xxxx( tagged: everyone, open ) ( word count: 1025 )
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- things had been quiet for a while concerning the enigmatic x clan that ran rampant through the streets, disturbing the "peace" which the military enforced. too quiet.
it had also been a while since all the members were together, enjoying each others' company. it comforted taesung to see everyone together. it meant that they were all alive and well, and he could do something within a moment's notice if things were otherwise. he preferred being with everyone like this, yet, he knew that having the luxury of this tranquility didn't come without a price. it was a price he didn't want any of the others to pay, but nevertheless, he was no god. he couldn't keep them innocent forever. the world was merciless to creatures great and small and unforgiving to any and all mistakes. tae often wondered - would there be a time when "everybody" meant everyone minus a member or two? death was permanent.
that morning, tae meant with their leader, jun, to discuss the clan's dwindling supplies. the underground was a source they often went to for basic necessities besides the larkspur, but it wasn't a steady supplier. it was all a game of chance down there, one hajun and taesung knew how to play best. it was then decided that they had no choice but to head into town for a quick supply run. of course, the objective was to get what they needed and leave as soon as possible considering that several of their faces were recognizable by the patrolling guards. thus, jun and tae came to the conclusion that all the members were needed in order to maximize their profits. dividing and conquering (in pairs of course; no one did things alone) was the best option.
as they entered town, keeping as low of a profile as they could, taesung found himself walking beside byung and jaejin. nudging the former with his elbow lightly, tae questioned with a raised brow, "i'm guessing you've been on your best behavior while i was away?" there was a glint of amusement in tae's eyes. in all honesty, he worried about byung the most. the way byung put himself out there was not only reckless but stupid at times. tae had returned to the clan just yesterday after disappearing for eight days, an average length of time for the dreamer. on all eight of those days, he couldn't help but wonder just what byung was planning in the meantime. the young man shot jaejin a thin smile in turn and said, "missed me when making dinner? i hope someone else helped you while i was gone." his words were really just an invitation for jae to call some of the others out to receive taesung's two-finger slap penalty.
after that exchange, tae wandered over to yuna's side. the dreamer rarely cracked a smile, but somehow, the youngest of the clan members managed to break down his tough guy exterior every now and then. "boo. you've been listening to jun and lily, right? if you've been good, i'll teach you how to pick locks later, okay?" he inquired after sneaking up behind her. the male reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately.
his gaze wandered ahead to a head of blonde hair. hyunsoo. taesung wondered if the other man was doing well, but he figured hyun preferred his own company over anyone else's, so tae decided against approaching him. besides, he didn't want to seem overbearingly protective. in a way, hyun reminded him of lily since they were both capable of taking care of themselves. he felt reassured by that in comparison to the first time taesung encountered hyun. that was ages ago, but at the same time, it could've been just yesterday.
tae snapped back to attention. something was off. call it his seventh sense, but taesung was especially known for his keen ability to detect enemies from a distance. he had no explanation for it, but he guessed it was the universe acting in his favor. he placed a hand on yuna's shoulder for a brief moment, signaling for her to slow her pace as he went to talk to jun and lily. the cousins led the group down streets that they had known to be places where guards rarely frequented, but tae was ready to tell them that a change in course may have been in order.
he grabbed the two's shoulders to catch their attention. opening his mouth, he didn't get to utter a word of warning before unfamiliar footsteps sounded from around the corner. they were heavy and loud due to the thick soles of the soldiers' boots. there was no time. in less than a heartbeat, they'd be face to face with danger. taesung started to backtrack, hoping that jun and lily already sensed them, too.
"RUN!"
after taesung bellowed the single word, it was time to scramble. while he already had the advantage of a head start and the abilities of an escape artist, it wasn't in his nature to leave the others completely alone. in his hurry, he wasn't sure who he grabbed, but his hand closed around another, interlocking their fingers tightly as if that would be enough to save them. then he ran. hard.
"whatever happens, just keep running. i've got your back. don't turn aro-" he assured his companion only to be cut off by gunfire. tae flinched. they were already out of sight of the others, and as practiced, they had all dashed off in pairs in various directions. taesung bit the inside of his cheek to prevent a few select words from escaping his lips. he pleaded that nobody had been hit in the initial conflict.
a gruff voice shouted behind taesung and his escaping partner. he chanced a glance back to see a pair of guards pursuing them."dammit, keep going. take a left. we're taking a detour" tae hissed, pushing his friend ahead of him. if they were going to be shot at again, he'd rather it be aimed at himself. he wouldn't be able to forgive himself otherwise, not when it had to do with the clan, his family.
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MY TRAGEDY, I’LL GIVE YOU
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxMY EVERYTHING ! ! ❞
MY TRAGEDY, I’LL GIVE YOU
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxMY EVERYTHING ! ! ❞