Fate: Intertwined

Broken Mind

Seul-ki walks into his house while adjusting his sleeves that are tied down around his arms. He takes a few steps before he slows down as he sees his mother sitting on a chair and looking towards the wall with a pained expression on her face. Seul-ki lowers his arms and walks into the living room, and looks around the corner to see Jungkook kneeling on the floor in front of Do-yoon. Seul-ki frowns and studies Jungkook's empty eyes that stare at Do-yoon's feet. Seul-ki decides to stay quiet so he doesn't repeat the mistake of sticking up for Jungkook and getting them both almost beaten to death.

Do-yoon suddenly sighs and slides his fingers over one of his eyebrows irritated. Seul-ki leans against the wall and looks down at his fingers, but steals glances upwards to watch like he has been for years.

"Say that again? I don't think I heard you correctly." Do-yoon says coldly and lowers his hand from his face and glares at Jungkook.

Jungkook keeps his hands on his knees but slightly tenses up as he's heard that statement more often than he's wanted.

"I said the house didn't have any weapons like I was told. That family was most likely very good people." Jungkook answers calmly but doesn't lift his head.

Do-yoon crouches down and snatches Jungkook's jaw and forces his head back so he can stare straight into Jungkook's eyes. Do-yoon studies Jungkook's empty eyes but grits his teeth and squeezes Jungkook's jaw more.

"Do you regret killing them then? Are you still thinking about that family?" Do-yoon says harshly and pulls out his knife.

Jungkook closes his eyes before he feels the knife stab into the side of his shoulder. Jungkook tenses up and lets out a short muffled yell, but Do-yoon tightens his grip. Do-yoon twists the knife and holds Jungkook's face in place so Jungkook's legs slightly squirm underneath himself as he squeezes his eyes shut in pain.

"Regret leads to hesitation, then soon disobedience and rebellion." Do-yoon spits as he watches Jungkook's eyes weakly open but show no signs of sadness or fear.

Do-yoon rips out his knife, and blood starts to soak Jungkook's sleeve and shirt. Do-yoon throws Jungkook to the side, and Jungkook catches himself with his hand, then picks it up and covers the wound on his shoulder. Jungkook straightens back up and lowers his head again as blood seeps through his fingers.

"Yes, sir." Jungkook whispers as Do-yoon stands back up and wipes his knife clean with a handkerchief.

Do-yoon looks down at Jungkook and frowns as he sees how thin Jungkook's arms are.

"Stand up." Do-yoon snaps, so Jungkook obediently stands to his feet.

Jungkook stands at Do-yoon's chest level now that he's twelve but is still thin and small, which makes Do-yoon roll his eyes.

"I want you to gain weight and muscle before the next time I see you or I'll punish you. Understand?" Do-yoon snaps then motions for Jungkook to leave the house.

Jungkook bows and starts walking toward Seul-ki, so Seul-ki follows him with his eyes, but Jungkook walks past him without sparring a glance in his direction. Seul-ki looks down and sighs to himself as Do-yoon turns around and studies Seul-ki's uniform.

"Where are you going?" Do-yoon snaps and puts his knife away.

Seul-ki's mother finally looks away from the wall, and her eyes break as she sees Seul-ki walk toward his father.

"I am leaving with Woo-jin's men to go to the Choi clan. Apparently, we've recently taken over and need to see what we can take." Seul-ki answers and puts his hands behind his back to pick at his fingers.

"Okay, prove yourself to Woo-jin so he can put in a good word for you to the king."

Seul-ki nods and turns away, but his father crosses his arms and raises his voice, "Oh, one more thing."