\\ NIGHT\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 22 \\

I furrowed my brows as I looked across the table to where San sat. Today, he wore a red suite with gold trimming, a black tie complimenting the entire outfit. His hair was back to its usual state with it being combed out smoothly and his violet streak braided at his side. He sat up straight, his hands clasped together on the table. He twiddled his thumbs, looking back at me, with his eyebrows raised in expectation of what I was to do next.

That's when I looked behind me over to Seonghwa who was leaning against the wall in a similar yet more elaborate vest to what he'd worn yesterday.

I'd been pacing around the rest of that twilighted night as I pondered what to think of the events that had taken place. I was also preparing myself for what was to come that morning: the interrogations. I knew their importance and, despite my fear in doing so, reading the minds of Seonghwa's subjects— anyone— was something that needed to be done. It was my duty.

So, Seonghwa came to my suite this morning, like he had the previous, and took me down into that chilling hall— back to the same interrogation room. Yunho was inside the room, cladded in his usual armor, like he'd been the previous morning. I knew well that Seonghwa went out of his way to invite him again, but I didn't question nor acknowledge his presence when I walked in and sat in one of the two opposing chairs of the table. I had a duty to fulfill and I wasn't going to question that duty.

Except, that's exactly what I did as soon as San walked into the room and sat in the chair opposite to me. He folded his hands on the table and looked over to be expectantly— expecting me to read his mind. No one had to say it out loud for me to know that was exactly what I was supposed to do.

So, I turned my head behind me where Seonghwa was positioned on the wall. He looked back at me with a neutral expression before nodding his head for me to continue.

I scoffed, "You want me to read San's mind?"

I could see Yunho turn to look at me at my words, but I ignored him as I kept my eyes on Seonghwa.

Seonghwa, once again, nodded his head, "We have to interrogate everyone and that includes San. I trust San and know that he's been through quite a lot, but that doesn't exclude him from such things as this."

"He was there at Malli," My voice started to become harsh, "Hasn't he already been through enough?"

"Star, this needs to be done," Seonghwa's tone got harsher as well as he stood from where he leaned against the wall.

That's when I felt something on my hand.

"Hey, Starlight," San softly spoke. I whipped my head back over to San to see him giving me a small smile, his hand on mine, "It's okay."

I shook my head, looking down at our hands to see that mine had gone into a fist. I quickly unraveled it as San's hand stayed placed over mine.

"No," I shook my head once more as I looked back up to San, "San I can't do this to you."

"But you can," San spoke softly, taking my hand with a bit of a shake for reassurance, "It's okay. Read my mind, Star."