Chapter Text
Jongho was still having trouble getting used to being around the hero- no his new family. Don't get the male wrong, he loves his hyungs, they became the older brothers he didn't know he so desperately wanted or needed, but after spending years with little to no physical contact that didn't mean harm, there are still times when he just can’t deal with having anyone touching him despite how much he craves the safety of his hyungs affection.
Today was one of the days where it just depended on what kind of affection Jongho was receiving; he could handle light hugs and head pats but that was about it. The ex-HALA agent watched as Seonghwa tried to wrangle a crow and a silky black-furred cat so the two could get looked over after coming home last night with some cuts though they passed out before Seonghwa could look them over. Jongho giggled as he watched before flinching slightly as arms wrapped around his waist “Sorry baby” Hongjoong’s voice told the younger male he just woke up from the Seonghwa-enforced nap he took “it’s ok hyung, just still a bit flighty with unexpected touches” Jongho said, relaxing back into the electric magic user’s arms. “You’re doing so well” Hongjoong hummed, knowing how even the smallest of praises meant so much to Jongho. The two males watched as Seonghwa eventually gave up and headed into the kitchen to start on lunch while Wooyoung and San mucked around where the small coffee table would be. “When’s Yunho hyung and Mingi hyung coming back from patrol” Jongho asked as he saw Yeosang head into the room and flop onto the couch, telling the others that the mimicry user is having one of those slightly bad days where he doesn't want to talk but he doesn't want to be alone as well.
The boys knew that if Yeosang wanted some affection he would ask in his own way on days like this so they left him alone though Wooyoung and San both rubbed against the older male before going back to wrestling causing Yeosang to smile softly.
Jongho started to doze off while leaning against his hyung, the lack of sleep from his five-day stunt was still affecting him along with the fact that he was safe, like fully safe, for once in his life and his body recognises that fact and is catching up on all the missed sleep. Hongjoong hummed softly and slightly rocked side to side to help his youngest brother fall asleep while Seonghwa finished up lunch and WooSan shifted back to chat with Yeosang. Seonghwa walked out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel as he made his way towards his captain and little bear. “How’s he doing” Seonghwa’s voice was soft as he gazed at the sleeping face of Jongho, helping Hongjoong shuffle to a seat at their dining table so that Jongho could be comfier on Hongjoong’s lap, instead of standing and leaning on a chest, for his impromptu nap “he’s good, i just think that the lack of sleep from the five-day stunt has been catching up.” Hongjoong replied “he also probably feels safer than ever before so his body is catching up on the missed sleep” Seonghwa said, though he was not sure if it was the case but it wouldn't surprise the older male if it was true.
The two oldest males chatted softly while they waited for the last two of their little family to get back home. Seonghwa stood up and got food for Hongjoong and him while letting the three in the lounge know that lunch was ready, texting Yunho and Mingi to let them know lunch was cooked if they didn't get food out on patrol - they had.
20 minutes after Jongho fell into his little nap, Yunho and Mingi walked into the house to hushed talking coming from the dining table. The two tallest of ATZ looked into the lounge to see WooSanSang talking through sign language, letting the two know it was one of those ‘non-verbal but needs company’ days for the mimicry magic user, though it seems as if Yeosang is slowly crawling out of that fog since he was humming and muttering softly. The two then walked into the kitchen-dining room to see Hongjoong and Seonghwa talking quietly while Jongho napped on the captain’s chest, the younger’s head rested in the juncture where Hongjoong’s head met his shoulder. Yunho and Mingi greeted the two oldest of ATZ before a muted blue light flashed around the house causing Hongjoong to clutch Jongho to him tightly as he stood up while the rest of the boys made their way to the four awake males. The light flashed for a few more seconds before it brightened significantly, transporting the group of eight to a small room that was furnished like a little study nook in a library. The area had multiple large bookshelves filled with books and the floor was covered in a plush carpet with multiple pillows arranged in a circle with a low table situated in the middle of the medium-sized circle. A blanket was placed in front of the purple pillow that rested in between a red pillow and a dark blue, nearly black, pillow.
Hongjoong’s grip on the…… knocked-out boy in his arms didn't loosen, they actually tighten as the captain registered that Jongho was not just sleeping anymore, he was actually knocked out “where are we” Yeosang’s voice was soft but strong enough that his brothers could hear him. San wrapped an arm around the, slightly, older boy while Seonghwa answered “i don't know Sangie, i really don't” they all looked towards their captain “let's head over to the circle of pillows, see if there is anything that will tell us anything” the group of heroes nodded and swiftly made their way over, Mingi quickly taking their youngest from their captain. “Guys” Wooyoung’s voice called out from where he was crouched in front of the red pillow. The crow stood up and turned to face the others with a note in hand. Wooyoung handed Seonghwa the note who started to read it out loud, hoping to get some sort of answer.
Mingi tightened his grip on Jongho as he got closer to Yunho.
‘Dear ATZ,
I am not here to harm either you or your youngest. I know who you are both in the mask and out, you may call me Watcher. Its come to my attention that despite Bear trusting you, he has not revealed all that he has struggled with, it is my job to let you see the parts that he has hidden so deep that it's hard for him to let them resurface.
After you finish reading this letter, a book will appear on the low table. For you to find out what your youngest has hidden and gone through, read the book. The pillows are coloured with the colour of your powers
- The Captain - Red
- Song - Blue
- Sunshot - Goldish Yellow
- Mouthpiece - Metallic Silver
- Black Cat - Black
- Fix - Light Grey
- Crow - Dark Blue nearly Black
- Bear - Purple
there is a mattress of the same colour as his pillow next to the dark purple bookshelf if you would like to place that down for Bear
You do not have to read the book in the order above but you must read it.
Bear-ah will be unconscious during this reading as I do not wish to have him relive a lot of his trauma but he will be with you as I am sure you will be needing the reassurance every now and then. There will be food and drink appearing on the low table in the middle anytime you need.
Your magic will not be locked but it will be dulled just enough to not cause injuries to yourself and the others if you ever do lose control. You are in a pocket of time where time outside has stopped so your disappearance will not be noted even though you do not have anyone close.
Remember: Read the book to get out. Read the book to learn what your youngest has gone through to make him the maknae he is today.
Yours sincerely
-Watcher.
P.S if you ever need something clarified, just ask me out loud and a note will appear. Say my name before your question.’
Seonghwa finished reading the note before it disappeared and a book appeared in the middle of the low table causing all the attention to go to it. Yunho quickly grabbed the mattress and placed it down where the pillow was, resting the pillow on top “Mingi, place Jongho-ah in his spot” Hongjoong said, nodding toward Mingi.
Mingi placed their youngest and covered him with a soft blanket before moving over to the rest of his team to look at the book.
“The title is called ‘falling domino’ i wonder why” San said as he picked up the book. San took a closer look at the cover and saw Jongho on it though the younger was dressed up in a formal version of his HALA garb, though he was missing the painted mask, sitting at some sort of fancy dining table and he was glancing off to his right with a straight face paired with cold and indifferent eyes; San could see the sadness in those eyes though.
San handed the book to Hongjoong so the leader could decide what to do. Hongjoong gazed at the book before letting his eyes fall onto Jongho’s prone form and there they rested while he tried to figure out what to do. “Let's take a seat and then we can figure out who starts” Hongjoong said, knowing that the group would want to read the book as quickly as possible. The others nodded and followed their leader's suggestion.
Hongjoong sat on the red pillow to the left of Jongho with Seonghwa sitting on the blue to his left, then San on the black pillow, Yeosang on the silver, Yunho on the goldish yellow, Mingi on the light grey and Wooyoung on the dark blue that was placed on the right of Jongho. The group of seven, bar Yeosang, talked about what to do for a few seconds before Yeosang spoke up “why not just go in the order of how we are sitting. It’ll be easier and then we won’t have to constantly get up to pass the book” Hongjoong nodded, knowing that was a good idea “yeah ok, let’s do that then. So I'll read first then pass it to Seonghwa” the others nodded before they settled down to hear their captain read.
Hongjoong turned the book over, seeing if there was a blurb on the back, which there was. “Huh, here's a blurb” “well read it hyung” Wooyoung said, threading a hand through Jongho’s hair. Hongjoong shot a playfully angry look towards the crow but started to read the blurb out
Choi Jongho is used to being faceless.
The first sentence of the blurb, not even the actual story yet, caused sadness to filter through all seven males.
He has always grown up in the background, and while his reputation as Bear in HALA’s underground fighting ring precedes him, he is nothing more than a ghost in the city of Seoul.
Seonghwa sighed at everything his youngest brother has gone through
He takes orders and he takes cash, a simple business transaction that has kept him alive.
“It shouldn’t have been the only thing keeping him alive though” Yunho said, voice soft as he gazed at the maknae.
But when he’s left behind in an alley to bleed out,
“I still hate the fucker who did that to him” San hissed out causing his brothers to instantly know if he was in his feline form, the shape he preferred most to shift into, his tail would be thrashing about.
he realizes his years of experience and loyalty mean nothing. Faced with the superheroes he’s sworn to hate, he’s forced to come to terms with not only his past, but what a few friendly faces mean for his future, too.
Hongjoong looked around at his family as he finished reading the blurb. “This is gonna be a roller coaster of feelings isn’t it hyung?” Mingi said, a frown marring his face. Hongjoong sighed but nodded “yeah, i think so bud. We knew he had a hard past but I don't think we were quite ready to actually hear about it” the others nodded, Seonghwa placing a soft hand on Hongjoong’s shoulder before urging the leader to start reading.
Hongjoong cast a quick look around at the other six males, who all let the leader know they were ready, before opening the book to the first chapter.