Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hi book two is finally here! If you are new to this, please read Book 1 first!
Im much better at the tags and warnings on Tumblr so! If anyone can help me properly tag this fic I would be much much appreciated!
Other wise i will be posting warnings based on the chapter in the notes so read at your own discretion!
That said- Chapters will be posted every saturday and occasionally Wednesdays. Tumblr gets first postings. Here are some extra details I would like to specify before getting into reading!

General Warnings: 18+, member x member smut content and side ships, poly dynamics, lots of gay, kidnapping, killing minor characters, some members showing sadistic sides. Reader is recovering from a huge trauma so there will be light triggers, panic attacks, etc. General dark themes like stalking, killing, kidnapping, cnc, blood play, and a criminal world that condones human trafficking, r@pe, child slavery, and more. Smut warnings on the chapters that have them.

About "Reader": For the sake of the story Reader is physically fit and professionally trained as a detective. There are some personality traits that are more based on the backstory of reader and so forth so I understand that it isn't entirely "reader insert". I try to avoid using y/n completely, thus the pet names. Reader is Fem for plot purposes however, reader's height, skin, weight, hair and eye color are left as vague as possible so you may picture her as yourself. Otherwise you can read it like an oc and picture your version of a femme fatale badass.

Author's Note: I would like to note that the city this all takes place in is fictional, same with the country. Like Gotham or something similar. I know nothing about being a detective or undercover work aside from what i've seen in dramas. The world, characters, and actions are completely fictional and do not reflect on any of the idols used in this fic!

I am posting this early for fans of book 1 can bookmark and etc! First Chapter is due to drop March 1st! Please look forward to it!

Chapter Text

There was a sense of nostalgia as your phone rang for the dozenth time in the last five minutes, knowing who it was before looking at the screen. With a smile you brought the screen to your ear, nearly avoiding one of the bystanders on the sidewalk. “Hi Ji.”

“Finally you pick up! Where are you? You said you would be here ten minutes ago!”

You laughed at the frantic voice on the other side, having missed him. “The distance was a little more than I thought so I left later than I should. I’m walking up now, is he in?”

There was a moment of silence, some shuffling, and then a sigh. “He is and he’s more frantic than I am! He thinks you stood us up.”

“Now why would I do that?” You mused, stepping up to the S.K Unit. “He knows I just love him.” The bitterness was still there, no matter what.

Even if you were the one who opted for this. Who asked for this meeting.

Well you did that out of bitterness too.

“I’m here and coming in.” You announced before hanging up and pushing into the familiar precinct.The familiar uniform at the desk, staring up at you in shock before they scrambled to greet you.

Now you didn’t think you looked that different. Was it the outfit?

You weren’t in your old fitted suits of black and white. Hair was colored and shorter, and you were wearing more makeup than you used to but that last bit was a habit by now. Was it the low cut top? The tight mini skirt or the lace stockings?

You’ve been wearing such things for some time now you hadn’t realized that your old unit would gawk at your appearance. And boy did they gawk.

The second you stepped back in the familiar room with lined desks, heels clicking to a stop with finality, your old unit looked in your direction. Most of them at least.

It was your old Captain who you stared down, capturing his gaze with your own and tilting your head curiously as his eyes skimmed down your length. He swallowed hard.

Good, rub it in his face what he lost.

Smiling sweetly, you finally turned your attention to Jisung and Changbin that flanked you, the latter swooping you up into a hug. “God Damn you look amazing!”

Playfully you swatted at his arm, smile turning coy. “Yeah? I don’t have as many restrictions with my current work so I’ve really branched out. Believe it or not, I do have a gun on me, and not my purse.” You gave a little twirl just to show off the fit some more.

“It’s in the boots right? Otherwise-” Jisung made a face, shaking his head before he pulled you into a hug. You leaned into him happily, truly having missed him since you had barely talked to him since the night of the club.

It had been so long, and so much had happened, you felt a little bad for ignoring them but it hadn’t been safe.

As if you had time anyways, even your sweet lovers complaining they didn't get to see you.

With a sigh you pulled away from them both, smiling and waving at the two youngest that were in the room, just to have one attached to your waist in the next second. “Hey there Innie. You doing well without me?”

“No.” He buried his face into the crook of your neck, showing his age as the youngest.

“It hasn’t been the same without you. Are you going to come back? It’s been months.” Seungmin chimes in from right behind Jeongin, an expression on his features you weren’t used to, like a kicked puppy.

“She’s not.” Chan finally barked out before you could answer, his tone enough to get the others to back away and clear the way for him to approach you. “You asked to meet. Business or pleasure?”

When he looked like he wanted to bend you over the nearest object and probably hate fuck you, you couldn’t help but play coy. “Business and personal. Can we talk in your office?”

With a sharp nod he turned on his heel and headed to his office, pushing the white sleeves up to his elbows, a sign he was agitated. Good.

Stepping into his familiar office he immediately shut the blinds, motioning for you to take a seat while he shut and locked the door. You opted to stand, a fact he didn’t mention as he moved over to his desk.

“Personal first, if you don’t mind.” You kept your tone cool and nonchalant, finding it funny how the tick in his jaw and flex of his muscles no longer excited you like they used to. How many times had you fucked yourself to the mental image of his fingers inside you, his arm flexing under your own hands as you held on?

Now you imagined another hand, another arm- many of those. Some that you could vividly remember how they felt on your skin, and others you could only think about. Perhaps you'd get the courage to make those fantasies a reality soon, not liking the anxiety that bubbled up in your chest when you often thought of physical contact in that way.

I'll get over it; you told yourself for the nth time in the last several months. The fact you were here now, facing down the man that broke your heart and had betrayed you to an extent you never thought you would recover from, was proof to you that you could get over that other thing.

“Personal as in about the last time I saw you?” Chan's tone was clipped and to the point, a sign he was struggling to keep his emotions in check. “What is there to say?”

You relaxed your expression to try and appear as bored as possible. “Oh I don't know. How my best friend and the man I loved and admired sabotaged my career so they didn't have to make any personal sacrifices to their morals?” Venom still dripped in your words as your stare turned cold. “We can start there.”

“That's not the case-”

“Oh? Then what was it? I know I confessed, Chan. And then the next time you talked to me you were transferring me out. Doesn't matter why, you handled that like a fucking child.” You cut him off, sneering at the tick in his jaw.

He barked out your name, much like he used to when he felt like you were overstepping orders or infringing on his authority. You just rolled your eyes at him, locking your hips and placing a perfectly manicured hand on the curve. “I didn't have a choice in transferring you.”

“Funny, it sounded like you suggested the transfer. Or well, you listened to Minho about it.” You snapped out, the calm and collected air around you falling fast. “But by all means, tell me how you had no choice but to transfer me. No choice not to confess. No choice not to talk to me after I did. No choice but to break me into a million pieces by ignoring me and my feelings until it was convenient for you.”

Toe to toe with him now, he was no longer keeping a cool head either, anger twisting his handsome features into a sneer. “You don't know anything. I played by the rules as much as I could. But you never think about that do you? I didn't want to keep quiet! Fuck I couldn't keep my hands off of you when you were drunk and I hated myself for that!”

While he pushed his hair out of his face, you were flabbergasted, staring up with wide eyes. “What… what do you mean? What did you do, Chan?”

He turned away, clenching his jaw hard enough the veins on his neck bulged out. “You kissed me. Left a hickey. Felt so fucking good grinding up on me. I didn't fuck you. But I-” Mr. Stickler for clear consent and rules couldn't meet your eyes as he admitted, to him, his greatest sin. “You tasted so good, Trouble. Fuck I can still picture you coming on my tongue- on my fingers. The sounds you made, the way you begged-” He lifted his gaze to yours, a heat there you were unfamiliar with.

One step closer, and you took one back. You would have found his admission hot before, the idea you had such an effect on him that he broke his own rule, but that was before.

Before that red wolf.

You told yourself this was beforehand and it wasn't the first time you had done such things drunk, so why did it matter.

It mattered when your name fell from his lips like a heated plea. When he reached out and grabbed your hip, pulling you flush against him. It mattered when he leaned in as if to kiss you, his eyes on your lips. “Is it really impossible to go that route?”

Panic welled in your chest at how close he was. You didn't want him to touch you- you didn't want to be touched.

It was the sting of your palm that brought you back to your senses, a red mark clear on Chan's cheek as you were now several feet away from him, back against the door and breathing a bit erratic.

He didn't move aside from glancing at you. You could see the pain in his gaze, the confusion. Perhaps now he would finally realize how much he had screwed up.

“This was a mistake.” The thought of sticking around, alone in this office, had your chest tightening more by the second. Fumbling with the door, you were tripping over your feet to get out faster.

A chorus of your name echoed around you, different levels of concern and panic. You would have run right out if not for Chan grabbing your wrist. You struggled, turning to smack him again.

Jisung swooped in for the figurative rescue, pulling Chan off you and stopping your hand from connecting again with his Captain's jaw. “Hey hey, let's talk about this.”

“I'm trying.” Chan hissed out, the tick in his jaw back. “Why did you-”

“You touched me.” You cut him off, short breaths had your chest heaving. “You don't have the right any more Chan. I told you, you lost me. I wanted to make it clear what you fucking did is unforgivable, but I wanted to work past it so that we can work together. Because despite you being an entitled, self-absorbed, goody-two-shoes asshole… you and this unit are good at your fucking jobs.”

Shaking off Jisung's hold, you stepped back, surprised to see the two youngest flanking you and stare down Chan. Seungmin even put an arm in front of you almost protectively, another thing you did not expect. They were the last two to join and you had a friendly working relationship with them but you weren't as close as you were with Jisung or Hyunjin.

Where was the latter? And Minho? And Felix? Two of those you wanted to see more than anything.

“She has a point, Captain. about you being a self-absorbed asshole that is.” Seungmin drawled it out so easily, sparing you a concerned glance. “You don't talk to us. You make decisions without explanations, ones that affect us all. We lost the vote to keep her here, but you never told us she didn't know about it. You told us there wasn't much of a chance otherwise. It was her or us.”

“Even I regret my vote.” Changbin added on, stepping up to his Captain, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We've been a mess since she left. Hyunjin acted out until you had to suspend him. Felix has been like a shell of his former self. Minho is too busy talking to the higher ups and moving between other precincts. We haven't met our quota in months-”

“I get it.” Dejectedly, Chan's whole demeanor fell. “I fucked up.”

Some of the tension slipped out of the room then, but you were still far too tense, stepping back. “You clearly have shit to figure out. Ji, let me know when this unit is level headed for a job.” The shaking of your words gave way to your panic, but you didn't stick around to let them poke at it.

Jeongin walked you out however, silent as he fell into step next to you. You didn't protest, mostly because he didn't ask any questions. He was there as you signed yourself out and walked out the front door, only pausing when you did.

The last thing you expected stepping out of the S.K Precinct was the tall, lanky man holding a bundle of your favorite flowers in his hand, pacing as if he was nervous. “Mingi?”

His head shot up, those boba eyes you adored brimming with concern, brows pushed together even deeper at the sight of the man next to you. “Princess?”

Tears welled up behind your eyes as you stepped closer, but Jeongin was right there. “You know him?”

“He's my boyfriend.” You replied without a second thought, chest tight with emotion that was reflected on Mingi's features. The way his eyes widened a tad more, brows shooting up at your admission, and the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his full lips.

Recognition flashed across Jeongin’s own sharp fox-like features. “The one who hit Chan?”

“Yep. What are you doing here baby?” You stepped up to him, glancing down at the flowers with a silent question.

He handed them over to you, leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. The way you stiffened wasn't lost on him, but he didn't address it. “I heard you were coming to see that fuck face so I came to pick you up. I got her from here.” Mingi nodded over at Jeongin, effectively dismissing him.

He hesitated a moment before turning on his heel. “Alright just- don't be afraid to reach out. We don't stand with Chan on this.” He was back inside the next moment.

Alone with Mingi, the flowers now in your hand, he smiled down at you but it was still a little tense. “Boyfriend? Really?”

Rolling your eyes at him, you instead buried your nose in the flowers. “Do you really want to question that after you brought me flowers?”

“No… you're right. Let me take you home then?” He asked, moving his arm around you but not touching. He must be able to tell how on edge you were.

You were trying to forget.

“Who says I didn't drive?” You retorted, automatically defensive from his care. It made you feel weak, like you were fragile. You knew that wasn't their intent, what they thought; you knew they were just respecting your triggers. Yet it pissed you off anyways.

“The fact you lack a license, Princess. Now for my own piece of mind I'd like to take you home.”

You hated how easily he calmed your thoughts, proving he didn't think you were fragile but he needed it. “Fine- lead the way.” With a resigned huff you let him lead.

Moments later you were in the passenger seat of his car, much like Wooyoung's, it looked a bit rundown on the outside but had a slick, luxurious interior. “Are these your undercover cars or something?”

“Yeah. I'll have to show you my baby though. She purrs like a kitten, made the modifications myself.” He slipped into the driver seat with ease, chair pushed back and one hand on the wheel. “Buckle up Princess.” Was the only warning you had before he was slipping into traffic with a harsh swerve.

It didn't surprise you that he was a car guy, at times taking notes of black stains on his fingertips that would last a few days. You never asked, mostly because it was in passing. You also weren't surprised he was a reckless driver.

What did surprise you was when you realized he was not heading downtown to the Pink Boa apartments you had been staying in the last few months. “Mingi? I thought you were taking me home?”

“Yeah, back to Captain's place.”

“That's not home.” You protested, pinching the bridge of your nose.

He glanced over at you incredulously. “Of course it is. It’s home for all Pirates.”

The surety of his words had you stumped, so instead of answering you glanced down at the flowers again.

Right after they officially accepted you into the Pirates, you demanded to go to work. You had reached out to Haru and she set you up with one of the apartments she kept her girls in. Your legal address was still next to Mingi, this was just considered a burner apartment, one that you didn't need to stay in but you did anyways.

Haru had been right about a woman's touch after such incidents, burying yourself into work to also keep her from probing. Were you running from what happened? Ignoring It? Yes.

It wasn't because it happened, but you hated the way it changed you. Your desire for the others was still strong, but the moment you thought of them touching you, your mind would slip. The creepy drunk men hitting on you? Also making your skin crawl.

Your ability to do your job was affected. Your relationship was strained. You felt… less.

So you pushed through it, pretending you didn't break down alone in that apartment. Pretending Yeosang didn't see any of it. You pretended the others didn't have a reason to be worried. Pretended you couldn't see Wooyoung or San because of work, despite living in the same building as them.

Mind racing with anxiety, wondering just how you were going to face them, you didn't realize the two of you were already pulling into a garage under the stone and metal building on the river that was home to your Captain and his lover's.

Your lovers.

It had been a little over three months since you had been here, avoiding meeting them in person as much as possible. And when you saw them, physicality was out of the question. Not that it wasn't comforting when San rubbed your back or Wooyoung held your hand, but you would always find yourself guilty that this was all you could handle.

Mingi getting out of the car and rushing around to open the door for you gave you little time to prepare. Would you ever be?

Hesitantly, you took his hand, trying to keep yours steady. Mingi once more didn't say anything, but there was pain in his eyes and his jaw clenched.

It hurt that your pain hurt them, a concept you were so unfamiliar with. Your pain is something they didn't like to see. They feel hurt with you, they share your anger and sadness.

It made you want to run.

“Please don't ask Mingi.” You knew he wouldn't, but you still pleaded with him.

His gaze shot up to meet yours, not even hiding the depth of his pain. His full lips fell open repeatedly, gaping like a fish as he scrambled for words. “Before… before we go in…”

You tensed up unintentionally, which resulted in a choked groan falling from Mingi's lips.

“Fuck Princess- before we go in… can you please not look like I'm walking you to the guillotine or something? If it helps, this is about work okay?”

Averting your eyes, you moved past him with a heavy breath. “I'm sorry. I'm trying. I'm really trying Mingi.”

“Did he do something? That Chan fucker? If so I'll drive right back there and break his fucking neck you just say the word Princess.” He followed you, the door shutting behind him as you both made your way to the stairs.

“He… he tried to kiss me. And I just-”

“He what?” Mingi stepped in front of you with a stormy expression. “Fuck- Princess. Then we can take a minute. Let's sit on the steps. I can hold you if-”

“Please.” The word was out before you could stop yourself. Before the guilt could eat you up. “Just for a minute.”

As he set the flowers aside he sat on the stairs and pulled you onto his lap sideways. Feeling his shaky breath on your neck oddly calmed your nerves. Even as you replayed the events of the precinct over and over until it no longer spiked your anxiety, he held you and kept you calm.

It brought you a twisted sense of pride to know that Chan was just as fucked up as you were right now. S.K was in tatters, but so were you. Maybe taking a page out of his book and being an entitled and self-absorbed asshole would help.

Then you could seek comfort in Mingi's embrace without the soul crushing guilt of the pain you caused him.

Chapter Text

Mingi held you for several moments even when you were calm, but you also made no attempt to leave his embrace either. The two of you probably would have continued the embrace if there wasn’t an interruption.

Above you footsteps were heard, and then someone clears their throat. Peering over Mingi’s shoulder you spotted Jongho standing there in a casual outfit of black slacks, leather jacket and an almost sheepish expression on his face. “Sorry to interrupt, Darling, but Yeosang was growing worried.”

Ah, of course the techie was watching. Always watching.

“Do you want me to carry you?” Mingi immediately offered just for you to climb off his lap.

Still a bit flustered from Jongho’s newest pet name for you, something he had only called you on a handful of occasions over the last few weeks, you tried to play it off cool. “No- no we can head up.”

The two of them flanked you in silent agreement, staying one step behind that almost made you feel like you were the one in charge. If you were in a better mood you might make a joke about it. Instead you were silent as you took the stairs up to the next floor, stepping into the shared home of the Black Pirates to find the remaining six scattered about.

Seonghwa and Hongjoong were the first two that caught your attention, both talking with Minjae who, as far as ranking goes, was just under the 8 pirates. He was the one giving direct orders to the others in most face to face situations, and if a meeting was to take place, it was usually him that was sent. He had his own pick of men that worked closely with them, as second-hand to the pirates themselves.

It was the outfits of the two mafia head’s that had your attention. Seonghwa was wearing a fashionable jean top with a leather cape draped over the shoulders in the front and dangling in the back. It matched the leather pants, leather gloves and boots.

Leather seemed to be a theme, as Hongjoong had some elements himself. Leather jacket over a loose white shirt with some pieces of lace that dangled off with light blue jeans, ripped around the knee. His leather cap was pulled at an angle to hide his eyes with the slightest tilt of his chin down. You could feel the heat of his gaze on you though neither he nor Seonghwa paused in their conversation to acknowledge you, probably because only Hongjoong did notice your presence.

Mingi stepped away which drew your attention back to him, taking note he was now pulling on a black leather vest over the white button up he wore, which Yeosang had just given to him. His hair was red now, the realization striking you with guilt. When did he change it? Why didn’t you know about it?

Are you even someone he would tell about such changes when they’re made?

The thought made the guilt heavier, which weighed more at the sight of Yunho stepping behind the two as he pulled on a leather trench coat over a black turtleneck. His hair was now a metallic blue, his makeup done and frameless glasses sitting on his nose. The jeans took away from the sheer intimidation of the outfit, just for you to notice metal like claws on his fingertips when he pushed the glasses up.

Wooyoung no longer had blonde in his hair, both his and Seonghwa’s hair was much longer than you remember even, but Wooyoung, Yeosang, and San were more casual outfits lacking the leather.

Something was up, and none of them were addressing you. Not even San and Wooyoung who were in the kitchen looking over some papers and pictures. Even Jongho stepped away to make himself comfortable on the couch.

For some reason… it hurt.

Three months since you had seen most of them, let alone all at once, and none of them were looking at you.

Your concerns over how to face them felt futile now, unfamiliar emotions and doubts weighing in your chest instead. Annoyance bubbling among them. Clearing your throat, you demanded an explanation at least. “Why am I here?”

Now it seemed like too much attention, all nine eyes were on you, a few gazes dipped down briefly, just to avoid you all together. Tension had your back straightening, as if you were standing on the edge of a knife.

“We have a meeting with the Green Vipers tonight. As a Pirate, you need to be a part of this.” Hongjoong’s voice rang out, steady and calm, cutting through the tension that was growing.

Tension that, you realized, was not at all because of you. “Should I change?”

“Yes please before I pop a boner.” Wooyoung blurted out, explaining why he suddenly found the back of Jongho’s head oh so interesting.

“Because that’s what she needs right now, a horny simp.” Jongho drawled out, not even glancing back at him.

The way you flinched unintentionally you know was noticed just from the way the tension felt thicker in the air.

With a sigh, Hongjoong dismissed Minjae before finally turning his full attention your way. “You have two options. Stay here with Yeosang and San and observe the meeting behind a screen, or come with us. I will not have you coming along if you feel like you cannot handle it.”

“I can.”

“No.” Hongjoong stared you down, a harshness to it that poked at your vulnerability. “You can’t.”

“Joong-”

“She needs to hear it, Hwa.” The shorter man cut off the other, taking a step closer and peering at you under the brim. “As your lover- if I can even call myself that right now- I want to give you all the time you need to work through what happened and heal properly. But as your boss, as the head of this organization you willingly joined, I cannot. I know you are aware of it, how badly this is affecting your work. Haru won’t say anything, she’s soft on you because of Wooyoung but she’s expressed concerns.”

His words felt like perfectly aimed blows but no retort could be formed in your mind. He was right. He was so fucking right but it hurt.

Of course he could see that it did, softening as he took a few more steps closer. “Firecracker… you need to stop this. If not for us, for yourself.”

It felt like an intervention, all eyes on you but no one speaking up in your defense. Not even Seonghwa had spoken another word. They all agreed, and you didn’t fault them.

You had been handling it so poorly, but how does someone get over what happened? How do you move on from it? How do you stop seeing it, feeling it?

It had been entirely selfish and reckless of you to agree to join when you knew you were in no position to actually do the job properly. Selfish of you to leave, to distance yourself after agreeing to be theirs- asking to be. Ignoring these emotions, the triggers, and them, like a fucking coward.

“I’m not a coward.” You mumbled it to yourself, but those nearest to you heard.

“No one is saying you are.” Mingi’s deep voice rumbled from your right, reaching up just to halt when you flinched at the sudden intrusion into your space. “Captain is pointing out that this way you have been coping is failing, both you and us, and it’s time to try something different.”

“I-”

“Do you think anyone knows how to recover from that?” Yunho now interrupted, staring you down over Mingi’s shoulder. “Doing it alone isn’t working. You willingly agreed to be a Pirate, to be ours, just to immediately detach yourself. We do things together, Butterfly. Meaning we are here for you to lean on. We want you to.” There were a few hums of agreement that followed

With a deep breath, you met his gaze. Then Mingi’s and finally Hongjoong’s. “Okay. Okay you’re right. I was… avoiding it. All of it. But I still want to be of help, Captain.”

“You can be, just not in the field, at least not for this. Go change, we have a bit before we have to leave and since you won’t be ignoring us anymore there are some things we need to fill you up on.” Hongjoong ordered, sending you away with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Taking it as the order it was, you headed upstairs, immediately searching for the small bin of clothes that was given you when you had first stayed here.

Meanwhile, the tension was still just as thick downstairs.

The moment the door had shut, San was grabbing Hongjoong by the shirt. “What the fuck Captain?”

The man’s expression lacked surprise, a tell he knew San would act this way. “It took the same for you San, don’t act like that.”

“I had more time!”

“You also suffered for three years!” Hongjoong immediately spat out. “And not during crucial points in our operations nor were you as involved as she is. So drop it.”

“Sannie…” Wooyoung gently peeled the man off of him, reaching up and cupping his cheek. “She needs this okay? You know that.”

The man’s glare softened, malice gone by the time he met Wooyoung’s gaze. “She’s different from me. And what she went through isn’t any less than what I did. We don’t rank trauma.”

“I know, baby. I know. You want to just stand by her side until she’s ready. I wish we could. You know I do.” He pulled San against him, letting the bigger man melt in his embrace.

Yunho stepped up, rubbing his large hand between San’s shoulder blades as he spoke not just to him, but the others. Seonghwa and Yeosang appeared rather guilty, watching the door to the master bedroom longingly and it wasn’t unnoticed. “But we can’t ignore how it’s hurting us all, and the Pirates, so we have to do something. She’s not going through this alone, she’s one of us now.” He didn’t need to go into details, they all felt your pain. They all were hurt by the way you pushed them aside, ignoring them.

They cared for you, and they knew it was mutual, but this was more than just trying to cope with what happened. You hadn’t been ready, not for this. To be with them, to be a part of this organization. Granted it would have been easier if it was just your trust they had to win over, but now it was much more than that. And during such a crucial time, as Hongjoong pointed out, they couldn’t afford to wait for you.

That was perhaps what hurt the most.

They wanted you here, with them, but they couldn’t wait for you to be ready. Something had to change.

By the time you came back down, wearing someone’s jeans and by the looks of it Mingi’s oversized shirt half tucked in, the others had calmed down. San was still leaning against Wooyoung, both now sitting on the couch holding hands, while Yunho sat next to San with his arm thrown over the back and resting on Wooyoung’s free shoulder. The taller man noticed the way your eyes took them in, tilting his head and meeting your gaze with a challenge there.

To say something. To challenge him back. To incite the banter the two of you had before it all went to shit.

But you were quiet, taking the open seat by Mingi and Jongho, Seonghwa now standing next to Yeosang while Hongjoong cleared his throat and demanded all attention. “A recap then.”

There were nods and hums in agreement.

“We were honestly just running business normally until your little suggestion, Firecracker.” Hongjoong started, looking right at you. “About pitting two of them against each other. The easiest targets were the Vipers and the wolves but- we might have jumped the gun.”

“We didn’t realize the Vipers would involve San in a turf war.” Wooyoung threw out. “They didn’t, at first, but part of the contract we loosely signed was San was hired muscle, for the fights mostly but they weaseled in a sub-contract of back-up muscle in emergencies. And while we could back out and risk San getting beat nearly to death- we'd lose the connections we made.”

“Wait… you said my suggestion?”

Hongjoong nodded when he met your curious gaze, but Seonghwa was the one who answered. “When we asked you what you would do, you said you'd get them to take each other out. So we had Yunho and Mingi plant some drugs and evidence that the Vipers had been encroaching on Wolf territory. Both are hot headed enough to punch first and ask questions later.”

You could remember the praise Seonghwa had given you that day, then the way he had left you to defend yourself from San who enjoyed teasing you. Had he immediately gone to talk to Hongjoong about it? Did they really value your ideas to that extent? Hongjoong had asked you about what to do back in the gym before you sucked him off, and later you had found out that the Vipers did get help.

They listened to you. Before you were even part of their organization.

“I… see.” The realization was enough to relax you, a smile tugging on the corner of your lips but you pushed it back. You could express your feelings for that another time, right now was business first. “So the Wolves took the bait and retaliated, the back and forth started.” You asked to confirm, looking at Hongjoong specifically to keep yourself calm.

The leader nodded, crossing his arms over his chest as his weight shifted. “Yes, and the wolves probably would have taken a good deal of the men out. We suspected the Guardians were already working behind the lines to contain the Wolves however, as the damage should have been worse.”

At that your eyes immediately glanced at San, concern pushing your brows together. Did that mean you had gotten a lot closer to losing him than you had thought? That didn’t sit right with you at all, especially when the man avoided your gaze as if he could read your thoughts. You never did find out what injuries he would suffer to be put on bed rest.

“Then there was the kidnapping situation.” The second the words were out of his mouth, the tension grew unbearably thick again, chin tilted down but he was gazing up at you with some concern. You didn’t have to look at the others to know they had similar expressions.

Right, you had been so adamant to avoid those days that you never bothered to ask why, and neither had they. Even now you didn’t want to think about it.

Hongjoong was so right, you couldn’t handle it.

But you wanted to. Fuck did you want. In this moment you needed to be able to handle it, to hear what was being said, the events that lead up to this meeting. You needed to know all the context if you were going to be any help. “So… what was that about?”

Mingi turned his hand palm up and rested it on his thigh, an open invitation for comfort- one you took. This was the first chance to show you could face it, that you wouldn’t keep running away, wouldn’t keep hurting them or hindering them by the way you were handling it.

“Well- we believe they realized Yunho and Mingi were the ones who planted the evidence. Which, the safe house you had been in was the one they were operating out of at the time. We hadn’t used it again until we brought you there, I think they had been watching it.” Hongjoong said it slowly, eyes searching your face for any signs of panic or triggers.

Ah right, the safe house they were going to interrogate you after you pulled a gun on Hwa and- fuck, you hadn’t thought about that night or unpacked any of it. The way Yunho had looked pinning you down, the gun in his mouth and wild excitement in his eyes-

With a shiver your eyes met his, as if he was thinking the same thing. You hadn’t even begun to scratch at the surface of how that made you feel, the excitement of it all that was so quickly ripped away from you in the following days.

“Their questioning backed up that they had little information, just knew who the safe house belonged to. They didn’t know our ranks, names, didn’t know your connection.” Seonghwa continued softly, a tremble in his voice that shocked you. “We’re sure that they only… did what happened to you because that fucker was sick and twisted and made a guess.” Not even he could put a name, call it what it was.

“So he raped and beat me for three days for fun??” You felt like the wind had been knocked out of your chest, squeezing Mingi’s hand as your throat felt hot from bile wanting to rise.

The slightest of nods from Seonghwa was another punch to your lungs.

Part of you already knew that, you heard what some of the red wolves had said before, the way they treated the Boas on the street. You had to help Handong with a few of the women, but when they looked bad, you ran.

A pathetic habit you developed.

You tried to quell that urge now, shutting your eyes and counting down from ten while focusing on the grounding grip of Mingi’s. It was easier with his hand there, hearing them right by you. Why did you think it was such a good idea to leave?

Fear. Fear made it feel like your only choice.

“Which he paid the price for.” Hongjoong’s tone was dark as he finally spoke, at least waiting until your breathing wasn’t so pained. “They all will. We thought about it after that, especially since we as the Pirates had worked with the Vipers to steal some wolf territory. We’ve been in talks since the bloodshed had died down but there is some serious rivalry between the two now.”

“The Vipers aren’t stupid though. After the casualties and the debt they wracked up for help from us and the Guardians, they can’t function properly anymore. So-” Yunho jumped into the conversation, sharing a look with the two older men before the three stood up. “Tonight we have a meeting with the head’s of the Vipers to discuss a merger of sorts.”

Your eyes went wide, realizing now just how important this was. A merger? Really?

It would increase their territory, double their man power, and with a little investment would double income. It also brought them closer to Red Wolf territory; whether that was a good thing or bad was yet to be determined.

Reluctantly, Jongho and Mingi stood up next to you, leaving you alone on the couch. Only Wooyoung, San and Yeosang stayed where they were. “The meeting is in an hour, we have to head out. Your job tonight is to help Yeosang with monitoring as he’s made sure he has access to the location. You’ll be able to hear what is said, and if anything sounds off to you, we want to hear it.”

“We can go over everything with you Goddess.” Wooyoung reassured you when Yunho looked his way to pick up where he left off. “We wrote down our own demands and goals so you can follow along and all that too.”

With a nod, you didn’t reply further. As the others readied themself, once more debriefing and checking their equipment, you stared down at your lap, processing all this new information. You said goodbye to the five, taking note that half of them were there for intimidation more than anything, but wondered idly how the Vipers would react to the more fashionable outfits of the two leaders, entirely different than what you expect of a crime lords.

But that was part of the reason they had such outfits, wasn’t it? As if they needed to look the part of crime lords, you knew damn well they were capable of getting their point across. At least, you saw with your own eyes what two of them could do, even if you had been too shaken to take notice. There was no need to worry about them, not against the Vipers.

The Red Wolves though?

“Sweetcheeks? Are you ready?” San was kneeling before you, brows furrowed.

“I… one question though, Sannie.”

“Ask away.”

You were sure that they weren’t going to just stop with the Vipers, the Pirates had their hands in all the families so… ultimate power over the crime world? Or at least, a majority of it? Meaning each family would have to be dealt with in one way or another.

“The Wolves… they’re going to be destroyed right?”

His eyes widened at the tremble in your voice, only to nod quickly, determination settling on his features. “Every single one of them, baby.”

A sense of relief washed over you, no remorse for the bastards who found it fun to destroy people the way they destroyed you. “Good.”

Chapter Text

It wasn’t easy getting into the mindset of crime lords when their hearts were filled with turmoil over you, but the five men managed during the car ride.

At least until Mingi, in the driver seat, brought you up again. “So… I’m assuming everyone is aware of what the shitty fucker she went to see tried to do?” He winced at the feeling of Yunho digging his fingers into his thigh, glancing over and taking note of his tongue poking the inside of his cheek, an angry tell of his.

“And how aware are you of it, Malik?” Hongjoong spoke from the back, a hard edge to his tone as he sat between Seonghwa and Jongho. Their eyes met in the mirror and Mingi had the feeling he didn’t have the full story.

With a deep breath, he focused on the road. “I’m aware he tried to kiss her, but I didn’t press for more details, she was shaken up.”

“Oh he did more than that.” Jongho scoffed.

Now Mingi was even more confused, glancing at Yunho, then at Seonghwa, hoping one of them would clarify. It was the latter that spoke up. “He admitted to her face about- fuck I don’t even want to think about it- but I think it’s safe to say the only reason we don’t have one of Minjae’s men putting a hit out on this shitstain is because she wouldn’t want that… and we need his stupid fucking unit.”

“So you heard their conversation? Ah- I see.” Mingi didn’t know what was said but if it was enough for Seonghwa to be calling him a shitstain, then Mingi was all aboard the hate train. “Any idea why she was even there?”

Out of the four others, it was Jongho that spoke up. “Only an idea.”

This had Hongjoong and Seonghwa turning to look at him in confusion, even the two in front were pretty shocked. “Well?”

The youngest didn’t meet any of their eyes. “She had been ranting to Yeosang about wanting to arrest some of the guys that came into the bar and Yeosang explained that we can’t make any arrests ourselves unless they’re thought out otherwise it could backfire. She did ask if another unit made the arrest and handled the police work, if that was more viable.”

“Oh.” Hongjoong said it first, understanding where this was going. The rants they heard about through Yeosang were one of the few things that kept them hopeful you would come out on top of this whole situation; anger was a great motivator after all.

“That’s… not a bad plan actually. And she thought about that before knowing our plans.” Seonghwa smiled to himself, the pride and awe in his tone matched by Hongjoong’s grin.

“Well we’ll just have to carry it out won’t we? She tried it her way, we’ll try it our way.”

Mingi shivered at the undertone their leader spoke with, but no one protested. Instead, he pulled up to the quiet restaurant, taking note of a few cars on the street but that the building itself was dimly lit and only had two guards standing outside giving notice to what was about to go down. “Anyways, Viper time?”

The restaurant itself was a small mom and pop type that wasn’t even open in the evenings, they already had access to the camera’s inside and some audio thanks to their outfits and around the building with some bugs. The anonymity of the Black Pirates usually made it easy to scope out a place before a meeting, even if given just a few hours worth of notice. Having a tech genius on their crew also helped immensely, the buttons on their jackets and Yunho’s glasses serving as cameras and extra audio. They were nothing if not thorough.

After giving the okay to Yeosang to connect to the car and their personal devices, Yunho was the first out of the car followed by Jongho, Seonghwa, then Hongjoong. As driver, Mingi stayed behind, also to keep an eye out in case an ambush or backup was called. Or worse: police.

Their demeanor shifted, Yunho behind the duo leaders while Jongho was in the front, stepping up to the guards and introducing them as the Pirates. He showed off his fingers as if to confirm, then the four were led inside.

Only a handful of men were in the restaurant, quite a few tables pushed aside but four men sat at one in the center, with a handful of guards around the room.

“Total of ten guards. Six here, two up front and two in the back.” Yeosang's voice rang in their ears.

“We already have four men not far from the back entrance, the two in the kitchen will be easiest to take out if things get dicey. The Leaders have a car out back with a driver so that would be their escape route. Sang is tapping into their communications now.” San added on followed by some chatter in the background.

It was maybe a relief when the four heard your voice, calm and focused. “The guard on the left behind the men- he comes into the club a lot. Likes flirting with one of the girls, Cherry. Woo says he's a huge gambler and owes the Boa’s money. He'd probably turn his back on them to pay those fees.”

Of course they couldn't reply, but a glance at one of the cameras from Hongjoong told the four watching they understood.

Jongho and Yunho pulled the chairs out and had Seonghwa and Hongjoong sitting the next second.

The buffer of the four men sitting scoffed and rolled his eyes. “You expect us to believe you're the leader of the Pirates?”

“Do you want proof?” Hongjoong hummed out with a tilt of his head, eyeing the man down. “Because if you won’t be serious about these negotiations, we can leave and you can pay us the original amount you owe us within a month.” He moved as if to get up, just for the brute to get elbowed by the more slender man next to him, shooting him a venomous glare.

From left to right, it was the head of their prostitution, the actual head of the Vipers -who appeared decently older than the rest-, the brute who was in charge of the fight ring and last, the lanky man responsible for their drugs. Hongjoong cared more about the leader, since this was his first appearance- though that was their main goal.

A face means they can find who he is outside of the Vipers. Even if that was all they got from this meeting, it was enough.

“Already have his face being run through our data, Captain.” The techie announced even if he didn't need to. Hongjoong knew he would, he trusted him.

If Yeosang managed to cough up any useful information, they could have even more leverage to make sure this meeting went just as they wanted.

He eyed the four of them, gaze harsh on the brute that had dared to question them. “Let us get right into it then. Mars.” He motioned towards Seonghwa who a moment later pulled a folder out from his bag under the leather cape.

Once it was in Hongjoong's hands, he was quick to place it on the table facing the other four. A contract with listed payments and pictures of the properties that they wanted as well. “We don't expect all of these, but these are the options you have. Our listed conditions in the contract however are non-negotiable.”

“A contract? You can't be serious?” The head of the fight ring scoffed again, not at all intimidated by the glares he received.

“We very much are. We take our work seriously, as well as what we are owed. You were warned our help was not going to be free. Or cheap.” Seonghwa added, pointing with a leather clad finger to the contract. “Three of the 6 properties. Different percentages of our cut on products. You get use of one of our docks, as well as contacts of smugglers willing to extend their contract with us to include you. We'll supply some men to make up for the losses you took, but we have free reign to scout any of your existing men as well.”

…

Staring at the monitors before you, the rest of the talk fell on deaf ears after Seonghwa had said that. The three around you were still laser focused on the screens, listening to the negotiations though only Seonghwa and Hongjoong did most of the talking. You stood right behind Yeosang, San to your left and Wooyoung to your right, the mic in front of you picking up any conversation the four of you had.

Wooyoung had praised them for their location choices, though you couldn't see what they were without leaning in closer and pressing your chest to the back of Yeosang's head; not that it mattered to you right now.

You were still reeling from the weight of Seonghwa's words. “Does that mean…” you whispered, drawing the attention of the two flanking you, “they can get you out of there safely?”

The fear that had risen up when the small war between the Red Wolves and Green Vipers had jeopardized San’s life had never gone away. You hadn’t dared to ask Hongjoong what he planned to get him out, afraid you would not like the answer at all.

Now you had it. The alliance between the Pirates and Vipers was a perfect opportunity to pull San out without blowing his cover or causing any harm. The most efficient way as well, as he could still technically fight if he needed. Not that you wanted him to.

“You tell me, sweetcheeks? What does that pretty brain of yours think it means?” San replied, his tone playful and you could hear the smirk in his words as well.

That was enough of a confirmation for you however, reaching for his hand on instinct as your expression softened. “You’re going to be safe now?”

San took your hand, fingers lacing with yours and his calloused thumb brushing over the back of your hand.

“I wouldn’t say safe- nothing about this job is safe Goddess.” Wooyoung felt the need to tease, bursting your bubble a bit.

San shot him a glare over your shoulder, moving a bit closer to you as his gaze settled back on yours. “While he has a point, I know what you mean. Yes it means they can get me out of immediate danger. So you don’t have to worry any more.”

Relief flooded you, muscles relaxing and letting out a breath that seemed to take some of the tension in your body with it. “I’m glad.” Still holding his hand, you tugged him a bit closer until you were side by side enough you could lean your head on his shoulder. You didn’t think about it, just did it, embracing the warmth radiating off him.

Wooyoung whined behind you, the screens forgotten for the moment. “Be touchy with meee~”

“No.” But you had a smile on your lips as he poked at your arm. “Focus baby boy.”

He sighed, but didn’t relent on the poking even as he turned his attention to the screen. “You guys should hurry up, I’m being deprived of attention now.”

“I don’t think now is the time for such banter, Woo.” Yeosang hissed up at him, motioning to the screens. It seemed you had missed an escalation of sorts as one of the Viper leaders was now standing and leaning over the table, glaring down at Hongjoong.

Hongjoong who was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, and a smug look on his face as he peered up under the hat at the man twice his size it seemed.

Even through the screen you could feel the tension, the charged atmosphere that would snap at the sound of a pin drop.

“I wouldn’t be acting so smug, little hobbit.” The brute snarled at the Captain, the next second 6 guns aimed at the four of your men.

Fear washed through you, detaching yourself from San’s arm and leaning against the back of Yeosang’s head to see the screen clearer. The man seemed unphased, fingers moving across his board as he was doing something on another screen- your eyes didn’t stray from this one.

“Easy baby, they’re going to be fine.” San attempted to reassure you, his hand sliding over your back, hesitating only when you flinched at the initial contact. “The vipers aren’t that dumb.”

As if to back up what he said, the leader of the four lifted two fingers and the guns were lowered. “No need for that, K, they aren’t a threat.” The man was pulled back to his seat by the viper next to him.

“Would you take us more seriously if we were?” It was Yunho who finally spoke up, a tick in his jaw you could see even in the dim light of the restaurant and camera quality. He was pissed, and now you wondered what you had missed.

What had been said or at least insinuated that would have Yunho staring at the men as if he was ready to kill them?

Nothing was said between the four leaders, but the first man, the head of their prostitution, nodded.

Your eyes widened in shock at what proceeded to play out on the screen. Yunho was quick, dashing around the table and disarming and knocking two of the six guards down, shot another in the knee with the newly acquired gun, and then tossed them to Seonghwa. Seonghwa had caught them with ease and pointed them directly at the two of the leaders that had stood up in the duration of Yunho’s actions: one at K, the other at the head of prostitution.

Jongho was much less graceful, the first guard he disarmed, he simply broke his wrist, resulting in a garbled cry as he took a hit to the stomach. He barely hit the floor before Jongho was swinging a punch at the next guard, grabbing his gun. This one was smarter, letting the gun go and bringing his fist up, connecting with Jongho’s cheek. He got one more hit in before Jongho started his own assault, handling him while he tossed the guns towards Yunho.

Who immediately pointed them both at the remaining guard. The one you had pointed out earlier. Yunho mouthed something to the man that had him dropping his gun in surrender and getting on his knees. Yunho kicked it away from everyone before pointing the guns to the back of the other two leader’s heads, while Jongho knocked out the guard then put the one who surrendered into a hold.

It had happened within half a minute, leaving you stunned.

“Still think we aren’t a threat?” Hongjoong mused, still in the same position he had been in before the brute had sat down.

You didn’t relax until the guns were lowered and Yunho and Jongho were standing next to Seonghwa and Hongjoong again. Though relaxed wasn’t the right word; less on edge. There was blood on the side of Jongho’s face, probably from a cut that he wasn’t attending to. It raised the intimidation factor for sure, keeping the others in check.

“It’s always hot how those two handle things.” Wooyoung muttered under his breath, snapping your attention to him. Once your initial concern wore off, laughter bubbled out of your throat and fell from your lips. Small, choked giggles really. “What?! You can’t tell me it’s not hot?”

“I think you’re the only one who finds it hot when we pulverize someone.” San teased from the other side of you, laughing under his breath. “Looks like it’s settled now so no more fighting on their end.”

Wooyoung whined at that, a cute pout on his lips. “Damn. I was hoping Yunho could get a little bloody too. Maybe if they’re worked up enough I can finally get that eiffel tower I’ve been praying-”

“Wooyoung!” Both you and San gasp out while Yeosang looks up at him horrified. The culprit didn’t look the slightest bit ashamed however. “We can talk about this later.” San added on.

The man didn’t seem done with his fun though, leaning in towards you and whispering. “Don’t let him fool you, Sannie gets all worked up after a fight himself. The van we used for his cover- Sangie refuses to listen in because we fucked in it so much at first.”

The hiss behind you and Wooyoung’s pride at his words just had more laughter bubbling up from your chest. “Oh my god, I can believe that. You’re such a slut, it’s cute.” You bipinched his cheeks, not at all realizing you felt a bit lighter.

Not until you turned back to the screen and found Yeosang with his head back, looking up at you with a soft smile. A smile that was mirrored on the other two’s faces. Heat rushed up your neck and burned your cheeks as your focus narrowed in on the screen. It did seem to be going smoother, and Jongho did look fine despite the blood on one side of his face…

You didn’t let yourself hope until the four men were signing the contracts provided, the leader shaking hands with Hongjoong. The older man paled when Hongjoong said a name, but he recovered quickly. So Yeosang had found out about him. When had he told Hongjoong? Perhaps when you were distracted.

“Good job Sangie.” You patted his head gently none-the-less, feeling as if he deserved the praise in the moment.

“Just doing my job… they’ll be coming back soon.” Yeosang didn’t look up, but you assumed he was a bit bashful. He never took your praise well.

Before you could lay more praise on, you were being pulled back by Wooyoung. “So- Sangie can handle it from here. Let’s get a medkit ready for bear and I should have enough time to tell you a story! How about a story of a wickedly handsome rogue spy and the very beautiful and badass cop who wins his heart?”

“Heard that one before.” You teased, knowing damn well he was talking about him and you. “How about… the one of the two undercover morally grey hotties that infiltrate an illegal fight ring?”

Wooyoung perked up at that. “Oh? Are you curious about the van stories? Could always recreate the scene for you.” He was leading you over to the kitchen that also had some medical supplies in one of the cabinets.

With a glance back at San who was still with Yeosang, a soft smile tugged at your lips. “Something like that. I never wanted to ask about the undercover part, just in case it worsened my fear of San’s inability to get out of the mess. But now… I’d like to know more. How it started. Why San. And yes, maybe about this van.”

Setting the kit down on the counter, Wooyoung continued to pull out more needed items. “You know, San told you it was purely sexual the day I kissed him in front of you… you know that’s a lie right?” He was nonchalant with it, but it reminded you of the day regardless. Your surprise when this new person kissed the man you were getting attached to. “When we started this mission, it was a turning point for us. I know he told you I saved him or whatever, but I don’t think the shackles really fell for him until the Vipers.”

Realizing there was more to the story than an undercover identity and a lot of sex in a van, you sat down on one of the stools, all your attention on the man across from you. There were a lot of reasons this piqued your interest, but none greater than the need to know how San broke free of his trauma.

Maybe it could give you the answers to break free of your own. “Tell me.”

Chapter Text

“Do I have to stay in this stupid van?” Out of all the things that San could complain about, this seemed to be what irked him the most. It was small and cramped, and creaked with each shift of his weight inside. If it wasn’t for the windows- which Wooyoung had still blacked out the ones in the back- he would refuse to step into it at all.

It reminded San too much of the small room he had spent three gruelling years in.

Wooyoung seemed unphased, holding the keys up that had a naked lady charm attached and an optimistic grin. Real charming, San thought. “I’ll be with you the whole time Sannie, don’t worry! And I think it has some… spark to it.”

“It’s a hippy van at best and smells of sex and urine.” San snapped back, narrowing his eyes on the man.

Wooyoung just shrugged, glancing at the company they had and ignoring San’s protests. “Is this enough of a cover, Captain?”

While San wished for anything else, it was not his decision, even if he was unhappy about it. He turned to stare down the slightly smaller man with a hard gaze, maybe a bit of intimidation would work, not that San thought he was any good at it. He still lacked the backbone when dealt with a threat, not unless he was ordered. And he was more afraid of the Captain than most men that would try and intimidate him.

Hongjoong was eyeing the white van critically, taking in the space in the back with the built in bed. He had asked Wooyoung to arrange a cover for San, but this was not what he expected. “So he… lives in the van? You’re making him… homeless?”

“Not entirely. This is his home.” Nonchalantly the smallest of them motioned to the van once more, keys jiggling from the movement. “He needs to appear desperate if he’s going to be hired to fight for the Vipers. Unless you’re already in the Vipers and want to prove your metal, you sign up for the brawls for the reward of drugs or money. Since we need him sober, homeless would be his best bet. I do find work for the desperate, it’s one of my many talents.”

“Is there anything you don’t have your hands in?” San snapped, again, at the man. The more he learned about Wooyoung, the more he believed him an enigma. He had connections with most, if not all the gangs in the city and in different fields of work. He had recently learned how Wooyoung had met Yeosang and convinced him to work for Hongjoong, which paired with how San originally met him, was quite a shock.

But he also knew Wooyoung had the charisma to convince a stranger the sky is green. Something about him just draws you in and makes you want to trust his word or find a reason to keep him around.

The smile Wooyoung flashed San was just proof of that. “I’ve been a busy bee Sannie, connecting with all types of people is what I do best. Especially in the underworld. I’ve lived in it my whole life.” He patted San on the back and nudged him towards the van. “So trust me on this. Not like you have to live here still, we have our apartment.”

While he encouraged San to give the van a chance, he explained once more the cover to both San and Hongjoong. A man new to the city, looking for work. They already trudged up a fake identity with some petty crime and enough of a record that finding… decent work wasn’t exactly a viable situation. But also nothing too crazy to earn him a rep with the Vipers. They wouldn’t put anyone in the ring they thought would be too hard to control, either from bloodlust or a bad temper. They’d find another use for them. But they wanted San in the ring specifically.

Hongjoong was convinced of the identity that Wooyoung had created for San, now turning to the muscle man with a question in his gaze. “Can you handle this?”

San had just managed to get on the unit after a couple years of cheating his way through the police academy, where he only needed to complete the last few semesters, and then police work as a uniform. He had earned the title guard dog both as part of the pirates and as a uniform, but as for jobs that required more than guarding something or getting physical, this was the first out of that margin.

He had to act the part. Pretend to be someone else. Willingly let himself get beat even if he could fight back this time. It was that last bit he was sure his Captain was worried about. San still didn’t handle getting hit very well.

He was still easy to push around, could still slip into that headspace of obey or suffer. He required some… care after getting hurt.

But no one knew that better than Wooyoung, as he was the one to supply that care every time. Perhaps that was why San looked to Wooyoung for the answer, as if he would know better if San could do it or not.

Wooyoung was once more unphased though, his grin widening as he took San’s hand in his. “You can.” There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in his tone or expression, and San believed him.

He didn’t protest after that, standing a bit straighter. Determination surged through him to prove Wooyoung right, to show his faith was not misplaced. If Wooyoung was sure he could do it, then he would grab onto that confidence with his whole being.

Hongjoong observed them both with a neutral expression, observing them closely. He offered a smile when he came to a conclusion of his thoughts. “Alright, then Yeosang will add in the security and equipment and you both can start. Remember to make your way up the ranks, get noticed. Vipers aren’t that thorough about background checks nor that cautious about who they let into their ring. But if you make them money…”

The Vipers liked to keep their money makers close, usually they reported to one of the three heads. While they weren’t willing to let one of their dealers infiltrate, and Hongjoong didn’t feel right getting one of the women to work for the other, their best bet was the fight ring. That’s what San was in for.

True to his word, Wooyoung got San in the ring not even a few days later. He stayed in the van with him, calming him down when it got too dark in the small van. Or too quiet. Would distract him the way Wooyoung knew best. The way the man enjoyed.

Maybe San enjoyed it too.

His nerves were shot before the first fight, the noise inside the warehouse barely making it out of the giant brick and metal building to the surrounding night air. Or maybe that was because of the crowd outside comparing cars they’ve decked out in ways San would normally find interesting if not for his nerves. He could spot Mingi in a crowd, showing off his own car to a bunch of women in barely any clothing and men who looked green with envy. Though San only glanced briefly, knowing damn well he wasn’t supposed to know Mingi; better yet, Malik the playboy street racer.

He was just a novice fighter, looking to make quick cash in the ring. And potentially glory. That's what he was to those around him.

Plenty of people seemed to know Wooyoung–well, Mito. He nodded, waved and smiled at a lot of them. Quite a few women came up, even a few men, just to shamelessly flirt.

San didn't want to address the fact it made his blood boil. That he wanted to pull Wooyoung close and kiss him. Stake a claim. This was the man's life, his connections and reputation. This was Wooyoung's world… San wasn't a part of it.

Not yet. Not fully.

And if some of those people checked out San when Wooyoung introduced him as Chan “the mountain”, San wasn't aware. More like, he didn't care. He didn't want to be seen in a sexual light, not by the men at least. The women? Well he may have returned a flirty smile or several.

Soon enough San was inside a makeshift locker room, fighting off cold sweats while Wooyoung was out in the audience collecting bets. It didn't matter if San won tonight, just that he made a big impression. To San, it did matter that he wins.

Tonight wasn't just an important night for the cover. It wasn't just a fight for an in. It was personal.

Soon enough, he was in the ring, staring down a man bigger than him, with scars and a smug smirk. He glanced over his shoulder at Wooyoung, just to notice he looked tense. He leaned over the ropes when Wooyoung beckoned him closer, feeling his breath on his neck. “They switched out your opponent, I’m sorry.”

That just made this fight even more personal. The original fighter was supposed to be a newer one- this guy was clearly experienced in the ring.

Yes, he didn’t need to win, not for the mission.

Just for himself.

Easier said than done when, it took everything San had just to block and dodge the man’s attacks at first. He took a few hits, his head ringing, panic gripping his spine in a tight hold that made his movements rigid.

He circled the ring, hands up as he wiped his bloody lip, eyes on the brute that was enjoying this. His vision momentarily blurred, picturing another man who had enjoyed hurting San.

Then he saw Wooyoung over the man’s shoulder. Wooyoung who had shown unwavering faith in him. Wooyoung who, for the first time in awhile, showed genuine concern for him. No, not concern: fear.

Wooyoung, the man of many faces, hiding behind many layers of himself, was afraid for San.

As a hit connected to San’s stomach, he didn’t take his eyes off the man who feared for him. He saw the twist of his brow, the white of his knuckles as he gripped the rope as if ready to jump in should San need it.

He would look back at this moment and say it was this moment where he realized he was in love with Wooyoung. Not only in love, but he knew without a doubt the other cared for him more deeply than he let on. Enough that he was debating blowing their cover just to protect him.

It was no longer about winning it for himself, but Wooyoung. It was no longer about standing up for himself after a monster beat him down; nor was it about proving his worth in many ways.

It was about him. Jung Wooyoung. And protecting him in the one way San could.

Another swing came for his face but like a switch, San dodged it, honing into his taekwondo days. No matter how many times he got beat by a girl, he had gotten up to fight again. He bet she could handle this brute. How would she?

San was on the defensive now, connecting his first blow and not stopping there. Even when he was hit, he swung back with two of his own. Quick, precise hits, and with the strength to really push it home.

Still, San did find himself flat on his bag, wincing as his head had hit the floor of the ring with some force. Disorientated enough that he didn’t see the fist flying down at him until it was already in swing. He acted quickly, rolling away and kicking his opponent away even if it had him stumbling back and over to the chair in the corner where Wooyoung was. He collapsed against it, his opponent taking a moment to regain himself as well.

Wooyoung brought a bottle of water to his lips, whispering just for him to hear. “Do you need to pull out?”

San scoffed and turned to look at him. “Don’t be going soft on me yet, brat, I’m going to win this.” He leaned in a bit closer, emotion thick in his tone as he continued. “I won’t settle for less when I have you in my corner cheering me on.”

He knew it flustered him, the way Wooyoung scoffed and then patted his chest. “Fine then, go kick some fucking ass.” He motioned for him to go do just that, and as battered and bruised as San was he rose up with confidence.

Confidence and surety as he stared the other man down, ready to fight and win. It was a shift in his aura, in his stance, and it resulted in him pulling a stunt he never would have before.

A showy kick that knocked the bigger man down with a thud. Wooyoung was shocked, rushing in to start the count when it looked like the man was out. The crowd counted with him, and yet the man stayed down.

San won.

Cheers erupted for “the Mountain” as San pulled Wooyoung to him, forehead to forehead while they held the back of each other's neck. The crowd around them faded for a moment as they shared a grin only the other knew what it meant. They won in more ways than just the fight and some cash. More than accomplishing the mission. San knew Wooyoung knew his own personal fight.

It was the first of many many fights to come but it was the most important to San.

What happened after was part of it.

Back in the van, San was still sweaty and bloody as Wooyoung was debriefing Yeosang over the phone at the same time he was tending to San’s wounds, ignoring the way the broader man watched him.

When Wooyoung finally hung up and met San’s gaze, the latter gripped Wooyoung’s neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Swollen lips moving messingly against Wooyoung’s own hesitant ones; at least until San’s other hand gripped Wooyoung’s ass. Then Wooyoung was straddling his lap and rolling his hips down onto San.

“What’s gotten into you?” Wooyoung chuckled against his lips as he held onto his shoulders, groaning at the friction to his cock. “I didn’t think you would want to fuck after being in a fight.”

“Mm, me either. But right now-” San’s hand slipped into Wooyoung’s pants to grab his buttocks, squeezing and kneading his cheeks the way he knew Wooyoung liked. “Right now I need you. I need you on my cock whining my name and praising me for the good job I did.”

Wooyoung let out a giddy laugh at that, lifting his hips so his pants could be pulled down. “Let me at least grab the lube first.”

“And if I’m too patient for that?”

“I’m not taking your thick cock dry. We both don’t need to be in pain tonight.”

“Shame- I know you like it.” San chuckled as Wooyoung pulled away just enough to reach into the box next to the makeshift bed in the van. He presented his fingers for the smaller man to glob lube onto them, and then San was pushing one of the slicked appendages past the tight rim of Wooyoung’s behind.

“Damn- really impatient.” Wooyoung let out a sigh of pleasure, leaning against San’s chest and practically fondling his pecs. “Everything about you is so thick. Your shoulders, your cock, your fingers- sometimes your brain.”

“I thought I asked you to praise me?” A second finger was quickly pushed in.

Wooyoung was working on pushing San’s pants down since the man was impatient. “That is praise. I like thick. I like you.”

San felt his cheeks flush as he rubbed his cheek softly against the top of Wooyoung’s temple. “Yeah? Well, I love you Wooyoung.”

The man in his arms stiffened at that, not even the push of a third finger into his tight rim getting much of a reaction out of him. “What?”

“You heard me.” He wasn’t afraid to say it again, nor was he ashamed of how he feels. “I love you.” He pulled his head back to look down at him, offering a dimpled smile. “You don’t have to say it back, I just want you to know. I got through tonight because of you. I found my will to fight, because of you. Because I want to protect you in the ways I can. I want to be useful to you.” He pulled his fingers out and lined himself up. “I want to be the man I think you deserve. That’s what got me to fight back. And to win. You.”

Surprisingly it was Wooyoung who pushed down and took San’s full length, the latter gasping out at the sudden tightness he had to grab Wooyoung’s hips to ground himself. “I love you too, Choi San.” He whispered out, cupping his face in his hands while he fucked himself on San’s cock. “I love you and I am always going to be in your corner. You got that?”

“Mmmhmm.” San moaned out, face flushed from the pleasure Wooyoung was giving him but also elated to hear the words back. “Fuck, Woo-”

He was cut off by Wooyoung’s mouth clashing with his again. They were desperate for each other in their vulnerable state, but neither felt more safe than when they were so close.

Wooyoung was San’s rock and he was going to take that role very seriously if it meant the man would keep smiling and winning.

Though maybe he shouldn’t have rocked the van that hard that night.

Chapter Text

“You broke the van?!” You gasped out as Wooyoung was grinning with pride. San looked embarrassed. “How the fuck did you manage that?”

“Technically we just got a flat tire. Somehow.” San had joined you and Wooyoung at the counter as Wooyoung retold the story of San’s love confession. San even threw in some points for himself.

Wooyoung laughed even louder, pointing his finger at his broad lover. “He was insatiable that night. Kept saying it over and over how much he loved me. I’d barely recovered before he was getting me hard again.”

San’s cheeks burned even more, reaching over to smack Wooyoung’s arm. He was saved from even more teasing as the others finally entered.

You were up quick, eyes searching for one particular one despite them all greeting you. When you spotted Jongho, you made a beeline for him and grabbed his hand. “Come on.” He was pulled to the medkit before he could protest further.

“Maybe I should’ve gotten hurt a bit too.” Yunho whined from the group, earning a smack from Mingi.

“You still have a job to do, Yunho.” Hongjoong chided as he set the contracts down near Yeosang’s monitors. “Get these in your system, Sangie and dig up anything you can about the guard that-”

Yeosang flashed him a disarming smile that stopped Hongjoong’s orders in his tracks. He sighed instead, changing course. “Send the information to Yunho then. And good job.” He patted his shoulder before glancing your way.

His eyes weren’t the only one on you as you fretted over the youngest of the men, but you were more concerned about the dried blood you were meticulously wiping off his cheek to reveal a cut just under his eye and a bruised up cheek. “You didn’t take care of it in the car?”

“No?”

“You could have at least wiped the blood away. Is your hand okay?” You were holding his chin with one hand, moving his face with a bit of force so you could take care of him.

“You really don’t need to worry about this. I can take a hit. I can dish it even better.” Jongho’s attempt to ease your concern was met with a glare. “Come on Darling-”

You forced his head to the side with a bit more force to show your displeasure, scoffing as you analyzed the cut. Good, it won’t need stitches. “And why can’t I worry about this?”

Stepping away you headed for the freezer to grab an ice pack, only noticing the eyes on you when you turned back around. Yunho and Mingi were chatting on the couch, Yeosang at work, Hongjoong and Seonghwa leaning in close to each other while watching you with their versions of concern. And Wooyoung and San were pouting on the other side of the island, no doubt feeling neglected.

“What?!”

“You’re just so cute when you’re worried for us.” San said wistfully.

“Yeah, patching us up is usually Hwa’s job. Do we get to call you Mommy too?” Wooyoung, in his usual fashion, turned a moment sexual and shameless.

Half the men in the room screamed his name in response, which had you holding back laughter.

Jongho hadn’t taken his eyes off you, now hiding his hands under his legs as you brought the ice pack to his cheek. He hissed, but still focused on you. “What do I get out of letting you take care of me? I have pride on the line you know.”

“Excuse you! The reward is the honor of our lovely baby taking care of you!” Wooyoung gasped out, taking several steps over and swinging an arm while San suddenly pulled him back, laughing at his reaction.

Your own laughter joined in at the bickering. You had forgotten how easily Wooyoung’s antics made you laugh; and this was a new side to Jongho you hadn’t seen before. Well, you knew he liked making bets and never did anything without something in it for him unless it was an order. But this was different.

He looked at you differently. Something soft and playful in his gaze, the corner of his lips lifting into a smirk.

So you played into it. “Fine. What price do I have to pay to tend to you without complaints?”

His answer was instant. “A kiss.”

Now it was his name that was half yelled in the room in shock. You certainly weren’t expecting it, even if this had been without the added inversion to physical touch you had formed.

Hongjoong placed a hand on Jongho’s shoulder, a serious expression adorning his features. “That isn’t something to joke about.” That miffed you. Was it a joke because they knew you wouldn’t? You had kissed San and Wooyoung some since the whole thing. Even if that was at first. But that didn’t mean you wouldn’t even consider it!

Before you could state your displeasure, Jongho removed his Captain’s hand from his shoulder. “I’m serious. I want to kiss her.” His gaze shot past Hongjoong over to Yeosang at the monitors, the two of them having a moment before they nodded. Attention was back on you while you were still reeling from his words. Something about the phrasing had diffused your anger.

The air in the room was filled with a new, heavy tension as one by one the others realized the importance of this moment. Even you did, though you questioned if you knew the exact extent of it. Jongho had been cruel to you at first in a twisted means of keeping you away from them and danger, and while he had accepted you and expressed he cared, this was the first real expression of desire for you in a sexual or romantic way.

You knew enough about him to know that was a big thing to him, and that he most likely had good reason for keeping his distance.

San and Wooyoung’s story from before was brought back to your mind, as if to remind you each of them have a reason for being here. Each of them have something they wanted to overcome and maybe… maybe they still are.

As outrageous as it sounded in your head, this felt like San’s first fight. The importance of that moment. The will to grab onto a new strength, a new hope, to overcome something that had broken you so badly.

Not a single one of them spoke up or rushed you as the two of you had an intense staring contest while the gears in your head worked. But their support was felt, you just had to look at the way they watched you. The way they were tensed up as if to run to your side should you ask.

Licking your dry lips, you found your voice. “Is that really something you should be asking of me after our earlier conversation? Or should I say, intervention?”

“On the contrary, I think that is exactly why I should ask now. Call it a daring move.”

“I didn’t know you were so daring. More like reckless.”

He brought his hand up to cup yours, still holding the ice pack to his cheek. “People tend to be when they’re desperate.”

When he leaned into your hand more, you found yourself fighting off a blush. Bold Jongho was new, but you didn’t dislike it. “And why would you be desperate? You’re not dying.”

“I’m desperate to grasp something precious to me before it falls through my hands again. So… can I receive a kiss for letting you needlessly fret over me?”

Again? So were your earlier thoughts right? Was this Jongho making steps in his own recovery from something painful?

Had you not, just a bit earlier, resolved yourself to do the same?

“Fine. I’ll kiss you once you let me bandage you all up.”

In a breath, the tension eased considerably in the room. Seonghwa placed a hand over his heart and mumbled praises to God while a few of the others silently cheered in their own way. Your two lovebirds whined and pouted though.

“No fair! What about my kiss?!”

“It should be me first, Woo! You met her last!” San huffed and pulled Wooyoung back.

You laughed softly once more, the weight in your chest not nearly as heavy as you expected from the idea of kissing Jongho. “You know, you two sure do act a lot alike sometimes. It’s cute.”

“Oooh you’re right Angel! They do.” Seonghwa jumped on the train to tease them, the others joining in as you started tending to Jongho once more.

He let your hand down so you could take care of the cut, but now you were frowning at his hands. Knuckles bloody and bruised but he was nonchalant about it. You still noticed him wincing as you dabbed away the blood with some alcohol wipes.

Hongjoong took that moment to check in on you. “Firecracker, you didn’t agree because of earlier did you?”

“I did.” You didn't look up from Jongho’s hand in yours.

“I didn’t mean to press-”

“Captain. It’s not like that.” You sighed, glancing up for a moment to catch the fleeting distress in his eyes. “You were right. My way of coping was not working. So I thought about it. I thought about what way I could try that wouldn’t cause any problems. Which, I should thank Wooyoung and San for giving me the answer?”

The two in question looked up from Wooyoung’s phone at their names. “What? What did we do?” San tilted his head in confusion.

“I mean of course I had the answer but for clarifications, which one was it?” Wooyoung huffed out his chest.

With how endearing they were, how could you avoid them? Really?

Hongjoong didn’t look very impressed and Jongho rolled his eyes. “Yeah… whatever advice they gave you, you should ditch.”

Laughing softly, you shook your head. “They told me about San’s first fight in the ring. I… forgot that you all suffered your own pain and have overcome it in your own ways. My way wasn’t working, so I sort of want to try San’s. Er, well, kind of. It sounded to me like he was able to take the steps forward because he has Wooyoung by his side. And as was pointed out earlier, I’m not alone any more.”

Your gaze flickered up to Jongho’s after you finished wrapping his knuckles. “I have all of you. All of you who trusted to let me in. Who saved me. Who respect me. I’m in no condition to work in the field right now, but I still want to work so I’ll take whatever orders you give me Captain. But I’m not going to just wait until I can handle being touched again.”

“What… Do you propose then, gorgeous?” Hongjoong’s tone was barely a whisper but you heard the emotion there. A bit of awe at your resolve.

In answer, you didn’t speak, instead leaning forward and pressing your lips to Jongho’s. It was rushed, your lips pulling away before you could register the feeling of his lips on yours. But it was just to test out if you could. “Exposure therapy. More and more until my body remembers your touches, kisses, and more rather than all the shit that fucking thing did to me. I won’t let him take my body from me… I won’t let him take you all from me.”

It was no longer about trying to forget him and those three days. It was about holding onto what you had with them. About desiring them being with them. A simple shift in your perspective. From being touched, to touching them, and you already felt stronger.

Now, to test the theory and put it into practice.

“You call that a kiss?” Jongho growled out, reaching up to touch you but you were already closing back in.

Focused on him.

His hand slipped into your hair, gentle despite the desperation he had shown in his tone. It wasn’t perfect, but you could feel the bandages around his hand now pressing gently against your scalp. You could feel the restraint with each flutter of his lips over yours. Your breath was stolen first from the anxiety that spiked, but as you repeated his name in your mind, you truly lost yourself to the kiss.

At least until his hand moved to the back of your neck.

You pushed away gently, reaching up to grab his forearm while resting your forehead against his. “That’s… that’s enough for now.”

“Did I frighten you?” He mumbled for your ears only, breath fanning against your parted lips as he met your gaze. His normally steel gaze was absent, instead emotions and vulnerability reflected back.

So you were right, this was a big moment for him. Curiosity ate away the anxiety and you were tempted to ask, the fact you two weren’t alone the reason for your pause. “You didn’t frighten me, I just-”

“Wow, never thought I’d see Jongho kiss another woman again after Soyeon.”

You would have ignored Yunho’s words if Jongho’s entire demeanor didn’t shift at the name. His steel expression was back, burning hot with restrained rage. He dropped his hands and guided you back a few steps while you were trying to wrap your head around the change in him.

“I’m going to change and then head home. I have some work to do.” Jongho’s emotionless tone stole your breath momentarily, unable to find your voice before he was disappearing into the bunk space they used beneath Captain’s room.

“What the fuck Yunho!” Hongjoong scolded the taller, making his way over to him to give him a piece of his mind, words spoken too low for you to catch.

Seonghwa rushing over to you also drew your attention away. He fretted in front of you like a concerned mother, calling your name. “Are you okay?”

You tore your eyes from the door Jongho disappeared into, bringing your fingers to your lips. “Uh, yeah. Just… confused. Who is Soyeon?” And why did he act like the name was a knife twisting in his chest.

The older man sighed, sending a glare in Yunho’s direction. “It’s… not really our place to say. This is Jongho’s weight to tell you about but… Soyeon is his ex-girlfriend. And the reason he joined us.” Ah, it was a knife twisting in his chest.

“And the reason he almost died, don’t forget that! Blue Goblin bastards.” Wooyoung happily supplied, earning a scolding look from Seonghwa. “What? Jongho can punish me later, he’s already going to be worked up and I doubt he wants to hurt Sangie.” He wiggled his ass in anticipation. “Anyways, Goddess, Soyeon is his ex. She was two-timing him with a member of the Blue Goblins a couple years back. The guy found her and Jongho and, well, only Jongho survived the encounter and just barely. It was lucky that Sangie saw it all on camera and had some of our guys go help in time to save his ass.”

While Wooyoung happily dished out the tea, he was running around the counter now as Seonghwa was stalking him with the intention of shutting him up. San stayed out of the way, letting Wooyoung face the consequences of his own actions but also not supplying any help catching him.

You didn’t step in either, not when Wooyoung put so many puzzle pieces in play that helped paint a better picture of the man you were just kissing.

It explained why he was so distrustful of you at first. Why he said half the shit he did. Why he acted like they didn’t need a woman.

Why he had been so scared for you to get hurt.

“Seonghwa.” You called out, glancing over to see he had gotten Wooyoung on the floor and was gripping his shirt. The smaller man was clearly enjoying being throttled, but he was forgotten when Seonghwa dropped him to pay attention to you.

He was by your side in a flash. “Yes?”

“Can I… can I stay here?” You wanted to be closer to Jongho. “I think it would be good if I’m with one of you at all times.”

His face lit up at the idea, taking your hands in his. “Of course, Angel. Joongie baby, I’m sure you have an idea how we can make that work?”

“Actually yeah.” No longer wearing the hat, Hongjoong made his way over, leaving behind a dejected Yunho. “I already had a few ideas, so we can lay them out for you, firecracker, and you can tell me what works best. And I mean what you can handle. No more lying about that, understand? This work is too important for you to be put in a position that might backfire.”

Nodding, you steeled your expression. “I understand Captain.”

That night, you didn’t sleep alone. It wasn’t like when you first came here, curled between two of them, but you were back in the bed on one side this time, facing your Captain and Co-Captain as they slept in each other’s arms.

Both of them had a hand reached out for you. Both held yours when you reached back.

It was a start.

Chapter Text

While it had been your idea to try “exposure therapy”, you hadn't been convinced it would actually work. Perhaps you should have taken into account the determination of the others to help you, touch you, now that you were open to it.

It took effort, like sitting with the uncomfortable feeling in your chest while whomever had their hands on you. Trial and error to see what touches had you reacting in what way. The biggest effort was not tensing up and expecting the worst whenever you knew they were about to touch you. Wooyoung helped break you of that habit by scolding you out of it, which both Yunho and Mingi picked up on since it seemed to do the trick.

“Not even touching you yet, come on, get it together.” If anyone else had said something like that to you, they'd probably get punched. But that was also perhaps the reason it worked. Anger at yourself for freezing up. And a determination to have your shit together.

Initiating the touch first was the biggest factor though. One they were all happy to let you do.

Almost all of them.

“Yeosang, I have dinner.” Knocking on his office door you stepped in, by now used to seeing the dozens of monitors surrounding the one desk chair that seemed to dwarf the man in it. He waved his hand on the side but didn't say anything.

Stepping up next to him you could see him eyeing one of the monitors. Your eyes followed, a smile tugging at your lips. He was watching San fight with such an intense look on his own pretty face. It was cute.

Setting the food down, you quickly leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek, watching with amusement as his eyes got big and his ears burned red.

It wasn't that Yeosang didn't like you touching him, he was just shy, a fact that just made him more adorable in your eyes. How a grown, muscled genius of a man was the most adorable thing you had ever seen was a question for someone else. Even though he was shy and got so easily flustered by your touches, that also made him one of your favorites to touch.

And considering the amount of time the two of you have spent over the last few weeks, there was a lot of touching. Quick kisses to his cheeks that left him side eyeing you. Playing with his hair, poking at his muscles, playing with his fingers or-

Sitting down on his lap, as you did now.

He went rigid under you, gripping the chair as you moved and got comfortable. You didn't need to look at his expression to know he was frozen with growing red cheeks. Wooyoung had been kind enough to tell you he's only slept with or touched guys- him and Jongho- and that you were the first woman he was actively interested in.

“Is our Sannie winning?” You asked nonchalantly as you bent forward to look at the screen. You felt more than heard the way he choked on his breath at the movement, hiding a sly smirk behind your hand and thankful your back was too him.

“Uh yeah- the other guy only got like two hits in. He's gotten better at dodging more. Said he doesn't like you being upset when he's hurt.” Yeosang spoke behind you, the slightest tremble in his tone a tell to the effect you had on him.

“He's so sweet.” You sighed instead of teasing Yeosang. He kept his hands at his sides, not touching you, but letting you do as you wish with him. While normally you would be worried he was scared to touch you because of what happened, you knew by now he would've been like this regardless.

Deciding to pity the man under you, you turned to start unbagging the dinner. “So we have chicken, chicken, and more chicken to choose from. Again. I don't know why I still ask you what you want to eat when it's the same thing, usually just from a different place. Hwa will scold us both if he catches on to the amount of chicken I've let you get away with eating. So would Woo but I'm not scared of the little gremlin.”

That got a soft chuckle out of him and you could feel him relaxing in the seat. “I can fully take the blame.”

“Like their baby could do anything wrong.” You mocked with a roll of your eyes, opting to move off his lap just so you both could eat for now. The others spoiled Yeosang and wasn't too harsh on him, but now that treatment extended to you too.

You had taken Wooyoung's chair from his desk and brought it in here since this was your usual night now. Eating takeout with Yeosang as the two of you watched over the screens. On nights when San was fighting, you both watched and cheered as if he could hear, having no doubt that San was going to win.

He had gotten quite the reputation in the fight ring, enough that Hongjoong had worked out with the Vipers that San would be theirs only for fighting. If they wanted him for any other activity, they had to get Hongjoong's approval. Of course the Pirates also got a cut of San's winnings through the Vipers, which turned beneficial. He could probably make it in the MMA's or professional fighting if San wanted.

When they weren't eating take out, they were eating whatever lunch or dinner Wooyoung or Seonghwa had made for them, both of them like fretting mothers. It was endearing, but slightly frustrating. You weren't a good cook since all your talents were focused in other areas but being babied still had you pouting. The food you never bothered to complain about though because fuck it was delicious.

While you ate, Yeosang listened to whatever you wanted to talk about, which was usually what work you spent doing. Hongjoong had left you in charge of the police side of things. Going over paper work, making notes, and summarizing so all he had to do was sign anything that needed it. You made the right calls, and with Yeosang's help, directed enough arrests by uniforms to make it look like the organized crime unit was active and doing well.

Currently you've had a few lower ranked Vipers arrested to make the group sweat even more. Pressed by police and the Pirates. You could see the appeal to working both angles, especially since it was making the Vipers anxious enough to slip up more and now rely more heavily on the Pirates for their work.

On two occasions you got to participate in interrogations with Jongho. And on both of those occasions you had sat him down afterwards and kissed him breathless while your hands roamed his upper torso. Stopping only once the anxiety in your chest started to make you breathless for a different reason, which he would talk you down from with soft words that made the man feel more like a giant teddy bear than an intense cop who knew how to get criminals to really squirm- and you but you weren't ready to verbally admit that yet.

After finishing up the meal, you took care of the remains out the back door so not to get caught indulging when the two of you were picked up later. Returning to Yeosang, he was once more in the same position as before but staring at a different screen.

You paused just behind his chair, eyes going wide and just what he was staring at.

Mingi.

Naked, sprawled out, and fucking his fist.

“Oh?”

The second you spoke Yeosang scrambled to change the screen but you were a bit faster, grabbing his hand and stopping him. He started tripping over his tongue with an excuse, unable to meet your eyes when you glanced down at him.

He was red, flustered, squirming, and the way he scrambled for words made him sound whiney. His squirming directed your eyes down to where he was trying to cover his crotch and your body had a visceral reaction.

“Sangie, do you like watching?” You spoke slowly, letting each word hang in the air with heavy weight.

He froze up, head down, and after a moment he nodded.

Still holding his wrist you glanced back at the screen, clicked on it with Yeosang's hand, and inhaled sharply as Mingi's deep, familiar moans erupted from the speakers. The fact he was moaning your name?

The feeling of being wanted bloomed in your chest with no added anxiety. Yeosang was the one who brought on this feeling the most recently, his shy reactions to your touch always boosting your ego. Made you feel wanted and powerful and in control. And now hearing Mingi, whom you figured he knew you were most likely watching when you caught him glancing at the camera, it intensified that feeling.

You'd talk to the man later, right now you had another to deal with. One who was reacting to Mingi's sounds as much as your stomach was. “You like how Mingi sounds, Sangie?” You turned back to him, slowly spreading his legs with your knee as you set it on the edge of the chair, hiking it up until it was so close to the growing bulge.

He just let you, nodding his head fervently. You liked his honesty. “Reminds me of when you two…” He trailed off, but you caught on.

“Oh baby, did you watch Mingi fuck me dumb over and over? Did you get off to it? Seeing me cum on his cock? Seeing him make a mess of me?” Your voice had taken on a deeper sultry tone, confidence brimming inside you. The hitch of his breath at your words and the way he was clearly holding back from putting forward stroked your ego to no end.

He dared to look up, brows furrowed together and eyes glassy with desire. He bit down on his lip, teeth catching on the bottom cyber bite you seem to always forget was there.

How would it feel to kiss him with those?

Why not find out now. “You're much naughtier than I gave you credit for, my little voyeur. Can I touch you baby? Can I kiss you?”

He nodded his head so fast you thought he would give himself whiplash.

Still you took your sweet time climbing onto his lap and lowering closer. He was patient despite the eagerness in his eyes, keeping his body still so you could get comfortable on him. You ran your hands up his arms, squeezing his impressive biceps and then rubbing his shoulders. Your thumbs gently massaged the sides of his neck as you pulled his head forward, eyes lowered to his parted pretty lips.

Later you would recall not an ounce of anxiety as you pressed down against his body. Chest to chest and lips to lips. He moaned into the kiss, parting his mouth for you to claim at your leisure. You ate up a sweet deep rumble of a whine when you pressed down on his bulge, gasping at the feeling yourself.

And brimming with pride over the spike of desire it caused. “You can touch me baby. I'll tell you to stop if it gets too much.” You murmured before nipping at the bottom piercing and tugging, earning a groan from the pliant man beneath you.

His hands were trembling as he brought them to your hips, squeezing gently before releasing as if he was too scared to do so. While your tongue slipped in to explore his mouth, you brought your hands down to his and moved them to your ass, giving an encouraging squeeze. He immediately did so, your breath catching in your throat at the action.

Mingi's moans weren't forgotten, they just seemed to add to the lust fueled daze the both of you found yourself in. Yeosang was responsive to your slightest touch, pliant and eager but all of the control was in your hands.

It made you feel powerful, hearing one man moan your name while another whined at the way you sucked on his tongue. You wanted to pick Yeosang apart beneath you. See what touches would get him to make prettier, whinier sounds. How he would look feeling your cunt take in his cock-

“Oh my God.”

The new voice, followed by a slam of a door, had the both of you pulling away. You stared at each other with wide eyes and heavy pants, blinking back from the daze when you realized what just happened and burst into laughter.

Yeosang was mortified beneath you, groaning and now hiding his head in his hands while you laughed and managed to turn the sound back off on the screen, noticing that Mingi was now cleaning himself off.

“We'll be right out, Junghoon!” You called out to Yeosang's second, who took over the night watch of the monitors. One of the others was probably out with him as well, hearing all about the scene he had walked in on.

Your good mood shifted considerably when you minimized the camera to show the other 8 on the screen as well, frowning when you noticed a familiar figure in your apartment hallway. Hyunjin? He looked drunk.

“Do you want me to get Mingi to help him?” Yeosang offered, breaking your train of thought you hadn't realized you had gotten lost in.

“Uh, yeah.” You climbed off his lap to let him do that, tearing your eyes from the screen as you fixed your clothes. Your gaze found the monitors again though, this time taking note of your once familiar apartment. All the corners are covered.

Yeosang really had sat here and watched you and Mingi fuck for two whole days huh? And when you held Seonghwa hostage. Everything that happened in that apartment, Yeosang knew about. Saw it.

While this wasn't new information, it hit you hard once again. Before you might have found that outrageous, an invasion of your privacy. But now? Seeing Mingi get dressed in his room to go handle your drunken friend outside your apartment? There was some sort of safety in being watched by the man next to you.

“When I held Seonghwa at gunpoint… were you upset with me then?”

Out of all the questions you had in your head, it shocked you that this was the one that was blurted out.

Yeosang glanced up at you, just as shocked by the question. “No. None of us were.”

“Yunho was. And Jongho.”

Yeosang bit down on his swollen bottom lip, glancing back at the screens to watch Mingi now confronting Hyunjin. “They're not any more. You can talk to them about it if you want. Do you want to hear what they're saying?” He motioned to the screen, changing the subject.

You thought about it for a moment, then nodded. Yeosang clicked on the window and immediately Hyunjin's sobs were echoing in the room. You couldn't make out what he was saying but Mingi was now consoling him. “Do you want to see here?” His deep voice cut through the sobs and you realized Hyunjin was sobbing over you.

Sitting down since your knees suddenly felt too weak, it was your turn to anxiously bite on your bottom lip. Now that Junghoon was here, Yunho should be picking you two up to head back to the Captain's place. There you usually do your version of exposure therapy which you technically just did with Yeosang. Then a debrief to Captain if he was there, and then spending time with one of them until you went to sleep.

“Would… Do you think the Captain would be okay if Hyunjin was brought over to his place so I could talk to him?”

Yeosang didn't know how to answer that without asking Hongjoong himself. Though thankfully they didn't have to, since neither of you noticed the door was open again.

“He can for tonight if you trust him, firecracker.” Hongjoong called out, making you both jump to look over at him. “Yeosang, let Mingi know, then Seonghwa since he's at the place.” He made his way over to you, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of your forehead and rub your back between your shoulders. It was how he always greeted you now, the familiarity relaxing you. “Then we can head back.”

You leaned into his touch with a soft sigh. “Are you taking us? What about Yunho?”

“We switched places since he pissed me off earlier. Thought it would be a fun idea to fuck Wooyoung while driving. Would have gotten away with it if Wooyoung hadn't bragged to Mingi when I was nearby.” He grinned wickedly at the memory. “That thrill kink of his is going to get someone killed one of these days.”

“Thrill… kink? You know what, never-ending, I'm perfectly okay heading home with you.” You put your hands up dismissively and shook your head. Though it brought up memories of the crazy look in Yunho's eyes when he sucked on the gun you threatened him with.

Shivering at the memory, you kissed Hongjoong's cheek before heading off to get your purse, hearing Mingi's voice in the background “I'll take you to her. Come on.”

You had more concerning things to deal with than Yunho's dangerous kink.