Chapter Text
Chapter Three: A Protective Streak As Wide As The Solar System
***
You wake up to Jeongin’s blue eyes staring at you.
“Hey,” You whisper, bringing a hand up to trace the lines of his chest.
Jeongin smiles. “Hey.”
His eyes linger on your puffy lips, trailing down your (now only slightly bruised) neck and stopping at your collarbones where his shirt hid everything else from him. You could feel your heart beat slightly faster at the attention.
“Do you feel better?”
You take a second to assess yourself.
While the terror and fear from yesterday still lingered, it was pushed to the back of your mind for now, Jeongin having chased it away with bruising kisses and hot lips sucking and biting your sensitive skin (ignoring your neck, of course). You never went all the way – you were still hung up over having Jeongin see the deepest and most private parts of you despite him being your mate. Being the gentle, patient soul he is, he understood where your fears came from and let you set the pace.
Still, his whispered words and clever mouth settled your nerves and aches. (Phantom pain was still an issue for you; one that you ignore). Now, all that remained was the remnants of your crying session – puffy eyes, slightly numb and hollow feeling in your chest – and the pleasant sting of love bites blossoming on your skin.
You were sated and satisfied.
(And still scared but that was for a later freak out).
“Yes I do,” You lean forward to press a sweet kiss to his smiling lips. “Thank you, Innie.”
Jeongin growls lightly and pulls you in for a tight hug. You close your eyes, secure and safe in his arms.
Eventually, you have to prepare for the day.
You feel particularly clingy today, and the telepathic bond was a testament to that. Jeongin didn’t mind, of course he didn’t mind, but even he had to agree you were getting slightly ridiculous.
You were practically attached to his arm your entire morning routine and barely let go so you both could shuffle into outside clothes.
Still, he doesn’t complain.
You both had no work, agreeing to call in a sick day to discuss some topics – namely, Chan’s proposal.
Once settled onto the couch with you sitting on his lap facing him, you asked Jeongin what happened to him yesterday.
Jeongin smiles ruefully. “Seungmin, Chan and one of their mates, Hyunjin, watched me work the whole day.”
“In the garage or the store?”
He snorts. “Both.”
You don’t know how to feel about that.
You've visited the repair shop’s garage before, on the rare day you took a break from the Tavern, and your eyes were blessed with the sight of a shirtless Jeongin. The weather on this planet made it impossible to work in an already stuffy repair shop without doing something to release the built up heat. Though the shop provided air conditioning, the work was tough and heat-inducing on its own. Even now, you can picture Jeongin’s muscles jumping with every small or big motion, the artificial lights of the garage highlighting his tanning skin. You remember the waves of arousal that made you hot in a different way – your self control was really put into question because all you wanted was to jump his bones.
Jeongin always takes his shirt off.
His soulmate and his soulmate’s mates watched Jeongin work the whole day shirtless, sweat dripping down the lines of his defined muscles.
You feel your core tighten and a blush pinks your pale skin.
Jeongin smirks, feeling your arousal through the bond and his large hands tighten around your waist.
You forcefully clear your throat, needing to stay on track. “Did they say anything, or do anything?”
Jeongin shakes his head. “They just watched. Same thing in the store as well.”
You hum. (While he was fully clothed when working in the store, his all-black attire suited his broad shoulders and narrow waist perfectly, highlighting all his distracting features).
“I still need to talk to Minho,” You eventually mutter. Some stress previously shoved into the back of your brain comes forward.
“How do you feel about him?”
Jeongin's question was said in a light tone, non-judging and neutral. Even through the bond, you couldn’t catch his feeling on the matter.
You open and close your mouth a few times, not knowing what to say – mind jumbled.
Jeongin patiently waits for you to collect your thoughts.
On one hand, some old instincts were screaming at you to keep Minho away because he wasn’t safe safe safe .
You had to make a decision – fast.
Minho wasn’t safe, all because of you. He has given you two choices and you have to pick the right one.
(You knew there was no right answer but your mind ignored the screaming and shouting of your heart and soul begging to choose another option, a third or even fourth and fifth option).
Minho had to go, or you will be without a soulmate.
Minho would be dead dead dead and it would be your fault.
You had to choose today: does your soulmate live or does he die?
The answer comes easy to you.
You were trembling, gasping for air and had to focus on Jeongin’s soothing hands caressing your back and hips; his projection of safe, protected, loved flooding the bond.
Eventually, you can breathe.
You go back to thinking.
On the other hand, despite how scary the knowledge of his not-death was, you realise you weren’t in the same position anymore. You weren’t backed into a corner, forced to choose between two impossible things. You weren’t powerless to stop a superior’s ‘training sessions’, weren’t anywhere near him .
You were here, with Jeongin, in a better place mentally and physically.
You didn’t need to betray Jeongin just to keep him safe.
The realisation left you staggering with mixed emotions. You were relieved you didn’t have to choose the impossible and tear your own heart and soul out (and his).
You felt guilty that you couldn’t do the same for Minho.
“Oh jagi,” Jeongin whispers. He cups your face, thumbs gently pressing away the tears running down your cheeks. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”
You couldn’t even open your mouth to protest.
“It wasn’t,” He continued, feeling your objection through the bond. “You were young then. It wasn’t enough that the Federation was training you already – you were manipulated by the bastard. You were backed into a corner, and you were made to make an impossible decision.”
A sob tore out of your throat.
“I didn’t want to betray Minho!” You cry, using telepathy as speech has failed you. “ He was going to kill him! I had to leave him, I had to!”
“I know, jagi, I know.” Jeongin pulls you in, and you tuck your head immediately into his neck, crying uncontrollably. You felt an old, familiar pain engulf your heart, your soul crying out for its perfect match, crying out for Minho’s.
“You're crying over that rat again?”
You couldn’t bring yourself to even flinch as you were yanked up by the hair. Tears fell like rivers down your cheeks and the pain in your heart was so intense, so all-consuming, you thought you were dying.
You wanted to die.
Every time you open your eyes from a restless sleep and it wasn't to Minho curled around you, you wanted to cry.
Every time you came back to reality after your ‘training sessions’, you begged for Minho to be there to catch you and hold you until you were better.
But he wasn’t there.
Because you betrayed him in a way a soulmate should never.
(But what choice did you have? Your will was not your own, your body was not your own. You belonged to him , and he controlled every aspect of you).
He sighs, tutting. “Dear, oh dear. You never learn, do you? That rat is never coming back because you said so.”
A sob tore out of your throat and he pulled you higher by your hair. He coos softly. “What was it that you said? You were mine? Something like your soulmark didn’t matter, now that you have me? That he was a mistake?”
You felt a crushing weight.
You did that. You chased him away.
“There, there, pet. I'll be with you for all of eternity.”
“Jeongin, I need him back!”
The words escaped your lips unbidden. You weren’t in your right mind, you know. Minho was far beyond your reach now, but you had to try.
Because you couldn’t ignore your screaming and begging heart and soul anymore.
“I want to make it right–” You cling tighter to your mate, the pitch of your voice turning shril. “I need to make it right but I know he will never forgive me!”
Jeongin lets you cry and scream and holds you, biting back his own tears and frustration at his helplessness.
“We'll try,” He promises, once you’ve exhausted yourself. “It won’t be easy but we can try.”
(You wonder how he could put up with you).
“Don't leave me,” You mumble.
“Never.”
***
Once you had pulled yourself together with the help of Jeongin, you found yourself stuck in a dilemma. How will you contact Minho for that much needed chat anyway?
Jeongin comes to the rescue. He taps away into his hologram, acquired by his hard earned money and tinkered to suit his preferences. He explains, “Seungmin had left me a number to contact if we ever needed it, yesterday.”
You smile, wondering where you would be without him.
He snorts and playfully bares his teeth, “Nowhere as good, I’m sure.”
He was given a reply instantly, and you shared a glance. Someone was eager. (Not that you could blame the guy. He saw Innie shirtless. Jeongin snorts at your inner thoughts).
“Hm. Meeting at the Tavern in ten minutes. Ready?”
You gulp, pushing back the guilt guilt guilt and nod.
The walk to the Tavern felt eerily short and you realise with a start that they were already waiting for the both of you.
They, as in the whole of Stray Kids.
Oh, this was a mistake.
Jeongin sends comfort, soothing, protectiveness through the bond and takes a seat first, you doing the same. The Tavern was empty and you couldn’t see any of your coworkers. Your nerves were threatening to make you sick and you clutch Jeongin’s hand tightly underneath the table, needing an anchor to keep you at bay.
You only knew three people at the table by name. Seungmin gazed at the both of you with inscrutable eyes. Minho was glaring at everything – you, Jeongin, the table, the walls surrounding them. Chan seemed to be the only one smiling, even if it seemed a bit forced.
“Afternoon,” Chan greets, tone purposely light. “I hope you guys have thought about the proposal a bit more, and I understand that you need to talk to Minho?”
You nod dazedly.
What should you say first?
“My terms are simple,” Minho grits out, capturing everyone’s attention instantly. “You stay in your lane, and I’ll stay in mine. If we have to interact, it should be quick and to the point. If we have to work together, we will complete Chan’s orders silently and efficiently. Got it?”
All you could do was nod.
You couldn’t dare object, couldn’t dare make terms no matter how much you wanted to. It would take a long time before Minho could even begin to talk to you with genuine emotions not of anger and betrayal, let alone getting him to trust you. If allowing him control of your situation would give him some peace of mind, you would give it to him without second thought.
Jeongin frowns slightly, side-eyeing you. “ Don't lose yourself trying to please him, jagi. You've come a long way since we first met. I hope Minho isn’t the one who unravels all that progress.”
You bite your lip at his words. He was making an excellent point but, for now, you shelve that boundary making conversation for later.
Minho’s jaw is clenched as he says, “Great. We're done here then.”
And he goes back to silently glaring at everything.
You try not to slouch in your chair.
Someone coughs when the silence gets too suffocating.
Chan winces, taking control of the meeting again. “Right. And the proposal?”
He seemed a bit hopeful, and so did Seungmin.
You and Jeongin share a glance. He says, “We accept.”
Chan's grin was genuinely happy and relieved. “Great!” He waves a hand flippantly. “I suppose introductions would be appreciated.”
***
Introductions were a quick and draining affair.
Even without your powers and training, you could tell who was a neutral spectator, who was torn between two sides and who hated your guts.
On the neutral side of the spectrum was Hyunjin, who was trailing Jeongin yesterday. (And saw your mate shirtless). He was pretty, with silky hair that touched his shoulders and expressive eyes, his posture and delicate way of handling his drink gave you the impression of a noble, or a person born into wealth. Then there was Changbin, ever silent and commanded attention just by the way he sat. Where he lacked in height, he made up in muscle (and a masculine handsomeness), something very pleasant to look at. You remember him from yesterday, one of the four trailing you. Of course, Seungmin was added to the neutral list by default.
Then there were the two torn between two sides, and they were both pretty blondes with freckles and pale skin. The leader, Chan, and Felix, who had followed you yesterday. Chan was obviously torn between defending Minho and chastising him for his attitude towards you. (You suppose Chan didn’t want Seungmin’s chances with Jeongin to diminish and got increasingly nervous the more Minho tested your patience.
But Minho testing your patience was fine – you wanted to get in his good graces again, and subjecting yourself to his fury was the first step.
Jeongin side-eyes you.
You were in for a conversation later).
Felix, on the other hand, seemed like a highly empathetic person. He seemed to see both sides – whatever that meant in his eyes – and couldn’t help but be sympathetic. (You wonder what Stray Kids knew of your and Minho’s history).
Still, you think he wanted to support Minho more, and that was fine with you.
Finally, there was a person who you knew hated your guts. Jisung hadn’t stopped glaring at you, and you remember him sitting on Minho’s lap yesterday and not knowing how to feel about it. Now, you can’t help but feel a little relieved that someone loved Minho so fiercely that their overprotective side was showing every second a supposed enemy showed up. And, you suppose, you could add Jeongin to that list. Only, he was your overprotective mate and you can’t help but send love, relief, thanks through the bond you share with him, feeling an overwhelming sense of emotions.
Eventually, the meeting came to a close once introductions were over, no one knowing what to say (or not wanting to break the fragile peace by accidently bringing up a taboo subject like asking about the past).
Seungmin clears his throat. “I want to get closer to the both of you, now that I know you agree to seeing where this goes. Is tomorrow a good time to talk and get to know each other a bit more?”
You share a look with Jeongin.
“Let’s call off at work?” You ask.
“Why not? It's not like things will get worse than they already are.”
You shoot a playful glare at him, tamping down on a giggle. “Don't say that, you’ll jinx us.”
Jeongin says out loud, “Sure. What do you have in mind?”
Seungmin smiles. “How about I give you a tour of Stay ?”
Your eyebrows shoot up into your hairline in shock. “Wait, we’re going to have a tour of your spaceship? ”
The vessel Stay was infamous to all who kept up with what was happening in the galaxies. The rumours you gleaned from your time working at the Tavern say the vessel is magnificent and harboured secrets that only those on board knew. You've heard countless stories of the size of the vessel and its hidden machinations. Jeongin was sitting in the same state of awe beside you, his excitement and engineering mind taking over the bond for more than a few moments.
Seungmin's grin was mischievous. “Then let’s meet tomorrow in the afternoon.”
The walk home was silent, though your bond never was.
When you settle into inside clothes after a shower – having sweated up a storm from the mixed emotions and natural heat of the planet – and sidle up to your mate on the couch, the bond goes silent and a more contemplative quiet takes over.
Finally, you break the silence. “How do you feel about the whole… group meeting situation?”
Jeongin hums in thought. He gently manoeuvres you onto his lap, keeping his hands on your hips. “I'm not taken with them. Especially not Minho or that Jisung guy.”
Jeongin's protective streak stretched solar systems wide (and so did his jealousy). You weren’t surprised to know that. “And Seungmin? Do you think you can be more with him?”
He frowns, eyes taking a faraway look. “I don’t know. It's too early to say. For now, all we can do is see what happens and go with the flow.”
He hesitates.
“I suppose I can see myself being with him, whatever that means.”
You smile, feeling relieved. You didn’t want Jeongin to limit himself to just you. You wanted him to get to know Seungmin, wanted him to experience a soulmate’s love.
Jeongin doesn’t say anything to your inner thoughts.
“Let's talk about you,” Jeongin redirects. “You need to set boundaries with Minho.”
You frown. Yeah, you knew he was going to chew you out for that.
Jeongin sighs. “I'm not trying to chew you out. I'm worried. You've healed so much and I’m scared you’ll lose yourself trying to please someone who doesn’t have your best interest in heart.”
“Okay.” You don’t argue with Jeongin – you can’t. You understood intimately where he was coming from and you have to admit; you didn’t want to fuck yourself over either. But you needed Minho back, so you can’t just not do anything about it either. “Help me, then. What should I allow?”
He was silent as he pondered.
“For now, I think he’ll stick to what he said earlier. Keeping interactions short and to the point and all that. So I think you should be with me, or someone neutral at least, whenever you have to be in close quarters with him. That way, he won’t hurt you again.”
You can agree to that.
“I think that’s all we can do for now,” Jeongin says with furrowed eyebrows. “We will just have to go with the flow on it, too.”
You sigh, agreeing with that too.
After a moment, Jeongin starts nervously, “I’ve been thinking.” He tucks his thumbs under your shirt, presses them against the sensitive skin of your hips. “Last night, when you said he is back from the dead–”
You take in a sharp breath.
“I'm not leaving you, Jeongin,” You speak quickly, wanting to get the words off your chest before you could retract them. “I-I also thought about it, and I realise I don’t need to leave – I don’t want to leave. Maybe that’s selfish of me, knowing that I’m putting you in danger. But my heart, my soul can’t take it. I’ll die without you, Jeongin. I nearly did when–when I betrayed Minho.”
Surprisingly, Jeongin’s lips pulled in a slow smile until he was grinning.
“What?” You grouch, gripping his shoulders for some purchase against the emotions twisting your insides.
Jeongin pulls you in for a sweet kiss, leaving you breathless and dazed.
“I'm glad to know that, but jagi, I meant what I said.” His eyes take a feral glint. “You can never run from me. I'd follow you to the ends of the solar system and take down anyone in my way.”
His fingers travel upwards underneath your shirt and you moan, tingling with the fire he was lighting in you. “I had hoped you got that through your pretty little head last night. Good girl.”
“Fuck, Jeongin–” You moan and buck your hips as his hand cups your breast, teasing your nipple with a sharp fingernail. The pain corroded all thoughts in your mind until all you could feel was him and pleasure.
And then it was taken away from you.
“Jeongin! Why did you stop!” You whine, opening your eyes, having closed them at some point.
His expression was dark and dangerous, yet you could see the mischievous look in his eyes. “I can’t have you become too dumb from the pleasure, can I? I had something to say before you rudely interrupted.”
You groan at his words, trying to fight the haze of pleasure. “Fine. But I want my reward.”
“Of course.” Still, his fingernail traces your perked up nipple. “As I was saying, I think it will benefit us if we get on Stray Kids' good side.”
You want to beg him to just get on with it but you have to fight back the lust and focus on his words that you registered as important. “H-how do you mean?”
His other hand trails across your plush thighs, setting off goosebumps. “If he still has the power and wealth to do what he wants, we need some strong allies. Seungmin has given us a way in to get Stray Kids’ protection without having to pay for their services.”
You give a startled laugh at that. “I didn’t even think of that. But what does that mean for you and Seungmin?”
“It means going with the flow. Having Stray Kids’ protection means getting to know Seungmin better, doesn’t it?”
You forget how calculative Jeongin could be. Despite his kind heart, he had a grit that made you fall even deeper in love with him. The dichotomy between the kindness that his parent’s planted and watered until it became so integrated into his being and the way he could be so cold and detached from something a normal person would treasure was startling.
(And hot).
You groan for a reason that’s not him teasing your body with clever hands. “Did you only accept Chan’s proposal to protect us from him ?”
He could sense your disapproval in the bond and stops to give you a sheepish grin. “Well, that was a part of it.” He mumbles something under his breath. At your raised eyebrow, he sighs and says louder, “I might have a thing for his cleverness.”
Through the bond, you see a memory of him talking animatedly to Seungmin who was following along to all the brainiac explanations of his work.
A loud laugh escapes your body. “Oh, so you like how he’s a nerd like you?”
Jeongin grumbles, tanned skin flushing with a furious blush. “Shut up.”
You shake your head, gasping out, “As long as you actually want to get to know Seungmin, let’s go ahead with whatever you’re planning.”
Jeongin stares at you with fond eyes before his previous mischievousness returns. He drags a sharp fingernail around your swollen nipple and the pain sends pleasure straight to your core. You moan.
“What does my patient baby want?” He asks with a sultry look in his eyes.
Immediately, your mouth dries and your eyes flick downwards.
Jeongin's responding smirk is wild. “Get to it, baby.”
You stumble to your knees and Jeongin’s hand is tugging at your hair as you paw at the waistband of his pants.
***
You stare at the interior of the spaceship vessel Stay with an open mouth and wide eyes, Jeongin in a similar state beside you.
The rumours couldn’t live up to the actuality of the spaceship.
Seungmin walked ahead of you with a proud look, explaining the vessel’s history and what was what. Eventually, you are led to one of the many rooms on the spaceship. It was seemingly a meeting room, just more private and intimate. Plates of refreshments were already laid on the table and you realise how serious Seungmin was about getting to know the both of you.
The awed silence is broken with Seungmin asking safe questions, like their dates of birth, their favourite colours, their favourite foods, and responded to any of your questions, which ranged from basic to brainiac (Jeongin).
Eventually, the conversation peters off into a companionable silence.
“I think we can do this,” Jeongin says through the bond. “I think we can make something out of this.”
You smile into your cup of cold tea. “So you’re not just using him as a shield?”
Jeongin throws a playful scowl at you. “Yeah, yeah, tease me all you want.”
“Don't mind if I do!”
“If you don’t mind me asking,” You and Jeongin turn to Seungmin, whose expression you couldn’t read. It was harrowing since all you’ve seen on his pretty face was excitement and guarded curiosity. “Are you using telepathy?”
You blink. “Oh, yes! I apologise, that was rude of me.”
Seungmin shakes his head. “That's alright. I was just wondering since…”
You purse your lips. “Has Minho– has he not said anything of me?”
“Well, he has said things,” Seungmin says with a tilt of his head. “But nothing in too much detail.”
The silence this time was awkward.
You sigh. If you want to get into Stray Kids' good graces, into Seungmin’s good graces, you need to give some information.
You just didn’t want to.
“Has Minho told you what his powers are?”
Seungmin's eyes narrow. “...Yes.”
So he knows – and still mated with Minho. That meant Seungmin, at least, wasn’t prejudiced.
“I am the same,” You mutter. His eyes go wide with genuine surprise. “Minho and I are the last of the Imperials.”
“Oh,” He breathes. “That makes sense.”
Thankfully, Seungmin doesn’t broach the topic any longer. Instead, he turns contemplative. “I was talking with the others yesterday about what we would do if we got along.”
You and Jeongin share a curious glance.
“I would say we’re getting along pretty well,” Jeongin smoothly inputs. You had to bite back a smirk.
Seungmin smiles. “I think so too. As you know, we are mercenaries. Our job has us travel the solar system, completing missions and the like. We only stopped here for a stock up, so we didn’t expect to stay as long as we have.”
He hesitates now.
You could feel your heart start to race – from what, you didn’t know. Excitement? Anticipation?
“What I’m trying to ask is, would you like to become a part of Stray Kids?”
The silence was loud.
“Of course, you can take your time to think and come up with a decision, but this question was asked to all of the members and–”
“Yes.”
“–Wait, what?”
Seungmin's nervous rambling comes to a complete stop as he registers Jeongin’s words.
“Yes, we would like to join Stray Kids.”