Hidden Treasure || ATEEZ AU

Awkward Silence

Yeosang walked back to that one classroom where they all gathered the other day. He wondered if someone in the group had classes there or if it was a permanently vacant room. Either way it was empty when he arrived, only Hongjoong sat there atop of the teachers table, a leg up as he rested his head over his knee in wait.

Yeosang's arrival didn't perturb him, the leader just oozed confidence all around, smirking at Yeosang's appearance like he relinquished the fact that the younger did what he was told by showing up.

Yeosang didn't like it. He never had any problem with authority, obeying orders and following rules was a given to get anywhere, that was how he saw that aspect of life. But Hongjoong's attitude just had him feeling the slightest bit petty, like he wanted to disobey just to prove a point.

Maybe if it wasn't for Wooyoung being involved in all this, Yeosang would not mind doing what he was being blackmailed to do as much. Maybe he wouldn't have to be blackmailed to start with, that was just how much of a will to be a complete brat Hongjoong invoked in him.

A familiar setting of saturated orange shades and deep dark shadows had fallen upon the room. Hongjoong didn't bother turning on the lights or motioning for Yeosang to sit. The senior started talking right away, clear in his haste that he didn't plan to spend much time in this meeting.

"Quite a stunt you pulled the other day, huh?" Was Hongjoong's starting phrase and Yeosang froze not quite sure what he was referring to, had he been found out or was this about forcing his way into their circle? "I know what you want, don't think you can fool me."

Yeosang kept quiet just waiting for him to continue, knowing that any wrong word would be incriminating evidence. The older couldn't have guessed anything about him already, could he? He had to push down his anxiety and focus on keeping a straight face.

"You want the treasure, right? Probably transferred all the way just to look for it. I don't know if you got any hints out of Wooyoung or if you found out about us all by yourself, but that's what this is all about. Or am I wrong?" Hongjoong went on a tirade of accusations, the air of superiority in his tone, as if he knew it all and could see right through Yeosang had the older holding his tongue to talk back.

And the older wasn't wrong. But he also was not right. Yeosang had already gotten the treasure and he didn't even consider their little group, his victory was fair and square, completely unrelated to them.

He struggled to find words, unsure what answer would benefit him here. Should he lie and try to appear innocent? Like he didn't even think about the treasure before coming here? Or was it better to go along with it, pretend he was still hunting for it? To cement the idea that the treasure was not with him, still out there somewhere? Thankfully Hongjoong continued before he was forced to make a choice.

"Just because Wooyoung trusts you, doesn't mean I do. None of us do, don't get tricked by Seonghwa. He vouched for you because he's the type to keep his enemies close, where he can keep an eye on them. A stupid strategy if you ask me." Now Hongjoong showed his claws, without holding back on the cutting honesty when away from the pressure of his circle and rolling his eyes at Seonghwa's mention.

Yeosang was glad for it, he would have much more trouble playing the council president's game of fake kindness and hidden intentions. Yeosang relayed too much in what people saw him as, his cold dignified persona, but in truth he did not have enough of a social sense to go along beyond what was logical.

Hongjoong going out of his way to show their distrust for him made it all easier, now they were all on the same page and Yeosang was the one that'd end up holding all the cards if he continued acting this way.

"But I'll relent this one time and take Wooyoung's word. We might consider having you, if you're worthy of our trust that is." The older spoke again with a sigh, lifting up his arms in defeat as he put his knee down and readjusted himself in the makeshift seat.

Yeosang didn't understand the direction this was going. If Hongjoong called him here to point out the fact that he had hidden motives, that they didn't trust him, then why would he be willing to accept him so easily? He contradicted himself by saying Wooyoung's vote of confidence had no value and then immediately backtracking by using it as a reason to keep him around.

Yeosang tried to think quickly before Hongjoong had the chance to corner him and flee the scene. They needed him. Hongjoong was trying to intimidate him, make him believe he was in trouble and they were the ones doing him a favor. It was backfiring.

"You and Seonghwa are going to graduate next." Yeosang spit out the first detail that he could think of that might be posing an issue, speaking for the first time since he got there.

Hongjoong froze the corner of his mouth twitching slightly, a miniscule flaw that fought to not to let itself show, but it's too late and Yeosang already viciously caught up to it.

"You're running out of time and you're stuck. You're letting me in because you don't know what else to do next." Yeosang tried piecing it together, words barely making sense to his own ears as they rushed out of his mouth. if he didn't get a piece of the truth out Hongjoong was going to have the upper hand at whatever he wanted Yeosang for and he wouldn't allow himself to fully be under his control, not the leader that snarkly tried to intimidate him at every corner. Being blackmailed was enough already, he wouldn't open space for more.

A long pause stretched after he aired out his thoughts, Hongjoong starting a staring match Yeosang would've lost had it been any other time but there, when he knew he was right and knew he couldn't back down, couldn't show weakness.

"We aren't in that much of a rush, there's still well over a year before us two graduate mind you." Hongjoong finally backs away with another sigh, leaning back onto his hands. "We do however worry about the future, beyond just the treasure. And when we do find it we already have a settlement on how to share it, if it's anything sharable that is. A bit unfair to just push your way in, do nothing and still get the prize don't you think?"

Ah, so that's what was what he wasn't being told. They wanted new members eventually, real members that'd go along with their little twisted justice and didn't question their orders, but they didn't want to share which would leave them at a deadlock. Yeosang didn't fit in in neither category, but that was what they got and now they needed to adapt. Or rather make Yeosang adapt.

"We are kinda stuck, but we do have a lead. And that brings us to what I called you here for." Hongjoong didn't hold back now that he had nothing to hide in his intentions, proving Yeosang right. "I'm giving you the chance to prove yourself, and if you plan to really stick around, even after there's no treasure, then you have to start learning to do things our way."

The leader then pulled something out of his coat pocket to hand him. It was a small piece of thick parcel paper with squares on it, like a bingo cartel but every spot empty. Yeosang strained to look through it in the dimming light, the sky now already relying solely on moonlight instead.

"I'll pass you around each member whenever there's a mission. They're open to test you however they see fit. If you're approved you get a stamp. Simple, right?" Hongjoong almost chuckled at the disgruntled face Yeosang couldn't stop himself from making and continued with a smirk. "We tend to do things unanimously here, no pushing through and making demands like you've been doing since you got here. What do you say?"

Yeosang had to take a deep breath to compose himself. This was going to be a drag and he wanted to groan at the thought. He'd have his revenge at Chan and Yeji for this in time, but for now it was virtually this or facing the police on their side, so what choice did he have?

"Got it." Yeosang mumbled, trying not to clench his jaw and failing miserably.

"So you can behave, huh?" Hongjoong smirked back at him before getting up. "Good. We're done here then, you can just wait for your orders. Don't look for us during school hours with this business, we'll come to you."

And with that he left, not looking back, leaving Yeosang in the dark room to muse the fate ahead of him. Yeosang stepped up to the teacher's table and sat where the other sat a minute ago. It was high, easy to look down at someone, easy to appear taller. An illusion of power that hit both sides.