Hate is Love

Chapter 5: The Tunnel Mission

The next mission came sooner than either Thyme or Namcha expected, throwing them back into the chaos of their conflicting worlds. This time, it was a dangerous operation deep in the labyrinthine tunnels beneath the city. The criminal mastermind they were after was known for his ruthless tactics and cunning escapes. Alpha and Beta had no choice but to work together, their lives depending on their fragile cooperation.

The meeting point was a dimly lit underground chamber, the air thick with the smell of damp concrete and the distant echo of dripping water. Thyme and Namcha exchanged tense nods, their mutual animosity simmering beneath the surface. Despite their personal turmoil, they both understood the stakes of the mission.

"Everyone clear on the plan?" Lucas asked, his voice steady. "We need to corner him at the junction and make sure he has no way out."

Rachel, standing next to Namcha, added, "Remember, we can't afford any mistakes. This guy's slippery, and we can't let him get away."

The group split up, moving through the tunnels with practiced stealth. Thyme and Namcha found themselves in the same team, their proximity unavoidable. The air between them crackled with unresolved tension, a mix of unspoken words and lingering glances.

As they crept through the tunnels, Namcha's mind raced. He replayed Thyme's confession over and over, the sincerity in his eyes, the vulnerability in his voice. It had shaken Namcha to his core, forcing him to confront feelings he had long buried. He stole a glance at Thyme, who was focused on the mission, his expression unreadable.

The sound of approaching footsteps snapped Namcha back to the present. Thyme motioned for silence, and they pressed themselves against the tunnel walls, waiting. The mastermind and his henchmen appeared, their shadows stretching ominously against the tunnel's flickering lights.

"Now," Thyme whispered.

In a coordinated attack, Alpha and Beta members sprang from their hiding spots, surrounding the criminals. A fierce battle ensued, the confined space amplifying the chaos. Namcha fought with precision, his mind honed to the task at hand, but he couldn't shake the awareness of Thyme fighting nearby.

Just as they seemed to be gaining the upper hand, a distant rumble grew louder, the ground vibrating beneath their feet. Namcha turned, his eyes widening in horror. A truck was barreling through the tunnel, its headlights blinding in the darkness.

"Look out!" Namcha shouted, but the warning came too late.

Thyme acted on pure instinct. He lunged towards Namcha, shoving him out of the truck's path with all his strength. The impact sent Namcha sprawling to the ground, his head ringing. When he looked up, he saw Thyme take the brunt of the collision, the truck slamming into him with bone-crushing force.

"Thyme!" Namcha's scream echoed through the tunnel.

Time seemed to slow as Namcha scrambled to his feet, rushing to Thyme's side. The truck's driver, momentarily stunned, was subdued by Alpha and Beta members, but Namcha's focus was solely on Thyme.

Thyme lay motionless, blood pooling around him. Namcha's heart pounded in his chest as he knelt beside him, his hands shaking. "Thyme, please," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "Stay with me."

Thyme's eyes fluttered open, pain etched across his face. He tried to speak, but the words came out as a weak rasp. "Namcha... are you... okay?"

Namcha nodded, tears streaming down his face. "I'm fine, thanks to you. But you're hurt. We need to get you to a hospital."

The rest of their team arrived, Lucas and Rachel among them. Lucas assessed the situation quickly, barking orders for someone to call for medical assistance. Rachel knelt on Thyme's other side, her expression a mix of worry and determination.

"We'll get you out of here," Rachel said, her voice firm. "Just hold on."

As they waited for help to arrive, Namcha held Thyme's hand tightly, refusing to let go. "Why did you do it?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Why did you save me?"

Thyme managed a weak smile, his grip tightening on Namcha's hand. "Because... I love you," he whispered, each word a struggle. "I couldn't... let anything happen to you."

Namcha's heart ached at Thyme's confession. He had been running from his feelings for so long, but in this moment, everything became clear. "I love you too," he said, his voice breaking. "I've always loved you."

Thyme's eyes filled with tears, and he squeezed Namcha's hand again. "Then we... have something to fight for."

The paramedics arrived, their presence a whirlwind of activity as they stabilized Thyme and prepared to transport him to the hospital. Namcha stayed by his side, holding his hand even as they lifted him onto a stretcher.

At the hospital, the hours dragged on as Thyme underwent surgery. Namcha paced the waiting room, his mind a storm of worry and fear. Lucas and Rachel stayed with him, offering support, but nothing could ease the tension in his chest.

Finally, a doctor emerged, looking weary but hopeful. "He's stable," she said. "He's going to be okay, but it'll take time for him to recover."

Namcha's relief was overwhelming, and he slumped into a chair, his head in his hands. "Thank you," he whispered, tears of gratitude streaming down his face.

As Thyme recovered in the hospital, Namcha stayed by his side, their bond growing stronger with each passing day. They talked about their past, their fears, and their hopes for the future. Namcha realized that he couldn't go back to the way things were. He couldn't keep pretending that he didn't love Thyme.

One evening, as they sat together in Thyme's hospital room, Namcha took a deep breath and looked into Thyme's eyes. "When you get out of here, let's leave all this behind," he said, his voice steady. "Let's start over, just the two of us."

Thyme smiled, his eyes filled with love. "I'd like that," he said softly. "I'd like that a lot."

With that, they made a promise to each other. A promise to leave the underworld behind and build a life together, free from the shadows of their past. As they faced the future, they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, their love stronger than any rivalry.

Namcha sat by Thyme's bedside, holding his hand, and for the first time in years, he felt a sense of peace. He had found his way back to the one person who had always been there for him, and this time, he wasn't going to let go.