Three monitors blink in front of Saeyoung's face. His fingers glide across the keys. How long has he been sitting? Minutes? Hours? His shoulders ache. Maybe it's been longer than minutes. Still, his deadline is approaching.
"Saeyoung, it's time to take a break, meow," says MC, as she walks toward his work area. "You need to eat something, meow."
"I'm busy," says Saeyoung. His eyes never deviate from the screens.
MC continues to walk, until she's climbing the three short steps—encroaching on his personal space.
"Purrrrrty please?" asks MC, leaning close to Saeyoung's ear. She purrs.
Saeyoung spins around in his computer chair, and stares up at MC. The first thing he notices are the cat-ears clipped into her fluffy brown hair. She's wearing a soft, cream colored sweater with a wide neckline, and a comfortable black skirt she prefers. Both hands are hidden behind her back.
Once she's at the top of the stairs, she pulls her hands around, revealing a plate with a sandwich and a bag of chips.
Saeyoung frowns, glancing between the plate, and his monitors. Work was calling, and this distraction would definitely slow him down.
But he is starving. Saeyoung accepts the plate, with a sigh. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, meow!" says MC, lifting up on her toes to perch on the edge of Saeyoung's computer desk, while being mindful of the expensive equipment. As she sits, her sweater falls off of one shoulder, giving a peek at her pink polka-dot bra. Saeyoung stares.
"I knew having you around would pay off, eventually," says Saeyoung. He sits his plate down, before standing up from his desk. He leans into MC, giving a devious smile. "Free sandwiches."
"Better watch yourself, you're close to never getting another sandwich ever again," says MC, grinning.
"Forgive me, I'm sowwy, I love your sammiches," says Saeyoung. He leans in closer, and presses a chaste kiss to MC's lips. "They're my second favorite thing of yours to eat."
"You're impossible," says MC, as their lips hover close, before they kiss again. MC's hands splay out on the desktop, keeping her balance as Saeyoung pushes his chest into hers. He deepens the kiss easily, coaxing MC's lips open, tongues moving in familiar patterns.
This type of kiss is common, and usually leads to the same climactic conclusion. Saeyoung pets MC's fluffy brown hair, feeling for the cat ears.
"Don't mess up my ears, meow," says MC, breaking the kiss.
"That's the last thing I'd wanna do," says Saeyoung, his voice dropping an octave. "I want them in place while you're purring for me."
A shameless noise erupts from MC's lips as they kiss again. Saeyoung's other hand slides up her thigh, pushing the black skirt up and around her waist. MC's hands cup Saeyoung's cheeks, before carefully removing his thick glasses. With the impediment removed, and set safely aside, they can press their faces closer together.
Saeyoung's fingers rub whirling patterns into MC's inner thigh, until she spreads her legs wider. Saeyoung grins as she whimpers. He breaks the kiss, staring down at a pair of blue, cotton panties with a repeating pattern. He squints.
"Wednesday? Do those say Wednesday?" asks Saeyoung.
MC ignores the question, clutching his shoulders instead, and tugging him closer. She hums while trailing kisses along his jaw. Saeyoung pulls away, and leans down, putting his face between MC's spread thighs.
"Gotta get close without my glasses. W-e-d-n-e-s-d-a-y, yep, Wednesday."
"Who cares?" asks MC, pushing out her lower lip. She purses her lips, and blows air upwards, causing her long bangs to float up, out of her line of sight. They fall back into place almost immediately.
"It's Monday! How long have you been wearing these?"
"I just put them on today, after my shower," says MC, tossing her long hair while laughing. "I don't pay attention to what they say, I just picked a pair!"
"Are you sure? This is very suspicious, now I'm wondering about the state of these panties…"
"You're awful, you know I had on different panties yesterday, you pulled them off with your teeth last night…"
"Mmm, yellow lace, I do seem to remember something like that…"
"So you know these are, at most, worn since last night!"
"Still, I should check, to make absolutely sure," says Saeyoung, pressing his fingers flat against the outside of MC's panties. His first touch moves torturously slow. "Unless you have some complaint?"
"N-no," says MC, her breath hitching. Saeyoung rubs up and down the thin stripe of fabricated stretched across her sex. She rocks her hips shamelessly off of the desk—into his touch.
"That's what I thought," says Saeyoung. He hones in with one finger, and rubs a tight circle around the small, evident nub beneath the thin fabric. "I don't know, they feel a little wet…"
"That's your fault, you're doing that to me," says MC, a whining pitch to her voice.
Saeyoung continues, stroking her lightly, as a wicked smile lights up his face. "You should be more careful, walking in here, wearing that skirt I like so much, and provoking me…"
"I have to learn for work, soon," says MC, though she isn't pulling away. Instead, she rolls her hips against Saeyoung's finger.
"Oh, I can be quick," says Saeyoung, smirking as he leans in to kiss MC. His hand moves, until he's stroking two fingers across her most sensitive area. It's no surprise that the hacker is talented with his hands. Little mewling noises escape MC's lips, as she pulls Saeyoung closer.
Lithe arms slide around his neck, as MC's tongue dips between his lips. Saeyoung is a master of multitasking. He easily returns the kiss, as his fingers lightly lift up the edge of MC's panties. He pulls them to the side, before sliding his fingers directly across the cleft in her soft mound.
A delicious gasp rips from MC's lips as they part, and Saeyoung moves to kiss a line down her neck.
"You really are too good to me," says Saeyoung, his lips so close to MC's ear that each breath causes her body to shudder. "Bringing me everything I need, before I even know that I need it."
MC leans forward, and pushes a hand out. She fights her way past his hoodie, to grope along the front of Saeyoung's jeans. She smiles when she finds him straining in his pants. "I need to feel you, too."
Saeyoung growls, palming MC as she continues to grope him. There's no doubt she's turned on. She leaves proof smeared across his hand. The computer desk isn't the most optimal location, but this mood won't wait. Saeyoung untangles himself from MC's hands long enough to shrug out of his hoodie, and unbutton his jeans.
"Idiot."
The sudden word wakes the pair from their fevered haze. Saeyoung jumps to replace his hoodie, and quickly pulls it low in the front. MC slides off the desk, and pulls her skirt down in a hurry.
"Hey Bro," says Saeyoung, attempting to look nonchalant.
"Saeran," says MC, smiling as she walks down the steps, back into the main area.
Saeran is scowling, per usual. Even with his bleached hair, and mint contacts, there's no concealing how similar he looks to his twin brother. He wears his usual dark pants, red shirt, and leather jacket, despite the warm temperature in the bunker.
"Uh, MC," says Saeyoung, his voice tight.
"I made you a sandwich, too! I left it on a plate in the fridge. I won't be here tonight to cook dinner, they need me down at the cafe tonight…"
"MC, seriously, hey," says Saeyoung.
"What?" she asks, a hand popping onto her hip as she turns around. Her brown eyes flash with irritation.
"Wednesday? Isn't today Monday?" asks Saeran.
"Shocking, isn't it? MC seems to be having an underwear shortage," says Saeyoung, sighing theatrically. "I keep telling her just to go without, but…"
MC's eyes widen as she glances down. Her black skirt is fine in the front, but the hem in the back was tucked into her underwear. She shoves her hand across the fabric, pushing the skirt back down.
"Sorry, I tried to tell you," says Saeyoung, ruffling his messy red hair in an attempt to look innocent. It's a failure.
"I've gotta get ready for work," says MC. Her cheeks are still glowing pink as she walks out of the main area, down the hallway that led to the bedrooms.
Saeran eyes his brother with contempt, before stalking toward the kitchen. Saeyoung is quick to jog away from his work are, following Saeran.
"Hey, what are you up to, tonight?" asks Saeyoung.
Saeran's response is a long, flat stare. He opens the fridge and retrieves the sandwich. There's also a note, in MC's curly handwriting. "4:Saeran 3:MC." He rolls his eyes, balls up the note, and tosses it toward the trashcan. He misses.
"If you're not doing anything, maybe we could hang out, after I finish some work? We could watch those movies I was telling you about! The ones where the hackers save the world from robots. It's part of my duty, as your brother, to introduce you to the most important parts of pop culture you missed…"
"Pass," says Saeran, dropping his plate down on the counter near the sink. Barstools sit near the counter, but they're rarely used. The full table with six chairs is less than three feet away, but Saeran still sits at the bar. It's part of his continued refusal to fully accept his brother's care.
"Well, we don't have to watch a movie, we can do whatever you want," says Saeyoung. There's a smile on his face, but it's painfully fake. Saeran sees straight through it.
"Idiot," says Saeran. "If you really want to do whatever I want to do, then let's leave this shithole, and go out somewhere. I want to see a new sky. Give me the keys to one of your cars, you have enough."
"Oh," says Saeyoung, the fake smile falling away. "It's still too soon…"
"It's been months," says Saeran, his voice easily rising. He clamps his mouth shut, breathing loudly through his nose.
"Once I'm done with this project, we can talk to your doctors, and Jumin, and…"
A scraping noise rings in the air as Saeran's stool scrapes across the tile floor. He stands up, grabs his plate, and walks out of the kitchen.
"I just have to be sure that everything's safe," says Saeyoung. "You never know who's watching, we have to be sure…"
Saeran holds his plate in one hand, and uses the other to shoot the middle finger over his shoulder.
Saeyoung sighs. "I don't want to lose you, again…"
The hallway is dark. Luciel stands, silhouetted by the light from the living area. Of course he'll stand there, shoulders slumped, face sad. As if his pitiful expressions could affect Saeran.
He didn't stand for long. Before Saeran even reaches his bedroom door at the end of the hallway, the familiar sound of clacking keys echoes down the hall. Luciel, the slave—back at work.
Saeran's fingers itch. Luciel is too smart to allow him anywhere near a proper computer. Saeran's been caught many times. He's given up on ever hacking Luciel's computer systems. It'll only make Luciel more suspicious. No. If Saeran ever wants some semblance of freedom, he has to earn trust.
Trust, from the least trustworthy person in the universe.
Saeran sneers as he pauses in his doorway. There's rustling and music coming from the open door across the hallway. Luciel's bedroom. Her bedroom.
The door is cracked open. Always open. Has no one ever explained to this woman that it is impolite to leave doors open? Does she realize the she's tantalizing others, tempting them with an intimate peek into her private life.
Saeran stares through the crack as MC removes her sweater. The ridiculous cat ears are already gone, and her long, brown hair hangs down to her waist, obscuring his view of so much skin.
She's not in a hurry. Of course not. This naively trusting person. Her eyes are glued to some music video playing on her laptop. She pauses every so often, to perform hand movements, bounce her hips, and then curse when she inevitably falls behind the dancers on the screen.
She shimmies out of her black skirt, and picks up a black dress from the bed. It slides easily over her head. Saeran forgets himself, for a moment. Lost in the soft susurrus of fabric as she changes outfits. The graceful way she reaches behind herself to tie her dress mesmerizes him.
Saeran slinks away toward his room when MC turns around, glancing about the room. She's looking for her apron, no doubt. It's slung over the back of her bedroom chair. Saeran resists the temptation to call out and tell her.
He remains silent, instead. Saeran often shies away from talking to Luciel's woman. And what a discomforting thought it is that she belongs to Luciel, considering it was Saeran who saw her first. Saeran is responsible for bringing her to the RFA in the first place.
Perhaps it had been a mistake. What kind of woman is she, really, if she can fall in love with someone as false as Luciel? She'll learn the truth, in time.
It's not Saeran's problem. He continues to his bedroom, and sits alone in the dark. The sandwich is spicy tuna salad, and it's not bad. None of the food MC prepares is ever inedible. He won't tell her that, though. He'll stick to watching her cook. And then watching her serve Luciel, the slob who'd rather binge on disgusting chips and soda, than eat MC's cooking.
Saeran listens intently, until he hears the click of her shoes receding down the hallway.
"Hey, I'm out, my ride's here," says MC. She quickly hops up the stairs to where Saeyoung clacks away at the keys. Her usual black dress is on, buttoned to the top. Over the dress, MC wears her dark apron with the Mystic Cafe logo. The sandwich on the plate remains untouched. "Saeyoung, you have to eat, meow."
"Yeah," says Saeyoung, without glancing back. "I will."
"Think you'll be able to hang out, tonight? Maybe finish what we started?" asks MC.
No answer.
"I miss you," she adds.
"We'll see."
"I love you," says MC.
The declaration finally succeeds in halting Saeyoung's fingers. He turns around, smiling at MC, and giving her his full attention. "You're the greatest thing in the universe. I don't deserve you."
"Aww," says MC, leaning in to kiss Saeyoung's cheek. "I feel the same way about you. See you tonight."
"I hope your shift is easy and fun," says Saeyoung, still watching.
She smiles, as she walks away. A smile that could light up even Saeyoung's darkest moods.
"Tell Jaehee I said hello," says Saeyoung. His attention returns to the various black monitors and blinking green text. MC's shoes click daintily on the tile as she walks out the door. The door's mechanism is loud, automated, and always followed by an annoying beep.
It's a tangible feeling—like all the warmth leaving the house, the moment the door locks behind her. The bunker is a different place, when MC is gone.
Saeran sits alone, in his room. MC left her video blaring in the room across the hall. He can't get the ludicrous image of MC's off-beat dancing out of his brain. He needs to clear his mind. He needs fresh air. Perhaps the door is still accessible? If Luciel is distracted with work…
The main area is dim, lit only by monitors, and the glow from the kitchen. Saeran walks through the room, his rubber soled shoes barely making a sound. He rushes toward the door.
"Perimeter Secured. You do not have permission to access this portal," says the Door's AI. Luciel's creation.
"Bullshit," says Saeran, through clenched teeth.
"Please state the first law of Physicals, in Arabic."
"How about you suck my…"
"Hey, where are you trying to go?" asks Luciel, rising from his computer area, and stumbling toward the entrance. "MC's already gone, I watched them drive away on the cameras. Did you need to tell her something? You can always use the messenger, you know."
"I want to go outside," says Saeran.
"Why?"
"Because I want some fresh air."
"You can't get far, the gate is there, and it's not like there's anything to do outside, the garage is always locked down, and…"
"I don't want to steal your cars, or climb the gate, I just…want to go outside. I want to be away from the stench of this bunker for a few minutes."
Luciel frowns, golden eyes growing dark. The same way they did when he was thinking about something serious.
"Wouldn't you rather hang out inside? I've been working on getting a computer setup to play LOLOL, I could show you? Maybe we could play together?"
"No, thanks."
"You can join my Guild!"
"If you expect me to ever accept you as anything other than a prison warden, give me something other than rules, and 'no,' and keeping me locked inside all day long, for months…"
"Fine," says Luciel, sighing as he presses a single finger to a sensor on the front door. The mechanisms click easily. Saeran stares hard at the finger pad.
"Even identical twins, have unique fingerprints," says Luciel.
"I'm going outside," says Saeran, turning away.
"Wait two seconds, let me contact my boss, I can go outside with you," says Luciel, reaching for Saeran's arm.
"No, I want to be alone, and even if I wanted company, yours is the last company I would seek out. Now, move," says Saeran, using his arm to block Luciel. An empty package of chips lies crumpled on the floor. An unlucky step sends Luciel falling onto the checkered tile floor, face first. He lands with a thud, but Saeran is already at the door.
Luciel will be fine, but the door might lock again in any moment, sealing his fate. Saeran hurries outside.
The yard in front of Luciel's bunker is mostly empty dirt beds, an asphalt driveway to the large garage, and a few struggling saplings. There's a short amount of space available, before Saeran would run into the damnable gate. No matter how many times he talks with the possessed contraption, he still can't speak enough Arabic to escape Saeyoung's prison.
Not that the disrepair of the lawn bothers Saeran. He finds a place on the grass to sit down. He stares up at the afternoon sky. It's a clear day. Not many clouds. Always different. Changing. From blue, to orange, and then purple.
Headlights and the rumbling engine of a motorcycle break the spell of twilight. Saeran stands up, dusting his jeans, as the gate slowly opens. Saeran recognizes the riders. The drive in front is tall, with a long, white ponytail. The rider behind him has long brown hair, tangling in the wind.
"Thanks for the ride," shouts MC, over the rumble of the engine. "You're so sweet."
"Yeah, tell Seven to stop making me say 'Seven Is God of the Universe' in Arabic…"
"I can tell him, but he'll probably just change it to something even worse," says MC, smiling as she removes the helmet, and hands it back.
"Worse?" asks Zen. His face is still handsome, even when frowning.
"It can always be worse," says MC, smirking. "He made Yoosung say 'My Ass is Property of Daddy Seven Zero Seven' last week."
"Uh, on second thought, maybe it's not so bad how it is," says Zen, storing away the helmet. "Tell Jaehee I won't be around until the weekend. Rehearsals are a bitch. Hope you guys have a great week."
MC waves and watches Zen drive away, while backing slowly toward the door. Saeran steps out, directly in her way. MC jumps and grabs her heart the moment she turns, and Saeran steps fully into the light.
"Holy shit," says MC, grinning as she continues to calm her breathing. "Y-you…oh my God, you scared me!"
"Bad habit," says Saeran.
"I didn't see you, that's all," says MC, shaking her head. "I'm not afraid of you, normally. You know that, right?"
Saeran tilts his head, narrowing mint green eyes.
"Nice night outside," says MC. Saeran brushes off her attempts at small talk.
"Hey, I can tell you're having a hard time, lately," says MC, her smile finally resembling something sincere, instead of something born of nerves. "Saeyoung is here for you-he only wants to help you. He's your family."
Saeran looks away, attempting to hide the automatic roll of his eyes. Family. MC knew about his mother, and his mistreatment. How could she think he would put any value into the word family.
"I'm here for you, too," says MC.
It's such a simple statement. Saeran tries to push it from his mind. He's suspicious of anyone that can fall in love with a liar like Luciel.
But part of him wants to believe. He wants MC to support him, the way she supports Luciel. He wants her to be his friend.
Smiling is difficult, but Saeran tries. Just for MC, he works up the smallest turn of his lips.
"Are you smiling?" asks MC, fingertips coming up to her lips. "I don't think I've…I don't think I've seen you smile! You look so different…"
"Different?"
"You look handsome," says MC, grinning. "Just like your brother!"
As quickly as it appeared, Saeran's elusive smile vanishes. He steps past MC to get to the door. He files away the feeling of her soft arm brushing the back of his hand, and her scent of vanilla coffee beneath the dust from the motorcycle ride.
The door flies open. Luciel's opened it remotely. Most likely he's been glued to the camera feed since the moment Saeran walked outside. He pushes inside, leaving the door ajar, as he stalks directly to his room.
MC closes the door behind them. She skips straight toward the multiple monitors flashing green on black. She carefully removes Saeyoung's headphones, and leans down to kiss him softly on the temple.
"You've been working this entire time? You need a break, meow!"
Saeyoung spins around in his computer chair, and smiles so big his nose scrunches up, and pushes his glasses askew. "It's MC! Returned from saving the world, one latte at a time! Hail our caffeinated hero!"
MC stops short, staring down at a purple bruise blossoming on Saeyoung's chin.
"Saeyoung, what happened?" she asks, bending at the waist to closer inspect the wound. Gentle fingers caress the skin in a feather light touch.
"Ah, that is just a clumsy mistake," says Saeyoung. "I tripped on an empty bag of Honey Buddha Chips. It was a brave bag, out for revenge, for the millions of his fallen comrades that met their fate by my hand…"
"Really? I've been working so hard to keep this place clean," says MC, sighing as she stares around the room. The brightly decorated area is mostly clear of clutter, except for the surface of Saeyoung's computer desk. Keeping the desk free of clutter is hopeless.
"And you do a wonderful job, truly, Ms. Vanderwood has nothing on your skills, and I appreciate all of your effort. This was an extremely dedicated bag, he swore, after his entire family was torn apart, and discarded by the great Seven Zero Seven, that he would stop it nothing, sacrificing his own life, in an attempt to avenge his mother, whose last words were…"
"Seven Zero Seven?" asks MC, frowning. "Now I know something's up. What really happened?"
All of the computer screens behind Saeyoung simultaneously switch into screensaver mode, causing an army of kittens to begin pouncing across the monitors. The ridiculous scene contrasts with the heavy sigh, as Saeyoung's shoulders slouch.
"It was an accident," says Saeyoung. "Saeran and I had a small misunderstanding. He wanted to go outside, and I was too busy to go with him…"
"I thought it was weird when he greeted me at the door, alone," says MC, nodding. She takes one of Saeyoung's hands in hers, squeezing gently.
"He pushed past me, and I really slipped on an empty chip bag," says Saeyoung. "And it really did look angry."
MC gives a short snort of laughter; Saeyoung's face lights up.
"But it was an accident. Saeran wasn't trying to push me down, or hurt me. I fell so quickly, I didn't brace myself. Banged my chin on the tile floor. But, it's fine."
"It's fine," MC repeats, nodding. She leans in, and kisses the purple mark.
"Ah, your kiss has healed me of ten percent damage," says Saeyoung.
"Well, if a kiss can help that much, I wonder what would happen if you took a break for a while, and came to bed…"
Saeyoung swivels and glances at the screens full of frolicking kittens. "Jumin's work can wait."
They're not quiet. Why were they never quiet? Saeran grabs his pillow, and pushes the sides against his ears. It doesn't help. The moaning continues to infiltrate the hallway through the open door to Luciel's bedroom.
Always open.
"Ah, watch the chin," comes Saeyoung's voice.
"Mmm, sorry, my hips have a mind of their own when you're doing that with your tongue…"
"Then I'm speaking to MC's hips only, now, you guys behave! Stay down on the bed! Stop interfering!"
Laughter follows, but it soon devolves into animalistic grunts, and gasping moans.
Inconsiderate, at best. Passive aggressive, at worst. Why can't Luciel resist rubbing his happiness in Saeran's face at every opportunity? At the very least, he should close his damn door. The living situation is becoming unbearable.
How could MC be duped so easily? Luciel's obviously a selfish creature, thinking only of himself, and his own happiness. MC is a caring, generous person—always helping her friends, and throwing all of herself into her activities.
MC deserves better. Someone who treats her like the precious treasure Saeran sees every time she smiles. How her eyes squeeze shut when she's really happy. The easy way she makes friends, and welcomes all those around her. The side of her that makes her such an asset to the RFA.
Saeran also admires her sense of humor, and tendency to dance when she's alone. When she thinks no one's watching.
MC is great at making others happy. Just like the Savior, except she wasn't preaching some unobtainable Heaven, or Magenta, but an actual obtainable happiness, right on Earth.
The happiness of a family neither twin had ever known.
[[Chatroom Transcript]]
JUMIN: I have a timeline for the next party.
JUMIN: It will be most beneficial to the RFA to hold our party annually. We can expect record turnout, thanks to the success of our last part. I believe showing a confident face will discourage inquiries into RFA's business from the press.
ZEN: How are you even considering making this a yearly thing?! Jaehee has her own business now…
JUMIN: I am aware of Assistant Kang's new business.
ZEN: Are you also aware that she's not your assistant anymore?
JUMIN: MC trained directly with Jaehee. She will be fully in charge of the guest list, and accommodations.
YOOSUNG: I'll be helping, too! As long as it's not held during finals.
ZEN: Still can't get used to you actually studying…
JAEHEE: I agree with Mr. Han.
JAEHEE: MC has Saeran to assist her, as well.
ZEN: I never see Saeran on the messenger, though…
JAEHEE: MC believes Saeran is making great strides. She can help him to be an asset to the RFA.
JAEHEE: I have a recommendation for a specific venue to take care of the dessert catering and coffee service…
JUMIN: We'll put you on the list of potential choices, Assistant Kang.
JAEHEE: …
YOOSUNG: You know MC will hire Mystic Cafe! Jumin, quit being cold to Jaehee
JUMIN: Excuse me, I must take an important phone call.
Jumin Han has left the chatroom.
707 has entered the chatroom.
707: LISTEN UP
707: IMPORTANT NEWS!
707: Today is Monday, and MC is wearing Wednesday panties
MC: Saeyoung!
MC: Why are you spreading lies about me? I'm not wearing panties
Jaehee Kang has left the chatroom.
Yoosung has left the chatroom.
ZEN has left the chatroom.
MC: You scared them away.
707: Hey, new party, so cool, I can't wait, hope I can find a date in time…
A/N: There are pictures for this on the other sites, generated using shaorankun dot com / mmchat /
You can see those generated chatrooms on AO3 or Wattpad, Thanks for reading.