Chapter Text
It was time. Varian marched all the way to the meeting room with Eugene in tow. Several agents stared as he passed by them. He paid them no mind. His focus was entirely on the war room where the fate of his family relies entirely on his wit and choices. He saw Yong leaning his entire body on the wall.
The young man lifts his gaze to meet him and Eugene's face. His expression hardly amused and a dark shadow casted the cheeky man. Varian halted beside him. Looking behind his shoulder his brother figure kept their intense gaze on him.
Raising a brow. “What?”
“We need to talk.”
Varian shook his head. “Not until I secure my family’s safety.”
“Safety? Ki— V. The brotherhood would never harm your children!”
He observed his older brother's heartbroken expression. A hint of guilt pricked his heart, but he knew this place would never be his family's safe haven.
“Really? Funny. I was only eighteen, when I received my punishment.”
Eugene brisked. Crossing his arms in an attempt to hide his own set of guilt.
“I was only eight when my father trained me to kill. I was sixteen tortured by enemies in an attempt to get information.”
He coldly stared at Eugene. “The same age as my two sons.”
Varian looked back to the iron door. “We were weapons to them, Gene. Just children. And I will burn this entire facility to the ground before I let them do the same to my sons.”
“V—”
“Even if it means I have to fight you for it.”
Leaving Eugene behind, he stepped inside the large meeting room. Varian let out a breath, he needed to secure his family first. The area was in a circular structure, white-stair like chairs where the high ranking agents sat, and seven holograms in the center room. He stepped onto the platform and he locked eyes at the board members sitting on the high chair.
The Commander raised his hand to silence everyone. Looking down at him with black eyes.
“Hello, nephew.” He greeted warmly.
He hesitantly nodded. “Uncle. It's nice to see you.”
His uncle Edmund was a respectable and powerful man. He recalled the older man gave his first weapon as a birthday gift.
“Welcome back. Everyone was thrilled to see you back home.”
Home.
Varian felt a shiver ran down his back. This place haven't changed a bit. He hoped during his absence, they might see how fuck up the system was. But, one could only hope.
Edmund noting the lack of reply, he proceeded to the meeting.
“Members of our prestige organization. Let us celebrate with the return of our lost brother!”
All of them applauded.
“Now. I know all of you are aware…with the existence of the Alchemist’s children.”
He tightened his fist. Wait for the right moment.
“And the criminal he brought.” Quirin butted in.
Icy blue eyes glared at the man.
“That… yes.” Edmund pursed his lips in thought.
“If you're not aware— I've ordered our team to apprehend the dangerous assassin Viper.”
A large hologram showed an image of his husband. Many of his skills and missions broadcasted to the panel members. Several videos from Tartarus showing Hugo brutally killing all of his target. The video paused with Hugo covered in blood and dark green eyes staring at the camera.
“Tartarus. Has been notified with the alive status of Viper.”
Edmund glanced down at him. “Meaning— in a matter of moments, the Mistress will search for her successor.”
Everyone started to murmur and eyes locked into him. Gawked as you want—he really didn't give a shit.
“Keeping him here. Will only result to a large scale attack in our organization.”
“Although, I believe in our strength. I prefer to limit the casualties as much as possible.”
Varian huffed.
“Something to add, son?”
Both father and son had a silent showdown.
“I do agree the dangers my husband would make in your organization.”
Varian calmly added. “However, I will not allow my husband nor children out of my sight.”
“Nephew. I may respect you. But, you have no domain here.”
A holographic symbol of a sun flickered to life.
“You haven't changed, Alchemist. Always making impossible demands. Do you have no shame?”
He laughed. “Demands? I've been diligently working in the brotherhood for thirteen years! I've done everything in my power for the betterment of our organization.”
“However, the brotherhood had take away my autonomy. Did you really expect me to stay loyal after that?”
Everyone froze. They knew what he was talking about.
“You were colluding with a CRIMINAL!”
Varian mockingly laughed. “Yet, the same criminal was kinder than all you combined.”
“I am indeed guilty of my affair with Viper. However, I'm not the only one secretly speaking with the underground world.”
Silence.
Varian cocked his head on the sun symbol. “Tell me, I'm not wrong now?”
“YOU SPEAK OF LIES AND DECEPTION!”
He smirked. “Really? How about I send all of my proof right now?”
Loud gasps were heard.
“Everyone settle down.” Edmund ordered.
“Nephew, you are in trial—”
“Excuse me, Commander. I was simply stating facts.”
He eyed the panel members.
“Before my punishment. I've been investigating suspicious activities with members of the panel.”
He huffed. “I've found out some of the members and pillars have been exchanging information with high ranking guilds in the underground world.”
He looked back at Edmund. “But, justice wasn't delivered. Instead, I was told to quiet down and comply with their demands.”
Observing everyone's expression. Good. He got their attention.
“The brotherhood had been rotten for so long. I had to escape.”
A woman snorted. “By betraying your family?”
He glanced at the Ingvarr symbol.
“Leaving. I refuse to be complacent any longer. The Viper was my signal to go.”
He scratched the back of his nape. “However, before I could escape. I was forced to be unjustly punished by my own father.”
Quirin crossed his arms. His eyes darkened and calculating.
….
Nobody said a single word. Some older members were already aware with his situation, while newer members looked shocked and a hint of distrust. He knew his words alone will not be enough to sway them. Searching for Yong in the sea of agents. He signaled to him for confirmation.
Edmund sighed. “Please settle down. Nephew, I may favor you. However, I will not tolerate a snake in my household.”
“I do believe, you all have no choice in this.” Varian replied calmly.
Edmund was confused while the others gossip. His father seemed to realize what he was gonna say.
“Varian—!”
“I know the content for Project: Moonstone.”
Now, he really caused chaos. If his husband was here, he would cackle at this very moment.
“Varian. What are you going to do, if you get caught?” Yong asked while spying on the cameras in the bunker.
Varian tightened the strap. “Simple. I just need to make myself valuable.”
“Valuable?”
He looked back. “Valuable asset. The brotherhood might be many things. But, power comes first.”
“I'll just use the panel members as ‘allys’.”
Yong blinked in surprise. “You're—?”
He smirked. “How can they resist that?”
Varian hummed in satisfaction as multiple voices overlapped the other. Some wanted him to be led to the red room, while others needed to know the content of the file. To top it all of, half of the pillar members wanted him on their side.
United they say, yet like pigs in a farm—they can't help their temptation for hunger.
“SILENCE!”
Everyone shut their mouths.
Edmund heavily sat back on his chair, rubbing his forehead.
“...”
“Are you certain?”
Varian nodded. “Yes, before the research center blew up. I was able to crack the password.”
“You were the one who deleted the files inside.” Eugene mumbled
“Yes.”
Varian smiled. “I can reconstruct the files. But I’ve hardcoded the encryption to recognize my biometrics alone. I am the sole owner now."
“If you separate me from my family, the system initiates emergency code. The files go straight to Tartarus, and your corruption goes global”
Varian stood tall and tilted his head.
“My family’s absolute protection is non-negotiable.”
He fidgeted with the wedding ring “In exchange, I will trickle-feed you the data. Piece by piece.”
Blue eyes sharpened.
“Do we have a deal?”
!щ(゜▽゜щ)
Varian tiredly opened his bedroom door. There, Hugo sat on the couch, staring at the night sky. He approached the older man and wrapped his arms around the pale neck. Burying his face on the blonde locks.
“I did it.”
Hugo chuckled. “I didn't doubt you, hairstripe.”
His husband tilted his head up and gave deep kiss.
“Ew. What the fuck?! Get a room!”
They stopped kissing seeing his eldest covering Soren’s eyes and the nasty look Orion had. Both of them glanced at each other and laughed.