[Fic] Same Kind of Different 25/29
May. 3rd, 2011 01:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lotus_beautyTitle: Same Kind of Different
Author: LotusBeauty
Type: multi-chapter
Rating: R
Pairings: Yoochun/Jaejoong
Genre: AU, drama, fantasy, steampunk-ish, humor, angst, action, kitchen sink
Summary: In a world where a power called an attribute gives a person certain abilities, those with attributes are equally loved, hated and, well, normal. And just because people have attributes, doesn’t mean there isn’t crime, so Micky joins a bounty hunting team and finds while this is exactly what he was looking for, he might have found something else he didn’t know he needed. (previous chapters can be found HERE.)
Notes: contains world creation, fantasy elements, and just might have a bit of fun~ Profiles of characters can be found HERE :)
Disclaimer: Not mine, never were, but a girl can dream through fiction.
25: if it’s too good to be true, then I’ll make the best of it
Micky came awake with a gasp as he heard his name.
“Micky…..” The voice was faint, but he recognized it immediately. “…help…….”
He pushed off the bed and paused to kiss his lover’s cheek, knowing he was still recovering from the healing session with Junho. He would be fine until Micky returned. Someone else needed his attention much more. “On my way.”
Micky burst into the hallway and into the front room as those who were awake turned their eyes to him. “I need a team.”
They looked between one another confused. “What’s going on?” Sunny asked as she set down a mug.
“I have a promise to keep.”
Micky picked Tiffany, Sunny and Changmin. He led them, trudging through the snow a fair way off from the cabin before he told them. “Jiyong is in trouble.”
“What? How do you know?” Sunny asked as she came up to his side.
“I put a tag on him. He was the one who helped us escape. Jiyong agreed to do some spying for me,” he admitted.
“Did you tell Yunho?” she asked as he shook his head. “Are you sure this isn’t a trap?”
“Why let us out only to lure a few of us back?” Changmin pointed out. “His boss doesn’t know Jiyong made the deal.”
“Unless it was tortured out of him,” Sunny retorted.
“Enough, let’s just get to him!” Micky bellowed as a scowl appeared on his brow. “I promised I would listen. He asked for help.”
“Fine,” Sunny grumbled as she followed along. “Why don’t you complain?” she asked Tiffany.
“I can feel his humiliation and pain,” she replied calmly. “He is no part of any plan.”
Everyone fell silent as Micky led the way to Jiyong in the falling snow. The serene landscape put him on edge instead of calming him. He would have preferred sounds around him to the silence. At least he’d kept the connection of his tag open to make sure Jiyong was still breathing.
When they finally found the young man, he was in a sorry state and had nothing to keep him warm. It was clear what had happened. He had betrayed, so he’d been thrown out with the trash, so to speak. They left him beaten and bruised, dumped in the snow plains. Good thing Micky had placed that tag. Sunny was silent as she placed her hands on him to keep him warm as they made their way back. Tiffany watched their back as Changmin kept his eyes sweeping the area, but it wasn’t needed. Micky had a feeling Junho would be displeased with having another person to heal, but his nature would get the better of him. He couldn’t just leave anyone that needed help. And Micky was right.
Once back, Junho just shook his head and waved them into another room. He didn’t even bother saying anything as he immediately began to look over Jiyong and check his vitals. Micky slipped his coat off and handed it to Sunny as Tiffany stopped next to them. She was a quiet type, but her silence was starting to worry him. So was her sad expression.
“It’s gone.” Junho’s voice was quiet as he stood still.
“What’s gone?” Micky asked.
Tiffany’s mouth set in a grim line before she spoke. “His attribute.”
~*~
Micky woke again later to a hand slowly combing through his hair. It was like his early morning adventure had been a dream. And the touch could only mean one thing. He opened his eyes to see Jaejoong’s on his, and smiled as he pulled his lover into a tight hug. He didn’t have to say anything, elation was already making him grin like an idiot.
“You did bring him,” Jaejoong said as they pulled back, Jiji watching them from the pillow. He looked pleased with himself for some reason. Maybe he’d caught a mouse.
“Couldn’t very well leave him. No one would have been home to take care of him,” Micky replied as he watched Jaejoong scratch under the cat’s chin. “He wanted to come with to the outpost, but I couldn’t let him,” Micky lied, but Jiji didn’t meow anything different.
“A battle is no place for a cat,” Jaejoong agreed as he sat up. Jiji yowled in displeasure when Jaejoong forgot to keep petting him. He purred happily when the petting resumed and Jaejoong rolled his eyes at Micky who just smiled. Persnickety cat. It reminded him of someone else he knew so well and readily gave up a kiss when he decided to take it.
“How are you feeling?” Micky asked as he sat up and looked his lover over. The welt on the back of Jaejoong’s hand was lessening, and he checked Jaejoong’s back to see the same there.
“Well enough,” Jaejoong replied quietly as Micky sat back. He seemed to be holding something back.
“What is it?” he asked, hoping now one would overhear and burst in to interrupt.
“I—I killed someone.”
Micky pursed his lips and squeezed Jaejoong’s hand. “I know.”
Jaejoong frowned, confused. “How could you…” he trailed off as it dawned on him. “You heard. I… I didn’t want you… That wasn’t exactly the last thing I wanted you to hear.”
Micky frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I thought… I thought I was going to die in there. I really did.” From the look in his eyes, he truly believed it. “I almost thought I was dreaming when I woke up today.”
“I’m here, I’m real.” Micky pulled Jaejoong into another hug and felt his lover hold tight. He silently rubbed Jaejoong’s back to calm him, but a thought distracted him. “The drain device you were on, it looked different.” From the ones he’d seen, the machine had a front end made of AA material that was a block of metal with shackles attached. The device Jaejoong had been on was open where the attribute user was held, only a skeleton of metal holding the shackles in front of the main machine, which had rods sticking out of it to connect with the body of whoever was strapped in. They were positioned at particular points—at the hands, feet, neck and along the spine—important spots on the body—which was evident by Jaejoong’s bruises. This was a much more efficient machine by far. They had definitely done their research. Who they did experiments on, Micky tried not to dwell.
“It hurt…” Jaejoong murmured. “But not in the way a cut hurts. Like the way pulling off a bandage, or pulling hair hurts. It felt like the machine was stripping away a part of me, tearing it out.”
Micky sighed silently and didn’t let go. He hated hearing about experiences in the drain devices. “So they tried to extract your attribute.”
He let go to lean back catch Micky’s eyes. “Almost. They were testing my energy to see how much power I had and how long I could withstand it.”
Micky felt sick to his stomach. What was he supposed to do? He could comfort Jaejoong, but he couldn’t fix this. Was his lover really okay—
He was surprised by Jaejoong pulling him into another hug. “I’m just glad you never gave up.”
Micky sighed in relief and chuckled. “I almost did. We didn’t know where to start when looking for you. We didn’t know where Gackt had taken you until my brother came to deliver your message to hurry up.”
Jaejoong grinned. “I knew he was at least as smart as you.”
“He’s here. Do you want to see him? Everyone else is too.”
Jaejoong perked up. “Really?”
Micky nodded with a grin. “Put something on,” he told his lover before getting up to do the same. He was pulling his pants on when he saw Jaejoong grip the bedpost to hold himself upright. “You okay?” he asked as he moved closer.
“Lightheaded,” Jaejoong answered as he looked around. “Did you bring clothing for me?”
Micky grinned and opened a drawer for him. “Underestimating me already?”
“That’s the natural response isn’t it?” Jaejoong replied swiftly. Micky felt a sort of tingling in his chest as he lent his arm to support Jaejoong as he dressed. “From healing I suppose,” he muttered in annoyance as he caught his balance and buttoned his shirt. Micky caught his hands and pulled them away to finish buttoning the shirt for him. “I don’t need help,” came the weak protest.
“I missed you too,” Micky smiled as Jaejoong glanced away, his cheeks reddening. He couldn’t stop himself from kissing Jaejoong, and it seemed Jaejoong might be thinking the same as the kiss deepened. It was a good thing Micky’s arms had been around Jaejoong when the young man’s legs decided to stop working. Jaejoong literally fell out of the kiss and Micky caught him as they fell against the dresser beside them. Micky’s laughter echoed through the room as Jaejoong’s face took on a shade not seen for quite some time. He smiled begrudgingly and accepted another kiss.
“Leave you alone and what do you start doing?” Junho accused from the doorway, his arms crossed.
“Come on, doc, I’m sexually frustrated!” Micky replied with a grin.
“I haven’t been gone that long,” Jaejoong snorted as Micky helped him stand upright.
“Feeling the effects?” Junho asked, ignoring their jokes. Jaejoong nodded and Junho shrugged. “You’ll have to live with it. I’ve done what I can. Your body will have to restore your energy.”
“I’m just glad to be alive. Thanks,” he told Junho before reaching over to hug him. “It must have cost you.”
“It’s worth it for someone who deserves it,” Junho replied with a smile. “Would you like to go see everyone?”
Jaejoong nodded with a grin and followed Junho out slowly. Changmin, Junsu, Sunny and Keita were in the hallway to greet him, laughing and hugging him happily. They chattered at him quickly, saying Micky was monopolizing him, but Micky knew better as Jaejoong said some unsavory things about him. That little hint of teasing in Jaejoong’s voice always made him smile. He wanted to hear that for the rest of his life.
“Where’s Yoseob?” Jaejoong asked and the hall went silent. The breath caught in Micky’s throat. Gazes moved in other directions as Jaejoong looked to Micky. “Micky, where’s Yoseob?”
Micky drew a breath and opened his mouth, but wasn’t sure he could say it. He watched sadly as his lover’s face fell, his lower lip trembling as he understood.
“Micky?” Jaejoong’s voice cracked.
Micky took his hands and looked into his eyes. “Yoseob is dead. He died in my arms.”
It took a moment for it to sink in. Tears spilled down Jaejoong’s cheeks as he leaned closer, his head resting on Micky’s shoulder. He shook, crying as Micky held him and their friends stepped back. No one could say anything. They all understood.
Jaejoong surprised him though by pulling back and muttering, “Boa.” He pushed out from Micky’s arms and moved down the hallway to the front room. Micky followed slowly as he heard those who were in the room greet him happily, only to see him crying. He went straight to Boa and tripped into her arms. “I’m so sorry. Yoseob…” he couldn’t finish.
She smiled softly and folded her arms around him in a hug. “It’s the way he would have wanted to go, I’m sure. Fighting the bad guys.”
“I know, but it’s just not fair. He was so young…” Jaejoong trailed off as his head drooped.
Micky heard it—a gasp. Curious, he thought as he moved closer.
Jaejoong’s eyes snapped back up to Boa’s eyes as he muttered her name again. Jaejoong glanced down as Micky stopped beside them, wondering just what was going on. He followed Jaejoong’s gaze at what looked like her stomach and frowned. Why in the world would he be staring at her… Micky’s eyes widened as it hit him and he reached out to press his hand against her stomach. The move surprised her, but not as much as what he felt surprised him—two heartbeats. How could he have missed it?
“Boa, you’re…”
“…pregnant?” Jaejoong finished for him, and she had the nerve to blush. “When the hell were you going to tell us?” he demanded, shaking her for good measure.
She made a face as everyone in the room broke into whispers. “I couldn’t find the right moment, and after Rain was gone… I didn’t know how you tell you all…” She laughed as Jaejoong hugged her tightly, and Micky couldn’t help but join.
“I’m happy for you!” Jaejoong told her as their friends laughed and moved closer to congratulate her.
Micky moved away when the push got to be too much and stood next to Junho, who was watching the spectacle with an amused look on his face. “You knew.”
“Of course I knew. I wouldn’t be much of a healer if I didn’t.”
“Did she tell you?”
Junho smiled. “She didn’t have to. I asked if she was taking care of herself and eating the right things. She made me promise not to mention it, because she wanted to be the one to tell everyone. Funny how these things work, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Micky replied as he wondered how screwed up this kid would turn out with the entire team as its extended family. Jaejoong caught his eye then and he smiled, and Micky knew it would all turn out okay. It usually did.
“Hey,” Yoowhan hissed from his left. “He’s awake.”
Micky and Junho immediately followed as Yoowhan led them to the room where they’d kept Jiyong. The young man was now sitting up, eyeing his surroundings in curiosity.
“You came for me,” he said when Micky entered the room.
“I made a promise,” Micky replied with a nod.
“They beat me when I wouldn’t tell them,” Jiyong said suddenly. “And then he beat me when I wouldn’t tell him. So they put me on the machine.” He closed his eyes, his head down as he whispered, “And now I’m not so different.”
Micky felt his heart go out to the guy, even though he didn’t know him or what he’d just been through. He wondered if he should go get Tiffany, but scratched the thought when she peeked her head in the door. Leave it to the empathy girl to know when she was needed. Before Micky could go, he had to ask some questions though and took the few steps up to the bed to get closer.
“I only found out a little,” Jiyong said before Micky could even get a word out. “I already told Jaejoong this, but all I really know is they’re trying to modify the drain devices to not only drain, but take the attribute that is drained and store it. That’s why we met that first time. I was testing out that old machine to see if any of the components worked the way the directions said they should. They were going to incorporate and test anything if I did find it to work.”
“Which is why we never saw you again,” Micky mused aloud as his brain ticked away at the information.
“We were testing other build types that whole time, trying to perfect it before they took Jaejoong,” Jiyong confirmed with a nod. “I thought they were going to take attributes from people who didn’t deserve them and store them for those who did.”
“The AO?” Micky asked.
Jiyong shrugged. “They were backing it and the people I worked for were working for them. It was a noble idea, even if we were using people. I thought their sufferings would make it better for others who deserved a better life. But as we got closer to what we wanted, I could see the look in their eyes—the one that hungered for power, and after a while, I wasn’t so sure anyone but them would get the attributes.”
“They want to take his attribute…” Micky murmured, wondering exactly what they planned to gain from this. “What do they store it in?”
“Gemstones,” Jiyong answered before he started to fall forward and caught himself. Junho was immediately at his side, Tiffany following slowly.
“He’s tired from the healing, he’ll need some time,” Junho explained as Tiffany leaned closer and tilted his head up.
“It’s fine, he did good. We have a pretty good idea now,” Micky replied with a small smile. He would take victories where he could get them.
“Not feeling so hot, are you?” Tiffany asked quietly as Jiyong shook his head slowly.
“You all don’t have to be so nice to me,” Jiyong grumbled.
Micky couldn’t help but smile. “I already gave you a headache before, what more do you want?”
“Get some rest,” Tiffany said as she left the bedside and came closer to speak quietly to Micky and Yoowhan. “ We should get him out of here. I want to get a head start in case they find out he’s still alive and well enough to give any sort of testimony. We’ll need to hide him to so we can start investigating the higher ups in the organization.”
“I agree,” Yoowhan said with a nod. “We should get him hidden so that we can get him ready if he’s okay to be a witness or even help us infiltrate who is at the top that has approved these experiments. What if one of you guys gets taken again? We might need his intelligence to get you free.”
“I have no problem with this whatsoever. Get him out of here as soon as he’s feeling up to traveling. I would say by tonight, but I know tomorrow night at the earliest is best for him,” Micky told them. “Maybe we should all go back in groups so as not to attract a lot of attention.”
“Good idea,” Yoowhan agreed with a nod. “I’ll go talk to Yunho.” He slipped out the door, leaving it open as he went.
Micky glanced out to see Jaejoong standing against the wall, listening. “Do you think he’ll be okay?” he asked Tiffany, his eyes straying back to Jaejoong.
“Eventually,” she answered quietly. “Eventually, we’re all okay.”
Micky reached through the doorway and took Jaejoong’s hand, squeezing it. He hoped they would all be okay. But then it hit him and he pulled Tiffany out of the room. “I need to talk to you,” he told Jaejoong.
“Wait, what?” Tiffany gripped Micky’s shoulder to right herself from the sudden pull.
“Tiff, can you get the other AO members, past and present?”
She blinked in surprise at the request. “Sure.” She left as Jaejoong stared at him in bewilderment.
“What’s this about?” Jaejoong asked.
“Now that you’re feeling better, I need you to tell us about what you saw while you were gone,” Micky told him as the others crowded around them. “We need to know about when they put you on the machine. Specifically, who powered it?” Micky asked as he saw Junsu’s lips set in a grim line.
“It was a man named Hyde.”
“Hyde?” Micky asked. “You’re sure?”
“Yeah, Gackt was giving most of the orders and informing him on updates to their situation, but Hyde was the one who powered the machine. I thought the name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it at the time.”
The current and former AO members looked at one another in disbelief, though, Junsu’s expression looked more like resignation.
“How does this make sense?” Micky whispered.
“It doesn’t,” Junho replied with a shake of his head.
Tiffany shook her head. “How did I not see it—feel it?”
“We all missed it,” Yoowhan assured her. “Every time I’m reminded, I get the chills. This man is good at what he’s doing.”
“Did he seem at all reluctant to power the machine?” Micky asked, desperate to make sure.
Jaejoong shook his head. “I don’t know. I never saw him, I only ever saw Gackt. He came in another door, and by then, I was already strapped to the machine. He didn’t sound regretful about the whole thing either. ”
“We should take care,” Junsu said quietly. “And get all of the information and evidence together so that we can make heads and tails of this.”
Everyone nodded before Tiffany spoke, “In the meantime, Yoowhan and I will take Jiyong back to the city and find a place to hide him.”
They broke up then and Micky left to tell Yunho what they’d shared. Yunho didn’t like any of it, as expected, but agreed that they, as a small team, couldn’t just suddenly go up against such a large organization. Not without some good evidence anyway. He was lost in thought as he entered the room he shared with Jaejoong to find his lover curled up on the bed around Jiji.
“This is going to be difficult.” He rubbed his face as Jaejoong sat up. “I expected the hard part to be over once you were rescued, but now that I’ve seen what’s going on, I’m not sure which is going to be more tricky.” He was really starting to feel the pressure now. He had to make sure this went right or they might lose everything.
“Do you want a distraction?” Jaejoong asked quietly.
Micky snorted. “I don’t think you have enough energy for that.”
Jaejoong reached up to touch his cheek and Micky felt a gentle shift—Jaejoong’s attribute reaching for his. With barely a thought they were linked, and Micky’s eyes widened in realization. Jaejoong’s attribute was almost completely tapped, his energy a mere ripple, which was far different than the rush he was used to feeling from someone when they linked. He could feel the disparity.
“I’ve never noticed that before,” he murmured.
“You’ve never linked with someone so low on energy, I’m sure,” Jaejoong replied.
“It’s a wonder you can even manage it.”
“Yoochun, I think we linked the first time we met,” he said suddenly.
Micky frowned at the sudden admission. “That’s not possible.”
“I think we’ve linked quite a few times, to be honest,” he admitted quietly as he scooted himself closer. “I also think we linked every time we’ve had sex.”
Micky couldn’t deny that the last few times, he’d felt it and not bothered to break it. He enjoyed it too much.
“I knew when I was with Changmin. That’s why I was so hesitant that night we met. I knew we would link, and I didn’t know what it might feel like. I also knew I wouldn’t be able to stop it. I never have been able to when we’re… I didn’t know what the power might do unchecked.”
“You’re completely sure about this? I mean, I didn’t feel it when we met…” Then again, he was unsure. The first time they’d met, he’d felt that rush. Had he misinterpreted it as a new love interest at first? How could he have missed it?
“I’m not saying it’s bad,” Jaejoong added. “I’m just pointing it out, because you never seemed to notice. After a while, and we finally got together, I assumed it was just something natural, that our attributes were supposed to do that, like they were reaching out for us. I thought it was different. Then when we went to practice before going to save Jessica that one day… I realized it was the same.”
Micky looked down at Jaejoong’s fingers laced through his own. “It seems so unlikely, but you’re right.”
“Do the others link like this?” Jaejoong asked.
Micky smiled. “Changmin and Junsu do when they’re alone. Changmin asked me if it was okay, and I told him to ask Junsu. He hasn’t mentioned it since. I’m not sure if it’s possible with Jessica and Yunho.” He glanced at his lover. “You have the sight, right?” he asked to get a nod. “What does it look like?”
Jaejoong let his eyes rest on their hands before he leaned closer to press a kiss to Micky’s lips. Ah, he’d had a feeling it was like that. When the kiss ended, they were laying on the bed on their sides, facing one another. Something was resonating within Micky the entire time, and he knew it was Jaejoong. He wondered if Jaejoong could feel it too. Silly, he told himself when Jaejoong smiled suddenly.
Intrigued by their discussion, they spent the evening meditating and practicing linking, then breaking it, as well as seeing if Jaejoong could pull energy from Micky. Jaejoong’s energy was so low, he couldn’t even pull any. Micky had a feeling his body had to fully restore for him to be able to do anything in a proper capacity.
The next night saw Micky leaving the cabin for a short mission instead of watching Jaejoong play with Jiji and practice with his restoring attribute. Micky and Jessica snuck the two disguised AO members and their precious cargo to the train yards. The two girls bought two cheap passenger tickets as the brothers slipped through the train yard with Jiyong.
“Are you sure you don’t like her?” Micky asked as they helped Jiyong up into the luggage car.
“Tiff? Nah, she was a bit scared when she got there. She mentioned she knew you, so I volunteered to be her mentor.”
“Touching,” Jiyong said once he was up and Micky frowned at him as he smirked and retreated into the cargo.
“Keep an eye on the smart ass,” Micky suggested as Yoowhan rolled his eyes.
“Keep an eye on your own ass,” his brother said as they hugged. “We’re getting into dangerous territory.”
“When was it not dangerous?” Micky teased as they parted. He jogged away with a wave and met up with Jessica at the yard entrance. They didn’t say a word, just smiled at one another as he took her arm and they walked away, mission accomplished.
~***~
finished Assassin's Creed I & II, on to Brotherhood :3 also, if the explanations of the plot are horrible, please tell me. it sounds good in my head, but i want to make sure it's making sense for everyone else~
Part 26
Author: LotusBeauty
Type: multi-chapter
Rating: R
Pairings: Yoochun/Jaejoong
Genre: AU, drama, fantasy, steampunk-ish, humor, angst, action, kitchen sink
Summary: In a world where a power called an attribute gives a person certain abilities, those with attributes are equally loved, hated and, well, normal. And just because people have attributes, doesn’t mean there isn’t crime, so Micky joins a bounty hunting team and finds while this is exactly what he was looking for, he might have found something else he didn’t know he needed. (previous chapters can be found HERE.)
Notes: contains world creation, fantasy elements, and just might have a bit of fun~ Profiles of characters can be found HERE :)
Disclaimer: Not mine, never were, but a girl can dream through fiction.
25: if it’s too good to be true, then I’ll make the best of it
Micky came awake with a gasp as he heard his name.
“Micky…..” The voice was faint, but he recognized it immediately. “…help…….”
He pushed off the bed and paused to kiss his lover’s cheek, knowing he was still recovering from the healing session with Junho. He would be fine until Micky returned. Someone else needed his attention much more. “On my way.”
Micky burst into the hallway and into the front room as those who were awake turned their eyes to him. “I need a team.”
They looked between one another confused. “What’s going on?” Sunny asked as she set down a mug.
“I have a promise to keep.”
Micky picked Tiffany, Sunny and Changmin. He led them, trudging through the snow a fair way off from the cabin before he told them. “Jiyong is in trouble.”
“What? How do you know?” Sunny asked as she came up to his side.
“I put a tag on him. He was the one who helped us escape. Jiyong agreed to do some spying for me,” he admitted.
“Did you tell Yunho?” she asked as he shook his head. “Are you sure this isn’t a trap?”
“Why let us out only to lure a few of us back?” Changmin pointed out. “His boss doesn’t know Jiyong made the deal.”
“Unless it was tortured out of him,” Sunny retorted.
“Enough, let’s just get to him!” Micky bellowed as a scowl appeared on his brow. “I promised I would listen. He asked for help.”
“Fine,” Sunny grumbled as she followed along. “Why don’t you complain?” she asked Tiffany.
“I can feel his humiliation and pain,” she replied calmly. “He is no part of any plan.”
Everyone fell silent as Micky led the way to Jiyong in the falling snow. The serene landscape put him on edge instead of calming him. He would have preferred sounds around him to the silence. At least he’d kept the connection of his tag open to make sure Jiyong was still breathing.
When they finally found the young man, he was in a sorry state and had nothing to keep him warm. It was clear what had happened. He had betrayed, so he’d been thrown out with the trash, so to speak. They left him beaten and bruised, dumped in the snow plains. Good thing Micky had placed that tag. Sunny was silent as she placed her hands on him to keep him warm as they made their way back. Tiffany watched their back as Changmin kept his eyes sweeping the area, but it wasn’t needed. Micky had a feeling Junho would be displeased with having another person to heal, but his nature would get the better of him. He couldn’t just leave anyone that needed help. And Micky was right.
Once back, Junho just shook his head and waved them into another room. He didn’t even bother saying anything as he immediately began to look over Jiyong and check his vitals. Micky slipped his coat off and handed it to Sunny as Tiffany stopped next to them. She was a quiet type, but her silence was starting to worry him. So was her sad expression.
“It’s gone.” Junho’s voice was quiet as he stood still.
“What’s gone?” Micky asked.
Tiffany’s mouth set in a grim line before she spoke. “His attribute.”
~*~
Micky woke again later to a hand slowly combing through his hair. It was like his early morning adventure had been a dream. And the touch could only mean one thing. He opened his eyes to see Jaejoong’s on his, and smiled as he pulled his lover into a tight hug. He didn’t have to say anything, elation was already making him grin like an idiot.
“You did bring him,” Jaejoong said as they pulled back, Jiji watching them from the pillow. He looked pleased with himself for some reason. Maybe he’d caught a mouse.
“Couldn’t very well leave him. No one would have been home to take care of him,” Micky replied as he watched Jaejoong scratch under the cat’s chin. “He wanted to come with to the outpost, but I couldn’t let him,” Micky lied, but Jiji didn’t meow anything different.
“A battle is no place for a cat,” Jaejoong agreed as he sat up. Jiji yowled in displeasure when Jaejoong forgot to keep petting him. He purred happily when the petting resumed and Jaejoong rolled his eyes at Micky who just smiled. Persnickety cat. It reminded him of someone else he knew so well and readily gave up a kiss when he decided to take it.
“How are you feeling?” Micky asked as he sat up and looked his lover over. The welt on the back of Jaejoong’s hand was lessening, and he checked Jaejoong’s back to see the same there.
“Well enough,” Jaejoong replied quietly as Micky sat back. He seemed to be holding something back.
“What is it?” he asked, hoping now one would overhear and burst in to interrupt.
“I—I killed someone.”
Micky pursed his lips and squeezed Jaejoong’s hand. “I know.”
Jaejoong frowned, confused. “How could you…” he trailed off as it dawned on him. “You heard. I… I didn’t want you… That wasn’t exactly the last thing I wanted you to hear.”
Micky frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I thought… I thought I was going to die in there. I really did.” From the look in his eyes, he truly believed it. “I almost thought I was dreaming when I woke up today.”
“I’m here, I’m real.” Micky pulled Jaejoong into another hug and felt his lover hold tight. He silently rubbed Jaejoong’s back to calm him, but a thought distracted him. “The drain device you were on, it looked different.” From the ones he’d seen, the machine had a front end made of AA material that was a block of metal with shackles attached. The device Jaejoong had been on was open where the attribute user was held, only a skeleton of metal holding the shackles in front of the main machine, which had rods sticking out of it to connect with the body of whoever was strapped in. They were positioned at particular points—at the hands, feet, neck and along the spine—important spots on the body—which was evident by Jaejoong’s bruises. This was a much more efficient machine by far. They had definitely done their research. Who they did experiments on, Micky tried not to dwell.
“It hurt…” Jaejoong murmured. “But not in the way a cut hurts. Like the way pulling off a bandage, or pulling hair hurts. It felt like the machine was stripping away a part of me, tearing it out.”
Micky sighed silently and didn’t let go. He hated hearing about experiences in the drain devices. “So they tried to extract your attribute.”
He let go to lean back catch Micky’s eyes. “Almost. They were testing my energy to see how much power I had and how long I could withstand it.”
Micky felt sick to his stomach. What was he supposed to do? He could comfort Jaejoong, but he couldn’t fix this. Was his lover really okay—
He was surprised by Jaejoong pulling him into another hug. “I’m just glad you never gave up.”
Micky sighed in relief and chuckled. “I almost did. We didn’t know where to start when looking for you. We didn’t know where Gackt had taken you until my brother came to deliver your message to hurry up.”
Jaejoong grinned. “I knew he was at least as smart as you.”
“He’s here. Do you want to see him? Everyone else is too.”
Jaejoong perked up. “Really?”
Micky nodded with a grin. “Put something on,” he told his lover before getting up to do the same. He was pulling his pants on when he saw Jaejoong grip the bedpost to hold himself upright. “You okay?” he asked as he moved closer.
“Lightheaded,” Jaejoong answered as he looked around. “Did you bring clothing for me?”
Micky grinned and opened a drawer for him. “Underestimating me already?”
“That’s the natural response isn’t it?” Jaejoong replied swiftly. Micky felt a sort of tingling in his chest as he lent his arm to support Jaejoong as he dressed. “From healing I suppose,” he muttered in annoyance as he caught his balance and buttoned his shirt. Micky caught his hands and pulled them away to finish buttoning the shirt for him. “I don’t need help,” came the weak protest.
“I missed you too,” Micky smiled as Jaejoong glanced away, his cheeks reddening. He couldn’t stop himself from kissing Jaejoong, and it seemed Jaejoong might be thinking the same as the kiss deepened. It was a good thing Micky’s arms had been around Jaejoong when the young man’s legs decided to stop working. Jaejoong literally fell out of the kiss and Micky caught him as they fell against the dresser beside them. Micky’s laughter echoed through the room as Jaejoong’s face took on a shade not seen for quite some time. He smiled begrudgingly and accepted another kiss.
“Leave you alone and what do you start doing?” Junho accused from the doorway, his arms crossed.
“Come on, doc, I’m sexually frustrated!” Micky replied with a grin.
“I haven’t been gone that long,” Jaejoong snorted as Micky helped him stand upright.
“Feeling the effects?” Junho asked, ignoring their jokes. Jaejoong nodded and Junho shrugged. “You’ll have to live with it. I’ve done what I can. Your body will have to restore your energy.”
“I’m just glad to be alive. Thanks,” he told Junho before reaching over to hug him. “It must have cost you.”
“It’s worth it for someone who deserves it,” Junho replied with a smile. “Would you like to go see everyone?”
Jaejoong nodded with a grin and followed Junho out slowly. Changmin, Junsu, Sunny and Keita were in the hallway to greet him, laughing and hugging him happily. They chattered at him quickly, saying Micky was monopolizing him, but Micky knew better as Jaejoong said some unsavory things about him. That little hint of teasing in Jaejoong’s voice always made him smile. He wanted to hear that for the rest of his life.
“Where’s Yoseob?” Jaejoong asked and the hall went silent. The breath caught in Micky’s throat. Gazes moved in other directions as Jaejoong looked to Micky. “Micky, where’s Yoseob?”
Micky drew a breath and opened his mouth, but wasn’t sure he could say it. He watched sadly as his lover’s face fell, his lower lip trembling as he understood.
“Micky?” Jaejoong’s voice cracked.
Micky took his hands and looked into his eyes. “Yoseob is dead. He died in my arms.”
It took a moment for it to sink in. Tears spilled down Jaejoong’s cheeks as he leaned closer, his head resting on Micky’s shoulder. He shook, crying as Micky held him and their friends stepped back. No one could say anything. They all understood.
Jaejoong surprised him though by pulling back and muttering, “Boa.” He pushed out from Micky’s arms and moved down the hallway to the front room. Micky followed slowly as he heard those who were in the room greet him happily, only to see him crying. He went straight to Boa and tripped into her arms. “I’m so sorry. Yoseob…” he couldn’t finish.
She smiled softly and folded her arms around him in a hug. “It’s the way he would have wanted to go, I’m sure. Fighting the bad guys.”
“I know, but it’s just not fair. He was so young…” Jaejoong trailed off as his head drooped.
Micky heard it—a gasp. Curious, he thought as he moved closer.
Jaejoong’s eyes snapped back up to Boa’s eyes as he muttered her name again. Jaejoong glanced down as Micky stopped beside them, wondering just what was going on. He followed Jaejoong’s gaze at what looked like her stomach and frowned. Why in the world would he be staring at her… Micky’s eyes widened as it hit him and he reached out to press his hand against her stomach. The move surprised her, but not as much as what he felt surprised him—two heartbeats. How could he have missed it?
“Boa, you’re…”
“…pregnant?” Jaejoong finished for him, and she had the nerve to blush. “When the hell were you going to tell us?” he demanded, shaking her for good measure.
She made a face as everyone in the room broke into whispers. “I couldn’t find the right moment, and after Rain was gone… I didn’t know how you tell you all…” She laughed as Jaejoong hugged her tightly, and Micky couldn’t help but join.
“I’m happy for you!” Jaejoong told her as their friends laughed and moved closer to congratulate her.
Micky moved away when the push got to be too much and stood next to Junho, who was watching the spectacle with an amused look on his face. “You knew.”
“Of course I knew. I wouldn’t be much of a healer if I didn’t.”
“Did she tell you?”
Junho smiled. “She didn’t have to. I asked if she was taking care of herself and eating the right things. She made me promise not to mention it, because she wanted to be the one to tell everyone. Funny how these things work, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Micky replied as he wondered how screwed up this kid would turn out with the entire team as its extended family. Jaejoong caught his eye then and he smiled, and Micky knew it would all turn out okay. It usually did.
“Hey,” Yoowhan hissed from his left. “He’s awake.”
Micky and Junho immediately followed as Yoowhan led them to the room where they’d kept Jiyong. The young man was now sitting up, eyeing his surroundings in curiosity.
“You came for me,” he said when Micky entered the room.
“I made a promise,” Micky replied with a nod.
“They beat me when I wouldn’t tell them,” Jiyong said suddenly. “And then he beat me when I wouldn’t tell him. So they put me on the machine.” He closed his eyes, his head down as he whispered, “And now I’m not so different.”
Micky felt his heart go out to the guy, even though he didn’t know him or what he’d just been through. He wondered if he should go get Tiffany, but scratched the thought when she peeked her head in the door. Leave it to the empathy girl to know when she was needed. Before Micky could go, he had to ask some questions though and took the few steps up to the bed to get closer.
“I only found out a little,” Jiyong said before Micky could even get a word out. “I already told Jaejoong this, but all I really know is they’re trying to modify the drain devices to not only drain, but take the attribute that is drained and store it. That’s why we met that first time. I was testing out that old machine to see if any of the components worked the way the directions said they should. They were going to incorporate and test anything if I did find it to work.”
“Which is why we never saw you again,” Micky mused aloud as his brain ticked away at the information.
“We were testing other build types that whole time, trying to perfect it before they took Jaejoong,” Jiyong confirmed with a nod. “I thought they were going to take attributes from people who didn’t deserve them and store them for those who did.”
“The AO?” Micky asked.
Jiyong shrugged. “They were backing it and the people I worked for were working for them. It was a noble idea, even if we were using people. I thought their sufferings would make it better for others who deserved a better life. But as we got closer to what we wanted, I could see the look in their eyes—the one that hungered for power, and after a while, I wasn’t so sure anyone but them would get the attributes.”
“They want to take his attribute…” Micky murmured, wondering exactly what they planned to gain from this. “What do they store it in?”
“Gemstones,” Jiyong answered before he started to fall forward and caught himself. Junho was immediately at his side, Tiffany following slowly.
“He’s tired from the healing, he’ll need some time,” Junho explained as Tiffany leaned closer and tilted his head up.
“It’s fine, he did good. We have a pretty good idea now,” Micky replied with a small smile. He would take victories where he could get them.
“Not feeling so hot, are you?” Tiffany asked quietly as Jiyong shook his head slowly.
“You all don’t have to be so nice to me,” Jiyong grumbled.
Micky couldn’t help but smile. “I already gave you a headache before, what more do you want?”
“Get some rest,” Tiffany said as she left the bedside and came closer to speak quietly to Micky and Yoowhan. “ We should get him out of here. I want to get a head start in case they find out he’s still alive and well enough to give any sort of testimony. We’ll need to hide him to so we can start investigating the higher ups in the organization.”
“I agree,” Yoowhan said with a nod. “We should get him hidden so that we can get him ready if he’s okay to be a witness or even help us infiltrate who is at the top that has approved these experiments. What if one of you guys gets taken again? We might need his intelligence to get you free.”
“I have no problem with this whatsoever. Get him out of here as soon as he’s feeling up to traveling. I would say by tonight, but I know tomorrow night at the earliest is best for him,” Micky told them. “Maybe we should all go back in groups so as not to attract a lot of attention.”
“Good idea,” Yoowhan agreed with a nod. “I’ll go talk to Yunho.” He slipped out the door, leaving it open as he went.
Micky glanced out to see Jaejoong standing against the wall, listening. “Do you think he’ll be okay?” he asked Tiffany, his eyes straying back to Jaejoong.
“Eventually,” she answered quietly. “Eventually, we’re all okay.”
Micky reached through the doorway and took Jaejoong’s hand, squeezing it. He hoped they would all be okay. But then it hit him and he pulled Tiffany out of the room. “I need to talk to you,” he told Jaejoong.
“Wait, what?” Tiffany gripped Micky’s shoulder to right herself from the sudden pull.
“Tiff, can you get the other AO members, past and present?”
She blinked in surprise at the request. “Sure.” She left as Jaejoong stared at him in bewilderment.
“What’s this about?” Jaejoong asked.
“Now that you’re feeling better, I need you to tell us about what you saw while you were gone,” Micky told him as the others crowded around them. “We need to know about when they put you on the machine. Specifically, who powered it?” Micky asked as he saw Junsu’s lips set in a grim line.
“It was a man named Hyde.”
“Hyde?” Micky asked. “You’re sure?”
“Yeah, Gackt was giving most of the orders and informing him on updates to their situation, but Hyde was the one who powered the machine. I thought the name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it at the time.”
The current and former AO members looked at one another in disbelief, though, Junsu’s expression looked more like resignation.
“How does this make sense?” Micky whispered.
“It doesn’t,” Junho replied with a shake of his head.
Tiffany shook her head. “How did I not see it—feel it?”
“We all missed it,” Yoowhan assured her. “Every time I’m reminded, I get the chills. This man is good at what he’s doing.”
“Did he seem at all reluctant to power the machine?” Micky asked, desperate to make sure.
Jaejoong shook his head. “I don’t know. I never saw him, I only ever saw Gackt. He came in another door, and by then, I was already strapped to the machine. He didn’t sound regretful about the whole thing either. ”
“We should take care,” Junsu said quietly. “And get all of the information and evidence together so that we can make heads and tails of this.”
Everyone nodded before Tiffany spoke, “In the meantime, Yoowhan and I will take Jiyong back to the city and find a place to hide him.”
They broke up then and Micky left to tell Yunho what they’d shared. Yunho didn’t like any of it, as expected, but agreed that they, as a small team, couldn’t just suddenly go up against such a large organization. Not without some good evidence anyway. He was lost in thought as he entered the room he shared with Jaejoong to find his lover curled up on the bed around Jiji.
“This is going to be difficult.” He rubbed his face as Jaejoong sat up. “I expected the hard part to be over once you were rescued, but now that I’ve seen what’s going on, I’m not sure which is going to be more tricky.” He was really starting to feel the pressure now. He had to make sure this went right or they might lose everything.
“Do you want a distraction?” Jaejoong asked quietly.
Micky snorted. “I don’t think you have enough energy for that.”
Jaejoong reached up to touch his cheek and Micky felt a gentle shift—Jaejoong’s attribute reaching for his. With barely a thought they were linked, and Micky’s eyes widened in realization. Jaejoong’s attribute was almost completely tapped, his energy a mere ripple, which was far different than the rush he was used to feeling from someone when they linked. He could feel the disparity.
“I’ve never noticed that before,” he murmured.
“You’ve never linked with someone so low on energy, I’m sure,” Jaejoong replied.
“It’s a wonder you can even manage it.”
“Yoochun, I think we linked the first time we met,” he said suddenly.
Micky frowned at the sudden admission. “That’s not possible.”
“I think we’ve linked quite a few times, to be honest,” he admitted quietly as he scooted himself closer. “I also think we linked every time we’ve had sex.”
Micky couldn’t deny that the last few times, he’d felt it and not bothered to break it. He enjoyed it too much.
“I knew when I was with Changmin. That’s why I was so hesitant that night we met. I knew we would link, and I didn’t know what it might feel like. I also knew I wouldn’t be able to stop it. I never have been able to when we’re… I didn’t know what the power might do unchecked.”
“You’re completely sure about this? I mean, I didn’t feel it when we met…” Then again, he was unsure. The first time they’d met, he’d felt that rush. Had he misinterpreted it as a new love interest at first? How could he have missed it?
“I’m not saying it’s bad,” Jaejoong added. “I’m just pointing it out, because you never seemed to notice. After a while, and we finally got together, I assumed it was just something natural, that our attributes were supposed to do that, like they were reaching out for us. I thought it was different. Then when we went to practice before going to save Jessica that one day… I realized it was the same.”
Micky looked down at Jaejoong’s fingers laced through his own. “It seems so unlikely, but you’re right.”
“Do the others link like this?” Jaejoong asked.
Micky smiled. “Changmin and Junsu do when they’re alone. Changmin asked me if it was okay, and I told him to ask Junsu. He hasn’t mentioned it since. I’m not sure if it’s possible with Jessica and Yunho.” He glanced at his lover. “You have the sight, right?” he asked to get a nod. “What does it look like?”
Jaejoong let his eyes rest on their hands before he leaned closer to press a kiss to Micky’s lips. Ah, he’d had a feeling it was like that. When the kiss ended, they were laying on the bed on their sides, facing one another. Something was resonating within Micky the entire time, and he knew it was Jaejoong. He wondered if Jaejoong could feel it too. Silly, he told himself when Jaejoong smiled suddenly.
Intrigued by their discussion, they spent the evening meditating and practicing linking, then breaking it, as well as seeing if Jaejoong could pull energy from Micky. Jaejoong’s energy was so low, he couldn’t even pull any. Micky had a feeling his body had to fully restore for him to be able to do anything in a proper capacity.
The next night saw Micky leaving the cabin for a short mission instead of watching Jaejoong play with Jiji and practice with his restoring attribute. Micky and Jessica snuck the two disguised AO members and their precious cargo to the train yards. The two girls bought two cheap passenger tickets as the brothers slipped through the train yard with Jiyong.
“Are you sure you don’t like her?” Micky asked as they helped Jiyong up into the luggage car.
“Tiff? Nah, she was a bit scared when she got there. She mentioned she knew you, so I volunteered to be her mentor.”
“Touching,” Jiyong said once he was up and Micky frowned at him as he smirked and retreated into the cargo.
“Keep an eye on the smart ass,” Micky suggested as Yoowhan rolled his eyes.
“Keep an eye on your own ass,” his brother said as they hugged. “We’re getting into dangerous territory.”
“When was it not dangerous?” Micky teased as they parted. He jogged away with a wave and met up with Jessica at the yard entrance. They didn’t say a word, just smiled at one another as he took her arm and they walked away, mission accomplished.
~***~
finished Assassin's Creed I & II, on to Brotherhood :3 also, if the explanations of the plot are horrible, please tell me. it sounds good in my head, but i want to make sure it's making sense for everyone else~
Part 26
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2011-05-03 08:33 am (UTC)things are moving fast~
awww, i love how each couple can link with one another!
(i wonder if it was like that for rain and boa...)
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Date: 2011-05-03 10:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-03 11:58 am (UTC)is it like they can feel each other's feelings and emotions
or is it they could read each other's mind?
poor Jiyoung, he lost his attributes
thank goodness Jae still had his intact.
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Date: 2011-05-03 03:34 pm (UTC)this story always makes me scream
I scream bc I'm so excited when it's updated
I scream bc the story is so fucking intense
I scream when I get to the end of the update because I WANT MORE
*sighs* so so so so so good
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Date: 2011-05-03 04:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-03 06:00 pm (UTC)The JaeChun linking moment...so sweet =3
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Date: 2011-05-03 07:41 pm (UTC)but then, i'm happy for boa! she's pregnant! omg! additional member on their pack :DD and this linking thingy, i love it! jaechun & minsu linking <333
4 chapters to go uhuhuhu
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Date: 2011-05-03 08:17 pm (UTC)MORE ACTION \O/
get better soon jae~
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Date: 2011-05-03 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-03 11:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-04 02:09 am (UTC):)
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Date: 2011-05-09 01:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-09 06:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 06:59 am (UTC)hmmm i'm not sure they could link, since rain's att was water and boa's is animals, so not very compatible. junsu and junho can definitely link though
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Date: 2011-05-14 06:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 07:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 07:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 07:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 07:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-14 03:11 pm (UTC)