Shadows of the Past

The evening sky cast long shadows over Seungcheol's mansion as its lights flickered to life, illuminating the grand meeting room. Tonight was different; a tangible tension hung in the air. Seungcheol's recent orders on ramping up security were an unusual directive, and the gang knew something serious was at play.

Seungcheol stood at the head of the table, his expression hard, gaze steely, but beneath that cold exterior, his mind raced. Jeonghan—the gentle florist he'd watched from a distance for so long—was now a pawn in a dangerous game he hadn't intended for him to play.

"Jeonghan's protection is now our top priority," Seungcheol's voice was firm, cutting through the quiet like a blade. "We'll ensure every route he takes is secure, every corner of his shop monitored. No one comes near him."

At this, Wonwoo leaned forward, ever the strategist, arms folded and eyes keen. "Who exactly is this Jeonghan, hyung?" His voice was calm but pressing. "Why are we suddenly treating him like one of us?"

Seungcheol's gaze snapped toward Wonwoo, but he didn't answer right away. The room fell silent as his teammates exchanged curious glances, waiting. Only Dino sat tensely, already understanding the gravity of the situation, while Hansol's observant eyes followed every shift in Seungcheol's expression.

After a pause, Seungcheol finally spoke. "Jeonghan... is someone who belongs to me," he replied coldly. "That's all you need to know. No one touches him. Is that clear?"

Wonwoo's eyebrows arched, surprise flickering across his face before it settled back into thought. "Belongs to you?" Jun muttered under his breath, clearly perplexed. Hoshi shrugged, exchanging a knowing look with Hansol, who merely nodded, understanding how much Jeonghan's safety meant to Seungcheol, even if the reasoning was a mystery.

But Wonwoo pressed on. "If Viktor Kwon is involved, this is a direct play against you, hyung," he said, his voice cutting through the quiet. "There's no use hiding Jeonghan. Viktor has his sights on him because of you. We could use Jeonghan to lure Viktor out. It's efficient. We take him down, and Jeonghan's safe once he's out of the picture."

"Efficient, maybe," Hansol agreed, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "But risky. If Viktor knows Jeonghan is connected to hyung, he's already using him as bait. He'll push Seungcheol to the edge, make us act without thinking. The moment Jeonghan gets harmed, hyung is Viktor's puppet. We'd be playing right into his hands."

Seungcheol's jaw clenched, and a dark anger flashed in his eyes. "Jeonghan will not be used as bait," he said in a deadly tone, his words silencing the room. "I don't care how logical the idea sounds. I won't let Viktor turn this into his game."

Dino, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke, his voice cautious but resolute. "Hyung, what if we use his home as a decoy? We keep it heavily guarded so Viktor thinks Jeonghan is there, but we move him to a place even Viktor can't reach. Somewhere that only we know."

Seungcheol looked at Dino, considering. Hansol nodded in agreement, adding, "That way, Viktor would be left guessing, but we'd still be one step ahead. If we keep shifting his location at random, he'll have nothing to follow but a trail of false leads."

Hoshi crossed his arms, thoughtful. "If we're going that route, we need to draw up his routes carefully. Viktor's good, but he relies on intel and patterns. If we give him nothing to work with, he'll be forced to make a mistake."

Wonwoo finally conceded with a nod, acknowledging the plan's strength. "It would buy us time," he admitted. "And time means options."

Seungcheol's eyes darkened as he spoke, looking out the window as though he could see Viktor's shadow creeping closer. "We will use everything we have to ensure Jeonghan's safety, even if it means Viktor grows desperate. Let him believe I've lost my guard. Let him think Jeonghan is within his reach. The second he shows his face, he's done."

With a final, determined look, Seungcheol dismissed the meeting, a sense of purpose uniting his team. Hansol and Dino shared a silent understanding as they left; Jeonghan was no longer just a priority—they would guard him like one of their own, not only because he meant something to Seungcheol but because they understood that his life had become part of the shadowed game against Viktor.

Seungcheol's mind churned as he returned to his room, alone. He'd always known he was the true target, but now, he couldn't shake the bitterness of how easily Viktor had latched onto Jeonghan. 

He had stayed away from Jeonghan to protect him from the darkness of his world, but now, without ever touching him, he had dragged Jeonghan into the very danger he feared. Viktor Kwon, the last remnant of trauma for Seungcheol and his men, had resurfaced. Eliminating Viktor had been their dream for twelve years—a dream that now seemed intertwined with Jeonghan's safety. 

 Seungcheol's thoughts spiraled. Was it the potential danger to Jeonghan that haunted him? The thought of Viktor finding and hurting him sent waves of fury coursing through his veins. Or was it the fear of how Jeonghan would react if he knew who Seungcheol really was? That he was a man capable of violence, destruction, and darkness?

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