Aequipondium

Balance

Jungkook never thought this could've happened when he accepted Oliver's request to speak to him.

A man that, since they met, had looked as kind as he'd never seen before. A man that saw his curiosity for the major that went way beyond his common questions and who suggested walking with him through the gardens so they could speak more calmly. A man who listened and answered not to turn down any of his ideas or suggestions but to help them evolve so they could come up with a satisfactory answer together. A gentle, slow walking, peaceful talking, smart, and empathic man who could only resemble his father by his age and nothing else.

A man he felt a deep connection to because he resembled the father he'd dreamed of since he was refused that first-ever hug he asked for.

Not even his mangled heart could've allowed itself to think that same man could betray him.

Not even now as his wrist was being grabbed by a hand he thought gentle but which had the same strength and determination as Evans'.

Though, to be honest, Jungkook's brain and heart had gone through a lot in the conversation they shared downstairs, so he couldn't really be as rational with what was happening as this introduction makes you believe. Instead, his brain was split right in the middle between painful truth and blissful lies while his body froze over at the command it remembers so well by that one, lone grasp of his wrist.

- Where were you Thursday night? - Oliver asked again, holding him tightly. It sounded like he was overflowing with worry.

But why would he be worried? Why would he ask that? Why would he hold him like this? Why? Why? Why is he doing this? Why is he doing this?

- I don't know. - Jungkook spluttered the words at the floor as he tried to take a step back from his hold but couldn't.

Was he answering himself or him? Did he really know what happened that night or not?

Yes, he did. No, he didn't. Yes, he did. No, he didn't.

- Yes, you do. You do remember it. - Oliver held his wrist tighter when Jungkook tried to pull himself free.

Oliver? Was Oliver really doing this? It couldn't be, it couldn't be, Jungkook wouldn't be able to live through another betrayal, not by a man like Oliver. He is not Oliver.

- No. - Jungkook closed his eyes and tried to get himself free from the grasp of this person with the help of his other hand.

But this is indeed Oliver. So, if this is Oliver, does that mean that Thursday night really happened?

Yes, it did. He knows it did. Objectively speaking, he can see the memory of what happened that night up until Poppy and Oliver left. He does remember it, but he doesn't want to remember it.

The memory was there behind his eyes but not somewhere where he could believe it ever happened so he asked himself over and over, did it really happen? And because the question implied that it ever did, he says no, no, no, because he can't feel pain, he cannot, he hates it, he doesn't want it, he doesn't remember anything that hurts him, he doesn't, he doesn't.

- Evans scared you somehow. - Oliver was bringing to life what Jungkook wanted dead and so the latter tried to run from it, but Oliver grabbed his other wrist as well. - You ran and got a panic attack. - Somewhere in the back of Jungkook's broken brain he thought that Oliver sounded hopeful, and so, he begged him silently to stop whatever twisted attempt to make him remember something he wants to forget. It simply won't work.

He told him downstairs, didn't he? The pain in his back is part of his bones, only a professional could take it out. This was... as if a desperate person was breaking him apart in the hopes to rip the pain from him without anesthesia, proper tools, or consent.

- Stop it. - Jungkook whispered, pleading to the floor, his body bending over as he still tried to step away from Oliver.

It couldn't be real that he had trusted yet another grown man and he'd betrayed him like this.

But what is he even thinking? He had never trusted another grown man. Never. Never.

And if Oliver continued tearing him apart, he would never trust one again.

- Taehyung and I helped you. He took you to his apartment. You woke up and saw Poppy, the university doctor. -

Again, again, again, he spoke the words that made the back of Jungkook's head ache as if it was being pulled and twisted. It hurt to remember, it hurt to hear it had been real, it physically hurt and he wanted the pain to be gone, please let it be gone.

- No. - Jungkook whimpered, falling to his knees, still trying to slide away with the heels of his feet, never looking up at him. Fearing he would see Oliver doing something like this to him.

For a moment, Oliver stood silent. And Jungkook started to fade.

The numbness he knows so well that allows him to leave his body behind as if he had gone to sleep was always gradual like this. First, he has to concentrate on the desperate wish to leave the situation he was in, and then, slowly, his body would start feeling tingly, losing its strength and sense of touch. A part of him always fought back the fading, feeling vulnerable and knowing anyone could do anything to him if they wanted to. But that was also the reason why he wanted to fade. If anyone wanted to do something to him and he was not strong enough to fight back or, in this case, run away, then he would rather feel nothing than to feel it all happening. And he couldn't feel this, not when he never thought these hands could ever be harsh; not when he never thought these hands would ever restrain him like this.

Slowly, as he looked down at the floor, he stopped feeling the tightness on his wrists. Distantly, he felt his face losing its tightness and going blank while his body accepted the sitting position he was in. He stopped hearing the voices in his mind telling him that Oliver was right or telling him that Oliver was wrong or telling him that it wasn't Oliver or telling him anything at all. And he was so close to stopping seeing those black, runner shoes... when Oliver spoke up again.

- What did Taehyung do to you, Jungkook? -

Just one name was enough to take his head out of the water. And everything was way sharper than before; his hearing, his sight, his sense of touch.

For a moment, he even debated whether he had heard correctly.

Because... why?

"What did Taehyung do to you"...? Why did he sound so worried? Why did he sound fearful?

Was he perhaps fearing Taehyung could ever be like Evans?

- ...what...? - Jungkook asked himself out loud, unable to understand his own question because what had Evans done to him? Nothing, right?...Right? - Shut up. - No, it was just a question, don't get mad. - Shut up. - You're the one wondering, you're the one denying it, you're the one with the mental scar of that day... - Shut up. - And that day. - Shut it. - And that night. - Stop it, stop it, stop it. -

He couldn't realize he was talking out loud to his own head.

Jungkook shook and twisted, trying to get free from those voices. Lying to him, always lying to him.

But the hands on his wrist held on tighter, pulling him back. There was a voice coming from outside, a voice unlike his own; the voice of the person who held him. Who held him? Oliver. Oliver? But why was he holding him like this? Why was he doing this? Why was he hurting him?

What was he even saying?

It wasn't until Oliver knelt in front of him that Jungkook stopped struggling enough to hear what he was saying with a soft voice. But he regretted hearing it.

- I heard the scream from earlier. You shouted at him to stop. -

Jungkook's body went still and he felt absolutely cornered. He'd never felt this bare. This kind of fear was way worse than the kinds he'd known so far. Fearing the physical pain of a slap or the emotional pain of a grimace was nothing compared to the fear of having something so incredibly important to him being threatened.

Oliver had heard them. And the question was... what else did he hear?

If Oliver's fear gave anything away was: Nothing concrete. He could be afraid because he'd heard them, bodies together as one, or be afraid because he feared Taehyung could've been doing something to him that drove him to shout that one, lone command. Either way, Jungkook was cornered.

Oliver had heard them. It was an irreversible fact that Jungkook couldn't erase by denying it. And he had heard that shout so clearly that he got worried enough to take them both out of their classes to talk–...

...This had been why Oliver wanted to talk to him.

And Jungkook felt hurt by that.

He thought he wanted to talk because he missed him... not because he was worried something was happening. It was just like his parents when he'd been thirteen, only wanting to talk to him when they got worried and never again. Only caring about him when he wasn't behaving normally or as he should; only showing interest when he was in pain.

At this point, what was even the point in trusting grown-ups? They're all the same...

Jungkook took a deep breath, feeling the pain in his chest and ignoring it as he grimaced down at the floor, and lied with anger on his tongue.

- We were arguing and the rest is none of your business. -

Even he could hear the difference in his own voice. The daggers in his mind had stopped poking him once anger had redirected their sharp blades to the outside and the alarms throwing everything to confusion had turned off once his whole focus was on hatred.

This is the mental state in which he draws people back from him by being rude and harsh, throwing punches, and seeming indifferent. This is who he becomes to be stronger than pain. This is the state in which he does and says things he would later regret when his empathy was on again. But, while he was in this state, he didn't care.

He only hated.

- ...you looked terrified a moment before. - Oliver muttered, audibly confused. - Why do you always get this defensive when I ask about Taehyung? - It seemed as though he'd been wanting to ask that for a while.

Because that had been the only thing he wanted to talk about.

Jungkook scoffed.

- Let... me... go. - He said clearly and then looked up at him threateningly.

He saw how Oliver's hands held him as he looked him in the eyes. He saw the worry that increased and the pain in the corners of Oliver's mouth. He saw that face that had drawn so many smiles from him... and looked away with a frown.

His hands tightened in fists.

Jungkook still didn't want to believe this man was doing this. So he had to look away. But his breathing increased just as the pain in his throat and he knew the burning in his eyes was just about to come. But he didn't care.

- I just want to talk, Jungkook. - Oliver tried to speak in his most gentle voice.

Jungkook scoffed harshly just as his vision blurred and his cheeks got wet.

- You're such a liar. - He chuckled humorlessly, watching every single grown-up that has ever wronged him right there behind his tired eyes. - You don't want to talk any more than you care about me. You only care when I don't look well because you don't like to worry, but then I smile and you feel like you can ignore me again. You don't want to talk, you want me to tell you what draws me back from achieving the image of myself you have in your head. You don't care about me, but about not feeling disappointed. -

Things... Things... Things... Lifeless, material things. They want him like an irreplaceable doll. Putting him behind glass to only be looked at. To be judged or admired according to how he looked. To be praised or not according to how many gold medals he won. And his parents are only there to be proud of having created such a perfect thing as he.

They only care for selfish reasons. They're only selfish, self-centered, arrogant, pompous, apathetic, manipulative, cold, and untruthful. And he hates the lot of them.

- Jungkook–

- I don't want to hurt you. - Jungkook said in a flat, cold voice to the floor, feeling as previous tears dried away on his face. - You really should let go of me, or you'll need the help of that doctor you think I know. - Toneless. Eary.

Below the surface, something was bubbling up. He sat still and his voice was a monotone, dead thing, but the thing rising was way worse than coldness. The thing rising looked like that monster he saw once looking back from the mirror. The same monster that took down five boys his own age and then rinsed the blood from his knuckles without feeling a single, little thing.

Jungkook thought he'd understood that monster. But he was wrong.

- My boy–

...

Tick...Tock...Tick...Tock...

Alexander Evans really enjoyed the sound of an old clock. It was precise and consistent, slicing the air in perfect boxes of time called seconds. But even in the silence, its sound was not interrupting the peace, instead, it created it. By being two different notes from the same object and going up and down repetitively it was like a coin turning over and over; its sound always portrays the balance of life.

Up... Down... Up... Down...

He looked up at the clock on the wall by his right and asserted that it was half-past three in the afternoon. Then looked around from his seat before an ornately carved, wooden desk at the view from the windows on the far wall before him. These windows also served as doors to go out into the long balcony overlooking the wide expanse of The First Garden. Far beyond, he knew he would be able to see the black steel of the main entrance to the university if he stood up. But he remained seated, comfortably waiting for his friend to finish his call outside this very office.

Yungsoo had just been in the process of inviting him for a drink when he received a call that had him instantly worried, so he still didn't know why Evans had come so suddenly. But that was not a problem. Alexander had planned this well enough so he wouldn't have any more work for the rest of the day. He had time to wait for him. And determination.

Tick... Tock...

He sighed as he thought of his philosophy of life contained within those two, simple sounds. Balance. For him to be at peace, he needs to be in balance.

He's always been about the balance in his own life, always, since he was a child. No one had taught him this, he'd simply picked it up from sheer enlightenment and, since then, he'd been the God of his own reality. Balance frees him. Balance frees anybody, so long as he's the one teaching them how to do it. And balance is the reason why he was sitting here, waiting.

His pupil hardly knew how to find balance on his own when they'd been separated. It was only natural that he regressed to the state he'd been in when Yungsoo asked him for help. And watching him... watching that boy acting so improper, watching him treat him like a stranger, watching him as if he was a monster instead of a savior...

His hands twitched on the arms of his chair until he was gripping the wood tight enough to break it. But he breathed deeply, calming himself.

Truthfully, it would be next to impossible for him to admit just how indecisive he was about his thoughts and feelings at the moment. He hardly ever has to deal with feelings at all, or, more likely than not, ever notices his own feelings. Feelings are foreign to him as if they were floating inside of him but are disconnected to his brain. That's why it's hard for him to put a name to the sentiment that arouses certain sensations in his body or to understand why certain physical reactions appear when they seem at odds with what he's doing or thinking. So, if from the start he'd had difficulties understanding why certain feelings aroused from certain thoughts, then, after the night before where all kinds of thoughts had appeared, it was way easier to understand why he enjoyed the simple and constant sound of a clock.

Last night... he had such a wonderful dream. He only knew it was wonderful because his chest felt tight and filled with energy, pumping adrenaline all over his body until he woke up in the middle of the night, breathing hard, with a huge grin on his face, and a wild need to make use of his wife beside him. The dream hadn't been hazy, he could still remember it clearly. However, with him fully awake, he was still debating the reasons for the physical reaction. Even now, only minutes away from talking to Yungsoo about the source of his troubles.

But it wasn't a huge discomfort to him. He knew he was not the monster that boy seems to see, and knows full well that he is doing nothing wrong. On the contrary, the wrong thing had been to stop it. If last night's memories told him anything it was that the pair of them had lived unbalanced for seven years.

For him to find peace, he needs both sides of the coin to be fulfilled. Both good and bad. So, he'll need to find the opposite of what he has now, and the opposite of his wife who was blue-eyed, blond, tall as he, with his same age, and was a professional in the same field as he, would be a male with dark eyes and dark hair, shorter and younger than him, who was a student in a field quite the opposite of his. For seven years, since he'd gone away from him, he'd tried over and over to find the opposite of his wife and the relation he has with her; the other side of that coin. And his first thought was always him, now more than ever since he started university in a field quite the opposite of his.

It was only natural that he would think of him even before he started uni. He could get access to him easily, almost as easily as he used to have access to his own child, so it was a second best. Way easier than just finding a stray on the streets which would take time he doesn't have and, quite frankly, he doesn't like that they're strangers that come and go and aren't constantly there. The whole point of being with him was to teach him something, he wouldn't be able to teach all he knows to a complete stranger in one night. All he ever does in those situations is vent off and leave them there. Dissatisfied.

It was simply mind-boggling now, to think that he had allowed himself to be this unbalanced for seven years. It only took one night before all those past memories appeared, and he was on his feet, knowing exactly what to do. This specific boy wasn't only the exact opposite he'd been looking for, but also a constant, familiar person that he's known since he was born, and so he knows what he needs to teach him.

Just like it had been with his own son. "If he knows how to make, he knows how to break". Both sides of the coin. And he, Alexander, was a huge part in the making of this boy as a person.

Thinking about teaching him... brought a sensation in his stomach that had him tightening his abdomen. It was like being tickled from the inside, quite pleasant. So, since the sensation came from one moment to the next and it was pleasant, it must mean that this thought made him happy to some extent, which was obvious.

Since one of the reasons for finding a boy like him had been to find the opposite of the gentleness he displays towards his wife, then the answer was obvious. He'd always been the opposite of gentle with him, that was the whole point, so it -quite obviously- will bring him happiness to think of teaching him again. Because it will bring him peace. But he wasn't only taking for himself, he was also giving, genuinely trying to teach him. Giving and taking, gentle and harsh, up and down, tick...tock...

The relationship he used to have with this boy had been a crucial part of maintaining that balance in his life. And he needed it again just like that boy does.

- I'm so sorry for that. - Yungsoo apologized as he closed the door behind him and walked towards the bar cabinet he has on the wall to the left of the office, next to a sitting area.

- No worries. - Evans muttered, his voice lower as he lifted his hand to stroke his chin with his fingers; hearing him moving bottles but not looking at him.

- You wouldn't believe who it was. -

It sounded like he was smiling in disbelief.

- Was it Edward? - He asked with a smile of his own. Prince Edward of Wessex had many reasons to call Yungsoo right now, with rebels at his mother's doorstep.

- Of course not, energy is still out in the palace. But close enough. -

Oh, right, he'd nearly forgotten about the energy being out.

With ice tinkling in the glasses in his hands, he walked back to his desk. Once Evans knew he was close enough, he looked up and saw the glasses he'd chosen were tumblers, so he knew he'd served them whiskey. And, with a smile, he accepted the glass.

As Yungsoo sat on his leather chair at the other side of the desk, Evans smelled the drink.

- Mh... It's slightly fruity. - He muttered, looking up in question.

Yungsoo chuckled.

- Your nose will always amaze me. I can hardly tell its smell with the burning of the alcohol. - He was still grinning as he took the first sip.

- Your nose hardly had to get used to strong smells. - He tasted the drink and knew at once it was a Laphroaig. Fruity and velvety as it burned down his throat. This made him grin.

- Criminal law must have its compensations somehow, I guess. -

Evans grinned wider.

- Of course. - He put his drink down to rest it on the arm of his chair as he crossed one knee over the other. - Tell me. Who was it on the phone? -

Yungsoo held his glass by the rim and swirled the ice cubes with circling motions of his wrist.

- None other than Richard Bonnar Matthews, Chief Inspector of Bradford and Leeds. -

Alexander's eyebrows pulled up, intrigued.

- And what would the head of civilian police be needing from the headmaster of a university? - Even as he said it, theories listed out in his mind.

- He said he needed to talk to me in person as soon as possible. Saying my phone and other electronics inside Evanthe could be compromised. But didn't tell me why he thought so. -

- For the same reason why he seeks a meeting. - Evans looked down at his glass, watching the gray light from the rainy day glint off the ice cubes. - There must be someone here who's tampered with the electronics. Maybe a student thought themselves clever hackers who ended up tampering with things they would never understand. The meeting might be because he needs your permission to investigate, after all, the headmaster is the owner of these lands. - Leisurely, he raised his glass and took a measured sip, making sure to taste the liquid with every part of his tongue.

- That's exactly what I thought. - Yungsoo nodded and then looked over at the clock on the wall. - He said he would be arriving no later than four. - And then he frowned.

- What bothers you about it? - He muttered as he changed hands and held his glass with his right.

- I had another arrangement at around four. - Yungsoo muttered, thinking hard.

What stroked Evans as strange was how he didn't elaborate as usual. So he frowned slightly.

- A private arrangement? -

- Not exactly. - He pulled his eyes from the clock and down at his glass. - It was a meeting Miranda and I wanted to have with Jungkook. -

Alexander's chest tensed slightly.

- What a coincidence, I came here initially to talk to you about him. - Yungsoo looked at him then, all humor forgotten. This reaction amused him, so Evans went on with the conversation as casually as ever. - But that could come later. Can I know what you were planning to say to him? -

- Actually, I'm way more interested in the reasons for your visit now. Go ahead. - He wasn't angry, just tense with caution.

It was as if he worried that Jungkook had done something.

Evans looked down at his cup, gave it a few turns as he grinned darkly and openly, and took a tiny sip before looking back at him.

- He's only been here a week, hasn't he? - He muttered with a humorless chuckle.

Yungsoo left his glass on the table with a hard thud as he stood up and turned around to face the windows, placing his hands on his hips. Then he sighed and grunted, placing a hand on his forehead as he cursed,

- Fucking–.... - And then took a deep breath, lowering his hand as he turned around to look at him. Anger seething beneath the surface. - What did he do now? -

It was exactly what Evans had thought. That boy could hardly live without him, just look at the evidence, at the way his father had reacted at the mere mention of his name on someone else's lips. The moment Alexander left him, Jungkook began worsening over time.

- That's what I want to ask you, it seems. - Evans grinned up at him. - Go on, let it out. He's not here yet. -

This is how he helps people have their "dosage" of balance. He lets them tell him their frustrations as harshly as they want before going on with a smile on their faces. This was his way of giving while also taking for himself. Two sides of the same coin. He allows them to let go, while he sits back, amused by their troubles.

Yungsoo took a very deep breath, his eyes looking up at the ceiling as he held onto the back of his seat with one hand. And Alexander took a sip of his whiskey.

- It's not only the fact that he's only been here a week. On his very first fucking day, he ditched a whole class. I only know it because I asked around, I couldn't even believe it. Then, on day two, fighting. - He slapped his hand down on his seat, exasperated. - On day four, he gets sick and makes Taehyung take care of him. On day five, ditched classes the whole day and didn't even bother to send emails to his teachers either asking for what they covered in the class or apologizing for not being there. And I seriously feel so ashamed, goddammit. - He closed his eyes. - Jungkook is full-on taking advantage of Taehyung's generosity. I really doubt the guy could ever convince him to change as he promised. Jungkook's simply... - He struggled to find a good enough word.

And Evans muttered,

- Unmanageable? - His breath hitting gently the rim of his glass. Yungsoo opened his eyes, looking displeased. - Unrestrainable? Unreasonable? Undisguisingly troublesome and immature? - The more he spoke, the more his body filled with adrenaline. The more flaws that boy had, the more classes he'll have to give him.

Yungsoo, on the other hand, sat back down and finished his drink in one go before leaning back on his chair and trying to straighten his suit as much as possible.

- At twenty-one, we were twice the men he is. It's like he's stuck at fourteen, no matter how good his grades are. And the problem is not only that he's troublesome, but he's also inconsistent and unpredictable. - He sighed, folding one knee over the other. - One day, we're laughing. The next, he can't even look at me. I just don't get it. It's almost like there's something seriously wrong with him or... - He grimaced. - No, how could that be? The other two are in perfect condition, he's just trying to be a pain. And I don't know why. -

Frowning, he kept on looking at the desk. And Evans took one more sip before leaving his glass on his desk and muttering,

- It almost sounds like you don't know what else to do with him. - Yungsoo sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. - You know... I can help you with that. -

- No. - Yungsoo shook his head at once and looked up at him. - I promised myself I would never put you through that again. The time it took from you... - His face suddenly displayed sorrow for him, and Evans tried to mirror it as best he could.

Alexander himself hardly even remembers what lie he told him. Something about his son's death having to do with him not being in the house for being with Jungkook or something like that. Whatever it was, it must've been really sad, so he must play the sadness card.

- Do not worry about such things, my friend. It's all in the past now, isn't it? - He smiled gently.

But Yungsoo grimaced.

- How would you even do it? He's not a child anymore, you can't play games like you used to. -

Of course, they'll still play games, those are Evans' favorite ways to teach.

This was always the most amusing part of lying; watching other people believing him and displaying true emotions by what he said.

- We can still use certain games. At least the ones my grandfather got to teach me. -

- Your grandfather was a teacher, wasn't he? -

- From my mother's side, yes. - He nodded. - So you see, I have the blood to do it. And the determination. The last thing I want is for the third son you always wanted to be a spot on the family picture. And... I don't have a son anymore. - He raised his shoulders just a little and Yungsoo closed his eyes in grief for him. - Let me teach him like I would've done to my son. And let me help you in the meantime. - He ended in a soft, gentle tone.

Yungsoo opened his eyes and thought about it for a moment.

Then, he sighed in defeat.

- I don't know how to feel about this. My son is such a mess that two men have offered me help in teaching him better. I know it's not my fault he's like this. -

- Of course, it isn't. -

- But his attitude reflects me so poorly that I feel ashamed whenever he makes trouble. Because, for some people, it will look like it's my fault when it isn't. And yet, no matter what I do to either please him or teach him, he just doesn't change. -

Alexander unfolded his legs and leaned forward, leaving his glass on the desk to look at him intently.

- I will change him. Remember that I was able to do it once. Remember how obedient he was. - Yungsoo lowered his head and grinned as he remembered the good times. - The problems started at thirteen; when he left his friends. His emotions wouldn't let him be objective. But he is grown now. I can teach him how to put his emotions aside. Come on, my friend. - He gave him a sympathetic smile when he looked up and saw the reaction, the emotion this face brought, reflected on Yungsoo's. - I once had a troublesome child, let me help you get rid of that burden without any casualties. -

Yungsoo's eyebrows furrowed in emotion and he stood. Evans followed after him until they were standing in front of the other, next to the desk.

- It looks like we're back on square one with this. - Yungsoo nearly chuckled.

- It does, doesn't it? - Evans grinned.

And they shook hands.

Little did Yungsoo know that the grandfather Evans mentioned was not from his mother's side, but his father's. He was not thinking of techniques he learned at the hands of the teacher, but at the hands of the landowner. A landowner who taught his favorite grandson many things merrily, including how to keep people obedient.

It all has to do with being in balance; using both sides of the coin. Since he's generally a good person, he needs to be bad sometimes. All in the name of balance.

Then, the clock struck four, and two things happened at the same time: Yungsoo's desk phone rang as the tingling red light indicated that it was from the reception desk downstairs, and the door of the office opened up without a single knock.

They both frowned at the sudden change of events and looked directly towards the door while the phone rang.

...Alexander didn't believe in destiny. But he just might start after today.

Right there, a little inside the threshold of the tall double doors, there was the new doctor, Lily-Anne Rennie, who'd opened the doors wide, and behind her, there were two guards in blue uniforms holding none other than a dirty, lowered-head Jungkook by each arm.

Alexander looked at him, trying with all his might not to let the corners of his mouth lift while he heard Yungsoo taking two long strides and picking up the phone.

- Yes. [...] Yes, guide them up here, quickly. - And he hung up the phone. - Doctor Lily-Anne, please come in with the rest. - He spoke louder.

- Thank you, Headmaster. - She answered curtly and seriously, giving a deep nod before walking towards them with precise, sharp steps.

As they neared, Evans turned his head and walked towards the other side of the desk, taking his drink casually as he went before turning at the corner and continuing his walk until he reached one of the closed doors leading to the balcony, behind Yungsoo.

- May I know why my son needs to be restrained? - He said in a measured tone.

The silence that followed behind Evans was loud enough that he understood. None of them had known he was his son.

- I'm terribly sorry to tell you this, Headmaster. - Her voice was just as serious and sharp as before. - But this child assaulted a teacher. -

Yungsoo slammed his hands down against his desk. And Alexander grinned halfway in amusement as he took a drink.

He might just need to fill it up again.

- ...I didn't. -

- Silence, Jungkook. - Yungsoo said sternly.

- What's going on? - Miranda's voice came from the open door.

Oh... this just got so much better. In casual strides, Evans went over to the bar.

- Doctor Lily-Anne was just telling me that Jungkook assaulted a teacher. - He repeated in a harsh tone.

- A Teacher? - She was appalled, now standing next to Yungsoo, it sounded like. - Which teacher? -

- Oliver O'Connor, Mrs. Abram. - Lily-Anne addressed her just as courtly. But the answer had them all in shock.

Even Alexander had stopped serving himself more whiskey in astonishment. Hadn't the man been one of his protectors or something like that? He'd flat out stopped him from getting near Jungkook since Wednesday night.

- ...I didn't. - Jungkook muttered again. It almost sounded like he wanted to cry.

Out of nowhere, Evan's blood boiled up. He couldn't tell if it was in anger or not, he could only feel his body, and his body felt like it was heating up. So, he took one of the shot glasses and filled it with whiskey quickly to drink it in one go. The burning of the liquid calmed down any other heat rising up.

- Be quiet. - Yungsoo reminded his son in a near hiss.

- Is Oliver alright? - Miranda asked the Doctor.

- He sustained a severe blow to the abdomen which could lead to severe internal bleeding and, at his age, this could be life-threatening. He could be needing surgery if it gets worse. -

Yungsoo and Miranda gasped and the former tried many times to say something, but couldn't. Not even Evans had something to say.

It's such horrible news to hear that this particular colleague could be in danger... Alexander grabbed an orange from the fruit bowl and cut it in half.

- Headmaster. - Another woman called from the doors.

This time, Evans did chuckle, but since his back was turned, no one could see.

It was the Chief Inspector and some of his men who'd come to talk to Yungsoo about some danger regarding the electronics in the university.

- Lily-Anne, please keep me updated on O'Connor's health. You two can let go of Jungkook and go stand at the door. -

- Yes, Sir. - The two guards said in unison before the three of them went away.

- Jungkook, go sit over there, now. - He commanded, and Evans could hear a pair of unwilling feet move towards his side of the room.

Of course, Yungsoo trusted his best friend to keep his son in place.

Alexander cut a slice of orange and cut it in half to put both inside his drink as he disguised his grin.

This whole thing just gets worse and worse.

- Mr, Richard. I'm sorry to have to welcome you in such a way. - Yungsoo apologized as he walked forward to shake his hand.

- No matter. It doesn't surprise me to see that boy restrained. Raphael, come here. -

It was just when Jungkook had sat stiffly on the couch beside the bar that Evans couldn't help but chuckle silently. He saw, from the corner of his eye, that Jungkook had stiffened, but he couldn't help it. It had been only when that man spoke that Evans remembered that this man's son had been Jungkook's punching bag.

Pursing his lips to stop from grinning at the utter chaos, he put the sliced orange away and grabbed two cubes of sugar.

- What was it you needed to speak to me so urgently about? - Yungsoo cut straight to the chase, ignoring the last comment.

Evans could only imagine the level of shame his friend was feeling at the moment. But he could only imagine. He'd never actually felt it.

With his drink in hand, he turned in place and sat in the armchair diagonal from Jungkook. Giving his back to the rest while looking straight at him.

Jungkook looked like a ghost. Sickly. Greenish pale. He sat tensely with his hands between his knees, looking resolutely down at the floor with red-rimmed eyes while breathing harshly.

- I'll go straight to the point. - Richard said in his low, commanding voice. - We've been getting faint signals about the rebels in the capital coming from inside Evanthe. -

Jungkook frowned, confused.

Alexander took a sip of his drink.

- Does that mean there's someone here helping those criminals? - Miranda asked.

- Yes, ma'am. -

- What do you mean by "faint signals"? - Yungsoo asked next.

- Raphael. - Richard commanded.

- Yes, sir. - His son went on. - On Saturday fourteen, two days ago, at nine hours, our team of information announced to the Assistant Chief Inspector that a threat against the palace had been made in a conversation between two untraceable phones. It had been simple; the caller told the other to "begin the attack on the palace". The call had been heard for less than thirty seconds which is why we couldn't track them back to their places of origin. However, because of their mishap, the Chief Superintendents of the north and the south were able to call for a meeting to arrange the protection of the palace for that same afternoon. Today at fifteen twenty-three hours, an email with an aerial-view picture of the palace and its surroundings was sent from a computer that we were able to track back to one of the dorms in Evanthe. The address it was sent to, couldn't be tracked. Due to the concerning nature of the message, we believe we're dealing with the same person that made the phone call. That's why we need your permission to arrest this person. -

A short silence came then.

Alexander had his suspicions about why these criminals would be doing what they were, given how he knew what was going on inside the palace that same Saturday, so it amazed him to think that someone on the outside, someone against what was going to happen, had been able to get the information. But the most amazing part was how it seemed it was all part of an even bigger plan. This person was able to get the information and give it to a large group of people who knew how to fight and were willing to go to war against the country's police to stop Saturday's meeting.

Right now, those rebels were -quite literally- holding the royal family and the prime minister hostage. If they surround the palace according to the picture that was sent by that email, even the underground tunnels will be useless as an escape route. And even if the decision that was supposed to be taken at that meeting had already been announced, no one inside the palace could call the people who needed the all-green signal because those criminals had cut all energy.

But even as amazing as it was, it was a wasted effort. Sooner or later, the people who needed the "all clear" will act on their own and start the plan. It was just a matter of time.

The silence only lasted about five seconds before Yungsoo was speaking again.

- Very well, I'll go with you. Miranda, you go and inform the ladies downstairs of the situation without any details and tell them to spread the word of warning throughout the staff; tell them not to use walkie-talkies or any electronics for this. And then go to the hospital wing. -

Miranda agreed and walked off in strong strides as Richard gave quick instructions to his own men. Then, Evans heard steps nearing him fast from behind. So he stood up and met Yungsoo, standing beside him.

- Do you have too much to do? - He was frantic but controlled; in perfect condition to give orders.

He knew what he was worried about.

- Leave him to me. I'll have a word with him in my apartment. - Evans assured him in lazy tones as he neared his half-empty drink to his chest.

But Yungsoo looked unsure as he stared from him to Jungkook, sitting frozen on the couch.

- If he tries to hurt you... you have my permission to defend yourself however necessary. -

Permission? From someone other than himself? Alexander could've scoffed at him. But he gave him an encouraging smile and a nod.

- It will not come to that. -

Yungsoo looked reassured as he half-turned towards Jungkook who was resolutely looking at the floor still. It hardly even looked like he was breathing.

- We'll reschedule our meeting for another day, son. -

How amusing, it almost sounded like a threat.

Jungkook didn't acknowledge his words nor anyone's presence, he simply sat there, tense and still as stone, now looking paler than bones.

With a hard, deep breath, Yungsoo turned around and walked off until he met Richard, his son, and his men at the door.

- You, stay with him. -

Then, they left, leaving them alone.

But Alexander knew they weren't really alone.

There was a tingling feeling flowing beneath his skin. It was almost... pleasant. Evans finished his drink in one go and turned to walk towards the bar to leave the glass there when out of nowhere, he saw Jungkook bolting like lightning, sprinting in one breath straight to the door and out of the office.

Evans waited... and then he heard the unmistakable,

- Let me go! -

Before one of Richard's guards, who he told to stay behind at the door, dragged him back in, holding his forearms tightly behind his back.

- Where to, sir? - The man in uniform asked Alexander in a soldier's manner.

Evans grinned as he turned to leave his glass on the bar counter before he walked on towards them.

He looked straight into Jungkook's eyes as he approached and saw the transparent display of emotions playing in the latter's. It has always been one of the most exhilarating parts, to see the emotions he draws out of people. Since he's unfamiliar with how emotions feel in any other way that isn't merely physical, then, watching emotions of anger blending towards one of pure horror just for the fact that he was walking ever closer, was amusing to him.

He looked into his eyes until he walked past them. Then he said to the guard,

- To my apartment. We can't have him running around the place. I'll lock him up until he calms down. -

Jungkook gasped.

- Yes, sir. - The deep voice answered and started to walk behind him, pushing Jungkook as he went.

But then Jungkook drew in a deep breath.

- LET GO OF ME. LET GO OF ME. LET ME GO. - He was yelling and trying to throw himself onto the floor, thrashing, and pushing, nearly breaking the guard's nose by throwing his head backward in an attempt to pull him off.

The guard visibly struggled as he tried to force him to his knees or flat on the floor. The moment Jungkook knew what he was trying to do, he tried to do the opposite. It was obvious by the sound of the guard's grunts that Jungkook didn't even care if he was hurting himself or others, he just wanted to be gone.

Alexander watched, standing near the door with his hands folded behind his back as the guard pulled Jungkook up by his arms, lifting him off his feet before turning him to the side so he could then slam him flat against the floor, belly down. Jungkook shouted out in pain...

...and Evans swallowed.

- I apologize for the delay sir, he's being difficult. - The guard panted as he pressed a knee against the back of Jungkook's neck and still held his wrists behind the small of his back.

Evans neared them again. And Jungkook started crying as he watched his feet approaching.

- ...no... no... - He sobbed quietly.

Then, he reached them and looked down at the guard who waited for orders.

- Asphyxiate him until he passes out. We'll take him easier that way. -

- NO! ¡NOOOO! - Jungkook began to scream again and even tried to get free though he would be choking himself with the guard's knee. He was hysterical.

The only reason why Jungkook had enough time to react this way was that the guard's "ready to serve" expression changed as his furrowed eyebrows lifted. He'd been taken by surprise. But it only took for Evans to slightly frown down at him for him to quickly let go of Jungkook so he could then grab him by the shoulders and pull him into a kneeling position.

Before Jungkook could even try to put a foot against the ground, he was pulled back against the guard's chest as one of his arms folded around his neck. Then, his frantic, wet eyes bulged in fright as he tried unsuccessfully to scream. And his hands tried to get his arm off in vain.

Alexander sighed and straightened his head to look up through the windows to the balcony. He could hear the rain outside and the spluttering of a choking man at his feet. It was chaotic everywhere. However, there was peace inside him.

There had been too much calm for too long. Things needed a little more balance.         

________________________________________________________________________________

🌼Thank you for reading Chapter 68 <3<3<3

Your devoted writer,

Ela Shadow Rose 🥀

Go ahead with the next Chapter ->->->