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Chan is among the top of his class at DWMA.
He starts like every meister: without a weapon. Unlike them, he is impatient and wants to find someone who resonates with him fast so that he can partake in missions. It doesn’t help that the principal's weapon tells him over and again that he has the potential to be the greatest in the school, perhaps the world. So does the nurse. They have been telling him it since he got here and it only makes him feel a sense of urgency that he shouldn’t be feeling.
Just. How will he graduate if he can’t find someone to resonate with? He’s gone through the whole school, but nobody has matched with him. It’s disconcerting and a bit irritating. He’s watched one person after the next match or found someone and here he is. Weaponless.
He’s seated on the front steps to the school, staring out at Death City in all its glory. When it gets hard, he feels at ease out here. Knowing that there are people out there who go about their everyday lives. Not everyone becomes a weapon and not everyone can be a meister. He discovered this long ago and is only realizing how true it is the more one thinks about it.
Without a meister, a weapon is nothing and vice versa. A meister can only reach their true potential with a weapon. A weapon can reach its true potential with a meister.
Chan leans his head back and closes his eyes. A breeze hits him, warm and inviting. As he sits on the step, he hopes he will find someone to resonate with soon for both of their sakes.
*
Being called to the office isn’t unusual. It somewhat confuses Chan who is never called here unless it has to do with exams. (He can’t fight, so why would they call him otherwise?) His nerves pinch him, an endless annoyance he cannot shake. Reaching the open doorway, he steps inside.
By the mirror stands their principle, Death. He’s an odd occurrence Chan learnt long ago not to question because it never brought answers. Beside him stands his weapon, a small man with dark eyes and red hair. This is the usual greeting party he’s used to. He bows his head in greeting and he stands upright, Chan startles at the sight of someone he hadn’t noticed in the room. Granted the person is behind Death who is unnecessarily tall.
“We have decided to allow a trial period for resonation,” Death says. “This here is Choi Seungcheol, a scythe weapon.”
On cue, the person steps out and the breath knocks out of Chan like light of day. He’s cute to say the least. He’s got his arms tucked behind his back and is swaying on his feet. Chan doesn’t like it when he smiles because he looks to kind to be someone who has experienced battles. If he’s a newbie like Chan, they’re inevitably screwed.
“What do you mean by trial period of resonation?” Chan asks, frowning. He gives no shit who the weapon is until he has the information. Turning to face away from Seungcheol, he stares at what he can only assume is Death’s eyes.
“We will provide a period whereby if you have not resonated, we will find someone else. Until then, he will be moving in with you effective immediately.”
He wants to say something, but he has a feeling he doesn’t have a say in this. Whether he likes it or not, the boy in the room with them will be moving in and he has to accept it. With a heavy heart, Chan starts for the door, but Death’s voice stops him.
“You walk as if you’re sad, but you must know you have plenty potential, Lee Chan. This trial period allows for you two to go onto the battlefield. It allows you to show us what you are made of.”
Instead of responding, he leaves for his class. Tucking his hands into the pockets of his pants, his head hangs low. The words echo in the back of his mind, reminding him of those who laughed when he said he would be the best meister in the world. It reminds him of when they tried to bully him because he had no protection like the rest of them, and how he got suspended for a week because he broke someone’s nose and another person’s arm.
When he was asked to apologize, Chan had laughed at them. Death had been unimpressed, reminding him that he was better than that.
In class, he settles into his usual seat. He pulls a notebook from his bag and places it down on the desk, jumping in his seat when he notices the presence beside him.
Choi Seungcheol stands in the walkway, staring at him expectantly. He smiles kindly and he’s got soft features that tell Chan he’s never seen the horrors of the world like other weapons have. He’s never been a victim nor is he a fighter. Without a word, he turns his head forward as the teacher walks in. Seungcheol sits down beside him, and Chan thinks how nice it must be to live carefree.
It’s going to be a long trial period.
*
After class, Chan walks out to go to the cafeteria. He’s halfway down the hall when an arm shoots forward and blocks him from going further. Without looking, he knows it’s Haneul, whose nose Chan broke. It’s still crooked from his handy work and a nice reminder that he won’t just take any one’s shit.
“Channie boy, find a weapon yet?”
Chan doesn’t answer, resulting in Haneul shoving him by his shoulders. Chan stumbles before catching himself against the wall. His hands curl into fists inside his pockets, but he reminds himself not to act out or he’ll be suspended. Even if he’s not a fan of Choi Seungcheol, having him around means he’ll go to the battlefield. Being suspended means he won’t be allowed there. As much as he’d like to punch Haneul, he can’t this time.
“You’re pretty weak. Dunno why you’re still here when you don’t have nobody to protect you.” Another shove. He’s shoving Chan between his words. He gives one final shove. Chan can see the effort he puts into the last one. He braces himself for an impact.
But he’s pushed into something hard.
Looking up, Chan finds Seungcheol glaring at Haneul. His eyes are dark and cold. It’s an expression Chan would never picture on his face and yet there he is.
“Who the fuck are you?”
Seungcheol starts forward, but Chan catches him by his sleeve. “Don’t,” he says. “It’s not worth it.”
Confusion swims in Seungcheol’s orbs. He clearly doesn’t understand why Chan isn’t retaliating. It’s not that he won’t, but he’s been there. He knows that anything done to Haneul will not make him see things any differently than he already does.
Seungcheol follows him begrudgingly.
*
They’ve finished moving Seungcheol into the spare room. As it turns out, he didn’t have a lot of stuff which worked out. They move him in before end of day. Chan is fine with having him here if he’ll stay as quiet as he’s been today. He’s never heard the boy speak. He does, however, radiate emotions. He’s been pissed since they walked away from Haneul. Chan didn’t explain to him and Seungcheol didn’t seem like he planned to ask.
When he sees there’s nothing in the fridge, he huffs. “Um. Gotta go to the store. Are you going to come?” When he turns around, Seungcheol is right there. He smells of coffee and cologne. His lips are set firm and his eyes keep darting between Chan and the fridge.
“I mean,” Chan starts. “I don’t know what you eat and stuff. So.”
“You’ve never been a meister before.”
Fuck.
He doesn’t know what he’d been expecting when Seungcheol eventually spoke, but that was not it. His voice is a low rumble of a tone. There’s a hint of anger that hits harder than what he’d been radiating. Only as he speaks does he realize that perhaps what he did earlier had been wrong.
“No,” Chan says, gulping. He closes the fridge. “I haven’t.”
Seungcheol quirks a brow. “It wasn’t a question.” He’s shaking his head. Lifting his hand, he pinches the bridge of his nose. Chan doesn’t know what to do on account of this being something akin to a confrontation, that which he’s never been good at.
“You–”
“I don’t care what you think,” Seungcheol says steadily. He crosses his arms, exhaling a breath. “This is more than just a trial period. For some of us, it’s a last shot until the next person shows up. And that could be years from now.”
“What are you saying?” Chan asks.
“I’m saying that you can’t go telling me to stop when I plan to defend you. Until the trial period is over, that is my job and doing that in front of other meisters is a weakness. It shows them that you refuse the required protection and allows them to take shots at you if they so wish to.”
“Look. Haneul is a bully. He’s done it before, and I broke his nose. The only reason I didn’t do it this time is because I’d like to go out on field missions and we can’t be suspended.”
A silence begins to loom, a dark shadow casting through their tiny home as dusk gets closer.
“You have a weapon now,” Seungcheol says. “You aren’t on your own. Next time it happens, instead of breaking their noses, you let me help.” He turns on his heel and heads for the front door. Chan takes a moment before following, uncertain on how to feel about it. He knows Seungcheol has a point, but admitting he has a point is a lot worse than the consequences.
*
Their first mission, Chan convinces himself that he will carry them. He knows nothing of scythe weapon Choi Seungcheol and has thus drawn his own conclusions. These conclusions are evidence that Chan does not think the scythe weapon capable of harm. He doesn’t see him fit for the duty of a weapon. Based off his average marks in class, Chan deduced that he is a lazy ass who lets their partner do all the work. It outrages Chan who decides to take a mission to spite the weapon boy. He cares not what level he is, only that they are clearly not made for each other, but will be forced to work until the end of the trial period.
They’re trudging through a forest on the outskirts of Death City. The sound if crunching leaves lays heavy between them. Seungcheol walks further behind, hands at his sides and eyes darting around. Chan almost laughs at the paranoia on his face. Their mission isn’t something to worry over. It’s a simple one: defeat the monster that’s been luring people into the forest and consuming their souls. In Chan’s humble opinion, the mission is a piece of cake.
Except that he’s not prepared for what he encounters.
One second he’s walking through the forest and the next, he’s up against a tree. It happens in the blink of an eye and Chan isn’t ready. His eyes flicker around the empty space, looking for the culprit, looking for Seungcheol and his heart stops for a second when he realizes that Seungcheol is in front of him, an arm in front of Chan’s chest as he looks around.
“Do you know the kind of mission you chose for us?” His voice is demanding, but Chan thinks he hears a quake in his tone. He scoffs, placing a hand on Seungcheol’s arm and ready to say something when a hollow laugh echoes. The sound bounces off the trees, hitting them at every angle. It’s difficult to pinpoint where it’s coming from.
Seungcheol’s head whips around. His eyes are frantic. “What sort of mission is this, Chan?”
Chan, stubborn as ever, glowers. “That’s really nothing you have to worry about–”
“The fuck it’s not!”
Chan is knocked to the floor, rolling over in the dirt until he hits another tree. His shoulder burns from the impact. Forcing his eyes open, he catches sight of Seungcheol lying on the opposite side of the area they’re in. Something hovers over him.
Chan’s lips curl in disgust. Pushing himself up from the ground, his eyes narrow. The thing hovering over the weapon is something far from human. The movements hint that it may have once been, but that had been too long ago for it to be recognized now.
It takes Chan a second to realize the thing is speaking and another second for him to dash into the situation despite Seungcheol’s yell for him to stay back.
A monster like this has never been seen before. Not by Chan. It talks in slow, steady words. Very clearly once human. What he thinks are the eyes stare back at him.
“Which…one…of…you…is…the…meister?”
It should be easy to tell. Chan stretches out an arm. He waits for Seungcheol to transform, but it doesn’t happen. When he looks back, he sees the boy leaning all of his weight against the tree. His brows are pinched tight in pain, eyes glaring daggers at the monster before them.
“Seungcheol,” Chan hisses. This can’t happen. He needs to kill the thing. Defeat it and rise the ranks. Show everyone that he’s worthy of their expectations. “Transform.”
There’s a moment’s hesitation before Seungcheol glows. Chan’s hands wrap around the grips. He can’t stand still for long enough to marvel at the beauty of Seungcheol’s weapon form. He’s exquisite and breathtaking.
Chan dashes for the monster, swinging Seungcheol.
Don’t… swing impulsively.
It’s Seungcheol’s voice, coming from the scythe. Is this what it’s like? Being able to talk with them during battle while they’re in weapon form? It stirs an odd sensation in his chest.
“What do you know?” Chan grumbles, mostly to himself.
That they have a blind spot and their weak point. Hit them in the center. It’s why they keep it guarded.
Chan doesn’t listen. He swings again. Dashing around. But the monster has gotten his answer and it doesn’t take it long for it to separate them again. This time, it stalks over to Chan who lays on the ground, clutching his shoulder. Pain stings it. The monster walks over, a hollow laugh in it’s mouth.
“Yummy…Soul…”
Chan is fully prepared to defend himself without Seungcheol. He doesn’t need him. All he needs is to–
The monster lets out a horrible screeching noise. It tries to turn around, but it’s movements are rigid. Chan’s eyes scan its body, stopping on the arch of a scythe in its chest. In horror, Chan watches it evaporate into dust, leaving behind a stink that has him scrunching his nose.
He gets to his feet slowly, observing the area where it once stood. With nothing left, it’s hard to imagine he hadn’t a clue what to do. Facing it had felt terrifyingly surreal.
“We should go.”
Chan is pressed against a tree. This time, it’s not by the monster and it’s not as hard or terrifying. Until he looks up into the dark glare of Seungcheol whose lips are pulled tight. Sweat decorates his face like glitter, his eyes sag tiredly and his grip is barely one at all. It flashes Chan back to when he made him transform. He looked hurt, but Chan hadn’t cared.
“You better pull your shit together,” Seungcheol whispers. Even his voice is hoarse. Broken sounding. “You get a pass for not having been paired before, but do something like this again and I’ll have them end the trial period. Fuck resonating.”
“Doing something like what, Seungcheol?”
His glare darkens. He looks and sounds upset. He scoffs, stepping back and lifting a fisted hand. He lifts one finger.
“Forcing your weapon to transform without checking their condition.”
He lifts a second finger. “Ignoring the advice of someone who has faced this monster before and trying your own shit.”
A third finger. “Deciding that you can defend yourself if I’m not there when it’s my goddamn job and purpose to protect you.”
Chan doesn’t expect a fourth finger, but he raises one. “Choosing a mission you knew nothing about and risking our lives.” He drops his hands and shakes his head. His movements are stiff and purposefully slow. “I get that you’ve never been one before and you want to rise to the ranks. Prove that you’re great at this and you’re going to fulfill their expectations, but that doesn’t mean you can gamble with our lives. If you died , nobody would have known because you’re still a low rank.”
*
Chan grits his teeth.
The doctor has put Seungcheol on bed rest for the week. He’s been given medication and strict instructions not to move. Chan has tried bringing him food, but he never eats, and he doesn’t drink anything. It’s probably a bad sign, but all Chan can think about is that when they reach the end of the week, he can choose another mission.
At the sound of the door, he goes to answer it.
A familiar face greets him. One he’s only ever seen in the Death City papers and on the boards at school. He’s one of the success stories of DWMA and who Chan aspires to be one day. Everyone in Death city knows the short, round faced, pink haired boy who is currently shooting daggers with his eyes.
“L- Lee Jihoon? What… What are you doing here?” He fumbles over his words, eyes flickering to the tall, skinny boy behind him that Chan knows is his weapon, Xu Minghao.
Lee Jihoon does not wait for an invitation as he shoves past Chan. Minghao bows his head, apologizing softly before walking in. Closing the door, he turns around, a sentence on the tip of his tongue, but it falls away when he sees Jihoon go into the room Seungcheol occupies.
Do they know each other?
As the door closes, Chan realizes that Jihoon’s weapon is still here. Turning to him, he offers the best smile he can muster.
“Um. Would you like anything to drink?”
Minghao declines politely. The silence is long and awkward and he just wants to do something with his hands so he goes to boil the kettle and leans against the counter. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stares at his shoes.
His mind whirs, trying to think of his next move. Perhaps he should choose a lower rank mission. It might do them good. He needs to get the practice in and Seungcheol needs to step up his game if they’re going to be partners for the trial period. Truthfully, Chan doesn’t see them resonating and going beyond that. Their partnership ends at the end of the trial period and he will be stuck looking for someone new.
The door creeks open and Jihoon comes out. He glances at Chan before going through the cupboards until he finds a long glass where he pours in water. He finds the leftover food and warms it in the microwave. Chan starts to say something.
“I’m not talking to you,” Jihoon states, grabbing the plate from the microwave and picking up the glass. “Not yet.” He walks back to the room and the door closes.
“Fuck’s sake.”
“Jihoon’s just a bit mad,” Minghao says, breaking the silence. Chan looks at him, eyes wide in surprise. Lee Jihoon is mad at him?
“Why? What did I do?”
“You haven’t been together for that long and you’re already destroying his friend.” Minghao sits down on the couch and Chan follows instinctively wanting to hear more. “Seungcheol hyung is a good weapon. He was one of the best. He doesn’t mess around, takes everything seriously… And you’re destroying him.”
Chan can’t wrap his head around it. How is he destroying Seungcheol?
“Look, uh, Chan.” Minghao smiles. His smile is kind and gentle, but there’s a look of judgement in his eyes that can’t be missed. “Us weapons? It will do you good to remember that we’re human too. When you work with us, it’s important to remember you’re no longer working for yourself. You’re working for the both of you.”
*
After Jihoon and Minghao leave with a promise of visiting again tomorrow, Chan closes the door and carefully finds his way to Seungcheol’s room where he stands outside for ten minutes. His chest is paining, his heart tense.
After what Minghao said, he feels obligated to see how Seungcheol is doing. But he’s not sure he has a right to. After their first mission, he’s been feeling something that doesn’t sit right. It’s like there’s this weight on his conscience that refuses to leave. He’s been trying to chase it away since the forest, but it hangs there, clinging to him.
It takes him another five minutes before he convinces himself to knock on the door. Seungcheol’s raspy voice tells him to enter.
“Sorry about Jihoon.” It’s the first thing Seungcheol says when Chan steps in. He’s barely got a foot in the door, but Seungcheol’s head is facing Chan. His eyes are droopy, his lips pulled tight. Chan thinks it’s a permanent look that he seems to sport.
“I didn’t… Didn’t know you are friends with him.”
“Since we were little.” Seungcheol’s eyes close. “He just worries. He means well.”
Chan doesn’t know what to say to that, so he keeps quiet. Leaning against the frame of the door, he watches Seungcheol. Sees the pinch of his brows, the sweat on his face. He’s supposed to be resting, but he just looks tense.
With a horrifying realization, it occurs to Chan that his actions caused Seungcheol this pain.
*
Jihoon comes again. His weapon and two other people alongside him. The two boys stare at Chan for a solid minute, one of them stepping forward. His hand brushes the tip of Chan’s chin, tilting his head up and to each side. His eyes are calculating. His hair is longer than the other guy’s and he’s got this smile that looks like he’s up to something.
“See what you mean,” he says, dropping his hand and stepping back. He smiles, but it’s a ghost of one. “Yoon Jeonghan. This is my meister, Joshua.” Joshua bows his head. He’s got a gentler smile, more welcoming than any of them.
They head into the room where Seungcheol is, Minghao following.
“Lee Chan.”
“I did that to him, didn’t I?” It’s the first time he admits it aloud. He sees the surprise register across Jihoon’s face. Brief but there. When it disappears, it’s replaced by a calm, collected look. He goes to the other room, walking in and closing the door behind Chan who followed.
“You need to understand that your actions and decisions have consequences,” Jihoon says. “You didn’t listen to him and now he’s on bed rest. Which he hates, by the way.” He shoots a glare Chan’s way, adding emphasis to his point and knocking the hammer on the head instead of the nail.
“I didn’t mean…”
“You were selfish. Only thinking about yourself. And you’re clearly underestimating him.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, he can tell you’re underestimating him. Thinking he’s not good or he hasn’t been through any of this.” Jihoon steps forward, pointing his finger against Chan’s chest “He is the best weapon in the world, and he could easily decide you’re not good enough. But he hasn’t. Because for Death knows what reason, he thinks you deserve a chance.”
He plops down on the edge of his bed, staring at nothing as the words ring through his brain.
“He’s been paired once before.”
“What happened?”
Jihoon is silent. “We became incompatible. I couldn’t hold him as a scythe anymore.”
“But you’re still friends.” At this point, Chan’s responses are robotic. All he’s hearing is that he’s been a total dickhead to his potential weapon for no reason. Nobody talks about the past, so he hadn’t realized that Jihoon held a different weapon before he did Minghao.
And he is a potential partner for that weapon.
“We’ve been friends for years. Nothing would change that.” Jihoon exhales. “I have to work. But Lee Chan, if you hurt my friend again, I will goddamn end you.”
*
“I’m sorry.”
Seungcheol stops.
He’s walking into the living room when hears it. As he turns toward Chan, there’s this soft look on his face that reminds Chan of someone. He looks down at his hands, seated on the couch in front of a tv he never put on.
“I am too. For getting aggressive.” Seungcheol sits down beside Chan. “But yeah. I’ll forgive you when I see change.”
Chan sighs. He didn’t expect to be forgiven anyhow.
“Fair enough.”
*
He regrets all ill feelings toward Seungcheol. When listening to him in the next mission, it goes smoothly. Seungcheol turns from weapon into human form and they high five.
On a mission to find and end a witch, Chan is can’t hold his own. Seungcheol guides him as best he can, but the witch is powerful and Chan can’t keep up. He does his best though he ends up nothing more than a tired corpse. Falling to his knees, he hunches over. His hands tremble as he curls his hands into fists.
All this time he’s been so focused on proving himself to people that he’s forgotten what it’s like to do what he’s always wanted to. He’s forgotten how to fight to his full potential, and he stumbles when the witch hits him. His shoulder is burning and he’s on the ground, eyes closed. When he opens them, he finds Seungcheol shielding him with his own body, now in human form. His arm is part scythe and he’s yelling at the witch.
He only turns to Chan when backup arrives. His scythe turns back into an arm, and he lifts Chan into his arms. “Are you okay?”
Chan stammers, eyes closing. He’s better than this, but he’s just proven how weak he truly is.
*
Chan stirs awake to Seungcheol hovering over him. Concern laces into his brows.
“When did you hurt your shoulder?” Seungcheol asks before he has time to come back to reality. Chan doesn’t even know where he is. He lifts himself into a sitting position and hisses. Looks around to find that he’s in his own room.
“F- First mission.”
Seungcheol tuts. He’s got a chair beside the bed and in his lap are ointments, bandages and stuff Chan doesn’t recognize. He says a soft ‘let me’ and has Chan take of his sweater and turn his back to him. His eyes brim with tears as Seungcheol applies the ointment.
“You should have told me.”
“You were hurt far worse than me,” he says. “Plus, I didn’t know it was serious.”
Seungcheol scoffs. His fingers are gentle as he applies the ointment, careful in where he touches and prods. The ointment itself is cold, but his hands are warm.
“What?” Chan demands, trying to turn to see his face. It earns him nagging and he’s forced to turn back to the wall.
“Just very clear you’ve never worked with anyone before.” He starts the taping, the sensation weird. “Every injury you get, no matter how small, you come to. Got it?”
Knowing that Seungcheol wants to hear him say it, Chan hums. “Got it.”
*
On a group mission, Chan meets meister Seungkwan and weapon Vernon. They’re not what he expects another partnership to be. Seungkwan is a talkative, inquisitive and busy meister where Vernon is a calm, collected and soft weapon.
They’re good at what they do. Vernon is a nun chucks like weapon, but it appears he can change his form. He takes a liking to Seungcheol but is clearly attached to Seungkwan by the hip. He refuses to leave him on his own or stray from his side. As a weapon should, Chan thinks. Probably something Seungcheol would tell him.
When they get separated, Chan doesn’t know what to do.
They were in a cave, following a reported sighting and sent to take care of it. Vernon and Chan are split off from Seungcheol and Seungkwan. Chan is standing still in front of the boulder that forced them apart. He stares at it hard, like it will move if he tries enough.
“We’ll find them,” Vernon says calmly, making Chan turn around. “But we can’t stop.”
There’s a clear urgency in Vernon’s movements to get back to his meister. The feeling is foreign to Chan who doesn’t feel it, even now. There’s no rush for him to find Seugncheol, but he knows he should be. It makes Chan wonder if he’s the problem. That he doesn’t feel the urgency or that he can’t seem to resonate with anyone .
“Move!”
Vernon pushes Chan out of the way right as tons of rocks come falling down where he’d been standing. From the floor, Chan stares at it in horror. His eyes flicker up to Vernon who has the same stricken look on his face as they both realize they’re not alone and that whoever is with them is out to get them.
Vernon reaches out, but Chan is frozen solid as a laugh bounces off the walls of the cave. A laugh so familiar, it makes him sick to his stomach. He’s staring in the direction he thinks the laugh is coming, so intense that he doesn’t realize Vernon has come to his side until he’s touching Chan’s shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” Vernon asks, but Chan just shakes his head. Turning his head, guilt signals him when he sees the concern and uncertainty written on Vernon’s face. The emotions are wiped off and he returns to his calm, collected self. But it won’t last long.
Footsteps resound through the cave, slow and agonizing. The person is clapping. Chan and Vernon’s heads turn to look at the person. As they step out into the light, Chan’s stomach drops.
“Hello, little brother.”
Vernon doesn’t flinch. Chan shuts his eyes as if it will ward him off.
The man that says this is unrecognizable. No more is the scrawny older brother Chan once knew. He is buff, and smiles wickedly at them. Vernon sits in front of Chan, as if to protect him, but Chan moves him aside. They listen to the footsteps grow louder.
“Chan–”
“You’re not my weapon,” he says quietly. “You can’t risk your life for me.”
“Leave us to this family reunion, won’t you, weapon?”
“No–”
“ Vernon ,” Chan whispers. “He’s giving you the chance to go. Find Seungkwan and Seungcheol.”
“If I leave you unprotected.”
“Find them and come back.”
*
Lee Junseo was Chan’s older brother. He went missing three years ago without a trace. Chan had been devastated because it was only them. Unlike Chan who possessed the ability to wield a weapon, Junseo was not of weapon or meister capability. He was human. So, when he disappeared, Chan searched with the help of people from the academy. Official meisters.
He couldn’t be found or traced. Until today.
Chan’s body writhes in pain. His brain is screaming, begging him to fight on and not give in, but it's not possible. Whatever his hyung is doing is hurting him. He’s possessing a magic he never had.
“Everyone knew you’d be a great meister,” Junseo says. His voice is dark, hollow. Chan doesn’t recognize it. It’s not your brother. Not anymore.
“Hyung–”
The laugh that follows scares the shit out of Chan. He’s kicked in his lower stomach, groaning at the impact.
“You were expected for great things and I followed in your shadow. Imagine . Being the oldest, I was only ever asked about you as if I weren’t a person too.” Junseo steps forward, placing a foot on Chan’s chest and pushing lightly. Chan struggles to breathe. “Now, I’m probably stronger than you. And you know what? Nobody’s gonna remember you, Channie.”
“What… What are you going to do?” Chan wheezes.
Junseo seems to like the question because the smile curves higher. “You’re going to die and I’ll have made a reappearance into the world. It’s a miracle I’ve returned three years later.” He squats down, leaning in to whisper. “When they ask, I’ll say it’s you. Possessed by a witch. Tried to kill me, so I had to defend myself.”
His foot is gone, replaced by hands around Chan’s throat. Junseo squeezes, thumbs pressing into his throat. “Have to make it look like physical self defense,” he reasons. “Seeing as I’m human.”
The tears he’s been holding back begin to fall. Chan can’t breathe and it feels like someone is cutting the pieces of his lifeline before him. The world around is spotting black and white, his body having lost its fight the moment he saw Junseo.
Chan always thought he was strong, but having faced this situation, he realizes that he’s not. He isn't strong or great. He isn’t cut out to be the best meister. The arrogance he held has long dissipated, regret sinking in as he realizes that all this time, he’s been an over confident meister. Even before he and Seungcheol were paired for the trial period.
Just as he feels his body begin to give in, Junseo is pulled away from him. Chan can’t move, so he listens. To the sound of distinct yelling, of fists hitting and bodies slamming. Strings of curse words fill the air, the only real words he can make out.
When his body catches up to the realization he can breathe, Chan is gasping for air. His body won’t move as he instructs and his face is wet from the tears. He’s shaking, a sob wracking his body when he tries to suck in another deep breath. As his hearing zones back in, the sobs grow quieter.
“If you ever touch my meister again, I’ll fucking kill you.”
The light is blinding. Chan has to close his eyes and squeeze them shut. Something warm nestles in the center of his chest, like a hug to his soul. It’s a foreign feeling that he welcomes exhaustedly.
Seungkwan’s voice follows, a whisper in the deep of the cave. Footsteps approach and Chan flinches at the reminder of Junseo’s reappearance. But instead of the harsh, accusing voice that belonged to his brother, the gentle words of someone find him.
“It’s okay,” Seungcheol whispers. His hand cups the side of Chan’s face. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here, but I came as soon as I could.”
As Seungcheol lifts Chan’s body into his arms, Chan’s head falls forward, his forehead resting against Seungcheol’s shoulder.
“D… Don’t leave me….again.”
*
Seungcheol is by his side every second of the day.
One night, Chan overhears the phone call. Seungcheol sounds exhausted when he speaks. He’s not as careful with his tone as he has been since they resonated. Without needing to ask, he knows it’s Jihoon who is on the phone.
“Yeah,” Seungcheol says. “Yeah. He’s… I don’t know. Do I just talk to him?”
He can’t hear the other end of the call though he imagines Jihoon replying snootily. Chan considers himself right when Seungcheol goes on.
“Don’t start with me,” he whines. “I’ve… Chan and I never have those conversations. And I don’t want to–” Jihoon must cut him off. Seungcheol breathes out deeply. “He’s hurt and we resonated Jihoon. I don’t know what to do, but I know I have to do something.” This is said with a hint of uncertainty. Sadness.
When the call ends, Seungcheol comes into the room.
“I thought he was dead,” Chan mumbles, closing his eyes. His body is in pain, everything done to him is still a lingering sensation that he cannot shake. He listens to Seungcheol walk into the room and take a seat on the edge of the bed. Chan’s bed is big, so there’s him and then there’s this large enough spot for Seungcheol to fill.
Chan pats it and Seungcheol moves from the end to sit there. Without warning, he reaches for Seungcheol’s hand. It’s smooth where his is rough with callouses from constantly holding the weapon.
“I didn’t… He hated me and I didn’t know.” Chan glances to the side where the window is. “It was just us. Mom and dad aren’t around. He took care of me when we were growing up and…” Chan chokes on the lump forming in his throat. Seungcheol squeezes his hand gently.
“You had every right to love your brother.”
Seungcheol speaks like he has experience. Maybe he does, in the sibling aspect, but they’re both aware that he can’t relate to this .
“I’m tired.”
Seungcheol starts to leave, but is stopped.. “Chan?”
“Can you stay until I fall asleep?”
Seungcheol does not need to be asked twice. He waits until Chan falls asleep, and waits longer to ensure he’s out cold before he leaves the room.
*
“Well done on resonating,” Death’s weapon says, entering the infirmary. “Told you it would happen.”
Chan can’t find his voice. They’ve told him that he’ll be good for missions in two days, but after a discussion with Seungcheol, he told them that he’d rest an extra two days. It isn’t because of the pain or that he thinks his body will not be able to handle it. It’s more that his brother escaped and is still out there, much to Chan’s disdain.
It’s taken a toll on him mentally, knowing that his brother had been so close to killing him.
*
Haneul finds Chan coming out of the bathrooms. Word hasn’t gotten around school yet, so of course he treats Chan the same as he always has. He places a hand flat on the wall, blocking Chan’s way. “Seriously, when will you find someone to protect you?”
Chan pushes past, their shoulders bumping. “I don’t need someone to protect me.”
He can hear the scoff from Haneul who mutters something like ‘arrogant bastard’. He grabs Chan’s shoulder and spins him around, but right as he does, his hand is slapped away. Haneul looks up at Seungcheol and the fear in his eyes is enough to satisfy Chan.
“Please refrain from touching my meister, unless you want me to add a shine to your nose.” Seungcheol tilts his head and Haneul looks ready to shit himself.
“But you… you don’t–”
“If you hurt him again, your face won’t be recognizable. Understood?”
“UNDERSTOOD!”
Just like that, Haneul is gone in seconds, the ghost of his presence still lingering.
“Could have been gentler.”
“And have him come back? Needed him to piss himself.”
*
When Chan paired with Seungcheol, he never imagined them resonating. When it happened, the feeling was foreign to him. But the changes are notably welcoming. Their dynamic is better. Their teamwork has improved exponentially. He realizes the point of resonating is to become one with your weapon. You begin to understand each other on a whole new level and it’s not something that can be taken away.
Their struggle to resonate before had been both their faults. Seungcheol had been aggressively impatient and constantly annoyed with Chan’s arrogance where Chan continuously underestimated the best weapon in the world.
They get along now more than before. They talk to each other about anything and everything. Small topics and big discussions. Chan has come to realize he’d be dead on his own.
He’s still alive because of Seungcheol after all.
*
When Chan wakes, it’s to Seungcheol’s body over him. His face is mere inches away, a spitting image of pain across his face. His hair is fluffily messy and he’s in oversized pajamas that look cute. However, it’s not why Chan is staring.
“Are…you bleeding?”
“Junseo.” Seungcheol whispers it. “Called for backup. Just… don’t say anything.”
Backup is Jihoon, Minghao, Joshua, Jeonghan, and two teachers from school. They find Junseo in the room and this time, have something to contain him. He screams, yelling out to Chan who watches him being dragged away. There’s no emotion to describe what he feels now.
“Chan.”
“I’ll see that he’s alright,” Chan says to Jihoon from the door. He wraps his arms around himself as a breeze wafts through. “Please, just get him out of here.”
Seungcheol is still in the room when Chan returns. He stops by the bathroom to get the first aid kit. In the room, there’s blood on the sheets and his head is lowered. There’s a hint of an apology when he looks up, but Chan shakes his head. Closing the gap between them, he tells Seungcheol to take off his sweater.
Chan peers away from his chest to assess the damage. It’s nothing hectic, a long, thin scratch from his shoulder to the area below his armpit. It’s deep, but nothing the kit can’t fix. Chan opens the kit and grabs the alcohol and cotton swabs. His hands move fast, the action familiar as he presses it down onto the cut.
Seungcheol yelps and tries swatting him away. Chan catches his hand.
“If you don’t get it cleaned, it will infect,” Chan mutters sternly. “Plus who knows what he did to you… Here. Open your legs.”
Seungcheol follows orders obediently. Chan situates himself between his legs and tells Seungcheol to hold onto him every time he feels pain. At first, the weapon looks a little unsure, but when the cotton swab touches the cut, all his pride is out the window as he wraps his arms around Chan’s wife and nestles his face into Chan’s stomach. They stay that way until Chan has placed the bandage over the cut to ensure no more blood dripping over the house.
“I’m done,” Chan says quietly. He wants to assess his handiwork, but Seungcheol isn’t letting go. Hesitantly, Chan places his hand on top of Seungcheol’s hair and starts stroking.
“Cheol.”
Seungcheol looks up, surprised.
“Are you okay?”
Seungcheol’s lips set into a grim line. “I was scared for your safety, but I intruded in your personal space.”
Chan snorts. “We’re resonated partners, Cheol. I don’t think we have personal space anymore.” He ruffles Seungcheol’s hair and takes a step back once he’s been relieved from the prison of arms. Chan tells him to come inside and eat something because he’d been losing quite a bit of blood until Chan patched him up.
“Wow. You’re warming up to me.”
“Excuse me?”
Seugncheol grins. “First time you’re cooking for me.”
In response, Chan rolls his eyes and tells Seungcheol to quit being so damn emotional and eat before he eats everything himself. It reminds Chan of the time Seungcheol was hurt and wouldn’t take food from anyone but Jihoon. (Or maybe Jihoon gave him no choice but to eat.)
“Liar,” Chan says. “I’ve cooked for you before. You just didn’t eat it.”
*
Weapons and meisters are people too. They face troubles and challenges much like everyone else. Seungcheol and Chan have had their ups and downs, facing one obstacle after the next. But they graduate with flying colours.
Jihoon congratulates them and Minghao smiles knowingly at Chan.
After two years, they became the best meister and weapon in the world, easily surpassing Minghao and Jihoon. The latter is reluctant to congratulate them, but tells them he knew it would happen. Moreso after they resonated.
On their graduation day, Chan took Seungcheol to the stairs where he sits to clear his mind or to think. They sat for two hours before Chan finally broke the silence.
“Cheol?”
“Yes, Channie.”
“Thank you for resonating with me.”
Seungcheol laughs. It’s a beautiful sound that Chan has come to love hearing. It’s a dorky, cute kind of laugh. “Thanks for accepting me, Channie.”
“Always.”