chasing lights

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The throne room has rarely ever fulfilled a purpose quite like this one. With the deep, loud voice of the king's closest friend and highest guard echoing through the space, scolding his only son in front of the royal couple, the young man's mother who is standing right beside the queen and the group of restrained men right behind. Chan's head is not hanging low in shame like it should, because Chan does not feel ashamed or guilty in the slightest. He knows he has done the right thing, despite having led the type of crowd he should not even have sided with in the first place.

He is looking at his father, is the only one not restrained because they know he would never run, would face the consequences of his actions dutifully, honorably so. He listens to every word, knows better than to speak up just yet, simply takes a quick glance over his father's shoulder to see the three thrones behind him, only two of which occupied. His mother is giving him a sympathizing smile, apologetically looking back at her son while staying in her own position, right by her best friend's side. But Chan is not mad at her and she knows. He could never be mad at her when she has not done anything wrong to begin with.

Chan cannot see or hear anything from behind himself, but knows very well what sight he would be met with if he turned around. They are behind him, all of them with their hands tied behind their backs, all of them kneeling, heads hung low but gazes still shifting from time to time, listening to the scolding in front of them, the scene unfolding, the very clear anger and disappointment in Jack Bang's entire existence. His face, voice, stance. Chan has never disappointed him like this before and everyone can very much tell.

Changbin and Jongho, who are the two kneeling closest, Seungmin, Jeongin and Seonghwa in the next row, followed by Hongjoong, Yunho and Mingi and finally Yeosang, Wooyoung and a very ashamed young trainee, Choi San, in the very back. All of them can tell. It is more than obvious. The other guards have backed off, are standing off to the side. Simply because San is within the bunch, also not restrained, and Chan is standing in the front, had given his word that neither of the men behind him would cause any trouble. He swore on his own life before dismissing his soldiers, stood his ground in front of the group and is facing his father's anger as a result. A small price to pay.

Though he himself would still have to scold San a little later, for being found with Wooyoung, barely dressed in a clearly very unprofessional situation and only quickly having put his clothes back on before coming along with the others. But that is an issue for later.

Chan knows better than to speak before his father is done or allows him to. He knows better than to anger him even further in a situation like this. He also knew better than to set out and return to the Dwaekki Den, asking the boys for help, then finding Seungmin and Jeongin and making this crazy escape plan. This very crazy escape plan that actually ended up working just fine. He can only hope that the others are alright, but trusts Hyunjin with all his heart, knows he would do what he can to save everyone, get them all back. It still worries him so much though that none of them are actually back yet. It has been far too long.

He repeats prayer after prayer in his head, only stops doing so when everyone else startles as well at the sound of yelling from outside the door, followed by the barging of it. Gasps are being heard, Jack Bang having stopped his yelling the moment the shouting got almost ridiculously loud. Chan's breath hitches in his throat.

He walks in like he owns the place, hair done, long, black and so pretty, just like he remembers it. There is not a flaw on his face, his clothes fit well, make it look like he planned on making himself look extra appealing due to how special today really is. But maybe he did. Because he is quick to spot Chan too, eyes watering instantly, filling with tears and the widest smile is parting his full lips afterwards. It takes no words, just a stunned, relieved huff from Chan and the immediate set into motion. He moves without caring about the situation they are in or his father's only momentarily interrupted scolding, takes quick steps towards the man. They meet in the middle and have each other pulled into the tightest embrace right afterwards. Tears fall almost silently, either of the two just far too busy holding onto one another as if they would vanish if they ever decided to let go.