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thinkyoureholy · 5 years ago

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Vox Populi [6]

Pairing : Park Seonghwa / [fem] Reader

Genre : Angst, Violence, Language, Fluff, Smut, Post Apocolypse/ Dystopia! AU

Words : 3.6k

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⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

-Back In Liszto, Marcus’ P.O.V-

I pushed open the door in my way with my shoulder, my eyes glued to the report that was in my hands. It's been a few days since we sent that medical envoy over to that village and everyday I would get a report in the morning over how things were going but things were looking bleak. More people had gotten sick and a few had succumbed to the illness, soon the people we have there will be too overwhelmed to help. I’m sure some of them are already feeling some of the early symptoms of the illness but are keeping it to themselves. I know my subordinates well enough to know they’ll hide any kind of ailment for the sake of the mission and their mission right now is to help the medical staff that went to that village.

“Marcus?”

I raised my head at the sound of my name, drawn out of my thoughts. Junhyuk furrowed his brows, confused as to why I was just standing in the middle of the room without saying anything. I shook my head to compose myself, gathering my thoughts.

“Are you alright?” He asked, standing up like he was about to walk over to me but I stopped him before he could.

“I’m fine. Just lost in my thoughts, nothing to worry about.” I reassured him, running my fingers through my hair as I remembered why I came in here in the first place, “I have the report of the day. Things don’t seem to be going any better…” I trailed off as I chewed on my bottom lip before saying what was on my mind, “I’m thinking of sending more people, more help.”

Junhyuk shook his head, already rejecting the idea, “That’d just expose more people. Besides...that won’t be necessary. I already have something planned.” He said with a knowing look in his eyes.

I furrowed my brow in confusion, “I don’t understand. Why won’t it be necessary?”

The corners of his mouth curled up into a small smile but that smile held something that had my stomach churn at how unsettling it was, “That’s on a strictly need to know basis and unfortunately for you...you don’t need to know.”

I frowned at his words, taking a step forward, “My wife and daughter are over there and you’re telling me I don’t need to know when it includes them? Your only son is over there too, just what the hell are you scheming, Junhyuk?”

He grinned maliciously but feigned innocence, shrugging his shoulders at my accusation, “I can’t believe you’d accuse me of scheming.”

“We’ve known each other our whole lives, I know you like the back of my hand and I know when you’re up to no good. How you got your position is beyond me because I sure as hell didn’t vote for you.” I said with an edge to my voice but I was trying to keep myself under control.

Junhyuk chuckled darkly, a shadow seeming to cross his face, “It's nice to know how loyal my friends are. I’ll keep that in mind, Marcus. I earned my position fair and square, I didn’t cheat like you’re implying. If all you came here to do is insult me I suggest you leave before you really piss me off.”

I grit my teeth and swallowed the words that wanted to come out instead I only said what needed to be said, “If my family is affected by whatever you have planned I won’t sit idly by. If they don’t come back without a single hair on their head out of place I swear to you and all that is holy there will be hell to pay, Junhyuk. Don’t fucking test me.”

That was all I said as I threw the report down onto his desk harshly, the folder opening up from the force I used, a few papers falling to the floor. Without even giving him so much as a salute or goodbye I turned on my heel and walked out of his office. I clenched my fists at my sides as I walked, my face taut as the gears in my head started to move. I recognized the look Junhyuk had in his eyes, it’s one I’ve seen over the course of our friendship and it never led to anything good, in fact it only led to chaos and destruction. Just as I was thinking that I spotted a few of the members of the guard that had been walking by. I called out to them, the three immediately standing at attention when they heard my voice.

“Good morning, sir.” Zuri Abebe saluted, standing at ease the moment I signalled for her to relax with a simple raise of my hand.

“Is there something we can do for you, sir?” Nobuhiko Hanae asked.

“There is, and only you three can do it. But I need you all to promise that whatever I tell you stays between us.”

Jongho raised a brow, speaking up, “Are you sure I should be here for this, sir?”

I gave him a soft smile, placing my hand on his shoulder, “You more than anyone else should be here. You’re one of Seonghwa’s only friends and you’re also quite close to Y/N and what I’m about to tell you concerns them both.”

He straightened up the second he heard that, giving a resolute nod. I looked around and over my shoulders, signalling for them to follow me to a private room so I could tell them the plan.

-Y/N’s P.O.V-

“What do you think of my new pelt?” Nikki asked, showing off the fur that hung from his shoulder.

“I think it looks stupid...like your face.” I said, sticking out my tongue at him as I walked out of the tent.

The smile I had on my face disappeared the moment I walked out or the tent. I knew the sick wouldn’t get better in just a few days but they’re getting worse instead of getting better. And its spreading, more than eighty percent of the village is infected, Anibal and Eliza now a part of the sick. I sighed heavily as I thought back to when I went to visit the two, a frown finding purchase on my face.

-An hour ago-

I reached over as we walked and fixed the mask on Seonghwa’s face, pulling it up a little higher so it doesn’t slip below his nose. Before I pulled my hand away I ran my fingers through the hair on the back of his head gently absentmindedly, letting my hand fall back to my side. I missed the way his lips curled at the subtle display of affection, the mask hiding it from my view. We turned towards a familiar tent, about to walk in but before we could I felt a hand grab my arm and jerk me back. I stumbled over my feet but managed to stay standing, immediately yanking my arm out of Tony’s grip.

“What the hell are you doing?” I asked, trying to remain calm.

“You’re not going in there.” He all but growled out, taking a step towards me in an attempt to intimidate me but I didn’t even so much as blink, “You were supposed to help us but you haven’t done shit. I knew I should've never let you in here.”

“Do you really expect us to miraculously come up with a cure? In four days? Are you out of your mind!?” I exclaimed, the anger clear on my face, “You’re lucky we’re even willing to help! If anyone else found your village in this sorry state they’d probably burn the place to the ground to stop it from spreading any further!”

“Lucky? Nothing has changed with you being here and you’re saying we’re lucky you’re even here in the first place?” He asked, taking another step forward until he was in my face.

I stood my ground, not moving a muscle. I couldn’t blame him for being frustrated but it's not fair that the blame is being put on us when we’re doing our best. I know our best isn’t enough in this situation, I know that more than anyone but dammit, we’re trying here. Just as I was about to voice these thoughts I heard the sound of a gun being cocked just inches from my head. I looked to the sound only to see Seonghwa had pulled out a pistol and was aiming it directly at Tony. Tony and I fell silent, neither of us said a word.

“Oh, don’t mind me. Keep talking as if I’m not even here.” Seonghwa said, his voice with a chilling edge to it, one I’ve never heard before, “Keep sprouting that same bullshit you were a second ago, come on now don’t be shy.”

I was too stunned to say anything, the look in Seonghwa’s eyes sending a chill down my spine and not in the usual good way. The attitude he had right now was one I had never ever seen before, the dark shadow that was now looming over his shoulders was foreign to me. I’ve seen him angry before but this--this was more than just anger, it was pure unadulterated rage. This rage was silent, calm, collected, and beyond terrifying and I don’t scare very easily.

“We’re exposing ourselves and our entire city to be here and help you out as much as we can and this is the thanks we get? Are you fucking kidding me? We’re not even asking for thanks but a little fucking gratitude would be nice,” He growled out, the grip he had on his gun tightened, the vein on the side of his neck looking like it’d pop at any second, “I know how frustrated you’re feeling but we’re not the ones you should be taking it out on. Grab her or any of my people like that again and I won’t hesitate to shoot you where you stand. I’m tired of your tantrums.”

“You have no idea just how frustrated I am. You’ve never had to watch your family or the people you grew up with in pain and be powerless to help them.” Tony said through clenched teeth, his eyes glazed over with unshed tears.

I cursed under my breath the second he said that, knowing what kind of nerve Tony just hit. I was about to step in but Seonghwa moved faster than I did. He dropped his weapon and thrust his hands forward, grabbing onto Tony’s collar, pulling him towards him roughly.

“I have no idea? I have no idea how you fucking feel!? I know more than anyone! I watched my own mother die when I was five years old, a fucking child! I watched her get worse and worse until she took her last breath! Don’t you dare try and tell me I don’t know how you feel-”He cut himself off, swallow the lump that had undoubtedly formed in his throat, the tears that always came when his mother was mentioned fell from his eyes, “Don’t think for a second I don’t know the pain of losing someone I love because I know it all to well and that pain never leaves.”

With that Seonghwa pushed Tony away from him and stormed off. I called after him to try and get him to come back but he was out of sight within seconds. I sighed heavily, wanting to go and calm him down but I had to check in on Eliza and Anibal and I had others I had to check in on for the day. I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, turning to Tony and glared daggers at him. He had the good senses to avoid my gaze, looking as if he at least felt bad about what he said.

“Next time, I suggest you keep your mouth shut and help out around here. Your frustration at the situation is understandable but your frustration with us, the ones trying to help you, is not. You have no idea what kind of cord your words can strike because you have absolutely no idea what we’ve been through as individuals. You’re not the only one that has suffered and or is currently suffering.” I said as I walked passed him into the tent that held his family members.

-Present Time-

I should really look for Seonghwa now...see how he’s doing. I knew the topic of his mother was a sensitive one. I set down the bucket of water I was carrying, wanting to go find him when I suddenly felt light headed. I shook my head to try and shake the feeling away but that only managed to make it worse, two of everything dancing around in my vision. I swung an arm out to find something to lean against, feeling like I was going to collapse any second but my hand only met air. What the hell is going on? I wasn’t feeling all that great for the past few hours but I didn’t pay any mind to it. I had attributed it to my exhaustion but I’ve been exhausted to the point of passing out before and it had never felt like this.

“Y/N?”

I heard my name being called from somewhere behind me, immediately recognizing the voice. My body turned to face him reflexively but the moment I did my legs gave out, my vision going completely black for a fraction of a second before coming back. I squeezed my eyes shut, starting to panic a bit when I felt something wet, cascaded down my cheeks and drip from my nose and the sides of my face. I began to fall forward but I didn’t meet the hard ground, feeling strong arms wrap around me, turning me over so I was facing the sky. I furrowed my brows and brought a hand up to the side of my face, dabbing my fingers on the spot just below my ear. I opened my eyes, but just barely, only enough to see what the liquid was that my fingertips came away with. Blood, all I saw on my fingertips was the daunting color of blood.

“Y/N...Y/N hey, look at me. You’re gonna be alright…” Seonghwa’s panicked voice reached my ears as he placed a hand on my forehead, “Shit, you’re burning up...”

He mumbled that last bit under his breath, probably hoping I wouldn’t be able to hear him but I heard him loud and clear. Wait...fatigue? Bleeding from the eyes, nose and ears? Burning up? Ah, fuck. I let out a soft breath through my nose as I realized what was going on, trying to push him away.

“Get away from me…” I let out in a voice barely above a whisper, trying to push him away again but he wouldn’t budge.

“What the hell are you saying?” He asked, sounding angry with me.

“You’ll get sick too…”

-Seonghwa’s P.O.V-

I ignored her words as I hooked an arm under her knees and lifted her up from the ground, securing my other arm around her shoulders. I rose to my feet, staggering for a moment before finding my footing. I glanced down at her when I suddenly felt her go limp in my hold. I knew she probably just lost consciousness but the way my heart fell to the pit of my stomach was an all too familiar feeling. Just as I was starting to panic I was snapped out of it when I heard Yunho shout out to me from somewhere to my left. I shook away all the negative thoughts that had started to creep into my head, ignoring Yunho and quickly headed over to the medical tent. We weren’t too far from it so it didn’t take long.

“I need some help over here!” I shouted, drawing the attention of everyone that was inside.

I caught a glimpse of Nikolai’s face among the faces that were inside the tent. I could hear everyone murmuring amongst themselves as I set Y/N down on an empty cot nearby. I had just set her down when their incessant murmuring finally got to me.

“Did nobody hear me!? I said I need some help! Quit standing around and get somebody in here that can help!” I shouted as I faced them, finally realizing that the only ones in here were members of the guards, the nurses and doctors out on their own runs for the day.

They stood in shock, not moving a single muscle and just as I was going to continue shouting at them Nikolai stepped forward, “Are you all deaf or something!? Bring a doctor in here, now!”

A few of them jumped at the sound of his booming voice but they got moving. As they all ran out of the tent I saw Yunho come inside but again I didn’t pay him any mind, my eyes on Nikolai as I watched him take a step forward. He reached out a hand to touch her but before he could I reached out and stopped him. I wrapped my fingers tightly around his wrist, squeezing harder then I needed to. He moved his gaze from Y/N to me the second I touched him, a look that could kill in his eyes as he looked at me.

“Don’t touch her.” I said, sounding more threatening than I had intended.

He raised a brow, turning to face me as he reached out to grab ahold of my collar, yanking his wrist out of my grip in the same moment, “Really? You’re going to play jealous boyfriend? Now of all times?” He asked, his voice low as he tried to remain calm but the facade was slowly slipping away.

I set my jaw, trying to keep myself calm, “You’ll get sick and I know for a fact that’s the last thing she’d want.” I spat through my teeth, pulling his hand off of me.

“You just carried her in-”

“Because I saw her when she collapsed! I wasn’t going to leave her there!” I shouted, cutting him off before he could continue with his ridiculous arguing.

“Get out…”

Just as we were going to go at it again her voice reached our ears. We froze at the words we heard come from her lips, my heart sinking to the pit of my stomach once more.

“Lucia...Yunho...get them out...of here…” She said, glancing past us to the two who had silently been standing by the entrance of the tent, “That’s an...order…”

I looked from those two back down to Y/N who gave me a reassuring smile. Ah...she wants us both away from her so we don’t get sick. I get it, I understand completely... but I don’t want to be away from her. Images of my mother on her deathbed flashed in my head, my body jerking away from Yunho’s touch reflexively. Nikolai was struggling with Lucia as she tried to escort him out the same way. The two of us pulled away and pushed at the two trying to take us away from her, both fighting to stay for the same reason.

“You’ll both face severe punishment if you keep trying to drag me out of here!” Nikolai shouted, the authority in his voice oozing out with every word.

Yunho and Lucia didn’t say a word, sharing a look before directing their gaze to Y/N who gave them a nod. Yunho gave up on me and grabbed one of Nikolai’s arms while Lucia grabbed the other. Nikolai would’ve been able to overpower one but their combined strength was too much for him as they dragged him out, kicking and screaming. I knew they’d send others in for me and I was right when two other members of the guard walked in.

“Change into...another shirt...and thoroughly disinfect...your hands…” Y/N managed to get out when they other reached me.

I shoved their hands off of me but they were quick to restrain my arms behind my back with zip ties. I struggled against them even with my hands tied behind my back, refusing to leave.

“No no no no, you—you can’t keep me away from her. Y/N! Y/N, please, tell them to let me stay! I promise I won’t go near you or touch you, just, please don’t force me to leave you!” I shouted, my voice breaking as my eyes blurred with tears.

She didn’t utter a word as they continued to drag me out, anger replacing my desperation. I continued to fight until they forced me to sit on the floor next to Nikolai who seemed a lot calmer than when they forced him out of the tent, or that’s what I thought. Nikolai had his hands tied behind his back much like how mine were, the zip ties digging into our wrists. I took one look at his face, the look on his face was as frightening as a lion staring down it’s prey. If looks could kill we’d all be dead ten times over. I imagine the look in my eyes matched his own.

“So are we just gonna sit here and do nothing?” He asked, not even bothering to look at me, looking forward.

“You’re dumber than you look if you really think I’d sit here and do nothing.” I replied as I stared forward, a menacing glint in my eyes.

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