AN: It's been a minute :) I hope you've had a great start in the New Year and a wonderful time with your family, friends or by yourself. Maybe I can find more time to write this year, but that depends on work and university ... finger's crossed haha.
KathrynthePyro-bitch: Thank you so much for always reviewing! Let's see how long they'll continue to dance around each other. Oh, we're actually far from the end. I'd say we're a little over half way. I plan to include the Secret Endings and expand the story even beyond that. (It'll probably take me a while though.) I hope you'll enjoy this chapter as well :)
SpicySnowflake: Ooohh thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying this story so far. It's a relief to hear that it's still exciting despite knowing about the major plot points from the game. I'm also glad that you like how I connected and developed the sub-plots. I hope you have a wonderful day :)
Tangerine Daydreams: If it helps, I'm crying with you ;A; It hurts to write angst, but I promise there is going to be lots of fluff in the future to make up for it. Ohh thank you so much, you're gonna make me blush :') I hope you're doing well!
rainboweven: Oh my God, really? (つ﹏⊂) That's such high praise, I don't know what to say. Thank you so much! ;A; I'm glad you like the way I write. Your review really made my day, though it took me a while to reply. Hahaha I get them all from jemoticons (can't provide the link on ffnet). It's so fun to include them and I love to discover new ones. I wish you all the best on your journey to improve your emoji game!
KloEE-chan: Thank you very much. I'll do my best to keep it amazing! ;) Best wishes to you!
Chapter Eighteen
Hourglass
If Seven could, Mei swore he'd build a fort around himself. It would be made of the hardest material in the universe and riddled with lethal traps to ensure nobody would ever dare to enter. She was pretty certain that he'd dig a deep trench around it, filling it with water and alligators that would glare at intruders who stepped on the draw bridge. There wouldn't be windows and a huge fire-breathing dragon would be perched on top of the highest tower.
It was him against the rest of the world.
She furrowed her brows as she stared holes into the blank, white ceiling above the sofa, utterly perplexed by his cold behavior. It had been two days since her ill-timed confession and after her awkward attempt at an apology yesterday, he had sadly given her another unsatisfying response. It was more than obvious that he wasn't willing to broach the subject, so she had avoided the conversation topic at all cost, fearing he'd distance himself even more.
Although, the detective wasn't sure if that was even possible at this point.
After his direct rejection and their fight, she honestly wanted to stop liking him because it was just too painful and she had enough on her plate already. Yet, every time she thought she was taking a step towards getting over him, he did something that made her fall right back to where she started. Mei had tried to keep her distance and put on a cheerful facade, but her efforts were futile.
No matter how much she tried to resist, her resolve to keep her feelings in check wavered every time she looked into his golden eyes. Her heart would beat loudly against her chest whenever she entered the living room and ached when she noticed that he probably hadn't budged from that uncomfortable position in his corner for hours, typing away on his laptop as though the world would end if he stopped.
Restlessly, Mei fished her phone out of her pocket and ignored the urge to revisit the tragic conversation that took place yesterday night.
MC: How is Hana? Is she eating well?ヾ(＾-＾)ノ
Jumin Han: More than well. You weren't kidding.
Jumin Han: When I informed her about the possibility of being abducted by the hacker, she said that the more she'd eat, the harder she'd be to kidnap.
MC: Stay safe. Eat pizza ヾ( ▽ )
Jumin Han: She has taken her motto more serious than I thought（￣□￣；）
ZEN: I like it when girls have a strong appetite.
MC: Sounds like she's doing well lmao (￣∇￣;)
Jumin Han: She spends most of her time drawing Elizabeth the 3rd, Loki and Siri.
ZEN: She must be really talented ... but why draw cats?! God, my eyes are itching already!
Jumin Han: I liked most of the pictures but some were kind of …
MC: Abstact? (σﾟ∀ﾟ)σ
Jumin Han: If you call Elizabeth in a pink tutu dancing at a heavy metal concert abstract, then yes.
ZEN: What? Lolol
Jumin Han: It's confusing (≖͞_≖̥)
MC: It's art ┐(ﾟ～ﾟ)┌
ZEN: Well, I wouldn't give too much on the opinion of a guy who can't even take a proper selfie (¬‿¬)
MC: Huh?
ZEN: His pictures are always blurred unless someone takes them for him.
MC: Wooow. That's kinda endearing actually.
Jumin Han: ฅ(≚ᄌ≚)
Jumin Han: Anyways, Hana picked the weirdest ones to hang up on my refrigerator.
Jumin Han: I don't even know where she got the magnets from, but I try not to question it.
ZEN: Well, everyone expresses themselves differently.
Jumin Han: I'm not sure why she needs to express herself on my refrigerator.
Jumin Han: Or what kind of message she wants to convey with her art.
Jumin Han: Elizabeth's beautiful head on the body of a sweaty wrestler?
MC: Whisker Purrfect (*艸)
Jumin Han: No, she called it Elly McMeow aka the Paw Bearer.
ZEN: Okay, that is weird.
MC: Maybe it's Hana's way of telling us to fight on? (＾＾；)
Jumin Han: No, it is weird.
Mei sighed to herself. Hana, you are being seen as an incredibly strange person.
MC: My sister has an obsession with filling blank spaces.
MC: When she was little she went ham on the walls with her crayons.
MC: Our entire apartment is covered in her artworks, but they kinda grow on you.
Jumin Han: I see (╭ರ_•́)
Jumin Han: Her art is really entertaining and I hope she'll let me keep the more realistic pieces of Elizabeth the 3rd.
ZEN: Ohhh do you think she'd draw me?
MC: It'd be her dream come true. She's your fan, remember?
ZEN: Even after what happened with Echo Girl?
MC: Of course. She never liked her in the first place and she adores you ヾ(｡﹏｡)ﾉﾞ✧*。
ZEN: It's good to know that there are people who believe in me (つ﹏⊂)
Jumin Han: I feel like Hana is a good judge of character despite her young age.
MC: Definitely.
MC: It's like she has a superpower that lets her tell bad from good people.
Jumin Han: Maybe I should bring her along to business meetings.
ZEN: You'd just bore her to death, Mr. Trustfund.
Jumin Han: I guess these meetings can be tiring.
MC: Well, I'm gonna make lunch.
ZEN: Is he still not talking to you?
MC: No comment (─‿─)
Jumin Han: Luciel … I hope he'll get himself together soon.
Jumin Han: The way he is right now worries me, but that's no excuse for his behavior.
As per usual, Jumin was right, but she still felt for Seven. If she was in his shoes and Hana was involved in some shady business, Mei would probably be reacting similarly.
MC: He's trying his best, I think.
ZEN: I'm sure he is, but Yoosung just wanted to help.
ZEN: We all do, but V and Seven don't trust us enough. That's what's so frustrating.
Jumin Han: I agree. I wish V would answer my calls.
Mei sighed and shook her head, slightly exasperated by their fixation on V. They were like a nest of excited baby birds, chirping at the same time while they eagerly waited for their mother bird to come back and feed them news. Their little nest had been thrown into disarray and while they were dealing with the chaotic aftermath, their leader was probably stumbling around with his camera in the Forbidden Forest.
It was pretty obvious to her that the elusive man was their missing link to Mint Eye, but she understood everyone's reluctance to doubt him. It was easier to believe the easy solution and deny the difficult one, if one of your loved ones was involved.
MC: While I can't do anything about V's absence, I can do something about my empty stomach ԅ(º﹃ºԅ)
MC: Don't forget to eat, guys ᕦ(≧◡≦)ᕤ
ZEN: I won't, princess~
Jumin Han: Bon appetit.
MC: Merci!
[MC has left the chatroom.]
She swung her legs to the side and got up from the sofa, trying to find the courage to approach Seven and his castle of ice. His shoulder's stiffened visibly as she approached and the detective observed sadly how he almost jumped out of his skin when she put a hand on his shoulder. If she didn't know any better, she'd think he had felt the same electrical current running through his body that she always felt when she was around him.
"I'm starving." Mei smiled kindly at his questioning glance. "It's noon already. You must be hungry, right?"
In a millisecond she watched a play of emotion flicker across his face before it was carefully hidden behind his infamous blank mask. The detective really, really hated that annoying mask, but maybe she deserved it after pushing him so far yesterday.
She didn't expect a verbal answer, but it still hurt when he shrugged her hand off. Her makeshift smile faded as soon as she turned around and quietly headed for the kitchen. She was too tired to keep it up when she was by herself and simply went into autopilot to prepare lunch.
Mei checked the fridge for anything edible and recoiled at its contents.
There were strawberries that wore green fur coats, a half-empty yogurt that expired three weeks ago, bacon that honestly didn't look like bacon anymore, three bottles of the same ketchup, a jar of unidentifiable liquid that had been here before she joined the RFA, cheese packages which were releasing poisonous gases and she thought she just saw the broccoli moving out of the corner of her eyes.
Maybe Hana had been right and vegetables were evil demons after all.
She picked out a strawberry yogurt, but after seeing its expiration date she hastily put it back. Nevermind the bomb, they would probably starve to death before it could ever go off, which she would honestly prefer to eating anything out of this fridge. She wasn't sure what Seven's stance on ordering take out was and wasn't in the mood to ask, which meant she'd need to head to the convenience store.
Mei knew he probably wouldn't even notice that she left, but just in case she scribbled a short note and deposited it at her usual spot on the sofa before heading out, taking two bags of trash with her.
The heatwave that had tortured the citizens of Seoul the past weeks had mercy on them today, fading to a comfortable twenty degrees and cloudy summer skies. She'd have never thought that she'd feel chilly in this weather, but her body must've gotten used to high temperatures above thirty degrees. The detective slipped her arms into her black leather jacket once she stepped outside, gratefully taking in the fresh summer breeze.
It was incredible to be outside again.
The atmosphere in the apartment was always tense and the oppressing silence made it hard to breathe sometimes. Mei had always been one to get cabin fever rather easily and staying in a cramped space with nothing to do, but answering emails and sulking over her unrequited feelings, had made her restless. If it wasn't for the groceries, she'd have searched for another excuse to leave the stuffy building.
After dumping the trash next to the complex, Mei headed for the small convenience store on the other side of the street. She observed her surroundings for anything suspicious, but apart from a gaggle of grandmas discussing the best recipe for apple crumble rice cake and a few clerks, the shop was empty.
The detective dialed her partner's number while browsing the isles. She hadn't gotten a chance to update her on the situation without raising Seven's suspicion and was sure Kyu was already raising hell in the office in her absence. As soon as the woman picked up, Mei was bombarded with questions and rushed to answer all of them as in depth as possible.
" … so Rika and V ordered Seven to install the bomb to protect those documents."
"Why don't you lead with that part next time instead of coming up with excuses why you couldn't show up for work."
Occasionally, Mei got chills when Kyu spoke to her in that tone. It was strange that her cranky partner's wrath had such a profound effect on people, which is why she asked her coworkers one day if they had similar experiences. Haneul and Min-Jun claimed that they had, but she had to discount their testimonies by default since they were scaredy cats. The interns experienced it regularly, however, they were afraid of toppling paper towers, so she couldn't really take them seriously. In conclusion, her evidence on the subject was inconclusive.
"Anyways, how are you feeling?"
Mei didn't have any words to describe it, so instead, she let out a long, inhuman sounding groan.
"Alive. That's good," her childhood friend commented unsympathetically. "Did you tell them about the investigation?"
"Well … about that ..."
"Mei Cheon," her partner growled threateningly, "think carefully about your next words because next time you come into the office you might end up being strangled with a laptop cord."
The younger detective could picture the chilling smile her coworker was most likely wearing now perfectly and gulped at the mental image of the terrifying yet ridiculous newspaper article that would no doubt be written after her early death. She paused in front of the condiments while she organized her thoughts, absentmindedly reaching for a bottle of ketchup but quickly putting it back when she remembered that they already had three of those.
"Am I still doing the right thing?"
"Why do you ask?" Kyu muttered, obviously stressed out by this case. "It's not like you to doubt yourself."
Unknown's words echoed in her mind like a broken record, clinging to it like glue and digging up buried memories.
Don't you hate it when people lie to you?
"It feels wrong to keep investigating the RFA behind their backs," Mei admitted, throwing a box of cereal into her cart. "I hate lying to them and it makes me feel like a hypocrite."
"I know it's a lot to ask, but sometimes as detectives we have to be the bad guy to find the truth," Kyu replied, softening her tone. "Life doesn't always give you an easy way out and even if, it's usually the most selfish way."
"I know," Mei mumbled, fumbling with a pack of apples. "I just feel guilty for withholding information. They are good people and I'm pretty sure that apart from V, nobody is involved with Mint Eye. I don't have concrete proof, but judging by our conversations they are clueless."
"You're afraid they'll hate you when they find out, right?" Kyu let out a sigh on the other end of the line when she didn't respond. "Oh Mei ..."
She was in kindergarden when it happened for the first time.
One of her friends, an energetic girl with cute pigtails and a knack for trouble, got accused of stealing a teddy bear from another girl in their group. Her friend had always liked cars better than stuffed animals, but the other kids didn't believe her. With a stubborn frown on her lips, Mei had turned her friend's bag upside down and when its contents tumbled on the wooden floor there was no teddy to be found. Triumphantly, the tiny detective had waited well-deserved apology, but all she got was shocked stares. A quiet sniffle had snapped her attention back to her pig-tailed friend, who's big brown eyes were filled with tears.
Liar, she had cried, I though that you believed in me.
All of a sudden, little Mei had been the bad guy and she didn't understand why. It was because she had believed with all her heart that her friend was innocent that she was so confident about checking the bag to show the others the truth.
"Oh, Mei ..." Kyu's calm voice brought her back to reality. "I know most people are too stupid to appreciate it, but idiotically kind people like you are my favorite. You put others first, even if they hate you for it. If they don't understand that about you, then they aren't very good friends."
"Did you just call me an idiot?" Mei laughed, trying to blink the water in her eyes away. "That's so rude."
"I say something nice and this is the thanks I get?" Kyu huffed. "Nevermind, I'll call you once we have a search warrant. Don't do anything stupid, okay?"
"Aye, aye Sherlock." The younger detective mock-saluted, forgetting that her partner couldn't see her and quickly retracted her hand when one of the grandmas shot her a disapproving glare. "Don't kill the interns with your resting homicide face."
"No promises."
Mei had expected a lot of things when she arrived at the apartment half an hour later, but a frantic hacker, who had managed to turn the entire living room upside down, wasn't one of them. She had expected him to be sitting in the corner, ignoring her presence and brooding in silence. That's why the detective was so surprised to see a disheveled Seven pacing up and down the room like a caged tiger, the contents of his bag scattered across the carpet around him.
"Where were you?" He grasped her shoulders, panicked golden eyes pierced through her and searched her body for injuries. "I had to check CCTV on the hallway to see that you left. I didn't notice you were gone for forty-five minutes. What if something happened to you during that time?!"
"Calm down, Seven. I was at the convenience store across the street. Our fridge is seriously post-apocalyptic," Mei joked in an attempt to calm his nerves. When his eyes narrowed, filling with annoyance and disbelief at her carelessness, she pointed towards the couch. "I wrote you a note?"
"Are you doing this because you're angry that I'm ignoring you?" Seven accused, pinching the bridge of his nose. "If you wanted to go outside, you could've taken my headphones off and made me listen to you."
"Right," Mei muttered sarcastically, "I'll remember that. Don't you think you're overreacting?"
His contradicting mood swings were giving her whiplash, one moment he was telling her that he didn't care for her and the next he was throwing a fit because he was worried about her safety. It didn't make any sense.
"Overreacting? You do realize how dangerous our situation is, right? How could you leave on your own when you know that not only my agency but Mint Eye is after you?" Seven lectured her sternly, brows furrowed together as he stared into her eyes. "Some strange person could've been waiting outside to kidnap you."
"I know," Mei replied plainly, too stunned to say anything else.
Suddenly, the secret agent's face lit up, signaling that he came up with a doubtfully brilliant idea, which made her raise a curious eyebrow. "I should've put a GPS tracking device on your clothes. Oh … I brought a couple of them here."
Seven released her shoulders and rummaged through his half-empty bag for the trackers. It only took him a minute to find one in the chaos. "Give me your jacket later so I can attach it."
"No way, I'm not your dog or some child you need to babysit." Mei glared at him apprehensively and pulled her favorite leather jacket closer around herself to protect it. "Why do you even care?"
"I don't," Seven snapped back, "but as long as you are here with me, you're my responsibility. Don't confuse that with me caring about you."
"Why does it have to be this way?" Mei argued and a part of her wanted to slap herself for sounding so desperate. "You're not even giving me a chance."
"Don't waste that chance on a guy like me," he muttered morosely. "If you really care for me, then stay in this apartment and don't pay attention to me."
Mei balled her hands into fists. "I … I just want to be with you because I like you."
"I know," Seven borrowed her non-committal words from earlier, making them radiate sorrow. "But that's impossible. We can't be friends or family or … more. People who try to get close to me without knowing anything really tire me out. No matter how much you try, it's useless. The ending is already set for us."
"Why do you get to decide our future?"
"You're free to do whatever you want, but my thoughts won't change. There is no guarantee that something more dangerous won't happen in the future and being with a guy like me will only multiply your chances of being in danger. When this is over, we'll never see each other again. Stop wasting your emotions on me … I really don't deserve it."
"Then why are you protecting me in the first place if you're going to leave soon?" Mei cried passionately. "It's not like you care about me, right? You can just leave right now and get it over with."
"I can't! How are you going to stay safe on your own? Are you even thinking right now?" Seven shook his head in disbelief. "God, you can be such a happy-go-lucky idiot sometimes."
"Maybe we shouldn't argue about this right now," Mei suggested in an attempt to dance away from the elephant in the room. She wasn't sure how many more of his hard words she could take and she was tired of walking on eggshells. "I'm hungry."
"I ordered ham, egg and tuna sandwiches, so pick what you want." Seven, who was in the middle of collecting his stuff, froze mid-action once he noticed his slip-up. "I really … I really just wanted to eat all three types of sandwiches, so don't take it the wrong way."
Usually, the secret agent was excellent at coming up with excuses that weren't only believable but also very logical, however, this one in particular seemed a little fishy. Maybe it was due to the barely noticeable red tint on his cheeks, but Mei didn't buy this one. He did care in his own way, even if he was trying his best to hide it.
"Thanks," she said with a weak smile. "I'll take tuna."
For the first time in days, the silence between them was relatively comfortable as they took care of their tasks. Seven was cleaning up the living room and reorganizing his bag while Mei emptied the fridge of horrors and filled it with fresh food. She picked up the tuna sandwich from the kitchen counter before plopping on the comfy sofa for the second time that day.
Suddenly, her smartphone buzzed and she relished the last bite of her sandwich before picking it up, almost dropping it again when she saw who it was.
[V has entered the chatroom.]
MC: We've been trying to reach you for ages (´ヘ｀;)
V: Mei!
V: I'm so sorry for putting you in danger and I have something to tell everyone but
MC: You don't have good service so you gotta hurry before you lose connection? (눈_눈)
V: How did you … (꒪⌓꒪)
MC: It's always the first thing you say when you enter the chatroom.
V: I'm sorry. I guess it has been like this for a while (_ _|||)
"Seven," Mei yelled loud enough for him to hear through his headphones. He snapped his head towards her, waiting expectantly. "V is in the chatroom."
His eyes widened and he turned back to his laptop in a rush.
[707 has entered the chatroom.]
707: V!
V: Luciel, I called Jumin and he told me everything that happened.
707: Where the hell are you?
V: I've been in the mountains to take photographs.
707: When your eyes are like that?
V: That's not important right now.
707: Why did you call Jumin first? What about me?!
V: Remember the phone with the bug detector you gave me before I left?
707: Yeah.
V: The red light kept turning on when I tried to call you.
It sounded like a cheap excuse to Mei. V could've called called her to talk to Seven instead since they were stuck in the apartment together, but she didn't voice her opinion. Seven had been crystal clear about his trust in V and the detective knew he wouldn't budge on the topic.
707: What? For real?
MC: So the phone was bugged … but why? (≖͞_≖̥)
707: It's a possibility.
V: That's why I came here to talk to you.
707: I have questions.
V: Before that … I have a favor to ask, Luciel.
707: What?
V: About the classified information … it's a bit embarrassing actually.
V: The drawer holds personal letters, so please don't touch them.
Flexing her jaw in quiet irritation, she tried to keep her bubbling emotions in check. Mei was seriously starting to get angry at V and she wasn't sure whether it was for Seven's or her own sake.
MC: Are you doubting Seven?
V: No. I'm not.
707: Then what else?
707: Do you really think I would look at RFA's secret documents without your permission?
V: No, I was saying that out of caution.
MC: I get it. It's because I'm here.
MC: Don't worry, Seven already made it perfectly clear to me that he wouldn't open that drawer.
707: Mei …
V: No, it's not because of you either.
V: I don't wanna rehash things that are related to Rika. It will only hurt me more.
She took a deep breath to calm herself, the anger almost brought tears to her eyes. It took a lot of self-control to suppress the urge to scream at her phone and a part of her wanted nothing more than to reach through the screen to shake some sense into V.
MC: Hurt you?
MC: …
V: Mei, you understand how I feel right?
V: It must be the same for you when you look at pictures of your parents.
MC: No, I don't ... and it's not.
707: V! What in the world are you taking about?!
V: Luciel, I'm sorry if it sounded as if I can't trust you.
707: Why did you think I'd rummage through this apartment?
V: I was only trying to make you aware of it.
MC: Why?
V: I was just flustered that someone was in Rika's apartment.
MC: I've been here for weeks though?
MC: I don't get why you're flustered now (¬_¬)
707: Me neither.
V made a mistake by talking about those letters, that much was obvious from the way he was fumbling for a believable excuse. It was as though he wanted to dodge the hail of bullets that was coming at him, but instead he walked right into them and it wasn't his poor eyesight's fault.
707: You're really weird right now.
707: I didn't want to doubt you because I believe in you.
707: But you're suspecting me first … that's what's strange.
V: I don't doubt you.
707: I've been waiting to talk to you all this time, but you just …
707: Came here because you were NERVOUS that I'd stop the special security system AND READ THE SECRET DOCUMENTS?!
V: That's a misunderstanding. I made a mistake.
707: YOU NEVER MAKE MISTAKES.
V: I make mistakes too, Luciel. Why won't you let me explain?
MC: STOP IT! I'VE HAD ENOUGH!
It took her a while to type her next words because her hands were shaking so hard. Even after everything that just happened, she really thought they needed to hear V's side of the story before condemning him, but having said that, he was trying to hide something in that drawer and she was determined to find out what that was.
V: …
707: Mei ...
MC: You two need to calm down or you'll start to say things you'll regret later.
MC: I want to hear V's explanation and it better be a good one.
V: Thanks, Mei.
MC: I didn't do it for you.
V: Luciel, think about everything we've been through. Do you really think the RFA's safety isn't my top priority?
V: I know you're mad at me, but whatever you're misunderstanding … I'll go and take care of everything.
Those empty words weren't even close to a explanation. He basically didn't say anything, apart from trying to win Seven back over. The detective hadn't pegged him to have such a manipulative side.
MC: Take care of what? (눈_눈)
707: Before you go, there is something I have to ask.
707: Is Saeran included in that 'everything' you just mentioned?!
V: What?
707: Answer the question.
V: Why are you suddenly bringing up that name?
707: Don't pretend like you don't know.
707: Do you know where Saeran is and what he is doing right now?
V: We decided not to talk about that.
V: You know that everyone can read this, so lets talk face to face when I get back.
707: No, I don't want to.
707: Don't run away and say it here!
V: Don't be like this.
707: I saw Saeran with my own eyes. Explain why he was like that.
V: You must have seen wrong.
MC: No, he definitely didn't see wrong.
MC: Even I could tell who he was just by looking at him. It was definitely Saeran.
707: The filthy hacking jobs that I do …
707: Why is he doing it when you were supposed to protect him?
Oh … that's why Seven was so furious. Mei still wasn't on board with his blind trust in V, but it was really admirable of him to put so much faith in the person who was most likely the one who betrayed it. She would never have been able to do that.
707: Tell me what you know V.
707: EXPLAIN!
707: Please, say something so I can trust you again and get Saeran back.
707: Please.
V: Luciel
V: I don't have good service right now.
V: Later I'll
[V has left the chatroom.]
MC: …
MC: After all that, he didn't explain anything.
MC: Do you really think he lost service?
707: I don't know.
707: I don't care if he did or just wanted to avoid me.
707: Since I don't trust V anymore.
MC: I'm so sorry …
[707 has left the chatroom.]
MC: I'm so tired of all these secrets.
[MC has left the chatroom.]
Mei pushed her phone aside, a cocktail of emotions that she was afraid to decipher brewing in her stomach. She had never been one to tell someone 'I-told-you-so', but the words hung heavily in the air between them. In that moment, the detective would give everything to be wrong about V.
There was no sound of rhythmic typing, no muffled electronic music, no movements at all. All she could hear were his heavy breaths and all she could see were his slightly shaking shoulders. Her heart was aching for him and she wanted nothing more than to hold him close until the pain went away.
"God Seven, God Seven! I automatically turn on when I sense depression. Cheer up meow," Meowy chirped optimistically in its high-pitched robotic voice. "There is no need to be sad when you're with the person you like meow."
"Shut up!" Seven yelled and grabbed his own creation, turning it over in his hands to find the off switch. "Dammit!"
He grew more agitated by the minute as the robot spewed an impressive variety of motivational lines. The detective could tell he had enough when his lips formed an angry frown, gripping the robot as though he was trying to crush it with his bare hands. In a fit of rage, Seven forcefully drew back his arm and threw Meowy against the white, concrete wall where it crashed with a painful sounding crack.
Mei winced when it landed on the floor in a lifeless heap, electricity hissing as its blue eyes slowly lost their light. One of its cute ears had broken off the now decapitated head, metal circuits and cables were scattered around it and the orange ribbon that she adored lay on top of its body like a burial cloth.
"You broke it." She wasn't just talking about the robot and while she was hesitant to break the silence again, she simply had to ask, "Can we fix it?"
"I'll throw it away later." He didn't look at her when he spoke. "I'll be done with everything in a few hours and then I'll leave."
She flinched at the reminder of their limited time together. It was as though there was a huge hourglass looming over them and grain by grain, the sand was steadily and continuously falling to the lower half. There wasn't much sand left and she was afraid of what would happen when it ran out completely.
"Are you happy now?" Seven asked in a low and gravely tone, expression enveloped in shadows. "You were right about the drawer, about V and everything else. This is what you wanted right?"
The detective was at a complete loss for words and for a painful moment, she just stared at him in utter disbelief. She understood that he was hurting and that he needed to vent his anger, but that was no reason to lash out at her when all she wanted was to help.
"I'm not happy at all," she cried fiercely. "How can I be happy when you are hurt? I didn't want any of this to happen. Do you really think that badly of me?"
"Liar," Seven yelled and the disgust in his voice cut straight to her heart. A cruel smile stretched his lips as the hateful word echoed off the walls of the apartment, ringing painfully in her ears. "You never trusted any of us in the first place, so it must feel really good to know your doubt was justified."
"H-how could you say t-that?" Mei was trembling and tears she didn't want to cry rolled down her cheeks. "If you really think that I'm that kind of person, then maybe you were right … and we shouldn't be t-together."
As soon as the words left her trembling lips, an involuntary sob escaped her throat and she quickly clamped a hand over her mouth to muffle it. She didn't want to break down in front of him. Not now. She was stronger than that.
"M-mei … wait … I didn't—"
She clamped her hands over her ears and shook her head violently. She didn't want to hear it, she couldn't. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw him carefully reach out a hand towards her as though he was approaching a wounded animal that would claw at him if he made a wrong move.
Usually, the detective would always choose the fight over the flight response, but she couldn't stand to look at him right now. She still loved him so much. Seven made her weak in ways she was utterly unfamiliar with and that truly terrified her. If she stayed to talk to him, it would only take a few kind words and a stuttered apology to make her forgive him again.
It wasn't fair.
In a mix of desperation and determination, Mei bolted towards the bathroom door, ripped it open and threw it shut behind her in one fluid movement before he could even take a step. Shivers ran down her spine in waves, signaling the beginning of a mental breakdown, and she reminded herself to take deep breaths when her shaking fingers slipped repeatedly from the key in the door.
Once the brunette had finally locked herself in, she sank to the floor and quietly sobbed into her knees. Cold from the ceramic tiles beneath her was seeping through her jeans, simultaneously grounding her and making her shivers worse. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she had cried this much, but now that the dam was broken there was no stopping it.
Maybe, she had to stop opening her heart when all it lead to was getting hurt.
Hours had passed in an excruciatingly slow pace and while the waterworks still hadn't stopped, she had become well acquainted with the cold bathroom wall that her cheek was pressed up against. Its tiles were probably going to leave a red imprint on her skin, but she didn't care enough to move and continued to stare blankly at the underside of the washing basin in front of her.
Mei groaned when her phone vibrated insistently against her thigh, contributing to her pounding headache.
She had deliberately ignored whoever had been trying to reach her for the past twenty minutes, but apparently, they couldn't take a hint. Well, if they were trying so hard then maybe it was important. Muttering curses beneath her breath, the detective gave in and looked at the caller ID.
Zen?
It was rare for him to call her this late since he was very adamant about his beauty sleep and usually the first to go to bed. That alone was enough to spike her curiosity so she accepted the call, noticing too late that he was calling her via Facetime. Damn, she didn't want him to see her like this.
"Sorry for calling so late but I had to check on you," Zen explained worriedly. His white hair was an uncharacteristic mess and she could spot the beginning of his blue-patterned pajamas on the edges of the screen. "I just woke up from a nightmare. I know it sounds crazy, but Seven threw a strange looking cat and then you were suddenly crying by yourself and ..."
He trailed off once he noticed her appearance. She didn't need a mirror to know that she looked terrible, but judging by his shocked expression it must've been worse than she thought.
"Oh Mei," Zen said softly before his voice took on a disapproving tone. "What did that idiot do?"
His gentle concern for her brought on a fresh wave of tears and she didn't bother hiding them this time. The detective was convinced Zen had psychic abilities because not only did nobody have such perfect timing, but he also always knew what to say to get her to crack.
Maybe it was his silent encouragement, reminding her of a protective older brother, that made her tell him everything that happened between Seven and her, but it felt like weight was lifted of her chest once she finished. The tears finally stopped and her head became clearer, calmer.
"Seven needs someone," Mei said quietly, leaving the words hanging between them for a moment, " ... but maybe that's not me."
On the other side of the screen, Zen closed his crimson eyes as though he couldn't stand the wistful sadness in her voice. She smiled ruefully in response, realizing how much her words sounded like giving up. However, behind all the teasing and laughter, between compassionate speeches and energetic smiles, Mei was a sensible woman at heart. If Seven really didn't like her, she wouldn't force herself into his life.
"Hey, don't say that." Zen persisted, the waver in his voice betraying his helplessness. "Seven needs you. He's just terrible at showing it. I've known him for a long time, but this is the first time I've seen him so head over heels for a girl. Who cares if it's the right time or not? Make him listen, be honest and don't spare his feelings."
"I don't know if I can," Mei admitted shyly, "and I don't think he wants to talk to me right now."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes … but I'm afraid that we'll fight again," she whispered dejectedly, "I can't take it anymore. It hurts too much."
"I never thought you were a coward," Zen said provocatively and Mei looked offended. "What's worse: trying and failing or doing nothing and wondering forever?"
"You sound like a fortune cookie," she complained and let out heavy sigh. "He won't listen to me."
"Seven is not great with people, especially with people he cares about. Try to be patient with him ... as hard as that is right now," the musical actor advised sagely, "I swear, you'll regret it if you don't try."
"Okay," she agreed warily, "but if he ends up hating me even more I'm blaming you."
"I expected nothing less." Zen laughed, but stopped abruptly when a new thought entered his mind. "Did he do anything weird to you while you were alone together?"
"Not really." Mei shrugged, secretly amused by his over-protectiveness. "Sometimes he stares at me but when I look back he pretends as if nothing happened. I think he's angry at me."
"No, he's not angry at you," the actor explained, "He tries to hide it, but he's just a man after all. Those are longing glances, Mei."
She raised a dubious eyebrow. "How do you know that when you aren't even here to see it?"
"I know because he looked at you that way during the party," Zen replied and smiled slyly when he spotted her blush. "Also, Jaehee has confirmed that he has been sneaking glances at you during the cat's disappearance."
"You're all delusional," Mei protested, fighting against the warmth in her cheeks. "He's not interested."
"Believe what you want, but I know the truth." Zen ginned cheekily and waggled his eyebrows. "That said, if he does anything inappropriate to you I'll beat him up. I don't even care if you arrest me afterwards. Maybe I'll even find myself a prison wife."
"Prison isn't as cozy as you think it is," the detective warned him playfully. "Have you seen Orange is the New Black?"
"If it's to defend your honor, I'd sacrifice myself gladly." Zen winked at her, making her roll her blue eyes. "Besides, Jumin will probably bail me out within a day, so I'll be fine. Now, quit stalling and talk to him before he leaves."
Mei pouted stubbornly, disliking his talent to see through her so easily. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything, just cry. Tears make men weak."
She studied his handsome face for any sign that he was joking, but he was completely serious.
"Great," Mei grumbled sarcastically, "I guess I'm well prepared then."
"Everything will be alright," Zen reassured her kindly. "Trust me."
Yawning an exhausted good night at her, the musical actor left her to her own devices, but she didn't move despite her promises. Deciding that she wasn't ready to face Seven yet, especially looking the way she did, Mei ignored her aching muscles and clumsily stumbled towards the mirror above the washing basin.
Holy crap, she could totally pass as a zombie.
Luckily, she hadn't had her mascara with her because she'd definitely be sporting panda eyes now. The brunette splashed her puffy face with cold water, hoping it would reduce the redness of her skin to semi-presentable levels and brushed her tangled hair with her fingers. Once she was satisfied with her work, she unzipped her summer boots and changed the bandages on her feet. The cuts were healing nicely since they hadn't been very deep and while it was still uncomfortable to walk at times, she estimated that the majority of the healing process would be over in two days.
Her phone buzzed loudly, ripping her from her thoughts. Mei wasn't sure how, but somehow she knew it was Seven this time.
707: Mei … why are you still up?
707: And why are you still in that bathroom?
MC: I was thinking about what you said to me earlier.
707: I must have hurt your feelings.
707: There is something I want you to know before I leave.
707: You were right about doubting V and
MC: Stop it. It's not like I wanted to be right about that.
707: I know. I'm sorry.
707: I just wanted to say goodbye to you properly.
707: ...
707: Please come out, meow?
Reluctantly, Mei made her way to the door that separated them and slowly turned the key. She wasn't surprised to find him standing right behind it with his duffel bag slung over one shoulder, studying her appearance attentively behind his favorite pair of striped glasses. His facial expression was as unreadable as ever, but something about the way he stood extruded guilt and loneliness.
"The special security system is stable and I've changed the messenger's algorhithm," Seven began, sounding emotionally detached, although the nervous twitch of his hands betrayed his uncertainty. "You're safe now, which means it's time for me to go."
"Please don't leave," she pleaded in a small voice and took a step forward. "You don't have to do this. I know you may not wanna hear this right now, but you're being kind of one sided. Just because V betrayed your trust doesn't mean you have to cut everyone else out of your life."
"Why can't you just listen to me for once?" He didn't sound angry, just tired. "If you get hurt again … Then I'll …"
"No, I always listen to you." Mei declared confidently, regaining some of her earlier fire. "Now you listen to me!"
If Seven was shocked by her boldness, he didn't let it show because after only a brief shake of his head, he had already turned his back to her and was heading towards the exit. No, she wouldn't let it end like this. She wouldn't spent her life wondering what could've been and regretting not taking action. It was time to bite the bullet and take Zen's advice.
It was time to stop being a coward.
Mei took three steps after him and once she was close enough, she flung her arms around his broad frame and knotted her fingers in the smooth fabric of his red shirt. He stiffened at the unexpected contact and let out an almost inaudible gasp, but made no move to shake her off, which was hopefully a good omen. While he waited for her to speak, the woman marveled at how warm and soft his back felt against her cheek. The thought that this might be the last time she'd ever feel it made her chest tighten with emotion.
"I don't expect you to return my feelings … but I can't stand the way you're acting right now," Mei told him calmly. "All I want is for you to be happy. It hurts to see you like this, so please, don't just give up on everything and throw your friends away like that. Even if you don't want anything to do with me, I know you love them and they love you just as much."
Patient yet anxious, she closed her eyes while she waited for him to process her words and pressed her forehead against his back, hoping the gesture would soothe him. His arms had started to tremble and she could tell he was trying to keep from showing how much her words affected him.
"Honestly, I've never expected much from life since mine was wrong from the beginning. When I gave up on wanting happiness for myself and decided to become a secret agent, I did so without any regrets. I knew what I was getting myself into and even if I only did it to save my brother that doesn't erase the fact that I'm part of that dark world." Seven took a shuddering breath. "The things I did … I don't deserve any of this. I don't deserve you, Mei."
She shook her head against his back in disagreement, holding him closer to her.
"You always do so much for everyone around you without expecting anything in return. It's not … right to put yourself last all the time," Mei protested hoarsely, "You deserve to have your own needs, you deserve to smile everyday just like everyone else. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way."
"You shouldn't worry so much about me," Seven said gently, one of his large hands covering hers. "I'm fine as long as you are happy and safe. That's all I want and all that's important. I don't want anything else."
"How can you expect your friends to be happy when you're not? I can't be happy knowing you're suffering by yourself," Mei declared passionately while her eyes grew watery again. "If you really want everyone to be happy, then you need to take care of yourself, too."
Seven sighed heavily before he suddenly turned around in her arms and she was stunned to see tears gathering at the corners of his eyes behind the windows of his glasses. Inch by inch, the draw bridge to his lonely castle was lowering. One of his hands moved up to cup her face, wiping a stay teardrop away with his thumb, and her heart almost leaped out of her chest. His fingers lingered against her skin, leaving a trail of warmth that sent tingles down her spine.
"Why … why are you doing this to me?" Seven demanded in a mix of desperation and wonder. "Why aren't you getting hurt and abandon me? I couldn't even protect my brother and now I have to leave the person that I love … My life is good for nothing. I don't want to involve you in that."
"I like you just the way you are, regardless of how complicated your life is. However, if leaving is truly what you want to do—not have to do—then I'll let you go, so please tell me the truth this time." Realizing that she had his full attention, she gave him a weak smile before asking the question that burned on her tongue. "What do you really want to do?"
After everything, Seven was the one who had to take the final step. Mei wasn't okay with his self-sacrificing standpoints but no matter how much she protested, he had the right to make his own decisions.
"I … I …" Seven frowned and closed his eyes as he visibly struggled with himself, fighting an inner battle that she wasn't a part of. One side must've won because he slowly leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers in defeat. "I ... want to be with you."
Mei was accustomed to his joking remarks, the affectionate mocking and even the cold attitude he used to hide his real feelings with. That was why his quiet honesty caught her so off guard, leaving her a blushing mess under his observant golden gaze. All the uncertainty and pail had melted away as an incomparable feeling of bliss spread though her entire body.
"G-good," she stuttered, shyly gazing up into his handsome features from beneath her lashes. "Then stay."
Seven shook his head, but instead of pulling away like she expected him to, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her even closer to him. He buried his head in her chocolate hair while she hid her face in his muscled chest, drawing comfort from his warmth and the familiar smell that made her feel so safe.
"You're impossible," he mumbled into the crown of her head. "If you change your mind, let me know because it'll be too late to regret it later."
In response to his own words, he tightened his hold on her, betraying the fact that he really didn't want her to leave him at all. Cheeks burning, she smiled into his shirt and closed her tired eyes. He was so warm.
"I won't," Mei said stubbornly, which made his chest vibrate with amused chuckles. Whatever the future held for them, they would face it together. "I'd never regret being with the person I like."
"Damn, you really shouldn't be saying that so easily," Seven complained, embarrassed. "After everything I said to you, you should be hating me."
"I know."
They didn't know how long they stayed in that position, it could've been hours or a few minutes, but neither of them cared. Her heart pounded steadily in her chest and when she tilted her head to the side, she could hear his too. Mei had never felt so content, so at peace. It was a cheesy thought but if she could, she'd stay in his arms forever.
After a long day, the last grain of sand landed neatly at the bottom of the hourglass, however, it didn't signal the end of their time together but the beginning.
To Be Continued ...