August 20th, 1895 — Dongmulwon Park in Northumberland

Pre-emptively marking as mature for cw of abuse.

The Collector had already been sending him out to retrieve objects around Britain that he found interesting. Mostly dark magic artifacts thus far, though Ahn-Bo had a feeling that the kind he dreaded was going to be the next request. Cursed objects terrified him. He had some back-alley curse-breaking training, but it certainly wasn't anything comparable to what a true curse-breaker education would look like. So instead, he mostly guessed and hoped that luck was on his side. Sometimes he could afford to stock up on Felix Felicis. He had yet to acquire any since their move. He made a mental note to do just that the next time he was out.

Not today, though. He'd left the day before to travel to Glasgow and meet up with yet another shady character from who knew where. Though he hadn't stopped to sleep or eat, it had still taken him this long to get the deal carried out and then return home with the dark scroll. Ahn-Bo was sure he looked like he was run ragged—but in an attractive way. Rugged, even. Mysterious.

He let those thoughts cheer him as he left the elder's office. Of course, he had been barely spoken to. Mostly grunted at and told where to put the scroll, along with plenty of other insults that Ahn-Bo let roll off his back. He went from room to room, peeking his head inside to see where everyone was. The house was eerily quiet.

Seojin Jeong

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Ahn-Bo speaks in Korean to his family unless otherwise stated in posts.
He has a noticeable accent when speaking in English.

Set by the amazing Fox! • plot with me

Echoing the CW and emphasizing: mentions of abuse and slightly graphical metaphors.

If there was one thing Jin was grateful for, it was that Ahn-Bo was away on one of his runs. A harsh ringing noise sounded in his eardrums. Ki-Se was in the library, three floors down and - hopefully - out of hearing range. The crack sounded like lightning across his cheek. Taesu was out with a client. A soft grunt, swallowed in retribution. And Yun was in the basement, testing whatever the latest of Abeoji’s little collectibles might have in store.

By the time Jin finished filtering through where his various brothers might or might not be, his vision was swimming before his eyes, but he could at least taste the satisfaction of saving them the pressure of this particular exchange. It was metallic and coppery on his tongue. He knew that, sometimes, his actions determined the fates of his brothers and that Abeoji was harder on them when he was dissatisfied with one. It’s why Jin was always on his best damn behavior. Why he was always trying so hard to make everyone else happy, to stay out of the way, to be invisible. He didn’t even know who he was anymore outside of this vice grip around his lungs and here he was anyway— being berated for not being good enough at it. 

By the time he exited the office and slunk back to his room, the knot he’d been able to feel in his lungs finally released. Air passed through his lips and sunk deep down into the crevices it had been striving for but could not reach before. Jin collapsed against the wall and ran a hand tiredly through his too-short hair. His ribs felt like they’d been broken off - one by one - and shaken around in a jar before the pieces were shoved back in place, jagged and tearing at the remnants of what was left. And that was nothing compared to the pounding behind his right eyeball.

A few simple spells and he’d be right as rain, but that was the curse of belonging to this magical menagerie: they were all paper dolls that could be torn and taped back together, over and over again. Not for the first time— Jin had no idea where his wand was. His hands were shaking too badly to manage it even if he’d had the thing though, and he wasn’t ready to call Eun-Ho for help. He sunk down to the floor and resisted the urge to replay the scene over in his head. Or smash anything, as the anger swimming in his veins refused to simmer.

Footsteps sounded down the hall and Jin held his breath, praying that whoever it was would bypass this room. He hadn’t had a chance to cover up yet and hide the worst of it as he usually tried, even from his brothers. (They weren’t stupid; they could usually guess.) The door swung open and a shadow crept across the wood floor from the light in the hall. Jin didn’t move, hoping that he wouldn’t be spotted in his place beside the door.

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Ahn-Bo Jeong & song <|3

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.

He hadn't seen Jin immediately, hidden behind the door as he was. Had Ahn-Bo not had wolf-life senses, he may have believed it and continued searching. This scent was fresh with a faint note of Jin's blood. It mingled with a brush of the Collector's scent. His stomach dropped. The particular combination and the fact that Jin hadn't greeted him at the door with his shy smirk told him everything he needed to know. (It also explained why the Collector couldn't be bothered with him just moments ago. He'd just spent whatever rage he was in entirely on the singer.)

Tensing, Ahn-Bo stepped further into the room, "Jin-ah eodiya?" His heart was already pounding, his blood boiling, and he hadn't even seen him yet. He turned to shut the door behind him—his gaze falling on his best friend and then some. Jin's form was slumped against the wall, broken, bruised, and defeated. He'd told himself he wouldn't react... but he was unable to stop the sharp gasp from escaping.

If it had been another brother, he would have bent down and immediately gone to setting things right. But Jin's moods were unpredictable at times, and until Ahn-Bo knew which one he was in, he would keep his distance. Instead, he seethingly cataloged the visible injuries.

eodiya (informal): where are you?

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Ahn-Bo speaks in Korean to his family unless otherwise stated in posts.
He has a noticeable accent when speaking in English.

Set by the amazing Fox! • plot with me

Jin felt more than heard Ahn-Bo’s presence. It flooded the room with an immediate warmth that hadn’t been there before - that was never there unless he was here - and even in the dark it felt brighter. Jin struggled against this feeling knowing better than to get comfortable. The last thing he needed was Abeoji to walk in on them and make things worse, for either. Still, it wasn’t like hyung would go away if he just sat there and said nothing. He’d already been spotted anyway if the resulting gasp was any indication.

Jin ducked his head to keep his face from being too visible. The simmering anger was slowly melting into shame, regret, and embarrassment. He opened his mouth to say something dismissive, or anything really, but the words would not form. His lungs felt dry and painful.

With an effort, he let out a shaky sigh. He didn’t want to be brave anymore. He just wanted to be left alone to wallow in his own pity. The responsible thing to do however was to dismiss his brother and get on with tidying himself up. And he would.

Eventually.

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Ahn-Bo Jeong & song <|3

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.

Ah, so it was this mood then. This he could deal with. This was the mood where Jinu was the most responsive. It was the angry, out of control version that even Ahn-Bo would admit was frightening. It didn’t come out often, thankfully. But when it did… no, he dismissed that train of thought. It wasn’t something to worry about right now.

With a glance, he confirmed that the door was closed. They were only a few doors down from the office and the Collector had made it very clear what he thought of their relationship dynamic. (Which of course meant that there was to be no intimacy, period.) Slowly, as if approaching a wounded animal, Ahn-Bo crouched beside Jin. He was already trying to turn his face away.

He reached for Jin's chin, softly turning it towards the light so that he could see the full damage. Ahn-Bo barely covered his wince. Jin had to be in so much pain–the marks alone... another wave of pure hatred swept through him. He should just go to the collector's office and kill him once and for all. Then he could never hurt Jin, or any of the other brothers ever again. That wasn't what Jin needed right now, though. "Looks like a painting," He teased lightly, hoping that humor would withdraw Jin from his shell, "Very colorful."

  

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Ahn-Bo speaks in Korean to his family unless otherwise stated in posts.
He has a noticeable accent when speaking in English.

Set by the amazing Fox! • plot with me

Jin didn’t resist when Ahn-Bo finally swept over to him and settled on the floor. He didn’t want to. He was so tired of… trying, and being responsible, and caring about every stupid thing! He was fragile too, despite trying to keep a solid presence and seeming put together. Ahn-Bo’s fingers were warm as they gently nudged his chin in the other direction and Jin couldn’t help the watery frown that he displayed. It was like flipping open to a page in a book and seeing everything in the author’s heart. He was just glad he was angry enough to keep the tears from falling. Yet.

A soft, garbled laugh bubbled up at Ahn-Bo’s comment despite Jin’s mood. It was humorless but gentle, a force he tried to wield to say that he was fine. Everything was just. fine.

(But it wasn’t, and the bloom across his cheek made that perfectly obvious.)

“Frame it and maybe we can make a fortune so we can run off together,” he responded. His voice was hard even with the attempt at levity. It was a ridiculous premise, their ever being able to afford to live on their own. Much less the five of them plus Eun-Ho.

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Ahn-Bo Jeong & song <|3

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.

Though his eyes were full of unshed tears, Jin managed a laugh. It was small, but it counted as far as Ahn-Bo was concerned. Relief replaced the anger–though he knew it was only temporary. He'd managed to find Jin before he'd been alone for too long. Jin was a thinker. Something Ahn-Bo admired about him, but he also knew that sometimes, Jin would get caught up in his thoughts and need to be pulled back to reality again. Otherwise, he'd build walls around himself so thick that no one could get through. Even Ahn-Bo. The tease had managed a small crack, at least, and he plowed ahead.

"I would, but I fear that your choices would require you to either wear the frame permanently or become headless." He forced a smirk, as if this were just one of their usual banters. "Apparently there's a gwisin that stays at the school. Nearly headless..." What was it again? Nathaniel? Ned? Noah? Not that it mattered either way... as he pondered the name, he withdrew his wand from his vest pocket and motion vagely toward it with the other. An unspoken question if Jin would allow him to unpaint his face.

gwisin: a spirit/ghost

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Ahn-Bo speaks in Korean to his family unless otherwise stated in posts.
He has a noticeable accent when speaking in English.

Set by the amazing Fox! • plot with me

At Ahn-Bo’s rather practical response, another surprised little laugh managed to sneak its way up and out. It was a bit more genuine this time and Jin felt his face pull in just the wrong way at the motion. He hissed in pain. “Aish…” Still, he couldn’t help the thawing of his nerves. Ahn-Bo knew just what to say, or not say, in moments like these. Sometimes it felt like he was the yang to Jin’s unbearably cloudy, desolate yin. (A mudang had once told him in passing that he had a disastrously depleted store of yang and Jin had muttered back he’d been born this way. Ever since, he’d taken the notion to heart.) But Ahn-Bo more than made up for it.

Jin gave his brother a wearied look but he nodded just slightly at the indication towards the wand. He trusted Ahn-Bo enough with magic to let him take a shot. There were very few that could be counted in that number, even amongst his brothers, but Jin was so tired he was pretty sure he’d have let even Ki-Se try to heal him. (The littlest was skilled, there was no doubt about that. He just needed to practice control.)

“I suppose you’re right,” Jin sighed then, continuing on with the thread they’d started. “A frame would be ridiculous and headlessness would make it difficult to admire you.” A teasing little smile stole over his features but it didn’t reach as far as it normally might. His lungs still hurt from being pinched.

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Ahn-Bo Jeong & song <|3

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.

Jin's hard shell had cracked and was being peeled away with every little smile and laugh. Ahn-Bo wouldn't lie in admitting that he believed himself to be Jin's favorite—that he was also the most good-looking (except for Taesu of course; magic was magic)—but he also didn't think that Jin would have let anyone else see him like this or tend to him either. Only Ahn-Bo. He didn't wait a moment longer to begin the healing magic. Not that he was worried about losing his position at the top anytime soon; Jin was in obvious pain, and Ahn-Bo wasn't going to allow him to suffer for a second longer.

Already, the bruises on the perfect face he adored so much had begun to fade away. Ahn-Bo met Jin's eyes, "Among other things." He lowered his wand and admired his handiwork. "Your face is as good as new. Not as attractive as mine, of course, but healing magic can only do so much," [/b]he teased. Then, he grasped said face on either side and gave a quick tug. He planted a quick kiss to the top of Jin's head and then returned to his task. "Show me."[/b] 'Where else did that bastard hurt you?' he wanted to scream. Instead, he sat back on his haunches to wait for Jin's response.

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Ahn-Bo speaks in Korean to his family unless otherwise stated in posts.
He has a noticeable accent when speaking in English.

Set by the amazing Fox! • plot with me

Even just basking in Ahn-Bo’s warm presence with that particular look of concern in his eye made Jin feel a little better. He still ached all over, and it would be a few days of charms and covering up before he was right again, but he wouldn’t have traded this moment.

Wincing only just as Ahn-Bo began to attend to his face, Jin sat very still. He could feel the bloom of cold spreading across his cheek from the spell like a droplet of blood in water. He was sure in a moment or two he would look a lot less purple and there was some comfort in that. Another smile stole across his lips at hyung’s commentary, though Jin pursed his lips to keep it from hurting. The appraisal was so Ahn-Bo that it warmed him from the inside. Before Jin could respond however, a kiss was pressed to his head and he couldn’t help but pout slightly. (He basked in the glow of the affection but for a second there he’d almost expected something else.)

Their little bubble soon popped though as hyung went on to ask where else. Jin wasn’t sure he wanted to admit to the broken ribs. They certainly felt a lot worse than his face had so he could only imagine how it must look. His eyes dropped and darted to the side. “Gwaenchana,” he muttered dismissively. Ahn-Bo had already helped him. He would be fine now… in a few minutes.

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Ahn-Bo Jeong & song <|3

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.

Ahn-Bo had caught the look in Jin's eye as he pulled away—surprise and also... a pout. Of course he would pout. He had to look away before he did something impulsive. Now was much too risky, especially with Jin's numerous injuries. And Ahn-Bo knew there was more than just what he could see. The Collector was thorough in everything he did. His gaze flew back to Jin from the dismissal. So his wall wasn't completely down yet—not that it ever really was, if he truly thought about it. Still, Jin snuck to the attic during the full moon to care for him. Did he truly expect Ahn-Bo not to do the same when needed?

It was his turn to pout. "You insult my intelligence, Jin-ah." He waved his hand impatiently in a 'get on with it' gesture.

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Ahn-Bo speaks in Korean to his family unless otherwise stated in posts.
He has a noticeable accent when speaking in English.

Set by the amazing Fox! • plot with me

Ahn-Bo’s own pout was like a weapon. The moment it appeared Jin felt his resolve soften and he almost whined. That wasn’t fair! He couldn’t use his wiles to win favor with the judge! Jin dropped his chin and stuck out his lower lip grumpily. He should have known he wasn’t fooling anyone though. Especially not he who knew Jin best.

Shifting a bit, he finally gave in. “It’s just my rib,” he mumbled. Singular. Ahn-Bo didn’t have to know it was all of them on the right side.

He was still attired in the formal wear from tonight’s event, minus the jacket and waistcoat that had been discarded immediately upon returning home. Tugging the pressed white dress shirt out of his trousers, Jin shifted again and it was incredibly painful. He hissed and paused to take a quick breath. He honestly wasn’t sure he was ready to see what it looked like himself just yet.

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Ahn-Bo Jeong & song <|3

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.

Every wince and sound of pain that came from Jin made Ahn-Bo's chest ache. He hated that he was in pain. Hated the situation they were in. The restrictions. The expectations. Their jailer, currently playing as their doting father. He refused to call him Abeoji, though he knew the others did. To him, he would only ever be the Collector. Ahn-Bo had had a father, once. That had been more than enough for him.

He watched Jin's jerky movements carefully. It was difficult to tell which side the injured rib was on, and the shirt had yet to be lifted enough to reveal it. Jin had gone quiet again. That wasn't a good sign. And it likely wasn't just one rib, either. Time to play again, to pull Jin back from the ledge. "No need to be shy, Jin-ah. I've seen it all before, remember?"

  

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Ahn-Bo speaks in Korean to his family unless otherwise stated in posts.
He has a noticeable accent when speaking in English.

Set by the amazing Fox! • plot with me

If a little trill of doxy wings fluttered against the inside of Jin’s intestines at the comment, he didn’t say anything. His cheeks heated though, giving him away. It was true. Ahn-Bo had certainly seen his ribs before, and plenty more. Many times in fact. But it wasn’t shyness keeping Jin’s shirt on. It was pride.

Deciding to do away with it as best as he could, the half-vampire began undoing the buttons on the dress shirt. It was probably easier to come in from this angle. When he reached the bottom, he sucked on his lower lip and bit down to keep from making further sounds of discomfort as he shifted to give Ahn-Bo a proper view. If his own golden-brown gaze flickered away, it was merely because he still didn’t want to know.

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Ahn-Bo Jeong & song <|3

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.

It was all he could do not to curse aloud as Jin began unbuttoning his shirt. He'd told him to do it–had been expecting it. It was the slow movements paired with the bits of skin that were revealed little by little that did it. This wasn't meant to be sensual. Jin was in pain, for fuck's sake! Ahn-Bo sobered (mostly.) This was purely medical. Jin wasn't trying to—he probably didn't even realize... Ahn-Bo told himself to glance away to end these absolutely depraved thoughts. It didn't work.

One moment he was admiring the fact that Jin's shirt was entirely unbuttoned (a soft groan did escape him at the realization); the next moment his groan turned into an angry growl. The monster had made a mess of him. It hadn't been more than a few hours at most since it had happened, and it already looked this bad. Ahn-Bo shouldn't have reacted. He was supposed to be the easygoing jester, not bothered by a thing. They couldn't both be upset. He leaned forward, carefully lifting the edge of Jin's shirt so that he could see properly. "Michin nom," He swore.

Michin nom: crazy bastard

  

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Ahn-Bo speaks in Korean to his family unless otherwise stated in posts.
He has a noticeable accent when speaking in English.

Set by the amazing Fox! • plot with me

Jin could feel the heat in Ahn-Bo’s gaze and he’d be lying if he said it wasn’t part of the reason his cheeks remained so warm. Pale, vampiric skin did nothing to help matters as the blush chased its obvious way down his neck and over his exposed chest. He almost grinned cheekily in return as hyung made a telling little noise but that sound soon turned threatening and Jin bit down harder on his lip. He was in no state to instigate anything properly, despite any lingering desire to find a distraction - any distraction - from this weakness. (Because exposing his failures was a weakness and it wasn’t one Jin shared lightly.)

He huffed a breathy little laugh at Ahn-Bo’s curse that was as much arousal as it was pain. Spirits, he was not handling this well. One hand came up to run through his hair and Jin tugged on the ends trying to compose himself. “That bad?” He hedged lightly. Warm brown hues searched his brother’s face for any visible sign of anger as he tried to defuse. It wouldn’t help either of them if he let Ahn-Bo get worked up. Jin didn’t want to add weight to already heavy shoulders.

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Ahn-Bo Jeong & song <|3

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.