Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Beomgyu who is standing behind the man named James, probably waiting for the younger, signals Taehyun to follow him. The older is now wearing his fresh change of clothes which consist of a white shirt over it is a black top, with some equally black jeans, and a pair of black Converse High. He also decided at the last minute to put on a white cap. The two walked peacefully along the dark pathway, Taehyun’s light clothes seems to be glowing and contrasting the dark and obnoxious. As they are nearing their destination, voices and shouts starts to become clear in their ears. Beomgyu holds out his hand for the younger to hold, Taehyun replies with a questioning look. What am I a kid? I’ll just follow. The older replies with a shrug and starts opening the entrance to the Legion.

Behind the door that Beomgyu opened sits a ring, a freaking fighting ring. For real!? A fight is taking place at the moment and bets, cheers, and groans from the audience can be heard. Dollars and Wons littered the floor and beside the huge ring are glass doors that takes you to the bar and casinos. The whole underground place is filled with gangsters, shooters, criminals, and everything bad. The badder you are, the richer you are. The whole place shouts rebellion and crime, but for some unknown reason it looks beautiful, so free. Taehyun is so absorbed by the structure and what makes up the Legion that he didn’t know that Beomgyu already walk his own way, thoughtless that the younger isn’t actually following behind him.

Taehyun soon realized his mistake and it scared him. He didn’t know how to fight and he doesn’t have any weapons with him. The dimly lit place full of mindless commotions and evil, there stands a boy so innocent. The twisted reality is so clear. Taehyun threads his steps to the part of the room that he thinks is most calm, he doesn’t mind that it’s so dead of shadows that he could barely see where he’s going. He’s suddenly pulled in a corner that stopped his steps midway.

“I told you to follow me, you idiot,” Beomgyu says, his back against the younger as they are walking. He can’t afford another casualty today, too risky when Taehyun is here with him. He can’t kill while inside the Legion, it’s against the rules and it’s just like killing one of your own.  He looks back from time to time to observe the younger male’s expression, to see if he’s doing the right thing, to see if those hazel orbs still reflects his smiling self, and to look at the light that seems to be glowing even stronger instead of fading because of the darkness.

The Two Mortals enters inside an office room full of familiar faces from Bangtan University. A long table is placed at the middle of the room. Still holding the younger's hand, he was called by an overly ecstatic Taehyung to come to his side of the long table. Which Beomgyu didn't follow for it was clear that they were going to be seated by their ranks and title so, he went to the left side of the Boss and sits three chairs away from him. He is now beside Cardinal Jung Hoseok, his senior, who managaes the biggest and international trade of ecstasy around the world. Hoseok greets Beomgyu and the younger replies with a nod. Sitting across Beomgyu is none other than Choi Yeonjun wearing glasses, beside him is Choi Soobin. It's good to see them here again for they rarely attend meetings like this. Why the heck is he wearing glasses?  Beomgyu thinks. Taehyun sits on the empty chair beside Beomgyu.

What Taehyun initially thought was a flamboyant party, is actually a meeting. Not an ordinary meeting. Tension and nervousness wafts in the air covering every essence of innocence Taehyun once posessess. 

Taehyun feels his stomach lurch at the thought of all the people here and what have they done for power and achievement. He feels small and sick. Roses inked in blank crawls under his sunkissed skin making it bleed because of their sharp thorns, he bleeds in guilt for the individuals whom this people gathered around him killed. They killed people who have families, they killed people who were just blinded by their need, and forced to do such crimes under someone's order. A gentle squeeze from Beomgyu made him come back from his thoughts and made him realized that he was holding his breath. "Relax..." Beomgyu whispers from beside Taehyun.

"Close your eyes, Angel... Tightly closed."

The room was in entire silence.

The Boss stands up from his chair. He's holding a gun. He slides it on the table and it stops right infront of Beomgyu and Yeonjun. They exchange a knowing glance. Their hands reached for the gun at the same time, the killing intent both visible in their eyes, the first who touches it goes for the kill and the last dies. Amidst the race Min Yoongi had already slashed the neck of the Boss and Beomgyu who got the gun first shoots the man standing by the door. Inside the room lies two limp bodies of traitors.

The boss was the alleged man that had been keeping in touch to the rival gang who had promised him a leverage in status if he slolwly and discreetly kill all the big time Cardinals, but he wasn't being discreet at all. His greediness made him stupid thinking he could outwit them who have been trained to live and survive in this fragile game of cards. Even a small wisp of wind can destroy it and everything will come crashing down on you for you're a fool who have succumb to lies. The son of a bitch made a very big mistake that resulted to a big failure and his early death. The man standing by the door was the chaffeur who have asked Beomgyu if he wanted him to park his car at the school's parking lot, but this ex-Boss doesn't seem to know that the school cafeteria has its own parking lot just for Choi Beomgyu and certainly they didn't hire a freaking chaffeur just for that, and if they did hire someone the faculty would let him know. Another thing why this plan was such a failure that made it even funnier was the fool thought he could hack into the school's security system when he sure know that one of his ex-underling, Kim Taehyung, the low-key genius of Bangtan University and one of the known greatest hacker among all Cardinals had personally tweaked the entire's school security system and re-routed it to Min Yoongi, the new Boss of the Cardinals. All in all it wasn't really a well thought out plan, but who could blame him if his brain a has a low IQ capacity and his hastened greed only fuel his stupidity not his intellect, not saying he has intellect though. It's a miracle he lasted this long. Useless.

Taehyun still has his eyes tightly closed and his nose itching and filled with the stench of gun powder and blood. He didn't see it, but he heard everything from the swift motion of Beomgyu's hand, to the sound of the gun, as well as the knife slicing into the flesh and the bullet hitting a solid skull. No sound came from the mouth of the hazel eyed Mortal, but his eyes are speaking for him based on the tears silently falling on his cheeks, erasing the blush it once had. His eyes are so scrunched up tight, his long eye lashes are damped with salty tears, and his wine colored lips are bleeding for he is biting it. His pale face is glowing in tears and its drops falls on his hands that are tightly clenched holding Beomgyu. He can't let go. No. He won't let go, not now, not ever. It scared him. The thought scared him, it sent chills running down his spine and a silent and broken sob coming out of him.

Min Yoongi walked out to the door followed by Kim Namjoon, voicing out the fixation of tonight's gruesome activities. Soon everyone followed out of the room.

"Open them," he says, gently wiping the tears on Taehyun's pale face. Taehyun didn't do what he's told. He can't open them and let his eyes see Beomgyu's face because if he sees him, he'll stay. If he sees the face of someone he thought he'll only be looking from afar forever looking at him as if he was the one who hung the stars at the night sky, as if he sees him in his dreams every night... It would be a mistake if he didn't stay. It is a decision that could only be answered by yes or no. If you choose yes, there's no turning back, and once you chose no regret will come for your throat.

"Open them, please. Taehyun-ah, look at me," he says over and over again.

Beomgyu selfishly took his lips, he closed the gap between the both of them. A selfish attempt in pursuit of happiness. He knows. He knows just what he can do and he also knows what he's asking of him is too much.

Taehyun slowly open his eyes. Light and color slowly seeping through his bloodshot eyes.

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earlier

Once Beomgyu and Taehyun were inside, Yeonjun's eyes and the color of his hair slowly came back to their original forms and Soobin ends up panting for lost breaths. The three demigods who saved the Mortals immediately departed their location on the roof of the abandoned warehouse after Yeonjun declared that the Mortals will be safe. 

The boy with radiant beauty once again took out his trusted Swan friends and chanted the spell and they left.

They arrived at the rundown apartment and there they formulate a plan to infiltrate Beomgyu's house to find his valued belonging. The trio started deducing countless things that Bemgyu could ever value in his life. Soobin came up that it could be his first ever trophy or award, while Yeonjun thinks it could be something given by his parents for the Mortal's filial status with them seems to be rocky and sad. Kai didn't say anything, thinking very hard for even the smallest things can have a big and meaningful meaning. 

At the back of Yeonjun's mind alarm bells are singing for upon coming back they still haven't changed their drenched clothes and with the andrenaline rushing wildly in their senses, they completely forgot that they will be dealing with another problem in which he and Soobin forgot to tell Kai that the party isn't actually a party. 

Yeonjun stands up, "The Legion...! We're still going to attend the Legion."

Soobin who is still thinking of the valuable thing owned by Choi Beomgyu and Kai who is pondering over the thought of how the three of them would infiltrate one's house with a non-exixstent plan that's been completely forgotten when Yeonjun spoke up about the Legion, the both of them turns their head to the voice and the understanding of gripping cold wetness sticking to their skin comes to their minds.

Yeonjun chose a simple outfit, just like Soobin and as the couple came out of each of their own rooms, Kai made up his mind that he won't be able to come with them.

The other two demigods have done their part and it's time for Kai to do his as well. The beautiful boy may not be able to control the elements that made up nature, he may not be as powerful as them, but a mind that strives and a will that stands can battle anything. 

Soobin hesitates for the reason that his friend is new to this world upon living his whole life in Mount Olympus, but before he could voice out his worries his lover had already speak the ways on how to reach the Mortal's home and before he could add another comment that the two of them, Yeonjun and him, should leave the 'party' early, Yeonjun had already chosen a new outfit for the youngest. Yeonjun and his love for dressing up people.

As they are walking out of the door with the reminder that Kai will leave last, the yougest calls, "Hyung, wait!"

Kai picked up the round spectacles lying carelessly along the floor of their shared apartment, owned by one of his hyungs.

"Hyung, I may not be there physically, but I think I would still be able to still see them," he says.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, in any form it might be; I shall see."

Kai chanted the words with hopes that it will work. The round spectacles rose from his palms surrounded by glittering silver white Mist, it glowed in the murkiness of the apartment and as he finishes his words it slowly and gingerly landed in his palms yet again. Kai hands the charmed glasses to his Yeonjun hyung.

He didn't forget to say the words that will help the charm work and might even even make the view clearer, "Hyung, don't forget, Love is beautiful."

They parted their ways and at once Kai arrived at the entrance of Beomgyu's village. Based from Yeonjun's words, "I made you wear these so it'll make you look like someone who lives there and also, charmspeak the gurds into letting you in," so that is what Kai will do. He silently walked his way into the gate, "Make it look natural," his hyung's words.

"Sir, please handover your I.D.," one of the guard says. Kai did not hesitate and executed the plan.

"Do I look like someone from the streets? I’m tired as hell and been robbed off of my own car. I got no time for chitchat. You will let me in, right here, right now,” he says the lines haughtily, he practiced them on his mind on his way to the private village. The guard looked stunned for a moment, but immediately like a finger had been snapped in front of him, he did as he was told. 

"Yes, sir. R-right away, sir.”

"You will pass three streets from the guard house from then on you will see the fourth one, turn there. Upon walking that way there will be three paths, one goes straight, the other goes left and the last goes right. Choose the path that has the name 'clairvoyance' written on the pavement," his Yeonjun hyung instructed him. 

Kai have already walked pass three streets guided by the tall streetlights littered at the side, he turns on the fourth street just as he was instructed. As his right foot touches the very ground of the street, a gush of wind blew past at him, hair-raising fear enveloped his body. The streetlights were blinking failing to light up the path he's walking upon. There are beautiful houses both small and grand, standing on lush green grass, even with the night sky covering it with darkness their grandeur cannot be hidden, effectively diverting the sudden fear he is feeling into curiosity. Kai kept walking and his eyes drinking in the works of mere mortals who have not been blessed with unhuman abilities, but can make their living comfortable despite the manual labor they have to go through. 

The blinking of the streetlights continued, but he didn't mind as long as he sees what he's walking on. But despite the wonderful sight that he is seeing and a heart absorbed by wanderlust, he is getting rather tired of walking with fear slowly consuming his right perception and the idea of being alone suddenly came right on his mind, he realized that he's been with his hyungs and have gotten used to their overwhelming, but very much appreciated presence, just as he is about to sit and gather up his energy again a cold gush of wind again blew past him, but this time it's different it felt familiar and made him at ease. The three pathways that his Yeonjun hyung was talking about came to his view. The once depleted energy change into a burst of relief. 

He immediately looked for the word 'clairvoyance' written on the pavements of each pathways. He found it on the path that goes straight. It is narrow and there is no sign of light, it seemed to be void of life unlike the other streets he saw inside the village. Its end couldn't be seen, only darkness plagued with gloom. Does Beomgyu really live here? Kai squints his eyes several times and even rubbed them to confirm that what he is seeing is right. 

He took a step forward, his steps were loud and clear, even his breath could be seen. The green grass are swaying, but there's no wind. No one seems to be living there based on the absence of houses. With no light to guide him and only the grass under his feet, he is blind with no one to call for. 

Like a nudged on his shoulder, an idea came on his mind. He bend down on one knee and lightly tap the soil, because of that, disarrayed runes and characters glowed bright under his palms and knee, it filled the whole expanse of the area as if it was a book page filled with words and letters. It's so complex, even Kai who had studied it with the Olympians themselves, is having a very hard time to conceptualize the proper charm to say to break the illusion spell that Alekshan, the fídi, have casted to lost him. His fear died down upon the realization that this is just an illusion meant to settle uneasiness to his being, but if he didn't work fast this illusion can turn into a prison caging him inside never to get out.

Kai tries an array charm, but it's not working and as he walks and study the writings it glow even brighter, insulting him for not being able to break it and laughing at him for his a victim that have fallen into it's trap. His courage cannot be swayed yet, he has a long way to go, he cannot be imprisoned inside such a charm when he has a title and reputation to uphold.

Patience is the key, that is the very first lesson taught to him, in his stay with the Olympians, but with the sound of laughter echoing and mockery all directed to him, it isn't a question that his patience is wearing thin and sooner than later hallucinations will start filling his mind, pinching the possible escape into nothing. As a resort, he stomped his foot, with anger and impatience fuming in him he shouts, 

"I am Kai, the beloved one, son of Love and Beauty herself, blessed by the Almighty Zeus, guided by my Mother, this imbecile of a charm, be broken at once, I say!"

 

It was only natural that the brimming prides and undeniably boosted egos of the gods are instilled in his being. As Kai fumed in anger and annoyance, the runes started vanishing and the scene changed, from darkness it changed into a normal street with houses on its side and before Kai knows it, he's standing infront of the very house Yeonjun was talking about.

He stands there unmoving, he glares at what's infront of him—

"Welcome home, brother," there stands a girl with wild billowing black hair, eyes a green as emeralds, and a silver hilth dagger hanging from her tiny waist. She is Anna, the most beautiful maiden in his eyes and her half-blood sister. She is one of the most admirable Hunters of Artemis. She was and still is the image of a mother who took care of him for a very long time, the one he looked up to and the one who always go for trouble just to save him when he quite messed up, before he was asked to come to Mount Olympus and live with the Olympians.

"Where do you stand?" he knows what she's trying to do, she's going to stop him from getting in. He wouldn't let her, this is his quest and he is going to succeed. He couldn't let her get entangled in this.

"Opposite of you, of course. Since you're already here, I might as well get a head start," a dagger at her hand, she stabbed at Kai's direction. He dodged the attack, holding her hand, and aimed a kick that landed at her gut, she wasn't fazed at all and with the dagger on her right, now on her left, no doubt her abilities are of a warrior, she slashed a cut on his neck. It wasn't a success, he bended backward barely able to save his neck and pulled her with him.

"Sleep, Anna. I'm sorry," as the words came out of his mouth, numbing tiredness and drowsiness paralyzed her body. He might regret this decision later, but he'll handle it. I wish.

He's now standing before the very entrance of the, large oak doors blocking his way. He clenched the metal knobs and by his touched it opened, revealing a ceiling adorned with hanging crystal chandeliers, sofas and couches plushed and soft, walls of matte, and a grand staircase with complex carvings and a red carpet. It's a shame that only Beomgyu lives here.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Boy," says by a monotone voice at the top of the staircase. A frightening shudder travelled through his body, he threw an obscure look to the direction of the voice.

"Take the snake off him!" he says, as he jumped plights of stairs to reached the man covered in an ungodly sight of moss green scales from every bit of skin. "Give me a sword," he whispered to himself and by his foot a muted silver sword materialized, in its hilt carved a beautiful peony, the blade shines a blinding light and it reflects not the wielder's face, but the faces of those lives who have been banished by the sword, its craftmanship coudn't be denied for the weapon was the very sword wielded by Anna herself and given to her beloved brother. The sword was named Analampí and it has its own unique ability to materialize whenever Kai, its known owner, called for it, be it by words or instinctively. 

From a few meter distance he sliced his sword, it conjured a pure white energy and severed the man's arm. Disoriented, Kai pierced straight to his heart. It was a quick win, which he didn't intended, if Anna was here and watching this, she would've given her an earful about being driven by his emotions—

"Burn." Alekshan's whole body burst into red flames, as it burned, the snake around Beomgyu's neck vanished into nothing, Kai watched it turn into a pile of ashes and from his pocket he took out a tiny jar and gingerly filled it with the remains. The scales turned into ashes can save them someday or can even be of trade for some useful information. Under the pile something is sticking out—

"A report card?! What the hell!?" he exclaims, it was sealed with the logo of Bangtan University, written on it are excellent scores except for one. The report card wasn't Beomgyu's, it's Taehyun's. Why in the name of Zeus' hanging underwear is this his most prized possession!?

"Show me what beauty is."

As the words escape his mouth, his view changed, he isn't hearing anything for it seems that Yeonjun isn't wearing the glasses and left it, he sees Taehyun with glassy tears brimming from his closed eyes and from beside him Beomgyu is saying something, his pleading visible in his eyes. Beomgyu unclasped the tight holds of Taehyun from his hands and once free, he delicately cupped Taehyun's face, afraid that he might break a fragile piece of glass. He closes his eyes and leans in and kisses Taehyun's warm lips. They broke apart,  Taehyun was first to open his eyes, he stared at him, full of untold bliss and merriment. Beomgyu stared at him, full of passion and regret. 

"You," Taehyun starts. "You... Love me? You're inlove me..."

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