Requested by DeSpAciTo_uwu

Zack POV

Well, apparently our next caper is in South Korea.

Crap.

Don't get me wrong, it's a great country and all, but... I don't wanna risk bumping into her again. Or maybe I do.

Let me just repeat myself. Crap.

"Zack, are your bags packed yet?" Ivy called from the main room, a hint of annoyance making its way into her heavily accented voice.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, stuffing my feet into my shoes. "Hold on for just one sec, will ya, Sis?" I continued to grumble as I grabbed the handle of my suitcase, shuffling half-heartedly out of my room.

Carmen, Ivy, and Shadowsan were all standing by the door, and the ninja was looking ready to tear it apart. I gulped, wondering I he'd had enough sleep last night, or if I should fear for my life. Trying for a grin, I grabbed my keys off of the coffee table and clinked them around jauntily in my hand.

"What are we waiting for?" I asked.

Carmen gave a small smile, dark circles shadowing her striking eyes as she joked, "Our driver, actually. But don't worry." She motioned to all of us, tugging up the sleeves of her red hoodie as she opened the door. "You're here now, and Shadowsan is not going to kill a random pedestrian, right?"

Ah. She must've noticed his piece of bull mood, too. Glad to know I wasn't the only one with a sensei reader.

Ivy frowned slightly, then pulled her suitcase after Carmen. I waited for Shadowsan to exit as well before I closed the door behind me, double checking to make sure I had locked it. Patting the sturdy wood affectionately, I hefted my bag and helped load the rest of the luggage into my red car.

Sometimes I still couldn't believe that Carm had straight up bought it for me, and I tried to remember to thank her whenever I could. "Thanks, Boss," I murmured to her as I slid into driver's seat. "She's almost like a second Lydia."

Ivy huffed from the back, strapping her seatbelt on as I did the same. "She's a work of art, sure, but Lydia was my work of art."

"Of course, Sis. Would never think differently."

I catch the look of guilt on Carmen's face, but it's gone a half second before I can guess what caused it. "You good?" I ask her, pulling away from the warehouse and hopping onto the main road a short time later.

My friend just nods, taking the band out of her hair and running a tired hand through the long auburn waves.

Trying my best not to frown, I decide to quiz her on the county of our newest caper. "So, Carm, feelin' for a little trivia?"

Ivy groans, but the thief sitting in passenger finally lets her lips curl up into a smile. "You know it, Zack."

I laugh quietly, trying to think of what to ask. I already knew a lot about South Korea, that's where Y- I mean, she was from. "Ok," I start. "Capital city?"

"Seoul," Carmen replied immediately. "As of 2019, it's population was-"

"About 9,962,000," I cut in happily. "The city is 233.7 square miles, covering 12% of the country's overall land mass. South Korea itself takes up 45% of the peninsula that it shares with North Korea, and it touches the waters of the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea, and the Sea of Japan."

Carmen stared at me for a second before bursting into laughter, hunching over in her seat. "Zackary, I love you," she gasped, attempting to calm herself. "That was amazing! Never thought I'd see the day."

I let my jaw drop in mock offense, and I turned to see my sister's doing the same.

Carm continued to laugh, though it subsided into low chuckling as we drove to the airport. "But like seriously, Zack. That was-wow." She sucked in a deep breath, the settled back into her seat. "Should I quiz you?"

I felt my face heat at the thought. "N-no thanks, Boss. I'll let you and Player update us the rest of the way."

"Oh, come on, Zack," she pouted her lips and gave me puppy eyes. "Just one more info drop, please? That was so cool!"

I felt myself sighing in defeat, then smiled. "Sure. Whatchya wanna know?"

Player's voice chirped from Carmen's hoodie pocket, and she pulled her phone out. "How about imports and exports, Zack?"

I searched my memory for anything I might've looked up or been told by- you know. Her. "Well, if I remember correctly, South Korea's top two imports are crude petroleum and integrated circuits, and its top two export destinations are China and the U.S, earning a combined total of 218.4 billion dollars for the country. That plus Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Japan, of course, as its top five."

Carmen had to bite back another laugh, and I was astonished to hear both Ivy and Shadowsan doing the same. "What?" I demanded, barley resisting the urge to throw my hands into the air. Instead, I gripped the wheel harder. "What is so wicked funny to all of you? C'mon, tell me!"

Player answered, sounding amused himself. "Just proud of you, is all, Zack. You're usually not the one to give any of the information for our capers."

I forced another smile. "Uh... yeah."

The thief continued to smirk to herself, muttering all the way to the airport about 'raising the kids right'.

I rolled my eyes at this, but managed to keep my spirits in high places.

Reader POV

You're being chased by a shadow. It's dark in the city of Seoul tonight, and fear swallows you as you continue to run. Your breaths heave in your chest, the hazy imprint of Kyong fading in and out as he, too, bolts away from the person after you. He was your brother, your closest friend, and the inspiration for your music. He seems to notice that you're slowing, because he stops and and makes his way back to you.

"Hurry, Y/N!" he hissed, taking your hand as his dark eyes flash fearfully. "They are close. We need to be fast."

Tears blur your vision as he pulls you forward, and you don't resist-though you want to. "Mae," you whisper, your legs wobbling. Your tongue suddenly chokes your throat, and dizziness washes over you. "They got Mae, Ky. They got her and Jin and-"

He stops you, scooping you up into his arms as you collapse. "I know, Y/N, and I'm sorry. But I don't think they'll kill them. Mae and the others should be..." Your brother stays silent for a bit, holding your thin frame to his strong chest. "I am sorry, sister." His deep voice drips with sadness. He had been in love with Mae long before your group of five had become famous, and your soul rips a bit at the fact that he had opted to help you escape, instead of her.

If should've been you that he left behind. There hadn't been time to go back for the others.

Mae's soft cry of pain is echoing in your ears, and you have to push against the memories of your four friends being attacked by dark, imposing figures. One of whom was still chasing after you. You didn't know why they had or how they'd managed to get past their security, only that most of them had been speaking English. You understood most of what they were saying, until two began speaking in two completely different languages.

Not that you could remember much else.

Kyong eventually stops running, his entire body rattling as he gasps for breath. "I think... that we lost... them," he whispers hoarsely, setting you down on the cold ground. They had entered a pitch black alleyway of sorts, and Kyong grabbed what sounded like a stack of boxes. "Sshhh," he muttered, pushing you to a corner and covering the two of you with the boxes. "We should be safe here, Y/N. Just be quiet, okay? Everything's gonna be fine." He hugs you to him, and you feel the last dam of control break.

You cry softly into your brother's arms until a fitful sleep manages to claim you, the faces of your girls burned into your eyelids.

Ok guys, please please PLEASE tell me if there's anything in here that's incorrect about South Korea, PLEASE TELL ME!!! *Tears*

@kimd67, I'm looking at you. Help me out here, man.

And, apologies to @DeSpAciTo_uwu for taking so long on this. Thank you for your patience!