Chapter Text
There are different religions and beliefs on how people are born with powers. The US believes they are “chosen” from birth by a single god. Europe looks to several deities that each gift a child, while China obsesses over named and dates. Many Koreans believe the tree of life, Mama, gave powers to 12 warriors to protect her. I guess this comes from there being only 12 heroes in Korea when powers started showing up.
Of course now there's way more, and no such tree exists but the legend stuck. Everywhere is different, but the results are the same. Heroes. Humans with superhuman abilities who save the world from disasters, emergencies and their counterparts.
Let's not beat around the bush here, they're not gifted or chosen. Sometimes people got powers whether they wanted them or not. Which is how Park Jinyoung is in this situation in the first place. Using the wind to push off the ground and rooftop running to anywhere but with him. Jinyoung just wants a normal life delivering milk and mail before going to uni and returning home to his parents. Running with the wind, he can hear the crackle and rumble of electricity behind him.
See, some organizations like to recruit Supers. Or in Jinyoung’s case, harass him during his daily routine. It was considerate of them to wait until he finished his route but he didn't want to hear their sales pitch. A peak behind him and he could see his pursuer dressed in all black with two big, blue letters printed across his chest. JB. He had cold, dark eyes that sparkled like the electricity dancing over his pale skin. He wasn’t giving up or letting jinyoung’s flight advantage get to him. His mask made him more intimidating than needed and showed off his perfect jawline that could cut diamond. JB was jumping and running after Jinyoung with nothing but pure muscle and Jinyoung should really be paying attention to where he's going!
Seoul is a beautiful city with big buildings and usually Jinyoung enjoys it, but not right now. Right now he was already near the city’s outskirts, but his decision to pick a direction and run just bit him in the ass. The buildings were farther apart as they turned into houses and mountains. Where he really fucked up was trying to use the bike lane in the street to go uphill. It seems running at an incline was harder for Jinyoung and easier for JB. Honestly how was he supposed to know?
That's how Jinyoung ends up being tackled in the middle of the street at 5am with JB pinning him down. Any other time this situation would be wonderful but Jinyoung wasn't going to be a hero and JB weighed more than he looked. Also they were both sweating way too much. JB might look like a fallen angel, but Jinyoung is pretty sure he doesn’t.
Jinyoung headbutts JB, not the smartest idea oww, and rolls away as soon as he gets the chance.
“Ya! Are you happy? You found me, what now? My answer is still no. You may like the spandex and mask hair but I just want to finish school and work like everyone else.”
JB stood and rubbed his forehead, glaring at Jinyoung. He might have teased him about the outfit, however the black material clung to JB in all the right places. It showed the contrast of his slim waist and muscle everything. If Jinyoung was right then he at least had a six pack. Before he could look like he was staring even though he was obviously eating up JB like cheesecake (It should be illegal to be that fine). Jinyoung looked away and hoped he wasn't blushing.
Ever the gentlemen, JB held out his hand for Jinyoung. Who pointedly ignored him, picked himself up and dusted off the loose gravel imprinted on him during the fall. JB rolled his eyes and held his hands up in surrender.
“Listen, the program is small right now, but there’ll be more of us. So you won't always be on call.” JB had a sweet, dark chocolate voice to match his muscles. Stay strong Jinyoung, you’ve been tempted by better. Not really but he can pretend.
Jinyoung tried not to seem smaller and spoke curt, clear words. “I. Don't. Care. Being a hero has its consequences, like death threats and oh what else? Death, I could die. Literally. I'm not even that strong of a Super, 4 on a good day. You're what? A 6, what do you want with me? Find someone else.”
Before Jinyoung could walk away JB grabbed his wrist. Jinyoung was so ready to let him have it, but JB looked at him in silent plea. Jinyoung retracted his wrist but stood in place, letting him speak. He’s not going to be manhandled (yet). Besides if JB wanted to hurt Jinyoung he would have used a few hundred volts.
“You have a magnificent power. We could help so many people together. Crime and gang rates are at an all time high and the police aren't enough anymore. You're a good person inside, I know you care and that's why you don't want to do this, please? Please?” JB’s eyes bore into Jinyoung’s like his answer was worth the world and more.
Jinyoung tried to weigh the pro’s and cons well. JB was right when he said they could help Seoul, but that's what the police were for… but if the police couldn’t handle it someone's parent or child could end up… Families would be… No, he shouldn’t! He’s got his own family and things to worry about.
“There are a bunch of empty dorms heroes can live in for free.” Jinyoung’s head snapped up. No more living with his parents, he could give them the break they deserved. Which meant rent money went directly to school, which meant less debt after graduation. Which is 99% of his problems. No! He can’t just cave in after all that fuss, he’ll look like a little bitch.
“We’ll pay your tuition.”
“Deal.”
And that's how Jinyoung sold his soul to Big JYP. An organization that ran through government funds to train and house heroes for Korea. Everything was hush-hush and hidden in plain sight in downtown Seoul. The dorms were the top three floors in a twelve story building. Big Entertainment or something like that. Honestly not the best cover or name but whatever Jinyoung isn't paid to care. The reception area had 9 girls flitting about, filing and answering calls though headsets sweetly. They were all unbelievably young and beautiful. Jinyoung may be gay but he could appreciate when someone looked good. The girls looked too young actually, the youngest seemed foreign and 15 at most.
Before Jinyoung could question him, JB nods his head at one buried under paperwork. Her eyes light up in understanding and the doors beside the reception area magically open. Just like that only her flaming red hair can be seen from behind the papers. Inside the elevator JB’s eyes glitter as he pushes the 11th floor button and keeps his finger there. There’s a positive ding as the elevator moves. Jinyoung squints his eyes at JB.
“Fingerprint scanner,” he says shrugging and trying not to smirk, “all the rooms have them on the handle too.” Jinyoung just crosses his arms and studies the carpet.
He can’t give him the satisfaction of being impressed. He is and JB knows, but if Jinyoung says something JB wins. It doesn’t bother him one bit that JB still has that teasing smirk on his face, not one bit. Smug bastard.
JB clears his throat, suddenly serious. “I’ve only been here for a few months but those girls have been training for at least 3 years each. The red haired one, she’s been here for 10 years. She saw the rise and fall of Glam and 2pm Sunbaenims.”
Thinking back to the girls Jinyoung somehow doubts that they were training to be heroes for so long. They were all skin and bones doing desk work. Wouldn’t they have had their hero debuts already if they trained that long? JB can evidently read Jinyoung like a book and chuckles.
“I don’t know if JYPnim and Si-Hyuk Bangnim have decided on their debut but when they do, Seoul is gonna be taken by storm. They pack a punch in sparring, you’ll wish they were back behind their desks then.” Jinyoung rolls his eyes as they reach their floor.
He follows JB to the first door on the left but takes note of the hallway having 5 other doors and further along a big room shrouded in darkness. The door beeps as soon as JB grips it and they enter. As they’re taking off their shoes Jinyoung gets a sense that he’s never home often. Some boxes are still unpacked and bubble wrap runs rampant. Hopefully he’s not that unorganized all the time. As Jinyoung is looking around JB reaches a hand up and removes his mask. Jinyoung blinks and does a double take.
JB was even more gorgeous than he thought and sported 2 beauty marks above his left eye. What he wouldn’t give to touch JB’s cold features and handsome face. Then reality hits him and Jinyoung needs to not be staring right now. JB takes it as the right time to properly introduce himself.
“I’m Im Jaebum. We’re both the same year so there’s no need for jondaemal. We’re going to be spending a lot of time together so it’s just easier this way.” JB- no Jaebum puts on big, thick, black rimmed glasses and holds out his hand.
He sure was all business thought Jinyoung. It wouldn’t hurt to be civil with someone who would literally have his life in his hands at some point though. With that Jinyoung found it in him to face the dangerous beauty.
“You already know this but i’m Park Jinyoung, freshman at Seoul University majoring in theatre. And banmal before the first date? I knew you were a fuckboy.” Jinyoung chuckled, shaking Jaebums hand.