The Black Fox & The White Tiger

White Cuffs

It was like the cuffs had a mind on its own to Minhyun's observation. They moved however the other wanted them to. He was placed onto the chair and his wrists attached themselves to both armrests. He couldn't even pull them back when he tried. There had to be a way to break free but the only thing he noticed was black Baekho moving his hands and fingers effortlessly. Maybe it was those rings he wore or that weird ink writing around his wrist that he could see whenever his sleeves went up higher but he had no idea how he would be able to break free to even try to do something about them.

Black Baekho stepped away and went back to Baekho, lifting him up almost effortlessly despite Minhyun knowing just how heavy he was. He pinned Baekho onto the wall with his hands up much to Minhyun's distaste. It reminded him of both situations when he found him in Ren's palace and his father's dungeon but it wasn't like he could make the other listen to him anymore. He had the upper hand, leaving Minhyun at a terrible disadvantage.

"Do you have to do that?" He asked once the other walked back over to him. He realised how tired he sounded too.

"I want him to watch," the other replied. Minhyun frowned.

"Why?"

"To make him give up. Once he realises that you'll no longer have any memories of him, it would be much easier to get rid of him." Minhyun didn't believe that. He didn't believe that Baekho would give up. The other had managed to survive his father's torture and Minhyun would still be alive even if his memories were gone. "He can't win me anyways."

"And what makes you think I'll like you even if I forget him?"

"I won't tell you." Minhyun wondered if the other had another trick up his sleeve but knew the other was putting his guard up around him so he couldn't ask anymore. Black Baekho stepped up to him again and pressed his head back so he would lean against the chair. It frustrated him but it wasn't like there was any point in struggling now. "It won't be painful. Don't worry."

"As if whatever you did before wasn't already painful?" He scoffed. Black Baekho showed a look of disapproval towards Minhyun's attitude but guessed he could just rewrite it later. Make him more like his own Minhyun. He placed electric patches against Minhyun's temple and around his head. The other found it uncomfortable. Once he was done, he went back to Baekho again. "Why do you keep walking back and forth?" Minhyun was annoyed from him wasting time.

"Hmmm.... I thought doing this would make you lose hope but you seem to be getting more snarky."

"I'm a king. Crying once is humiliating enough," Minhyun replied. He was tempted to cross his legs just to be spiteful but didn't when he noticed black Baekho giving Baekho a slap. "Hey! What're you doing?"

"Waking him up," he replied flatly and gave him another slap until Baekho finally made a groan. Part of Minhyun felt relieved that the other hadn't lied about him being alive. Baekho opened his eyes in a shock and tried to lunge at black Baekho but was held back by the cuffs.

"Where's Minhyun?!" He snarled despite the pain in his throat from being choked, trying to kick him but the other just stepped out of range.

"He's right there." Baekho stopped and looked up at Minhyun who offered him a half smile. It was probably silly of him to be smiling but he thought Baekho looked too much like an innocent puppy that lost his favourite toy when he was all unnerved.

"What are you doing to him?" Baekho whined, pulling at the cuffs until they dug into his wrists yet he still couldn't make them budge.

"Brainwashing," he muttered a blunt response as he walked back to the machine.

"Stop it! I wasn't lying when I said he loved you. Your Minhyun really did tell me that!" Baekho yelled, trying to stop the other from doing whatever he wanted to. He seemed to freeze again at the mention of his Minhyun. "Is there anything that I can say or do that'll make you stop?!"

Black Baekho glanced at Baekho. "Bring him back. But you can't, can you?"

"I can't but he isn't fully dead either! His body is just gone. You're the one who is stopping him from meeting you."

"What are you saying?"

"Your mind is... too corrupted or something. He can't get to you with his magic. He's not fully dead yet!"

"Stop it. I'm not listening any further."

"No, wait..."

"Baekho," Minhyun said and Baekho looked at him. "It'll be alright. Just remember that you'll be the only Baekho I ever love."

"Don't say that," Baekho whispered, shaking his head. "I don't want you to forget me again. You said you won't be able to forgive yourself if you did so..."

"But you'll forgive me, right? And you'll make me fall for you again, won't you?" Minhyun smiled and Baekho felt like someone was tearing at his heart, trying to break it into bits and pieces. "I love you, Baekho. I won't forget that."

"Minhyun..." Baekho's lips were trembling. No. The other didn't look amused or happy at their exchange. He took out a syringe and looked at Minhyun.

"Time to sleep, your majesty."

"No," Baekho whimpered. Why? Why couldn't he be stronger? Why did Minhyun always manage to slip away from him even though he held him so tightly? Minhyun didn't take his eyes off Baekho until his eyelids felt too heavy to even open as the other injected him. "No! Don't.... don't do it."

Black Baekho glanced at Baekho as he started the machine. Lights went on and some flickered. Baekho could only watch in horror as the machine started whirring to life.

"Minhyun, don't sleep!" Baekho shouted, struggling until his wrists hurt and the pain from his throat worsened. "Wake up!"

Black Baekho gently shifted Minhyun's hair to the side. How long he had waited to do this. Soon, he would be reunited with Minhyun again even if it wasn't the same person. To him, it was all worth it. For the one he loved. And loves.