Hunters -Ateez AU

Thirty-one

"Eun?" Sans voice echoed through the cold, dark air. He could feel the shivers run down his spine as his eyes shot across the room in every direction. His heart pounded roughly in his chest, and his throat felt like he had swallowed glass. "Woo?!"

The space felt like it was closing around him. Thick, black smoke circled him as he fought to steady his breath. "Yeo? Hwa? Yunho- anyone?!" The more he yelled, the scratchier his voice felt against his tongue.

A familiar, devilish laugh flooded Sans ears. He whipped his head around. "Stop it," he groaned, covering his ears as he collapsed to the floor. "Stop it, stop it!" He screamed. Then, a large hand gripped his chin, forcing his head up to meet completely orange eyes- like a fire burned within them.

The face was familiar as it emerged from the shadow. "D-dad?"

"Join me, son"

...

San shot up in bed, panting heavily while looking into the blank space of the dark bedroom. His chest felt sore, and his lips cracked and dry. San swallowed hard, licking his lips in any attempt to moisten them. His hair stuck to his forehead in sweaty clumps, yet his body felt completely chilled. He glanced to his side, seeing a peaceful Woo Young sleeping soundly next to him.

He wiped his forehead and swung his feet off the bed. He reached for his boxers and a spare set of pajama pants, though he wasn't sure if they were his or Woo Young's. He slipped them on and pushed himself to his feet. Woo Young shifted lightly, sprawling himself across the bed to fill the open space San left. San couldn't help but chuckle at the latter. He let his feet guide him to the kitchen. The sky outside still reflected a dark ocean, with hints of pinks and orange spreading across the horizon.

"4:00 am..." San mumbled, sighing. He rummaged through the cabinets for a mug, popped a coffee pod into the single serve coffee maker, and helped himself to the creamer in the fridge. Coffee was the only way he would survive the day from waking so early.

"Why're you awake?" San startled, spinning on his heels to meet the chocolate eyes of Yunho.

"Jesus, Yunho. Do you ever knock?" San asked, taking a deep breath to calm his rapid breathing.
Yunho chuckled, approaching San at the counter, leaning against it.

"Sorry I startled you," he stated simply, a small smirk curling at the corner of his lips. "It's early, shouldn't you be asleep?"

San paused a moment, "I'm an early bird, Yun," he said, shaking his head and turning back to his coffee. Yunho hummed, knowing just by the hesitance the latter offered before responding.

"What was it about?" Yunho asked with no context. San directed his gaze back up, a fake, confused expression plastered on his tanned face. Yunho gave the male a knowing look, and San knew now that there was no point in lying.

"My..dad," he finally responded, the title sitting heavy in his throat. "If that's what you could even call him," his voice turned rough as he slammed the spoon down on the counter. He sighed, lifting the mug to his lips. Yunho nodded, trying to understand.

"What did he say?" He asked, still gazing at the latter's side profile, seeing as San now refused to look up from the counter.

San swallowed hard, carefully placing his coffee down on the counter. He looked up to meet Yunho's oddly comforting eyes.

"Join me, son,"

...

"San, are you alright?" Yeosang asked from across the table, watching as he lifted the noodles from his dish and dropped them again. San was in a complete daze, a constant replay of the nightmare fogging his memory.

"San," Woo Young spoke up after Yeosang received no response. The firm voice of his lover brought him back to reality.

"Yeah, I'm sorry," he mumbled, setting the chopsticks down next to his meal. "Just tired, is all," Eun-Ji gave San a knowing look. She could tell when her brother was lying. He was never good at it when it was something truly bothering him. "Excuse me,"

He pushed himself from the table and stood, leaving the meal and others behind as he left the room. The group watched as San walked down the long hall and turn into the room he was staying in with Woo Young, the door then slammed shut behind him. The others all exchanged confused glances.

"I'll go talk to him," Eun-Ji pushed away from the table and followed the same steps San had taken. Eun-Ji approached the door, placing subtle knocks against the oak. "San?"

San hummed, giving his sister permission to enter. The door creaked open to reveal San sitting on the floor, knees curled up to his chest, and face hidden behind his crossed arms. He sat with his back against the bedside. "San, what's wrong?"

San released a shaky breath. "I.. dreamt about dad last night," he began. Eun-Ji froze. Her blood almost boiled at the name. "I know.. I don't like it, either." He stated plainly, letting his legs fall flat to the floor.

Eun-Ji growled lowly, "that devil is not our father," she huffed, shaking her head. "What did 'it' want?"

San fiddled with him thumbs, picking at the skin around his fingers, a nervous habit he had developed. Eun-Ji cocked her head lightly. "What is it, San?"

"He wanted me to join him," San mumbled, causing Eun-Ji's eyes to widen. "I'm not going to. It's nothing you need to worry about," he insisted, meeting her scared gaze. "I promise."

Eun-Ji swallowed hard at the statement. "You better not. For all of us," she demanded, which was came out more as a plead. "Don't make me hunt 𝘺𝘰𝘶."

...

"Is everything okay?" Yeosang asked Eun-Ji, giving her a concerned expression as she walked through the park. Yeosang tried his best to take her mind off of everything every once in a while, taking her on dates and long walks or jogs.

"Yeah.. just have a lot on my mind is all," she shrugged, watching the little pebble skip into the grass as she kicked it.

"Worried about San?"

Eun-Ji sighed, "I mean... why would our dad come to him? Was it just a dream? Or is he really speaking to San? Or what if San isn't strong enough to fight him-" she began rambling, her thoughts going a thousand miles a minute. Yeosang took her hand, stopping her mid step.

"Listen to me, Eun," his voice was soft and gentle. He began tracing small circles on the top of her hand with his thumb, "San is strong. I don't know why your father went to him. But you need to have trust in your brother.. know that he would never join him, okay? We all know he's better than that,"

Eun-Ji met the eyes of her lover and she had no other choice but to trust him. To believe the words he was saying. She nodded.

"I really hope you're right, Yeo..."

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A/N: so sorry for the delay! I lost motivation for this book and I'm really trying to get back into it. I swear, I have a plan! I hope you're still sticking with me 💙