A/N: You guys don't play around. Over 400 votes by 1.7k reads. That's INSANE. Thank you all for voting, and be ready to vote some more since I have another vote goal for you (don't worry, I haven't forgotten about Haegeum; I'm behind on a lot, and I'd rather post quality at a later date than rush out crap. Haegeum will release this week).

The next vote goal is: 550 by 3k reads. If we reach this goal, I will write a Yoonmin story where Jimin is a lawyer and Yoongi is a mafia leader. Jimin is always getting Yoongi out of prison, and Yoongi gives Jimin the life of his dreams. Of course there's more angst and drama than that, but that's a general rundown. If you want to see a Yoonmin lawyer/mafia story, then vote on this story to get 550 before 3k votes!

Enjoy this chapter. It's long and PACKED. Lots of Namjoon, Kastor, and Park.

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚𝓓𝓸 𝓝𝓸𝓽 𝓒𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓤𝓼 𝓛𝓾𝓬𝓴𝔂 ˚｡➶˚┊

Park couldn't breathe.

He searched every inch of the castle. He kicked down doors, tore down paintings to see if there were hidden passages, and asked guards. Nothing. There was no information about Kastor. No answers came to Park. It was as if he was alone. In a way, he was. The castle was barren and isolated. Not even his brother could save him from this madness.

However, his brother was far away. In his room, on the opposite end of the castle. Park was in the Emperor's suite. Angelica was there, fiddling with her fingers and glancing at Park one too many times.

He kept his four-fingered hand on his knee as he sat in the wooden chair. The suite itself seemed more elegant than the entire castle. The bed was king-sized with neatly made sheets. They were crimson, like the walls. It was the only room that had painted wallpaper. Beyond that, there was a chandelier hanging in the middle of the giant suite. There was an oval rug with diamond patterns sewn into it. Red and gold, just like the rest of the Emperor's military. Park wasn't sure if he should puke or roll his eyes.

Angelica sat on the chair next to him, her leg bouncing. The Emperor stayed on his bed, still donning his familiar robes and mask to hide the lower half of his face. For two minutes, the Emperor was silent. It was as if he was establishing dominance in the room by making them wait for whatever "precious" words he had to say.

"Moros got in contact with me not long after your report," the Emperor said, directing his voice toward Angelica. Once again, it was as if Park wasn't in the room. "Stand in front of me. Let me see you."

Angelica hesitated, staring at Park as if asking for permission. He didn't bother with meeting her eyes. Angelica sighed and got up, standing in front of Emperor Donovan.

"They say the war is ongoing due to internal issues I have. What internal issues were they talking about, Angelica?"

Angelica tied her hands together behind her back. Park could see the sweat sticking to the sides of her skin. "My report was last week, I'm surprised they took this long to contact you."

"Dodging the question, how original," Emperor Donovan said with a tongue click. "You know what else was last week?" Silence. "The attack on my farm. Can you tell me what you know about the attack on my farm?"

"It was framed to look like an accident. The four corners were burned using the torches there."

"And then there was the attack on my hotel," the Emperor said as if she hadn't even spoken. "Care to fill me in?"

"A small group broke into your room and stole vital intel."

"Interesting." The Emperor got up, his robes falling behind him. Angelica shrunk away, but he came closer, tilting her chin up to force their eyes to lock. "None of that is public information. I wonder, how do you know about that?"

"Sir, there's talk of it all over the castle-"

"The rebellion seems to be one step ahead. You know what I find suspicious? They were never one step ahead until you showed up."

"Sir, please-"

It was too late.

Emperor Donovan sank a knife into her chest, the blood squirting out and staining the rug hiding under their boots. Park didn't flinch. He watched the light leave the woman's eyes. The Emperor let her go, her body slumping to the ground as he wiped the blood off the blade. He placed it back in the pocket hidden inside his robes. Then, he slipped out of his boots and tossed them at Park. Park didn't have time to react. The shoes hit his lap and splashed the dark maroon liquid on his battle armor.

"Clean them, then clean the body. Bury it, burn it, fuck it, I don't care. I don't tolerate traitors in my ranks. We've caught her on the cameras sneaking around the intelligence office. That's without mentioning her trying to press Yoongi for information."

The Emperor left before Park could reply. Great. Park was on body duty. He thought being the commander meant he could kill without needing to clean up.

With a prolonged groan, Park got to work dragging the body outside, throwing it in the grass and letting nature do the rest. He lingered longer than he should have. Although Angelica brought him nightmares, he didn't blame her. She tried to help by informing Moros of the chaos. He didn't feel any sadness over her death, only regret that she took the fall for Park's actions. He was the spy, not her. He wondered if the Emperor had too much pride to realize who the spy really was.

Park entered the castle, cleaning the rug even though the stains would be impossible to get out. After ten minutes of scrubbing, he gave up and ordered a castle maid to do it, no questions asked. Seeing as everyone was far too afraid of Commander Park and Emperor Donovan, he had no doubt she'd keep her mouth shut.

Commander Park went out back, where the training grounds were. Behind the castle stood the stables for their creatures and the sparring rings. Namjoon was leading it, shouting out orders and critiquing the guards that went down.

Park didn't recognize any of the men. They were wearing training armor. All white armor so they could see where they went wrong. The helmets were light, meant to break if they suffered too many blows to the head. Some of them already had no helmets, or cracked ones.

Park approached and folded his hands behind his back. Before him was the vast training grounds, boxed in by a giant fence that wrapped around the guards. The terrain itself was flat, all dust. Dried dirt with not an inch of mud. However, thanks to the rain New Theon received, Park was sure water combat was a must.

"I don't recall the Emperor telling me you'd be here," Namjoon said from behind his mask. "You're no longer in charge of trainings. I handle it from here."

"What are you training them for?" Park asked instead, pointing to the oddly specific combat style Namjoon was teaching them. It seemed like rough combat. Hand-to-hand, no weapons in sight. They took cheap shots at one another. Headbutting, kicking legs, throwing dirt to block their opponent's vision. It was dirty fighting. Unfair, almost. "This isn't the elegance I'm used to seeing."

"The rebellion is growing in strength. After the farm, I'm not taking any risks. I won't let those fucking Nösairs hurt our castle."

The passion dripping from his tone had Park shivering. He did his best to hide it. "Still, fighting dirty only proves them right, don't you think? They call us monsters."

"Do you want to beat them or not?" Namjoon asked, Park falling quiet at that. "Nösairs don't deserve our security. All they do is take it for granted."

"What do you know about the rebellion?"

"The Nösairs think we're driving them into poverty, when in reality, it's them."

Park did his best to hide his anger. "And why do you think that is?"

"The Emperor is one man; he tells the districts to take care of themselves. It's impossible for one man to oversee everything. Years ago, he tried to form a team of ambassadors to help the districts. But it didn't work. Instead, the rebellion attacked and ceased all efforts made by the Emperor to help them. The ambassadors were killed, and the supplies they brought got destroyed. We retaliated by burning their home to the ground to teach the other districts a lesson. Now, they're in poverty and wonder why. They stopped the thing they begged the Emperor to do. They only have themselves to blame."

"It sounds personal," Park said, taking his eyes off the guards. "Should I pry?"

"What do you remember about the bombings on the castle?"

"We lost countless men that day."

Namjoon kept quiet, taking off his mask and handing it to Park. Park didn't bother holding it. "The Nösairs think they're in the right, but they've done nothing but murder innocents. Innocents like him." Namjoon squeezed the mask. "All I wanted was to settle down and be a family man. But the Nösairs didn't care about that. They kill and kill without thinking of who they hurt. They see us as monsters even though all they've done is destroy the people trying to help instead of the one they really hate."

"Are you suggesting they should kill the Emperor?"

"If they really want a fair battle, they should go for him instead. Make a plan to infiltrate the summit next year, assassinate him there."

"If it were that easy, don't you think they would have done it by now?"

Namjoon's shoulders slumped. "I wish no wars happened."

"It gives you a job," Park pointed out, Namjoon grunting at that.

"I never asked for it. I asked the gods I don't believe in to keep my family safe." Namjoon broke off to put his mask back on. "Look where that got me."

Park wasn't sure how to reply, so he kept his mouth shut and focused on the training. They were sparring in pairs. There had to be at least two dozen battling, half of them without helmets due to the injuries they endured.

"Look at them," Namjoon whispered as the guards exchanged blows. Another helmet popped off, revealing a man with half his face covered in burn scars. "Living in blissful ignorance. They have no idea they're going to fight and die for a man they'll never know the name of. Fighting a rebellion that causes as much chaos as possible. There are no sides in this war, Commander. There are only survivors."

"It doesn't feel like surviving."

"I pray that one day we'll know what life feels like," Namjoon replied, glancing at the clouds that darkened more by the minute.

"Do you think they can hear you?" Namjoon peeked at Park, tilting his head. "The gods."

"They say Arez is the one who listens," Namjoon said, his dragon-like eyes lighting up for a brief second. It passed just as quickly as a lightning strike. "My mother taught me about Him. The king of the gods, a classic bright red beard with a crown the size of my whole body. If only He wasn't a myth."

"Why bother praying if He's just a myth?"

Namjoon shrugged. "Maybe I'm wrong."

Park didn't answer. They observed the men fighting not far in front of them. They kept going and going. Park thought they'd kill each other. More helmets cracked and popped. Some plates of armor fell as well. Park could hear the cracks that overpowered the strong wind and chirping Mimos imitating the sounds of their grunts.

Time ticked. It swayed in Park's mind as his eyes darted from man to man. He thought it was just another training day; another lesson where recruits were turned into soldiers. However, that changed when his eyes fell on a pair near the left corner of the pack. They both had helmets, exchanging blows. They punched and kicked and used dirty tactics to get the upper hand. One helmet popped off. It was a man with dark hair and a bald spot creeping in. Then, the other's helmet broke and shattered into an abyss. Park froze, his lungs shriveling inside themselves.

Kastor.

"What is this?" Park asked, hoping his voice didn't sound desperate.

"What do you mean?"

"These recruits, who are they? Where did you get them?"

"Various sources. Some volunteers, others prisoners looking for ways to reduce their sentences." Namjoon stopped, pointing to Kastor. "That one's a rare specimen."

It twisted Park's heart to hear Namjoon speak about Kastor that way. Still, he forced himself to remain calm. If there was one thing the Emperor taught Park, it was how to control his emotions.

"Because he's old?" Park asked.

"Sure, but not quite. He's a member of the rebellion. We caught him on the farm."

"And you let a rebel into our ranks, why...?"

"Commander, what are the two most powerful emotions we can feel?" Namjoon asked, Park not bothering to raise his voice. "Hope and fear. Too much of one will create a lack of the other, meaning people will spiral out of control. Why do you think we have summits and addresses? It's an illusion to give the people a glimmer of hope. With a sprinkle of hope, people are more pliable. This rebel is the same way."

"I don't see how training a rebel makes for a good torture technique."

"He's an old, bitter man," Namjoon said, practically spitting out the words. "Just another fucking Nösair. He has nothing to lose, so basic torture won't work. It's almost like he's waiting to die."

Park winced, covering it by coughing. "Then why bother with this?"

"We're reminding him what it's like to be alive," Namjoon said in an alluring, sweet tone. "We're giving him hope. Friendships within our army. Motivation to keep going. A reminder of why he's fighting in the first place. If fear won't break him, hope will. Right when we give him enough hope, we'll threaten to take it away." Namjoon grabbed Park's shoulder, Park jumping at that. "And that, old friend, is how you use hope and fear to get what you want. Individually, both are useful tactics. But together..."

"You combine the two most powerful human emotions," Park mumbled, his hands going clammy. He pulled his shoulder out of Namjoon's grasp. "If you truly were my old friend, you'd know I don't like being touched."

Namjoon laughed, gripping his shoulder once more. He brought Park in closer, dropping his tone to a mutter. "I know you drew the Bassa to us in the City." Park went to speak, but Namjoon held up his hand. "You hate the Emperor. Everyone here knows it, even the grunts. We all knew you were going to cause chaos on summit day. Quite frankly, I don't care that you hate the Emperor. You can hate him, torture him, kill him, whatever. You could be in the rebellion for all I care. But what does matter is how many of my guards you hurt in the process." Namjoon paused, squeezing Park's shoulder a bit too hard. "I've watched enough of my brothers die. The next time you cause a guard's death, you'll be buried right next to him. Do you understand?"

Park grinned. "I'd prefer to be cremated."

Namjoon pushed him away. "I want to like you."

"Please don't. I don't like talking to you. You're not a very nice person."

Namjoon clenched his jaw, not speaking for several long moments. "I'll see you around, Commander Park."

"I hope you're wrong," Park murmured as Namjoon walked out of earshot. Park didn't have time to reflect on the conversation (and threat) he just had. His eyes fell back on Kastor, who continued training with his partner. Park peered around the arena, scanning over the dust. There was a barn not far from the location, and it was being used as housing for the new recruits. That meant he could visit them at any time. Although it seemed impossible to sneak a guard out while there were cameras monitoring their every move, Park managed to smile.

He had a plan.

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚˚｡➶˚┊

It took over two weeks to set his plan up.

After over two weeks of planning, Park finally got approval from Namjoon to initiate it. Of course, Namjoon didn't know he approved a rescue mission. Still, Park was confident in his abilities. More specifically, he was confident in the man by his side: Jeon Jungkook.

Jungkook was the intelligence officer for a reason. He could hack into anything thanks to his academy training. Even Yoongi didn't have the same training as Jungkook. If anyone could hack into the cameras from a distance, it was Jungkook.

As they approached the castle, Park handed Jungkook the device they agreed upon. It was a tablet with a hologram screen, Jungkook loading into it as if it were no big deal. Test one passed: Jungkook guessed Park's password.

"The hell is 1013?" Jungkook asked.

"My birthday."

"Ah, you're a basic bitch. Got it."

"We're here to save Kas, not to insult each other," Park replied with a huff.

"If you keep acting grumpy, you're gonna get as many wrinkles as him. Do you really want to be the same as Kastor?"

"Don't talk about him like that."

"Awwwh, someone's getting defensive. What's wrong? Scared you'll lose him?" Jungkook asked, Park flipping him off with his four-fingered hand. "Does that even count? You only have four fingers-"

Park pushed him, causing him to hit a tree. He grunted and glared, but Park ignored him, continuing toward the castle. They were in range now. Not quite in view, but close enough that Jungkook could hack the cameras.

"I'm going inside. Do I need to remind you of the plan, or did that academy training pay off?" Park asked.

Jungkook rolled his eyes. "Your jealousy is showing. The plan is simple. I wait ten minutes to give you a chance to talk to some people and get into position. If it happens as soon as you show up, it'll be suspicious. You get to the barn, train the recruits individually, then sneak Kastor out to the rendezvous so I can get him back safely while you handle the chaos."

"Alright, that's a rough outline, but sure let's go with that. Get into position, stay hidden. If you're not out here when he gets to the rendezvous, I'm personally going to hunt you down and decapitate you."

Jungkook snickered. "How charming. Don't miss."

Park groaned and walked away, heading to the castle that towered over him. He entered after greeting the guards, who seemed too terrified to return the gesture. Park went right for the training grounds.

It had been almost a month since Kastor went missing. Park had time to plan. Only one problem: he didn't know how much time. So, he made a plan in a little over two weeks with the help of Jungkook. Park didn't want to involve too many people, which meant Jungkook was the main helper. And, surprisingly, Jin. Jin offered to film a promo mentioning how they broke a rebel out of the Emperor's hold. That publicity would draw more fire to the rebellion. Park couldn't even imagine how riled up the public would get at the thought of a prison break. The castle was seen as an immovable object. But if this worked...

Park saw Namjoon there, giving him a nod as he approached. "Are the recruits ready for individual assessment?" Park asked, Namjoon not replying for a beat.

"The Emperor may not be pleased with you interfering."

"Yet he approved it when you asked. Now, answer my question. Are the recruits ready?"

That was Park's plan. Before the guards were transferred inside the castle, they needed to go through him. Individual assessment. Guards Park deemed unworthy would go back to the barn. Guards who were ready got to enter the castle. Park knew damn well it was suspicious that Kastor would disappear after his assessment. However, he was going to frame the rebellion. Seeing as Jin was filming a promo, the lie, which technically wasn't a lie, was more believable. The Emperor would believe the rebellion rescued Kastor.

The problem was, would he think Park was a spy?

Park didn't want to find out. He had to stay down the next month or two. Maybe even half a year. Anything to protect his image and life. Seeing as they had a massive heist in a few months, laying low until then was a smart idea. After this, no more risky plans.

"The recruits are ready," Namjoon finally answered.

"Good. Go inside and ready yourself for the recruits I approve of. Show them their rooms and give them official titles. Assuming you trained them well, you should expect a full house."

"Remember to judge them based off their new fighting techniques, not the techniques you're used to."

"Mr. Kim, if my techniques beat the new techniques no problem, then I believe the new way would be labeled as 'flawed', yes? Let me judge them however I want to judge them. Now get inside. This is a big day for the Emperor, do not let anything go wrong. Stay in contact with Yoongi. Last time he was left with the cameras, the farm caught on fire."

"Funny. The second you showed up, the farm caught on fire. You led the Bassa to the City, the farm caught on fire after you showed up, you ask to be involved in training when you find out a rebel is here..."

"Are you accusing me of something?" Park asked, Namjoon clicking his tongue.

"Depends. Will any of my guards die today?"

"No."

"Then do whatever you want. If that rebel mysteriously goes missing, you have my word I'll look the other way."

Park wasn't sure if Namjoon was tricking him into a confession or not. Either way, Park was backed into a corner, and Namjoon knew it. He had no other option.

"Why?" Park asked.

"The Emperor hasn't been kind to you, old friend. Don't think I don't hear your screams."

"I'm surprised empathy is in your vocabulary."

"I had a younger sister. A little over a year younger than you. She wanted nothing more than to be the protector of the people, the guard I am now. She wanted to be you," Namjoon said, Park staying quiet. "But she couldn't handle what the Emperor did to her. She died trying to be who you are now. If you're anything like my sister, then I'll fight for you, Commander. Just don't hurt my guards. Please."

"Mr. Kim?" Park asked, the man nodding. "I cannot speak for the ones I'm working for, but I can speak for myself: I will not harm your guards. You have my word."

"I've lost my sister. My family. Everything I wanted to be before the war. All I have left is this job. This horrid life." Namjoon broke off, tears welling up in his dragon-like eyes. "You're fighting to protect your brother, I know that, and I won't judge you for it. All I ask is you don't judge me for protecting mine."

Park softly smiled. "Stay inside, Mr. Kim. I wouldn't want you accused of anything that happens outside."

Although he couldn't see his face, Park knew Namjoon returned the smile. Park turned and left, entering the barn and seeing the rows of candidates before him. There were two stories to the large building. Over two dozen recruits were before him, snapping to attention as hay and dust kicked up and blew by thanks to the swinging doors.

Park strolled down the line of men waiting their turn. None of them had armor, only basic attire given to peasants. He didn't recognize any of the men. All except for Kastor. As he walked by the older man, he made sure not to make eye contact.

"What's the meaning of this?" Kastor asked. That old bastard knew Park wouldn't kill him for questioning authority. Park always knew Kastor was an asshole. But he was Park's asshole. That meant Park had to save him.

"Did I ask you to speak?" Park replied, swiveling to glare at the older man. "You were informed of your upcoming assessment, yes?" The silence meant 'yes'. "I am the one giving you your assessment. I will take you one-by-one outside to spar. No weapons, only hand-to-hand. The ones I deem worthy will enter the castle. Namjoon will give you your role and show you to your quarters. The goal is not to beat me, but to impress me with your moves. I'm expecting none of you will beat me, so do not strive for that. Focus on strategy. Trick me. Hit me. Hurt me."

"And if we fail?" another voice chimed in.

"You'll be sent back to the barn for further training. I understand you haven't had much time to train, but this is war. Use all the tactics you have. First candidate." Park pointed to the man beside him, a man in his thirties with hazel eyes and dark hair. He had a buzzcut, his right ear lobe cut in half while his left eyebrow was missing the tail end.

Park took him outside and sparred him. He wasn't overly impressive, but Park let him pass regardless. He had a feeling none of the candidates would be impressive. Still, he sparred them. He did about half of the group before he chose Kastor. By then, Park hadn't even broken a sweat.

"Having fun?" Kastor asked. Seeing him brought hope to Park's chest. But as Namjoon said, hope was one of the most powerful human emotions. Feeling too much of it would destroy him. Instead, he got into a defensive position.

"Strike me whenever you're ready."

Kastor huffed and threw a punch. Park dodged. The process repeated until Park had enough and grabbed Kastor by his outstretched arm. He threw the old man to the ground and got on top of him, Kastor writhing the entire time.

"I'm going to give you a pass," Park whispered, glaring to sell it for the cameras. That was assuming they were operating. Thanks to Jungkook, they should be offline. "I'm going to escort you to the door of the castle, then you're going to run along the left wall and meet Jungkook in the forest. The rendezvous point is near the Fersin bed by the lake. Do you know where that is?"

"Does it look like I live here?"

Just for that, Park pushed Kastor's face against the dirt. "Go straight. It's in the center of the forest. We made it easy for you."

"Gee, thanks. Any chance you'll let me go before you break my old bones?"

"Ooh," Park said, smirking. "That sounds enticing."

"Emperor's bitch."

"Old hag."

Park let him go, not bothering to help him up. He dragged Kastor toward the castle, going to the door. The cameras didn't have the flickering red light. That meant Jungkook did his job.

"Now," Park murmured. "Slowly. Don't be suspicious, just in case."

Kastor did as he was told, Park retreating and going back to the barn. Kastor was long gone by the time the next candidate was selected. Park only got through four more guards before Namjoon came out.

"The cameras have been glitching for ten minutes. We think we're under attack," Namjoon said.

"Let's lock down the barn. I'll inform the candidates of the change. Meet me in Yoongi's office in two minutes."

"Right away, sir." Namjoon left, Park going to the barn and doing what he said he would. The candidates didn't seem to have a problem with it. Not that they'd voice it if they did.

Park had an overwhelming desire to sprint into the forest and find Kastor, to check if he made it out okay. For now, Park knew he had to stay at the castle for at least a few hours. Then, he could sneak out and check on the old man. Despite 'rescuing' Kastor and saving him from torture, Park couldn't help himself.

He was still nervous.

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚˚｡➶˚┊

It was time.

Thanks to him wanting to stay down, Park couldn't visit Kastor for a while. A week after the plan, Park found himself going behind the rebellion's headquarters. Sneaking out of the castle was harder than normal. The cameras were on and increased in capacity. The Emperor forced Yoongi to add more to his team. Now, they had manual surveillance as well. There were patrols that circled the castle. Specific squads Namjoon spearheaded to ensure no more failures would occur. Park was questioned, but after Namjoon vouched for him, he was let go. Park didn't understand why.

Namjoon was a family man who didn't care about the Emperor like Park thought he did. Namjoon was never loyal to the Emperor. He was loyal to his guards. Although he spat the rebellion's name out like a curse, Park knew he was only doing it because they hurt the ones he loved. It was the same reason why Park opposed the Emperor. They had the same thoughts. The same views. Only they were for different people. Park fought for his brother, to free him from the Emperor. Namjoon fought for his guards, to keep them safe from the rebellion. In another world, they could have been on the same team.

Park fiddled with his fingers and gnawed on his chapped lower lip. He had phantom pain where his finger was supposed to be. That was a common occurrence. For some reason, he got the worst of the pain when he was stressed.

Park had no idea if Kastor made it out or not. As much as he wanted to believe he did, the forest was vast. There was a high chance he could be lost in the forest forever. At the very least, the Emperor didn't capture him. They noticed Kastor's disappearance and searched. Only one issue: Park hadn't seen Jin's promos. The Emperor watched every one of Jin's promos, meaning Park did too. There were no promos saying Kastor was rescued. What were they waiting for?

As Park went behind the house, he brought Shadow with him. She licked the side of his head, Park chuckling and petting her. He took out his trusty flask, bringing her to the wooden bowl he used for her. He poured the alcohol in, her lapping it up without complaint. Park took a swig for luck, the swig causing him to wobble. It had been a while since he drank. Thanks to planning Kastor's escape, he hadn't had the time for drinking. Being sober sucked.

Park approached the exterior, watching as a fire lit up the night sky. It was clear, allowing for stars to shine through. Not a cloud was in sight. For New Theon, that was rare. The clearness allowed for more Mismas and Mimos to shimmer as they soared. Park took a mental picture, watching as all the cyans and whites and reds filled his vision. All colors the castle didn't have.

He tied Shadow to the fence; not that it mattered, she was far too loyal to run off. Park took off her saddle to let her rest. By the time he turned around, his heart began thumping loudly enough for Park to hear it. Kastor was standing near the fire, coming over to Park.

"Well it took you long enough," Kastor said, Park's eyes watering.

"Kas," he whispered, his legs remembering they could move and propelling him forward.

"What the hell is wrong with you, kid? Huh?" Kastor asked. "You left a grumpy old man in that hellhole for more than a week. My bones are still recovering. Do you know what that did to me? Ahh, it was so cold at night. No fires, no blankets. You live like a bunch of monsters, you know that? I can't believe you-" Park cut him off by meeting him in the middle. But he didn't cut him off with words.

Park hugged him.

Kastor froze up, Park grabbing onto the older man's back and pulling at his shirt. He didn't want to cry, but a tear slipped by. Kastor gave in a few moments later, returning the embrace and rocking Park back and forth. They silently hugged under the bright moon, Park burying his head on Kastor's shoulder. The Mimos mimicked Kastor's voice as they flew by, Park almost laughing due to how comforting they sounded.

"You're such a fucking asshole," Park mumbled, Kastor chuckling.

"I know." Kastor rubbed Park's back, bringing him in closer. "I'm okay, kid. I promise."

"They didn't hurt you?"

"Kid," Kastor said, pulling back to meet Park's eyes. Kastor was only a few inches taller than Park, but Park still felt small in the older man's arms. "I'm okay. Do I look like I have any scars?"

"You have more wrinkles than usual."

"Were you always this nice?"

Park laughed, not noticing the tears on his face until Kastor wiped a few of them away. Park hugged him again, all nine of his fingers clutching the fabric of Kastor's tunic until he thought he'd rip it by accident.

"They'll find out eventually," Park murmured, closing his eyes. "They'll find out I'm the spy. Kas, I don't know what to do."

"You think I'd let anything bad happen to you?"

"You'd probably find joy in it."

Kastor snorted, patting Park's back. They stayed quiet for a few more moments. Then, Park parted from the man, wiping his nose with his sleeve. Kas went back to the fire, Park following. He had to check on the others, particularly Y/n seeing as she slapped him last time he was gone a while, but he couldn't help himself: he stayed a minute longer.

"My brother," Park said, Kastor glancing up at that. "He's never had anyone to guide him. I've tried to be that for him, but there's only so much an older brother can do. He could use some help. He doesn't know much about life." Park paused, Kastor lighting up for a beat. He nodded a second later, Park's lips twitching up into a smile. "And... neither do I."

Kastor shook his head with a grin. "Go get some sleep. You've earned it."

Park agreed, heading to the door. He stopped in his tracks, turning to stare at Kastor one last time. The old man met his gaze. "Kas?" Park asked, the man nodding. "Goodnight." Kastor kept his grin. Park fought the urge to return it, but he failed.

"Goodnight, kid. Sleep well."

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚𝓓𝓸 𝓝𝓸𝓽 𝓒𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓤𝓼 𝓛𝓾𝓬𝓴𝔂 ˚｡➶˚┊

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter, and I hope you guys like the relationship between Kastor and Park!