chapter one                    
✧✦The Shattered One✦✧

Early morning in the city was a bustle of activity, people weaving in and out of the press of the crowd to get to work or the market. The mood in the air was subdued, the affects of a lingering rain that hadn't let up in days. Tightly packed umbrellas created a canopy over the sidewalks, keeping the pedestrians dry and arms length apart.

At a particular street, a lime green umbrella covered in flowers turned out of the crowd and began the trek down the quiet alley alone. It was a weekly habit for the pedestrian, picking his way through the alley to a rundown building in the middle of nowhere.

The umbrella folded as the man holding it started up the steps to the door. Closed umbrella in one hand and a wrapped bundle in the other, he rang the doorbell and waited under the entrance way that provided a bit of cover from the downpour.

The ring of the doorbell inside had completely faded before the door unlocked. It opened just enough for someone to look out, a chain blocking the door from opening completely. "Oh, hey. Didn't think you'd be here with this mess."

The door closed before reopening a moment later, the chain removed. The man standing inside stepped out of the way for his visitor.  "Looks like someone up there is trying to drown us."

"I wouldn't miss our Monday's together," the visitor replied, stepping in and setting his umbrella next to the door. "Not even if there's a typhoon. Have you eaten yet?"

"Nah, was working." Closing the door and locking it again, the man absently tried to fix messy red hair before brightening at the bundle the visitor was holding. "The other batch is still alive. I think."

"Well there's a first for everything I guess," the visitor chuckled, shrugging off his coat and hanging it up. "Put these in some water then and I'll get your breakfast ready," he said, handing the bundle to the red head. "Or would this be dinner? Have you even slept recently JungMin?"

"If I said yes would you stop nagging me?" JungMin pouted, happily taking the bundle off of him and carrying it farther into the small house. "I was busy."

"There isn't anything so important that you can't take time to sleep," the other man chided, following JungMin towards the back of the house. "What were you doing?"

"I told you, work stuff." JungMin pulled out a tall glass and filled it with water, unwrapping the bundle. It was a batch of beautiful flower clippings, which he carefully arranged in the glass.  "These are new."

"They're snap dragons, I thought you would like them," the visitor said, going through the bare cabinets in the kitchen. "Remind me to bring you some groceries the next time, you're out of food."

"I am?" JungMin looked over his shoulder at what the older man was doing. "I'll go to the store later. Whenever it stops raining." He finished fixing the snap dragons and went to put them on the table, picking up the glass of flowers already there and holding it up. "See Kyu? Still alive."

"I'm surprised since there's so little sun in here," the other replied, shaking his head. "And going to get instant noodles at the corner store does not count as food."

"How about dried squid?" JungMin placed the glass back down. "I'm fine KyuJong."

"Are you?" KyuJong said, looking over at JungMin with a small frown. "When's the last time you actually went out?"

"Some time ago," JungMin waved one hand dismissively, walking over to one of the few windows in the building and looking out at the pouring rain. "Looks like you got here just in time, it's really coming in buckets now."

KyuJong sighed a little to himself, letting the matter drop. "It's been raining like this for days, you'd think it was the great flood again. Makes me worry for those who don't have a home to go to."

"You're a bleeding heart, Kyu. At least they have shelters set up. Not having any problems at the shop?" JungMin asked.

"No, no problems," KyuJong shook his head. After rifling through the fridge he had come up with some leftover noodles to reheat. "No one really wants to buy flowers when it's pouring outside, but I'm getting by." Frowning down at the container of noodles, he sighed heavily and looked towards JungMin. "I think someone's in trouble."

"Someone?" JungMin raised an eyebrow, looking back at KyuJong. "One of the others?"

"No, at least I don't think so," KyuJong said, setting down the container and pulling out a pan. "I've been having this feeling the past few days, like someone is trying to find me. It's not like anything I've ever felt before."

JungMin walked back to where KyuJong was, leaning against the counter. "Maybe someone just wants to buy some flowers. Why do you think there's trouble?"

"I don't really know how to explain it, but it just feels like they're in trouble," KyuJong said, shaking his head. "Whoever or whatever it is, they're afraid. I've been trying to ignore it, but the feeling is getting so strong lately."

"You gave that up though," JungMin murmured, watching the older man. "Should let someone else handle it. There's enough others running around out there."

"What if someone else can't?" KyuJong said, glancing over at JungMin. "What if they need me? Am I just supposed to turn my back because I retired?"

"I'm not going to tell you what to do," JungMin shrugged, pushing away from the counter and getting them both glasses of water.  "But there are plenty who haven't retired, there will be someone else who can deal with it. That's not our mess anymore."

"I know, but knowing that doesn't make the feeling go away," KyuJong said, dumping the noodles into the pan. "Maybe I can track one of the others down and let them know about it. Does KyuHyun come around here any more?"

"No," JungMin snorted. "Why would he? We 'betrayed' him, remember?" He downed the glass of water. "Doesn't sunshine still talk to you, have her pass it along or something, she was good with that stuff."

"Last time I talked to her she said she was done with it all as well," KyuJong said. "We're supposed to stay out of her life and I've been respecting that. Same with the princess. I don't even know how to contact anyone anymore."

"Not much we can do then," the redhead shrugged. "Don't talk to anyone but you, so don't ask me." He dropped into a seat.

KyuJong was quiet after that until he had finished heating up the noodles. "Just because we've retired doesn't mean that we stop being who we were," he said when he set down the plate of noodles in front of JungMin. "You don't miss it at all?" he asked, taking a seat across the table from him.

"No," JungMin's reply was a little abrupt. "Can we talk about something else?" He mumbled a thanks for the noodles, picking up chopsticks.

"Min..." KyuJong started, his eyes sad but he knew not to press it any further and dropped the subject. He didn't fault JungMin for not wanting to talk about it, but he hoped someday they would be able to. If nothing more than to get JungMin out of his house and back into the world. "Well, I should get going home. What kind of flowers do you want next week?"

"I don't know. Something bright. Not pink again," JungMin wrinkled his nose a little. "Maybe I can get these ones to last until you come back," he looked at the snap dragons. "They're nice."

"Maybe," KyuJong smiled a little. "You keep that up though and I'll be graduating you up to potted plants that you'd actually have to take care of."

"Oh no," JungMin pouted. "You know I'd forget them. Especially if I had to water them every day." He stood to show KyuJong out. "Sure you don't want to stay longer?"

"No, I have to get home," KyuJong said, getting up as well. "I'll stay longer next week though, I promise. You know you can always come see me if you want to spend time with me, or call me if you're lonely."

"I know," JungMin replied, lips quirking slightly. "Thanks for stopping by. Be careful out there, it looks like it's getting nastier."

"I'll be fine, thank you for the concern," KyuJong chuckled, picking up his umbrella at the door. "Get some sleep okay? I'll see you next week."

JungMin unlocked the door to let him out, peering at the torrent of rain outside. "Yeah, next week." He pulled KyuJong into a one-armed hug before letting him go. "And no potted plants!"

"Hey, it would be good company at least," KyuJong said, opening up his umbrella and stepping out onto the stoop. "Maybe we should get you a dog. Couldn't forget about a dog."

"If I can't take care of plant cuttings, I don't want to see what'll happen to an animal," JungMin rolled his eyes. "Night Kyu." He closed the door, locking it and sighing loudly as he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes.

"Night Min," KyuJong said to the closed door, watching for a moment before starting down the stairs and back onto the street. Despite what JungMin had said, and what his own mind was telling him, he couldn't shake the strange feeling he'd been having, and it was getting harder to ignore by the day. His walk home was lost in thought, and by the time he'd reached his flower shop he'd made the decision to contact someone, even if he wasn't sure how to go about it.

It was well past the beginning of the work day (closer to noon actually), when the elevator for the building opened with a low ding. Those with cubicles closest to the main hall looked up before groaning to themselves and hunching over, trying to avoid notice.

Thankfully, the person who'd just stepped off the elevator didn't even glance their way, making his way through the rows of cubicles leisurely like he had every right to be there. Never mind he was clearly not a worker, dressed the way he was and casually swinging a pink bag back and forth.

Stopping at a cubicle near the end of the row, he stepped up behind the man working there. Peering over his shoulder, the new arrival leaned over and blew on the back of the worker's ear.

The worker jumped, nearly toppling over in his chair at the sudden fright. "What the hell!" he hissed, glancing sharply over his shoulder. "Oh... it's you," he grumbled, scooting his chair forward and returning to his desk. "Boss isn't here, go away."

"I know," hummed the other man, straightening and lounging against the edge of the cubicle rather than do as directed. "I'm his spy, making sure you're doing your work," he smirked. "Though of course if you're not, I could be convinced to keep hushed if the offer's good."

"I'd rather get fired," the worker grumbled, doing his best to ignore the intrusion. "It must seem weird to you, someone doing their work and not being on their knees."

"So unimaginative, there are plenty of other ways to work," the intruder didn't even bother keeping his voice down. He leaned over to peer curiously at the computer screen. "I can show you sometime."

"Don't you have a desk to go be under somewhere? You're distracting me," the worker huffed.

"SungMin, what have I told you about bothering my employees?" A new voice made the worker glance over his shoulder before looking away again.

"Looks like you're in trouble, better run along," the worker mused, glancing at SungMin with a smirk.

"The offer still stands," SungMin winked at him before straightening, making his way down the rows of cubicles to the front of the office again. "Who's bothering? I'm having a nice conversation," he said, the picture of innocence.

"Nice and KyuHyun shouldn't be allowed in the same sentence," the man waiting down the row of cubicles said, arms crossed. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought we were meeting at home for lunch."

"I was passing by and decided to see how my boss-man was doing," SungMin beamed, wrapping his arms around the man's waist when he reached him, completely ignoring the workers now.

"Busy," the man grunted, looking down at SungMin. "I told you it's a bad time to just drop by when you felt like it. Come on, I'll take you home where we can discuss that more in depth."

"In depth? I like the sound of that," SungMin grinned.  "Admit it, things would be so boring without me around."

"Boring is not the word I would use," the man said, putting his hand at the back of SungMin's neck and leading him towards the elevators. "Quiet, orderly, less frustrating maybe. But not boring."

"Only boring people want quiet days." SungMin waved cheerfully towards the office at large as they stepped onto the elevator.  "How long is this scolding going to be?" he hummed, leaning against the taller man's chest. "I might need a couple tries to get this strange new rule into my head."

When the doors closed and the lift started moving, the man pressed SungMin up against the wall of the elevator roughly. "As long as it takes for you to understand that when I make a rule, I expect you to follow it," he hissed into SungMin's ear.

SungMin's lips curled into a smirk. "But Hyun, you're much more fun like this," he breathed, giving a token attempt to squirm out of the hold without actually going anywhere. "Why should your rule be worth my time?"

"Because this rule is about keeping my workers working and not being distracted," HyunJoong said, nipping at SungMin's ear. "Keeping them working means I make money which then means I can buy your designer outfits and all the other things you like so much."

"Hmm, fair enough," SungMin bit his lower lip at the teeth against his ear. "Can I at least have that one? He's so much fun to bother," he said mischievously.

"If you promise not to bother any of my other employees, then you can bother KyuHyun," HyunJoong said, pulling back slightly to let SungMin go, but not enough that he could move away from the wall. "And stop trying to sleep with him, that annoys me."

"He'll never say yes," SungMin snorted, grinning widely as he looked up at HyunJoong. "Jealous?" He almost purred, smoothing a hand down HyunJoong's chest.

"No, I just don't like anyone else touching my things," HyunJoong said, narrowing his eyes slightly. "And I also don't like you making passes at people, makes me wonder if I'm just being used. Understood?"

"Yes sir," SungMin hummed, leaning up to press his lips against HyunJoong's jaw.  "Why would I want anyone else when I have my boss-man?"

HyunJoong pulled back, taking SungMin by the chin and staring down at him. "That's a very good question," he said, the corner of his lip curling slightly. "One that I don't want to think about, so be good."

SungMin chuckled, fingers playing with other man's collar. "I don't think you started dating me because I was good, Hyun. But I'll ease up on teasing Kyunnie. I can't help it if you're hot when you're being possessive."

"I'm sure you can find other ways to torment him," HyunJoong said, taking a step back when the elevator door opened at the ground floor. "I just don't want any complaints from any of my other employees about it."

"Oh fine," SungMin pouted, picking up his bag; he'd dropped it when he was shoved against the wall. "No complaints and no advances, you took away all the fun stuff." He stepped out of the elevator, walking to the exit.

Hooking his arm around SungMin's neck, HyunJoong pulled him in close. "I thought I was the fun stuff here?" he said lowly.

SungMin staggered slightly, holding onto the other man's arm to avoid falling over. "That would depend," he sniffed. "Can you take the afternoon off?"

"I'm a very busy man, SungMin," HyunJoong said sternly, though he couldn't help the small quirk of his lips. "I'll see if I can fit it into my schedule."

"Is there anything I can do to help sway your mind?" SungMin asked sweetly, batting his eyes at HyunJoong.

"Let's just see how the ride home goes," HyunJoong said. Out on the street, his car had already been brought around and his driver was waiting with the door open. "You will have some convincing to do before we get home."

"Plenty of time," SungMin hummed, following HyunJoong to the car.
 

It seemed like the rain was never going to let up, or that it couldn't rain any harder; yet it was. The green and flowered umbrella had a bent spoke, but KyuJong clung tightly to it as he rushed down the alleyway. It had only been a couple of days since he had been to JungMin's, and he knew the younger man would be confused but this was important.

Hurrying up the steps, KyuJong didn't even bother with ringing the doorbell, pounding on JungMin's door. "Min!"

The door unlocked with a click a moment later, JungMin opening it slightly to peer out past the chain. "What the...Kyu?" He closed the door, removed the chain and opened it again. "Why are you breaking down my door? ...Who is that?"

"I'll explain in a minute, can you let us in please?" KyuJong asked, glancing over his shoulder at the bundled up figure who had followed him and back to JungMin. "Please."

JungMin eyed KyuJong in confusion before stepping aside to let them in. "Okay, explain," he said once the door was closed and locked behind them, arms folded across his chest.

"Remember how I said that I felt like someone was looking for me? Well, someone was, and I found him... or I think we found each other," KyuJong chattered, folding up his umbrella as best he could. The bundled up figure to the side peeked out from under the sweater and coat hoods he was wearing, large black eyes blinking repeatedly at JungMin.

"The shattered one," a soft whispered voice said from underneath the layers.

"...That's what he said, he kept repeating to me to take him to 'the shattered one'," KyuJong said, ping his coat. "I... sort of assumed it was you."

Expression freezing on his face, JungMin stepped back. "...No. I want him out of my house KyuJong,"  he snapped, pointing at the stranger. "Why did you bring him here? He knows I— I'm done with all that, you can't drag me back into that mess, we talked about this how many ing times!"

"I know!" KyuJong said, holding up his hands in defense. "I wouldn't have brought him if I didn't think it was important... Min he's a precog. He said that a lot of people were going to die and that we have to stop them."

"Then take him to one of the others! Go find KyuHyun!" JungMin turned away and stepped farther into the house, pushing long hair that desperately needed a cut out of his face.

KyuJong sighed a little to himself, knowing this wasn't going to be easy. Before he could make a move to follow though, the man he brought with him was following JungMin. "I don't think that's..." KyuJong started to say, reaching out to hold the man back.

"ShatterWave." The man called out, pushing the hoods off of his head. Long black matted hair framed his pale and drawn face. "Help me."
 

And it begins~~

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