Fade To Black - Part I
Author: Slarya
Pairing: Blohyuk, hint of Kyuhyuk + Donghae/Tukutz because they are fun to write xD
Genre/Rating: AU!Angst, PG-13
Lenght: Part I of II
Words: 4,084
Summary: Tablo is a detective who believes in justice and punishment but what happens when an apparent criminal ends up being a victim?
Author's Note: For Val because it's her b-day and I wanted to write something for her :)) Sweetie have a nice day enjoy it to the max and eat a slice of cake for me, ok?^^ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
The night was cold; the wind pushed the small snowflakes that were starting to fall against the blank face of the man. A gloved hand dug inside the jean’s pocket, fingers closed around a Marlboro’s package releasing a cigarette from its inside and after few seconds smoke could be seen running out of the man’s lips, creating a grey cloud that mixed itself with the fog of the night.
“I didn’t even have time for dinner today, I hate to work in the night shift.” Tablo glanced at his partner; Mithra was standing next to him, hands near his mouth trying to warm them. He took another cigarette from the almost empty package and passed it out to his partner. “Thanks.” Mithra lighted it, his lips pushing around the tobacco.
“So what do we have here?” Tablo pulled the white sheet away from the body and looked at the crime scene.
“The usual,” Mithra informed him. “No one saw or heard anything. A perfect cut around the neck, bled to death. No prints or weapon of the crime.”
Walking around the body Tablo searched for any clue other cops might had missed, something that could lead him to a suspect, anything that would allow him to begin doing his job.
“Hey look what I found.” Mithra handed him a small paper, it was an ID card, the victim was now identified and the name sounded oddly familiar.
“I’m starting to think this crime is somehow related to the murderer from last week, the death and circumstances are similar.” Tablo turned around, his eyes catching the small movement on the other side of the street: a man pulling a black beanie over his head and disappearing into the night. “Get all the possible information on the two victims, search for anything that relates them.” Mithra nodded and walked away…this was going to be another long night.
*** ***
The door was silently opened, keys were dropped over the small table at the entrance and a thin hand searched for the switch to turn on the lights. Hyukjae’s steps brought him to the only bedroom of the small apartment; he let his body rest over the blankets and stared at the ceiling above his head.
Moving his arms up he watched the white hands in front of him, white hands full of blood. It could not be seen but he knew it was there, the blood of those two men. He had never killed before that night, before all of that happen but now that he had started he had no other choice but to finish it.
Rolling on bed he pulled the blankets around him, trying to stop the tremors from taking control over his weak body; he felt scared and filthy, damaged and more than anything he felt like a sinner. To take a life, to steal another human’s life…it was wrong, so wrong.
“I’m sorry.” He cried, small whispers begging for forgiveness. “I couldn’t keep my promise…I’m so sorry.”
*** ***
Tablo’s hand grabbed the spoon as he mixed the coffee with the milk. Mithra was still out there doing his research, trying to find something that could relate the homicides. His mission was to stop this apparent serial killer, the sooner the better.
“There’s got to be something connecting them…both victims were killed in the same way, nothing was taken from them, two crimes with no apparent reason in less than a week at the same spot.” Files of the past crimes were sprawled at his front; fingers massaged the temples, trying to release his mind from the sleep that was making its way inside his body. Again he read the information about the two men, both males in their twenties but with no apparent connection between them besides their age.
“Now what more do you have in common? What am I’m missing out in this?”
“Tukutz and that Donghae kid are driving me insane with their making out in public…their uniform’s fetish should be illegal,” Mithra said, walking inside Tablo’s office with few files between his hands. “Anyway I found out something interesting.” Tablo raised an eyebrow in question. “These guys knew each other, they were pals in the past. And they have a record.”
“How come we didn’t hear about this before?” Mithra opened the first page of the files and pointed at it. He read the first paragraphs on the sheet. He smirked at the name of the old judge who had a grudge against his team, Park Chang-Sun.
“But what does this actually tells us about those men and the crime?” Tablo grabbed the other file Mithra was handing him.
“The guy murdered today is the Park Chang-Sun’s oldest son; apparently they did all they could to shut everyone’s mouth three years ago when he and some of his friends were suspects at a crime scene. Nothing new coming from this old fart, that we know.”
Going through the new information, Tablo’s eyes widened when he read the name of one of the victims.
“Lee Hyukjae, he’s still alive.” He grabbed his coat and the car’s keys. “Let’s pay him a visit, shall we?”
*** ***
The building was old and falling apart, Tablo pressed the elevator’s button but there was no signal. Mithra threw a coin in the air and grinned.
“Heads, your turn. I’ll be outside in the car.”
Sighing under his breath he moved to the stairs and quickly went up a couple of floors. Reaching his destination he waited few seconds before knocking again at the door; there was no sound from the other side of the walls, he wasn’t sure anyone was home.
Quietly one hand closed around the knob and turned it around, surprisingly enough it wasn’t locked.
“Seoul’s police!” He shouted but again there was no answer. He moved inside the small apartment; there was a small kitchen, a door to a bathroom and another one that would probably lead to a bedroom. Eyes scanned his surroundings; pulling the gun free from its holster his feet pushed against the bedroom’s closed door, slightly opening it.
Everything happened to quickly for him to react, one minute he was alone and entering the room the next one he had someone behind him pushing him into the ground and kicking his gun away. Fighting to get the control of the situation, he used some of Mithra’s techniques and gained the upper position of the fight, using his legs to keep the man’s waist on the ground and his hands to grab the arms that were trying to punch him.
“Who the fuck are you? Get off of me you fucking freak, let me go!” Tablo stared at the boy beneath him, struggling to get free from the tight hold. He was young, younger than Tablo had initially thought and he was skinny, his arms were skin and bone, there was almost no flesh on them.
“Calm down,” Tablo said but the request fell into deaf ears. “If you calm down I’ll let you go but you need to promise you won’t run away.” The boy’s chocolate eyes focused on him, he saw anger in them. “I’m from Seoul’s police, I’m a crime investigator if you promise you won’t attack me I can show you my badge.”
The boy stopped struggling, his eyes still glaring at the police man above his body. Tablo removed himself from the boy and stepped away, his hand looking inside his coat and bringing up the badge.
“I knocked and there was no answer, the door was also opened.” He explained while the younger man was standing, still looking suspiciously at him. “Are you Lee Hyukjae?”
“So what if I am?” He was trying to act tough but Tablo could see beyond the angered look, more than anything he was scared.
“I’m here to make some questions regarding a crime three years ago.” This spiced the young boy’s curiosity. “I’m looking for this Hyukjae guy because he’s the only survivor who can explain me what happened that night.”
“He’s not the only one,” That confused the older man. “But he’s the only one who can explain what happened, although the police didn’t help back then why would you help now?”
“So are you Lee Hyukjae?” The boy nodded, thin hands passed through his pale face and he sat back on the bed. His body was shacking; Tablo noticed he was only using a t-shirt and some ripped jeans. “Ok…” Pulling his coat off he surrounded the boy with it; Hyukjae blinked twice at the sudden warmth. “Let’s get you something warm to drink and after that we’ll talk.”
*** ***
Three toasts, two glasses of orange juice and the second ice-cream on its way. The boy eagerly took everything, hands working fast while bringing food and juice to his hungry mouth. It seemed like he had never seen so much food gathered in one place just for him.
“Take it easy,” Tablo warned as the boy coughed a little from having too much juice. “The food is not going anywhere, take your time.”
“He looks like a rat.” The older cop glared at his partner, annoyance clearly taking control of his expression. Mithra raised his hands amused and grinned. “A kind of cute rat, is that better?”
“So Hyukjae, you think we can talk now?”
The spoon with chocolate ice-cream stopped in the middle of the air, Hyukjae stayed still. His hands were trembling a little and he noticed Tablo’s sharp-eyes catching it, without much concern he moved them underneath the table.
“What do you wanna know?”
“What happen that night, three years ago? Our files only state you were one of the victims, the case is supposedly closed.” The boy laughed, low and painfully.
“It’s closed, why are you digging that up again?” This time there was anger in his voice, his fists pressed against the table with force, drawing some of the costumers’ attention to them. “Do you have fun going around and reminding people of their past? Like I could actually forget it…I don’t need you fucking liars reminding me of that night, I have enough nightmares already.”
Hyukjae stood up, dropped some coins over the table he knew it wasn't even close enough to pay the bill and left the small restaurant. He pulled the coat against his neck when he felt the cold wind; it was in that moment that he remembered who the coat belonged too.
“Kid,” Tablo grabbed his arm and turned Hyukjae around. “I know something went really wrong that night, I just want to help you.”
“I don’t need…”
“Call me,” The cop cut out and gently smiled at the boy, his hands fastening the first two buttons of the coat, one hand moving down and dropping a card-name inside the left pocket. Hyukjae blushed and stared wide-eyed at the man at his front. “When you’re ready to talk, call me.”
Hyukjae’s eyes followed the two cops’ shadows as they drove away…he realized he needed to see him, this game was starting to get dangerous.
*** ***
One hand passed through bleached hair, smoothing it with perfect, long fingers. Several pieces of journal’s pictures and articles were sprawled over the table, the light of the lamp illuminating the small space. The sound of a door opening down stairs was faintly heard; after few seconds he found himself staring at the shadow of a boy leaning against the wall.
“They know,” Hyukjae started. “Two cops came looking for me today, they said they wanted to help.”
“Did they accuse you of anything?” The bleached guy crossed his arms over the chest, his facial expression calm and collected.
“No, but…Tablo, his eyes…he knows something.”
“Tablo?” Hyukjae pressed even more against the wall, his back hurting with the pressure, those cold eyes shooting him, demanding an explanation. “He’s a cop not your friend, get that fact straight ahead Hyukjae.”
“I know.” There was a skeptical look on the boy’s face. “I do, ok? What do we do now?”
“Not we, you go back to your life. I’ll finish this quick and clean.”
“I’m already involved…I just wished we had thought about this more clearly.”
The boy moved away from his chair, hands grabbing one piece of a journal’s picture. He shoved it at Hyukjae’s face, clearly angered by the other man’s words.
“They killed him and those cops you suddenly feel connected too did nothing about it. Those bastards that claim to do justice sold themselves.” Hyuk saw the tears threatening to fall, but he knew better, Kyuhyun wouldn’t let weakness show. “They need to pay for what they did to us, I don’t care what happens to me in the end but I assure you Hyukkie, they will all pay the price.”
His hand reached forward, circling Kyuhyun’s cold fingers with his bony ones. He had agreed to do this in the first place, he couldn’t go back anymore. The only thing left to do was to finish it, and he wasn’t going to back out on his friend ever again, they were together in this vendetta.
*** ***
Tablo’s eyes followed the boy’s movements catching everything, every single touch and implied action.
Donghae’s hand pressed for few seconds at the older cop’s back, lingering there enough time to arouse but not long enough to prolong the pleasure. Tukutz tried to grab the boy but Donghae was faster moving out of the room, not without sending the other a seductive look that involved an amused grin together with a wink.
“Tell me they’re not doing it again?” Mithra sat on the other side of Tablo’s desk while Tukutz sneaked out of the room, probably following his boyfriend to the nearest shadowed corner of the building. “This is getting ridiculous, after two months you would think they had enough time to suppress the horny stage.”
“But it’s interesting.” Big teddy bear eyes mocked the older man, Tablo smirked. “I was watching them…”
“You need to get laid bro.”
“And what Donghae was doing, the way he makes Tukutz forget his job and people around him…” Tablo pulled his glasses off. “What if the same technique is applied to our crime scene?”
“What do you mean?” Mithra glanced at the photos from the bodies, the places where they had been found.
“Look, those two guys were healthy and had military training. However there’s nothing telling us that they tried to avoid their deaths, they didn’t fight because they weren’t expecting to have to.”
“So you think someone lured them to that alley?”
“Bingo,” Tablo smirked. “We have in our hands not one killer but two. Both victims were killed in that street and look what I found." He showed him another picture. "It’s only few blocks away from Inner Zone.”
“I say let’s party tonight.” Mithra replied.
*** ***
Inner Zone
It was more than a bar. It was an underground place where people left their social status outside doors. Here you had no name, no social position to protect or care. You had looks, seduction and of course lots and lots of money.
Hyukjae pushed few locks of hair behind his ear; his hand grabbed the vodka drink leading it to his dry lips. He was nervous, he hated to feel this way, the guy next to him was devouring him with those dark eyes and even though he was trying his best to ignore him, it wasn’t exactly working.
“Can I pay you a drink?” A voice said too close to his ear.
“No thank you, I already got one.” The man laughed and pressed against the boy’s body, one hand circling the waist while lips kissed the neck. “What are you doing? Let me go!”
“Don’t be such a prude kid. We both know you’re not here just to drink, you want money? I got plenty, just come with me like a nice, quiet boy.”
“If you touch him ever again I’ll kill you.” Kyuhyun whispered to the man, surprising both him and Hyukjae with his presence. “I advise you to seek the front door and leave, trust me I’m not kidding.” The older man glared at them, he was about to say something but when his eyes met Kyuhyun’s cold ones he thought twice.
“You’re both fucking crazy.” Grabbing his coat the man left the spot and was out of view seconds later.
“You’re ok?” Kyuhyun took the now free spot next to Hyukjae, reaching for his friend’s drink and taking a sip of it.
“Yes, thank you.”
Tablo saw the scene displaying at his front. He had not expected to find Lee Hyukjae there, not so soon after their meeting. He was about to come and rescue the poor boy when someone got there first.
The guy was probably Hyukjae’s age or younger, the platinum hair made girls and guys look in hunger in his direction. There were few words traded between them and after that the older man left with a terrified look crossing his features.
Hyukjae seemed to relax under the other boy’s protection; he even managed to smile a little.
“Did I tell you I hate this place?” Mithra said while paying for his second beer. “Hey who’s that guy with the Hyukjae kid?”
“I don’t know,” Tablo rose from his seat. “But I intent to find out.”
Moving between bodies, Tablo made his way to the bar on the other side of the room. He observed the way the bleached haired boy was looking intensively at one guy, sitting three chairs away from their spot. And the way Hyukjae tried to ignore everyone in the room, hands trembling a little before going inside his worn out jean’s pockets.
The guy mumbled something, his eyes glancing at the side and catching Hyukjae’s small nod before proceeding to move away from his seat and walking outside, leaving the other once again alone.
Hyukjae finished his drink in one row and asked for another one, also finishing that one pretty fast. Tablo walked closer when the young man approached the guy three chairs away, bumping with him and clumsily smiling and saying sorry. The man smirked and quickly offered Hyukjae his own beer, pulling the boy closer by his waist and whispering something.
Tablo felt sick watching the way Hyukjae was acting, pretending to enjoy the kiss left over his collarbone and the hands going inside his pants, he couldn’t stay still, even if this was exactly what he needed to prove his theory he didn’t want to be right, not about this kid.
“Seoul’s police.” Hyukjae stared in shock at him and his badge. The other guy seemed to be sober enough and quickly pulled away. “That kid is underage, so unless you want me to arrest you right now you better leave.”
“I’m not a minor!” The guy didn’t even care anymore, looking at Tablo’s holster and badge was enough to get him out of there. “What are you doing?”
“That’s exactly what I want to know about you. Were you trying to get that guy to follow you three blocks away from here?”
Hyukjae’s face paled, he understood the implication of those words. He was right all along, Tablo knew more than Kyuhyun thought. He was supposed to feel threatened or scared, but he wasn’t. He was actually glad someone could stop him in time for once.
“Aren’t you going to arrest me?” Hyukjae closed his fists and showed them to the cop, waiting for the touch of metal around his them. Tablo typed a fast message to his partner and grabbed Hyukjae’s hand.
“Let’s talk somewhere else.”
*** ***
Tablo’s apartment wasn’t luxurious or fancy, it was simple and small but at the same time it had the man’s warm aura in the air. He waited while the cop made some coffee, sitting on the couch and glancing from time to time to the kitchen door.
At first he had thought Tablo was taking him back to the station, when he parked outside a normal building he had been surprised. This man was very different from the previous cops he had met, he seemed more like a friend and more importantly he seemed like he really cared.
“I guarantee you it’s Seoul’s best coffee.” Hyukjae thanked and grabbed the cup, drinking a little of the hot drink.
“You’re right you know, about me.”
Tablo waited for the boy to continue, the whispered voice came weak when Hyukjae finally found the courage to confess.
“That night we wanted it to be special. Wookie had finally been accepted at Seoul’s music school, it was a big thing for us you know? Coming from the orphanage and without any money...he was so special, such a good kid...we were supposed to have fun. Wookie wanted to cook for us so I helped him with the groceries…”
It started to rain outside, the sound of the pouring rain acting like a soft melody between their silent moments. Tablo reached for Hyukjae’s hand, holding it tightly between his own trying to comfort the youngster.
“It was my fault, I was the one who told him to take a short cut…Kyuhyun was already waiting for us home, I didn’t want to make him wait.”
Tears started to fall; Hyukjae’s body was shacking with the strength of his sobs. It was painful to see this young kid suffering so much.
“They were three and corned us in a dark alley. We tried to scream for help but…they were stronger and I tried to help him I swear I did…”
“I know Hyukjae, I know you tried your best to protect your friend.”
“It wasn’t enough,” Hyukjae’s eyes were suddenly angered. “I didn’t do enough, they raped him in front of my own eyes, they beat me up when I tried to help him…I remember the blood, Wookie’s screams faintly disappearing, that’s the last thing I can recall. I woke up two weeks later in a hospital bed…he hadn’t made it and I never had the chance to say goodbye, to say sorry.”
Silence covered the living room; Tablo sighed and grabbed his phone, texting Mithra. He couldn’t believe these guys had walked free, this wasn’t going to end here, no way would he let those bastards walk free like good citizens. Even if two of them were dead already Tablo would make sure their names would be marked...their family would know what dishonour and shame meant.
“It’s been three years and I tried hard to rebuild my life, but I can’t.” The boy suddenly said, eyes red with salty water running along his tired face. “Kyuhyun was left all alone, Wookie was his brother he has no one else in this world, the cops…they said they would help but they didn’t and…”
“Who killed those men Hyukjae?” Please tell me it wasn’t you, please.
“I was at the bar trying to get myself a job. I recognized him immediately and I was scared because he knew who I was. He followed me down the street and tried to hurt me again…Kyuhyun was only trying to save me, he didn’t mean to kill him, trust me please he didn’t.” Hyukjae begged, chocolate eyes big with plea.
“Kyuhyun, is that the bleached guy who helped you tonight?”
The other nodded confirming Tablo’s theory. He was right all along, the first murder had been spontaneous, almost considered sell defense. But the next one and the other that almost happened tonight hadn’t. Hyukjae was a victim, Kyuhyun was a victim…the real murderers were those guys, the ones who had walked free three years ago.
Still no one would obviously see the case like this, Tablo was worried. Hyukjae was being manipulated by this Kyuhyun guy. He was using Hyukjae’s feelings, Hyukjae’s weakness and Hyukjae’s fears to make the boy help him commit justice with his own hands. There was no way he would stop unless the third guy was also dead.
“I need you to take me to your friend.” Hyukjae instantly jerked away from Tablo’s side and the cop knew right away he had lost him in this.
“No.”
“Hyukjae what you and Kyuhyun are doing is wrong. I understand your pain and the injustice of this situation but you can’t go around killing people.”
“I know but I won’t hand Kyu over to you, never.” His eyes were firm with conviction. “Arrest me please, that’s your job.”
*** ***
A/N: I was inspired by Metallica's song "Fade to Black" (the lyrics in the poster are also from the song). I'll try to update the last part soon, though it will be a little hard with all the other updates I still have to make lol - yeah I know I'm really REALLY slow T_T
Pairing: Blohyuk, hint of Kyuhyuk + Donghae/Tukutz because they are fun to write xD
Genre/Rating: AU!Angst, PG-13
Lenght: Part I of II
Words: 4,084
Summary: Tablo is a detective who believes in justice and punishment but what happens when an apparent criminal ends up being a victim?
Author's Note: For Val because it's her b-day and I wanted to write something for her :)) Sweetie have a nice day enjoy it to the max and eat a slice of cake for me, ok?^^ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
The night was cold; the wind pushed the small snowflakes that were starting to fall against the blank face of the man. A gloved hand dug inside the jean’s pocket, fingers closed around a Marlboro’s package releasing a cigarette from its inside and after few seconds smoke could be seen running out of the man’s lips, creating a grey cloud that mixed itself with the fog of the night.
“I didn’t even have time for dinner today, I hate to work in the night shift.” Tablo glanced at his partner; Mithra was standing next to him, hands near his mouth trying to warm them. He took another cigarette from the almost empty package and passed it out to his partner. “Thanks.” Mithra lighted it, his lips pushing around the tobacco.
“So what do we have here?” Tablo pulled the white sheet away from the body and looked at the crime scene.
“The usual,” Mithra informed him. “No one saw or heard anything. A perfect cut around the neck, bled to death. No prints or weapon of the crime.”
Walking around the body Tablo searched for any clue other cops might had missed, something that could lead him to a suspect, anything that would allow him to begin doing his job.
“Hey look what I found.” Mithra handed him a small paper, it was an ID card, the victim was now identified and the name sounded oddly familiar.
“I’m starting to think this crime is somehow related to the murderer from last week, the death and circumstances are similar.” Tablo turned around, his eyes catching the small movement on the other side of the street: a man pulling a black beanie over his head and disappearing into the night. “Get all the possible information on the two victims, search for anything that relates them.” Mithra nodded and walked away…this was going to be another long night.
*** ***
The door was silently opened, keys were dropped over the small table at the entrance and a thin hand searched for the switch to turn on the lights. Hyukjae’s steps brought him to the only bedroom of the small apartment; he let his body rest over the blankets and stared at the ceiling above his head.
Moving his arms up he watched the white hands in front of him, white hands full of blood. It could not be seen but he knew it was there, the blood of those two men. He had never killed before that night, before all of that happen but now that he had started he had no other choice but to finish it.
Rolling on bed he pulled the blankets around him, trying to stop the tremors from taking control over his weak body; he felt scared and filthy, damaged and more than anything he felt like a sinner. To take a life, to steal another human’s life…it was wrong, so wrong.
“I’m sorry.” He cried, small whispers begging for forgiveness. “I couldn’t keep my promise…I’m so sorry.”
*** ***
Tablo’s hand grabbed the spoon as he mixed the coffee with the milk. Mithra was still out there doing his research, trying to find something that could relate the homicides. His mission was to stop this apparent serial killer, the sooner the better.
“There’s got to be something connecting them…both victims were killed in the same way, nothing was taken from them, two crimes with no apparent reason in less than a week at the same spot.” Files of the past crimes were sprawled at his front; fingers massaged the temples, trying to release his mind from the sleep that was making its way inside his body. Again he read the information about the two men, both males in their twenties but with no apparent connection between them besides their age.
“Now what more do you have in common? What am I’m missing out in this?”
“Tukutz and that Donghae kid are driving me insane with their making out in public…their uniform’s fetish should be illegal,” Mithra said, walking inside Tablo’s office with few files between his hands. “Anyway I found out something interesting.” Tablo raised an eyebrow in question. “These guys knew each other, they were pals in the past. And they have a record.”
“How come we didn’t hear about this before?” Mithra opened the first page of the files and pointed at it. He read the first paragraphs on the sheet. He smirked at the name of the old judge who had a grudge against his team, Park Chang-Sun.
“But what does this actually tells us about those men and the crime?” Tablo grabbed the other file Mithra was handing him.
“The guy murdered today is the Park Chang-Sun’s oldest son; apparently they did all they could to shut everyone’s mouth three years ago when he and some of his friends were suspects at a crime scene. Nothing new coming from this old fart, that we know.”
Going through the new information, Tablo’s eyes widened when he read the name of one of the victims.
“Lee Hyukjae, he’s still alive.” He grabbed his coat and the car’s keys. “Let’s pay him a visit, shall we?”
*** ***
The building was old and falling apart, Tablo pressed the elevator’s button but there was no signal. Mithra threw a coin in the air and grinned.
“Heads, your turn. I’ll be outside in the car.”
Sighing under his breath he moved to the stairs and quickly went up a couple of floors. Reaching his destination he waited few seconds before knocking again at the door; there was no sound from the other side of the walls, he wasn’t sure anyone was home.
Quietly one hand closed around the knob and turned it around, surprisingly enough it wasn’t locked.
“Seoul’s police!” He shouted but again there was no answer. He moved inside the small apartment; there was a small kitchen, a door to a bathroom and another one that would probably lead to a bedroom. Eyes scanned his surroundings; pulling the gun free from its holster his feet pushed against the bedroom’s closed door, slightly opening it.
Everything happened to quickly for him to react, one minute he was alone and entering the room the next one he had someone behind him pushing him into the ground and kicking his gun away. Fighting to get the control of the situation, he used some of Mithra’s techniques and gained the upper position of the fight, using his legs to keep the man’s waist on the ground and his hands to grab the arms that were trying to punch him.
“Who the fuck are you? Get off of me you fucking freak, let me go!” Tablo stared at the boy beneath him, struggling to get free from the tight hold. He was young, younger than Tablo had initially thought and he was skinny, his arms were skin and bone, there was almost no flesh on them.
“Calm down,” Tablo said but the request fell into deaf ears. “If you calm down I’ll let you go but you need to promise you won’t run away.” The boy’s chocolate eyes focused on him, he saw anger in them. “I’m from Seoul’s police, I’m a crime investigator if you promise you won’t attack me I can show you my badge.”
The boy stopped struggling, his eyes still glaring at the police man above his body. Tablo removed himself from the boy and stepped away, his hand looking inside his coat and bringing up the badge.
“I knocked and there was no answer, the door was also opened.” He explained while the younger man was standing, still looking suspiciously at him. “Are you Lee Hyukjae?”
“So what if I am?” He was trying to act tough but Tablo could see beyond the angered look, more than anything he was scared.
“I’m here to make some questions regarding a crime three years ago.” This spiced the young boy’s curiosity. “I’m looking for this Hyukjae guy because he’s the only survivor who can explain me what happened that night.”
“He’s not the only one,” That confused the older man. “But he’s the only one who can explain what happened, although the police didn’t help back then why would you help now?”
“So are you Lee Hyukjae?” The boy nodded, thin hands passed through his pale face and he sat back on the bed. His body was shacking; Tablo noticed he was only using a t-shirt and some ripped jeans. “Ok…” Pulling his coat off he surrounded the boy with it; Hyukjae blinked twice at the sudden warmth. “Let’s get you something warm to drink and after that we’ll talk.”
*** ***
Three toasts, two glasses of orange juice and the second ice-cream on its way. The boy eagerly took everything, hands working fast while bringing food and juice to his hungry mouth. It seemed like he had never seen so much food gathered in one place just for him.
“Take it easy,” Tablo warned as the boy coughed a little from having too much juice. “The food is not going anywhere, take your time.”
“He looks like a rat.” The older cop glared at his partner, annoyance clearly taking control of his expression. Mithra raised his hands amused and grinned. “A kind of cute rat, is that better?”
“So Hyukjae, you think we can talk now?”
The spoon with chocolate ice-cream stopped in the middle of the air, Hyukjae stayed still. His hands were trembling a little and he noticed Tablo’s sharp-eyes catching it, without much concern he moved them underneath the table.
“What do you wanna know?”
“What happen that night, three years ago? Our files only state you were one of the victims, the case is supposedly closed.” The boy laughed, low and painfully.
“It’s closed, why are you digging that up again?” This time there was anger in his voice, his fists pressed against the table with force, drawing some of the costumers’ attention to them. “Do you have fun going around and reminding people of their past? Like I could actually forget it…I don’t need you fucking liars reminding me of that night, I have enough nightmares already.”
Hyukjae stood up, dropped some coins over the table he knew it wasn't even close enough to pay the bill and left the small restaurant. He pulled the coat against his neck when he felt the cold wind; it was in that moment that he remembered who the coat belonged too.
“Kid,” Tablo grabbed his arm and turned Hyukjae around. “I know something went really wrong that night, I just want to help you.”
“I don’t need…”
“Call me,” The cop cut out and gently smiled at the boy, his hands fastening the first two buttons of the coat, one hand moving down and dropping a card-name inside the left pocket. Hyukjae blushed and stared wide-eyed at the man at his front. “When you’re ready to talk, call me.”
Hyukjae’s eyes followed the two cops’ shadows as they drove away…he realized he needed to see him, this game was starting to get dangerous.
*** ***
One hand passed through bleached hair, smoothing it with perfect, long fingers. Several pieces of journal’s pictures and articles were sprawled over the table, the light of the lamp illuminating the small space. The sound of a door opening down stairs was faintly heard; after few seconds he found himself staring at the shadow of a boy leaning against the wall.
“They know,” Hyukjae started. “Two cops came looking for me today, they said they wanted to help.”
“Did they accuse you of anything?” The bleached guy crossed his arms over the chest, his facial expression calm and collected.
“No, but…Tablo, his eyes…he knows something.”
“Tablo?” Hyukjae pressed even more against the wall, his back hurting with the pressure, those cold eyes shooting him, demanding an explanation. “He’s a cop not your friend, get that fact straight ahead Hyukjae.”
“I know.” There was a skeptical look on the boy’s face. “I do, ok? What do we do now?”
“Not we, you go back to your life. I’ll finish this quick and clean.”
“I’m already involved…I just wished we had thought about this more clearly.”
The boy moved away from his chair, hands grabbing one piece of a journal’s picture. He shoved it at Hyukjae’s face, clearly angered by the other man’s words.
“They killed him and those cops you suddenly feel connected too did nothing about it. Those bastards that claim to do justice sold themselves.” Hyuk saw the tears threatening to fall, but he knew better, Kyuhyun wouldn’t let weakness show. “They need to pay for what they did to us, I don’t care what happens to me in the end but I assure you Hyukkie, they will all pay the price.”
His hand reached forward, circling Kyuhyun’s cold fingers with his bony ones. He had agreed to do this in the first place, he couldn’t go back anymore. The only thing left to do was to finish it, and he wasn’t going to back out on his friend ever again, they were together in this vendetta.
*** ***
Tablo’s eyes followed the boy’s movements catching everything, every single touch and implied action.
Donghae’s hand pressed for few seconds at the older cop’s back, lingering there enough time to arouse but not long enough to prolong the pleasure. Tukutz tried to grab the boy but Donghae was faster moving out of the room, not without sending the other a seductive look that involved an amused grin together with a wink.
“Tell me they’re not doing it again?” Mithra sat on the other side of Tablo’s desk while Tukutz sneaked out of the room, probably following his boyfriend to the nearest shadowed corner of the building. “This is getting ridiculous, after two months you would think they had enough time to suppress the horny stage.”
“But it’s interesting.” Big teddy bear eyes mocked the older man, Tablo smirked. “I was watching them…”
“You need to get laid bro.”
“And what Donghae was doing, the way he makes Tukutz forget his job and people around him…” Tablo pulled his glasses off. “What if the same technique is applied to our crime scene?”
“What do you mean?” Mithra glanced at the photos from the bodies, the places where they had been found.
“Look, those two guys were healthy and had military training. However there’s nothing telling us that they tried to avoid their deaths, they didn’t fight because they weren’t expecting to have to.”
“So you think someone lured them to that alley?”
“Bingo,” Tablo smirked. “We have in our hands not one killer but two. Both victims were killed in that street and look what I found." He showed him another picture. "It’s only few blocks away from Inner Zone.”
“I say let’s party tonight.” Mithra replied.
*** ***
Inner Zone
It was more than a bar. It was an underground place where people left their social status outside doors. Here you had no name, no social position to protect or care. You had looks, seduction and of course lots and lots of money.
Hyukjae pushed few locks of hair behind his ear; his hand grabbed the vodka drink leading it to his dry lips. He was nervous, he hated to feel this way, the guy next to him was devouring him with those dark eyes and even though he was trying his best to ignore him, it wasn’t exactly working.
“Can I pay you a drink?” A voice said too close to his ear.
“No thank you, I already got one.” The man laughed and pressed against the boy’s body, one hand circling the waist while lips kissed the neck. “What are you doing? Let me go!”
“Don’t be such a prude kid. We both know you’re not here just to drink, you want money? I got plenty, just come with me like a nice, quiet boy.”
“If you touch him ever again I’ll kill you.” Kyuhyun whispered to the man, surprising both him and Hyukjae with his presence. “I advise you to seek the front door and leave, trust me I’m not kidding.” The older man glared at them, he was about to say something but when his eyes met Kyuhyun’s cold ones he thought twice.
“You’re both fucking crazy.” Grabbing his coat the man left the spot and was out of view seconds later.
“You’re ok?” Kyuhyun took the now free spot next to Hyukjae, reaching for his friend’s drink and taking a sip of it.
“Yes, thank you.”
Tablo saw the scene displaying at his front. He had not expected to find Lee Hyukjae there, not so soon after their meeting. He was about to come and rescue the poor boy when someone got there first.
The guy was probably Hyukjae’s age or younger, the platinum hair made girls and guys look in hunger in his direction. There were few words traded between them and after that the older man left with a terrified look crossing his features.
Hyukjae seemed to relax under the other boy’s protection; he even managed to smile a little.
“Did I tell you I hate this place?” Mithra said while paying for his second beer. “Hey who’s that guy with the Hyukjae kid?”
“I don’t know,” Tablo rose from his seat. “But I intent to find out.”
Moving between bodies, Tablo made his way to the bar on the other side of the room. He observed the way the bleached haired boy was looking intensively at one guy, sitting three chairs away from their spot. And the way Hyukjae tried to ignore everyone in the room, hands trembling a little before going inside his worn out jean’s pockets.
The guy mumbled something, his eyes glancing at the side and catching Hyukjae’s small nod before proceeding to move away from his seat and walking outside, leaving the other once again alone.
Hyukjae finished his drink in one row and asked for another one, also finishing that one pretty fast. Tablo walked closer when the young man approached the guy three chairs away, bumping with him and clumsily smiling and saying sorry. The man smirked and quickly offered Hyukjae his own beer, pulling the boy closer by his waist and whispering something.
Tablo felt sick watching the way Hyukjae was acting, pretending to enjoy the kiss left over his collarbone and the hands going inside his pants, he couldn’t stay still, even if this was exactly what he needed to prove his theory he didn’t want to be right, not about this kid.
“Seoul’s police.” Hyukjae stared in shock at him and his badge. The other guy seemed to be sober enough and quickly pulled away. “That kid is underage, so unless you want me to arrest you right now you better leave.”
“I’m not a minor!” The guy didn’t even care anymore, looking at Tablo’s holster and badge was enough to get him out of there. “What are you doing?”
“That’s exactly what I want to know about you. Were you trying to get that guy to follow you three blocks away from here?”
Hyukjae’s face paled, he understood the implication of those words. He was right all along, Tablo knew more than Kyuhyun thought. He was supposed to feel threatened or scared, but he wasn’t. He was actually glad someone could stop him in time for once.
“Aren’t you going to arrest me?” Hyukjae closed his fists and showed them to the cop, waiting for the touch of metal around his them. Tablo typed a fast message to his partner and grabbed Hyukjae’s hand.
“Let’s talk somewhere else.”
*** ***
Tablo’s apartment wasn’t luxurious or fancy, it was simple and small but at the same time it had the man’s warm aura in the air. He waited while the cop made some coffee, sitting on the couch and glancing from time to time to the kitchen door.
At first he had thought Tablo was taking him back to the station, when he parked outside a normal building he had been surprised. This man was very different from the previous cops he had met, he seemed more like a friend and more importantly he seemed like he really cared.
“I guarantee you it’s Seoul’s best coffee.” Hyukjae thanked and grabbed the cup, drinking a little of the hot drink.
“You’re right you know, about me.”
Tablo waited for the boy to continue, the whispered voice came weak when Hyukjae finally found the courage to confess.
“That night we wanted it to be special. Wookie had finally been accepted at Seoul’s music school, it was a big thing for us you know? Coming from the orphanage and without any money...he was so special, such a good kid...we were supposed to have fun. Wookie wanted to cook for us so I helped him with the groceries…”
It started to rain outside, the sound of the pouring rain acting like a soft melody between their silent moments. Tablo reached for Hyukjae’s hand, holding it tightly between his own trying to comfort the youngster.
“It was my fault, I was the one who told him to take a short cut…Kyuhyun was already waiting for us home, I didn’t want to make him wait.”
Tears started to fall; Hyukjae’s body was shacking with the strength of his sobs. It was painful to see this young kid suffering so much.
“They were three and corned us in a dark alley. We tried to scream for help but…they were stronger and I tried to help him I swear I did…”
“I know Hyukjae, I know you tried your best to protect your friend.”
“It wasn’t enough,” Hyukjae’s eyes were suddenly angered. “I didn’t do enough, they raped him in front of my own eyes, they beat me up when I tried to help him…I remember the blood, Wookie’s screams faintly disappearing, that’s the last thing I can recall. I woke up two weeks later in a hospital bed…he hadn’t made it and I never had the chance to say goodbye, to say sorry.”
Silence covered the living room; Tablo sighed and grabbed his phone, texting Mithra. He couldn’t believe these guys had walked free, this wasn’t going to end here, no way would he let those bastards walk free like good citizens. Even if two of them were dead already Tablo would make sure their names would be marked...their family would know what dishonour and shame meant.
“It’s been three years and I tried hard to rebuild my life, but I can’t.” The boy suddenly said, eyes red with salty water running along his tired face. “Kyuhyun was left all alone, Wookie was his brother he has no one else in this world, the cops…they said they would help but they didn’t and…”
“Who killed those men Hyukjae?” Please tell me it wasn’t you, please.
“I was at the bar trying to get myself a job. I recognized him immediately and I was scared because he knew who I was. He followed me down the street and tried to hurt me again…Kyuhyun was only trying to save me, he didn’t mean to kill him, trust me please he didn’t.” Hyukjae begged, chocolate eyes big with plea.
“Kyuhyun, is that the bleached guy who helped you tonight?”
The other nodded confirming Tablo’s theory. He was right all along, the first murder had been spontaneous, almost considered sell defense. But the next one and the other that almost happened tonight hadn’t. Hyukjae was a victim, Kyuhyun was a victim…the real murderers were those guys, the ones who had walked free three years ago.
Still no one would obviously see the case like this, Tablo was worried. Hyukjae was being manipulated by this Kyuhyun guy. He was using Hyukjae’s feelings, Hyukjae’s weakness and Hyukjae’s fears to make the boy help him commit justice with his own hands. There was no way he would stop unless the third guy was also dead.
“I need you to take me to your friend.” Hyukjae instantly jerked away from Tablo’s side and the cop knew right away he had lost him in this.
“No.”
“Hyukjae what you and Kyuhyun are doing is wrong. I understand your pain and the injustice of this situation but you can’t go around killing people.”
“I know but I won’t hand Kyu over to you, never.” His eyes were firm with conviction. “Arrest me please, that’s your job.”
*** ***
A/N: I was inspired by Metallica's song "Fade to Black" (the lyrics in the poster are also from the song). I'll try to update the last part soon, though it will be a little hard with all the other updates I still have to make lol - yeah I know I'm really REALLY slow T_T