Eternal Damnation
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Title: Eternal Damnation (1/?)
Author: his_angel16
Pairing: Daehyun/Youngjae, Yongguk/Changmin, Himchan/Yuchun, Zelo/Zico, Jongup/Junsu, Heechul/Jaejoong, Kangin/Yunho, Youngmin, Kwangmin
Genre: Angst, Romance, Fantasy
Rating: NC-17
Summary: They didn't ask for this life, it was thrust upon them. Making due with the hands they are dealt, will they learn to overcome the obstacles that lie before them or will they lose themselves to the darkness?
WARNING: Rape, abuse
Chapter One:
Youngjae gripped the broom handle tightly in his hand, using his free one to wipe away beads of sweat from his brow. He glanced at the clock. Only six minutes to go, he thought to himself. He smiled a little, knowing that he would be taking a week of vacation from work to spend with his mom. He went back to sweeping the floor, his boss having left and his co-worker in the back room. He hummed to himself, a song he heard in his childhood, but forgot the lyrics of. Once the clock struck twelve, it chimed, Youngjae jumping and hurrying to the back.
“It’s time for me to go!” he stated excitedly. He placed the broom against the wall and set the dustpan beside it. “Hyung, I’ll see you in a week! I’m leaving in the morning for Europe!”
Youngjae hurried from the restaurant, flipping his blond bangs out of his face as he left. He smiled to himself as he started down the familiar street, the light posts guiding him home. He heard footsteps clicking a little in front of him, eyes zeroing in on a random nightwalker. He quickened his pace, wanting to get home so he could get right to sleep. He began whistling to himself out of habit, not liking the quietness of the night. He stopped at the opening of an alley, eyes peering through the darkness for any kidnappers before he started to cross the little street.
“Yah,” a voice called faintly to him. He stopped, unsure if he really heard anything. It came again, drifting to his ears as the owner revealed himself. It was a kid about his age, perhaps a little younger. He smiled sweetly, his perfect white teeth glistening in the dim light from across the street. He took a few steps closer to Youngjae offering a hand out and beckoning him to come closer.
Every part of his body told him to run. It was warning him to get as far away from this man as possible. Youngjae thought it was weird. Such a pretty face and delicate hands yet his brain was telling him to run.
"Who are you?" he asked, making sure his voice was calm. He didn't need this man knowing that he was terrified.
The man smiled. "Call me Jo. It's not important what my first name is."
Youngjae tried to gauge Jo’s expression, looking for anything that might have set off the warning bells in his head. He looked back down at the hand, reaching up tentatively to shake it. It was only when Jo’s hand clasped around his that his brain began screeching at him, telling him that he was an idiot for not running away when he had the chance. Shaking the thought away, Youngjae offered him a smile.
“I’m Yoo-”
“Youngjae. I know who you are from the restaurant you work at.” Jo’s smile grew at the alarmed look on his face. “I’ve been watching you for awhile now. You’re a hard worker and you like to get things done when they are first presented to you. You’re pretty attractive, too, for dying your hair. But that just makes you like me. I’ve bleached my hair and dyed it to this caramel brown color. It’s sweet, don’t you agree?”
Youngjae tried to pull his hand away, Jo not releasing him. “Y-yah, let go.” He tried to pull free again, wincing as Jo grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the alleyway. “What are you doing?!”
Jo chuckled. “Don’t worry, Youngjae-ah.” He smirked, the glint in his eyes making Youngjae’s blood run cold. “This will only hurt for a moment.”
Youngjae tried to wiggle out of Jo’s hold, but he was shoved against a brick wall, the rough texture breaking the skin on his cheek. He felt tears prick his eyes as his arms were twisted above his head. “Let go of me.”
Jo reached around Youngjae’s waist, smirking at the gasp the elder let out. “I wonder how long you’ll beg before you realize that I won’t be stopping until I’m done.” He unfastened Youngjae’s jeans, pulling the zipper down. He yanked on the fabric, letting it pool around his knees. He laughed at Youngjae squirming as he tugged his boxers down. “You can’t stop this, Youngjae.” He licked the shell of the elder’s ear, biting down to pull a whimper from Youngjae’s throat.
“P-please don’t do this. If you don’t stop, I’ll scream. My hyung will be coming this way soon. He’ll hear me hollering and he’ll stop you.”
Jo breathed into Youngjae’s ear, making him squirm a little more. “No one will hear you. You won’t even hear yourself scream. It’s useless.” Jo placed his free hand on Youngjae’s lower back, trailing his hand lower. He bit down on Youngjae’s shoulder until he felt the skin break beneath the fabric of his shirt. He wormed two fingers in between the elder’s butt cheeks, finding the tight ring of muscle he was searching for.
Youngjae screwed his eyes shut, wishing for it all to be a dream. He felt Jo’s fingers push in roughly, tears escaping his eyes as a scream ripped itself from his throat. He clawed at the wall in front of him, trying to gain some kind of grip on something to pull him away from the pain. He felt the intruding digits pull out before they were slammed back into him, another scream bubbling up his throat. He whimpered as he felt Jo’s hand vanish from his wrists, wanting to turn to flee, but knowing it would hurt if he moved.
Hearing the zipper of the younger’s jeans lower, his heart nearly stopped. This can’t be happening, he thought through the haze beginning to form in his mind. He felt the fingers disappear before something larger began to prod his entrance, his breath hitching in his throat at knowing what it was. He looked to the right, Jo’s hand coming up to pin him to the bricks again. Feeling the wall dig into his face, he whimpered, all thoughts of escape dying the moment Jo thrust inside of him.
His vocal chords strained against the inside of his neck, his mind numb as no sound came out. He felt the vibrations in his neck as he tried to scream again, but nothing happened. He felt Jo pull almost all the way out before thrusting back in, slamming Youngjae’s hips into the wall. Tears fell from his eyes as he willed it to be over. He felt something sticky running down his leg, wondering if it was semen from Jo already. He inwardly cringed at the thought of being defiled by a stranger.
“I told you that your screaming would be futile,” Jo whispered in his ear, smirking when he caught a glimpse of fear in Youngjae’s eyes. “You see, I’m not like you. I’m not expendable in any way. I’m a more powerful being than you are.” He watched as confusion played across Youngjae’s face before he leaned in closer, their breaths mingling. “I’m an immortal. Even if thirty years pass, I’ll still look like this.”
Youngjae felt his mouth fall open in shock, face scrunching up as he felt Jo kiss him, tongue lapping at his. He let out a whine as Jo thrust a little harder, trying to find a quick release after toying with him. He panted when Jo pulled away, the lack of oxygen making his head swim in an uncomfortable way. He tensed as Jo grunted, coating him with semen. He felt relief when Jo pulled out only to be scared again when he was flipped around and pushed to his knees. Feeling fingers twist painfully into his hair, he winced.
Jo shoved his cock toward Youngjae’s mouth, the tip bumping into his lips. “Suck, pretty boy. And you better swallow every last drop.”
Youngjae peered up at him with watery eyes, opening his mouth to speak. He spluttered when Jo shoved his member into his mouth, gagging when it hit the back of his throat. He felt more tears coming as he closed his eyes. Knowing the only way he could get out of this torture was to do as Jo told him, he began sucking on the head in his mouth as if it was candy. Feeling Jo’s cock twitch in his mouth and become hard again made him want to vomit, but he kept the bile down as he continued to suck.
Jo moaned, making Youngjae grimace. “I’ll have to look you up again after tonight, pretty boy. This is the only thing you’re going to be good at anyway. You’re just like your mother, Yoo Hyemin.” Jo smiled at the startled expression on Youngjae’s face. “That’s right. I know your mother, she was pretty back in the day. She passed the attractiveness on to you. I noticed it the moment I saw you working.”
Youngjae went to pull back, Jo smirking as he pulled the elder’s head back down on his cock. His smirk grew wider as Youngjae coughed, trying not to vomit as it hit the back of his throat again. After a few more experimental thrusts in and out, Jo started to quicken his pace, feeling Youngjae’s mouth and throat contract around him. He closed his eyes, head tipping back as he came again, releasing into Youngjae’s mouth. He panted, looking down at the blond before him as he pulled out. He released the blond strands, Youngjae throwing his arms out to catch himself.
“You were such a good boy. Let me leave you a little parting gift.” Jo spun, swinging his leg into the side of Youngjae’s face, throwing him to the ground. He walked over, pulling a little pocketknife from his pocket as he pulled his jeans back into place. “I’ll make sure you’ll never forget me.” He took the edge of the blade, digging it into the flesh on Youngjae’s hip. Carving out the letters, he smiled at the blood running down his leg. “I’ll see you again, pretty boy.”
Youngjae watched as Jo left, fresh tears staining his face as he felt blood seeping from his hip. He didn’t have the energy to move, but he knew he couldn’t stay there. His vision blurred as he blinked, lips mouthing words that seemed to be stuck in his throat.
Someone, his mind whispered, wondering who would hear him if he didn’t have his voice. Anyone. Please help me. I’m scared and I’m in pain. I just want to close my eyes and go into the darkness forever.
Himchan turned around, ears perking at the screams. He headed for the front door, four paws shifting into two hands and two feet. He threw open the front door and looked around, meeting Daehyun’s gaze from the couch. “Yah, why’d you scream?” he asked, eyebrows pulled together.
Daehyun shook his head. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t hear anyone screaming, hyung,” he replied, eyes shifting back to his drama as he popped another chip into his mouth. “Maybe you’re hearing things with those animal ears of yours.”
“I wasn’t hearing things, Daehyun. I’m not going insane. Someone screamed for help.”
“Well, it wasn’t me. Go back to the yard and clean up after yourself. You know how Yongguk can get when he steps in your droppings.”
Himchan glared as Yongguk came into the room, toweling his hair off after his shower. “What’s up, Chan?”
Himchan turned on him. “Okay, Guk. Why’d you scream?”
Yongguk laughed at him. “I didn’t scream. You really need to get your hearing checked.”
Himchan crossed his arms over his chest. “I can hear perfectly fine. Someone screamed and I-” He dropped his sentence, ears perking up again. “There it is again.” He stepped toward the door, eyes narrowing as he gauged the distance. “It’s only a few miles from here.”
Yongguk raised a brow at him. “What do you call a few miles?”
“Ten.” Himchan ran out the front door, his surroundings blurring as he shifted onto all fours, his paws hitting the ground as he dashed. Phasing was almost easier for him than breathing. When he phased, he didn’t have to think about anything. It was simply natural to him. He hurried forward, paws hammering against the pavement as his heart beat rhythmically against his ribs.
He rounded a corner, stopping as his eyes pierced the night. A boy no older than Daehyun was lying on the ground. He cautiously approached, hearing the boy whimper. Phasing back to normal, Himchan stood, running over to the boy. He knelt, eyes taking in his appearance. Blood, tears, and semen dotted him from head to toe. Himchan felt his heart clench painfully at the sight.
No older than Daehyun. If this had been him, I wouldn’t know what to do. This poor baby, he thought, reaching out to brush a few stray tears away from the stranger’s cheeks.
“Yah, are you conscious?” he asked, tapping the boy’s cheek.
“Help me…please…” the blond croaked, eyes misting over. “I…I don’t think I can walk…”
Himchan looked over him again, biting his lip as he noticed something etched into his hip. “JY?” He looked back at the younger’s face, frowning at the distant look in his eyes. “What’s your name?”
“Youngjae. Y-Yoo Youngjae.”
“You’re in good hands, Youngjae.” Himchan felt his face heat up as he grabbed the waistband of the younger’s jeans. “Lift your hips up.” He smiled when Youngjae complied, but it faltered as he noticed the wince on his face. “You can sleep now, baby. Hyung will take care of you.” He slipped his arm under Youngjae’s neck, cradling his head as he hooked the other behind his knees. Scooping him up off the ground, Himchan breathed in deeply, a small smile gracing his face as eagle wings erupted from his back.
Looking back down at Youngjae, Himchan tightened his hold on the younger as he flapped his wings, flying off in the direction of his house. He got there in record time, landing softly on the front porch. He headed for the front door, bracing himself for Yongguk’s tirade. As soon as he reached the door, it swung open, Daehyun standing there.
“I heard you land,” he stated upon seeing Himchan’s raised brow.
“Thanks,” he replied, stepping inside and allowing the younger to close the door behind him. “Where’s Guk?”
“In the kitchen. He complained about being hungry after his shower.” Daehyun glanced to Himchan’s arms. “Who’s the kid?”
“Yoo Youngjae. He’s the one who screamed.”
Daehyun opened his mouth to ask more, but Yongguk rounded the corner, eyes immediately zeroing in on Youngjae in Himchan’s arms. “No,” he spat, not missing a beat as he headed for the couch. He flopped down on it, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table.
“You have to hear me out,” Himchan said, turning to face the other. “He’s the one who screamed for help. He’s been…” He gnawed on his lip before turning around. “Daehyun, be a dear and take him to the spare room. I need to talk to Yongguk.”
Daehyun nodded, knowing exactly what Himchan meant by talk. It meant he was going to tell Yongguk what was going to happen and undoubtedly cause a huge fight between them. He and the kid didn’t need to hear it. He took Youngjae from Himchan’s arms and darted for the stairs, kicking shut the bedroom door and letting out a small sigh.
“They’re going to fight again,” he murmured, partially to himself since Youngjae seemed to be unconscious. He smiled slightly as a memory floated to the front of his mind. “They fought when Himchan brought me home, too. Yongguk hyung was passed out on the floor of their little apartment and Himchan hyung brought me inside and told me to make myself comfortable, that I would live there from now on.” He frowned as he placed Youngjae down on the bed. “If you have a family, you won’t be forced to stay here with us, especially if you’re not like us. But if you have nowhere else to go, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.”
After Himchan was certain that Daehyun wasn’t listening to him, he rounded on Yongguk, eyes blazing. “Look here, Bang Yongguk,” he started, pointing a finger at him. “He is to stay here until he recovers. After that, he can choose what he does.”
Yongguk stood, facing Himchan openly. “No, not again. We took in Daehyun and you promised that would be the end of it. We can’t keep kidnapping people from the real world.”
Himchan’s anger flared. “The real world? Then where the hell do you think we live? In Wonderland? He was raped, Yongguk. I couldn’t turn my back on him.”
Yongguk fell silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking again. “It isn’t your job to rescue them, Chan. We’ve kept to ourselves since we took Daehyun in. Besides, what if he has someone looking for him as we speak?”
“We’ll figure that out if someone posts a missing persons case. Until then, he’s staying here. I don’t care if you never talk to me while he’s here, but I can’t throw him out. I promised him that I would take care of him before he lost consciousness and that is exactly what I’m going to do!”
Himchan turned to leave, Yongguk reaching out and grabbing his wrist before he could do so. “We can’t keep him here. Once he wakes up, he’ll just leave. You can’t keep trying to play house, Himchan. Let it go already.” Yongguk’s features softened as he thought back to when they found each other. “Do what you know is right and let go of him. You keep picking up these kids, hoping they would be like your little brother, but they’re not. They aren’t Dongchan.”
Himchan tensed, eyes growing cold. “Let go.” He tugged against Yongguk once, rolling his eyes when Yongguk didn’t release him. “I said let go!” Shoving Yongguk away, Himchan clenched his hands into fists, trying to keep himself calm. “I know they aren’t Dongchan. No one can take his place.”
“Then why do you keep trying to place house with these kids? We’re lucky that Daehyun was like us. He was already cursed by the time we found him. This kid, he isn’t like that, Himchan. For whatever reason, he gives me the vibe that he’s normal.”
Himchan’s eyebrow twitched. “You’re saying that Daehyun and I aren’t normal? What about yourself? You look pretty normal to me.”
Yongguk sighed. “But we aren’t normal. We’re cursed and we always will be. You and I should have died a handful of times by now. I phase through cars and people start screaming that they’ve seen a ghost. You phase into whatever creature you wish and people think they’ve drank too much or smoked too much. Daehyun merely spits on the ground and it starts disintegrating.”
Himchan felt his hands shaking, his composure slipping. “Are you that stupid, Guk? Your intangibility, my phasing, Daehyun’s acid generation. Those things are our normal. Who says that we have to be like everyone else to be normal?”
“Because we’re freaks! I shouldn’t be able to go through solid objects the way I do. When a car comes at me, it shouldn’t go through me. It should hit me and kill me! When you feel like flying, you shouldn’t actually be able to fly! And Daehyun…” Yongguk paused, his mind coming up blank. “Let’s face it, the kid is just weird. No one should be able to generate acidic saliva.”
Himchan felt something inside him snap at Yongguk’s words. He roared, fur sprouting from his pores to blanket his entire body as his face rearranged itself. He glared at Yongguk, now shorter than he used to be. He swung his arm, claws slashing the air right beside Yongguk’s arm.
Yongguk paled. It had been a good hundred years since Himchan lost his cool and turned into a bear unwillingly. He ducked before Himchan’s arm could take his head off. He opened his mouth to apologize only to have claws dig into his stomach. He gasped, tripping over the coffee table on his way backwards. Holding his stomach, he locked eyes with Himchan. “I’m sorry! I take back what I said, Chan!”
Himchan roared again, picking up the coffee table and throwing it against the far wall. It shattered, spraying glass shards all over the floor. Yongguk scrambled to get out of the way as Himchan swung at him again, missing him in his rage. “We aren’t freaks! If anything, we’re better than everyone else!”
Yongguk nodded. “Okay, whatever you say. We’re better because we’re different.” He frowned, seeing that Himchan wasn’t going to calm down this time simply by him agreeing. As Himchan lunged at him, he fled, phasing trough the wall. He jumped at hearing a loud thud behind him, wincing as he knew Himchan had knocked himself out on the wall. Sighing, he sat down on the porch steps. “He hasn’t scratched me this good since we fought after our first meeting.”
Hearing silence downstairs, Daehyun got up carefully from his spot next to Youngjae. He crept down the hallway, peering down the staircase to see bear paws. Frowning, he went down to the living room, seeing Himchan knocked out on the floor. Patting his head as he passed, he opened the front door and sat next to Yongguk. It was only a few moments before he spoke.
“You two haven’t fought like this in a long time,” he murmured, staring at the wind rustling the leaves. “It was about three hundred years ago, when Himchan wanted to bring another kid to live with us like he’s doing now.” He looked at Yongguk, frowning as he recalled what happened to that poor soul. “That kid was killed a week after he left our home. Guk, it was him. He killed that kid.”
Yongguk winced, closing his eyes as he tried to forget. They had taken in a teen about Daehyun’s age. The fight was similar to the one that just happened, only Yongguk won and sent the kid away. He wiped a hand over his face as he remembered reading about the kid being killed in their neighborhood. Shuddering, Yongguk looked over at Daehyun, eyes shiny with tears.
“You know I still feel bad about that. What happened to Lay wasn’t my fault. Even Himchan knows it wasn’t my fault. He was betrayed by his best friend and that’s who killed him, not me.”
Daehyun nodded. “I know the story well, hyung. Lay had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. The fact you were almost convicted of his murder was enough to force us to leave without so much as a trace left.” He sighed, smiling a little bitterly. “Faking our own deaths was a little harsh, if you ask me. If we simply just vanished it would have been better. Burning down our entire house and leaving all of our belongings to be torched alongside our fake corpses…”
Yongguk patted him on the shoulder. “We’ve come a long way in three hundred years. Let’s not ruin it by keeping this blond kid here.”
Daehyun stood, stretching his arms high over his head. “Sorry, hyung.” He smiled down at the elder. “I’m taking Himchan’s side this time. This kid, this Youngjae, he’s been hurt. I don’t even know the kid and I want to beat the shit out of the asshole that raped him.”
Yongguk sighed, staring out over their property once more before he stood. “Fine. Baby him, protect him, date him…” He looked at Daehyun, face serious as he spoke his next words. “Love him. Love him because no one else in this damned world will once they find out what happened to him. They’ll treat him differently for being raped and he’ll only keep getting hurt because of it.”
Nodding, Daehyun went back inside, chuckling softly at Himchan, now back to his human form, still passed out on the floor. Draping a blanket over his hyung, Daehyun headed upstairs. He entered the spare room, closing the door quietly behind him as he turned around, eyes widening in shock as Youngjae sat there, staring at him with fear and anger in his eyes.
“Y-Yoo Youngjae…” Daehyun breathed out, voice barely above a whisper.
Youngjae’s blood ran cold. “How do you know my name?” he croaked out, voice hoarse.
“Himchan. Himchan hyung brought you here to keep you safe and to clean you up.” He locked eyes with the blond, seeing the pain he tried so hard to mask swirling around in his dark orbs. “I’m Daehyun. Jung Daehyun.”
Youngjae flinched when Daehyun walked toward him, curling his fingers around the blanket below him. “Please,” he whispered, shuddering as images flashed into his mind. “Please stay away from me.”
Daehyun paused, eyes wide as he nodded. He went to the desk, turning the chair around to face him. “We won't hurt you. I couldn't and Himchan hyung would murder Yongguk hyung if he tried.” He straightened, hands flailing around at the alarmed look on the blond's face. “Not that Guk hyung would try. He's just...prone to being an asshole.”
Youngjae stared at him for a second, shoulders relaxing a fraction. “Your accent stands out. You're from Busan?”
Daehyun smiled. “Yeah. I moved in with Himchan hyung and Yongguk hyung a few years back. Seems like my accent hasn't changed.” He stared at the younger, chewing on his lower lip as he contemplated his next words. “Before you try to keep things hidden, we all know what happened to you.” He inwardly flinched at the pain that shot across Youngjae's face. “We aren’t going to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“I don't want to.” Youngjae shook his head. “I don't think I'll ever want to talk about it.”
Nodding, Daehyun stood up, pushing the chair back into its place. “We won't talk about it then. I'll leave you alone for a little bit. If you need anything, my room is next door.” Offering a small smile, he left, closing the door behind himself. He sighed, scratching the back of his head as he walked to his room. After closing his door, he turned, kicking his wastebasket across his room. “Dammit!”
Yongguk heard the thumping, turning confused eyes to the staircase. Pursing his lips, he took the glass of water off the coffee table, throwing the icy liquid onto Himchan. Watching the younger splutter brought a smile to his lips. “Good morning, beautiful,” he stated, giving the other one of his fullest smiles.
Himchan glared at him, shaking the water from his head. He froze, looking at the stairs before he frantically climbed to his feet. “Where's Daehyun and Youngjae?” he asked, worry lacing his voice.
Yongguk turned his attention to the television. “Daehyun just went to his room. You need to talk to that boy. I heard him say dammit.” He thought for a moment, eyes flicking to Himchan. “Actually, he yelled it, but you get the gist of it.”
Himchan crossed his arms over his chest. “And I wonder where he picked that language up from? Hm?” He sighed at Yongguk's grin, turning to go upstairs. He trudged down the hall, knocking on Daehyun's door. “Yah, Daehyunnie. Can I come in?”
“Go away,” Daehyun ordered, voice muffled by the door.
Himchan blinked, startled by the younger's behavior. He entered anyway, ducking as a vase of geraniums crashed beside the open door. “Jung Daehyun, what on earth is wrong with you? You've never thrown a temper tantrum since moving in with us. What has gotten in to you?”
Daehyun hurled his desk chair across his room, it slamming into his closet door. “I'm pissed off, hyung!” He collapsed onto his floor, breathing hard as he leaned against his bed. “Who the hell does something like that?!”
Moving to sit beside the younger, Himchan sighed, ruffling his hair. “You're talking about Youngjae.” It wasn't a question, but Daehyun nodded anyway. “I'm still trying to find that out myself. He's probably younger than you and he-”
“He's younger than me?” Daehyun felt as if his throat was constricting and he knew why. He shot up from the floor, darting from his room. Noticing the bathroom door closed, he placed a hand over his mouth, body heaving as it tried to expel his half-digested meal. He ran for the stairs, jumping the last few and hurrying to the kitchen. He had to shove Yongguk out of his way, leaning over the sink as he coughed.
Yongguk wrinkled his nose as Himchan entered the kitchen quietly. “Ew. That's gross, Dae. Throw up in the toilet.”
Himchan patted Daehyun's back, turning to answer Yongguk's statement for him. “He would have, but Youngjae is in there right now. He'd have thrown up in his trash can, too, but he tossed that across his room before I got up there.”
Yongguk placed the back of his hand against Daehyun's forehead, frowning shortly after. “He doesn't seem to have a fever. What made him puke all of a sudden?”
Himchan turned the faucet on for Daehyun before replying. “We were talking about why he was pissed off. We began to touch base that it's basically over what happened to Youngjae and when I said that he's probably younger than Daehyun, he started heaving like he had the flu or something.”
Yongguk chewed on the inside of his cheek, placing his hands on the counter as he leaned against it. “From now on, don't talk to Daehyun about what happened. He can't process that knowledge while it accompanies the thoughts of Youngjae being younger than him. Once he gets over that-if he can get over that-then we'll go from there.”
Rinsing his mouth out, Daehyun spit the water into the sink, turning the faucet off and wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. “I can handle it, hyung. Really, I can. I watched my parents die from a distance without being able to say goodbye. I’m pretty sure that I can handle anything if it's thrown at me.”
“But you don't have to deal with it,” Yongguk reasoned. “All you have to do is exactly what you have been doing. Going to school and staying out of trouble. Himchan and I will take care of this kid until he wants to leave.” He met Himchan's glare and he held up a hand. “Okay, Chan, okay. If he wants to leave, we'll take care of him until then.”
Daehyun rolled his eyes. “I'm getting really annoyed with being treated like a kid. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself so you can knock off the protective hyung shit.” He backed up, facing both of them as his eyes grew cold. “When I catch the bastard that did this, he's going to be wishing he had never been born.”
“Language, Daehyun!” Himchan hissed, frowning as he glared in Yongguk's general direction. “Look, we'll all look into this. Three heads are better than one.” His gaze softened as he looked at Daehyun. “Besides, I don't want my baby out there trying to stop this creep by himself.”
Daehyun felt his face flush, dropping his gaze in embarrassment. “I'm not a baby, hyung.”
Yongguk laughed, pulling on a lock of Daehyun's hair. “You're not a baby, but you're Himchan's baby.”
Daehyun smiled, biting down on his lower lip as he looked up at Himchan through his hair. “You consider me your son?”
Nodding, Himchan pulled Daehyun into a tight embrace. “Of course I do. You're my family, Daehyun. I told you when we took you in that I'll never let anything happen to you. You became more like a son to me than a brother after time passed.”
Daehyun hugged Himchan a little closer, trying to blink away the tears that had formed before he pulled away. “Thanks, hyung.” He smiled at the elder, looking between him and Yongguk. “Now, let's get down to business. I'll go to the alley you found Youngjae in and see if I can find any clues as to who did this.”
Himchan rolled his eyes. “Okay, fine. Guk can slip into the security office and check their cameras and I'll go later and see if I can pick up the guy's scent.” He ruffled Daehyun's hair, turning to exit the kitchen. He stopped, eyes widening at seeing Youngjae standing there. “Are you feeling any better?”
Youngjae stared at them, eyes guarded. “Why do you care about what happened to me? Who are you really?”
Daehyun stepped forward, hands up in surrender. “First, I think I told you who I am already. Jung Daehyun. Second, we care because we don't want whoever the hell it is thinking he can get away with something like that.” He frowned, eyebrows pulling together. “You don't happen to have any clues, do you?”
Youngjae felt tears prick his eyes as he took a few steps closer, hands pulling at his clothes to carefully reveal the letters etched into his skin. He looked away from Daehyun's and Yongguk's eyes, the horror in them too real. He stared at the peeling floral wallpaper instead.
“All he said was to call him Jo. He said that his first name didn’t matter,” Youngjae stated. Repeating those words left acid in his mouth and a fire burning in his veins. He wanted to forget about it, but he couldn't. He'd never forget about what had happened. If anything, he'd keep the haunting memories close to help him act out his own revenge.
Title: Eternal Damnation (1/?)
Author: his_angel16
Pairing: Daehyun/Youngjae, Yongguk/Changmin, Himchan/Yuchun, Zelo/Zico, Jongup/Junsu, Heechul/Jaejoong, Kangin/Yunho, Youngmin, Kwangmin
Genre: Angst, Romance, Fantasy
Rating: NC-17
Summary: They didn't ask for this life, it was thrust upon them. Making due with the hands they are dealt, will they learn to overcome the obstacles that lie before them or will they lose themselves to the darkness?
WARNING: Rape, abuse
Chapter One:
Youngjae gripped the broom handle tightly in his hand, using his free one to wipe away beads of sweat from his brow. He glanced at the clock. Only six minutes to go, he thought to himself. He smiled a little, knowing that he would be taking a week of vacation from work to spend with his mom. He went back to sweeping the floor, his boss having left and his co-worker in the back room. He hummed to himself, a song he heard in his childhood, but forgot the lyrics of. Once the clock struck twelve, it chimed, Youngjae jumping and hurrying to the back.
“It’s time for me to go!” he stated excitedly. He placed the broom against the wall and set the dustpan beside it. “Hyung, I’ll see you in a week! I’m leaving in the morning for Europe!”
Youngjae hurried from the restaurant, flipping his blond bangs out of his face as he left. He smiled to himself as he started down the familiar street, the light posts guiding him home. He heard footsteps clicking a little in front of him, eyes zeroing in on a random nightwalker. He quickened his pace, wanting to get home so he could get right to sleep. He began whistling to himself out of habit, not liking the quietness of the night. He stopped at the opening of an alley, eyes peering through the darkness for any kidnappers before he started to cross the little street.
“Yah,” a voice called faintly to him. He stopped, unsure if he really heard anything. It came again, drifting to his ears as the owner revealed himself. It was a kid about his age, perhaps a little younger. He smiled sweetly, his perfect white teeth glistening in the dim light from across the street. He took a few steps closer to Youngjae offering a hand out and beckoning him to come closer.
Every part of his body told him to run. It was warning him to get as far away from this man as possible. Youngjae thought it was weird. Such a pretty face and delicate hands yet his brain was telling him to run.
"Who are you?" he asked, making sure his voice was calm. He didn't need this man knowing that he was terrified.
The man smiled. "Call me Jo. It's not important what my first name is."
Youngjae tried to gauge Jo’s expression, looking for anything that might have set off the warning bells in his head. He looked back down at the hand, reaching up tentatively to shake it. It was only when Jo’s hand clasped around his that his brain began screeching at him, telling him that he was an idiot for not running away when he had the chance. Shaking the thought away, Youngjae offered him a smile.
“I’m Yoo-”
“Youngjae. I know who you are from the restaurant you work at.” Jo’s smile grew at the alarmed look on his face. “I’ve been watching you for awhile now. You’re a hard worker and you like to get things done when they are first presented to you. You’re pretty attractive, too, for dying your hair. But that just makes you like me. I’ve bleached my hair and dyed it to this caramel brown color. It’s sweet, don’t you agree?”
Youngjae tried to pull his hand away, Jo not releasing him. “Y-yah, let go.” He tried to pull free again, wincing as Jo grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the alleyway. “What are you doing?!”
Jo chuckled. “Don’t worry, Youngjae-ah.” He smirked, the glint in his eyes making Youngjae’s blood run cold. “This will only hurt for a moment.”
Youngjae tried to wiggle out of Jo’s hold, but he was shoved against a brick wall, the rough texture breaking the skin on his cheek. He felt tears prick his eyes as his arms were twisted above his head. “Let go of me.”
Jo reached around Youngjae’s waist, smirking at the gasp the elder let out. “I wonder how long you’ll beg before you realize that I won’t be stopping until I’m done.” He unfastened Youngjae’s jeans, pulling the zipper down. He yanked on the fabric, letting it pool around his knees. He laughed at Youngjae squirming as he tugged his boxers down. “You can’t stop this, Youngjae.” He licked the shell of the elder’s ear, biting down to pull a whimper from Youngjae’s throat.
“P-please don’t do this. If you don’t stop, I’ll scream. My hyung will be coming this way soon. He’ll hear me hollering and he’ll stop you.”
Jo breathed into Youngjae’s ear, making him squirm a little more. “No one will hear you. You won’t even hear yourself scream. It’s useless.” Jo placed his free hand on Youngjae’s lower back, trailing his hand lower. He bit down on Youngjae’s shoulder until he felt the skin break beneath the fabric of his shirt. He wormed two fingers in between the elder’s butt cheeks, finding the tight ring of muscle he was searching for.
Youngjae screwed his eyes shut, wishing for it all to be a dream. He felt Jo’s fingers push in roughly, tears escaping his eyes as a scream ripped itself from his throat. He clawed at the wall in front of him, trying to gain some kind of grip on something to pull him away from the pain. He felt the intruding digits pull out before they were slammed back into him, another scream bubbling up his throat. He whimpered as he felt Jo’s hand vanish from his wrists, wanting to turn to flee, but knowing it would hurt if he moved.
Hearing the zipper of the younger’s jeans lower, his heart nearly stopped. This can’t be happening, he thought through the haze beginning to form in his mind. He felt the fingers disappear before something larger began to prod his entrance, his breath hitching in his throat at knowing what it was. He looked to the right, Jo’s hand coming up to pin him to the bricks again. Feeling the wall dig into his face, he whimpered, all thoughts of escape dying the moment Jo thrust inside of him.
His vocal chords strained against the inside of his neck, his mind numb as no sound came out. He felt the vibrations in his neck as he tried to scream again, but nothing happened. He felt Jo pull almost all the way out before thrusting back in, slamming Youngjae’s hips into the wall. Tears fell from his eyes as he willed it to be over. He felt something sticky running down his leg, wondering if it was semen from Jo already. He inwardly cringed at the thought of being defiled by a stranger.
“I told you that your screaming would be futile,” Jo whispered in his ear, smirking when he caught a glimpse of fear in Youngjae’s eyes. “You see, I’m not like you. I’m not expendable in any way. I’m a more powerful being than you are.” He watched as confusion played across Youngjae’s face before he leaned in closer, their breaths mingling. “I’m an immortal. Even if thirty years pass, I’ll still look like this.”
Youngjae felt his mouth fall open in shock, face scrunching up as he felt Jo kiss him, tongue lapping at his. He let out a whine as Jo thrust a little harder, trying to find a quick release after toying with him. He panted when Jo pulled away, the lack of oxygen making his head swim in an uncomfortable way. He tensed as Jo grunted, coating him with semen. He felt relief when Jo pulled out only to be scared again when he was flipped around and pushed to his knees. Feeling fingers twist painfully into his hair, he winced.
Jo shoved his cock toward Youngjae’s mouth, the tip bumping into his lips. “Suck, pretty boy. And you better swallow every last drop.”
Youngjae peered up at him with watery eyes, opening his mouth to speak. He spluttered when Jo shoved his member into his mouth, gagging when it hit the back of his throat. He felt more tears coming as he closed his eyes. Knowing the only way he could get out of this torture was to do as Jo told him, he began sucking on the head in his mouth as if it was candy. Feeling Jo’s cock twitch in his mouth and become hard again made him want to vomit, but he kept the bile down as he continued to suck.
Jo moaned, making Youngjae grimace. “I’ll have to look you up again after tonight, pretty boy. This is the only thing you’re going to be good at anyway. You’re just like your mother, Yoo Hyemin.” Jo smiled at the startled expression on Youngjae’s face. “That’s right. I know your mother, she was pretty back in the day. She passed the attractiveness on to you. I noticed it the moment I saw you working.”
Youngjae went to pull back, Jo smirking as he pulled the elder’s head back down on his cock. His smirk grew wider as Youngjae coughed, trying not to vomit as it hit the back of his throat again. After a few more experimental thrusts in and out, Jo started to quicken his pace, feeling Youngjae’s mouth and throat contract around him. He closed his eyes, head tipping back as he came again, releasing into Youngjae’s mouth. He panted, looking down at the blond before him as he pulled out. He released the blond strands, Youngjae throwing his arms out to catch himself.
“You were such a good boy. Let me leave you a little parting gift.” Jo spun, swinging his leg into the side of Youngjae’s face, throwing him to the ground. He walked over, pulling a little pocketknife from his pocket as he pulled his jeans back into place. “I’ll make sure you’ll never forget me.” He took the edge of the blade, digging it into the flesh on Youngjae’s hip. Carving out the letters, he smiled at the blood running down his leg. “I’ll see you again, pretty boy.”
Youngjae watched as Jo left, fresh tears staining his face as he felt blood seeping from his hip. He didn’t have the energy to move, but he knew he couldn’t stay there. His vision blurred as he blinked, lips mouthing words that seemed to be stuck in his throat.
Someone, his mind whispered, wondering who would hear him if he didn’t have his voice. Anyone. Please help me. I’m scared and I’m in pain. I just want to close my eyes and go into the darkness forever.
Himchan turned around, ears perking at the screams. He headed for the front door, four paws shifting into two hands and two feet. He threw open the front door and looked around, meeting Daehyun’s gaze from the couch. “Yah, why’d you scream?” he asked, eyebrows pulled together.
Daehyun shook his head. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t hear anyone screaming, hyung,” he replied, eyes shifting back to his drama as he popped another chip into his mouth. “Maybe you’re hearing things with those animal ears of yours.”
“I wasn’t hearing things, Daehyun. I’m not going insane. Someone screamed for help.”
“Well, it wasn’t me. Go back to the yard and clean up after yourself. You know how Yongguk can get when he steps in your droppings.”
Himchan glared as Yongguk came into the room, toweling his hair off after his shower. “What’s up, Chan?”
Himchan turned on him. “Okay, Guk. Why’d you scream?”
Yongguk laughed at him. “I didn’t scream. You really need to get your hearing checked.”
Himchan crossed his arms over his chest. “I can hear perfectly fine. Someone screamed and I-” He dropped his sentence, ears perking up again. “There it is again.” He stepped toward the door, eyes narrowing as he gauged the distance. “It’s only a few miles from here.”
Yongguk raised a brow at him. “What do you call a few miles?”
“Ten.” Himchan ran out the front door, his surroundings blurring as he shifted onto all fours, his paws hitting the ground as he dashed. Phasing was almost easier for him than breathing. When he phased, he didn’t have to think about anything. It was simply natural to him. He hurried forward, paws hammering against the pavement as his heart beat rhythmically against his ribs.
He rounded a corner, stopping as his eyes pierced the night. A boy no older than Daehyun was lying on the ground. He cautiously approached, hearing the boy whimper. Phasing back to normal, Himchan stood, running over to the boy. He knelt, eyes taking in his appearance. Blood, tears, and semen dotted him from head to toe. Himchan felt his heart clench painfully at the sight.
No older than Daehyun. If this had been him, I wouldn’t know what to do. This poor baby, he thought, reaching out to brush a few stray tears away from the stranger’s cheeks.
“Yah, are you conscious?” he asked, tapping the boy’s cheek.
“Help me…please…” the blond croaked, eyes misting over. “I…I don’t think I can walk…”
Himchan looked over him again, biting his lip as he noticed something etched into his hip. “JY?” He looked back at the younger’s face, frowning at the distant look in his eyes. “What’s your name?”
“Youngjae. Y-Yoo Youngjae.”
“You’re in good hands, Youngjae.” Himchan felt his face heat up as he grabbed the waistband of the younger’s jeans. “Lift your hips up.” He smiled when Youngjae complied, but it faltered as he noticed the wince on his face. “You can sleep now, baby. Hyung will take care of you.” He slipped his arm under Youngjae’s neck, cradling his head as he hooked the other behind his knees. Scooping him up off the ground, Himchan breathed in deeply, a small smile gracing his face as eagle wings erupted from his back.
Looking back down at Youngjae, Himchan tightened his hold on the younger as he flapped his wings, flying off in the direction of his house. He got there in record time, landing softly on the front porch. He headed for the front door, bracing himself for Yongguk’s tirade. As soon as he reached the door, it swung open, Daehyun standing there.
“I heard you land,” he stated upon seeing Himchan’s raised brow.
“Thanks,” he replied, stepping inside and allowing the younger to close the door behind him. “Where’s Guk?”
“In the kitchen. He complained about being hungry after his shower.” Daehyun glanced to Himchan’s arms. “Who’s the kid?”
“Yoo Youngjae. He’s the one who screamed.”
Daehyun opened his mouth to ask more, but Yongguk rounded the corner, eyes immediately zeroing in on Youngjae in Himchan’s arms. “No,” he spat, not missing a beat as he headed for the couch. He flopped down on it, kicking his feet up onto the coffee table.
“You have to hear me out,” Himchan said, turning to face the other. “He’s the one who screamed for help. He’s been…” He gnawed on his lip before turning around. “Daehyun, be a dear and take him to the spare room. I need to talk to Yongguk.”
Daehyun nodded, knowing exactly what Himchan meant by talk. It meant he was going to tell Yongguk what was going to happen and undoubtedly cause a huge fight between them. He and the kid didn’t need to hear it. He took Youngjae from Himchan’s arms and darted for the stairs, kicking shut the bedroom door and letting out a small sigh.
“They’re going to fight again,” he murmured, partially to himself since Youngjae seemed to be unconscious. He smiled slightly as a memory floated to the front of his mind. “They fought when Himchan brought me home, too. Yongguk hyung was passed out on the floor of their little apartment and Himchan hyung brought me inside and told me to make myself comfortable, that I would live there from now on.” He frowned as he placed Youngjae down on the bed. “If you have a family, you won’t be forced to stay here with us, especially if you’re not like us. But if you have nowhere else to go, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.”
After Himchan was certain that Daehyun wasn’t listening to him, he rounded on Yongguk, eyes blazing. “Look here, Bang Yongguk,” he started, pointing a finger at him. “He is to stay here until he recovers. After that, he can choose what he does.”
Yongguk stood, facing Himchan openly. “No, not again. We took in Daehyun and you promised that would be the end of it. We can’t keep kidnapping people from the real world.”
Himchan’s anger flared. “The real world? Then where the hell do you think we live? In Wonderland? He was raped, Yongguk. I couldn’t turn my back on him.”
Yongguk fell silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking again. “It isn’t your job to rescue them, Chan. We’ve kept to ourselves since we took Daehyun in. Besides, what if he has someone looking for him as we speak?”
“We’ll figure that out if someone posts a missing persons case. Until then, he’s staying here. I don’t care if you never talk to me while he’s here, but I can’t throw him out. I promised him that I would take care of him before he lost consciousness and that is exactly what I’m going to do!”
Himchan turned to leave, Yongguk reaching out and grabbing his wrist before he could do so. “We can’t keep him here. Once he wakes up, he’ll just leave. You can’t keep trying to play house, Himchan. Let it go already.” Yongguk’s features softened as he thought back to when they found each other. “Do what you know is right and let go of him. You keep picking up these kids, hoping they would be like your little brother, but they’re not. They aren’t Dongchan.”
Himchan tensed, eyes growing cold. “Let go.” He tugged against Yongguk once, rolling his eyes when Yongguk didn’t release him. “I said let go!” Shoving Yongguk away, Himchan clenched his hands into fists, trying to keep himself calm. “I know they aren’t Dongchan. No one can take his place.”
“Then why do you keep trying to place house with these kids? We’re lucky that Daehyun was like us. He was already cursed by the time we found him. This kid, he isn’t like that, Himchan. For whatever reason, he gives me the vibe that he’s normal.”
Himchan’s eyebrow twitched. “You’re saying that Daehyun and I aren’t normal? What about yourself? You look pretty normal to me.”
Yongguk sighed. “But we aren’t normal. We’re cursed and we always will be. You and I should have died a handful of times by now. I phase through cars and people start screaming that they’ve seen a ghost. You phase into whatever creature you wish and people think they’ve drank too much or smoked too much. Daehyun merely spits on the ground and it starts disintegrating.”
Himchan felt his hands shaking, his composure slipping. “Are you that stupid, Guk? Your intangibility, my phasing, Daehyun’s acid generation. Those things are our normal. Who says that we have to be like everyone else to be normal?”
“Because we’re freaks! I shouldn’t be able to go through solid objects the way I do. When a car comes at me, it shouldn’t go through me. It should hit me and kill me! When you feel like flying, you shouldn’t actually be able to fly! And Daehyun…” Yongguk paused, his mind coming up blank. “Let’s face it, the kid is just weird. No one should be able to generate acidic saliva.”
Himchan felt something inside him snap at Yongguk’s words. He roared, fur sprouting from his pores to blanket his entire body as his face rearranged itself. He glared at Yongguk, now shorter than he used to be. He swung his arm, claws slashing the air right beside Yongguk’s arm.
Yongguk paled. It had been a good hundred years since Himchan lost his cool and turned into a bear unwillingly. He ducked before Himchan’s arm could take his head off. He opened his mouth to apologize only to have claws dig into his stomach. He gasped, tripping over the coffee table on his way backwards. Holding his stomach, he locked eyes with Himchan. “I’m sorry! I take back what I said, Chan!”
Himchan roared again, picking up the coffee table and throwing it against the far wall. It shattered, spraying glass shards all over the floor. Yongguk scrambled to get out of the way as Himchan swung at him again, missing him in his rage. “We aren’t freaks! If anything, we’re better than everyone else!”
Yongguk nodded. “Okay, whatever you say. We’re better because we’re different.” He frowned, seeing that Himchan wasn’t going to calm down this time simply by him agreeing. As Himchan lunged at him, he fled, phasing trough the wall. He jumped at hearing a loud thud behind him, wincing as he knew Himchan had knocked himself out on the wall. Sighing, he sat down on the porch steps. “He hasn’t scratched me this good since we fought after our first meeting.”
Hearing silence downstairs, Daehyun got up carefully from his spot next to Youngjae. He crept down the hallway, peering down the staircase to see bear paws. Frowning, he went down to the living room, seeing Himchan knocked out on the floor. Patting his head as he passed, he opened the front door and sat next to Yongguk. It was only a few moments before he spoke.
“You two haven’t fought like this in a long time,” he murmured, staring at the wind rustling the leaves. “It was about three hundred years ago, when Himchan wanted to bring another kid to live with us like he’s doing now.” He looked at Yongguk, frowning as he recalled what happened to that poor soul. “That kid was killed a week after he left our home. Guk, it was him. He killed that kid.”
Yongguk winced, closing his eyes as he tried to forget. They had taken in a teen about Daehyun’s age. The fight was similar to the one that just happened, only Yongguk won and sent the kid away. He wiped a hand over his face as he remembered reading about the kid being killed in their neighborhood. Shuddering, Yongguk looked over at Daehyun, eyes shiny with tears.
“You know I still feel bad about that. What happened to Lay wasn’t my fault. Even Himchan knows it wasn’t my fault. He was betrayed by his best friend and that’s who killed him, not me.”
Daehyun nodded. “I know the story well, hyung. Lay had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. The fact you were almost convicted of his murder was enough to force us to leave without so much as a trace left.” He sighed, smiling a little bitterly. “Faking our own deaths was a little harsh, if you ask me. If we simply just vanished it would have been better. Burning down our entire house and leaving all of our belongings to be torched alongside our fake corpses…”
Yongguk patted him on the shoulder. “We’ve come a long way in three hundred years. Let’s not ruin it by keeping this blond kid here.”
Daehyun stood, stretching his arms high over his head. “Sorry, hyung.” He smiled down at the elder. “I’m taking Himchan’s side this time. This kid, this Youngjae, he’s been hurt. I don’t even know the kid and I want to beat the shit out of the asshole that raped him.”
Yongguk sighed, staring out over their property once more before he stood. “Fine. Baby him, protect him, date him…” He looked at Daehyun, face serious as he spoke his next words. “Love him. Love him because no one else in this damned world will once they find out what happened to him. They’ll treat him differently for being raped and he’ll only keep getting hurt because of it.”
Nodding, Daehyun went back inside, chuckling softly at Himchan, now back to his human form, still passed out on the floor. Draping a blanket over his hyung, Daehyun headed upstairs. He entered the spare room, closing the door quietly behind him as he turned around, eyes widening in shock as Youngjae sat there, staring at him with fear and anger in his eyes.
“Y-Yoo Youngjae…” Daehyun breathed out, voice barely above a whisper.
Youngjae’s blood ran cold. “How do you know my name?” he croaked out, voice hoarse.
“Himchan. Himchan hyung brought you here to keep you safe and to clean you up.” He locked eyes with the blond, seeing the pain he tried so hard to mask swirling around in his dark orbs. “I’m Daehyun. Jung Daehyun.”
Youngjae flinched when Daehyun walked toward him, curling his fingers around the blanket below him. “Please,” he whispered, shuddering as images flashed into his mind. “Please stay away from me.”
Daehyun paused, eyes wide as he nodded. He went to the desk, turning the chair around to face him. “We won't hurt you. I couldn't and Himchan hyung would murder Yongguk hyung if he tried.” He straightened, hands flailing around at the alarmed look on the blond's face. “Not that Guk hyung would try. He's just...prone to being an asshole.”
Youngjae stared at him for a second, shoulders relaxing a fraction. “Your accent stands out. You're from Busan?”
Daehyun smiled. “Yeah. I moved in with Himchan hyung and Yongguk hyung a few years back. Seems like my accent hasn't changed.” He stared at the younger, chewing on his lower lip as he contemplated his next words. “Before you try to keep things hidden, we all know what happened to you.” He inwardly flinched at the pain that shot across Youngjae's face. “We aren’t going to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“I don't want to.” Youngjae shook his head. “I don't think I'll ever want to talk about it.”
Nodding, Daehyun stood up, pushing the chair back into its place. “We won't talk about it then. I'll leave you alone for a little bit. If you need anything, my room is next door.” Offering a small smile, he left, closing the door behind himself. He sighed, scratching the back of his head as he walked to his room. After closing his door, he turned, kicking his wastebasket across his room. “Dammit!”
Yongguk heard the thumping, turning confused eyes to the staircase. Pursing his lips, he took the glass of water off the coffee table, throwing the icy liquid onto Himchan. Watching the younger splutter brought a smile to his lips. “Good morning, beautiful,” he stated, giving the other one of his fullest smiles.
Himchan glared at him, shaking the water from his head. He froze, looking at the stairs before he frantically climbed to his feet. “Where's Daehyun and Youngjae?” he asked, worry lacing his voice.
Yongguk turned his attention to the television. “Daehyun just went to his room. You need to talk to that boy. I heard him say dammit.” He thought for a moment, eyes flicking to Himchan. “Actually, he yelled it, but you get the gist of it.”
Himchan crossed his arms over his chest. “And I wonder where he picked that language up from? Hm?” He sighed at Yongguk's grin, turning to go upstairs. He trudged down the hall, knocking on Daehyun's door. “Yah, Daehyunnie. Can I come in?”
“Go away,” Daehyun ordered, voice muffled by the door.
Himchan blinked, startled by the younger's behavior. He entered anyway, ducking as a vase of geraniums crashed beside the open door. “Jung Daehyun, what on earth is wrong with you? You've never thrown a temper tantrum since moving in with us. What has gotten in to you?”
Daehyun hurled his desk chair across his room, it slamming into his closet door. “I'm pissed off, hyung!” He collapsed onto his floor, breathing hard as he leaned against his bed. “Who the hell does something like that?!”
Moving to sit beside the younger, Himchan sighed, ruffling his hair. “You're talking about Youngjae.” It wasn't a question, but Daehyun nodded anyway. “I'm still trying to find that out myself. He's probably younger than you and he-”
“He's younger than me?” Daehyun felt as if his throat was constricting and he knew why. He shot up from the floor, darting from his room. Noticing the bathroom door closed, he placed a hand over his mouth, body heaving as it tried to expel his half-digested meal. He ran for the stairs, jumping the last few and hurrying to the kitchen. He had to shove Yongguk out of his way, leaning over the sink as he coughed.
Yongguk wrinkled his nose as Himchan entered the kitchen quietly. “Ew. That's gross, Dae. Throw up in the toilet.”
Himchan patted Daehyun's back, turning to answer Yongguk's statement for him. “He would have, but Youngjae is in there right now. He'd have thrown up in his trash can, too, but he tossed that across his room before I got up there.”
Yongguk placed the back of his hand against Daehyun's forehead, frowning shortly after. “He doesn't seem to have a fever. What made him puke all of a sudden?”
Himchan turned the faucet on for Daehyun before replying. “We were talking about why he was pissed off. We began to touch base that it's basically over what happened to Youngjae and when I said that he's probably younger than Daehyun, he started heaving like he had the flu or something.”
Yongguk chewed on the inside of his cheek, placing his hands on the counter as he leaned against it. “From now on, don't talk to Daehyun about what happened. He can't process that knowledge while it accompanies the thoughts of Youngjae being younger than him. Once he gets over that-if he can get over that-then we'll go from there.”
Rinsing his mouth out, Daehyun spit the water into the sink, turning the faucet off and wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. “I can handle it, hyung. Really, I can. I watched my parents die from a distance without being able to say goodbye. I’m pretty sure that I can handle anything if it's thrown at me.”
“But you don't have to deal with it,” Yongguk reasoned. “All you have to do is exactly what you have been doing. Going to school and staying out of trouble. Himchan and I will take care of this kid until he wants to leave.” He met Himchan's glare and he held up a hand. “Okay, Chan, okay. If he wants to leave, we'll take care of him until then.”
Daehyun rolled his eyes. “I'm getting really annoyed with being treated like a kid. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself so you can knock off the protective hyung shit.” He backed up, facing both of them as his eyes grew cold. “When I catch the bastard that did this, he's going to be wishing he had never been born.”
“Language, Daehyun!” Himchan hissed, frowning as he glared in Yongguk's general direction. “Look, we'll all look into this. Three heads are better than one.” His gaze softened as he looked at Daehyun. “Besides, I don't want my baby out there trying to stop this creep by himself.”
Daehyun felt his face flush, dropping his gaze in embarrassment. “I'm not a baby, hyung.”
Yongguk laughed, pulling on a lock of Daehyun's hair. “You're not a baby, but you're Himchan's baby.”
Daehyun smiled, biting down on his lower lip as he looked up at Himchan through his hair. “You consider me your son?”
Nodding, Himchan pulled Daehyun into a tight embrace. “Of course I do. You're my family, Daehyun. I told you when we took you in that I'll never let anything happen to you. You became more like a son to me than a brother after time passed.”
Daehyun hugged Himchan a little closer, trying to blink away the tears that had formed before he pulled away. “Thanks, hyung.” He smiled at the elder, looking between him and Yongguk. “Now, let's get down to business. I'll go to the alley you found Youngjae in and see if I can find any clues as to who did this.”
Himchan rolled his eyes. “Okay, fine. Guk can slip into the security office and check their cameras and I'll go later and see if I can pick up the guy's scent.” He ruffled Daehyun's hair, turning to exit the kitchen. He stopped, eyes widening at seeing Youngjae standing there. “Are you feeling any better?”
Youngjae stared at them, eyes guarded. “Why do you care about what happened to me? Who are you really?”
Daehyun stepped forward, hands up in surrender. “First, I think I told you who I am already. Jung Daehyun. Second, we care because we don't want whoever the hell it is thinking he can get away with something like that.” He frowned, eyebrows pulling together. “You don't happen to have any clues, do you?”
Youngjae felt tears prick his eyes as he took a few steps closer, hands pulling at his clothes to carefully reveal the letters etched into his skin. He looked away from Daehyun's and Yongguk's eyes, the horror in them too real. He stared at the peeling floral wallpaper instead.
“All he said was to call him Jo. He said that his first name didn’t matter,” Youngjae stated. Repeating those words left acid in his mouth and a fire burning in his veins. He wanted to forget about it, but he couldn't. He'd never forget about what had happened. If anything, he'd keep the haunting memories close to help him act out his own revenge.