The Invasion (Part 2 of the KaiSoo Fanfic Series)

Chapter 17

The amount of time he has is running out and he doesn't know how's he going to do it. Everything is set in place, the plan, the times, even the actions he'll make, yet he can't find it in him to make himself feel truly okay with it. A large chunk, if not all of it, is directly connected to Kyungsoo, but he doesn't want to think that he's become so indulged and dependent on his affection that he can't make good decisions on his own. After all, going through with this is the only way to be sure that everyone is safe from Them. If he doesn't do this, he'll be putting hundreds of other people at risk on his time. And when it comes down to it, he'd have a much more difficult time dealing with that than losing Kyungsoo. 

But still, the emotions are there and they're having no trouble making themselves known to Jongin as he packs a bag for the long journey ahead. Taemin comes walking when he's nearly finished, and Jongin notices right away how there's an extra spring in his step today. His entire demeanor seems to be improved these days, actually. Jongin can't figure out why, but taking into consideration how out of wack his life is at the moment, it makes him glad to see that someone's able to be content.

"It's almost time to go," the elder says cheerfully, clapping his hands together once as he comes to a stop at Jongin's bedside. "Are you ready to do this?"

"I guess so," Jongin answers back with a low sigh and a shrug, glancing at him. "I have to be, don't I? There's no going back on the plan now."

"This is very true." He nods his head in agreement. "And doing this exhibition will help a lot of people, at least that's what Onew says. He says that even if something bad comes out of this, at least we helped people escape."

Jongin hums and nods his head in reply. "I just wish Kyungsoo would see it like that," he says, his words coming out as more of a mumble this time. "He thinks this is just a setup to have Baekhyun taken away." He scoffs, standing up straight after zippering up the backpack. "I'm happy we're doing this because it means we can save my brother and everyone else who's been where we are and find out what the real truth is, but at the same time, I'm not happy because I know this is the factor that will either break our relationship or fix it. I just don't know if I'm ready for either of those things to happen."

"Hey," Taemin says, dropping the tone of his voice down to a comforting level as he walks closer to Jongin, "I get it. I know you want to make him happy and keep everyone safe at the same time. But you have to know that you can't always do that. Sometimes you're going to have to make decisions that go against everything you believe in and everyone that believes in you because it benefits the masses. Kyungsoo needs to understand that, too. You're only doing what's best, Jongin."

"I know." The younger sighs and nods as Taemin grips his shoulder, causing his upper body to move a little. "I hope he can see it that way, too. I just want things to work out in everyone's favor, you know?"

"I know and I'm sure he'll come around," Taemin assures him, giving his shoulder a couple light squeezes. "Don't stress yourself out over it right now, okay? We've got bigger and more important things to focus on."

"Yeah, you're right. Thanks for cheering me up." Jongin lets go of a long and heavy breath. "I really needed to hear that."

"What else am I here for?" Taemin replies, making both of them laugh a little. In the next moment, as Jongin is about to pick up the bag and lift it onto his shoulder, Kyungsoo appears in the open doorway with his hand resting on Ahyoung's should as she stay close to his side. 

"She wanted to come say bye," Kyungsoo says in the same emotionally drained voice he's been using for quite a while. "I told her you were leaving and she wanted to say bye."

"Oh, okay," Jongin says despite the hurt feeling the words give him. He lets go of his bag, letting it fall back on the bed, and kneels down. "Well, come here then," he adds with a smile now on his face, holding his arms open.