"It was some time ago, years one could say… It was my first time going through all this… this is my tenth time now…"
"I'll… tell it from the beginning, so you can understand the full story, my experience at Mint Eye and Saeran, who I knew as Snow back then"
A warm breeze blew against light skin as a man stepped up to a tall apartment building. Muttering the address to himself he scrolled up through a conversation "Think this is the place…"
Having scrolled up too far, he saw the picture of a man again, bright green eyes staring at him while purple-gray hair blew in the wind.
Tilting his head to the side the man bit his lip for a moment, the guy in the picture was cute… Quickly shaking his head he threw the thought away and pushed the phone into his pants pocket.
"Jesus Mel… nearly 5 months without a date is making you desperate…" Continuing to mumble to himself he started walking inside the apartment building "Desperate to the point of finding creepy unknown guys attractive"
Stuffing his hands into the pockets of his sweater he tried to act as casual as possible, feeling a bit nervous even though he was just here to return a phone… which he didn't even have…
Mentally smacking himself to death, Mel continued towards where an employee told him the elevator was, maybe this unknown guy would give him his details to leave the owner. He hoped that was the case…
Pressing the elevators call button, he waited for it too arrive.
Checking behind himself, to the clear glass door leading outside, he sincerely hoped this would be worth the trouble, having to bail on his friends and help return someone's lost phone instead of going to the movies.
Checking back on the elevator, it still hadn't arrived…
He still had time, he could just turn around and leave, tell the unknown guy to find someone else and go about his normal life…
But he didn't, as much as he didn't want to stay, he wanted to stay. For some reason, it left like helping this guy was important.
DING!
Turning back to elevator, Mel spotted someone else standing inside it, against one of the back corners. Mel couldn't see much of the man as he had a large leather jacket on, hood pulled up, the created shadow covering his face.
Not think much of him, besides the man being a bit weird, he stepped into the elevator, going to the opposite corner than the jacket man.
Sighing, he rested his back against the metal railing of the car. But, he noticed the button panel wasn't on his side, it was in front of the jacketed man.
And not getting a good feeling from the man, he cleared his throat "Excuse me…" The mans head turned to him slightly, still no part of his face visible "Could you press floor 14 please?"
As the man stood straight, Mel could practically feel the eye roll the man most likely gave him. He leaned against the railing once more after pressing the button for the 14th floor, now illuminates with a yellow light.
After what felt like ages inside the elevator door dinged and opened once more, the number 14 on the display panel overhead. With the doors open, Mel slipped out as fast as he could, the jacketed mans presence definitely not sitting right with him…
Repeating the apartments number to himself he searched down the two hallways, finding almost every number except the one he was looking for.
Finally, after another minute of searching, he found the residence. A white door different from the others stood in front of him.
Installed with the door knob was a silver colored lock, a number pad to go with it for a passcode maybe?
Ping!
His phone vibrated once in his pocket. Taking it out he checked it, a message from this unknown guy again.
Unknown: Are you there? You don't see anything strange, right? ^^
Unknown: Is there a password lock on the door?
Recoiling, Mel stared at his phone in confusion, how would this guy have known there was a password lock on the door?
Looking around, he saw nothing out of the ordinary from any other apartment building, no obvious cameras. It was possible the guy had been here before but… he asked about the password lock like he was seeking confirmation…
Taking a chance, he started to type a reply
MC: No… there's no padlock
Unknown: That's strange
Unknown: There's really nothing there?
Unknown: There's nothing to put this password into?
Glancing up at the password lock, he felt something begin to rise within him, uncertainty? Fear? He didn't know.
He started to a reply.
MC: There is…
Holding his finger over the 'Send' button, he hesitated.
He erased the message.
MC: There's nothing here
Unknown: …
Unknown:Are you sure?
As his fingers hovered over the digital keyboard on his phone, he felt that uncertain feeling grow. A seed of regret began to sprout in his mind, maybe he shouldn't be lying to this unknown man…
MC: Yes
Turning down to his phone, he stared at it in horror. He didn't mean to send that, he didn't even remember tying that!
Before he could rectify the mistake, unknown sent him more messages, a darker tone to them. Each one sending more dread into him.
Unknown: Really? That's strange…
Unknown: I see with my own eyes…
Unknown: That you are standing in front of password door lock
Unknown: Are you going to continue lying to me?
"What the hell?!" Mel nearly dropped his phone once he finished reading, only just managing to keep hold of it.
MC: What the hell do you mean you see me?!
Unknown: Haha… yes
Unknown: I guess that's it then
Unknown: Plan failed
A second after the final message was sent, a sigh came from the hallway, footsteps following it.
Turning around, towards the corner the elevator was around, someone was stood there now, blocking the only way out.
A man with white hair, tips dyed pink, stood in the hallway, arms crossed over his chest.
"You're the guy from the elevator!" He remembered the black leather jacket the man was wearing. Stepping back, he clutched his phone close to him.
"I am, seems you do have some working brain in there, sadly, the plan failed… looks like I'll have to find someone else, what a pain…" The man sighed through the black cloth that resided over his face.
Mel looked past him, up at one of the security cameras. The man noticed he wasn't being looked at directly, he chuckled as he responded "You don't have to worry about those catching us… I've already dealt with those… He can't see me now…"
Mel took another step back as Unknown hummed in thought.
"What… do you want, I just came here to return a phone…"
The man ignored him "You'll have to come with me…"
Glaring at the man, Mel stood straighter "I'm not going anywhere with you"
Making a 'tsk' sound he shook his head, his mint eyes never leaving Mel's body as he did "You don't have a choice in the matter… my Savior has had her eyes on you for quiet a while"
Mel felt himself shutter and the mans mint eyes observed him, looking him up and down.
"He has an assistant… maybe I should have one as well… I have just the suit for you, you'll look quiet cute in it as well… that's right… come here…" Even though he was wearing that cloth, Mel could see the creepy smirk he wore through it.
Putting his phone away, he balled his hands and raised them, ready to defend himself, his glare kept on the unknown man "I said I'm not going anywhere with you"
The man chuckled, only adding to his fight or flight, his urge of 'flight' raising more than his 'fight'. His kept his muscles tense, waiting for the man to try and grab him or any sudden movements.
With a slow hand, the man put a hand into the pocket of his jacket.
"I'd prefer to do this peacefully and quietly… though I'm willing to get my hands… dirty, if I need to" Pulling his hand out the jacket pocket, he was holding something, a gun, finger on the trigger.
"I'm not authorized to kill but… a shot to the leg or arm would surely make this easier for me…" Holding the gun halfway out of its pocket, he watched, amused, as Mel stared at it "So, do you want to be loud and reckless, lose a leg maybe, or come with me quietly?"
Mel felt his breath hitch as he stared at the weapon. Even running as fast as he could, he wouldn't be able to get to the man quick enough before getting shot.
He had no choice…
Slowly lowering his arms, bringing his legs together to stand neutral. The man raised his head high in a show of dominance, a smirk plastered on his face under the mask.
"Was that so hard now?" Mel kept quiet, his hard glare digging into the mans eyes.
"Now, come to me, I'll treat you good~"
Sighing, he stepped forward, fists held together in anger as he advanced.
"That's right… you'll love it, in paradise…"
So much for helping someone.
"He threatened you with a gun?!" Seven gripped MCs hands as he stared at the other male in horror "Wait… wait wait wait… you were here, at the apartment building, standing where we are sitting… how? You only came here nine days ago"
MC bit his lip and looked down at the floor, he had expected that question "Time is weird with this story… 11 years ago today I was at Mint Eye, but I came here 9 days ago, I was the same age I am now when I was at Mint Eye, 21" MC chuckled softly "Confusing, right? I'll explain the aspect of time later, if you don't mind…"
Clearing his throat MC continued his story.
"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be when I first got there, Mint Eye, was much neater than I thought, when he drove me there I imagined it being some run of the mill cult, drugs and grim everywhere you turn… but it wasn't like that at all… every hall was clean to where I nearly slipped on the waxed floors a couple of times, flowers were set up under each window, every hall decorated with a different type"
"As I said before, I was now his assistant, a few days ago I told Jaehee I knew the torture of being an assistant because I was one once… this is what I was talking about, anyways… Saeran tried to teach me to hack at first, it didn't end well… I always messed up the code at some point, don't remember much of what he taught me anymore, but it did help improve my typing speed!" He drummed his fingers on Sevens knuckles to show his speed.
"When I said I was a believer of Mint Eye, that was kind of a lie… I was a… resident, that's what the other believers called me"
"A147, what is it? Can't you see I'm busy at the moment?" The man with white hair looked up from his computer and turned to a woman in a blue cloak, hood not pulled up over her head.
"I'm sorry to bother you Mr. Saeran, but… a couple of the other believers have been spreading rumors about you and the… resident"
He raised a brow "What are they saying?"
"They say… that you are not having him perform the Ceremony of Salvation for reasons to go against the Savior, selfish reason such as greed or unsavory lust, things that aren't not allowed in paradise"
The man growled under his breath as he glared at the woman, not angry with her exactly, but with what she said.
"I'm busy right now, tell this to one of the officers, say who said it and they will deal with them" The woman nodded and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her.
"My reasons for not performing the ceremony are my own business… There's no need to get the Savior involved with this just now if I say I'm still training him…"
Hearing a chair squeak, he turned to the noise, Mel, the 'resident' in question, sat on a wheelie chair, hands in his lap, beside the man.
"… Mel, MC…" The brunette hummed in attention
"Yes boss?"
"Go to your room… training's done for the day… I'll be here"
Mel looked at him concerned "Are you sure?"
The man glared at him as he ran a hand through his hair "Just because I'm being 'nicer' to you, doesn't mean you get to talk back to me, now go"
Mel left.
"I had my own room, it was fancy too, even if under constant watch by the guards outside the door, it… was nice there, even if Saeran was tough on me in the early days, if I was ill or hurt, he never forced me to work, after a couple months of being there, he actually started taking care of me during those times, bringing me warm foods, water"
"He always pushed back that 'Ceremony of Salvation', always coming up with reasons as to why it couldn't be held then…"
Looking MC over, a curious question formed in Sevens mind "You're here now… can I ask how you left? If the security was as tight as you said"
Seven watched as MC chuckled, a small smile coming over his face, albeit it looked forced "That's a funny story actually…" His smile dropped as he looked away, an odd look replacing it.
Taking a deep breath MC held Sevens hands tighter to stop his own from shaking "Despite how… nice it was there, I knew I didn't belong there, I always felt as though parts of myself were missing, I was going mad there… my mind always went to what would have happened if I didn't lie to Snow, if I got into Rika's apartment…"
"The feeling of not belonging, the believers who said I didn't belong and should go before I corrupted their paradise, hurt me for not leaving. With the mind set that I messed up my life, my destiny by going there with him… against the feelings of care I was shown as other believers tended to me, were my friends with Snow showing more of himself to me, told me about himself and his interests… those conflicting feelings of care and hurt and confusion… that drove me to s- escape…"
"My first attempt to escape was… unsuccessful, I was caught and brought back…" he chuckled so emptily it made Seven shiver "How I tried to leave wasn't even that sure-fire in the first place"
Memories of being carried through the pristine halls surfaced, a man carrying an injured, unconscious Mel, running somewhere, angry tears falling from the man with white hair onto him…
"My second attempt… I didn't make the same mistake… I left through ways I wouldn't be caught…" MC closed his eyes, feeling tears reforming "I must have made Snow so sad…"
Memories repeated. A small room, door locked, windows covered, standing shakily. Gun. In. Hand.
Seven released MCs hand and put a hand on his face, concerned as to why he was crying "MC… I didn't mean to make you cry again… let's stop talking about this, alright?"
MC nodded and wiped at his eyes, pushing his glasses up as he cleared the tears "Alright, I'm fine also… I've had 11 years to think about it and… I don't regret leaving Mint Eye, I got to meet the RFA because of it!" He gave a big smile, genuine, at mentioning his friends "And when we save Saeran, there will be nothing to regret over either!"
At that, Seven smiled and gave a determined nod.
They would save Saeran, and then everything would be alright.
Silence lingered in a large room, sunlight shining just enough through the windows to bring the ambient glow of civil twilight.
A mint eyed man sat on the floor in the middle of the room, kneeling towards an elevated platform that held a tent colored the same as the mans eyes, a throne inside of it.
The man had been waiting there for nearly 10 minutes and had considered leaving, returning at a later time, when the sound of a door opening met his ears, the click of heels started shortly after.
Keeping his head down waiting until the clicking stopped, of which it did moments later.
"Saeran, you're here… and in your robe, do you have news for me?" A women's voice asked as it stopped in front of him.
Saeran raised his head, neck pressing against the hood of the robe he was wearing. A black material covered his body, reaching from his feet to his neck, something all the believers of Mint Eye wore. Although his was different from the others, while theirs was two pieces that had to be slid on and off like a hoddie, his was separated down the middle, able to be put on and removed like a jacket. He preferred this style more, given how often he swopped clothing.
"My Savior" He started, eyes refusing to meet the women's green ones "I do come with something to tell you, it is about Mel- I mean… the man who is to be the Prince of Paradise as you wished it"
The woman nodded and gestured for him to raise, so he did.
Following her out of the large room, she led him to a side room, a table and chairs in the middle. With a click in her step, she sauntered to the far end, pulling a chair before sitting in it. Saeran followed her into the room, sitting on the opposite end of the oblong table.
"Tell me about him, how is he doing here?" She paused for a moment "I am to assume he is here, correct? Am I safe in my assumption?"
"My Savior… You know I left to retrieve him yesterday without your consent… I apologise for not reporting what happened, sooner" He bowed his head, eyes closed as he stared at the detail in the carved wooden table.
"An apology is not necessary Saeran, you know I will forgive you always, but forgiveness is not what you came here for, tell me about him" Her tone became sharper at the end of her speech. If anyone else from the castle had been there the tone would have made them flinch in respected fear of their savior, but Saeran sat through it without moving a muscle.
"Right…" He lifted his head to meet his Saviors gaze "I failed to bring back Mel-Cali, the RFAs hacker took back the apartments security system" Saeran balled his hands into his robe under the table in anger "He was there, he interrupted us…"
"Him, all of the RFA corrupted him… he refuses to embrace Mint Eye because of them, they corrupted him with their false promises of friendship and happiness… he had even fallen for the hacker there… even though he remembers me…" A wave of sadness came over him as he uttered the last sentence, before being consumed once more by a tsunami of hatred for his brother.
"'Remember'?" The woman recited the word, an eyebrow raised in curiosity as she did.
"Oh… that means nothing… please ignore that…" Saeran fumbled over his words as he tried to gloss over his mistake.
The woman nodded, a gleam in eye as they met Saeran's "Alright, I trust your word…" Turning her head, blonde hair falling over her shoulder, she looked to a painting.
Several hearts sat upon a granite colored background, each of their own unique and specific color. A shining Emerald heart sat in the bottom middle of the page, a Ruby and Diamond colored hearts on the left and right respectively, above those three were hearts the color of Amethyst and Topaz gemstones.
On either side of those were a Sapphire and Pink Tourmaline of the same shapes. Behind all seven painted rocks was a larger, although blurry, Fire Agate heart, encompassing all in front of it.
The woman remembered the painting, she was given it by a person who claimed to be a fortune teller, saying it told the future of those close to her…
She was able to connect each of the gemstones to someone she knew, each color fitting perfectly to the personality of them. Only she could not tell who the Fire Agate, the brown heart went to… she had a feeling she would find out soon though.
"As for the other things you spoke of-" She turned back to Saeran who also had had found himself lost in the art on the walls, her voice catching his attention, bringing it back to her "-I feel that they are not things to worry about. You were unable to bring him to us," the words made Saeran flinch, but she continued talking "but that does not mean he will not come to us… they will be looking for you-" she smiled sweetly "-so they will come here, to find you"
"Savior, there's no way you'd do this to me… You're the one who saved me. You're the first one who truly loved me…! You'd never betray me…!"
"No way you'd do this to me… but you've changed…"
"Ever since that man came…!"
A white blur shifted forward, distressed, a smaller, gray blur moved next to it.
"…"
"This is all because of you… It's all because of you… that this is happened to me!"
The voice screamed in anger, frustration and every other word that could describe pure rage.
The white mass raised the gray one, the unknown object pointed at a still blue blur when it settled.
"NO!"
A sudden brown mass appeared in the scene, moving fast towards the blue one. As it was by its target-
BANG!
The brown blur began to dim, to a grayer and grayer hue.
The noise filled MCs head, ringing his ears with pain, jolting him up.
Unfortunately, the sudden movement tettered him close to off the edge of the bed, and in a sleep but alert state, he wound up stumbling and falling off. His face meeting the tiled floor with a loud thud and groan of pain.
"Are you alright over there?" Someone asked, footsteps following the question.
Using his hands to prop himself up, MC turned his head towards the voice.
And in the living room, turned to face him, was Seven Zero Seven, hacker extraordinaire, hand over his mouth while trying to hold back a laugh.
"What's so funny? I fell" MC questioned, sleep lacing his voice as he attempted to pick himself up.
Seeing MCs slow attempt to stand, Seven laughed into his hand once more "It's how you fell that's funny…"
Saying that, he pointed a finger at MC who was still trying to get up. Half of the mans body was on the bed while the other half laid over the floor, his behind stayed with his legs on the bed, although sticking up above any other part of himself
Looking behind himself, MC saw how his body was. Scoffing, he gave his bum a little wiggle before sliding off the bed and standing up, stumbling as he did but luckily not falling again.
"Anyways, good afternoon sleepyhead, you slept for quiet a while, are you feeling alright?" Seven gave him a concerned gaze.
MC shook his head in response "Nah, just had…" he turned back to the bed, the messy blanket tossed all over the mattress, remembering the dream. It was the same one he a few days ago… "a surprising dream… it startled me"
Turning back to Seven, the smell of something cooking entered his nose, the smell of sizzling meat and sound of boiling water.
"You're cooking" MC announced, not as a question but fact, blue eyes finding their way to the kitchen where said ingredients were.
Seven chuckled once more, but this time in embarrassment, a hand finding a way to the back of his neck "Yeah… I supposed that if I want to protect the people I care about, I can't stay on the diet I am now for much longer, and…" Seven felt his cheeks redden, and despite the urge to turn away, he stared directly into MCs eyes "because I have someone here, right now, who was done so much for me… I want to give back that same care and love, even if it's in the form of a poorly cooked meal"
MCs eyes became softer as he looked at Seven "Luciel…" He addressed the red head in a hushed voice. Walking to Seven, he gently grabbed one of the hacker's hand and looked down at it "While I'm happy you're happy, I don't want you to feel like you have to do this right now, cook and all that, I want you to take this at whatever speed you're comfortable with"
Seven chimed in before MC could speak again "I am comfortable like this, it's what I've wanted to do since you first showed me your feelings, be the source of your smile, and if not the cause of it, I want to see it either way"
Thinking back to himself, MC stepped away and flimsily gestured towards his mouth, his lips was twitched upwards "Well you were successful"
Watching MC chuckle, Seven smiled triumphantly "Great! One down, a lifetime to go!"
MC shook his head fondly "You're impossible…"
Accepting that fact, Seven turned and went back to the kitchen, determined to continue cooking… as best he could.
After reached back and retrieving his glasses, placing them soundly on his face, he retreated to the couch, sitting, he brought his legs up, bent to rest beside him. He was content just watching Seven cook, the sight being quiet amusing, it seemed the red head had little to no experience cooking.
He watched as Seven fumbled to contain the water as it began to bubble over the pot, some splashing over onto his black sweater and hands, scolding him slightly.
When MC had asked if he wanted some assistance, Seven responded by picking up and flinging a dry spaghetti nodded at him, the projectile missing him by a few inches and saying he had it.
He didn't have it.
Only two minutes later did smoke start raising from the stove, serving as a reminder to Seven that he had forgotten to check on the soup concoction he had set to cook, leaving it burnt.
The two were now both sitting on the couch, bowls of spaghetti noodles with butter in hand after the red head, in a defeated tone, asked for help.
"Putting the fact you're not the best cook aside-" Seven pouted at the comment as he shoveled another forkful of noddle's into his mouth "-I'm happy and surprised you've been in such a good mood the past little while, considering…" MC looked past Seven, who was sitting to his right, and stared at the desk that held Rika's computer, one of the drawers were pulled out of the desk, files sprawled on the desks surface.
"Yeah… I am still trying to accept that Rika did at least have something to do with Mint Eye…" Mere hours ago Seven had announced he was going to open the drawers' V told him not to touch, finding files and blueprints pertaining to Mint Eye as he cracked it open.
"But I'm also trying to not let it get me down, there's been enough sad things in the RFA lately, so I want to try and stay positive"
Swallowing he last of the food in his bowl, MC set it to rest on the small table in front of his, a small clink as it was left "Speaking of the RFA, I feel like we haven't talked to them much lately, I miss them" MC frowned and closed his eyes, faking a sniffle as he did.
Nodding, Seven put his bowl of noodles down and picked up his phone "'Haven't talked to them much'? You're the one entering the chatroom whenever someone goes on, latest talk being between you, Zen and Jumin, before that me and Yoosung"
Shrugging MC watched Seven use his phone "I've said this before but, I'm glad you and Yoosung made up"
"Yeah… I didn't mean to hurt him like I did back then, but enough of that, it's in the- FINALLY it loaded!" Seven cut the conversation and went to navigating his app.
Feeling a buzz from a pocket, MC pulled out his phone and read the notification, a new chatroom had opened. Sneaking a glance at Seven he smiled a tiny bit, pressing the app and following into the chatroom.
707: Hmm
707: I wonder if he'll follow
MC has entered the chatroom
707: You did follow!
707: MC~ We're the only ones here lol
MC: Seems like it, oh!
MC: Can I say something embarrassing then? lolol
707: Don't
707: Do it
707: Don't
707: Do it
707: Confusion lololol
Jaehee has entered the chatroom
707: Jaehee's here
Jaehee: Luciel, hello
Jaehee: Hello as well MC
MC: Hi!
Jaehee: Aren't you two in the same room right now?
707: Yup
Jaehee: And going by the chatroom, you two were talking to each other, in the chatroom… why…?
MC: Because it's fun!
Seven stared at MC, the boy not noticing him. While the brunette had typed that message in the chatroom he had also said it in person, a small snicker added to it.
707: OMG, that was adorable
Jaehee: What was?
MC: ?
707: nothingnothing
707: Anyways, I have some important news that everyone should know
707: Um… It's a bit shocking but it must be said
MC: You're going to talk about what we discovered, right?
707: Yes
Jaehee: *Surprised emoji*
Jaehee: Is there more shocking news?
Jaehee: If there is the I'd like to hear it, please tell us
707: I opened the drawer V told me not to open
Jaehee: Please tell me there were only letters in there…
707: There were letters… but not the kind you're hoping for…
Seven posted a picture of papers set on a desk, many of the sprawled pages having the image of a mint and black eye.
Jaehee: What in the world…
MC: I was surprised when I saw it
707: You'd know if you saw but that email you received earlier…
707: And the logo of Mint Eye, there's several pages
Jaehee: Oh my god…
707: I also found blueprints for the Mint Eye HQ I've been looking into
Jaehee: What in the world…
Jaehee: How are they there?
MC: We don't know… I can only guess that Rika had a Secret
Jaehee: Rika…? There's no way…
707: We don't know… but there's something about Mint Eye we don't know about
707: And considering the situation
707: I think our only option is to act and find the truth
707: We were going to head over to the Mint Eye HQ,
707: But I plan to search through everything else in this room before we go
Jaehee: V said everything there in classified information…
707: All the more reason to look through it
707: Once I'm done, then we'll go to Mint Eye
Jaehee: You say 'we', MC is not going with you is he…?
MC: I will be
Jaehee: That's… I think MC should stay with us…
Jaehee: Mr. Han has impenetrable security, I'm sure he would not mind MC staying with him
MC: NO
MC: I mean…
MC: Uhm…
Seven glanced to MC curiously, when he saw the brunette, he was fidgeting with his phone, typing and erasing messages to send faster than he could hack.
He even seemed to be shaking tiny bit…
It made Seven wonder why MC was like this at Jaehee's suggestion to staying a few days with Jumin. Did Jumin do something to make MC uncomfortable at some point?
Luckily Jaehee's suggestion didn't matter that much, MC was going to be going with him… if… he wanted that is.
707: Thank you for the suggestion Jaehee, but…
707: Saeran knows where we are and where we're going
707: He'll trace us without a miss
707: Rather than hiding, he'd be safer going with me since I can avoid Saeran's eyes
MC: Uh… yeah… what Luciel said…
MC: I'd be… safer with him
Jaehee: I apologise for whatever I said to make you uncomfortable…
Jaehee: But, I'm getting quite scared Luciel
Jaehee: So much information has come to light such short time and now you both are going into the heart of our danger… I'm worried something bad might happen to you both
Jaehee: Why don't we all go there together after the party?
As Seven typed a response, he felt someone look at him for a brief moment, turning back to MC, he was tapping on his phone.
MC: Seven's already thought this through, please trust him when he says it's time to act
Reading the message off MCs phone, he looked up to the devices owner as he turned to face him, the blue-eyed man giving him a confident smile and nod, all previous signs of nervousness gone. Seven smiled back before returning to his own phone.
707: Thank you MC ^^
707: What I'm doing may seem very rash to you…
707: But I'm hurrying because I don't have a good feeling about it
707: When he talked about it with me, he seemed very… excited, think of that what you will but it makes be suspicious now
707: So I feel like… we should go before the party
Jaehee: I don't quite understand what that feeling is…
707: Anyways, nothing good will come out of being suspicious
707: So we plan to leave tomorrow at the latest
Jaehee: If you say so, please tell us if there is anything we can do
MC: We probably won't be able to make it to the party…
MC: So, hold a grand party for us!
707: Yes! Thank you…
707: I've realized a lot… thanks to MC
MC: I'm happy I helped ^^
707: I feel so bad that I just hurt you over and over
707: Once this is over…
707: I want to make MC happy
Jaehee: You two look good together
Jaehee: And while I have only seen MC once, I do not remember his image much
707: He's cute ^^
Through the corner of his eye, Seven saw MC sneak a glance at him, a meek smile on his face. Seven pretended as though he didn't see it, wanting the male to be happy without becoming embarrassed.
Jaehee: I hoped to see you both at the party but… as you said, you are leaving tomorrow…
Jaehee: And your request to hold the party as best we can… It's sad that both won't make it
707: Once we answer all our questions and come back, I'll make it up to you all
707: I think I should go, I have a lot of work to do now
Jaehee: Alright, I wish you luck
Jaehee: I will leave also, I… must report what you have told me to Mr. Han
707: MC, can you help me a bit please?
MC: Alright!
707 has left the chatroom
Jaehee has left the chatroom
MC has left the chatroom
Putting their phones away, MC and Seven both got to work on what needed to be done. While Seven did some last calculations on his laptop, MC was packing items they would need into suit cases Seven had laid out.
When he asked about where they came from, he was told they were in the apartment, and after checking for any bugs, both the living and mechanical kind, decided to use them.
With the fact the only clothing MC had with him was the bag of clothing Seven had sent him over a week ago, he didn't have to pack in terms of himself. He was just glad the apartment building had its washer and dryer room in the basement…
Zipping one of the two cases, his own, he looked to the one Seven had claimed. It had what was expected a suit case to have, clothing and other accessories like the book and floppy disk Seven had brought himself.
But besides those items, Seven had very little to wear… he didn't think he even saw Seven change clothing! And while it was possible the red head could have done his laundry in the middle of the night, while he was asleep, he doubted it…
So, unzipping his own suit case, he removed some of the clothes he hadn't worn in a while, but washed, and placed them into Sevens bag. While he did notice he was a few sizes larger than Seven, he didn't think the extra fabric would hurt.
Standing up, MC stretched his arms forwards, fingers knitted together and savored the popping his arms and hands made.
Now finished with the basic packing, the only things that needed to be packed now was Sevens equipment, he looked around the apartment trying to find something to do.
Spotting the bowl from their late dinner, he decided he could go a clean those.
Bowls in hand, MC stepped into the kitchen, as he did he felt a vibrating from his leg. Quickly setting both bowls in the sink, he dug his phone from its pocket.
Looking at the screen he expected to see Seven's icon on it, but it was Zen's, he felt a tad disappointed but happy that he got to talk to Zen.
Answering it, he set it against his ear, the actors voice starting as soon as he did.
"Hello? It's me, Zen. Is Seven with you by chance? There's something I want to tell you in private…"
Looking out of the kitchen, MC saw Seven typing on his computer, only he wasn't facing the wall like a few days ago, he was sat in front of the couch, legs crossed, and laptop sat in front of him. He ducked back into the kitchen.
"No, he's working, I was just doing some cleaning… also, hello"
"Working? Working… Alright, that's good… so uhm, this may sound funny but… people say late bloomers are the scary ones, right? The dude got so honest all of a sudden and… you don't think he'll just explode and try to… take advantage of you, do you?" Zen asked the final part of his question in a more hushed voice, as though he was embarrassed to say it.
MC raised a brow and leaned against the counter, waist pressing against the surface "'Late bloomers'? I… don't exactly follow you Zen"
"Uhm… you know…! People who start expressing their feelings later than others would normally… I… it's hard to describe! Just know that I know men, and you should be careful when a man starts staring and stealing glances at you. I'm not saying Seven's doing that… but just keep that it mind"
Closing his eyes, MC thought back on the past few days, and while the first day may not have meant anything in terms of eye contact, ever since Seven had accepted his own feelings, he had noticed the red head glancing at him more and more… He decided to not tell Zen that, best not add any more 'worries' for him.
"God… I'm getting worried…" Just like he thought "No. Nope… What matters is what you think… What do you think? What would you want to do when Seven… wants you?" Again, the last part of his speech was asked quietly.
Staying silent, MCs mind went blank. To be truthful, he… hadn't thought much about that the past few days, well of course he had thought about it during the first few days, being a 21-year-old man that hadn't dated in 4 months, I'd be hard not to think of that. But lately? The past week? It hadn't crossed his mind much…
MC bit his lip as he thought when Zen spoke again, noticing his silence.
"Like… would you take things slowly or… it doesn't matter as long as you two have feelings for each other?"
MC was beginning to feel a tad uncomfortable, Zen talking to him about his possible sex life, but he answered the actor either way.
"I don't know honestly… I guess I don't mind what it is as long as its mutual…"
"Oh…! You're pretty bold, aren't you?"
"Who you are calling bold?" MC interrupted, leaving Zen silent "You're the one that called and asked questions about my sex life" He wasn't trying to sound angry or upset with the statement, just stating facts.
Zen snickers to himself "Yeah… guess I did take a big risk to just ask you that… and I guess it's not my place to butt in since that stuff is between you and Seven, you're both old enough to make your own decisions… hope I'm not sounding like an old man right now…"
"It's just... uhm… You know. You just… have to be careful, prepared, and safe" Zen scoffed "Maybe I'm just being too nosy, like you said, I shouldn't be poking around in other people relationships…"
MC smiled while glancing at the phone "I understand, your concerned about us"
"Yeah! It's just hard to not think about it sometimes… I care about the two of like family"
"I'm not gunna get any sleep tonight, am I? Let me just ask you this then I'll let you continue with whatever you were doing. Who do you think Seven is as a man?"
MC hummed for a moment before responding "He's… mysterious and dangerous while still being nice, funny and sexy?"
"He's sexy?" Zen sounded jealous "Dangerous and mysterious is one thing, nice is another and… funny is a title I'm willing to over look right now, but sexy? I can't let someone take that title from me!" MC chuckled quietly at how worked up Zen seemed to be getting…
"If you're curious about relationships in general, you can ask me. But not anything too specific! But… uhm, if you don't mind me asking, have you been in a relationship before? Because from what Seven's said in the past, he's never dated anyone"
Eyes turning to the kitchens exit, he stared at the section of the living room in confusion. Seven has never dated before? Well, he'd guessed so given that Seven said he ran away when someone came close to him… It was just weird, having it acknowledged…
"Never? I'm surprised… I thought he'd be a hit with everyone… But, to answer you?" MC reached behind himself and scratched his neck "I won't uhm, put a number to it but… I have been in a relationship before"
"Ah~ So you know your way through dating, guess my advice isn't really necessary, but still, call if you want, I'm going to have a shower before going to bed, good luck with whatever you were doing!"
A moment later, the went was quiet.
With a verbal 'tsk' and an eye roll, MC shoved his phone back into his pocket before turning back to the sink of dishes.
However, instead of turning on the tap, he thought back to Seven… subconsciously he pulled his phone back out from its pocket, fingers working on the screen.
With his mind in that track, he began to think about the whole of the RFA and what has happened the past 9 days. Going from a complete stranger in their organization to the person rounding up guests for a charity party and dating one of the members.
It would have been an insane experience for anyone else. It was for his own sanity he was glad it wasn't his first time with the RFA, this being the only time he'd ever thank this curse or whatever.
Ring. Ring!
Huh…?
Looking down at his hand, he saw he was holding his phone, dialing someone also!
Right as he was about to hang up, the ringing stopped, someone's voice coming through "You called!" Seven's chipper voice came through the phone, he also heard the red head as he sat in the living room, hearing the same voice twice confusion in a bit.
"I'm glad you did call, actually… it might be weird to say but, I like talking to you over the phone, even if we're in the same apartment, it feels so much like when you first came here when we talk over the phone, back then, I felt a bubbling anticipation, now days later, even when I know your sleeping, a glance at my phone, wishing you'd call, to feel this… joy I get by talking with you, hearing you…"
MC felt himself grow warmer. He heard Seven chuckle "Knowing you… you're probably blushing right now" MCs stared at the wall in front of him in confusion, his mouth making noises also conveying his confusion and surprise, Seven laughed at that "I'll take that as a yes~ …"
Half-annoyed at how Seven was able to read him so easily already, he huffed and turned to face the closest wall to him, back towards the kitchen entrance.
"Hmm? You're in the kitchen? Come out of there, I can't see you~!"
Thinking of a response, MC decided to not say the actual reason he was in the kitchen, dishes are too boring. "You, uh… you said how you feel good when we talk on the phone, it's like we're actually on the phone if we can't see each other, yeah!" MC smiled to himself for his quick response.
"What?" Seven laughed into the phone "Hmm, you're right, I want to hide too then!" The red head hummed in thought "Where should I go? Ah ha! I want to go to the kitchen too!"
With his eyes closed, MC stared at the wall inches ahead, mouth shut in a tight line, so tight they were nearly puckered " 'S no point in me hiding if you come in the kitchen" MC stated through puckered lips.
Seven made a sad noise, like a kicked puppy "But I miss you when I can't see you… I want to be right beside you like a pack of hopping, but it only being the two of us" That got MC to chuckle, Seven following suit for the following few seconds.
"Haaa…" Seven let out a contented sigh "It's good to laugh. If we can manage to laugh in this situation, what other miracles can the future bring us?"
MC smiled at the thought of the future and whatever it would bring, momentarily forgetting what it had brought in the past. With his smile and peace in mind, he leaned forward, elbows finding rest on the counter, gaze directed at nothing but the wall ahead.
"I think this is what suits us… being able to just look at each other and laugh no matter the circumstances" MC nodded, although knowing the red head couldn't see it, he hoped he got what he was conveying.
And from Seven's previous jolly tone, it became more serious while he cleared his throat "Let's promise each other… That from now on, we'll just look to each other, smile, and get though whatever comes at us, and if we get tired, Meowy can help us laugh from time to time" The males voice seemed to be having less of an echo as he finished speaking.
To keep himself from snickering, MC put a hand over his mouth, the sound still making its way through and to the recipient.
Hand over his mouth, a smile underneath, MC cooed into the phone "That sounds nice, romantic even" He laughed at the end.
Seven really had a way of saying things. It made him have hope and curiosity of the future would bring, what kind of fun they'd have once the dust was settled.
What kind of parties would they hold? Would it finally be the end?
"I found you~!" As Seven announced his find, MC felt a pair of hand grab his sides, a shriek coming from his at the unintentional tickle. Quickly turning around, MC put both his arms to his sides, protecting them from further attacks.
In front of his now, was Seven, his 'attacker'. While MC glared at Seven, the red head had a large grin on his face.
"Oh~ Is someone ticklish~?" His grin widened, one of his hands raising, finger of said hand wiggling, the other hand still holding his phone to his ear.
MC's eyes widened before narrowing into a glare once more "Tickle me and I will kick you where the sun don't shine, tomato head!"
His grin lessening into an amused smile, Seven stepped away, both hands raising in a manner of surrender. Seeing this, MC slowly brought his arms away from his sides, a cautious look still present in his eyes despite his stance.
MC saw Seven still had his hands raised in surrender, leaving his sides undefended. Seven must have seen his eyes trail to his ribs as he quickly lowered his arms and took a step back.
"Don't you dare…"
Now it was MCs turn to grin, phone put away, he raised his arms, fingers wiggling like Seven did, and took a step closer to Seven.
Knowing fully well what MC would do if he caught him, Seven looked to his left and right, always keeping the grinning brunette within his line of sight.
MC started taking large strides towards Seven, forcing Seven to step back, though his steps were far smaller than MCs.
Eventually Seven had been pushed back enough to the point he had stepped through the entirety of the living room/office, missing any chance he had to run.
With a yelp Seven fell backwards, legs having hit the apartments bed.
Seeing Seven fall onto the bed, MC knew he was trapped. With a calmer but consistent pace, he continued to Seven, watching as the red head scrambled backwards.
Seven chuckled as he retreated "MC, don't you dare tickle me"
His grin becoming calmer, MC looked at him confused "Tickle you? Why would I do that?" MCs smile disappeared for a second before an uncertain look replaced it "You know what? I'm not good with the innocent act" His grin reappeared, more mischievous than before "I am going to tickle you"
Without giving Seven a chance to react, MC leapt onto the bed, hands finding their way to Seven's sides, the red head immedietly began to wriggle, a boisterous laughter starting as Seven made inaudible pleas.
Even the attempts Seven made to push MC off him, failed. Not able to hold his muscles to actually do anything.
As the hacker's pleas continued, he took mercy, seeing tears beginning to fall from the excessive amount of involuntary laughter.
So, releasing Seven's sides; MC leaned back, his behind sitting somewhere on the panting red heads legs, it seemed he had crawled up onto the bed during his attack, now essentially straddling Seven.
As MC relaxed, Seven closed his eyes, putting a hand to his chest as he tried to regulate his breathing, his own heart pounding much faster than it ever had on agency missions.
"My lungs… are burning…" Seven breathed out, panting between words.
MC chuckled as he cracked his knuckles, the bones getting sore from the minimal work they had done "Well, serves you right for tickling me"
Lifting his head, Seven looked MC in the eyes "When I did it… it was an accident…!"
MC shrugged in response, a calm smile on his face.
After Seven regained his breath, he remained lying down, simply observing MC. The brunette was also staring at him with gleaming blue eyes; his gray frames having slipped down his nose, his hands rested on his own knees calmly.
As he raised his hands, he saw MC's eyes flicker to them then back to his face. Seven's eyes went to a part of MC's ribs, exposed and unprotected; he knew he was tired, the work he had been doing continuously the past hours with the new exhaustion the laughing made him feel. He knew he wouldn't have the speed to actually get MC but… he still had to try.
As he slowly moved his hands, he did get them to the brunettes' ribs. But before his fingers could do any movements, MC grabbed his wrists and held them up. "You're not even trying anymore" He announced disappointed.
Lifting his legs, MC pushed himself forward so he wasn't sitting on Seven's legs and with the hacker's wrists in his hands, laid them on the mattress still in his grasp.
Seven stared at MC with wide eyes, surprised by the slow but unexpected action, the position they were now in making his face go as red as his hair; MC was hovering over him at a close proximity, the male holding his own hands above his head.
Looking down at how they were positioned, MC's own face began to redden.
But… even though they both knew how they were, neither moved or made any move to separate, if anything, both seemed to become calmer as both stared into the others eyes, their blinking nearly synchronized as to never be staring at the others closed eyes.
MC felt Seven's hands relax in his own, calm enough to feel his quickening heartbeat through his wrist. As he inched closer to Seven he could feel the warm breath on his face, heating him even more than his pumping blood already was.
With the gap between them decreased, the anticipation rose. Releasing the grip MC had on the red heads wrists, both sets of hands met togethers, finger intertwining together. With a last moment of eye contact, MC eyes shut, his breath hitching as they did.
A buzz shot through his body as he felt something graze his lips, his body responding to a… ringing?
A sudden noise startling both of them, MC shooting up straight as both of the men's eyes opened in surprise.
As both of them looked around franticly, trying to find the source of the noise, MC felt a recurring vibration coming from his waist.
Looking down at his hip, he sighed and pulled his phone out of his pocket. As MCs eyes gazed at the screen, Seven could see the blush of his face fading quickly.
The brunette turned to Seven, his face one of guilt "It's Yoosung, he… he must have read the chatroom…" MC turned his head to the rest of the apartment, sighing as he gazed at it. Returning his eyes to Seven he looked at the man beneath him with disappointment "He's… probably distraught…"
Swinging one of his legs over Seven's, he stood up, the phone still ringing in his hands. As MC took his first step sway from the bed Seven laid on, the red head found himself sitting up, hand grabbing MCs wrist in a tight grip.
Stopping, MC turned back to Seven. If a picture was worth a thousand words, MCs face would convey a million. His eyes dimmed in guilt, a thousand apologies written in them. His lips licked in the desire to stay as they were.
But wordlessly, MC raised the hand which Seven held the wrist of, the red heads grip not tightening nor loosening. Staring into Sevens amber eyes he brought Sevens hand to his mouth, and without breaking contact, placed a soft kiss on the back of his hand, the brunettes nose grazing his skin.
As MC moved his lips away from Seven's hand, a soft 'chu' resounded for a brief moment…
MC moved his hand away from Seven's, whose hold had stopped the moment his lips touched him. As his arm dropped, the red head watched MC turn, clear his throat, and put the phone to his ear, walking away.
"Hey Yoosung, didn't keep you too long, did I?" He began towards the kitchen with a slow pace "Yeah… everything that was said is true, we found…" His voice trailed off about things Seven didn't care about at that moment.
Looking at the spot MC had kissed on the back of his hand, he sighed and put both on his face, allowing gravity to take him and fell onto the bed.
Pushing his glasses up he rubbed his eyes; he was tired and disappointed but… he couldn't exactly put full blame on Yoosung, reading what he did of Rika in the chatroom.
With a drawn out yawn, Seven crawled back onto the bed, removing his glasses and set them on the table beside it. Not bothering with the blanket beneath him, he shrugged off his sweater and used that to cover his curled body. Sleep overtaking him soon after.
Half an hour later, after MC had consulted his friend, who was distraught like he had thought, he returned to the bed.
He smiled as he saw Seven sleeping peacefully on it.
Yawning himself, he chuckled quietly, knowing Seven had the right idea to sleep. He didn't realize how tired he was until Yoosung had hung up.
Shutting off the lights in the apartment and closing the blinds on the window, he set his own glasses beside Seven's striped ones.
Carefully pulling the blanket out from under Seven, which was surprisingly easy, he placed half of it over the sleeping hacker before crawling under it himself.
With a final look at Seven through the darkness of night in front of him, he smiled and finally closed his eyes, sleep taking him soon as well.