Chapter Text
002 watched the numbers talking about the next missions and most importantly what they'll do about 001. Much of them had already doubt 001 could be the one killing the other numbers and so they easily forgave him. 004 never really liked him since the beginning so his opinion really didn't matter to the other numbered. He would just yell some insults as always which annoys them all but they are used to it.
006 had quite a good relationship with 001 back then. He was being like his best friend and would talk about anything with 001. He was the first one yelling it was impossible that 001 killed the other numbers and was always quiet after learning the news. But everyone knew he still trusted 001.
032 would always follow his brother's decision. So he also wanted to trust their past leader. But when he learned about 006's death, he was ready to go end 001 by himself. And after learning 006 was only faking his death with 001's help to escape the Camp, he now understood why his brother trusted him so much.
When 005 saw 001 alive, she was skeptical. She wanted to believe him but she was angry. She spent a lot of time questionning what really happened and still needed clear answers from 001.
As for the other numbers when they all discuss about what to do concerning 001, thanks to 016 for reminding them how much he did for them. They remembered the trust they had for him.
But 002 couldn't stop thinking about how 001 ran away. It's been a while now the numbers are free from the Camp they destroyed. A lot happened after this. Mad Dog kidnapped 001's family to trap him. Of course the numbers weren't going to let that happen. So they helped 001...
They have now a dilemma with Forest. But most importantly in all of this, 003 was alive. She came back to the numbers and kissed 002. Her lips tasted bitter to him. He already understood by seeing her walking back to them, she was the traitor. And he felt the urge will to stab her to death and make a bloody mess. It felt more heavier in his chest after knowing his ex-lover was the traitor. Yet he didn't had the chance to kill her. All this anger stuck inside of him, he couldn't let it all out.
He sleeps less. Overthinking about all this situation. And yet what he hated the most was how 001 ran away. He was one of his mentors. They grew a bond, a trust between each other. He taught him how to be the best. And that fragile little kid he met, had become the best of them all. As the title of leader and number 001 was given to him, 002 accepted. He would never admit it. But he was proud of him. Yet that ran away thingy really made him crazy.
He wanted to make things clear with him. So he called 001 to meet in a private place. Far from curious people. He waited quietly. And here 001 comes.
"What do you wanted to talk about ?" 001 asked. Looking calm with an innocent face. He really looks more soft than before since he lives in Korea with his family and new friends... 002 couldn't help but glare at him. And by that look, 001 immediatly knew he was going to talk about him.
"I'm gonna be straight with you. I'm still hating you for running away like a pussy." 001 stayed silent while his eyes watched the floor. "And you are still a damn pussy. Look at me."
001 took a deep breath and stare at 002 directly in his eyes while clenching his fists. Usually, 002 was the type of person to be calm. He doesn't act without thinking, he doesn't insult and provoke. Yet 001 knew things were off about him. His way to talk changed and 001 felt it was going to go wrong...
"Why did you abandoned us ?" Growled 002. 001 didn't know what to answer. One of the reasons that is already clear to 002 is that he couldn't hold on being in the Camp anymore. But he was looking for the other reasons 001 were hidding.
002 approached him and asked the same question again with a lower tone. 001's whole body was tensing up. He wanted to push him away and walk back home but he couldn't. The other numbers didn't tried to ask more to him. But 002 was the only one who dared to ask.
"You know why..." 001 tried to escape the question. Yet he knew it wasn't going to work. 002 was going to insist again and again, and 001 was never a good liar to the numbers. So even less to 002.
"Stop trying to escape again ! I didn't trained a useless pussy did I ? Last time we fought, you said we were like family. What kind of a man you are to abandon your family ?" It felt suddenly more heavier in 001's chest. 002 got a point on that. He imagined how it would be if he had to abandon Dayeon and his grandfather. They would be so heartbroken and Ijin couldn't blame 002's feelings about what he did back then.
It started to hurt really badly. By bringing this subject, it brings feelings 001 wanted to ignore. He looked down again. He didn't wanted to say anything to 002. His throat became suddenly dry and tight, it hurts. But he tried to avoid his pain.
"You piece of shit. Sometimes I wonder what's the worse between you and 003." 002 spoke without thinking. And that was the sentence that triggered 001 the most. Bringing his ex-lover in the subject who was the one killing the others made him as mad as 002 was.
He suddenly understood why 002 started to act weird. All that anger he was holding, it was about to be thrown at 001. And 001 didn't agree on letting the other man snap at him. "Are you serious ? Are we gonna talk about the fact you fell for this bitch ?" 001 was now glaring back at him which made 002 froze.
"You are mad at her but couldn't do shit to her. So now you ask me to come and talk for what ? The only thing I see, is that you are just about to throw all the faults on me when you were the one falling for that bitch and she is the one killing our comrades !" 001 pushed 002 to make some space between them.
002 wanted to answer back. But 001 was right. He wasn't only angry because he ran away and abandon them. He was about to go far by bringing 003 in the subject, but he noticed how 001 lost his self-control when he mentioned her. 002 would first thought it was because he was mad too about her betrayal. But then, he thought it wasn't normal of him to suddenly start being aggressive while talking.
Like 002, 001 was the type of person to be very calm and not let his emotions take over him. But now, things were starting to be different. As 002 was overwhelmed because of all these feelings he had to hold on. And 001 was hidding his true feelings. Feelings that are now showing up...
"I may be a pussy, but I ain't the one who fell into her fake love and start accusing another person. I also feel betrayed by her ! Don't think you are the only one suffering about this. You talk shit to me, but look at you complaining like a damn cry baby !" 002 wanted to answer again but was directly cut off by 001. "That's what you are right now. A cry baby."
"Shut up !" 002 yelled. He punched 001 face leaving a red mark that was slowly turning a bit blue on his cheek. 002 couldn't stand letting 001 insulting him. Even less insulting him of cry baby and attacking his pride. He was getting really annoyed and wanted to beat him up. 001 was looking down for at least ten seconds before holding his cheek and slowly lifting back his head up glaring at him. "Don't you start on my pride when you got none. You know, all of this still doesn't change the fact you ran away and abandon us. You are still a traitor. The other numbers may have forgiven you, but I didn't. I hate you."
The last three words fell hard into 001's heart. His expression change into a sad one as he was no longer staring at his eyes. Since the numbers were at peace with him, he was hoping to rebuild his relationship with 002. And he wanted to tell him how much his heart felt. He wanted to tell him... "I love you..."
002 froze. He wondered if he heard that right. He was staring at 001 confused. "What did you just said...?"
"I love you, asshole !" This time it was 001's turn to punch him, leaving a similar mark on 002's cheek. 002 looked at him with wide eyes. If he understood what 001 just said, that would explain why he was suddenly aggressive when he mentioned 003. He never thought 001 would feel this way for him. And when he remembers how he was in the past, that kid was looking emotionless. Even dead sometimes. It was impossible to tell what he could feel or think. And maybe 001 wasn't aware as well to how much he wanted to be with 002.
Now that his memories are back and he is back to live a normal life, it looks like it finally made him realize his true feelings. 001- Ijin was now able to smile. And he was able to cry too... 002 looks at him as Ijin's tears were rolling down his cheeks. 002 couldn't believe his eyes.
Immediatly, the feeling of guilt wanted to make him hit his own head. When he first saw Ijin smiling, he had forgotten for a second why he was after him. His smile was angelic and beautiful. Now the sight of his tears broke him. He felt guilty for saying he hated him when it wasn't the case. He was just in pain. And this pain caused him saying things he would never think of.
When Ijin finally tells him, he loves him. 002's heart was more in pain than it already was. "I've been waiting so long to tell you this... But you were so blinded, I didn't find the right moment to tell you." Ijin's breathe was heavy. He turned his back and started to walk away.
002 couldn't stand the sight of looking at him going away... again. "Wait !" Ijin stopped but doesn't turn to look at him. 002 froze for a minute. Ijin was right. He was an asshole for starting this argument by bringing 003 in the subject. And he was harsh when it came to the subject of family.
"I'm sorry..."
Ijin turned to him surprised. He never thought he'd hear 002 apologies once in his life. 002 walked to him and hugged him tight. "Don't go away again..."
And the same as 002 felt guilty seeing Ijin crying, Ijin regret his words when he could see 002's tears starting to form in his eyes.
"You are right... I shouldn't have put all the blame on you." 002 said with a calm voice. "I didn't mean what I said earlier..."
Ijin hugged him back and apologies too while trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm sorry too... You were right. I shouldn't had left you and run away..."
They both stayed in each other's arms for a moment before 002 pulled away wiping his tears. He looked at Ijin and did the same. Wiping his tears with his thumb and came closer to him again. 002's lips meeting his. They both share a tender kiss while holding each other, not willing to let go.
They were child soldiers. They grew up in a place where nobody should care for each other. They were just supposed to be war machines. But they have a heart. And they made a strong bond of trust and love for each other. They are alive. And they feel it...
There was no point on hidding it from each other anymore. They felt vulnerable showing feelings. But they trusted each other. Ijin was not going to run away anymore. And 002 was going to turn the page and give them a new start.
002 now stared at him and smiled which made Ijin blushing. 002's smile wasn't like his usual confident smile. It was soft and... cute, Ijin thought.
"I love you too."
Ijin smiles at 002's words. Their hearts were no longer heavy. And they will not leave each other's sides. They'll listen to their heartbeats. They are alive. And they feel it...