Unexpected

9

im back from my long hiatus  

school has been tough

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the hours slipped by in the dimly lit conference room, the quiet hum of fluorescent lights barely audible above the rustling of papers, Soobin and Taehyun found themselves surrounded by maps, scribbled notes, and grainy surveillance footage. Their plan was slowly coming to life, piece by piece, until it formed a picture of meticulous strategy and calculated risk. What started as a tense, duty-bound task had shifted, melted into something else entirely—a quiet camaraderie, an understanding between two people who knew what was at stake and trusted each other to get through it.

"So," Soobin murmured, leaning forward as he traced a route on the map with his finger, "this alley here leads to a back entrance. It's usually guarded, but if we time it just right, there's a ten-minute window between shifts." His voice was low, almost hushed, as if the walls themselves were listening.

Taehyun leaned in, shoulders brushing, their faces so close he could hear Soobin's steady breathing. He examined the route carefully, nodding to himself before tapping two points on the map with a confident finger. "And if we disable the security cameras here and here, we'll be able to slip through unnoticed." He paused, his finger lingering on the map as he glanced at Soobin, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Only thing is, we need someone who can handle that tech side quietly. Kai's tied up with Beomgyu—he won't leave him alone right now, so..."

Soobin's eyes flicked up, catching Taehyun's look, and he smirked, raising an eyebrow. "What, you think I can't hack a couple of cameras?"

Taehyun chuckled, a soft sound that felt unusually intimate in the quiet room. "I didn't say that," he replied, his voice just above a whisper. "It's just been a while since I've seen you in action, you know? You're always putting on that 'responsible older brother' act." He nudged Soobin's shoulder with a grin. "Keeps the thrill-seeker in you under wraps."

Soobin rolled his eyes but didn't pull away, his smirk widening into a smile. "Maybe I don't show it, but I haven't lost my edge." He nudged back, playful but restrained. "Besides, someone has to keep things level around here with you stirring up trouble every five minutes."

"Hey, trouble's my specialty," Taehyun shot back, that familiar glint of mischief in his eyes. "Besides, it gets results."

"Does it now?" Soobin asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned back, arms folded across his chest, his gaze challenging.

Taehyun shrugged, his tone light but his eyes sparkling. "Maybe you should try it sometime. Who knows, you might actually enjoy letting loose." He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a near whisper, and Soobin felt his pulse quicken at the sudden proximity, the weight of Taehyun's gaze, warm and just a little daring.

"Oh, is that a challenge?" Soobin's voice was steady, though he could feel his heart beating a little faster. The light banter had shifted, turned into something charged, something deeper than the lines they'd drawn on the maps.

"Maybe it is," Taehyun replied, the hint of a smirk lingering on his lips. "I think you'd surprise yourself if you stopped being so careful all the time."

Caught off guard by the intensity of Taehyun's gaze, Soobin swallowed, a flicker of uncertainty passing over him. But there was something thrilling, something strangely comforting, about letting go, even for a second, with Taehyun. "Alright, maybe this mission is a good excuse for a little... unpredictability." His voice came out softer than he intended, but Taehyun just smiled, and that spark between them—quiet but unmistakable—deepened.

For a moment, they just looked at each other, the silence between them filled with unspoken words, mutual respect, and something else neither of them could name. Finally, Taehyun glanced back at the plans, breaking the spell but not the connection.

"So," he murmured, "once we're inside, we'll need to split up. I'll handle a distraction on the south side to draw their attention. You'll have time to locate Yeonjun. If anyone can find him quickly, it's you." Taehyun paused, watching Soobin's reaction carefully. "You know his habits, his preferences. You'll sense where he'd most likely be."

Touched by the quiet confidence in Taehyun's words, Soobin nodded, steeling himself. "I'll handle that. But listen," he said, his voice firm, "if anything goes wrong, don't try to be a hero, alright? We get in, we get Yeonjun, and we get out. Together."

Taehyun's gaze softened, his usual mischievous glint replaced by a sincerity that was rare, almost vulnerable. "Alright, no heroics," he agreed, holding Soobin's gaze longer than necessary, as if solidifying the promise between them. For all his carefree nature, Taehyun seemed to carry a weight of his own, and in that moment, Soobin could see it—could feel it.

The hours slipped by in comfortable silence, their conversations blending with moments of intense focus, broken only by the scratch of pens against paper and the soft rustle of shifting maps. They went over every possibility, every backup plan, covering each detail until it felt etched into their minds. It wasn't just a strategy; it was a promise of trust, a pact that neither would break.

As the clock ticked past midnight, Taehyun leaned back, stretching his arms with a groan. "I think we've got everything covered... well, almost."

Soobin tilted his head, curiosity sparking in his tired eyes. "Almost?"

Taehyun's expression softened, his gaze lingering on Soobin as he chose his words. "Just... promise me one thing," he said quietly, almost as if speaking to himself. "If things get intense, don't go sacrificing yourself. Beomgyu needs you." He hesitated, his voice softening even more. "And I... well, I'd rather have you by my side than not."

Soobin felt his breath hitch, the words catching him off guard. He'd always known Taehyun to be bold, confident, even reckless at times, but hearing this quiet, unguarded vulnerability from him felt... different. And comforting in a way Soobin hadn't expected. "I promise," he said at last, his voice steady. "We're a team, remember? We're bringing Yeonjun back. Together."

Relief flickered across Taehyun's face, and he nodded, his eyes meeting Soobin's with a look of gratitude, silent but clear. They held each other's gaze a moment longer than necessary, an unspoken understanding passing between them, a bond that felt, in this moment, unbreakable.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

so erm  yeah