行ってきます [I'll be back home] - Chapter Two
Title: 行ってきます [I'll be back home]
Authors:
curionenene and
yeonah
Chapter: 2/8
Fandom: SS501
Pairings: KyuMin, HyunSaeng
Rating: PG-16
Warning: Angst, AU
Summary: A story told about the times before, when they first set out in a journey, not knowing it would be a journey back rather than a journey forward. Right back to the discovery of what is truly their home.
A/N: Prequel to “お帰り(Welcome Home)”, KyuJong and JungMin’s story, followed by HyunJoong and YoungSaeng's. We hope our readers enjoy this insight into their pasts ^^
Fifteen calls later, and JungMin was still no closer to finding out how to break the bond. He'd even told one of his superiors about KyuJong, but the man didn't believe him that he had an ankou fast asleep in the other room. Ankous were rare, and JungMin wasn't the best anti-hunter ever. How would he have found one?
Giving a depressed sigh, JungMin finally gave up for the moment and put the phone down. It was time for dinner anyways. There wasn't much to eat but ramen though, so he ordered out some pizza. Maybe KyuJong would like it.
KyuJong was still fast asleep, the unfamiliar warmth and comfort he was surrounded in knocking him out good. And honestly, he didn’t want to wake up from what he was beginning to think was just a dream.
JungMin let him sleep until the pizza arrived, paying the guy. Then he brought the box into the guest room along with drinks, placing them on the night table. "Hey, KyuJong," he touched the ankou's bare shoulder lightly. "Time to wake up."
KyuJong started, sitting straight up and staring at JungMin, still not completely awake. “Master…?” He whispered, eyes wide.
Starting in surprise at the sudden movement, JungMin pouted at him. "Not master. Come on, time to eat. You were out the entire afternoon. Sleep more after you get something in your stomach." He opened the pizza box and dumped a few slices onto a plate for the ankou.
Oh, right… His new master… now everything was beginning to come back to him. Relaxing a little, KyuJong stared at the plate. “More… food?”
He’d never received more than one meal a day before…
"Yeah, it's dinner time. You kinda skipped lunch. Here," JungMin put the plate in KyuJong's lap. "This one's safe to use your hands with, the sauce might be a little hot though. Your drink's right here," he motioned to the night table before grabbing some slices for himself.
Picking a slice up with his hand, KyuJong looked at JungMin, before sniffing experimentally at the pizza slice. “What is this?”
"Pizza. Try it, it's good." JungMin took a large bite out of his own to show the ankou it was fine to eat.
“Pi…zza…?” KyuJong repeated before taking a bite himself. It was… good.
The slice was gone within seconds, as what happened with the ramen.
"Don't give yourself a stomach ache," JungMin chuckled. "It's not gonna get up and walk off the plate." He continued to eat. "So, somewhat bad news. No one I called has a single clue what to do about the bond. So what we can do is wait until you're recovered, then go to HQ and ask someone important. They'll probably know how to break it."
“HQ?” KyuJong paused, looking up at JungMin with wide, frightened eyes. His old masters had taken him to that place before, he didn’t like it there. His masters especially liked to abuse him there, to show off to their peers.
"Yeah," JungMin blinked at KyuJong in confusion. "Anti-hunter HQ, not hunter HQ. I told you, I'm one of the good guys. You'll like it there."
“Anti-hunter HQ?” KyuJong repeated, calming down a little bit. So it was a different place of similar names? But… he wasn’t sure if he’d really like it there.
"Yeah," JungMin nodded, smiling widely. "You'll see. There's a ton of other non-humans there too, not just humans. I'll...probably have to bring you there eventually anyways," he frowned sadly. "You're welcome to stay here for as long as you want though, I wouldn't mind the company. Once the bond's broken though, you can go wherever you want."
“Wherever… I want?” KyuJong stared at JungMin, not understanding. He’d been bound to a master his whole life, how could he go anywhere he wanted? The thought was just beyond him.
"Yeah," JungMin smiled brightly again. "Come on, eat up, then you can get some more rest." He picked up another slice of pizza to eat, munching on it happily.
But KyuJong wasn’t hungry anymore, daunted by the thought that he could be free to go once the bond was broken. But… where would he go?
Finishing his slices, JungMin sipped at his drink, watching KyuJong with his head tilted. "You done already? That was fast. Well, if you're not eating any more, I'm gonna start cleaning up okay?"
KyuJong nodded quietly, putting his hands in his lap. He didn’t know what to say to this odd new master of his, doing things for him, cooking for him, feeding him. It was odd to say at least.
He almost missed the boorish if not predictable behavior of his old masters, at least he’d know how to deal with that.
"All right then," JungMin got up and stretched before starting to pick things up. "My room's just beside this one, let me know if you need anything." He quirked a smile at the ankou before leaving the room. "Have a good night, KyuJong ah~."
“Good night…” KyuJong stared at that door as JungMin left, before flopping back into the sheets, curling up.
“Troublesome.” He muttered, but there was a small smile gracing his face as he closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
Cleaning up, JungMin sighed as he stretched out and went into his own room to sleep after locking up. The ankou was an interesting guy; way too timid for JungMin's liking, but then again, he'd been with the hunters, right? It was sad...he shouldn't have to be so scared.
I'll help him recover, was JungMin's thought, before he remembered he probably wouldn't be allowed to keep the ankou...or rather, the ankou wouldn't want to stay. Pouting a little, he collapsed into his bed exhausted, closing his eyes. He was out within seconds, snoring softly.
*****************
“Clean… clean… Gotta… clean…”
JungMin was slowly woken up by...something. He wasn't sure what. He'd forgone his usual earplugs and eyepiece last night in case KyuJong needed anything, so he was relatively easy to wake up.
Especially by the smell of....paint?
Sniffling a little, JungMin tossed and turned for a moment before cracking one eye open. What was that? He yawned and sat up, brushing his messy hair down and trying to rub sleep from his eyes. Where was that smell coming from? One of the neighbors?
He got up and padded to the bedroom door....and stopped, blinking repeatedly.
"Uh....what are you doing?"
“Oh… good morning, ma- I mean, JungMin.” KyuJong looked up from his work, painting the wall. A nervous laugh escaped his lips as his hands tightened possessively around the paintbrush he was holding. “I’m just cleaning up a little. Haha. Yeah. A little.”
But it wasn’t a little, the entire house was sparkling clean, not a grain of dust anywhere. It looked like it was brand new - the only dirty thing being the ankou himself, looking as if he’d come out from being tossed into a tornado.
Blinking again, JungMin took that in. He'd never even seen his apartment this clean before... "But you're supposed to be resting," he frowned lightly, shaking his head. "I mean, thanks for the gesture, but you need to be back in bed. Or maybe taking a shower now," JungMin chuckled quietly, stepping up of his room.
“No… I need to clean. Just a bit more.” KyuJong went back to the wall, painting like his life depended on it. “Just a little bit more.”
"But the place is already spotless...” JungMin frowned lightly, going beside him to look at his work. "Why do you need to clean so badly?"
“I… just… need to!” KyuJong’s hand shook as he pressed the brush onto the wall so hard, the wood splintered.
"Uh-huh. This is another of those 'master' things again, isn't it?" JungMin shook his head, plucking the brush from KyuJong's hand and placing it on a newspaper for the moment so he could deal with the ankou. "I told you, I'm not your master, and that also means you're not my servant." He spun the ankou around and nudging him in the back towards the rooms. "Now, bed or shower, take your pick."
But KyuJong, stressed out from over-thinking things, stepped away from JungMin, shaking his head, frantic look in his eyes. “No! I need to clean! Please?! Why won’t you let me do anything? Why do you do this to me?!”
Confused, JungMin shook his head again. "I'm not doing anything to you. You're doing this to yourself. You need rest, and I never asked for my apartment to be redone. You are not my servant, KyuJong."
Refused again, KyuJong fell to his knees, clutching at his head. “Why? Why don’t you behave like my other masters? Are you just playing with me? Making me comfortable before the pain starts again? You’re so cruel, JungMin. So cruel.”
That struck hard at JungMin's heart, eyes widening. No, he wasn't cruel. He'd sworn he would never, ever be like those hunters. Why couldn't KyuJong understand that?
Shoulders slumped for a moment, the redhead drew himself back up, taking a breath and bending over to sling KyuJong over one shoulder. The ankou was about as heavy as his old family dog; no weight to him. "Come on you, back to bed." He strode towards the room the ankou had been in.
KyuJong let out a squeak when JungMin suddenly picked him up, and a memory flashed through his mind, of a human master, a long time ago, one of his first few, picking him just like this.
“Useless creature. I can’t believe I went through all that trouble for you. You deserve to be punished.”
Freezing up, lost in the fear of the memory, KyuJong didn’t realize the tears falling from his eyes.
Surprised at the lack of resistance, JungMin was easily able to carry KyuJong to the bed and lay him back down. Only then did he notice the tears. "Hey, don't be like that," he frowned lightly, thumb brushing at the tears dripping down KyuJong's cheek. "What's wrong?"
But KyuJong cringed, startled by the action. Curling up into a defensive position, he whispered. “Don’t hurt me.”
Heart aching, JungMin stared down at the ankou. After a long moment he swallowed and crouched down next to the bed, resting his chin on the mattress next to KyuJong's face.
"You don't have to be scared of me...I'm not going to hurt you, ever," he whispered in return. "That's a promise."
“Lies. They all say that, then they hurt me.” KyuJong’s voice resonated with ten years of pain. “Humans are all the same. All the same… all the same…”
But there wasn’t any conviction in the statement at all, the words hollow, as if KyuJong was trying to convince himself of something he thought was the undeniable truth.
JungMin looked at him before sighing softly. He really wasn't good at this sort of stuff, but he wanted to make an honest effort. This ankou deserved more than he could offer, but he'd do what he could. "Not all of us are the same."
He rested a hand lightly on the bed next to KyuJong's, mindful that he wouldn't like being touched directly. "Whether you believe me or not, listen to me when I say this: as long as you are in this apartment, you are safe. I will protect you, I will take care of you. And I swear over my dead body I will never let a hunter touch you again. Even if you don't trust me...remember that."
KyuJong looked up at JungMin’s words, eyes wide and shining with tears and… what was this feeling? It swelled within him as he looked into the human’s eyes, staring straight into earnest honesty. But that couldn’t have been right… right? Humans were despicable beings who only knew how to hurt.
Yet, his next words came unbidden. “…Promise?”
JungMin's lips curled upwards into a soft smile. "Promise." And he held out one hand, pinky extended. "Pinky swear?"
KyuJong looked down at JungMin’s hand, confused again. “Pinky swear…?”
"It's something kids do a lot. The old idea was that the person to break a pinky swear promise has to cut off their pinky finger, but the nicer way of saying it is that a pinky swear is a promise that's never broken." JungMin waggled his extended finger a little, smiling. "Well?"
KyuJong’s eyes widened at the explanation. Cut off his finger? Then this human was… serious.
Looking down at the finger, then up at JungMin again, KyuJong found himself lifting up his hand, curling his own pinky around the human’s.
Securing the grip, and the promise, JungMin beamed at KyuJong before releasing the finger, lowering his hand. "Now, it's time for you to sleep. If you're good and don't try giving my apartment a makeover next time you wake up, the shower's right across the hall. I'll have some spare clothes for you to change into; you should fit into mine for the time being. Sound good?"
KyuJong didn’t know why, but his face felt hot. “Uh… okay?”
"Great," JungMin grinned at him, patting his arm lightly before standing. "Get some rest, I'll see you in a while." He left the room to start cleaning up the paint brush and bucket.
KyuJong watched JungMin go, before putting his hands to his face. It felt really hot. Was he coming down with something?
Flopping down onto the bed, KyuJong sighed into the pillow.
What was it about this human that made him feel so strange?
*****************************
JungMin spent the next few hours working on finding out more about ankous, and these blood bonds. He sucked at research though, and was no closer to finding out an answer than he had been before all this. It looked like he'd have to take KyuJong to HQ and hope someone there could help.
And then he'd probably have to say goodbye.
Swallowing the bitter taste in his mouth, JungMin glanced at the guest room's door before sighing softly and going out onto his balcony for some fresh air. This was going to drive him crazy before long.
KyuJong had been awake for a long time, and as promised, he hadn’t gone crazy again and tried to make JungMin’s place into a sterilized asylum room. But there wasn’t anything he could do - at least, not without attracting JungMin’s attention. And for now, he didn’t really want to come in contact with the human - the man made him behave oddly, and KyuJong had enough odd behavior for the day. As well as sleep. How much sleep did one ankou need? Granted, he had been injured, and had years of sleep to catch up on, but still.
Still, he was beginning to get bored, sitting on the bed and musing about things was only entertaining for so long. But what else could he do?
Getting up, KyuJong poked his head out of the room, spotting JungMin on the balcony.
JungMin didn't notice the ankou was up and about; his 'sixth sense' as well as his spiritual energy registered at zero, if not less, so he rarely noticed anything. He leaned against the railing, watching the traffic in the street below and singing to himself. No neighbors were around to yell at him.
Well, KyuJong guessed he had no other choice. He’d have to interact with the human again. Padding softly and cautiously across the room, KyuJong came up from behind JungMin, tapping him lightly on the shoulder.
Yelping in surprise, JungMin turned around and blinked owlishly at KyuJong. "Oh, hey. Sleep okay?" He turned properly to lean back against the railing.
Jumping back at the yelp, KyuJong took a while to reply. “Ah… yeah… Uh… Ankous actually only need minimal amounts of sleep unless we’re injured.”
Okay. Why the heck did he say that?
"Ah, okay," JungMin chuckled. "Well I don't know much about ankous, and you were pretty beat up. How's the injuries by the way? Healing okay?"
“Uhm… well… Part of my abilities is to heal. So yes, I’m healing fine.” KyuJong felt as if there was someone else controlling his mouth. Why the heck was he telling this human all this?
"Ah really? That's cool," the redhead grinned at him. "So, what are ankous exactly? I read up you're like...shinigamis?"
“Shinigamis?” KyuJong looked confused. “I don’t know about that, but I have the ability over death. So, I can grant death, as well as prevent it.”
"Sounds like a shinigami to me," JungMin grinned. "Except shinigamis are stereotypically ugly, you're pretty cute. I'm guessing this isn't your real form, huh?"
KyuJong shook his head. “No… normal humans can’t see me in my real form. It’d kill them, unless they were close to death.”
"Aww...” JungMin pouted. "I wanted to see. I bet you're cute in that form too. So, what are you up to now? You gonna take a shower?"
“I guess?” KyuJong blinked, looking down at himself. “If you’d like me to? I’m not all that dirty.”
"Yes you are, you're covered in paint," JungMin snorted in amusement, pointing at a streak along KyuJong's elbow. "And dirt from the street. Go on, no reason to be covered in grime, I'm not gonna stop you from taking a shower."
“O-okay.” KyuJong flushed, scratching his head. He should have realized that again, this master wouldn’t stop him from taking a bath. His old masters would have, saying it was a waste of water. “Uh… where is the shower?”
"Right across the hall from your room," JungMin chuckled, motioning behind KyuJong. "There's already clothes in there, it should fit you. Towels too. Yell if you need anything."
“Alright.” KyuJong nodded, taking a step away before pausing. “Thank you.”
"It's nothing," JungMin grinned at him before turning away to lean against the railing again, looking up at the sky.
KyuJong bit back a smile, and quickly scurried away to the bathroom. Honestly, he had been hoping JungMin would be true to his word - baths were still a luxury to him.
JungMin’s shower was modest, but it was clean (which might have something to do with how he went berserk yesterday). And it wasn’t long before KyuJong had stepped into the shower, sighing happily as water sprayed onto his body.
Chuckling as he listened to the shower start running behind him, JungMin sang quietly to himself as he watched everything outside, debating what to do now. Having the ankou around the house was a change of pace, but JungMin didn't mind it. He got a bit lonely at times, and here was company without even having to go to a bar or club. Even if KyuJong was way too timid for JungMin's liking, he was a cool guy, and definitely interesting.
Wondering how he could help KyuJong out of his shell, JungMin was startled a bit later when his phone went off. Fishing it out of his pocket, he flicked it open. "Yeoboseyo?"
Listening to the voice of his supervisor, his expression hardened slightly. "...Yeah? Okay. Okay, I'll be right there. How many? ...Shit. Yeah, I'm coming, give me five." Hanging up, he ran to get his shoes on and pick up his weapons.
He was halfway to the door when the sound of the shower reminded him about his guest. He couldn't just run out without telling KyuJong. But there was no real time to wait for the ankou to come out. So JungMin knocked before letting himself into the bathroom, seeming not to care about seeing the ankou naked. "Hey KyuJong, can you hear me in there?"
KyuJong’s eyes widened when the door suddenly opened, JungMin rushing in. Was it something urgent? Turning off the shower, his hair still white with shampoo, KyuJong poked his head out. “What is it, JungMin?”
Any other time JungMin would have taken a moment to admire the curve of KyuJong's shoulder behind the curtain, and the tone of his skin, but JungMin was distracted. "I need to step out for a bit, hunters got to one of the safe houses nearby. I don't know when I'm gonna be back. Make yourself something to eat when you get out, there's books and stuff laying around if you're bored, and don't sterilize the apartment. My number's by the phone if you need to reach me."
“Eh?” KyuJong blinked, before stepping out. “Wait, then I’m coming with you!”
"Oh no you're not," JungMin shook his head, and his gaze did travel along the ankou's body lightly this time, but he wasn't to be distracted. "I told you, I'm not your master, you don't have to fight for me. It's dangerous, and you're still recovering. I'll be back, finish your shower." He stepped backwards to exit the bathroom.
Shaking his head, KyuJong quickly reached out and grabbed JungMin’s arm. “You’re not leaving without me. Even if you insist you’re not my master, you are. And I have a duty to you. Just give me a couple of minutes, and I’ll have you there faster than if you went on your own.”
JungMin frowned lightly at the ankou, still not liking this idea. "I told you I'll keep you safe, not throw you into the middle of a fight." He didn't want KyuJong to help him because of a 'duty'.
“And honestly, I can take care of myself. I’m more than capable in a fight. More so than you.” KyuJong didn’t mince words, eyes hard as he let go of JungMin’s arm to get back into the shower. “Just give me a few minutes.”
Wincing a little at that, JungMin stared at the ankou's back before sighing softly and getting out of the bathroom, closing the door. He was tempted to just leave anyways, but KyuJong was right. He couldn't even take care of himself in a fight most the time.
Sulking, JungMin got ready quickly, pulling on his shoes and finding his gun and switchblade.
“Alright, I’m done.” KyuJong came out from the bathroom, hair now free of shampoo and dressed - or rather, half-dressed. The shirt JungMin had lent him was in his hand rather than on his body. “Let’s go.”
Turning to face KyuJong, ready as well, JungMin stopped and blinked. "Okay...why aren't you wearing your shirt? It doesn't fit?"
“Hmm? No. I don’t want to spoil it. It seems like a pretty good shirt.” KyuJong made his way to the balcony, looking around. “Okay. This place looks good.”
"For?" JungMin followed KyuJong, confused. "What are we doing out here? We need to go."
“Uhm… would you mind, holding this?” KyuJong handed JungMin the shirt before carefully hoisting the human up bridal style.
JungMin practically shrieked when he was lifted up. The ankou was stronger than he'd given him credit for, it hadn't looked like he had much muscle on him. "Yah! What are you doing?"
But KyuJong wasn’t listening anymore. It had been a while since he’d done this. Drawing deep inside him, he called out a little of his power, a silver glow beginning to surround him.
His hair and eyes would be turning silver now, as they always did when he tapped into his power. But he’d need to go deeper then usual, not too much, but just that bit more…
“Ah.” KyuJong let out a sigh of satisfaction, arching his back as silver wings sprouted out, stretching across the whole balcony.
The protests and light squirming stopped when JungMin saw the wings, eyes widening into saucers. "...Woah. You have wings?"
Wait a second...if he was picking JungMin up, and growing wings...
“Alright. I’ll need you to give me directions as we go.” KyuJong flexed his wings before stepping onto the balcony railing. “Just let me gain some height first.”
And without further ado, he jumped off.
Authors:
curionenene and
yeonah
Chapter: 2/8
Fandom: SS501
Pairings: KyuMin, HyunSaeng
Rating: PG-16
Warning: Angst, AU
Summary: A story told about the times before, when they first set out in a journey, not knowing it would be a journey back rather than a journey forward. Right back to the discovery of what is truly their home.
A/N: Prequel to “お帰り(Welcome Home)”, KyuJong and JungMin’s story, followed by HyunJoong and YoungSaeng's. We hope our readers enjoy this insight into their pasts ^^
Fifteen calls later, and JungMin was still no closer to finding out how to break the bond. He'd even told one of his superiors about KyuJong, but the man didn't believe him that he had an ankou fast asleep in the other room. Ankous were rare, and JungMin wasn't the best anti-hunter ever. How would he have found one?
Giving a depressed sigh, JungMin finally gave up for the moment and put the phone down. It was time for dinner anyways. There wasn't much to eat but ramen though, so he ordered out some pizza. Maybe KyuJong would like it.
KyuJong was still fast asleep, the unfamiliar warmth and comfort he was surrounded in knocking him out good. And honestly, he didn’t want to wake up from what he was beginning to think was just a dream.
JungMin let him sleep until the pizza arrived, paying the guy. Then he brought the box into the guest room along with drinks, placing them on the night table. "Hey, KyuJong," he touched the ankou's bare shoulder lightly. "Time to wake up."
KyuJong started, sitting straight up and staring at JungMin, still not completely awake. “Master…?” He whispered, eyes wide.
Starting in surprise at the sudden movement, JungMin pouted at him. "Not master. Come on, time to eat. You were out the entire afternoon. Sleep more after you get something in your stomach." He opened the pizza box and dumped a few slices onto a plate for the ankou.
Oh, right… His new master… now everything was beginning to come back to him. Relaxing a little, KyuJong stared at the plate. “More… food?”
He’d never received more than one meal a day before…
"Yeah, it's dinner time. You kinda skipped lunch. Here," JungMin put the plate in KyuJong's lap. "This one's safe to use your hands with, the sauce might be a little hot though. Your drink's right here," he motioned to the night table before grabbing some slices for himself.
Picking a slice up with his hand, KyuJong looked at JungMin, before sniffing experimentally at the pizza slice. “What is this?”
"Pizza. Try it, it's good." JungMin took a large bite out of his own to show the ankou it was fine to eat.
“Pi…zza…?” KyuJong repeated before taking a bite himself. It was… good.
The slice was gone within seconds, as what happened with the ramen.
"Don't give yourself a stomach ache," JungMin chuckled. "It's not gonna get up and walk off the plate." He continued to eat. "So, somewhat bad news. No one I called has a single clue what to do about the bond. So what we can do is wait until you're recovered, then go to HQ and ask someone important. They'll probably know how to break it."
“HQ?” KyuJong paused, looking up at JungMin with wide, frightened eyes. His old masters had taken him to that place before, he didn’t like it there. His masters especially liked to abuse him there, to show off to their peers.
"Yeah," JungMin blinked at KyuJong in confusion. "Anti-hunter HQ, not hunter HQ. I told you, I'm one of the good guys. You'll like it there."
“Anti-hunter HQ?” KyuJong repeated, calming down a little bit. So it was a different place of similar names? But… he wasn’t sure if he’d really like it there.
"Yeah," JungMin nodded, smiling widely. "You'll see. There's a ton of other non-humans there too, not just humans. I'll...probably have to bring you there eventually anyways," he frowned sadly. "You're welcome to stay here for as long as you want though, I wouldn't mind the company. Once the bond's broken though, you can go wherever you want."
“Wherever… I want?” KyuJong stared at JungMin, not understanding. He’d been bound to a master his whole life, how could he go anywhere he wanted? The thought was just beyond him.
"Yeah," JungMin smiled brightly again. "Come on, eat up, then you can get some more rest." He picked up another slice of pizza to eat, munching on it happily.
But KyuJong wasn’t hungry anymore, daunted by the thought that he could be free to go once the bond was broken. But… where would he go?
Finishing his slices, JungMin sipped at his drink, watching KyuJong with his head tilted. "You done already? That was fast. Well, if you're not eating any more, I'm gonna start cleaning up okay?"
KyuJong nodded quietly, putting his hands in his lap. He didn’t know what to say to this odd new master of his, doing things for him, cooking for him, feeding him. It was odd to say at least.
He almost missed the boorish if not predictable behavior of his old masters, at least he’d know how to deal with that.
"All right then," JungMin got up and stretched before starting to pick things up. "My room's just beside this one, let me know if you need anything." He quirked a smile at the ankou before leaving the room. "Have a good night, KyuJong ah~."
“Good night…” KyuJong stared at that door as JungMin left, before flopping back into the sheets, curling up.
“Troublesome.” He muttered, but there was a small smile gracing his face as he closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
Cleaning up, JungMin sighed as he stretched out and went into his own room to sleep after locking up. The ankou was an interesting guy; way too timid for JungMin's liking, but then again, he'd been with the hunters, right? It was sad...he shouldn't have to be so scared.
I'll help him recover, was JungMin's thought, before he remembered he probably wouldn't be allowed to keep the ankou...or rather, the ankou wouldn't want to stay. Pouting a little, he collapsed into his bed exhausted, closing his eyes. He was out within seconds, snoring softly.
*****************
“Clean… clean… Gotta… clean…”
JungMin was slowly woken up by...something. He wasn't sure what. He'd forgone his usual earplugs and eyepiece last night in case KyuJong needed anything, so he was relatively easy to wake up.
Especially by the smell of....paint?
Sniffling a little, JungMin tossed and turned for a moment before cracking one eye open. What was that? He yawned and sat up, brushing his messy hair down and trying to rub sleep from his eyes. Where was that smell coming from? One of the neighbors?
He got up and padded to the bedroom door....and stopped, blinking repeatedly.
"Uh....what are you doing?"
“Oh… good morning, ma- I mean, JungMin.” KyuJong looked up from his work, painting the wall. A nervous laugh escaped his lips as his hands tightened possessively around the paintbrush he was holding. “I’m just cleaning up a little. Haha. Yeah. A little.”
But it wasn’t a little, the entire house was sparkling clean, not a grain of dust anywhere. It looked like it was brand new - the only dirty thing being the ankou himself, looking as if he’d come out from being tossed into a tornado.
Blinking again, JungMin took that in. He'd never even seen his apartment this clean before... "But you're supposed to be resting," he frowned lightly, shaking his head. "I mean, thanks for the gesture, but you need to be back in bed. Or maybe taking a shower now," JungMin chuckled quietly, stepping up of his room.
“No… I need to clean. Just a bit more.” KyuJong went back to the wall, painting like his life depended on it. “Just a little bit more.”
"But the place is already spotless...” JungMin frowned lightly, going beside him to look at his work. "Why do you need to clean so badly?"
“I… just… need to!” KyuJong’s hand shook as he pressed the brush onto the wall so hard, the wood splintered.
"Uh-huh. This is another of those 'master' things again, isn't it?" JungMin shook his head, plucking the brush from KyuJong's hand and placing it on a newspaper for the moment so he could deal with the ankou. "I told you, I'm not your master, and that also means you're not my servant." He spun the ankou around and nudging him in the back towards the rooms. "Now, bed or shower, take your pick."
But KyuJong, stressed out from over-thinking things, stepped away from JungMin, shaking his head, frantic look in his eyes. “No! I need to clean! Please?! Why won’t you let me do anything? Why do you do this to me?!”
Confused, JungMin shook his head again. "I'm not doing anything to you. You're doing this to yourself. You need rest, and I never asked for my apartment to be redone. You are not my servant, KyuJong."
Refused again, KyuJong fell to his knees, clutching at his head. “Why? Why don’t you behave like my other masters? Are you just playing with me? Making me comfortable before the pain starts again? You’re so cruel, JungMin. So cruel.”
That struck hard at JungMin's heart, eyes widening. No, he wasn't cruel. He'd sworn he would never, ever be like those hunters. Why couldn't KyuJong understand that?
Shoulders slumped for a moment, the redhead drew himself back up, taking a breath and bending over to sling KyuJong over one shoulder. The ankou was about as heavy as his old family dog; no weight to him. "Come on you, back to bed." He strode towards the room the ankou had been in.
KyuJong let out a squeak when JungMin suddenly picked him up, and a memory flashed through his mind, of a human master, a long time ago, one of his first few, picking him just like this.
“Useless creature. I can’t believe I went through all that trouble for you. You deserve to be punished.”
Freezing up, lost in the fear of the memory, KyuJong didn’t realize the tears falling from his eyes.
Surprised at the lack of resistance, JungMin was easily able to carry KyuJong to the bed and lay him back down. Only then did he notice the tears. "Hey, don't be like that," he frowned lightly, thumb brushing at the tears dripping down KyuJong's cheek. "What's wrong?"
But KyuJong cringed, startled by the action. Curling up into a defensive position, he whispered. “Don’t hurt me.”
Heart aching, JungMin stared down at the ankou. After a long moment he swallowed and crouched down next to the bed, resting his chin on the mattress next to KyuJong's face.
"You don't have to be scared of me...I'm not going to hurt you, ever," he whispered in return. "That's a promise."
“Lies. They all say that, then they hurt me.” KyuJong’s voice resonated with ten years of pain. “Humans are all the same. All the same… all the same…”
But there wasn’t any conviction in the statement at all, the words hollow, as if KyuJong was trying to convince himself of something he thought was the undeniable truth.
JungMin looked at him before sighing softly. He really wasn't good at this sort of stuff, but he wanted to make an honest effort. This ankou deserved more than he could offer, but he'd do what he could. "Not all of us are the same."
He rested a hand lightly on the bed next to KyuJong's, mindful that he wouldn't like being touched directly. "Whether you believe me or not, listen to me when I say this: as long as you are in this apartment, you are safe. I will protect you, I will take care of you. And I swear over my dead body I will never let a hunter touch you again. Even if you don't trust me...remember that."
KyuJong looked up at JungMin’s words, eyes wide and shining with tears and… what was this feeling? It swelled within him as he looked into the human’s eyes, staring straight into earnest honesty. But that couldn’t have been right… right? Humans were despicable beings who only knew how to hurt.
Yet, his next words came unbidden. “…Promise?”
JungMin's lips curled upwards into a soft smile. "Promise." And he held out one hand, pinky extended. "Pinky swear?"
KyuJong looked down at JungMin’s hand, confused again. “Pinky swear…?”
"It's something kids do a lot. The old idea was that the person to break a pinky swear promise has to cut off their pinky finger, but the nicer way of saying it is that a pinky swear is a promise that's never broken." JungMin waggled his extended finger a little, smiling. "Well?"
KyuJong’s eyes widened at the explanation. Cut off his finger? Then this human was… serious.
Looking down at the finger, then up at JungMin again, KyuJong found himself lifting up his hand, curling his own pinky around the human’s.
Securing the grip, and the promise, JungMin beamed at KyuJong before releasing the finger, lowering his hand. "Now, it's time for you to sleep. If you're good and don't try giving my apartment a makeover next time you wake up, the shower's right across the hall. I'll have some spare clothes for you to change into; you should fit into mine for the time being. Sound good?"
KyuJong didn’t know why, but his face felt hot. “Uh… okay?”
"Great," JungMin grinned at him, patting his arm lightly before standing. "Get some rest, I'll see you in a while." He left the room to start cleaning up the paint brush and bucket.
KyuJong watched JungMin go, before putting his hands to his face. It felt really hot. Was he coming down with something?
Flopping down onto the bed, KyuJong sighed into the pillow.
What was it about this human that made him feel so strange?
*****************************
JungMin spent the next few hours working on finding out more about ankous, and these blood bonds. He sucked at research though, and was no closer to finding out an answer than he had been before all this. It looked like he'd have to take KyuJong to HQ and hope someone there could help.
And then he'd probably have to say goodbye.
Swallowing the bitter taste in his mouth, JungMin glanced at the guest room's door before sighing softly and going out onto his balcony for some fresh air. This was going to drive him crazy before long.
KyuJong had been awake for a long time, and as promised, he hadn’t gone crazy again and tried to make JungMin’s place into a sterilized asylum room. But there wasn’t anything he could do - at least, not without attracting JungMin’s attention. And for now, he didn’t really want to come in contact with the human - the man made him behave oddly, and KyuJong had enough odd behavior for the day. As well as sleep. How much sleep did one ankou need? Granted, he had been injured, and had years of sleep to catch up on, but still.
Still, he was beginning to get bored, sitting on the bed and musing about things was only entertaining for so long. But what else could he do?
Getting up, KyuJong poked his head out of the room, spotting JungMin on the balcony.
JungMin didn't notice the ankou was up and about; his 'sixth sense' as well as his spiritual energy registered at zero, if not less, so he rarely noticed anything. He leaned against the railing, watching the traffic in the street below and singing to himself. No neighbors were around to yell at him.
Well, KyuJong guessed he had no other choice. He’d have to interact with the human again. Padding softly and cautiously across the room, KyuJong came up from behind JungMin, tapping him lightly on the shoulder.
Yelping in surprise, JungMin turned around and blinked owlishly at KyuJong. "Oh, hey. Sleep okay?" He turned properly to lean back against the railing.
Jumping back at the yelp, KyuJong took a while to reply. “Ah… yeah… Uh… Ankous actually only need minimal amounts of sleep unless we’re injured.”
Okay. Why the heck did he say that?
"Ah, okay," JungMin chuckled. "Well I don't know much about ankous, and you were pretty beat up. How's the injuries by the way? Healing okay?"
“Uhm… well… Part of my abilities is to heal. So yes, I’m healing fine.” KyuJong felt as if there was someone else controlling his mouth. Why the heck was he telling this human all this?
"Ah really? That's cool," the redhead grinned at him. "So, what are ankous exactly? I read up you're like...shinigamis?"
“Shinigamis?” KyuJong looked confused. “I don’t know about that, but I have the ability over death. So, I can grant death, as well as prevent it.”
"Sounds like a shinigami to me," JungMin grinned. "Except shinigamis are stereotypically ugly, you're pretty cute. I'm guessing this isn't your real form, huh?"
KyuJong shook his head. “No… normal humans can’t see me in my real form. It’d kill them, unless they were close to death.”
"Aww...” JungMin pouted. "I wanted to see. I bet you're cute in that form too. So, what are you up to now? You gonna take a shower?"
“I guess?” KyuJong blinked, looking down at himself. “If you’d like me to? I’m not all that dirty.”
"Yes you are, you're covered in paint," JungMin snorted in amusement, pointing at a streak along KyuJong's elbow. "And dirt from the street. Go on, no reason to be covered in grime, I'm not gonna stop you from taking a shower."
“O-okay.” KyuJong flushed, scratching his head. He should have realized that again, this master wouldn’t stop him from taking a bath. His old masters would have, saying it was a waste of water. “Uh… where is the shower?”
"Right across the hall from your room," JungMin chuckled, motioning behind KyuJong. "There's already clothes in there, it should fit you. Towels too. Yell if you need anything."
“Alright.” KyuJong nodded, taking a step away before pausing. “Thank you.”
"It's nothing," JungMin grinned at him before turning away to lean against the railing again, looking up at the sky.
KyuJong bit back a smile, and quickly scurried away to the bathroom. Honestly, he had been hoping JungMin would be true to his word - baths were still a luxury to him.
JungMin’s shower was modest, but it was clean (which might have something to do with how he went berserk yesterday). And it wasn’t long before KyuJong had stepped into the shower, sighing happily as water sprayed onto his body.
Chuckling as he listened to the shower start running behind him, JungMin sang quietly to himself as he watched everything outside, debating what to do now. Having the ankou around the house was a change of pace, but JungMin didn't mind it. He got a bit lonely at times, and here was company without even having to go to a bar or club. Even if KyuJong was way too timid for JungMin's liking, he was a cool guy, and definitely interesting.
Wondering how he could help KyuJong out of his shell, JungMin was startled a bit later when his phone went off. Fishing it out of his pocket, he flicked it open. "Yeoboseyo?"
Listening to the voice of his supervisor, his expression hardened slightly. "...Yeah? Okay. Okay, I'll be right there. How many? ...Shit. Yeah, I'm coming, give me five." Hanging up, he ran to get his shoes on and pick up his weapons.
He was halfway to the door when the sound of the shower reminded him about his guest. He couldn't just run out without telling KyuJong. But there was no real time to wait for the ankou to come out. So JungMin knocked before letting himself into the bathroom, seeming not to care about seeing the ankou naked. "Hey KyuJong, can you hear me in there?"
KyuJong’s eyes widened when the door suddenly opened, JungMin rushing in. Was it something urgent? Turning off the shower, his hair still white with shampoo, KyuJong poked his head out. “What is it, JungMin?”
Any other time JungMin would have taken a moment to admire the curve of KyuJong's shoulder behind the curtain, and the tone of his skin, but JungMin was distracted. "I need to step out for a bit, hunters got to one of the safe houses nearby. I don't know when I'm gonna be back. Make yourself something to eat when you get out, there's books and stuff laying around if you're bored, and don't sterilize the apartment. My number's by the phone if you need to reach me."
“Eh?” KyuJong blinked, before stepping out. “Wait, then I’m coming with you!”
"Oh no you're not," JungMin shook his head, and his gaze did travel along the ankou's body lightly this time, but he wasn't to be distracted. "I told you, I'm not your master, you don't have to fight for me. It's dangerous, and you're still recovering. I'll be back, finish your shower." He stepped backwards to exit the bathroom.
Shaking his head, KyuJong quickly reached out and grabbed JungMin’s arm. “You’re not leaving without me. Even if you insist you’re not my master, you are. And I have a duty to you. Just give me a couple of minutes, and I’ll have you there faster than if you went on your own.”
JungMin frowned lightly at the ankou, still not liking this idea. "I told you I'll keep you safe, not throw you into the middle of a fight." He didn't want KyuJong to help him because of a 'duty'.
“And honestly, I can take care of myself. I’m more than capable in a fight. More so than you.” KyuJong didn’t mince words, eyes hard as he let go of JungMin’s arm to get back into the shower. “Just give me a few minutes.”
Wincing a little at that, JungMin stared at the ankou's back before sighing softly and getting out of the bathroom, closing the door. He was tempted to just leave anyways, but KyuJong was right. He couldn't even take care of himself in a fight most the time.
Sulking, JungMin got ready quickly, pulling on his shoes and finding his gun and switchblade.
“Alright, I’m done.” KyuJong came out from the bathroom, hair now free of shampoo and dressed - or rather, half-dressed. The shirt JungMin had lent him was in his hand rather than on his body. “Let’s go.”
Turning to face KyuJong, ready as well, JungMin stopped and blinked. "Okay...why aren't you wearing your shirt? It doesn't fit?"
“Hmm? No. I don’t want to spoil it. It seems like a pretty good shirt.” KyuJong made his way to the balcony, looking around. “Okay. This place looks good.”
"For?" JungMin followed KyuJong, confused. "What are we doing out here? We need to go."
“Uhm… would you mind, holding this?” KyuJong handed JungMin the shirt before carefully hoisting the human up bridal style.
JungMin practically shrieked when he was lifted up. The ankou was stronger than he'd given him credit for, it hadn't looked like he had much muscle on him. "Yah! What are you doing?"
But KyuJong wasn’t listening anymore. It had been a while since he’d done this. Drawing deep inside him, he called out a little of his power, a silver glow beginning to surround him.
His hair and eyes would be turning silver now, as they always did when he tapped into his power. But he’d need to go deeper then usual, not too much, but just that bit more…
“Ah.” KyuJong let out a sigh of satisfaction, arching his back as silver wings sprouted out, stretching across the whole balcony.
The protests and light squirming stopped when JungMin saw the wings, eyes widening into saucers. "...Woah. You have wings?"
Wait a second...if he was picking JungMin up, and growing wings...
“Alright. I’ll need you to give me directions as we go.” KyuJong flexed his wings before stepping onto the balcony railing. “Just let me gain some height first.”
And without further ado, he jumped off.