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leyittara · 3 months

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CIY- 2

Chapter Two

📍pairing: detective ateez ot8 x detective reader

📍word count: 3.1k

📍network: @pirateeznet

📍Warnings: (TBD)

📍Beta readers (and sole motivation): @flurrys-creativity , @candypop1611 and @daesukiii

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Bringing your old things from your last desk to this one was easier said than done all because you forgot the hour trek from your apartment to the office. While you had been packing up your apartment the last two weeks, your things from your old unit were still in the box by your front door so you had just grabbed it on your way out.

The subway train had been packed, but at least there was no rain on your way this time, just a bit cloudy. The front door to the office was locked so you struggled opening the door with the key but managed, finding it a bit dark. You were assured there was no alarm system you had to worry about, but the camera in the corner of the office still had you a bit hesitant- despite being told it was for show.

Nevertheless you shrugged it off, setting your box of things on the desk and then searching for the light. There was some streaming down from the hall, not much, so you didn't want to bother with whomever was there. Instead you shimmied off your bag and then suit jacket, adjusting the gun on your harness. You hadn't worn it yesterday since you didn't think it was important, but today it gave you a sense of comfort.

Truce or not you didn't expect things to be easy, even if they said the work would be.

You started off the day with unboxing your things: setting up your desk organizers, the cute pieces you used to bring some joy, but mostly pictures. One of getting your detective badge, one with you and your father who was a former detective himself, and one with-

Staring down at the photograph, your chest was tight; it was the first Christmas party with your last unit, all nine of you in chaotic Christmas cheer. Your eyes lingered on Chan a moment longer before you set the photograph back in the box. He wasn't your Captain anymore, your superior nor your friend; not after he recommended you get transferred.

Eventually you could stand to look at the picture again, it wasn't just Chan in it after all: it was your whole unit, who you adored. It was just raw right now, that's what you told yourself. You did set up the picture of you and Hyunjin at Disney, as well as one with you and Minho with the cat you had gotten him as a graduation gift from the academy.

The rest of your items were just office supplies you liked to use for organization and more. Easy enough setup that you were staring at the items unsure what to do now. You still needed a chair, having ordered one yesterday to be here some time today. Seonghwa had said he'd supply the phone, but there was none in sight. You didn't think he would go back on his word so soon, so wrote off it's absence for now.

Luckily you had brought your laptop, and while you no longer had access to your old unit, you should have some here.

That was much more limited than you thought, cursing under your breath as you attempted to access files- even the files of the detectives here were classified, which raised some questions. You were a part of this unit, you should be able to see who you are working with.

In theory that was the case, but you had to resort to a good ol’ Google search of the names you knew.

Vice-Captain of the crime syndicate unit, Detective Park Seonghwa- all that came up was his name and a lot of articles about his parents who ran Park Pharmaceuticals. So a rich kid who went into law enforcement as opposed to business like the rest of his family? Interesting.

Detective Song Mingi- a few articles of a brief mention of him as a first responder, all in successful chases. So he was a good driver? Erratic maybe. You couldn’t find anything else on him, not from Google at least, unless the dating profile for tinder that came up was his but you hoped not.

Detective Jeong Yunho- an article of a Jeong Yunho receiving an award for saving a kids’ life, but there was much more on his parents. In particular his father, a former detective who was shot and killed in a standoff with a well known, and still running, crime syndicate family. Well, he made sense.

Next was Kang Yeosang, however nothing popped up in the search engine. You tried again, adding keywords to help the search and yet still nothing. No police articles. No name on graduation lists. You started a deeper search, attempting to look at any mention of this unit in general but once more you came up empty handed. He was a ghost, and the unit itself was one to the public eye.

Definitely fishy. Even with their work, there should be some mention of this unit somewhere. You could remember media outlets covering the older unit before- so why was this one practically nonexistent?

You were getting frustrated with the lack of results, instead moving on to the final detective whose name you could remember: Choi Jongho. As soon as you put the name into the search engine however, your laptop was forced shut, a figure looming over you and holding it closed.

Looking up at the perpetrator with a glare, you bit out. “Excuse you? What do you think you are doing?”

Yeosang's cold stare met yours unwaveringly. “I should be asking you that. Why are you searching for us online?”

Letting out a huff, you turned to him as you stood up straighter. “Why can't I find anything about you online?”

His jaw tightened, annoyed you ignored his question and instead asked one he wasn't too happy about. “Because I prefer it that way. Again- why are you searching our names?”

It wasn't easy to erase someone completely from the internet, not in this day and age, but he managed to do that. Pair that with his sudden presence it left you even more suspicious. Again something fishy seemed to be going on.

“Why do I have basic level access to the police database? I can't access anything about this unit or your work and I can't do my job if I don't have access. So how else am I going to gather information?”

Yeosang met your defiant glare with his own cold stare. Neither of you said anything, his eyes seeming to search yours for any weakness but you weren't relenting. He pulled his hand off your laptop, stare unwavering even as the door opened.

You didn't have to look to know it was your chair, the delivery man announcing a package in your name and asking for a signature. You reluctantly turned, grabbing the small tablet and signing for the package.

As you did, Yeosang leaned in, his breath on your neck. “There is nothing for you to know so stop digging. This is my only warning.” He pulled away, some distance put between you both by the time you looked back up at him.

“Now you have me thinking you're hiding something.”

He stiffened, head tilting to the side as the look in his eyes somehow turned even colder. “Seonghwa might have called a truce, but keep in mind we don’t want you here. We don’t trust you, and we’ve spent years getting as far as we have with our work. Don’t risk fucking it up.”

“Or what?” You weren’t intimidated at all by the challenge in his deep voice; instead you rose to it, lifting your chin defiantly and stepping closer. “What the fuck are you going to do Pretty boy?”

He rolled his bottom jaw, tongue flicking out to touch above his lip, drawing your attention to a small stud there. You hadn’t noticed it before, but he had two small clear studs- cyber bites if you were recalling it correctly- one dead center beneath his nose and a labret as well. Funny, you didn’t expect him to be the type to have a piercing at all, let alone one like this. It just had you even more apprehensive of this unit.

The look he gave you only intensified the feeling in your gut that something was wrong. “You don’t want to find out, meddlesome bitch.”

Before you could retort, he turned and left down the hall. It took everything in you not to follow and demand he follow through with those words, your hands balled into fists at your side; instead you huffed out in frustration, trudging over to the box of your chair. “They’re the biggest fucking jerks I’ve met on the force.”

You found yourself missing your old unit at that realization. Sure not all of them had been friendly at first, but it was nothing like this. No threats had been made, nowhere near as many barriers put into place to keep you out, and their coldness had been more out of social awkwardness than a severe distrust for you. You had taken your morning routine’s for granted, the late night calls and their sometimes overbearing gestures.

Tears pricked the back of your eyes as you angrily opened the box, ripping it a few times in the process. You didn’t regret the actions you had taken that necessarily had you transferred- only the feelings that got torn to shreds when you were told of your transfer and their lack of fight to keep you on the unit. It made you question your place in their lives, and left you vulnerable and betrayed.

Maybe it was a good thing this unit was so adamant about keeping you at a distance and so open about their dislike of your presence.

All of this went through your head as you set up the chair, working through your emotions and your anger finally dissipating for now. The one month suspension to keep from contacting your previous unit was beginning to be a blessing, the distance giving you room to breathe as you knew their constant presence or interactions would just work you up like this. You couldn’t really focus on anything else the last two weeks, but now you were back at work, you had something to focus on.

Even if they weren’t going to give you work, warning you not to dig- you were going to. You had the decency not to dig into them right after the warning however, that just wasn’t smart, but you could dig into something else: their work.

Sure you didn’t have access to their files, but as you sat down in your newly assembled chair and opened your laptop, you knew there was plenty more to look at online. Gang activity wasn’t as sealed off as this unit was, you could start there. You could contact some of your reporter contacts and get information that way, and basic access to the police database was enough to see files of felons and gang related crimes.

No need to focus on your past unit, or how it left you feeling. No need to focus on this unit and their attempts to block you out- just focus on work.

Taking a deep breath and filled with newfound determination, you went to work.

— — — — — — — — —

Your old unit handled cases of runaways and cases committed by minors but you were just now realizing how many of those cases could be tied back to gang activity. Of course, the more severe the crime or case you usually were left off of; in hindsight you could now see why Chan did things that way. The number of young teens who clearly were being pulled into gangs was too large for comfort and it greatly unsettled you.

You could hardly be quiet when discovering a young child had run away due to a very abusive home and you had no choice but to send the child back to that home and file a report with children services. The hell you raised at that command had caused your first suspension and since then you had been more than a little mouthy to the higher ups and to Chan. If Chan had put you on cases that involved gang activity you knew you would have raised hell continuously as those cases would’ve been sent here.

You were rethinking your decision to come here now, aware that if you managed to stay in this unit you would question their every decision and probably break more than a few rules. You couldn’t afford another transfer, as the next time you did cause problems it would be the loss of your job.

All of this ran through your mind as you had gone out for your late lunch break, sipping on your usual cafe drink on the way back. The break had been much needed as your emotions had been getting out of hand looking at the files, but you got the gist of the organized crime of the city.

There were six gangs, three of them mafia and three new gangs aspiring to take the old down. They were organized enough, but also reckless and bold as well. Most of the underage crimes belonged to those two of those three new groups: The Blue Goblins and the Green Vipers. Each family had a color they coordinated themselves with and you had a good idea of their geographical layout based on this now.

The third newest gang was the Black Pirates, appearing about four years ago and quickly monopolizing control over the docks and trade out of the city that way. You couldn’t find anything on them, barely any members incarcerated, just a few dead ones and witness accounts from other gangs.

‘If you want to move product through the south, you have to get their permission’ was mentioned in several files. Their water based operations were fitting of their name, but you thought it odd how little there was. For the older gangs it made sense, they had so much money and time to perfect their operations- a young gang like this with so little arrests or screw ups?

Sighing you stepped back into the building, rubbing the inside corners of your eyes in frustration. You nearly dropped your drink when you saw someone hunched at your desk, fidgeting with something. Your first thought was your laptop, having left it open since you didn’t expect any of them to come out nor did you expect to be gone long.

Yunho looked up through the bit of hair that was in his fair, his expression relaxed as he stood up which didn’t help your nerves at all; you didn’t trust anything but their clear distrust of you. “Just in time.”

Apprehensively you approached the desk, walking around to see your laptop still on but now there was a phone next to it. “I was wondering when it would be brought out.”

He stepped back towards the hall, large hands stuffed into his pockets as he watched you slip into your desk chair, eyeing him warily. “Seonghwa said line 3 connects to his desk, he’ll contact you with work when he figures out something for you to do.” You nodded slowly at his explanation, setting your lunch and drink down. “Line 4 is Yeosang, and 2 is Captain’s desk when he gets back.”

You nodded again, waiting for him to leave… yet he just stood there. Clearing your throat you tilted your head with brows raised. “What else do you have to say?”

He hummed, lips pulling up into a bit of a smirk. “Just wanted to comment on your notes. They're pretty detailed for such a short time. I was curious though, with all this information what do you plan to do with it?”

You opened your mouth to respond, only to pause and turn to your notes. Everything was still there and yet you felt as if his question had a much deeper meaning. “What do you mean ‘do with it’?”

“Exactly that. Having the information is one thing, but what are you going to do? How would you do this job with that information?” He didn't seem to be condescending you but you were still wary.

So you thought it over, looking at the notes one more time. “Old mafia would be harder to shut down, especially if they have ties to law officials or higher. But they're cleaner and less harmful in the short-term.” You started off. “They would take a lot of planning and no mistakes to tear apart.” You looked over at him, somehow relaxing when he seemed to nod with approval. It sparked you to sit up straighter, a bit more enthused. “The newer gangs are the problem. Too reckless, too much blood, so they would need priority. They're also more likely to make a mistake, get too cocky.”

“Uh-huh, how would you do that?” He encouraged, leaning against the wall.

You opened your mouth to reply with the first thing that came to mind, only to stop. Technically it wasn't entirely legal, so you had to wrack your brain for the proper way. “Stake outs, gather more information, know who to watch, and figure out a way to catch them in the afternoon of the crime with enough evidence. Get enough, you can pit members against each other in confessions to lessen their sentence…”

Yunho seemed disappointed, shaking his head. “And would you do that all by yourself? With the resources you had now?”

“No I-” You frowned, narrowing your eyes on him. “You ARE being condescending!”

He grinned wider, standing up straight. “Not really, I was just curious. That is the way things work, as a unit. Keep doing what you're doing, think about that question. When you have a better answer- let me know, wise little girl.” He hummed, pulling out his hand to wave at you before turning and heading down the hall.

You flicked him off when his back was turned, calling him several curse words under your breath as you turned towards the laptop. “My other answer was fabricate evidence to aggravate the two gangs not only against each other but a larger family. They'd have their heads so far up their asses they'd piss off a big boy and get themselves destroyed in no time.” But that was neither legal nor safe really.

It was also those ideas that resulted in more than one fight with Chan. Things had to be done legally or they weren't right- you couldn't take the law into your own hands no matter how frustrating it was.

Sometimes, sometimes you wished you could.

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leyittara · 3 months

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PROLOGUE || HEART STRING OF GOLD || OT8! ATEEZ.

00 || HEART STRING OF GOLD || OT8! ATEEZ.

→ WC. 10,147.

→ IMPORTANT. more like a short backstory to start, than an actual beggining of it. dimentional traveling. cursing. angst. slight violence (mentioned and heard by the reader). mature content (indication of sex as a coping mechanism, but no smut). ateez, halateez and reader in the same space, but not really (they get familiarized with the reader, but not the other way around).

⇦ || hsog || masterlist || ⇨

It was time, they all knew it. All of them knew what that choice meant. All of them felt the weight of that choice. Your image entering each of their minds as they exchanged glances before one of them held Cromer in his gloved hands. The image of your face once again took over the minds of those present. What they were doing was for you. Everything was for you.

As soon as the Cromer was rotated, a spacetime vortex was opened. One of those present quickly entered, a last exchange of glances with those who would remain in that world, the secret wish that the Cromer would be protected, that you would be protected. Their work was far from finished, but they also couldn't stay much longer, it was necessary, it wasn't right, but it was necessary.

When the other side of the vortex opened, the Cromer remained in his hand, the sand still falling, he would have enough time to do what he needed to do. The place was old, dusty, full of things, but with enough space to move around and relax, the late day sunlight was already illuminating only part of the warehouse in which he was, his gaze quickly scanning the space before pausing in a figure lying on the sofa.

With a heavy sigh and the Cromer on his left side, the stranger took a few steps towards the sofa, the movement of shadows and the noise of the soles on the concrete disturbed the rest of the man who was sleeping – and who possibly will have some pain in his neck when he wakes up – on the couch.

Hongjoong's eyes widened when he saw the presence in front of him. The stranger was dressed completely in black, coat, mask, hat, shoes, gloves... There wasn't a single piece of clothing that wasn't black, the silver accessories being the only color that could be seen over the black. The stranger then handed the Cromer to Hongjoong who just watched his movements, precise, determined, the stranger's eyes never leaving Hongjoong's figure who remained sheepish on the sofa.

The sand was already running out when the Cromer was placed on the table in front of Hongjoong, when the stranger's hand left the object, it was as if everything disappeared, a lost and confused dream, or at least, that's what Hongjoong would think if he hadn't whether by the object being in front of him, just as the stranger had previously left him. The curious eyes analyzing the object while the hand went towards the cell phone, all his friends wanted to meet at the warehouse.

Hongjoong's smile was a mix of feelings that he couldn't describe. The stranger looked familiar, but he had never seen anyone like that. The object seemed to shine, catching his attention, but it also seemed dangerous in some way. Perhaps the others could help him understand what had happened when they arrived, as he was still trying to understand how that stranger appeared in his dream, but the object he was carrying was in front of him.

This was the fifth call in three days you had received to go to the Command Center. It didn't take much for you to know that the leaders of the Black Pirates would soon act, the problem was knowing when that would happen. You knew them well enough to know some of the tricks up their sleeves, but they knew you just as well to know exactly which ones to throw at which time so you couldn't tell what their next move was.

This chess game was already old, it was almost laughable how well you knew each other despite never having been in the same space, considering they ran away from you like the plague, like they weren't the plague, the gum stuck to your shoe. Hatred and anger were the only feelings you allowed yourself to feel towards the leaders of the Black Pirates, they were the main fuels to make you run after them as if they were oxygen, fueling the fire that burned inside you.

Your superiors seeking answers didn't help with that at all. Even though you knew your feelings were wrong, even though you knew how harmful they could be, you and your superiors shared the anger and hatred towards the group of rebels that had emerged two years ago. They were the group that had been active the longest, promoting chaos and disrupting the Strickland government's plans.

In the last two years, they managed to cause more damage to society than expected, even though they were not actively present, the group's followers – called Black Pirates – did not help at all, maintaining what was defended by their leaders, especially when they disappeared.

No one seemed to know where they were going, but you did. The memories of the place they ran to, whenever it was possible, came back with full force in your mind. The fact that they had the Cromer did nothing to help them get caught, especially considering that whoever was responsible for catching them had no idea that they used the Cromer to appear and disappear at will.

But you couldn't tell this detail to anyone, not just because of the promise you had made to a ghost, but because of the questions that information would lead to. The fact that you and your team were part of Crisis Management helped in your personal crusade against the Black Pirates that only your team knew about, which was already too many people considering who you were.

As soon as you entered the room designated for you and your team, Jeongin and Ryujin appeared on each side, Jisung quickly passing by leaving a cup of coffee on your table, heading in the direction of Chaeryeong, Yeji and Chan. You managed to see one of the desert areas of Strickland, rolling your eyes when Jeongin handed over the order papers, casting a glance at Ryujin when you heard a laugh coming from the girl.

Since you were fifteen, when your world fell into pieces, you decided to focus on other things, until contact with your brother was cut off completely. It was then that you decided to become Strickland's main weapon, so that no one would feel what you were feeling – even if you couldn't express that feeling openly.

Everyone there knew each other from many years under the Strickland government, mainly thanks to the Prestige Academy, which wasn't much of a surprise when you decided to form a team of them all. The first was Chan, the last to accept the request for the team was Jeongin, many tried to take his place, but you denied, the superiors tried to place others among the team, causing several private sessions between you and them, but at no point did you weaken.

The team was that, if someone didn't want to participate, then the team would have one less, but only the names on your list would be there. After one of the last private sessions with the superiors, Jeongin found you with Hyunjin and Ryujin – your two shadows –, both tending to your injuries, but he only accepted the next day, when a task had been separated for everyone and he joined your team, silently and consciously.

You could feel his eyes on you more than anyone else’s. Everyone knew that feelings were prohibited at Strickland, everyone knew how to mask what they felt well, ignoring them most of the time, but sometimes they overflowed, but the twelve of you managed to keep the dam stable even in those moments.

Respect was quickly earned by you with each successful task. You were a unit, no one entered, and no one left. They were more your family than your own. They understood that your anger at the Black Pirates went beyond disturbing the peace, Chan had his training with your brother, the others knew the legend his name carried, the weight it brought to your shoulders along with your family name.

Jeongin spoke a few details with each passing of the paper, the coffee cooling in your hand, the last thing you needed was a burnt tongue. Your eyes went from the sheets delivered by Jeongin, to the images transmitted on Yeji and Chaeryeong's screens. Your eyes fell on Seungmin in a corner with Minho, Chan and Hyunjin.

Jisung and Yongbok were quickly at your side with Changbin, listening to what Jeongin finished telling you, making you sigh and run your hands over your face, your eyes burning from the sleepless night, your back sore from the armchair you managed to nap in for three hours before the call to go to the center.

“Do they know anything concrete or are they going to send us there just to waste time?”

Your irritation made the other five around you laugh, receiving an eye roll in response.

“It seems like one of the Black Pirates members let it slip that the leaders are close to one of the old bases,” Changbin sighed, his hand resting on the gun on his hip as a natural reflex, you sighed, taking the coffee with a few sips, seeing a small smile on Jisung's lips as you moaned in pleasure as you felt the drink go down your throat. “They don’t know which one, but they are sending the main Crisis Management units to the bases.”

“And why the hell are they sending us to the most forgotten and remote base of all? Even more so with our recent achievements... It doesn’t make any sense!”

“They said we should see it as some kind of vacation, as congratulations for everything we’ve done.”

Seungmin's voice made you look in his direction, his voice was loud, reverberating through the room, but he was focused on what Minho was frantically typing on the computer. Yongbok just shook his head at the others reponse.

“And which of the Black Pirates did the report? We have brought so many of them recently, how can we believe their words?”

Jisung always doubted someone's words. He always said that the body was the best way to know the truth, he hated torture sessions, interrogations, private sessions – as your superiors liked to call them. His eyes fell on you, your eyes intent on Minho’s computer.

“The terrain isn’t the best either, thanks to the sandstorms,” Yeji sighed looking at the latest satellite images with the blueprints they had offered. “At least the part we’re staying in appears to be impenetrable, so the sand might not have been able to get in.”

“I have already ordered three cars, they should be released and properly fueled in two or three hours.”

Hyunjin's eyes left the cell phone to fall on Chan and then on you, your eyes fell on the small purple mark on his neck, slightly hidden by his long black hair. You exchanged small smiles before he went back to looking at the computer screen and you went back to focusing on the photos and information that Jeongin and Yongbok spread across your desk.

Your head fell to the side, finding the side of Jeongin's body that didn't move, but his left hand found your head, fingers passing lightly through your disheveled locks, fingertips passing lightly over your face and neck, making you shiver a little, feeling a small laugh come out of Jeongin, before pushing your head against his stomach.

Ryujin sat next to you on the chair, her right arm wrapped around your waist, a simple kiss was placed by her on your shoulder, while her other hand rested on your thigh, fingers making light caresses there. You allowed yourself to smile. That room was a safe place for that, for you.

Since you chose each of the people present in that room, they have undergone changes in their training, the superiors have become more flexible with them, even if they have become more inflexible with you. You had been contaminated by feelings a long time ago, over time, you ended up contaminating your own team, but by consensus, the only moments this would be demonstrated were when you were together and alone, away from the eyes of the world.

Those eleven people healed you in many ways, you were more than grateful for their presence in your life, you would kill and die for them, but for everyone, that was duty, but in truth, you loved each one of those eleven people, but you never allowed yourself to think about it too much, your mind going back to the former nine people you loved unconditionally who abandoned you.

One of them never to return.

Your right hand left the cup of coffee that Jisung had brought, moving towards your chest, your fingers quickly tracing the outline of the pendant that weighed occasionally around your neck, the memories and meaning of that necklace weighing more and more as you remembered of its presence, but you couldn't remove it, even when you should have, your movements never completed the act, needing others to do it for you.

Despite the blouse, it was as if you could feel each of the carefully made cracks in the glass, the eight pieces that came together in the center, surrounded by a thread of gold forming a heart. The nine people came back to you, and you felt your stomach drop. They had brought this into your life, they had taught you to feel, to sing, to dance, to listen to music, to enjoy everything that life has to offer, they had destroyed you and these people would be able to start rebuilding you, as they have been doing for two years now.

"Where are they?"

Your eyes went to Jeongin, Yongbok and Seungmin, the only ones who could know where the Black Pirates were and could be questioned. It was Jeongin who responded, taking some of the sheets back. Ryujin quickly standing next to you.

“The whistleblower is on Level 03,” you nodded, getting up from your chair, your eyes closing for a moment trying to get rid of the burning sensation that was in them. “(y/n), no -”

"What is the number?"

Jeongin exchanged glances with Ryujin and Chan before nodding, leaving first, with you and Ryujin following shortly after. Your group was very well divided, as you idealized and created the group, you were the main leader, Chan was the secondary leader along with Jeongin, unless you needed to be absent, then Chan would take your place. While you were leading everything, Chan handled the external missions while Jeongin handled the internal ones.

There were several reasons for the names you chose to make up the team, but the main one was the way everyone behaved in general, with the exception of Jeongin, as his background was the closest to yours. Both your families were high-ranking, both grew up the same way, when your brother started going on missions alone, Jeongin was your main friend in that place, he understood the internal squeamishness, he understood what being on your team meant, his family created countless reasons for him not to enter, but seeing you – one of the only people he could say he cared about other than his family – all hurt, he went against his family's judgement.

When you three arrived at Level 03, you could already hear the screams of agony, the smell of burning flesh, the smell of blood infiltrating your nostrils with full force as the screams reverberated in your eardrums. You couldn't say you weren't used to it; your features had been neutral since they left your team's room, the blood ran cold through your veins just from the noises that could be heard behind the doors, the prayers that were heard through trembling and desperate voices.

That was when Jeongin stopped in front of a solid iron door, two guards with the lock released, but none stopped him from opening the door, causing screams to meet your body on the other side. A simple exchange of looks and you knew they would block your path, as it was Jeongin's older brother who was taking care of that interrogation, hence his resistance to telling you the location.

Because his family had a grudge against you.

Hatred, if you could say, especially Jeongin's parents, as for his brothers, it was a mix. You knew that the oldest respected you, despite the irritation always present whenever you two meets, the youngest never seemed to have been affected by the family's decision regarding your treatment, so much so that he was one of the few allowed to participate in the training of your team, whether as a listener or hands on.

The screams coming from inside the room stopped, leaving only the murmurs and cries coming from the Black Pirate who was being interrogated. Even though you, Ryujin and Jeongin knew that the two guards wouldn't do anything to hurt you, your hand went to the gun that was in your holster, while the other stayed on your hip, movements that didn't go unnoticed by Ryujin who discreetly left the gun prepared to be used if necessary.

You can discern two different footsteps, mumbling approaching and already preparing to meet Jeongin's older brother's irritable face. Your friend and third in command rolled his eyes when he found you with a mocking smile towards him and his brother, despite always staying by your side, Jeogin wants to maintain as much of a civilized relationship as possible, especially after you and his brother fought when you and the others returned from your first official mission with Jeongin.

"What do you want?"

“The exact words of the Black Pirate who ratted out the leaders.”

The cynical laugh didn't shake the smile that remained present on your face. The older man's eyes fell on Jeongin who kept his eyes fixed on you, making his brother roll his eyes. Your smirk grew a little wider at that.

“You know you need to go through the superiors to get this information, even though you are who you are.”

Despite nodding, your eyes found the red dot inside the room he had left, a smart smile taking over your lips, Jeongin just followed your gaze, the small smile on the third-in-command's lips told you that he had understood and that what you wanted to do was possibly feasible.

“You know as well as I do that this is nothing more than a courtesy,” your steps were small and focused, Jeongin's brother's face became serious, especially when one of the youngest's hands rested on his shoulder, “you know just like I do, that I always get what I want, and I want the fucking whistleblower recording.”

It was the umpteenth time that Hongjoong felt the mattress on his back, San's hand extended soon after, accompanied by a simple: 'sorry, captain'. His brown eyes trailed to the three distant figures observing their physical training. With a small sigh, Hongjoong took San's hand who quickly helped the second oldest to stand up.

“How much longer do they expect us to do this?”

“We’ve only been at this for two hours, Hongjoong.”

The older of the two sighed and noticed San's eyes looking around the space they were in. It definitely wasn't the best despite being a mansion, or at least it had been one a few years ago, before the desert destroyed part of it. Fortunately, that day's training was indoors, the large, hollow windows helping to pass air through the spaces of the abandoned mansion.

Hongjoong's eyes met Yeosang's mirror, known as Logan, although it was still strange to see such familiar faces linked to people with personalities almost opposite to his and his friends. It was when Yunho's mirror – Uno – took a step forward that Hongjoong realized that he and San had been standing still for a considerable time, but before anyone could say anything, the wooden doors were thrown open and the mirror of himself – Lucky – came in slightly out of breath, making everyone's attention falls on him.

“Follow me, everyone,” the voice reverberated, but instead of coming out as controlled as always, it was trembling, in shock, which only made everyone exchange worried looks. "She is here."

That was all it took for everyone who wasn't part of his group of friends to run out the door he left open. All eyes fell on Hongjoong who was following quickly, climbing the steps worn down by the desert sand. It was not easy to capture the attention or destabilize the men who had brought Hongjoong and his friends to that reality, which only made his curiosity increase.

Three cars were coming in the direction they were in, Hongjoong and the others' eyes were panicked for a moment. The cars were still far away, there would be time for them to flee the place, go to the stone ruins that they had to memorize as they headed towards the abandoned mansion, but when none of the men in black made a move, a slight shiver passed down his spine.

“How do you know it’s her?”

Seonghwa and Hongjoong exchanged looks, hands indicating for the younger ones to remain silent. Instead of answering, one of the men in front handed over the binoculars, considering he hadn't moved since before everyone stopped, Hongjoong bet it was Seonghwa's mirror – Mars.

“Symbol of Strickland headquarters,” his eyes focused on Mingi’s mirror – Iyaah – looking through the binoculars, mouth slightly open before Seonghwa noticed his Adam’s apple bob up and down. “Nightingale also warned us about it.”

Nightingale.

The name that the ATEEZ boys heard from the moment they arrived at that place. The only four certainties they had from the moment they were brought in and were being trained by the men who looked like their twins were:

1. Nightingale was the main source of information.

2. She, whoever she was, was of extreme importance.

3. Strickland was an extremely corrupt and restricted place.

4. They were being trained to take the place of the men in front of them.

"Who is she?"

Wooyoung's voice was heard, but no one made any attempt to suppress one of the youngest in the group. The men in black just looked at Wooyoung, footsteps tired and fearful, not for their group, not for the three vehicles that were getting closer and closer with each second lost to them, but rather for “her”, someone from the Strickland government, someone who was inside one of the vehicles approaching the abandoned mansion.

“We have a lot to update you on and little time, get everything and meet us at the hidden vehicles, you have five minutes.”

Mars announced, returning to stand next to Lucky, while the other six turned to Hongjoong and the others, passing them nimbly. With a simple shake of the head, everyone else followed the stairs they had previously climbed, spreading out to the places they had used, picking up any object that could help place them in there, as they had been instructed.

Seonghwa stopped for a moment when he heard small arguments, his eyes looking for who exactly was arguing with who, finding Wooyoung, Shinwoo – Jongho's mirror –, Yeosang and Iyaah. Shinwoo held Wooyoung's black bandana in his hands, Iyaah took Jongho's basketball and took it to another separate corner.

“Just give the fucking bandana back and we can get out of here, how fucking hard is it?”

“The difficulty,” Shinwoo chuckled awkwardly, his eyes meeting Seonghwa’s for a second before turning back to Wooyoung and Yeosang, the latter holding the former to avoid a fight, “is that we need to leave this behind us, just like some other things."

“We never had to leave anything behind, you always said we could never leave anything behind! Why the fuck now?”

Yeosang's voice reverberated through the space they were in and Seonghwa watched Shinwoo's fingers pass through Wooyoung's bandana, a sad smile on his lips.

“This is about her, isn’t it?” The eyes of the three met Seonghwa's, the hard steps towards them, the question making Wooyoung and Yeosang look confused at Shinwoo who squeezed the bandana between his fingers. “That's what changed,” the eyes fell on the bandana before Shinwoo placed it behind his own body, his lips pursed, but the eyes didn't leave Seonghwa's curious ones, “her being here changed the plans, didn't it?”

"Two minutes."

San's mirror – Howl – appeared taking the bandana from Shinwoo's hand, Seonghwa’s eyes falling on him for a moment, although he didn't seem to worry, but Seonghwa noticed the sad eyes falling on the bandana, just as Shinwoo had done some time before.

“We will explain everything when we reach the ruins, but we need to leave now.”

Wooyoung and Yeosang looked at Seonghwa who nodded, lips pursed, eyes scanning Shinwoo's face for any sign he could give, but nothing came out. He had realized that the ‘mirrors’ had learned to manipulate their features, during the months they all spent together, Seonghwa, Hongjoong and Yunho had been observing them all, their reactions, how they behaved, which caused their attention to be captured, how and when they were captured.

“Finish getting your things, we don’t have much time.”

Wooyoung and Yeosang nodded, going back to picking up their things before being interrupted. The older man's eyes met Yunho's, the conversation they had a few weeks ago returning to both of their minds. The differences between the two groups became more evident with each passing day. The breaking point getting closer and closer.

Despite the sand and the wear it caused, especially due to sandstorms, the site was in considerable condition, extremely preserved considering the time it was empty between visits organized by the Command Center to the new and old bases. However, like any location suffering State of Siege, the twelve split up to investigate the base as a whole, just to ensure that it had not been affected or was being guarded.

As a leader, to pass through some areas, it was necessary to clear your identification, considering how old and abandoned that base was, security was one of the firsts Strickland's, simple and easily corruptible if you understood security and had the ability to infiltrating the system, which you knew the Black Pirates were capable of, especially their leaders, your mind quickly going to Uno and Logan, the ones you knew were the most capable of such a feat.

With simple signs, you continued deeper and deeper into the abandoned mansion towards the base's Communication Center alone, against Jeongin, Hyunjin and Ryujin's wishes. Thanks to the sand spread around the place, your footsteps could be heard, making your senses heightened, considering any movement, fingers on the trigger of the gun, controlled breathing, you expected everything, some homeless person lost asleep, or even animals, snakes and scorpions being the main companions in those places as your team remembered so fondly, Yongbok and Chaeryeong in particular.

But nothing prepared you for finding a black bandana with thin white designs that adorned the entire fabric, making your feet plant on the floor, the basketball at the foot of the door where the bandana hugged the handle.

The door that led to the Communication Center.

Your ragged breathing didn't help you understand what was happening, it didn't help you hear every possible movement, movement that could mean that someone was there, that they were there.

Your eyes roamed every corner of the corridor you were in, you quickly turned on the gun's flashlight, illuminating the spaces in the hope of seeing one of them hidden, wrapped in black clothes so different from the people they were, but not so different from who they had become, partly being your fault.

You swallowed hard when you noticed that the space was empty, the noise of the soles of your boots in contact with the sand no longer mattered over the buzzing that bothered your ears. As your foot touched the ball, pushing it slightly to the side, your hands let go of the gun hanging at your side, trembling fingers untying the bandana attached to the doorknob. The fabric was not worn as expected, fingers working quickly to unroll the piece looking for a sign, object, something written, anything, but nothing was there.

Your hands went quickly to your face, stopping not long after when you noticed a simple detail. The smell of the bandana. The smell was Wooyeon. No smell lasted that long, no object lasted that long in the desert without some kind of wear and tear, unless it was properly cared for, supervised. A weight took over your chest, the bandana getting tangled between your fingers and hand, the image of the last time you had seen Wooyeon with that bandana coming back with full force in your mind.

The sound of Changbin's voice on your communication point made you return to why you were there, alone, finding objects that reminded you of them. The bandana quickly being tied around your wrist, the flashlight being disconnected from the gun finding your mouth as you worked on clearing it so your team could enter the Communication Center.

“(y/n), any news?”

“Now entering the Communication Center,” your response was quick but breathless, making Chan worry for a moment, “it’s okay, Chan, the door is just stuck.”

Which wasn't a lie at all as your arms pulled the door open, releasing the dark hallway to the Communication Center, the flashlight returning to your hand again. Spider webs can be seen in the corners. So, they didn't go in completely, you cursed your own thoughts as you held the basketball with one arm going to the identification point, putting in your code and registration, releasing the lock making the entire base reverberate with life.

“Coming to you, be careful!”

“Chan, everything is full of cobwebs, I doubt there is anything of real danger here,” you laughed quietly, hearing a small grumble from the other side before an 'ok' from Chan, your feet quick to warn Central that you had arrived. “The quicker we resolve it, the quicker we get back.”

“Since you’re there, you could turn on the air conditioning, wouldn’t you say boss?”

Seungmin's voice reverberated through their communication point, causing a set of laughs to emerge alongside your own.

“It’ll be the first thing I do as soon as I get to the Command Base, Seungie!”

Despite the smile on your lips, the basketball and bandana were still heavy on the left side of your body. Your mind playing tricks on you, memories from before it all happened, the remnants that seemed to say they had been there. As if that wasn't enough, when your feet finally reached the Command Center, you could see a small drone, just like the ones Logan used to use with you, but it was broken, parts were missing, but you knew it was theirs.

Your eyes quickly finding a memory chip underneath the drone. That was something Wooyeon, Logan and Shinwoo loved to do with you, leaving little clues to something bigger, usually all orchestrated by Lucky and Mars, but all the boys had a hand in whatever they had planned. Your mind taking you to the last time that had happened, making you take your hand to your chest, biting your lower lip, even if you weren't feeling the pendant with your protective clothing on, the gold and glass seemed to cool that entire area, your breathing heavy in the throat.

They had entered.

The quick steps that came towards you made you place the ball and the drone inside the backpack that weighed on your back, the chip finding one of your front pockets, the bandana still firmly wrapped around your hand. Your fingers quickly typing in the codes needed to inform Central that you had arrived at the base, as well as the codes needed to fully activate the base.

As soon as part of your team passed through the door, cold air began to be released throughout the base, causing some to celebrate, their weapons already abandoned at their sides as they scattered the remains of their equipment. Minho and Chan quickly went to meet you next to one of the computers.

“What’s the condition?”

“Prehistoric computers, but the base seems to be in order,” you replied to Chan as your eyes swept over the cameras that began to turn on across all the various screens. “Can you check the usage history, Minho?”

“I just need to connect with my laptop, as soon as I connect with the network, we will all have access to everything, if the last visitors have done their work correctly.”

The three of you laughed and your eyes fell on Chan who was observing your features. He and Jeongin were always able to read you easier than the others.

"We can talk?"

“Chan-”

“(y/n), please.”

You sighed, Minho's eyes fell on the two of you before his eyes focused on the laptop screen, his nimble fingers typing the codes necessary for him to have complete access, being able to share this access with everyone else on the team.

“Minho, let me know as soon as everything is ok, I want to take a look at the recordings,” he nodded, his eyes fixed on the screen as lines and lines of code appeared. Your eyes then turned to Chan who was still watching you worriedly. “We need a shower; can you walk me to the room?”

“Jeongin?” Everyone's eyes met the third leader's, cheeks puffing with water. “Let’s pack our things, organize everything so there’s always someone watching, at least until we organize the entire system.” Jeongin nodded, swallowing the water and quickly looking around, counting how many of the team were already at the base. Your eyes fearfully met Chan's who smiled toothlessly at you, hand outstretched towards the rooms. "Let's go?"

“Did you find anything intriguing while searching?”

Was the first question you could form once the two of you left the sharp eyes and ears of your team. The hope that Chan had seen something out of place in the base still emanated from you, because if that wasn't the reason for the conversation, you would probably be caught covering up possible relevant information about Strickland's Public Enemies #1.

“Someone was here before us,” the stiffening of your body was enough for Chan to notice that you already knew that information, but he didn't seem angry. “I found a partially torn sheet in one of the rooms, what made you notice?”

As both stopped walking, your eyes found Chan's outstretched hand, a piece of paper folded between his fingers, taking it and putting it in one of the pockets, then you would think about it, once you are at the comfort of your room.

“Some of the spaces were very clean and I didn't find any animals along the way like we normally do,” that was true, but Chan didn't need to know about the other items you had found, “the sand also had places that were spread out carefully, not by the wind.”

“Traveler or Black Pirate?”

You sighed, fingers going to the bridge of your nose, despite knowing the answer to Chan's question, there were other details you had noticed, details that didn't happen when the Black Pirates were involved.

“Both? I don’t know yet, we need to check the perimeter tomorrow, go beyond the walls.”

“Do you think they managed to get in here?”

Even though the answer was also positive, you shook your head.

“They would need internal data for that,” you paused for a moment, your blood boiling slightly towards both the leaders and your superiors, but you held your features so that Chan wouldn't notice, which, luckily, worked, as he just nodded, “the recordings will also help us with that.”

“When was the last visit to the base?”

You lifted your shoulders, your mind trying to remember the schedule of the units in each area.

"Three months?"

“Then we’ll not lose too many nights of sleep,” you both laughed, and you had finally reached your room, Chan’s room not too far from yours. “I’ll ask one of the boys to make the food.”

“I’ll ask Cherry and Yeji to check the perimeter while Minho works the cameras.”

“Just in case, I’m going to ask the shadows to go get ready, there are things we need from you to make this system work.”

You rolled your eyes, but you knew he was telling the truth. As the base was almost abandoned and the fact that the system was one of the first ones, only unit leaders, superiors and infiltrators were able to grant access for some actions within the base.

“If you convince Yongbok and Minho to cook during the time we’re staying here, I promise I’ll do everything and anything you say!”

Chan laughed, nodding excitedly. Neither of you liked being a leader, that's why you shared spaces. Whenever closed and controlled environments – like bases – were used, Jeongin was the main leader, you only entering when necessary. When you were outdoors, Chan led most of the missions and investigations. The justification for anyone who would listen was to maintain your protection, considering you were leader, but in truth, you hated the position, only shining considerably since you embraced it two years ago, when the unit was created.

“I’ll take care of it now!”

You both laughed, your laughter increasing as you heard Chan order Yongbok and Minho to be the base's cooks, the sound quickly becoming muffled as you closed the door behind you. The room belonged to a unit leader, being one of the most spacious on the base and, despite not having had visitors for a few months, the place was considerably organized, not even dust or cobwebs, it seemed as if the place had been completely sealed, but honestly, when you were tired like now, you could only be grateful for that.

Your gun is quickly placed next to the bed, the backpack weighing you down with each step as your bed gets closer, but just as it is about to meet the floor, the noise of the drone rummaging around inside it reminds you of what had happened. The backpack meets your mattress as you rush to take a shower, needing to cool your head before starting to assemble the pieces the boys had left for you, something they hadn't done in four years. Something you thought they would never do again. At least, not knowing that you weren't responsible for catching them, which made you wonder if they knew about your search for any crumbs given in relation to them these last two years.

The question that was on your mind the most was: what had changed for them to contact you again? The only answer was that they knew you were after them. Had you gotten close enough for them to finally decide to acknowledge your existence again? Were they trying to redeem themselves for what they had done shortly after they emerged? Despite everything, your mind couldn't eliminate the memories of when you were younger, of everything they meant to you, of how significant you were to them, until you weren't anymore.

The towel still hugged your body as you sat in the chair pulling your laptop out of your backpack, the memory chip quickly being removed from the pocket of the vest you were wearing before. Fingers quick to type the code to allow it to be used, the MVP that Minho had installed on your computer being turned on quickly with a simple press of keys. You had one hour. An hour to see what they had done to you. An hour to understand what that meant. A time to get rid of all evidence linking the leaders of the Black Pirates to you.

As soon as the chip was connected to the external reader, a file appeared in front of it. It was a video. Two minutes, maybe a little more. Your fingers quickly went to check how loud the sound was, but as soon as you noticed it was muted, you pressed it three times, just enough to know if something would be said or not, the headphones not too far away in case you needed it.

The first scene was the open space of the mansion, on the ground floor, among the plants that managed to survive the arid climate, possibly thanks to the water pipes of the complex below the mansion, which you were in at that moment. The space quickly opened up and you noticed that the water fountain was on, six people in black were present, the masks and fedoras covering their faces, but you would know who they were anywhere.

Soon Lucky and Mars entered the scene and the eight of them looked at the camera, it seemed like they were looking into your soul, that they were in the room with you, that you were in the fountain with them at that moment. You ignored the way your stomach dropped when the eight of them removed their masks, how it felt like a party had started in your stomach, how you realized that hadn't happened in four years.

The next scene was inside, the covered space that belonged to one of the leaders of the first faction that fought against Strickland, being the main reason why this was one of the first bases. Demonstrating power was something important, you had learned this since you were little, using it today to your benefit and that of your team, even if you hated it.

Although the location remained the same, the scene was slightly changed and you realized it was the view of a drone, possibly the one in your backpack, certainly impossible to recover any files if you knew them well enough, and that you could say with 90% sure yes, you knew them well.

Your eyes quickly found the basketball in Shinwoo's hands, the bandana on Wooyeon's wrist, Lucky's smart eyes. They had programmed that. They knew you would come, but that wasn't the biggest shock, that wasn't all, that wasn’t at all the part that caused you to break and burn with hate and longing.

The last scene caused this.

Howl, Uno and Iyaah were in front of the door where you found the ball and the bandana, but none were there yet, on the other hand, the door was opened and you noticed their concern about not touching any of the cobwebs, wanting to make you think they hadn't been there, which had worked, much to your annoyance. Despite everything, it was when Uno entered the code and registration that made your heart stop for a moment, pausing the video that focused on the green letters with your brother's name.

After what seemed like an eternity, you managed to compose yourself to continue with the video, ignoring the burning in your eyes and how much your body shook with hatred for that simple detail that they wanted to make clear, as if you had forgotten. Your finger was quick to press 'play', causing the video to continue with Iyaah placing the destroyed drone exactly where you had found it. The camera then focused on Howl, who was following the same path you had just taken with Chan, your burning eyes now begging you to blink, the accumulated tears doing little to lubricate your eyes fixed on the screen.

Howl is now standing in front of your room. The numbers entered being your brother's again, but you were already expecting this, but the room was different, pausing the video for a minute, your eyes going from the computer screen to the space that surrounded you. They had cleaned the place, the sheets had been changed, some of the things had been organized, they had made the room for you.

With a sigh, you returned to the video, watching Howl walk towards the books that were to your right. The camera focused on three, one that talked about the History of Strickland, another that talked about Sciensalvar, but Howl's fingers found the one in the middle, which talked about military strategies. His fingers quickly opened the book, but didn't make it past the first page before placing a folded paper inside, placing the book back on the shelf. The camera focused on the exact book before the video ended.

Before you could think much, the MVP timer appeared on your screen, causing you to disconnect everything related to that video, destroying the chip not long after. Your head was still processing everything that had happened, everything you had seen. Eyes quickly finding the book that Howl had pulled out and put away the paper, eyes falling back to the vest you were wearing when you put away the paper that Chan said he had found.

Your fingers quickly found Chan's paper, but just as he said, it was torn, you couldn't fully understand what was written, but you knew who had written it, while Iyaah's handwriting seemed to shine on the paper, almost as if had mocked your face, just another proof that they were there.

“...ns to look at the stars.”

You cursed under your breath, knowing that it didn't make any sense. Knowing Iyaah, was a song lyric he was working on, but ended up not liking enough. The difference is that he always showed you the lyrics before abandoning them, the nostalgic feeling took over you, making you curse loudly and crumple the paper between your fingers before throwing it away.

Your eyes burned and your head hurt, you wanted to cry, you deserved to cry after everything they did, but no tears seemed to be able to come out. The red eyes once again fell on the book that Howl had indicated. Your trembling fingers quickly pulled the book from the shelf, opening the cover causing the folded paper to fall onto the table. You quickly put the book back in place, fingers gripping the paper with trepidation. They had already taken so much from you and here you found yourself, allowing them to take even more.

Despite everything, your fingers opened the paper, a simple sentence in Howl's handwriting could be read and you felt your eyes burn even more, the lump in your throat increase and your stomach drop with each word read.

“We never forgot you, and we never will.”

A knock on your door made you jump up, the paper quickly being hidden beneath your laptop which you quickly closed, but as soon as your steps headed towards the door, you realized that only a towel was covering your body, your hair already partially dry because of the time you had wasted seeing what the boys had left for you.

Your eyes still burned, and you hoped your face was good enough, but you knew it didn't matter because your team knew each other well enough to know when something was wrong. You just hoped they could ignore it all when they saw that you didn't want to talk about it. One more knock and Jisung's voice could be heard, you hugged the towel tighter to your body on instinct before opening the door enough for him to see that it wasn't the best time.

“Ji, I’m so-”

The touch of your lips with his, made you widen your eyes in surprise, but unlike what you imagined, the kiss was quick, only for you to stop talking, you knew, so you remained silent watching your friend at the door, his eyes traveling over your face, body and back to your eyes.

“No need to say anything,” his hands found your waist, his mouth finding the corner of your own, a light push and you two were inside your room, Jisung's foot pushing the door, closing it behind him, who pulled you closer, connecting your mouths again. “I heard you, we all heard you.”

“I’m sorry Ji, but -”

“No need,” he already knew you didn’t want to talk, your body and face only confirmed it for him when the door opened. "Use me."

“Jisung? What?"

“Use,” a kiss on your jaw, “me,” another kiss under your ear that made a small moan leave your mouth and you felt a small smile form on Jisung’s mouth. “I’m yours to do with as you please,” you pulled away meeting his eyes, his hands firmly on your waist, trapping you against his body. “You can use me to make yourself feel better, as long as you get better.”

Your eyes roamed every corner of Jisung's face before your lips found his again, your feet already guiding the two of you to the bed as you tried to make your mind forget everything that had happened since the moment you found Shinwoo's basketball a few hours ago.

It worked until your backpack fell to the ground, the noise of the drone against the ground bringing you back for a moment, your eyes falling on the backpack as Jisung kissed your neck, moving down until he found the pendant that rested between the valley of your still hidden breasts.

Jisung's eyes searched yours, indicating the necklace. Everyone knew that necklace was important to you, but this was a subject that you had never talked about with any of them and you wouldn't, everyone respected your decision, but everyone knew that in moments like that, you always took it off, or rather, asked whoever was with you to take it off, which was what Jisung was doing now, as he kissed every part of your skin, helping your mind not to think about the eight men who occupied your mind for so many years and who had resurfaced a few hours ago.

Although feelings are prohibited, you had already been contaminated by them, you had already contaminated your own team. After all, you all had human needs, so that – just like you were with Jisung – was normal, when someone needed it, someone else helped. At that moment you needed a distraction, Jisung would be that distraction, that's why he said you could use him however you wanted, because that was nothing more than a distraction from the real pain that fell in your chest, just like the butterflies that were reborn in your stomach after that simple message with Howl's handwriting.

All you needed was a distraction.

If there was one thing that Hongjoong and the others realized relatively early on, it was that there was always one more trick up their sleeve with the group that had taken them to that other reality. They also knew that everything was connected to Nightingale, who, it seemed, only had direct contact with the 'mirrors' and one other person, called Left Eye, one of the first with whom the group had contact when they arrived in that dimension.

Soon, they realized that two things were forbidden to be said, the real names of the ‘mirrors’ and talking about her. To say that Hongjoong had grown stale with the idea of who she would be was an understatement, but at the same time, knowing that talking about her brought some kind of reaction in the 'mirrors' made him want to get to know whoever the person was.

When the lights of the bunker in the ruins turned off and the projector turned on, your photo was quickly displayed, making all the boys open their mouths, definitely not expecting you to be who she was, they were expecting someone older, especially with the way the 'mirrors' reacted whenever you were brought up.

“Her name is (y/n), she is one of the top leaders of Strickland and has had honorable mentions since she was sixteen,” Logan's voice trailed off for a moment, Yunho noticed that everyone else was looking at your photo with certain regret, “known since she was little as the Princess of Strickland, she ended up losing that title since she gained notoriety for herself and her team.”

“Although some still call her that, especially when they want to annoy her.”

The 'mirrors' exchanged small smiles after Wooyeon's speech – Wooyoung's mirror –, which didn't go unnoticed by any of the others.

“What is your relationship with her?”

Hongjoong's voice made everyone look at him, sad features returned to their faces.

"We were friends."

"And what happened?" Seonghwa asked with his eyes fixed on Logan who sighed exchanging looks with the others, a silent conversation about who would answer that question. “Did you break her heart, by any chance?”

“You could say so,” Howl said with a weak smile, “we were friends, but we knew what awaited her, we knew what her parents, teachers and superiors did to her and her brother,” everyone exchanged looks and Howl sighed before continuing, eyes following each of those who were seated, eyes and ears attentive for any information. “We decided that we didn’t want that reality for her, not after seeing her smile when she allowed herself to feel it, but we knew it was forbidden, but we couldn’t let her shine to burn out.”

Everyone was silent, but it was Mingi who spoke, his deep voice reverberating through the space.

“And how is the relationship with you and her now?”

“Not the best.”

Hongjoong laughed cynically at Lucky's response, which didn't go unnoticed by the others.

“She wants us dead, that’s our relationship now.”

Everyone stopped at that revelation, Jongho was the first to say something, feeling the tension that had taken over the space.

“All this because you didn’t follow Strickland’s rules?”

“All this because we abandoned her when she needed it most.”

“Everyone listening?” You said over the radio, eyes quickly going to Hyunjin at the wheel who looked at you confused, but you just waited until everyone confirmed to finally speak. “Command Center just reported an emergency meeting, so we had to rush back.”

“Emergency meeting? After sending everyone to all corners of the country?”

Everyone laughed at Changbin's comment, but you just confirmed it by resuming your train of thought.

“If you want to stay, it can just be me, Channie and Innie, it’s no problem.”

“And leave our boss unprotected in an emergency meeting? Have you gone completely crazy?”

It was Yeji's turn to comment on the radio, making you shake your head.

“They’re right (y/n),” it was Minho who said, approaching the passenger seat, “we need to protect our passenger princess at any cost!”

You swung your hand, managing to slap Minho's thigh, making the three guys with you laugh before Yongbok took the lead in the conversation.

“But really, (y/n), if it’s an emergency meeting, there’s going to be a lot of names there, it’s a great opportunity for something to happen.”

“And let's not forget that you are one of the main leaders,” Hyunjin commented, looking at you sideways before focusing back on the road, which made you roll your eyes, but his hand quickly went to your thigh, squeezing it lightly, a small smirk present at all times. “Don’t hate the player, hate the game my love.”

You sighed taking his hand in yours before returning with the radio, knowing everyone was just waiting for your speech.

“The meeting will take place on Guardian’s Island; it looks like they will put all the White Giants after the Black Pirate leaders.”

“Do you think they discovered something?”

Chan's voice was worried, not unlike your own when you had spoken to Eden, one of your superiors, a few hours ago.

“The fact of an emergency meeting already confirms this, but I still don’t understand why they are doing it on Guardian’s Island!”

“Beomgyu told me that the island had been invaded.”

Your heart stopped in your throat for a second, making you thankful that Jisung was in the car with Changbin at that moment.

“Did they manage to steal anything?”

Chaeryeong's voice reverberated through the radio, and you didn't notice how much you squeezed Hyunjin's hand, nor even his glances in your direction.

“I don’t know, but it looks like some heads rolled down the stairs a few days ago.”

“Shall we all go then?”

Your voice was firm, but your whole body was shaking.

Everyone's confirmation didn't do much to calm you down, but Yongbok's hands on your shoulders managed to bring some calm to you. There were a thousand and one reasons for an emergency meeting, there were a thousand and one locations it could take place, but they chose Guardian’s Island, after making all the main Crisis Management units leave the capital.

The fact that they had publicly indicated the use of the White Giants to capture the Black Pirates and their leaders only made your uneasiness increase. Knowing that Guardian’s Island was where the main points of everything that were denied by the government were, brought a symbolism that you didn’t want to think about. It brought back memories you would rather forget.

Despite everything, here you were, stepping onto Guardian’s Island after almost five years of turning your back on that place, preferring to stay at the Prestige Academy or the Command Center. It doesn't matter if you grew up there, it doesn't matter that you knew that island in the palm of your hand, you would give anything to not have to attend this meeting in that place.

Your parents were waiting in front of the entrance gate, their eyes falling on you and your team as your face breathed in the city air after all those days in the desert. Your eyes stopped on your parents for a moment, you knew they were proud. You knew that, since everything happened with your brother, you were the main choice to succeed the position they had, you knew you were the main point of pride, but nothing took away the cost of making that happen, the inability of your parents to do the least for their first golden child.

Since then, your meetings with your parents only occurred at events like those, which only caused the hatred for those events to increase, but fortunately, you knew how to mask enough, lie enough, to make it seem like that indirect torture was at least pleasant.

Thanks to Chan, Ryujin, Hyunjin, and Jeongin, your parents didn't get as much contact with you at the entrance, not even when you sat in your assigned seats. Your eyes roamed the entire room, noticing how many important people were there, which units had been called and the positions they had been placed in, something that also didn't go unnoticed by Jeongin who leaned closer to your ear.

“I heard rumors that they captured one of the leaders and this is a trial.”

Despite the weight in your chest, you sighed before looking around one last time, approaching the boy and covering both sides of your mouth so that no one could understand what was being said.

“This will make whoever it is a martyr, doing this is crazy.”

You both laughed in agreement, but also, it wouldn't be the first time the government did something stupid like that, much less the last. You and your team could hear the murmurs, some caught some of the rumors, what you did more was enjoy what you heard, laugh a little at the absurdity that was shared among those present, until the President of Strickland appeared on the podium, Henry Jo right next to it, as expected.

“Hello, thank you all for coming today and as you know this is an emergency meeting so we will be brief.”

The President exchanged glances with Henry Jo who nodded, taking the former's place on the podium, the microphone undergoing a small adjustment before he cleared his throat.

“As you know, we have many objects in this place, one of them is an extremely powerful and important object,” you couldn't even breathe, already having a good idea of where this conversation was going, “we also discovered the way in which the Black Pirates, their leaders in particular, managed to escape us so many times,” the tension in the air was palpable and you knew exactly what the meeting was about, your nails digging into your palm forming half-moons. “The object stolen and used by them is the Cromer.”

They had found out.

They had discovered that the Cromer was missing.

Did they know who had stolen it?

Did they know when it was stolen?

Your blood ran cold, but you didn't move to look anywhere other than the podium, observing the reaction of Henry Jo and the White Giants who were not far behind, indicating that they only knew the superficial information, making you breathe a little, but the tension never leaving your shoulders.

They knew the leaders used the Cromer.

That changed everything.

00: prologue.

heart string of gold || OT8! ateez || lore au

They had abandoned you, all nine people you cared about most had completely abandoned you. In the end, you were just like your parents and superiors said you would be if you continued to allow feelings to be felt. You then became Strickland's weapon and the Black Pirates, like their leaders, were your ultimate target.

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