The SVT Files

004

Seungcheol wasn't actively looking for Kim Mingyu, which was a change of pace. While he'd been touching base back with the agency, he found out that somewhere along the way, Mingyu and Jihoon had met each other and kept in contact. Jihoon had called Mingyu and told him someone was searching for people with powers.

So now, Seungcheol was sitting at a café in Busan, sipping an iced cinnamon latte and waiting for Mingyu to get off work. He always came into this café, ordered a hot galão with a triple shot of espresso, sat in the window seat with whatever book he was reading, and stayed for an hour or so.

Seungcheol leaned back against the window frame, reading over the same page for the fifth or sixth time. The rain made interlocking patterns over the window pane as the door opened, Seungcheol not looking up. A few minutes later, someone sat down in a chair next to the window frame, Seungcheol looking up to see Kim Mingyu sitting there.

"You must be Choi Seungcheol." Mingyu said, his eyes locking with Seungcheol's, a small jolt going down his spine. "You're not surprised I know who you are?"

"You've been in contact with Lee Jihoon. Of course you know who I am." Seungcheol didn't break eye contact, knowing his emotions were being laid out like a card deck the longer he looked into Mingyu's eyes. "Luckily, I know who you are too. I don't have to give you a spiel or anything, because you know me too." Mingyu smiled uncomfortably at that, looking away first to glance down at his coffee cup.

"So, you want to know if I'll join you?" Mingyu asked, playing with his mug.

"Yep."

"You're going to have to tell me more. Your emotions are like die, switching sides every few minutes." Another uncomfortable smile inched across Mingyu's face, seemingly making him scratch the back of his head. "It's honestly giving me a headache."

"Alright." Seungcheol pulled out his tablet instead of his book, pulling up a page and handing it to Mingyu. "So you don't have to make eye contact when I talk."

"Thanks." Mingyu stilled, reading the words as Seungcheol looked at him. He didn't look threatening, but then again, most people with powers didn't.

"How long have you been able to copy powers?" Seungcheol asked, making Mingyu look up.

"Since puberty. I could always read emotions, but the copying came later." Mingyu looked back down at the tablet, taking in the information. "It's with all physical touch though, but my retention depends on how long I touch them. Like for you, if I just brushed against you, I might have your powers for a second. But if I intentionally grabbed your hand for thirty minutes, I'd have your power copied for a day. However if I didn't want to copy it, I could do that, it just requires more concentration."

"So you have a good grip on your powers?"

"Probably more so then some others you've encountered in the agency." Mingyu handed back the tablet, frowning. "So, what enemy are we facing exactly? There's no specification on this tablet or in your mind."

"Multiple different forces. Some are people with powers, others are from other dimensions. It's a team to provide comfort behind the scenes without raising suspicions."

Mingyu hummed with interest, Seungcheol glancing at him. "Will you be the leader?"

"If you all want me to be," Seungcheol responded. "But that's not important."

"Yes it is," Mingyu responded. "Who leads you is always important." A silence settled over them, Mingyu seeming to think about what he was going to do.

"If you need some time, I can give it to you," Seungcheol supplied, opening his book again.

"Why did Jihoon say no to you?" Mingyu asked after a while longer, making Seungcheol look up.

"He doesn't want to disrupt the life he has now."

"Huh." Mingyu frowned. "Well, I think it would be fun. I'll come. When do we leave?"

"Tonight if you're willing."

"Alright."

"Seriously?"

"As long as I can bring my books and recipes." Mingyu smiled a little, looking at Seungcheol. "You seem excited that I'm coming."

"I am, can't you tell?" Seungcheol beamed, looking at Mingyu in the eyes.

"I can actually," Mingyu replied softly. "And it makes me happy I chose this path."

✇

if you're starting to think Seungcheol is a shitbag to write and read you're right