Pairing: San & Felix (ft. ATZ)
Genre: Mafia AU, Hybrid AU
!!TW!! : angst, past abuse, mentioned hybrid trafficking, mentioned fighting ring, SKZ are the bad guys in this, Halateez is a thing too
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Ever since Felix had run away, ATEEZ hadn't been the same. A distinct tension reigned in the group, and conflicts erupted at the slightest spark of irritation. To say Hongjoong had fucked up would be an understatement, but it was too late to take it back, now.
"San, we should go—"
"Shut up. I know."
Jongho heaved out a sigh as San stalked away. Ever since Felix had run away, San had become distant and irritable, snapping at the slightest thing. He blamed everyone for Felix's departure but, most importantly, he blamed himself – and, for the last month, he spent every single night scouring the streets and alleys in the hopes of finding the cat hybrid again. Jongho couldn't really blame him. With SKZ actively looking for Felix, the freckled boy was definitely in danger, and he couldn't trust anyone. He was surely scared, probably hurt, and most definitely alone – no wonder San was so worried and agitated.
But thankfully, as much as life enjoyed screwing everyone over, it also had a way of giving back.
"What's up?" asked Jongho, answering Yunho's call.
"We found Felix. He's been caught, he's being taken across the border as we speak, and there's not enough of us to stop them. Leader gave the all-clear for a rescue mission, but we'll have to give up if they make it beyond our territory."
"Got it. Send us your location, we're on our way." Hanging up, he noticed that San was already far ahead, and he bit back a sigh. "San! Move your ass, they've found Felix!"
Those were the magic words and, in an instant, San was back by his side, his eyes wide and his hands clenching as he obviously refrained the urge to shake the younger's shoulders.
"Where!? Is he okay!?"
"Come on, I'll explain everything on the way, but we gotta hurry!"
"Roger that!"
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Felix had been hiding in an abandoned warehouse located at the very opposite of SKZ's territory, but spies had managed to find him and restrain him. One of Yunho's informants had contacted him about it, having witnessed the kidnapping, and ATEEZ had instantly gone on the move.
Hongjoong was willing to give rescuing Felix a shot, but not to the price of an all-out war with SKZ – if the hybrid was taken to their rival's territory, then they'd simply have to resign themselves to giving him up for good. Understanding what was at stake, the others were quick to elaborate a plan and put it into action.
Yeosang's sharpshooter abilities allowed him to hit two of the wheels and effectively sent the car crashing into a nearby fence. The moment the kidnappers lost control of the vehicle, the other members instantly rushed in, Mingi, Jongho, and Yunho making a beeline for the front so as to handle the spies, while San, Wooyoung, and Seonghwa quickly walked toward the back of the van.
Forcing the doors open while their teammates handled the four spies, San felt intense relief wash over him when his eyes landed on Felix. The poor boy was unconscious and tied up on the floor of the van with some blood caking his hair and his forehead but, other than that, he seemed fine.
Quickly getting rid of his bindings, San then carefully picked him up, cradling him against his chest and cursing internally at just how light the younger was – he definitely hadn't been eating much, if at all. Just as he got out of the van, Felix stirred, his eyes blearily opening.
"S- San...?" he mumbled.
"Hi, sweetheart. It's okay, I've got you now," assured gently the older, lowering his mask to offer the younger a smile.
But Felix shook his head weakly, tears filling his eyes. "Can't... I can't go back—"
"You're not going back."
"Hon- Hongjoong—"
"We can talk about this later, once you've regained your strength," shushed San, tightening his hold a little in case Felix attempted to escape – but the hybrid merely slumped in his arms, defeated. "Let's go home, now."
San wasted no time in leaving the scene, intent on bringing Felix back to safety, and leaving the clean-up to the rest of his team. He couldn't hold back a satisfied grin as an explosion echoed behind them – that'd teach those SKZ bastards not to send their spies over.
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For the following few days, Felix was skittish, refusing to let anyone other than San enter the room, let alone approach him. San often found him hidden under the bed or inside the closet whenever he returned to the room, Felix obviously fearing the worst from them. It broke his heart. Gaining Felix's trust and seeing him find happiness again thanks to them had meant the world to San but now, it felt like everything they'd built had simply been destroyed. Felix didn't trust them, he was scared of them – and with reason, too.
San understood why Hongjoong had done what he did. He understood that Felix was a logical bargaining chip, that ATEEZ could benefit a lot from handing him over to his previous owners, but there was something so inherently wrong about using him of the sort when he basically became one of them, and he absolutely refused to let something of the sort happen again.
Which led him to now.
"What the hell!? San! Open the damn door!"
"Not until you've talked things out!!!"
San had taken it upon himself to ensure Hongjoong wouldn't repeat the same mistake ever again – that is, by forcing him to bond with Felix and finally understand why the rest of his members cared so much for the cat boy.
(Him maybe more than the others. As soon as Hongjoong finally accepted Felix properly, San was planning on confessing to the younger.)
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Hongjoong angrily banged on the door a few more times before finally giving up with a frustrated curse. A moment later, however, a faint whimper made him pause. He glanced around, his brows furrowed in confusion. After a few seconds of heavy silence, he heaved out a sigh.
"Come out, Felix."
Only silence answered. His frustration flared.
"Felix!!! Stop—"
He was cut off by a choked out sob. Freezing for a second, his frustration simmered down as he belatedly realized that, wherever the hybrid was hiding, he was crying. It puzzled him. Sure, Hongjoong was angry, but it's not like he was angry at Felix or that he was going to hurt him because... of it...
The leader refrained the urge to facepalm as he finally understood what was wrong, and the bitter taste of guilt filled his mouth. Running his hand through his hair, he took another look around the room. There weren't many places where Felix could be hidden, and San constantly complained about how Felix always hid under the bed despite the dust accumulating there...
Crouching down, he peered under the bed and, after a few seconds, he finally managed to catch sight Felix's trembling form. The hybrid was curled up on himself, his ears flat against his head as he uselessly fought to keep his soft cries silent, his entire body wracked with stifled sobs.
The sight only made Hongjoong feel even worse.
"Felix?" he called out again, trying to make his tone a little softer. "Come on out. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. I just want to talk."
Felix didn't reply, let alone move. Understanding mere words weren't going to convince him, Hongjoong decided to join him instead. He began crawling under the bed, hissing under his breath whenever he got stuck – how Felix could even fit under there, he'd never know.
"Felix," he called out again, the boy startling violently at hearing his voice so near.
Felix's eyes widened, filled with tears and shining in the semi-darkness, and the pitiful sight admittedly tugged at Hongjoong's heartstrings. In that very moment, Felix painfully reminded him of how Wooyoung used to be when they first brought him back here...
I'm such an idiot, he groaned internally.
He breathed in and out a few times before, finally, he gathered the necessary strength to speak the next few words.
"Felix... I'm sorry. You trusted us to keep you safe, and I betrayed you in the worst of ways. I was just trying to look out for my family without realizing that you'd basically become a part of it... I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."
Hongjoong wasn't the type to apologize easily, mostly because he never had a reason to. Seemingly sensing it, Felix's sobs slowly quietened into soft sniffles instead, the younger obviously considering the older's apology.
"... I don't want to go back," he eventually whispered. "I- I don't care if you kick to the curb or- or throw me out... Just please, don't make me go back..."
"I won't," assured Hongjoong without missing a beat. "You're welcomed to stay with us for as long as you want to, and you're also free to leave should you wish to – you can do whatever you want, Felix, but I can promise you that for as long as you stay where our influence can reach, then ATEEZ will protect you."
After a few more seconds, Felix hesitantly nodded. Heaving out a relieved sigh, Hongjoong then proceeded with crawling out from under the bed, cursing under his breath when he accidentally hit his head while getting out. A muffled giggle echoed behind him, and he bit back a smile at the sound.
With a tired groan, he flopped down on the bed. If San was going to be an ass and lock him up for an indefinite amount of time, then Hongjoong might as well make use of the opportunity and get some rest. Cracking an eye open, he offered a small smile when he noticed Felix now awkwardly standing beside the bed, his eyes still rimmed red.
Without a word, the leader opened his arms in a silent invitation. Surprise shone in Felix's eyes but, after a moment of hesitation, he hesitantly joined the leader. Sensing how the hybrid's little body was still trembling a bit, Hongjoong carefully wrapped his arms around him, pulling him against his chest while one of his hands began gently petting his ears.
After a minute or so, Felix finally relaxed and, soon enough, he was passed out in Hongjoong's arms, purring softly. The leader marveled a bit at the soft sound and how angel-like the boy's relaxed expression was, internally wondering how anyone could ever wish to hurt someone so innocent.
He'd been an idiot, that much he knew. It'd take some time before he managed to build up a good relationship with Felix considering his past mistake, but he figured this was a good start.
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A few weeks later
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"Hi, sweetheart. Did you have fun with Yunho and Wooyoung today?"
"Hmm. I really like video games. Can we play together sometime?"
"Of course, love. Though be warned: I'm a sore loser."
Felix giggled a bit at that, shifting so he could straddle San's lap properly, loosely wrapping his arms around the man's neck. Ever since San had confessed his feelings a few weeks back, the two had grown incredibly closer. While Felix had yet to say "I love you" back, neither of them felt the need to rush things.
Felix needed more time to properly recover from his past trauma and understand his own feelings, and San was happy with just getting to hold him and care for him as he pleased, so the two of them were perfectly content as they were right now, without the pressure of any sort of expectations.
"Does that mean I have to let you win to make you happy?" he teased.
San grinned, his hands coming to rest on the hybrid's hip. "Or you comfort me every time I lose. I think kisses would be a fair way to make it up to me, hm?"
"Sounds more like a reward," laughed Felix, nuzzling their noses together. "What do I get if I lose, then? Do I get kisses too?"
"You can get kisses whenever you want, love."
Felix simply laughed again, leaning down to peck San's lips before burrowing his face in the crook of San's neck, hugging the older tightly. He might still be unable to tell for certain if what he felt was love when he'd been deprived of it for so many years, but he knew for a fact that San made him happy, and that he cared deeply for the older.
For now, it would have to do. Felix wasn't worried, though – he knew that, when the right time finally came, he'd be able to return San's feelings tenfold.
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Another short and sweet AU! I actually do have a bunch of those up my sleeve - gotta keep you guys on your toes somehow xD