In an Instant

4: In which some were born to die, and no one accepts that (10-13)

Angst ahoy!

My conscience: Do I want my characters to suffer?

Me: Yes. Yes I do.

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08/17/22: Revised. Details at the end.

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"W– What?"

Lock*'s sharp hearing catches Lock's words from the other side of the room. He frowns, a heavy sense of foreboding settling in his stomach.

There are several ways to interpret the reaction, but Lock* can't help but think of the impossible.

(Does he dare to dream?)

He has been silently observing his other self ever since Lock's arrival, and he can conclude one thing.

While Choi Han still resembles hyung as does Rosalyn to noona, Lock is a whole different animal.

Lock and him are nothing alike.

Looking at Lock is like looking at a funhouse mirror he came to, once, when life was better. The reflection is so distorted it is nigh unrecognizable.

Lock* can't remember he's ever that careless (carefree).

Can't fathom he's ever that naïve (innocent).

He can't even remember ever being like that (can't remember what it's like to be Lock anymore).

He has cast that useless wolf away, after all, after Pendrick*.

Everything changes, after Pendrick*.

Now, looking at Lock, it's like being confronted with a caricature of his own past.

(It's revolting.)

Lock looks weak. Lock looks useless. Lock looks like he hadn't ever gone Berserk before, looks soft and unsure and vulnerable.

(And how dare he.)

He wants to rip Lock's throat out. Wants to sink his claws into that soft stomach and tear it open. Wants that empty little head on a fucking pike.

He wants Lock dead.

Lock* does give credits where credit is due, though.

The transmigrator deserves a round of applause.

Because the transmigrator has turned a wolf into a bitch.

And the wolf hasn't even noticed.

-

Choi Han doesn't like the way the other Lock* looks at Lock.

That's not a friendly look. That's not even a neutral one.

The other Lock* wants to kill Lock.

And that is unacceptable.

He doesn't know what problem the other guy has with his dongsaeng, and frankly, he doesn't care.

He has had enough of people targeting his loved ones. One of them is lying comatose behind him, bleeding from every orifice known to man.

He might have locked it down (he's failed, he's failed again–) to appear as unruffled as possible for his family and friends, but Choi Han knows he's just one wrong move away from going apeshit.

He doesn't want to depend on the dubious power of the damn God to restrain himself from seriously injuring anyone.

Still, with the way the other guy keeps eyeing Lock, it won't be long before Choi Han decides to try to see if he can cross the barrier after all.