⚔︎ Double Edged Swords ⚔︎

Anyone

Ring! Ring!

Joshua slowly lifts his head. His entire body is sore as he stares at his phone on the ground. An unknown number is on the bright screen illuminated in the dark room. Someone walks up to the discarded device on the floor, picks it up, and walks over to the omega who's still on the floor. The figure crouches down and accepts the call before placing it near the American's ear.

/This is Xu Minghao... I'm sure you received what I sent to you a couple of days ago./

Joshua glares at the figure before him before responding in a hoarse voice. "Do you think I'll believe that?" The person before him doesn't know any of the context, intrigued by the conversation. "As you said three years ago, he's dead. There's nothing more to playing with nature."

/You sound exhausted. Perhaps-/

"Yes, I'm getting a beating for presumably letting Jeonghan run away." The figure scoffs but lets the call continue.

/I need your help./ Joshua rolls his eyes.

"Why don't you ask your team?"

/You make it sound more accessible than it is. You think they'd want to waste their time and life on an enemy that I love?/

"Now isn't the time, call me later." Joshua hasn't been the luckiest for the past few days. After the boss found out about Jeonghan's disappearance, he knew he was going to be blamed. Now here he is in the punishment room and so far they've been lighter treatments than in the past when any of them would get in trouble. Mostly hits with a baton and whip lashes. Unlike in the past, he had broken rib cages and burn scars.

/I see./ With that, the call ends.

"You've piqued my interest. I won't pry as information will soon reach me once events unfold. You're officially done with your punishments."

"Yes, sir." Joshua struggles to make his way out of the basement. Once he's at the top of the staircase, he meets Jihoon who has his arms crossed. His sharp eyes and the smell of burning caramel indicate he's demanding an explanation and it has to be the truth. The younger omega knows when someone is lying.

"Can you wait?" Joshua softly asks as he's exhausted and drained. Jihoon gives silent approval before heading down the halls. The shorter male has taken the leading role as a replacement for Jeonghan. They were all given the order to kill Jeonghan if they ever come across him. But no one would have the heart to. They've lost too much even if it seemed little. Either way, if they refused, the boss would know. He always gets information no matter what.

"I know there's also something else other than this current situation." The younger's voice echoes throughout the long hallway.

Of course.

⚔︎

Jihoon waits, sitting before Joshua as the oldest grips a manila folder. "Before I hand you this, I'll explain about Jeonghan." The American sighs heavily.

"Go on," Jihoon opens his can of coke.

"I think we all had a hunch about Jeonghan falling too deep with his feelings for Seungcheol." Joshua begins. Jihoon scoffs, an agreement. "I confronted him and... I broke." His scent sours and he feels like there's a hole attempting to swallow him whole. But Jihoon is here with him, holding on with hope. When he looks at the new leading omega, the latter seems shocked by the change of emotions. It's been years since he's seen any particular emotion other than Junhui's death.

"I couldn't allow history to repeat itself. Not for the third time. From two rivaling groups, we're even. Even more, now that two had run away. But... I encouraged Jeonghan to run away." Joshua feels the warmth of Jihoon's hand over his bandaged one. He doesn't even realize he's shaking. But why? Was it because of the possible consequences and he was spared with his life? He could have died if the boss were truly angry.

"I knew how worried you were. That day when Jeonghan received the mission, there was a change in your look. I think... memories flooded your mind." The younger softly tells the other.

"One last thing that I know you're curious about. What could also be happening while Jeonghan is on the run from the gang?" He hands the folder to the leader. Joshua lets Jihoon read the entire file. Waiting until he gets to the end.

The scent of caramel becomes salty and telling by the trembling hands and wide eyes; Jihoon knows about Junhui's whereabouts as well.

"Junnie..." The omega chokes on his tears, gripping the papers tightly. Joshua could only nod in distraught. "What did they do to you for all of these years?" The older can't tell if the shorter is relieved that Junhui is alive or devastated. Devastated because they both know they'd rather have Junhui dead than be tortured and raped by those filthy alphas for years.

Joshua hands him a box of tissues. Once Jihoon had gathered himself again. He asks, "Who gave you this?"

Joshua's hands form a fist on his lap. Does he dare to say that their enemies are helping them? But Minghao is an exception. He knows that. There's no way Jihoon could turn the opportunity down if the younger proposes to save Junhui. Throat dry, he swallows again from the thick air of intense and emotional pheromones. "Minghao..."

Joshua expects Jihoon's true colors to shine but they don't. The younger just nods and stands up.

"Hyung, we're going to meet him tomorrow at the park. Make sure he isn't late. I want to discuss about... him." Jihoon thickly swallows. "I need to know if it is true. To make sure they're not messing with us. I can't bear these torments any longer. Though we're family and have each other... we have closer bonds with others in a group. Our comfort people. As I, the typical lone wolf lead, I still want to look out for us because what is the purpose to serve in this cruel world where we were forced in? My only reason is for the family."

Joshua agrees silently, thanking Jihoon. "I'll immediately contact him."

𖨆

"Ready to talk?" Minghao picks up the call, knowing it's Joshua.

{You know, I'm quite shocked as for an enemy who's reaching out to the one who killed your best friend. You're going to trust me that you'll get the help you need all for Junhui's rescue.} Minghao had acknowledged the fact for a while. The past three years when he decided to contact the murderer of his best friend. He thought he was crazy for even telling Joshua about Junhui. But that's because Junhui saw the omega as one of his closest friends. He knew Junhui would want to at least have Minghao tell Joshua what would happen.

"I think we're pretty much equal, wouldn't you agree?" Minghao grins. "We killed each other's lovers. But mine is alive. You killed my best friend. And we both believed I killed your best friend." He adds on. "Two people we looked up to are gone now. I think we have a lot in common and this answers why we decided to reach out to our rivals."

The other end of the line is silent for a good minute. Minghao knows he's won the argument. "Did you discuss this with anyone else?"

{What? Scared that you'll get in trouble?}

"No, I want to discuss about this situation with whoever wants me to earn their trust."

A sigh. {I told my leader.}

"Very well."

{Meet me at the park at noon tomorrow.}