Relationships: Saeyoung Choi/MC (CMC/Named), Saeran Choi/ OC, Small amounts of Saeran Choi/MC
Fic Description: Mi-Cha and Saeyoung have been happily married for 5 years and their lives have never been happier. The same could be said for Saeran who is now in a much healthier place than he was a few years ago. The twins are close once again, their lives are healthy and normal for the most part. It would seem the picture perfect happily ever after, if it weren't for the fact that someone who has been looking for them for a long time is about to make an unwelcome appearance.
Saeyoung has two things in this world he has sworn to protect, and nothing is going to stop him from keeping his promise this time.
---
Warnings/Tags: Stalking, NSFW, Violence, Anxiety, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Multiple Personalities (I’ll add more as needed)
Chapter 1: The Good Life: Tumblr | AO3
Chapter 2: Unexpected but Not Unwelcome : Tumblr | AO3
Mi-Cha and Saeyoung have been happily married for 5 years and their lives have never been happier. The same could be said for Saeran who is now in a much healthier place than he was a few years ago. The twins are close once again, their lives are healthy and normal for the most part. It would seem the picture perfect happily ever after, if it weren’t for the fact that someone who has been looking for them for a long time is about to make an unwelcome appearance.
Saeyoung has two things in this world he has sworn to protect, and nothing is going to stop him from keeping his promise this time.
“It has to be a trap.” Saeran says making it a point to get as far away from the image of that miserable place as he can, “You’re sure that’s where the signal ends?” he questions, not wanting to believe the evidence of their past coming back to haunt them.
“Yea, of course. It would be too much of a coincidence otherwise, right?” Saeyoung answers, rechecking his work anyway.
“How is that even possible?” Mi-Cha mutters.
“I don’t know,” Saeyoung says quietly. He needs to keep digging, needs to find out more. He almost doesn't want to know more, but he has to. He has to find out everything he can.
The three of them sit in silence for the next few minutes, not one of them knowing what to say next, dread making a home in the pit of their stomachs.
Finally, Saeran speaks up, the tremor in his voice almost undetectable as he tries to hold back the memories related to that place. “I-I think we should pack up and get going home. We can do more from there in an hour than we could here in six.”
“Yea, that sounds like a good idea.” Mi-cha agrees as Saeyoung shuts his laptop, nodding solemnly.
The couple stands and walks to the door, “I’ll cancel the rest of our reservation.” Saeyoung tells the other two dejectedly before him and Mi-Cha return to their room.
---
Mi-Cha and Saeyoung stand on opposite sides of their hotel room’s bed repacking their suitcases. The bed is still a mess of tangled sheets from their lovemaking last evening, now just an unfortunate testament to how much things have changed in the past 24 hours.
She watches carefully as he folds a pair of his jeans and slowly stacks it atop the other articles in his suitcase. He hasn’t looked her in the eye all morning, he’s been quiet. Quiet Saeyoung is never a good sign, she knows. He’s lost in this head, it’s obvious from the way he keeps momentarily pursing his lips, or giving a short shake of his head. She knows he’s attempting to run every possible situation through his head. He’s trying to plan for every hypothetical scenario he can think of.
He bends down, retrieving his button-down shirt lost in last night's adventures. Silently he runs his fingers over the material before blowing a short and pathetic huff from his nose and placing it in the case. He grabs a fresh pair of jeans, a shirt, and a pair of boxers and heads toward the bathroom.
“I’m going to shower.” He deadpans, voice devoid of any emotion so much so that it aches Mi-Cha’s heart.
“Ok babe,” she answers softly, feeling a 100 miles away from her lover as he turns the water on and shuts the door.
Now she purses her own lips, she’s been here before. They’ve been here before and so she knows. She knows exactly what types of thoughts are going through his head. He’s scared. He’s scared of losing her, and Saeran of course. He’s scared one of them will fall in harm’s way. He’s always assumed their safety as his responsibility. Admirable to be sure, but that weight is heavy. Especially at a time like this.
So, when she hears the faucet turn off she poses herself at the door for a second, she gives him a moment to towel off before taking a deep breath and pushing the door open. She must have given him enough time because he already has a towel wrapped around his waist. His attention flicks to her for a second before turning away again, but she isn't going to give up that easily. Grabbing a smaller towel from the rack and tossing it over her shoulder she approaches him. Ever so gently she nudges his shoulder, coaxing him to turn and face her. He obliges.
“Hey.” She says, looking him in the eyes. “Talk to me.” She encourages.
He bows his head defeatedly. “Sorry I…” he trails off trying to find his words.
“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about Saeyoung.” She tells him, gently leading him to sit on the seat of the toilet and plopping the towel over his still shower-soaked locks, rubbing. “What’s going on in this brilliant head of yours?”
He blows air out his nose and gives a small sad smile, “Nothing useful apparently.”
She halts her movements and pushes his head back so that they are eye-to-eye once more. “Now, you know that isn't true. Tell me what’s really going on.”
“I- I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know how to protect you guys. I don’t know who’s after us, not for sure. There are too many possibilities. Someones stalking my brother? How do I know they aren’t stalking you too? Or even me for that matter.” His voice holds no anger. Just anxiety and fear.
“You’d notice something like that” She assures him, resuming her toweling-off of his hair.
He shrugs dejectedly “Would I? It’s been a long time since my agency days. I’m sure I’ve gotten rusty. That's probably why this is happening. If I had just paid more attention, been more careful, then none of this-"
Mi-Cha doesn't let him finish, abruptly placing a single finger to his lips. "Shhh," she says, low and inoffensive. He looks up at her from underneath the white towel, his golden eyes full of turmoil and regret. "None of this is your fault Saeyoung. You always give us your best."
He avoids her gaze, "What if my best isn't good enough?"
"It is." She reassures him with a genuine smile.
Her earnest expression of trust in him makes his heart leap a little, she could tell him anything with that smile on her face and he’d believe her. "How many more times are willing to tell me that?"
"As many as you need, forever and ever, remember?" She responds, holding up her left hand, the one with her wedding band.
He gives a half-hearted smile, her words having improved his outlook slightly, but his overall mood still needing time to adjust.
She kisses his forehead, before returning the towel to its rack. “Now as much I love your mostly naked form, we really should get going.”
“I suppose justice isn't going to defend itself huh?” He says, voice becoming a tad lighter as he tosses his t-shirt over his head.
“Now you’re getting it!” She replies brightly, heading to finish up the packing.
--
Across the hall, Saeran also packs his suitcase. Trying desperately not to think of his childhood home while he methodically refolds and packs, preoccupying himself with the organization. He didn’t know what he had expected to see on that screen but that wasn’t it.
He takes a deep breath, removes his phone from his pocket and puts on some music, another attempt to distract himself. He hums along to the song, albeit poorly. It isn't one he knows well but it's on the playlist of songs Mi-Cha suggested when he said he needed something new to try. He focuses his attention on learning the new lyrics which, combined with the intent organizing seems to remove his mind somewhat from its darker places. He finishes up packing quickly, ready to get moving.
He shuts the door to his room with finality, suitcase in hand, ready to go. Raising his knuckles to Saeyoung’s door he moves to knock, but before he can make contact with the door he hears someone say “We’re not going back there.”
He glances around the hall before realizing no one was around to have spoken. He releases a breath and asks aloud, “What if we don’t have a choice?” To which he gets no reply.
He realizes he probably looks insane, standing in front of a door with his hand raised talking to himself, but before he can dwell on that too much the door opens. He quickly lowers his hand and hopes they didn't overhear his one-way conversation.
Mi-Cha has her back turned to him, struggling to pull her too-heavy suitcase backward out the door. Not exactly watching where she’s going, she bumps directly into Saeran. Which results in her letting out a short yelp. Startled, she drops her suitcase and turns around on him defensively whilst producing a switchblade from her pocket and threatening him with it.
His eyes go wide in surprise and he takes a step back, raising his hands into a defensive position.
When her mind finally registers who she’s brandishing a knife at her shoulders quickly slump in relief as she lowers said knife, putting it away. “Oh my God, it's just you. Saeran you scared the shit out of me!”
“I guess you learned something at that self-defense class.” He says, then his voice seems to drop a bit “Good reaction time there, Princess.”
“W-what did you just call me?” Mi-Chi eyes him suspiciously.
“Huh?” Saeran says, seemingly confused.
But before she can question him further, Saeyoung appears behind her with his own suitcase, “Oh Saeran, good timing! You ready to go?”
"Y-yea, let's get home," Saeran answers apprehensively, eyes still watching Mi-Cha’s face as her eyes narrow.
--
The drive home seems endless when in reality it’s only a couple hours. Saeyoung taps his fingers on the steering wheel, while Mi-Cha switches between radio stations. In the back seat, Saeran stares at their surroundings as they whizz past in a blur.
The ride is a stark contrast to the trip down, Saeyoung and Mi-Cha had belted pop songs almost the whole way. Saeran had even mouthed along to a few until Saeyoung caught him in the rearview and called him out.
Now, no one talks, no one sings. The awkward silence hangs in the air like a thick cloud of smoke, threatening to choke the occupants of the car in its offensive haze.
Saeyoung’s tapping becomes faster, a nervous habit of his. Although nearly undetectable at first, once Mi-Cha gives up on the radio it becomes the only sound in the car, and when he adds his left ring finger into the mix, it’s completely unignorable.
“Can you fucking stop?” Saeran snaps. Both front seaters jump in surprise at the sudden outburst.
“Ah haha- oops,” Saeyoung says, “Sorry, I didn’t even realize what I was doing.”
“S’ok.” Saeran accepts without further argument, relieved of the incessant tapping.
Saeyoung sighs, moving his elbow to rest on the door as his head falls into his left hand.
Mi-Cha reaches over and sets her left hand over his right where it’s wrapped around the gear shift and rubs it in reassurance. He smiles at her despite the odd mood.
“You know, I could hold your hand - if you didn't insist on driving a manual right?” Mi-Cha teases, almost feeling a little better now that the silence has been broken in some way.
“Hey, I have some automatics!” He defends whilst down-shifting with her hand still on his as their speed increases.
Mi-Cha scoffs. “That you never drive.”
“Manuals are way more fun to drive!” He stands firm.
“Yea, yea I know and they’re way better on gas, and easier to maintain,” Mi-Cha adds, already knowing the list.
“And less likely to be stolen,” Saeran adds from the back seat without looking away from the window.
Saeyoung groans, realizing exactly how many times he must have rambled on about the advantages of manual transmissions.
Mi-Cha laughs shortly, a little proud of the fact she could distract them for a minute. It’s the only thing she can do for them right now.
Mi-Cha and Saeyoung have been happily married for 5 years and their lives have never been happier. The same could be said for Saeran who is now in a much healthier place than he was a few years ago. The twins are close once again, their lives are healthy and normal for the most part. It would seem the picture perfect happily ever after, if it weren’t for the fact that someone who has been looking for them for a long time is about to make an unwelcome appearance.
Saeyoung has two things in this world he has sworn to protect, and nothing is going to stop him from keeping his promise this time.
MI-Cha inadvertently gives Saeyoung a lot more anxiety than he needs right now. The twins get a lead on the source of the trouble. I threw in a couple more tender/funny moments just for good measure.
AO3 Link | First Chapter
Just a few hours later Mi-Cha awakens, having gone to bed hours before the twins she knows they won't be up for a while and that when they do get up they are going to be exhausted. She gently wiggles her way out of Saeyoung’s arms, causing him to stir at the loss of contact.
“Mmm, no. Elly, don’t run away. So soft.” He murmurs in sleep-talk, his glasses crooked on his face as he had obviously forgotten to take them off.
Mi-Cha has to hold back a giggle, she really wishes she had a video of that. She gently removes his striped frames and places them on the bedside table, frowning as she notes the deep red indent on his nose where they’ve been pushing too hard for the past few hours.
She silently leaves them both and heads back to her and Saeyoung’s rightful room across the hallway to take a shower and get ready. 40 minutes later she stands in line with 2 bottles of Ph.D. Pepper in her hand at the coffee shop and convenience store down the street from the hotel.
“Anything else?” The barista asks.
“These and two coffees, one with cream and one sugar, and one with cream and eight sugars.”
“Excuse me did you say eight?” The barista questions, doubtfully
“Yea.” She responds, letting her eyes drift over the menu above the barista’s head. “Oh! And could you put the mocha-mint syrup in there too?”
“Yea, sure.” The barista says slowly.
“Awesome! Thanks so much!” Mi-Cha smiles cheerily.
Mi-Cha is so caught up with the logistics of ordering and figuring out how she’s going to carry 4 drinks that she doesn't notice a man in a baseball cap and sunglasses watching her intently from one of the shop’s tables.
“Here you go.” The barista says, handing over the 2 coffee cups as Mi-Cha hands them the cash.
“Thank You!” Mi-Cha responds, tucking the two sodas under each arm and holding the coffees in either hand.
She turns and leaves the shop, blind to the man getting up from his seat to follow behind her.
--
Back in the hotel room, Saeyoung begins to stir, feeling the empty space in front of him he half-consciously turns over to grope the other side of the bed in search for the familiar warmth of his wife. He thinks he’s found what he’s searching for promptly pulling the found body toward him.
“Ack! What the fuck?!” The body says, squirming out of his grasp faster than Saeyoung’s brain can figure out why Mi-Cha would be acting this way.
Saeran stands next to the bed in a defensive position, justifiably startled from being grabbed in his sleep.
“Saeran?” Saeyoung asks, eyes fixed on the blurry figure at the foot of the bed. “What are you doing in my bed?”
“This is my bed!” Saeran fires back, incredulously. He really isn't much of a morning person as it is and this isn't helping.
“Oh. look at that.” Saeyoung realizes as he scans the rest of his out of focus surroundings. “Where are my glasses?” He yawns before spotting them on the nightstand and slipping them on.
“Ugh!” Saeran groans exasperatedly as he makes his way into the bathroom, shutting the door.
“Saeran!” Saeyoung calls from the room a few moments later.
“WHAT?!” Saeran calls back annoyed, less than ok with being interrupted while trying to do his business.
“Do you know where Mi-Cha is?!” His voice takes on that desperate tone that makes Saeran feel guilty instantly.
“No, I don’t,” Saeran says, his voice at regular tone again.
“I’m checking the other room,” Saeyoung announces as the door clicks shut.
When Saeyoung finds the other room empty he immediately dials Mi-Cha’s number, pacing frantically and running his hands through his hair in a sad attempt to dispel nervous energy. The line trills four times - too many. She always picks up ring one or two. What happened? Where is she? This can’t be happening again.
“Please pick up, Mi-Cha, please pick up” He begs as the fifth ring begins.
-
Mi-Cha is just about halfway back when her phone begins to ring.
“Shit.” She curses as the upbeat instrumental tone that represents her husband is calling plays.
“Uhhhh” She panics for a moment as she looks around for a place set the drinks on, spotting a low retaining wall just a little further down the street, she speed walks to its location, being careful not to spill anything and places her cargo down. Fumbling in her bag, her hand finally closes around her phone and she picks up the call.
“Hey, Sae!” She answers cheerily, oblivious to her husband's panic. The figure behind her promptly turns around, fading back into the crowd as she answers her phone, warded off for now.
“MC! Oh, thank God. Are you ok? Where are you?” He rattles off.
“What? Yea I’m fine I just went to get us our caffeine fixes” She says confusedly.
She hears him sigh in relief. “I was worried. You weren't there when I woke up I- I thought maybe-”
“I’m fine Saeyoung. I’m sorry for worrying you - I’ll be back in a minute ok?” Trying her best to ease his mind.
“Can you stay on the phone until you’re back on our floor?” He says quietly, almost child-like.
“Uhh, I can try? I'm kind of carrying a lot hold on.” She haphazardly shifts her phone to her shoulder while gathering her things again. “Ok, we’re good, on my way!”
“Thank you.” He breathes.
“Well doesn't this bring back memories?” She notes into the phone as she turns into the hotel lobby.
He chuckles shortly while heading back to the hallway, quickly popping into the other room to signal to Saeran that everything is ok, and then takes a post outside the door. “Yea, I suppose it does.”
“At least you're not pretending like you’re not madly in love with me this time.” She teases, pushing the elevator call button with her elbow.
“Never, never again.” He promises.
“I know, Love.” She says sweetly as she steps onto the elevator.
After a few moments, she steps back onto their floor. “Ok, one special delivery of morning caffeine on the way!.” She says, already seeing her husband coming down the hall to assist her with her carrying the beverages back to the room he left his brother in.
Mi-Cha walks back into the room alongside Saeyoung, finding Saeran staring blankly out the window as he often does in the morning.
“Ok, I have two Ph.D. Pepper’s for the most adorable husband in the galaxy, one sickeningly sweet coffee for a Saeran Choi, and a normal person coffee for me!” Mi-Cha announces cheerily, trying her best to lighten the mood as she hands the boys their drinks.
Before she’s even two sips into her own drink, Saeyoung has already chugged almost an entire bottle.
“Slow down or you’re gonna choke yourself,” Mi-Cha warns just before her husband gags on a too-large gulp.
Saeran snorts into his coffee lid at the irony as Mi-Cha pats his back firmly, attempting to assist.
After Saeyoung has recovered from his coughing fit, something occurs to him. “You weren't followed, were you?” he asks Mi-Cha.
“No. I mean, I do-”
“She won’t know if she was. Trust me.” Saeran interrupts
“I’ll take that coffee back now.” Mi-Cha retaliates, holding her hand out toward her him.
“Too late,” he says, throwing the empty cup into the trash bin.
Saeyoung takes her hand instead and holds it to his chest. “You know I'd do anything to protect you, but I can't be there all the time. Just… I know you always believe the best of everyone you meet. You think everyone is good intentioned like you are. Hell, I would have never met you if you weren’t. But please, help God Seven sleep at night and have your guard up? At least until whatever this is has been solved.” He pleads, placing a kiss on her knuckles.
“Yea.” Mi-Cha swallows thickly, he’s right. “I’ll be ok, plus I took that self-defense course last year, remember?”
Just then, Saeyoung’s laptop pings with a notification.
“What’s that?” Mi-Cha asks.
“Search results on where these alerts are coming from,” Saeyoung explains, dropping her hand to attend to his computer.
Saeran follows his brother, just as curious about the source.
The three of them watch Saeyoung’s screen as a satellite map location loads in.
“That looks familiar,” Saeyoung says slowly as his eyes scan the screen.
The map location zooms it to reveal the roof and front facade of an abandoned house if it could even be called a house.
Both twins inhale sharply as Mi-Cha looks on, trying to notice what they’ve already seemed to have grasped.
“That’s…” Saeyoung starts, not wanting to say it allowed.
“That hellhole…” Saeran voices.
“Where you guys lived when you were younger?” Mi-Cha finally says, having put two and two together.
“Yea,” Saeyoung confirms, not noticing his finger twitching nervously on the keys.
“I think I'm going to be sick,” Saeran says, placing a hand on his head and averting his eyes from the screen.
@amlfy replied to your post: @amlfy replied to your post: ...
tf !! do i have to be more nicer ? idk what nicer means !: don’t know her.
pansy voice: malfoy, nice is a ridiculous look on you. don’t do it. what you actually need is to be more buff. or tough. or...masculine. or you need to turn into a girl. any of those things would work.
