Soul Breaker {Kaisoo § Chanbaek}

Chapter 11

Baekhyun gets back upstairs, trotting happily as he steps into the living room, his hand brushing his hair away, his eyes sparkling playfully.

"You did good," Jongin praises him and Baekhyun smiles a blinding smile making his eyes crinkle at the corners. He comes to circle his arms around Sehun's chest, resting his head on top of his shoulder.

He is back to his usual self, no longer the scary nightmare Kyungsoo saw in the cell downstairs.

"It was careless of you to take down the barrier," Sehun says, looking to the smaller man on his right.

Baekhyun looks back with a pout. "He wouldn't hurt me."

"You wanna bet?" Jongdae throws bitterly, sipping on his drink. Minseok comes to stand before him, taking the glass from his hand and setting it aside, brushing a little drop of liquor off his mouth with his thumb. Jongdae traps Minseok's waist, pulling him closer. The smaller man comes to lace his fingers with Jongdae's as he leans against him in a comfortable and comforting position.

Whenever they come anywhere near the subject of angels hurting their fallen brothers, Minseok seeks Jongdae, almost as if he was afraid the mere mention would steal his partner away from him again.

He has explained what has happened to Jongdae on the ground. Exposed their one weakness. They need Hell to survive, which is why the Soul Breaker is so important.

The deals are what's keeping this place alive, keeping them alive.

In a way they all depend on him.

Kyungsoo feels like an idiot, standing there, emotions confused. There is lust, pride, envy, want, a little anger as well.

He is so weary with the ever-changing nature of the people around him. He needs a break.

He excuses himself and escapes to his room. A little sleep sounds wonderful to him and he lays down, closing his eyes for a minute. He'll be back before dinner, he promises himself.

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Kyungsoo misses dinner and Jongin comes to check up on him only to find him sleeping fully clothed on his bed, his feet coming off the end, his head craned in a strange position.

Jongin supposes he shouldn't wake the other man. After all, he needs to start working again on his swordsmanship first thing tomorrow.

For now, Jongin can let him sleep.

He wrinkles his nose at the uncomfortable position. The Soul Breaker will hurt worst tomorrow if he sleeps like this.

Jongin lifts him effortlessly, careful not to touch his skin. He tucks his body under the covers, making sure he is not resting on his damaged shoulder. He finds himself trapped there when he is done, his eyes attached to the other man's tensed features.

Something in Do Kyungsoo makes Jongin care. It is beneath him, other matters more urgent, obligations he has to fulfill. And yet, he stays there, watching the Soul Breaker sleep.

The bond between them is strong, stronger than it's ever been with any of his previous Soul Breakers, but it still isn't enough for Jongin. He wants to know everything about the other man, understand what motivates him to stay here. What has made him chose Jongin so definitively.

His hand moves of its own accord, reaching for the short hair to carefully touch. Just a second, one moment. He wants someone to feel his skin on theirs without burning them. Without cursing Jongin.

The stone on Kyungsoo's neck starts gleaming just as his fingers come in contact with the hot skin and he hesitates, unsure of what to do for perhaps the first time in his life.