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The safehouse was quiet.
Too quiet.
002 stood in the middle of the abandoned warehouse, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded as the others bickered around a folding table stacked with things that looked wildly out of place in a mercenary safehouse.
“A fruit basket?” 006 lifted it by the handle, eyebrow raised. “We’re going to war or visiting a kindergarten recital?”
“It’s polite,” 005 replied flatly. “Humans bring gifts when they are invited to homes.”
004 scoffed from the corner, lazily flipping a knife between his fingers. “If the old man wanted polite, he wouldn’t have called you.”
Silence.
All eyes shifted to 002.
He did not react.
Grandfather Yu had called him personally. Thanking him again. Saying he wanted to cook for them. Saying they protected Ijin during the plane hijacking and he hadn’t properly expressed his gratitude.
None of them had known how to respond to that.
Gratitude was… unfamiliar territory.
016 adjusted the strap of his rifle case—empty, of course. “We shouldn’t show up empty-handed.”
018 nodded once. “Agreed.”
032 was sprawled on a crate, chin in his palm. “Do we bow? Or just stand there looking threatening?”
006 grinned. “You’re naturally good at that.”
004 clicked his tongue. “We’re wasting time.”
002 finally spoke.
“Be respectful.”
The room went quiet instantly.
He picked up the fruit basket from 006’s hand.
“We’re guests.”
When they arrived at the Yu apartment, it was less tense than the first time.
Less surprise.
More… awkward familiarity.
The door opened.
001's Grandpa stood there, smiling warmly.
“Ah! You came!”
For a moment, a group once feared by international criminal networks froze like children caught doing something wrong.
Then 002 stepped forward first and bowed slightly.
“Thank you for inviting us.”
The others followed—some more stiffly than others.
004’s bow looked more like a reluctant nod.
Dayun peeked from behind her grandfather, eyes widening before lighting up.
“You’re here again!”
032 gave her a small wave.
006 smiled, softer than he ever did on missions. “We brought fruit.”
“Come in, come in!” Grandfather ushered them inside. “I made too much food again.”
The apartment filled quickly.
Boots by the door. Large bodies trying not to bump into furniture. 008 carefully ducking under the doorway frame like last time.
Ijin stood near the kitchen entrance, school shirt sleeves rolled up, expression neutral.
But his eyes—
They softened slightly when he saw them.
“…You didn’t have to come,” he said quietly.
002 met his gaze.
“We wanted to.”
A pause.
Ijin gave a small nod.
That was enough.
Dinner was… chaotic.
004 stared at the table like it was a battlefield assessment.
“So much,” he muttered.
“Eat,” Grandfather insisted, piling food onto his plate.
004 blinked.
No one had ever… served him before.
He didn’t argue.
006 was teasing 032 for holding his chopsticks wrong. 005 corrected 006. 018 silently observed the exits out of habit before finally relaxing.
016 actually smiled when Dayun asked about his “cool sniper stories.”
“I don’t have any cool ones,” he replied simply.
“Liar,” 006 muttered.
008 laughed quietly, careful not to shake the table.
Grandfather watched them all with soft eyes.
“You boys protected my grandson when he had no one,” he said gently.
The room stilled.
“I don’t know what kind of world you live in,” he continued, “but I’m grateful you were there for him.”
002 lowered his gaze slightly.
“It was our duty.”
“No,” Grandfather corrected kindly. “It was kindness.”
That word hit differently.
004’s hand paused mid-bite.
Kindness.
He glanced at Ijin.
At the scars hidden beneath his shirt.
At the way he stood near his sister without realizing it—always positioned between her and the door.
“…He was ours too,” 018 said quietly.
No one mocked him for it.
Dayun beamed. “Then that means you’re family too, right?”
The Numbers collectively malfunctioned.
004 choked slightly.
006 covered a laugh with a cough.
032 looked suspiciously emotional.
002 remained still.
But he did not deny it.
Later, while Grandfather packed leftovers into containers “for later,” Dayun tugged on 004’s sleeve.
He looked down at her.
“What.”
“Thank you,” she said simply. “For protecting my brother.”
004 frowned slightly.
He wasn’t used to soft voices.
“…He’s strong,” he muttered. “He doesn’t need it.”
“Everyone needs someone,” she replied brightly.
He stared at her.
Then looked away first.
“…If anyone bothers you,” he said flatly, “tell me.”
From across the room, Ijin’s eyes sharpened slightly.
But he didn’t interrupt.
Dayun just smiled.
“Okay.”
When they finally left, the hallway felt strangely… lighter.
006 stretched his arms behind his head. “Well. We didn’t get arrested.”
005 adjusted her coat. “You behaved better than expected.”
004 scoffed. “I always behave.”
“Debatable,” 032 murmured.
002 walked at the front, silent as always.
After a few steps, he spoke without turning around.
“We’ll accept invitations again.”
004 blinked. “What?”
“It’s safer,” 018 said, understanding immediately. “If we stay close.”
002 gave a small nod.
006 smirked. “Ah. So this is an official operation now?”
002’s voice was calm.
“Family protection.”
Behind them, Ijin stood at the apartment window, watching their retreating figures.