flame - tenyang

2. to examine

over the next few days, yangyang's team had continuously analyzed any evidence that the suspect— ten, had left.

yangyang obviously told his team that he had seen the thief, but he couldn't tell the whole story. it made him feel weak. obviously, he hated lying to his team, especially in such a time of a breakthrough, but he couldn't bring himself to relive the moment. especially because telling the story would remind him of all the things he had felt.

all yangyang's team thought was that the suspect had cornered yangyang with a gun, and the only reason that yangyang hadn't shot him was because he got to xiaojun first. the truth of his story ended there, however— and yangyang had had to make up a few lies as to how he got the criminal's name, or how long they had been in the room together.

there was something underneath the statue that night, before the team had left. a small metal charm, which looked like it might belong on a necklace or as a keepsake. yangyang had picked it up and slipped it into his pocket before he had left the museum.

he was certain ten had left it on purpose.

yangyang now turned the item in his fingers. it was small, round, and made of silver. roughly the size and shape of a quarter, but maybe a little bigger— and had an intricate image of a dove with a rose in it's mouth, created delicately out of the silver metal.

but why had ten left it for yangyang to find?

he was sure it led to the clues of his "next destination", as ten called it. yangyang was losing sleep, staying awake to try and decode the man's cryptic message.

one night, he just couldn't take it. the team had been tearing themselves up, trying to search for clues they had missed before. where was he going next? why that room? why now? with what motive?

yangyang went back to the museum.

it was night, almost at closing, around 9pm. the museum completely shut down at 10, so yangyang didn't have long. he checked in, bought a ticket, and raced to the room where he had seen the criminal only a few nights before.

the atmosphere here was different, there were people staring and admiring the statue, and light, soft conversation among them. the floor was white and pristine where xiaojun had been shot, as if nothing had occurred there, and as if the museum had just another boring night of cold and quiet.

why this statue? yangyang thought, once again taking out the small metal charm and flipping it in his fingers. why here? why me?

his thoughts were cut short when he felt a presence behind him, and a familiar, soft voice cooed in his ear.

"thought i might see you here tonight." ten murmured, inches behind yangyang. "i see you got my gift."

yangyang was frozen, once again. his skin erupted into goosebumps and his stomach began to sink. "why are you here?"

"i could ask you the same." ten replied, level and calm. there was something about the man, something so delicate, so quick.

"i was wondering why you had chosen this room." yangyang turned to face the criminal. he was dressed like a normal art observer, and not a criminal. yangyang wondered why he found this surprising.

ten was clad in straight-legged black jeans, a black turtleneck, and a brown leather jacket. on his face he wore thin, round, gold glasses that sat at the tip of his nose.

yangyang's hand reached to where his gun would normally rest on his waist, and he thought he could see ten's eyes fleet down to his waist as well before immediately returning the eye contact.

"i liked the piece." ten replied nonchalantly.

"that's it?" yangyang asked, bewildered. for a man who had such complex, meticulously planned heists, this definitely seemed out of the ordinary.

"i don't know, is it? it's your case to figure out." ten smirked. "have you figured out the clue yet?" ten's eyes glanced down at yangyang's hand, where he was still fiddling with the silver charm, turning it in his fingers.

"what?" yangyang asked again, trying to read the man's face. he couldn't hurt him here. there were people and security, neither knew that the two were an elite undercover cop and a notorious criminal. smart.

"oh, please. it's so easy. you're a special agent, use your brain. what does it represent?" ten looked up at yangyang.

"the silver? it's delicate. another person— a partner? an heirloom, connecting another crime? a coin-like shape, a hint? money? wealth?" yangyang rambled, getting lost in his thoughts again.

"no. you're thinking too much. don't read into the lines. think about it at face value. what is it?" ten spoke, his voice low.

"...it's a charm?" yangyang was perplexed.

"no. what is it, artistically?" ten rolled his eyes.

"it's... a dove. with a rose."

"exactly."

ten suddenly turned away and walked out the entrance of the room. in this case, the exit.

"see you soon." ten called, softly, over his shoulder.

what the hell? yangyang wondered, not bothering to follow the man because he knew he was right. they would meet again soon, once yangyang had figured out his puzzle. but why had ten helped him? was he looking to get caught?

then, it all clicked in yangyang's head. this was all an elaborate game. ten had planned every detail down to the moment. he was precise and knew what he was doing. ten was dangerous.

he was always one step ahead, it seemed. it was as though yangyang was constantly one moment late, just one piece behind. just one clue away. if he had taken one less breath, yangyang would have caught him right there that night. if there had been a moment less of a hesitation, ten would be behind bars forever. but yet, the criminal had disappeared once again.

ten was like a delicate flame, a small, flickering candle. tiny, but present. you had to pay attention or else he was going to burn everything in sight. he was a small piece of fire, turning to smoke at the very last second danger approached to put him out.

yangyang just had to become the wick.

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a/n sorry short chapter lol. theyll get longer soon i promise my cutiepies

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