The Son of Zelos (VIXX Fanfiction)

Prometheus

Hakyeon came into his room to see Hongbin emerging from his bathroom. 

"What are you doing in my bathroom?" he questioned.

"The hot water's not working in mine," the younger informed. "I'm getting it fixed tomorrow, so can I use yours just for a night?" 

Hakyeon sighed. "Well, you've already used it..."

Hongbin seemed elated that his friend had let him off the hook. Hakyeon plopped himself down on his bed, reaching out for the book on his nightstand, when he saw Hongbin freeze at the sight of his reflection in the mirror.

Hongbin's smile immediately left his face as he let the towel around his neck drop to the ground. Slowly, his hand raised up to trace the deep gashes splayed across his abdomen.

"Hongbin..." Hakyeon began, but paused. 

Hongbin sighed. "D-don't worry, hyung," he assured. "They don't hurt. They're...just...reminders...from Zeus. Just to let me know not to get too comfortable, I guess."

Hakyeon stayed calm. "Have you been having nightmares again?" he calmly asked.

Hongbin sighed, placing a palm against the mirror and leaning. "They're not nightmares, more like visions, just to make sure I don't forget what I really am." 

"How much do you remember?" Hakyeon questioned.

"Now, everything," Hongbin somberly said. "I remember every detail. I remember being chained up to a rock, being picked and eaten alive by the scavengers, starving, thirsty, yet unable to die. I remember watching the days turn to nights, and not being able to move."

Hakyeon sucked in a light breath. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, that was too harsh a punishment for what you did."

Hongbin let out a light laugh. "I stole fire from Olympus and brought it to man, hyung," he calmly said. "I committed the biggest insult against Zeus. I pissed him off to no end by disobeying a direct order. No wonder he literally threw me to the vultures."

Hakyeon furrowed his brows, obviously not one hundred percent on board with the younger's acceptance of his punishment. However, he decided to keep silent and return to his book. He had faith his friend would come to him when he needed help, and he wouldn't pry any sooner. It simply wasn't his place.

Hongbin lifted his eyes to his own reflection in the mirror. He considered his Korean features, dark hair, clean-shaven face, set jaw and large eyes. However, all he could see was an old, bearded Greek man, with sagging skin and helplessness in his eyes.

It had been 24 years since he'd been born as Lee Hongbin.

However, in his heart, he would always be Prometheus.

***

 "So, Taekwoon..." 

Taekwoon placed another morsel of the rice in his mouth, chewing as he lifted his eyes to meet his father's. "Yes, Father?" 

He'd been called over for dinner by his mother after a long day of work, which he found hard to ignore since it had been an entire month since he'd seen them, and he honestly was not in the mood to cook for himself. And yeah, he had expected a specific topic to come up during the course of the meal.

"You've been doing pretty well for yourself," his father told him. "I must say, I am definitely impressed by your professional progress in the last few years." He gestured to the younger's dress, currently a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a black tie and black slacks. His suit jacket lay folded on the armchair.