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He hadn't visited his friend in a long time. Something about it felt so… daunting . Being vulnerable again, especially with a man who could see through him so clearly.
But there was something he needed to say. Something he needed to confess after a lifetime spent together.
"Jihyun. It's been a while."
A luxurious apartment. It was almost too bizarre to know that the entire building belonged to Jumin. He offered a smile.
"It really has been, hasn't it?"
"Your hair's gotten long."
"I, uh. I haven't really had time to get it cut recently."
"Are you taking pictures again?"
A pang of guilt. "No."
He felt Jumin's eyes on him, and the man withered slightly. Mentally weak. No willpower.
"I brought a bottle of your favorite. I figured we could split it together."
The man before him was silent, probably thinking. He couldn't see him outside of vague colors and shapes.
"You didn't have to bring anything Jihyun. You're always welcome here."
Relief. He stepped inside the threshold.
The silence between the two men was calm, and Jihyun relished the feeling.
The drinks certainly helped, too.
Jumin had given him a straw unprompted so that he didn't have to struggle with sipping at the glass, and Jihyun was, well, flustered to say the least.
"How have things been?"
"The same as always."
He heard Jumin sigh. It was unusual coming from him.
"We're all still grieving, Jihyun. You're not alone in that."
And yet he was: he'd always been alone in the truth of their relationship.
"She would've wanted you to fix your eyes. Be happy again–"
"No she wouldn't."
The words were out of his mouth before he even thought about it. He sounded so bitter , Jihyun could hear the vitriol in his voice without even considering it.
"She'd want me to let them get worse and worse until I can never see again. She'd want me to suffer for her in the name of proving my love."
"Jihyun… you know that's not–"
"You know how this happened, Jumin."
He met the peach circle he assumed was the other man's face and stared, frowning deeply.
"You know what she did."
Jumin didn't respond for a long time. He heard wine being poured into a glass.
"Would you lie to me, Jihyun?"
Yes. "No."
The taller man hummed slightly. "Then do you hate Rika?"
He froze, thoughts racing. Did he hate her? After everything that had happened, Jihyun felt like he was supposed to hate her. He certainly didn't love her, yet… he couldn't help himself from chasing her everywhere she went, insisting that her choices were his fault.
"... I don't know. I… she…"
His eyes burned, they always did when he cried. Something about the pH balance, a doctor said the year before.
"I'm scared of her."
Oh, he already knew he wasn't thinking straight, but his words kept pouring out just as much as the tears in his eyes. Jumin didn't react, save for putting down his glass and placing a tentative hand on Jihyun's shoulder.
"She must hate me, Jumin… she has to hate me with all the things she said…"
He was sobbing by then, his glasses having fallen onto the cushion next to him as he'd run his hands through his hair compulsively. The man swallowed tightly in a vain attempt to calm down.
"She forced me into sex, most times… it was all part of proving myself. Everything is part of proving myself. Everything…"
"Everything is ?"
"She's still testing me. All of this is just a test to prove my love. Mint Eye, Magenta, everything is part of my test–"
"V, what are you talking abo–"
"She's still alive!"
It was too late to take anything back anymore. He could feel Jumin's eyes boring into him as he trembled under the weight of his own words. He couldn't take it back, couldn't hide anything anymore.
It was terrifying.
"Tell me everything. Now , Jihyun."
He couldn't say no.
The silence between them was deafening, and both men were uncomfortably sober. Jihyun knew that what he had said guaranteed that things would never be the same between them again, but he couldn't stand the silence. With a little effort, he rose to his feet.
"... I should go. This was supposed to be something lighthearted, and I apologize for... For ruining tha–"
"No. Stay."
Confused, he raised an eyebrow.
"Why? I-I mean, I ruined the atmosphere, didn't I–"
"To put it bluntly, It's not safe for you to be alone right now."
"Ah… I see. Thank you."
"Of course."
Oh. He hadn't told Jumin that he loved him. He must've forgotten between drinking and… the rest of that night.
Next time. He had ruined enough for one day.
The next morning came faster than it ever should have, and Jihyun left the building before Jumin woke up. He needed to be away from everything.
Reading the log later in the day, his stomach churned.
[Jumin Han has entered the chatroom]
Jumin Han: I met with V yesterday. He didn't stay very long.
Jumin Han: He told me some things that I've been turning over in my mind since then, and now I think it's only right to share this information with all of you.
Jumin Han: Rika is still alive.
Jumin Han: V has insisted that Rika isn't the person we knew before, and says that this is why he tried to tell us she was dead.
Jumin Han: I don't believe him.
Jumin Han: According to V, she's become the leader of some sort of cult called Mint Eye, and they plan to try to use the RFA to convert more people to their cause.
Jumin Han: Luciel, when you see this, I'd appreciate it if you could try and find more information about them. V told me the coordinates of their base of operations, and if we are able to confirm that this is indeed a cult with malicious intentions, I plan to hire a team to clear the building out and possibly perform an arrest on those responsible.
Jumin Han: I'd like to get the truth of the situation as soon as possible.
Jumin Han: I have a lot of work to do now, but it would be best for everyone to be on the same page from now on.
Jumin Han: If anyone has any questions, please call or text me. I'll answer you as best as I can.
[Jumin Han has left the chatroom]