Finding my Power in You

Chapter VIII : A Strength That Can Move Mountains

Right after their rather emotional meeting ended, the members split off for their assignments. Hansol, with some much-needed help from Mingyu, explains his plan in full detail. Hansol already has himself assigned to the extraction team. He wants to be on the front lines, even if Seokmin, Seungcheol, and Junhui voice their disapproval. It might sound selfish, but Hansol wants his face to be the first one Seungkwan sees.

Although their assignments are set in stone, there was some dissent over team placement. One of the arguments was between Jisoo and Seokmin.

As the boys decided on who did what, Jisoo's hand was the first to shoot up.

"I'm going with you, Vernon," Jisoo said. Seungcheol was about to write that down when out of nowhere, his wrist was held down by another member's hand. Seokmin stood from his chair after releasing Seungcheol's wrist and looked at Jisoo square in the eyes. Before anyone could even utter a sound or express any confusion, Jisoo was quick to get out of his chair.

"Seokmin-ah, I'm going to say this, and this is the last time. You're not my parents. You're not my boyfriend. I'm. Your. Hyung. Stop treating me like a damsel in distress. Stop treating me like I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm a SAGE Agent just like you!" The words were let out in a raging calm hiss that served to cut at Seokmin who could only sit back down with his head hung low. The other members knew Seokmin meant nothing demeaning when he expressed concern, considering Jisoo never had combat training. However, they also knew where Jisoo was coming from.

"Put me down for the Extraction Team,"  Jisoo seethed as took his seat, a pointed glare at Seokmin daring him to speak up. The tension in the air hung heavy and Seungcheol could feel Seokmin thinking beside him. The room stayed quiet for a while before Hansol spoke up to continue the team assignments.

The second argument was between Seungcheol and Chan.

Chan was the second to raise his hand.

"Put me down for the Distraction Team!" Chan was excited to help out on this mission.

"The fuck you will," Seungcheol blurted out almost immediately. Wide-eyed stares are all Seungcheol gets from the other members at the sudden curse that leaves his mouth.

"Hyuuung! Why not?" The youngest whined.

"Cause that's why. You're still a child. You're not ready," he said. His voice was monotonic as if this was a rehearsed speech, which it was. Seungcheol promised his mom to keep his little brother safe, so he did everything he could to keep his brother out of the line of fire.

"Hyung! Please stop dismissing me! I can do this. I promise. I can copy three SAGEs at once, and I can do them for about 45 minutes each now. I've extended my time. I've kept up to date on my self-defense and combat training! Why can't I?" Chan reasoned with his brother. Seungcheol knew he couldn't do this for long. He just didn't know that Chan would be talking back so soon.

"Dino," Seungcheol started in a low, reprimanding tone, "I'm your brother. I want to keep you safe. Whatever I say goes." Seungcheol was always afraid that pulling the "brother" card would upset the other members, but they seem to understand where he was coming from. They all collectively claimed Chan as their younger brother, so they felt for Seungcheol. Chan's face scrunched into a glower at the words. For the first time in a while, Chan turned his glare on Seungcheol.

"You're not even my real brother, so buzz off. You don't get to tell me what to do. Just because Mom and Dad told you to take care of me, doesn't mean you get to suffocate me," Chan gritted out. Seungcheol may not have shown it, but that knocked the air out of his lungs and left him with a stabbing pain in his heart. Chan did a lot more than talk back. He struck Seungcheol exactly where it hurt most. Seungcheol could only let out a nod with a tight grimace on his face, the light in his eyes extinguished just a little. Everyone in that room felt that Chan went too far, even Chan. Chan covered his mouth after realizing what he had said, but some unknown force sucked the air out of his lungs and kept him from even squeaking.