- entered jaeger training with his sister yura, but she dropped out before they could finish and now he sticks around, working for k-watch as a minor mission controller bc he entered training at 18 and doesn't rly know what else to do - bitter as FUCK abt not being a ranger

- on site for the attack on busan when he was a kid (baekhyun is childhood friend) - first sight of pilots/reaction

- insecure - drawn to jaeger program bc of glory/fame - spent his childhood living under the shadow of his sister, always compared to her, and he wanted a piece of that

- began training drift compatible w/yoora but when people began to talk (star like her w/him) insecurities crept in and drove them apart

- one of the first teams that wasn't related/married, they'd been in service for eleven months when jongin's back issues put him out of commission and zitao out a copilot - glory/rockstar atmosphere arnd successful pilots > zitao's a bit smug/vain

- physically affectionate, vain, a bit spoiled, and very, very good at what he does

- still very close - drift bond not one easily shaken

- older team (24/25), not married but practically so in an inobtrusive way

- worked together for a year and a half before yixing is injured in an attack and temporarily pulls them off the register

- have no real desire to work together but explosive sparks in kwoon training room

- similar in certain ways that make them drift compatible > physically affectionate, like attention, put up a cocky front to cover insecurity, but just different enough to chafe against each other (chanyeol overcompensates, tao is spoiled)

- Moment comes in the drift, when they each expose themselves and realize that this is it, they either trust each other or they split

- very very cool head under pressure, making him good for the job

- has known chanyeol since his days in training

- has always been friendly with chanyeol but opposes the pair up because he knows they won't get along

- soft spot for zitao > had a hand in training him

- continued use of the drift system causes nerve damage in his spine > pain steadily increases until it's straight up unbearable and he has to retire

- does not resent tao for not reporting his pain (would have kept pushing until his body gave out if he'd been allowed to)

baekhyun - childhood friend of chanyeol's

lh/yx take the kaiju

- banghim - nod to jo's fic

- tasties

- amber and ailee???

- fei n jia

- compromise and sacrifice

early 2015 > launch of jaeger program > 21

late 2015 > atticon, attack on seoul > 22

early 2016 > enter training > 22

2019 > current day > 25

they take on their first kaiju - absolutely terrifying and exhilirating > they're celebrated on their return but cy is surprised to realize he's more interested in zt's grin than any of the fame