Work Text
The Miami air is hot and humid. It’s thick and almost too hard to breathe while standing still, nevermind walking or doing any kind of physical activities. Jeongguk feels like he’s suffocating in his slacks and dress shirt, the materials sticking to his thighs and back uncomfortably. He regrets dressing so formally but he needs to make a good first impression and sacrificing his personal comfort seemed like the least he could do. He has forgotten exactly how unbearable Miami is during this time of the year, his only memory of the city from his early childhood when his mother would pack his suitcase and send him on a small vacation to his aunt that would last from a weekend to a month. Being back is strange and foreign and if he could, Jeongguk would grab his still unpacked bags and head back home to San Francisco to bask in its bearable temperatures and much cooler air. Five years of training, long and sleepless nights and countless missions are the only things keeping him rooted on the spot. That, and the determination coursing through his veins that makes him want to finish a job none of his superiors have managed to. Running a hand through his slightly sweaty black hair, Jeongguk looks up at the clear blue skies and wonders if he’ll come out of this alive or if he’ll end up just like everyone else that came before him-- dead and disposed of in the desert, body so badly mangled it would take a team of professionals to be able to identify him. The place is quiet, unlike his swirling and loud thoughts, and it manages to ease Jeongguk a little. It’s nice, the location out in the open yet completely secured with cameras, sensor detectors, and around-the-clock armed guards that make sneaking in impossible without anyone knowing and allowing it to happen. The drive up here was long and exhausting, the only form of a road being a rocky, uphill path that Jeongguk’s rental car almost didn’t make. It’s smart, the location clever. According to Namjoon, the only possible way to find the person Jeongguk’s going to meet is if he actually wants to be found, which proved to be true after it took Jeongguk an embarrassing amount of time to reach the top, his journey plagued by wrong turns and driving in circles. To say that he was a little flustered when he finally arrived, gave his name to the guard at the gate and told him he was being expected, would be an understatement. Anxiety threatens to wrap around Jeongguk’s racing heart as he looks at the mansion in front of him, his back pressed against his car that’s parked next to a white Maserati and a black Lamborghini. His eyes flicker back to the golden gates that had closed as soon as his car was inside what can only be described as a massive wall that’s at least twenty feet, thinking that whatever happens to him now, no one will know of it. Jeongguk takes a deep breath in preparation and eases his face into a neutral expression. He steps away from his car, stomach clenching in anticipation and nerves, and heads towards the front door of the mansion. It’s a little hard to look away from the rest of the building that looks every bit like the home of a multi-billionaire that it actually is. Everything about it screams wealth and power-- from the golden details on the fountains on each side of the driveway to the massive sculptures of two roaring lions perched by the staircase leading up to the front door. It’s beautiful, truly, but it makes Jeongguk sick looking at it, knowing where all this wealth came from. He scurries up the stairs and towards the guard who is already waiting for him, his shoulders broad and filling his black suit and his eyes hidden by a pair of sunglasses. There’s an easily recognizable shape of a gun under his suit-jacket that makes Jeongguk’s jaw clench but he remains silent as he’s thoroughly searched and patted down, scanned with a metal detector to ensure he isn’t carrying any weapons. When no weapons are found, he’s finally lead inside. Sweating and deciding that it’s too hot to care about looking presentable, Jeongguk unbuttons the first few buttons of his shirt. He can still make a good first impression even if he doesn’t look, as Namjoon put it and insisted on Jeongguk following rather aggressively, proper. Clothes are clothes and it doesn’t really matter what he’s wearing as long as he can prove that he’s the right man for the job. The guard who searched him at the door leads him towards the back of the mansion through a series of corridors, turning left and right and then left again. He’s probably aiming to disorientate Jeongguk, confuse him about where the exit is but he doesn’t know that’s impossible. Jeongguk’s memory has become next to perfect ever since his training began. They finally reach the garden which stretches out beyond what Jeongguk’s eyes can see. It’s green and breathtaking, calming and almost comforting. There’s a pool right in the middle of it, a massive, olympic-sized one that has sunlight making its surface sparkle and look like a pool filled with gold and diamonds instead of water. Jeongguk sucks in a breath, eyes taking in the sight front of him. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” a voice behind him says, making Jeongguk’s back stiffen as he slowly turns around to face the very person he’s here for. Seeing his face in person instead of photographs and videos is almost haunting but Jeongguk gives none of his emotions away, his face emotionless. Yunho Jung looks every bit like the dangerous person he is, even when he’s smiling at Jeongguk like he’s seeing an old friend. He still looks every bit like the human-trafficking scum that he is. Except now, in person, Jeongguk sees undertones of a filthy-rich narcissist who is showing off his impressive wealth to someone who could never even possess a lick of what he does. Even with a smile that looks genuinely kind, Jeongguk isn’t fooled for even a second. He knows first hand how deceiving looks can be. “Gorgeous,” Jeongguk corrects with a nod of his head and a subtle smile of his lips. “I’m Jaejoong Kim. It’s a pleasure and an honor to finally meet you.” Yunho chuckles heartily and it somehow eases the stiffness of Jeongguk’s shoulders and the nervousness bubbling in the bit of his stomach. He’s been mulling over this very moment for weeks, stressing over every single detail and wondering if he’ll get discovered before he even manages to meet his target. Seeing Yunho and how carefree he looks puts Jeongguk’s nerves at ease because everything is going according to plan. “You’re not from around here, are you?” asks Yunho, looking at Jeongguk with knowing eyes. Remaining calm at Yunho’s words, which clearly tell Jeongguk the man knows everything about him from the moment he was born, he laughs. “No, but I’m getting used to it,” he shrugs. “It’s better than jail. I’d rather boil to death than rot,” his words make Yunho bark out a loud laugh, giving Jeongguk the confidence he needs to continue. “A friend of mine mentioned you might be looking for help and that you’re someone I’d be lucky to work for.” “That, I am,” Yunho agrees, looking up and down Jeongguk’s body now that it stands taller, shoulders squared. His eyes are calculating. “Hakyeon assured me you’re an asset I’d appreciate having around. He also mentioned some of the reasons you’ve decided to leave your home and move here. I can’t say I’m not impressed,” he grins at Jeongguk who mirrors his look. Yunho tilts his head to the side, motioning for Jeongguk to follow him down a small path made of marble that leads to the pool. Jeongguk follows obediently, a small part of him impressed at the waves of authority that wash from Yunho at the simple gesture. His aura is powerful and it makes the smile he’d welcomed Jeongguk with look fake and almost mocking. He looks too calm, too collected, something only someone as powerful as Yunho can be. “This can be a good new start for you, Jaejoong,” says Yunho, looking over his shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll fit right in. Taehyung will help with that. He’s good at making people feel comfortable,” there’s a note of sarcasm there, along with a hint of amusement. As they near the far end of the pool, Jeongguk’s eyes are drawn towards someone on one of the lounge chairs. Someone, who looks so beautiful under the sun it knocks the air right out of Jeongguk’s lungs despite the countless pictures he’s already seen of the man. His skin is beautifully sun-kissed, lips full and legs long, hair light, swept back and still wet from the swim he must have had before Jeongguk arrived. No picture does him any justice, especially not when he’s looking so relaxed, body half naked with his shorts riding low on his hips. Jeongguk can’t help but to let his eyes subtle wander over defined muscles and glistening skin, thinking how, if there is a human on this planet that can be described as visually perfect, this man before his eyes would be that human. “Tae, baby, come,” calls Yunho, fingers motioning for the man to come. He stands up without any hesitation and walks towards them, hips swaying almost hypnotizingly. Jeongguk tries not to stare, he truly does, but it’s impossible when the man looks like a vision and every part of the trophy lover that he is. As he nears, Jeongguk’s eyes are drawn to his sharp jawline and dark eyes, to his lips that look even fuller and poutier up close, especially with how they’re slightly downturned. Taehyung walks like he owns the world, steps slow and confident, his aura demanding all eyes be on him. It’s mesmerizing watching him do something as simple and mundane as walking but the way his leg muscles shift subtle with every step he takes, thighs strong under his shorts, it’s impossible to look away from them. When he’s standing in front of Yunho, Taehyung looks unimpressed and slightly bored, his body language that of complete relaxation. He looks almost sleepy, his eyes half-lidded and blinking slowly, which can only be possible for someone who knows they are completely safe despite the life they’re leading. Taehyung should feel safe, Jeongguk thinks, because having Yunho as his lover takes away most of his worries. Yunho protects everything that is his. Looking at Taehyung, Jeongguk feels a small and gentle tug at his chest. Something stirs at the back of his head, oddly familiar and almost nostalgic, but he can’t pinpoint what it is, not even when his eyes meet Taehyung’s for the briefest of moments and something akin to a spark shoots through his body. Yunho hums low in his throat when Taehyung is within reach and wraps an arm around his waist, pulling him close, their chests touching. Jeongguk watches as he kisses Taehyung open-mouthed and Taehyung shudders, deepening the kiss. His back arches and his eyes close when a hand makes its way into his thick blond hair. Yunho’s fingers dig into the skin of his waist for a second before slowly moving down towards the waistband of his shorts, fingers sliding under the material. Jeongguk wants to look away but finds that he can’t. His mouth feels dry, ears ringing with the sounds of kissing and breathy sighs. He watches as Yunho pulls Taehyung even closer to his body, more possessively, the hand in his hair moving to his jaw before loosely wrapping around his throat. It takes Jeongguk a second longer to realize what he’s seeing and that this isn’t a simple kiss between two lovers but a cruel act of possession. Yunho is showing him that Taehyung belongs to him and Jeongguk can watch but he can’t touch. He can never touch. By the time Yunho pulls away, Taehyung is gasping, his cheeks just as red as his kiss-swollen lips. He doesn’t try to hide the slow movement of his hips against Yunho’s, his movement a little desperate, his hands holding onto his lover who looks smug, the smile he was wearing replaced by a smirk. “Baby, meet Jaejoong,” Yunho finally says, sounding unaffected as he pulls away from Taehyung and turns to look at Jeongguk, eyes holding amusement. “He’s going to be your bodyguard and personal driver for the foreseeable future.” Taehyung, who had started to mouth at Yunho’s jaw as soon as they parted from their kiss, pulls back as if burned. He takes a quick step back, frowning, looking confused and angry. “I thought I told you I don’t need a fucking babysitter to follow me everywhere I go,” his voice is much deeper than Jeongguk expected it to be but it sounds calm and collected. Yunho sighs, trying to pull Taehyung back in his arms. “We agreed that he’s not going to be your babysitter. You need this, Tae, and I’m not going to let you wander on your own when someone’s trying to kill you.” “I’m more than capable of taking care of myself and you know it,” Taehyung says. “No one’s killed me yet, have they? I’m fine, aren’t I?” his body is now trembling with anger but he still speaks heavenly, his voice never raising and never losing its control. Jeongguk is impressed because this is something that took him months, almost years, to master. Out of seemingly nowhere, completely startling Jeongguk, Yunho grunts and reaches towards Taehyung faster than any of them can blink. He grabs a handful of Taehyung’s hair and tugs back, baring his throat where his other hand finds its home, fingers digging into the sides, cutting the blood-flow to Taehyung’s brain. Taehyung gasps soundlessly, hands wrapping around Yunho’s forearms but he doesn’t try to get away from his grasp but simply hold on. It doesn’t look like this is happening for the first time, Taehyung’s movements calm despite the hands in his hair and around his throat. The sight makes something unfamiliar in Jeongguk’s stomach stir unpleasantly. “You’re fine right now,” Yunho hisses. “You got lucky last time, walking out of that building without a single scratch on you. Next time you won’t be so lucky and I’m not going to risk it, Taehyung,” his voice is low and sharp and Jeongguk finally sees the man he’s been studying for months. “Swallow your fucking pride because I’m not risking someone shooting you between your eyes,” he spits. “Stop acting like a bitch and be grateful I’m trying to keep you alive instead of throwing you out on the streets.” Taehyung doesn’t say anything but he glares at Yunho, surprising Jeongguk who thought that, given his current position, he’d agree at the command without a second thought. His glare is quick to melt when he fingers around his throat tighten and his head is jerked further back by the hand in his hair. “I said ,” Yunho hisses again. “Stop acting like a bitch and let Jaejoong protect you. You can still go roaming the streets like you love doing except now you’ll be safe while doing so. Be a good boy, yeah?” his voice tilts at the end, his features shifting into the look he’d given Jeongguk when he first met him by the entrance of the garden-- calm and almost sweet. It’s almost like he’s talking to a child except there’s an undertone of a promise for a punishment if Taehyung disobeys again. Jeongguk’s stomach clenches at the sight in front of him, eyes taking in how calm Yunho looks. He almost misses the look of defiance on Taehyung’s face, jaw clenching and eyebrows furrowing. It makes him worry because his face is growing redder, the lack of oxygen to his brain making the veins on his forehead stand out. The two lovers seem to be communicating with looks alone because a second later Yunho is letting go of Taehyung who gasps, body sagging. Yunho coos, holding onto him as he slowly massages his neck and runs a hand through his hair, petting it gently. Taehyung takes big mouthfuls of air, body trembling slightly, feet unsteady, but Jeongguk’s eyes are drawn to the bruises that are already forming on his neck. “Baby,” Yunho murmurs, voice soft against the shell of Taehyung’s ear. “I worry for you. I just want you to be safe, okay? I promise I’ll make sure you’re safe again very soon so that you’ll be free to go wherever you want,” he speaks lovingly, fingers gentle when they touch Taehyung. It surprises Jeongguk because he didn’t think Yunho was capable of such gentleness and love . Taehyung nods slowly, leaning into Yunho’s touch, humming contently. It seems to please Yunho because he smiles, satisfied, and lets go of him. He turns to look at Jeongguk instead, smile turning into a smirk as he walks towards him, shoulders pulled back as if he hadn’t just choked his lover to near death. “I’m impressed,” he tells Jeongguk, lips parting as if to say something more but then he’s suddenly moving, body so fast Jeongguk almost misses the punch that’s coming for his face. He dodges it, instincts and training kicking in, and sidesteps Yunho who suddenly has a gun in his hand and is pointing it at him. Jeongguk’s blood runs cold and without thinking, his body twists, hands reaching towards the gun, satisfied when his fingers wrap around it and pull it out of Yunho’s hold. Yunho laughs, amused, and Jeongguk hands him back the gun, movements unsure and hesitant because he can easily be shot within a second of handing the weapon back. The gun is taken from his hand and put back in the holster around Yunho’s waist, under his shirt. “ Now I’m impressed,” he grins. “You’re fast and capable, I can already tell. I think you’ll keep up with my Tae just fine,” he looks too cheerful, unlike Jeongguk whose heart is still beating wildly in his chest at the thought of himself bleeding out on this very ground, a bullet hole between his eyes. No one would know until his body eventually resurfaced days, maybe weeks, later. “Welcome aboard, Jaejoong.” Jeongguk lets out a shaky breath when Yunho steps around him and walks away, suddenly doubting everything he’s learned during his training. His body feels cold despite the stifling heat. The sweat running down his back isn’t from the heat anymore-- it’s from the fact that Jeongguk doesn’t doubt for even a second that Yunho would have shot him if he hadn’t disarmed him in time. Yunho doesn’t need someone who’s too slow to protect even himself. He needs someone strong, fast, and capable. Jeongguk just proved he’s all that. Finally feeling like he’s under control of his emotions, Jeongguk looks towards Taehyung. Their eyes meet because he was already looking at Jeongguk, his lips downturned and his eyes blazing.