears forming in the other man’s eyes. But he is even more surprised when Himchan reaches out and touches his cheek, softly, tenderly, thankfully. “You are a good man, Jepp.”
But he isn’t. Himchan is. Himchan, who stopped him from doing something terrible. Himchan, who saved him. Himchan, who he should feel thankful towards. He can’t put into words all the emotions, so he instead rasps, “Take care of him, please. I have no one else to ask. Junhong, he’s a good kid. No matter what I have done, he doesn’t deserve-”
“I will.” The two of them stand there for some time, merely looking at each other, sharing the same breath. And it’s the look in Himchan’s eyes, giving off the same warm passion that has been present throughout all their conversations, that finally pushes the long-suppressed tears he has been hiding for so long to the surface.
Xenolith/X-ray
Jongup wasn’t surprised when Jepp didn’t come back into the bank; instead, there was a squad of police officers and paramedics, all intent on making sure everyone was unharmed.
“We’re fine, we’re fine,” Jongup quickly assured the officials, anxious to get outside. He dashed quickly to the door, only to get mobbed by an army of reporters and flashing cameras. “Please! Excuse me!” But the crowd only pushed forward, nearly bowling Jongup over.
A hand reached in and pulled Jongup out from under the stampede. Jongup looked up and saw Daehyun, a small smile gracing his features. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” said Jongup, squeezing Daehyun’s hand tighter. “Thanks.”
“Jongup! Daehyun!” Before either could turn, they were enveloped in a bone-crushing hug.
“Hyung, too tight,” Jongup gasped, and Himchan relinquished his hold.
“Thank goodness you two are okay,” said Himchan.
Jongup peered at his older brother’s face. “Are you…crying?” he asked incredulously.
Himchan didn’t answer, simply bringing the two in closer. Jongup could only hold on as his older brother, his idol, the strongest person he knew, broke down.
Year/Yield
“…suspect has been apprehended. All hostages have been released and there are no casualties reported. There’s no saying how long he will have to serve, but the public can feel safe in knowing that he is now behind bars. The hero of the situation, 27 year old hostage negotiator Kim Himchan, was not available for commenting. More on the story later. This is Song Jieun, reporting live from the crime scene…”
“It can’t be,” Junhong choked out, barely registering Youngjae’s attempts to calm him. “It can’t be!”
The end of an era.
The tentative start of another.
Zephyr/Zero
“Hey,” Himchan said once he took the seat across from him.
He was relieved by how Himchan sounded the same even through the old phone. It was comforting. “Hey,” he replied.
“You look good,” Himchan commented, smile undiminished by the glass separating them.
“You look like crap,” he replied honestly, frowning at the pronounced bags under Himchan’s eyes. “You haven’t been sleeping, have you?”
“Paperwork,” Himchan said dismissively, waving a hand. “Anyway, Jepp-”
“Yongguk.”
“What?” Himchan looked startled.
“Yongguk. That’s my real name.”
“Oh, sorry. I forgot.” Himchan smiled apologetically at him. “Force of habit.”
“I would like you to call me Yongguk. Can you do that for me?”
Himchan grinned, recognizing his line being fed back to him. "Alright then. Yongguk."
-
A/N: Written for my fiction class.