Our Future

Chapter 1: Waiting

Flashing lights and hundreds of mummering voices in one room, all things Tae Joon deeply hated; not only would the voices give him a headache, but the flashing lights as well. He sighed deeply; he knew he had to go in there once all the ex-Legends arrive.

He looked down at his phone, a summary was displayed with most important pointers and questions, he put it together with Natalie a few days ago and edited it just before they arrived to Solace. The media was never shy to hide away the questions they were curious about, it was very easy to prepare answers.

While he reviewed the summary, a figure approached him and greeted him with a loud, lively, cheery voice. "Hey kid!" Called a man in his 30's, Tae Joon already knew who it was, only one person would dare to call a man in his late 20's a kid.

"Hey Witt."

The Korean rolled his eyes at Elliot Witt, ex-legend Mirage. The ex-trickster seated himself next to Tae Joon. "Long time no see-huh? Where's Natalie?" He questioned as he looked around, looking for the blonde.

"Getting some coffee."

Tae Joon replied as he scrolled through his phone, his eyes quickly reading the information. "What about Renee?" He met Elliot's Hazel gaze for a moment, "She's here, but she's organizing files and I didn't want to bother her-not a good idea; I made that mistake hundreds of times-" Elliot laughed as Tae Joon rolled his eyes again.

"So you decided to bother me instead?"

He asked in an unamused tone, the other male nodded, "Yup! What better way to spend time than annoying Crippe?" He teased, Tae Joon groaned loudly; that nickname would never escape him it seems.

Elliot noticed Tae Joon was paying more focus on his phone than anything else, "ugh you also prepare for these things?" Elliot frowned, the other looked at him with a confused look, "You don't?" He questioned, "Should I-?" He tilted his head, Tae Joon faced palmed.

"What an idiot."

Other than being offended. Elliot laughed, "I just wing it, y'know." He gave the Korean finger guns, which unchanged Tae Joon's unamused facial expression. "You're lucky most questions go to others." He muttered before sighing, deciding to change the subject.

"How's married life treating you?"

Tae Joon asked, closing his phone for a moment, taking a break. "Oh, yeah it's been great!" Elliot grinned like an idiot, it's only been barely 3 months since Elliot and Renee got married, unlike Tae Joon and Natalie, got married just 2 months after the great downfall.

"You know what's the best part?"

He smirked and raised both of his eyebrows at the Korean, "What?" He raised an eyebrow, expecting something inappropriate. "I get to show off this little guy!" He pointed at hid left hand's ring finger, it was silver and had interesting carvings.

Tae Joon scoffed at Elliot's words; he expected something else but thankfully it was just Elliot being a happy idiot. "You know, just at the bar I suddenly fidget with it and the next thing I know I'm holding therapy for drunk guys' marriages." Both ex-Legends chuckled, Tae Joon found the idea of a newly married man trying to help 30 years of marriages stupid but entertaining.

"Speaking of that- How's your married life?"

Elliot asked the question back at Tae Joon, he only smiled and looked down at his phone, "Wonderful." It was just one word but his tone that carried such love and softness that made it clear he was the happiest with Natalie, even Elliot could pick up on it.

"Bonjour Elliot!"

Greeted a female with a French accent, both males looked up to see Natalie was back with two cups of coffees. "Hey Nat!" Elliot grinned at her, the blonde handed her husband a cup and sat beside him. "Thanks, dear." Tae Joon said softly to her before taking a sip out of the bitter coffee, hoping it would help him get by the day and the reporters.

"Did you review the summary?"

She asked as she pulled her own phone, she had a copy of it. Elliot rolled his eyes; everyone is taking this so seriously and preparing for it like an exam, even his own wife! It's just questions about what happened, and they all know what happened, why the fuss?

"I'll leave you two discuss this out, I'll go see Renee."

He took a hint and stood up, he knew Tae Joon and Natalie had a deep relationship and it was best to leave them alone for now, it was clear Tae was the one who was stressed about the conference.

The ex-trickster made his way to the end of the room, passing Legends and their acquaintances, greeting them and throwing a small joke here and there, but they were all so focused on getting ready, Just Silva Octavio, Octane, was carefree and moving from legend to legend, boasting about stuff like usual.

In the very end of the room was a raven-haired woman going through files, IMC files. As if she hasn't already memorized the whole thing, from the moment he knew her she was always looking for files around her past life and reading them.

He took a seat next to her and put a hand on his cheek as he stared at her, bored. "You're just going to sulk there?" His wife asked without looking at him, flipping from page to page. He groaned and leant against the chair, "Everyone is super focused on this conference-I mean how bad can it be?" He stated, Renee rolled her eyes and smiled, "Because most questions wouldn't be directed to you." She closed the file and put it aside.

"I know, people don't want to hear me boast about how amazing I was during the oper...operation."

Everyone knows it is best if their questions wouldn't be asked to the very legend that defines a trickster, Elliot's connection to the great downfall was little compared to the others. Renee happens to be one of them.

"They probably memorized the whole thing from the number of times you told it."

She sent him a gentle smile, her husband only shrugged and grinned at her. Soon a tall man that wore the bodyguard uniform entered the room. "The Conference is about to start, follow me legends." He had a deep voice and muscular build. He was armed for the sake of 'safety.'

The ex-Legends readied themselves and tidied their files and proofs they would need to show soon. Despite Tae Joon's calm demeanor, he was nervous. "Hey kid, try smiling when you go there." Elliot teased as he passed by the Korean, he rolled his eyes, "Try to stay focused, old man." he shot back while Natalie just giggled softly.

"You'll be fine, I'm with you."

She reassured her husband with a warm smile, he smiled back at her and nodded; she was there for him, his friends were there, they already got through some Press Conferences, what is one more?

He walked side by side with her, following the rest of the legends into the room that he loathes the most.