The Looming Threat
The morning
The tension in the Obsidian Mansion had grown thick enough to cut with a knife. Jun and Wonwoo sat in S.Coups' office, the dim lighting casting long shadows across the walls. The faint scent of whiskey lingered in the air, though the glass on the desk sat untouched. S.Coups stood by the window, staring into the darkness beyond, his face an unreadable mask.
"The rats run deeper than we thought," Jun started, his voice low but steady. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "And Viktor isn't blind. He knows Jeonghan's here, and he's going to act. We need to move him, now."
Wonwoo let out a sharp exhale, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the polished table. "And hand him to Daniel on a silver platter?" His tone was calm, but the edge was unmistakable. "That's exactly what'll happen if we move Jeonghan now. Daniel's still in town, and if he even breathes near Jeonghan, he'll twist him in ways we can't undo."
Jun narrowed his eyes, his jaw tightening. "So we just leave him here? Let Viktor's men close in?"
S.Coups turned from the window, his cold gaze sweeping over both men. "Daniel's leaving for Japan tomorrow night," he said quietly, but with the weight of command. "Once he's gone, we'll decide our next move. Until then, Jeonghan stays."
Wonwoo straightened, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "And what's the plan if Viktor strikes before that? You can't exactly charm your way out of a bloodbath."
S.Coups' expression didn't waver. "The security has been tightened. Every entrance, every exit, every guard—they're all under watch. If Viktor tries anything, we'll know."
"Security isn't infallible," Wonwoo countered, his tone growing sharper. "Especially when there's a rat infestation. Have you considered that Viktor might already have someone feeding him information from the inside?"
"That's why we're cleaning house," S.Coups replied, his voice like steel. "You and Jun are handling that. Find the rats and get rid of them."
Wonwoo didn't respond immediately. His gaze lingered on S.Coups for a moment before he pushed back his chair and stood. "Fine," he said, his voice quieter but no less firm. "But you need to keep a closer eye on Jeonghan. If he figures out you're the reason for all of this—the abduction, the isolation, the danger—you won't just lose his cooperation. You'll lose him completely."
Jun rose as well, his eyes flicking between the two of them. He didn't say anything, but his silence spoke volumes. Finally, he turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.
Wonwoo paused at the door, glancing back over his shoulder. "One more thing," he said. "Don't underestimate him. Jeonghan might look fragile, but he's not blind. He's watching everything."
With that, he exited, leaving S.Coups alone in the silent, cold room.
S.Coups let out a slow breath, his fingers brushing against the untouched glass of whiskey. He didn't drink it. Instead, he turned back to the window, his reflection staring back at him.
Jeonghan isn't just another piece on the board anymore, he thought, his jaw tightening. The thought unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
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The late afternoon
The garden was a haven of tranquility in the waning light of the day, its serenity kissed by the golden embrace of a hesitant sun peeking through the layered clouds. The cool breeze carried the faint, earthy aroma of moist soil and the sweet whispers of blooming flowers. It was a patch of life nestled within the stoic walls of Obsidian Mansion, a stark contrast to the brooding air within its halls.
Jeonghan knelt by the flowerbeds, his delicate hands tending to the tender sprouts as if coaxing them to life with each careful touch. A soft hum escaped his lips—a melody that carried the wistful echoes of days gone by. His mind wandered to the vibrant bustle of his flower shop, the warmth of his friends' laughter, and the comfortable chaos they brought to his life. The memories wrapped around his heart, bittersweet and unrelenting.
Lost in thought, he failed to notice the soft footsteps approaching until a gentle hand rested on his shoulder. Startled, Jeonghan flinched slightly, his humming ceasing abruptly as he turned.
"Dino?" he said, his voice tinged with surprise.
Dino stood there, his youthful face etched with concern. "Hyung, are you... crying?" he asked softly.
Jeonghan blinked, confused for a moment, until his fingers brushed his cheek and felt the cool trail of tears he hadn't realized were there. He wiped them away quickly, chuckling in an attempt to mask the vulnerability. "Ah, I didn't even notice," he said lightly. "Just some memories sneaking up on me."
Dino crouched beside him, his hand hesitating before he patted Jeonghan's back awkwardly but earnestly. "You miss them a lot, don't you?"
A brief silence followed as Jeonghan gazed at the fragile plants before him. "Of course I do," he admitted, his voice soft, almost a whisper. "But it's okay. I'll be back soon. This... all of this will pass, and then I can go back to them."
Dino nodded, though the worried crease in his brow deepened. "But hyung, what if..." He hesitated, not wanting to voice his fears. Instead, he sat down on the grass beside Jeonghan, his presence a quiet offering of comfort.
Jeonghan, sensing Dino's unspoken thoughts, glanced at him and gave a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me, Dino. I'll be okay," he said firmly, returning to his task. "Besides, these little guys need me to get them to bloom first." He gestured to the plants with a faint sparkle of humor in his eyes, though the shadow of longing remained beneath it.
The two fell into a companionable silence. Jeonghan continued his gardening, his hands moving with a soothing rhythm, while Dino sat watching him, his lips pressed into a thin line. The golden light of the sun cast soft shadows across their faces, painting the moment in quiet resilience and unspoken camaraderie.
For Jeonghan, the garden was more than a task—it was a lifeline, a small semblance of normalcy amid the storm of uncertainty. For Dino, sitting there with Jeonghan was an unspoken promise to be by his side, no matter what lay ahead.
Though uncertainty loomed like a shadow, Jeonghan held onto a fragile thread of hope. Danger lingered everywhere, whispering fears of being trapped or worse. Yet, amid the chaos, he believed in S.Coups.
A stranger, yes—but a steady presence in the storm. Each time fear crept in, Jeonghan whispered to himself:
"I trust him."
It wasn't logic, nor evidence. it was the quiet reassurance in S.Coups' rare, soft gestures. Trust bloomed within Jeonghan, fragile but fierce, a light against the darkness. And when the fear tightened its grip, he clung to that belief like a lifeline, letting it carry him forward.
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Vernon's POV
The café felt emptier than ever. I sat by the window, my hands wrapped around a coffee cup that had long since gone cold. Outside, clouds gathered, heavy and gray, threatening rain at any moment. But the weather wasn't what made everything feel so dull—it was him.
Four days. That's how long it's been since I last saw Seungkwan. I can still picture it—him rushing in, flashing that blindingly bright smile of his, and waving me off with a quick "bye" before disappearing out the door. It was fleeting, but it stayed with me, that smile.
And now, here I am, coming back to this café every day. For work, I tell myself. To monitor the guards, to make sure Jeonghan's friends are safe, to supervise the area. That's my purpose. That's why I'm here. Right?
Yet, every time I walk in, my eyes scan for him before anything else. The chatter of customers, the clinking of mugs—it all fades into nothing. Without Seungkwan, the place feels muted, lifeless. Even the coffee tastes bitterer, the air heavier.
I take another sip, staring out at the thickening clouds. They'll probably break soon, letting the rain pour down. Somehow, the thought feels fitting. Four days isn't long, but it's long enough to feel this hollow. Long enough to wonder when I'll see that smile again.
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