[M] Pain (1/1)

Taehee called Lumin into his office. The young officer felt a pit forming in his stomach. Sighing, he opened the door to find Taehee pacing back a forth. The leader ignored him when he walked in, but stopped pacing to stare out the window. “Have a seat, officer.” His voice was low and cold. Dangerous.  Lumin sat down and grit his teeth when Taehee turned around. He didn’t sit down, but remained standing. “What the fuck were you thinking? Jihyun could have been saved, if you have just listened to me and taken her back with us.” Lumin nodded, his lips pursed. “Yeah…We could have taken her back with us so we could watch her kill us all. I’ve been down that road…” His eyes were gleaming with tears now. “You don’t want to do that. They will kill everyone, when given the chance. She tried to kill Jonghyun right after she came out of it.” Lumin was silent for a moment. “Like I said, it’s not a pretty sight to see your dongsaengs killed in front of you…just because you think it was avoidable.” Taehee shook his head, trying to clear the sight of JJ killing one of his own people in front of him. “Officer Lee, I’m NOT a rookie, and I DO know how it is to lose people. Especially now,” he knew he was being irrational, but didn’t care. “Don’t you dare put your past mistakes on me! This is different.” He sank down in the chair, leaning back and closing his eyes.  Lumin was quiet for a moment, then took a deep breath. “Taehee, I’m not trying to put any of my mistakes on you, and I DO understand that this isn’t easy. I knew her, too. I’m sorry…” Licking his lips, he smiled weakly. “Please don’t take this out on JJ. He was only doing what was needed to protect Jonghyun.” Taehee shook his head, looking defeated now. “I won't. I should have been a better leader and not taken my guys into that.” Lumin was surprised at Taehee’s change in demeanor. He was a bit unstable and still seemed to be angry.“Look, I’m going to go find JJ and talk to him. He’s most likely beating himself up right now.” Taehee simply nodded, and Lumin left. Going to JJ’s room, he found him in on the bed, holding a beer. Lumin sat down on the bed and JJ offered him the can. He accepted a small drink from it, then handed it back.  JJ was tense, but also subdued. “I wish it could have been different. She was going after Jonghyun, and…” He took another drink of the beer. “I didn’t see what else I could do. She would have killed him, in that state of mind and the form she would have taken later. Why did it have to be one of our own?” Lumin took JJ’s hand, rubbing it gently. JJ frowned and jerked it back. “That’s just how it plays out sometimes. It sucks, but you did the right thing, hyung. I know how hard it is.”  JJ nodded, still tense. “I know. You’re a good friend. Thank you for coming in here.” He hugged Lumin, who pulled him close. “Thank you, Seunghyun.” Lumin swallowed the lump in his throat, then replied. “Of course. That’s what friends do. I would have done it for anyone.” The feeling in his heart said otherwise. He felt like someone had it in a vice grip.   Jay found Karam lying on the couch, watching television with a bag of chips in his hand. He wasn’t really paying attention to it, which showed his state of mind. He was obviously tense. “Hey, hyung.” Jay gently pushed Karam’s legs over and sat down next to him. He took a few chips when Karam offered them. “You know, that