take me home

“Leave me.”

You watched with a stoic gaze as the guards that had dragged you into the bedroom walked out. Your eyes dragged back towards the man left in the room.

“And so the Duke of the North has won again,” you said mockingly.

The Duke of the North adjusted his gloves, not looking at you. “You call this a win?”

You shook the manacles that have you spread eagle to the four posts of his bed. “Does it look to you like I've won?”

His hands tightened into fists, the leather of the gloves creaking. “My wife continues to flee from her home. And so I have to send my soldiers to fetch her and bring her back. And then I must chain her to the bed to ensure she doesn't leave. Remind me at what point I'm winning here?”

You turned your head stubbornly, refusing to acknowledge the sound of hurt in your husband's voice. “I do not want to be here. The only reason we are married is because you can tether my power so that I can not use it to wreak havoc on this world. Do not speak to me as if you feel betrayed.”

San licked his lips and raised an eyebrow at you. “I took my vows seriously.”

“A little too seriously, if you ask me,” you grumbled under your breath.

“I want you to take them seriously too!” San insisted. “We are husband and wife!”

“You are my ball and chain!” You countered.

San stepped back as if you had physically hit him. “Is that how you see me?”

“You were only useful to the council as far as your influence with your title and your ability. You are my enemy, Choi San. Plain and simple.”

“I am not your enemy,” San argued. “I am here to be your companion in life! You don't have to fight this. We could have a life together, you and I.”

You sat up as much as the manacles would allow you, your arms straining backward. “Then let my powers go.”

The Duke of the North paled at your sentence. All the blood left his face at the idea of releasing your powers. You had caused a storm of tornadoes that had ravaged an area when they first sought to take you. He feared you, certainly.

You scoffed and laid back down. “Then I have nothing more to say to you.”

“I don't accept that,” San said, shaking his head.

With that proclamation, he released the clock held at his neck and let it drop to the ground. His black flowing top and tight pants with calf-high boots painted a pretty picture. His hair was disheveled, probably worrying over whether his men would recapture you or not. His standing in this world would be ruined if you succeeded in escaping.

“I am your husband,” San insisted, almost quietly to himself. He sat on the bed, one leg folded, turning towards you.

“You are only in name,” you shot down.

“I am your husband!” He shouted again and his hand slapped down directly on your pussy.

You gasped as pleasure, and pain bloomed at the junction of your thighs. What the fuck was that?!

Nothing escaped your husband's nosy eyes. “Did you like that?”

“Absolutely not,” you declined too fast to be not guilty.

“You are mine,” San said, slapping your pussy again.

You may have donned pants for riding that were tight and revealing and nothing like the bouncy skirts you normally sported, and that had left you exposed, not to mention the spread-eagle-by-manacles situation.

You moaned loudly this time, and there was no hiding the fact that you liked what San was doing.

“I can give you my whole world,” Sam whispered.

“No, thank you,” you replied clippedly and then your back bowed as he slapped your pussy again.

This went on and on, with San speaking the most ludicrous notions and you getting wetter by the second as he slapped you in retaliation for calling him a liar. Your cries and moans got louder and louder before finally your climax crested over you. You had come from getting your pussy slapped by your hated husband. Your body was the betrayer.

“Please, let me take care of you,” San begged.

The Duke of the North crawled over you until he was on his hands and knees between your legs. “Let me wipe you up with a cloth. Let me hold you and--”

“No,” you refused.

San's head hung low in disappointment.

“You will clean up your mess with your tongue, like the dog you are,” you finished.

His neck almost snapped with how quickly he raised it. His eyes were that of an eager puppy now, the pussy-slapping Duke of the North gone. For the moment, at least.

“Yes, my love,” he replied, hands moving to the stays of your pants.

“And San? Keep the gloves on.”

He helped you over some broken rubble, jumping ahead after you were safe on the other side. Suddenly Jongho's radio erupted with static, before a hurried voice cut through. 

“Sector 1 is compromised. They know we anticipated their attack and are now heading towards the safehouse.” Mingi´s low voice was suddenly cut. A wet crunch was heard before it turned silent. 

“Well, we need to go there then,” Jongho reached up, dialing the new route into his radar. 

“The safehouse on sector 1… that´s where the young ones showing signs of being affected are.” 

“Them. That´s what they are after.” 

The government's unification force was now ready to start attacking until the rebellion was eliminated. But Jongho knew they wouldn't dare attack the safehouse if there was any chance of anyone with signs of being possessors of Adrenaline there. They were going to raid it, and kidnap the young ones away. 

“We need to be fast, can you walk?” He asked, his big and kind eyes showing that familiar shine even through his mask. You nodded, and his eyes turned faintly into crescent moons. His smile, the more reassuring sign that always managed to keep you calm. “Let´s go.”

After a while, once you were far away from the area of the initial blast, Jongho removed his mask, and you followed. “The other unit is heading there too, but from the other side. There's the possibility that soldiers are waiting for us there already.” 

“If we don´t go, everyone there is dead. Or worse.” 

“I know,” Jongho slowly lowered his hand, his dark eyes met yours. “Just be ready, for anything.”

“I am, and I also know you got me.” you smiled. 

Jongho stared at you for a long, heavy second. He didn't add anything else. He knew you were strong, and also that you knew how strong he really was. He basically could shatter bones and send people across rooftops when triggered. He also knew the cost of being a possessor of Adrenaline better than anyone. 

Jongho was thankful to you for being one of the few that didn't fear him because of it.

Soon you were about to get into a tunnel where radiation was high, little dust of the high levels would cook you from the inside out. 

“Kepp your filter tight” he advised, unstrapping the heavy iron visor from his pack and fitting it over your head. 

After having geared up, you both entered the tunnel. The radioactive sandstorm swallowed you whole the moment you stepped in. The wind howled. The sand was of a crimson color that when seen from above, could have been a beautiful sight. Once outside of the tunnel, the sky was of an unnatural sickly violet color, and you could even see the static flickering around you. 

Every step felt heavy, like pushing against a wall. Jongho, walking before you with ease, hid you behind his heavy frame, shielding you against the crushing wind. 

Then, it started.

A sudden pinch of heat at the center of your head. It quickly evolved into a violent, agonizing spike of heat that flooded your veins like lava instead of blood. Your heart, it slammed against your ribs violently, so hard you felt the vibrations in your teeth. 

“What- What is happening? Jongho…”

Your vision flared into blinding lights. The sandstorm suddenly sounded agonizingly loud, so much you could hear individual grains of sand scraping against your chest plate. The air grew impossibly thick even with your mask on. Panic overwhelmed you. Then you stumbled, sinking your knee into the ground, and like that, grasping for air, you blacked out.

Jongho kneeled down, holding you tight, asking you to respond. “Hey! Hey- what is it? Did your seal break? Answer me!” His heavy gloved hands reached for your respirator, but as his fingers brushed your neck, he froze. 

The terrifying rapid pulse. The unnatural heat radiating through your skin that he could feel even through your heavy clothes and his gloved hand. It was so insane that it was melting the frost off your collar. He pulled the fabric over your neck a little, seeing the faint, iridescent veins pulsing wildly through your neck. 

A sudden breakthrough of Adrenaline manifestation.

“No- this can't be…” Jongho´s breath hitched in his throat. His voice terrified, suddenly he was more afraid in this moment than any of those moments where he nearly faced death. 

He knew the glow too well. He had spent years suffering through the stages, the burning skin, the loss of breathing as he got used to controlling his own powers. Now, he was a master of it. He had to learn how to be able to save and fight for those who needed him. Now, he could lift a two ton steel tank and throw it over a bunch of soldiers' heads, all while keeping his heart rate under control, enough not to die from it. But that had been taking years of enduring insufferable pain, and almost the cost of his life on several occasions.

Jongho repeatedly shrugged, his voice cracking for the first time in so long. his hands trembled as he held your face. “Not you, not you please…” 

Being a rebel was one thing. The government didn't keep rebels, they killed them first chance they could. It was different for Adrenaline hosts. They were tracked down, fed synthetic triggers, their minds and bodies broken apart in order to harvest their powers. 

“Jongho…” you choked out, your hands clawing at your chest. You were burning, feeling like you were going to burst into flames like the explosion you witnessed earlier. “It hurts-I´m burning…” 

“Look at me!” Jongho commanded, desperation in his eyes. This was not a look you were used to seeing on him. He grabbed your wrist, squeezing it tight. You could feel his pressure forcefully enough to ground your mind and focus on him. “Look at me, breathe with me". You forced your gaze onto him. “Breathe with me,” he repeated, his pulse steady, slow. You could feel it even through your heavy clothes. “Control the heat. Don´t let it take you. Breathe in and out and regulate your temperature. You can do it.” Jongho knew that if you didn't, your heart would be burnt before you could reach any shelter. “Fight it. Push it back.” 

You gasped, tearing air into your lungs, trying to mirror his breathing pace. Slowly you fought through the aching, burning sensation. Slowly; agonizingly; the heat went from boiling to that of a mild fever, leaving you shivering. 

“Hey, hey I'm right here” Jongho quickly held you tight, your head resting over his arm. “You did it, attagirl.” He smiled, and you tried to smile back, but you only managed to press your lips together. “Slow, let me handle you.” He pulled you up, wrapping his arm around your waist for support. He didn't speak anymore but his tight grip was strong enough so you could practically drop all your weight on him without worrying about falling back. 

Jongho moved forward, practically carrying you with one arm. Now with a dilemma over his head: the soldiers were heading towards the safehouse for sure. They were after the few people showing signs of Adrenaline, they knew they were kept safe there. He needed to re-route, but first he needed to make sure Mingi´s or any other member group was heading there, otherwise you would never forgive him for not going to help them.

He tried his radio a few times, to contact anyone who would confirm they were heading towards the safe house or were already there. He was about to give up when the static noise started. 

“Jongho? Where are you?” [….]´s unit is close to sector 1 safehouse…”

“Mingi, I need to re-route… […] is not well, she- she is showing early stages of adrenaline. I don´t know why it triggered just now, but it´s bad…” 

Jongho waited a few seconds, that seemed way longer. Mingi replied back.

“Go to the subterranean shelter, the one passing sector 3. We supplied that one last, you´ll be good for a while there. Let me know when you guys are ready to join us.” 

Jongho thanked him, turning the radio off and kept sprinting straight. His speed was needed to get to the shelter quickly, but he needed to be careful not to harm you in any way. Your whimpers of pain were making his chest ache. He realized that now it was about something bigger for him, than just helping the rebellion. It was about keeping you safe. 

After a while, the Sector 3 shelter secret door appeared before Jongho. To anyone else it might have been an abandoned bunker, covered in dust and rubble. And it was, unless you knew where to look for the secret hatch the rebellion had prepared for when they needed to use it. 

Jongho lifted the heavy steel with ease, anyone else would have needed the help of at least two more to be able to enter. The air inside was thick with the stench of rust, but for a moment, the silence inside felt safe. Once safely inside, he then didn´t waste any second. Immediately lowered his shoulder, gently guiding you until your back rested against the nearest cot. The relief of being out of the crushing wind was instant, but your veins still hummed beneath your skin.

“I´ve got you,” he murmured, his voice sweet and gentle, an emotion he only had reserved for you. Then he removed his gloves, tossing them onto the dusty floor. He unbuckled your visor, lifting it off gently so he wouldn´t hurt you or pull your hair. He took your respirator off, and the cool stale air of the shelter hit your face. You let out a weak breath.

He sank to his knees in front of you, reaching out with his bare palm to cup the side of your neck where the faint, iridescent veins were still pulsing, though much slower now. 

“Jongho- I'm sorry.” you whispered, raising your shaky hand and curling your fingers against his wrist. “I don´t know why this is happening to me, but I´m sorry I´m slowing us down. The safehouse, we need to--” 

“Shh. Stop that.” he cut you off softly, dismissing you with a shake of his hand. He then took your hand between his, and you could feel his warmth, but not the type that was burning you inside, but the gentle softness of his skin against yours, calming you. "Don´t you dare to apologize for that,” He whispered, his eyes focusing over yours. Up close, his dark eyes weren´t just kind, they were shining with so much sincerity.

His thumb then lightly stroke your cheek, wiping away a smudge of crimson dust mixed with sweat. “I spoke to Mingi, and there are units handling Sector 1, I knew you would kill me if I didn't make sure they were taking care of it. My priority now is keeping you safe and helping you go through this.”

You were too tired to refute, knowing that by how you were feeling it was stupid of you to even suggest going there yourself. Right now you were more helpful by not making the soldiers know about your state. Jongho was strong, but if they decided to come for you in groups he would have a hard time; they were already close once. You would never forgive yourself for having him killed by slowing him down trying to keep you safe. 

“You should leave me here while I'm like this, keep moving forward and-”

Before you could finish he pulled back just an inch, his eyes scanning every line of your face with a reprimand look. He slowly, deliberately reached up and unzipped his heavy vest, shrugging it off to break down the barrier between you. He leaned in and pulled you into his arms, wrapping his thick frame around you like a shield. He then tucked your head securely under his chin. 

“When I realized what was happening to you out there,” his voice cracked slightly, his grip around your waist tightening. “My heart stopped. I´ve faced an army twice, I´ve broken many bones and fought through steel in order to keep our group safe, and I have never felt fear like I did seeing you like that back there". 

You squeezed your eyes shut. Wrapped in his warmth, hearing the steady thumb of his heart against your ear. Slow, controlled, making you feel calm and helping you level down the heat inside your own body. You could feel as if he was hurting by your touch, but he endured and held you tight and softly. Leaning your full weight into him, burying your face on the crook of his neck, you felt a comforting lingering kiss into the top of your head. Jongho held it there for a long, quiet second. 

“You are crazy if you think I´m gonna let you end up in a lab,” his voice lowering. “I´m gonna teach you how to control it, step by step”.

“Jongho,” you murmured back. The fear began to melt away, trusting entirely in Jongho´s words, who had never failed you before, you started to feel like breathing regularly again. “I trust you.” 

Jongho pulled back just enough to look into your eyes again. A faint, genuine smile broke through the evident tension on his face, his eyes turning into those reassuring crescent moons you loved so much. You recognized the shimmer over his eyes. 

And so, he kissed you.

Like many times before, when you two are on guard on silent nights; or when you can´t sleep and you end up in his small dorm, just to slide down beside him and hold him tight. Like those many times, his thumb traced your bottom lip before leaning in and pressing his soft lips against yours. You had kissed Jongho many times before, the untold words of confession, lingering in the air everytime you did. Though never spoken, that's what it was. Love. The quiet and deeply sweet brushing of his lips was sincere and full of it. 

At some point, you pulled out, and met his eyes, filled with a clear resolve. 

“Rest now,” he said, helping you lean your head back into the cot´s heading. “I´ll keep watch.” 

You woke up some time after, mouth dry and head spinning, but at least your heart was beating normally and your temperature slowly became regular again. You didn't see Jongho there, he was probably outside keeping an eye to see if anyone was close yet. You were going to suggest to keep moving now that you felt somehow back to normal, not knowing when the violent symptoms were going to come back to you so it was better to keep moving and join the others as soon as possible.

Just then, Jongho stepped down, looking relieved you woke up seemingly feeling better. 

“Hey, how are you feeling?” he got closer, handing you a water bottle. You took it, finishing in one go. He chuckled, realizing the good sign. “I was up, seems to be clear but we can't let our guard down.” 

“We need to move quickly, get to the others, they might need help. Have you talked to anyone?”

“Radio´s dead. And no, we ain´t moving, I'm not risking you having a sudden outburst again out there.”

“I feel fine now-” 

“It´s gonna come back, anytime soon, we need to go through what you're gonna do when it happens first.”

“Yes, but while we are sitting here our group might be having trouble-”

“I trust they can handle it. And you should too, we have trained together for so long you know they would do anything they can to keep everyone safe, same as we would.” Jongho spoke firmly but tenderly. He sat down in front of you, his face softening from his stern expression, though his eyes were still serious. “I know you are terrified, I was too,” He took your hand, brushing your knuckles softly. “Going back there not knowing if your powers gonna spur you out at any time is too dangerous, we need to figure out what kind of ability you have now, and work towards controlling it.” 

You swallowed. He was right. What if you lost control completely next time?.

“I´m gonna help you, you ain't alone in this.” 

You nodded. “Alright, what should I do if it comes back?” 

He stood up and you followed. “The heat. You need to learn to keep it cool, not let it burn you inside. You felt like burning alive, right? It was because your body was trying not to let it out, you were trying to keep it in so you wouldn´t hurt others. Well, you need to let it bleed out from you, slowly let it go so it doesn't burn you inside.” 

“Let it rise, don´t panic.” 

“Yeah. It's gonna hurt at first, but you need to focus, your mind controls it, you need to be able to make it work for you. Even if it comes out with a punch, focus your energy on one point, let it out from your hand for example. That's what I do, I focus my energy on my fist, legs or head, it depends who and where I want to land my blow.” He smirks. 

“I´ve seen you use your strength so many times, I never-- it hurts?”

“Everytime, but just for a second. I control it.” 

You looked down at your hands. “What kind of ability would it be? I know it's random, but, can I know depending on my symptoms?” 

“No idea yet, it manifests differently depending on the body.” 

“I hate that we don´t know much about this whole thing… it would make everything easier if we did,” Jongho nodded. “Okay,” you whispered, sudden strength coming back to your body feeling the tight hold of Jongho's hands over yours. "Let's practice.” 

For the next couple of days, the spike of heat traveling up from your gut sliding up your throat continues to come up.  Jongho held you tight everytime, counting out slowly but loud, guiding your breathing. 

“… two, three, four. Hold it. That's right. Now, out.” he repeated gently, slowly, fingers tracing delicate circles over your palm until the wild energy simmered down. You were left tired everytime, but thanks to Jongho´s help the pain you felt back then in the sandstorm didn't reach the same intensity yet. 

By the third night, the fever had almost disappeared, leaving behind only a warm, soothing hum. Jongho advised not to let your guard down, as the spike could come at any time. 

Without noticing it, the night was fully settled. Jongho was the only one taking post out to be sure no one had been closer to find the bunker so you started to grow a little impatient, wanting to get out for some night air. 

“All good, the radio worked for a bit, the people inside the safehouse on Sector 1 are safe with the rest, they're heading North now, we should be following them soon.” Jongho entered the bunker, holding an oil lamp to light up the small room. 

You were lying on the cot, head resting comfortably. “You had been quiet today,” you said, resting your head over your arm. Jongho got closer, laying beside you. Out of habit, you laid your head comfortably on his chest. His arm wrapped around your waist, fingers idly playing with the ends of your hair. A sudden sense of calm filled the space, almost surreal after the tension of the past days.

Jongho let out a soft laugh, “Just been thinking about everything, how to move without being noticed, how this could have happened to you now, usually it manifests when we are way younger.” He paused, fingers tightening slightly around your waist, pulling you closer. 

You shifted, propping yourself up on an elbow to look up at him. “Jongho?” you reached out, your eyes meeting his dark gaze. “Why haven't we ever say it?” 

His body stiffened but he let out a tender smile. He reached up, cupping your cheek, brushing his fingers against your warm skin. “Saying it, makes us feel vulnerable,” the unsaid words hung heavy between you, years of glances, kisses, stolen touches and life or death fights together that meant way more than just comradeship. “We risk our lives every day, every day… could be our last. If I say it, I´d be giving them a chance to take you away from me, forever.” 

“Who´s them?” you hummed.

“I don´t know, the pigs coming after us? the universe?” He swallowed, his throat moving as he searched for your eyes. “If I admit how much you mean to me, If I say it out loud; it would make me weak. It would make me weak when you need me to be strong.”

Your heart squeezed tightly. “As if you could ever be weak.” you chuckled and sat up, facing him directly. “Loving you is the only thing that keeps me fighting, that makes me want to win this war and build something better for us.”

“You know, how completely ruined I'd be without you” he whispered. “I know I haven´t said the words, but I´m sure I have made you feel how much you mean to me, haven't I?.”

You longed for the words, yes, but he was right. There wasn't a day when he didn't make you feel like you were the most important person in his life. As though times were, and how fighting for survival was a daily thing for you, he always found a way to make you feel special. Like right now, helping you control a sudden condition you didn´t ask for, and that he spent years suffering from alone. But as he said, now you had him, and that made all the difference.

“Hmm?” He studied your face, leaning slowly forward. “What are you thinking about?” 

“That I love you so much.” His lips parted slightly, eyes shining in the dark. “You don´t have to say it back. I know you do too".

He scanned your face, then he finally cut the space between you and crushed his lips against yours. Jongho's kisses always started slow and innocent, but he quickly deepened it into a fierce and desperate one. He pulled back just an inch, taking a good look at your face. “Let me show you,” his voice deepened. 

He started kissing you again, still desperate and you let out a soft hum into his lips, he reacted with a moan of his own, quick hands reaching out for your waist. Your own hands were to his shoulders as he easily moved you until you were on his lap, each leg hugging his hips. This way he could easily roam through your body, which he started doing at the same time he kissed you deeply. You stroked his hair, and his hands brushed the soft curves of your back and hips. 

“How sweet,” you smiled against his lips.

“Sweet? you want me to get rough already?” He smiled back, brushing his nose against yours. "Just say the word.”

“Hmm. Yes, maybe I do want you to get rough.” you whispered shakily. 

He pulled back just an inch, voice dropping into a tender whisper. “I love you. I love you so fucking much.” 

You moaned against his lips, leaning back to start kissing again. Your skin started to burn again but differently, the spark wasn´t causing you pain like before, it was making your insides spiral and you suddenly felt like wanting to be devoured by him, literally. “Jongho,” you breathed out, it made you feel a bit shy but to say what you wanted. 

“What is it? Tell me,” he prompted you, dark eyes scanning your face. 

“All this time you had been so gentle with me, this time I want you to let go, fuck me good.” 

Jongho scoffed softly, a faint smirk over his face. “How good?” he started kissing your neck, earning a whimper out of you. 

“Please be rough, I need it, I´m burning inside” He turned up to face you, worried the symptoms were coming back but you caressed his chest, reassuring that this time what you felt was different. “Just do it.”

“Alright,” he said, tone sweet, but you knew it was a disguise of what was coming to you. He continued down your neck, soft lips tracing patterns all over it. "I'll try my best, but do tell me if I'm crossing any lines.”

You nodded. Eager to know what he would say or do next. “I´m ready.”

Jongho continued roaming his hands all over your back, his soft lips going from your lips to your neck. Once he was fully back into your lips, he kissed you deeper again. God, he loves your lips so, so much. He moaned softly against the kiss and you reacted the same way. You could feel the heat swirling at the center of where you needed him the most. He hurriedly removed his tactical vest and his black shirt after that. You stopped to admire his bronze skin and his muscles, who you didn´t get to see much since he´s always all geared up. The very few times you glanced over him while he changed clothes he always got flustered and turned back instantly. 

He didn't show it to anyone else but you, that sweet, caring side.

He helped you remove your own shirt, whining when he confirmed you didn't have anything else on. You grabbed him by the shoulders, pressing your chest into his, wanting to feel his skin against yours harder. He groaned at your urgency. “I thought you wanted me to be the rough one,” He smiled and you grabbed a full of his hair, suddenly unable to stop yourself. “I´m not complaining but I will have to step up.”

“Yeah, you must.” you teased him, biting his lip and continuing to kiss him.

Taking it as a challenge, he stood up from the cot, grabbing you by the waist and lifting you up. Your legs were now around his waist while standing up, and one of his hands shifted to your ass, holding you with ease as he used the other one to remove the buckle of his belt. You gasped, looking down and following his hand movements. You didn´t break your eyes apart until his cock spun free, and the sole sight of his length had you sweating bullets. 

“Eyes up, doll,” he commanded. His eyes were clouded with lust and he lifted you up even more as if you weighed nothing, pushing you against the nearest wall. You received the coldness of the wall with gusto, hugging Jongho by the neck and moaning loudly when he grabbed your pants from the hem at your waist and ripped it off like nothing. “I hope they have some extra clothes here, or you will have to continue the journey naked.” He licked your bottom lip before sticking his tongue inside your mouth without a warning. 

You tilted your head, trying to find the perfect angle in which you could allow him to explore your mouth fully. Jongho bit your lip rather harshly, and you cried, but he didn´t stop. His hands finally ripped off your pants and underwear, tossing what was left of the fabric aside. He aligned your hips so his length was teasing your pussy, already wet with anticipation. He looked down to see his tip already coated with your juices, and smiled, turning his eyes on you. 

He groaned, slowly sliding his cock inside you. You cried at the feel of him stretching you out so good. “You are burning,” he said between clenched teeth. 

“Am I hurting you?” you asked, worried but still numb by the delicious feeling of his cock pushing inside you more deeply than you thought you could handle. 

“Yes, a little,” he said, still pushing until he finally bottomed up. “But I don´t mind.” he groaned, pressing his forehead against yours. 

“Jongho…” you cried, closing your eyes instinctively, just indulging in his movements and how good it felt having him finally between your legs. “Fuck-k. Yes, like that.”

He then shifted walking towards the cot again. He pulled out for a moment and you whined. “Open them wide,” he urged you, after laying you down on the surface of the cot. You adjusted yourself and obeyed. A shiver went down your spine when he palmed your entrance fully, quick legs brushing over your clit for a moment just before he pushed two fingers inside masterfully. His fingers were long and slender, and it was doing wonders finding your sweet spot. 

“Jongho-” you moaned.

“So fucking wet, you´re dripping…” he was admiring your pussy as he worked his fingers on you. His eyes were cloudy and he licked his lips as if he was starving. He met your eyes, fingers doing all sorts of things you didn't even know how much he dreamed to do to you. The sensations were making the knot in your lower stomach explode slowly. “Be good, don´t come yet.” He said bluntly, knowing you might be close already.

“I can't control it, you are doing so- good-d. God” He started scissoring his fingers inside you, and you lost your train of thought. The cry that escaped your lips what's all Jongho needed to hear. 

He smiled, slowly removing his fingers from your pussy and licking them whole all while you watched him doing so. His eyes were dirty and he took his sweet time until he was satisfied. He removed his pants completely and grabbed your legs with each hand, pulling you towards him. He leaned over you, completely covering your form. You could see his cock completely hard and brushing your entrance by how close he was towering you over. With his knee he opened up your legs a bit more, until his cock was aligned again with your entrance. 

Jongho throwed one of your legs over his shoulder, his right hand beside your shoulder. He didn´t say a word, he just pushed inside you, this time in one go, his eyes never leaving yours. You moaned, feeling all of him entering you even more roughly than a moment ago. His fingers had prep you up for taking him from above, your pussy stretching so much you thought he would break you in half.

“I´m going to fuck you up now and I won´t stop until I fill you up good, did you understand?” 

You nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes please.”

“If you want me to stop you will have to be very specific, I won´t stop just by hearing you cry."

You gasped for air, closing your eyes tightly. You could feel your skin becoming hotter by the second, but Jonghgo didn't seem to mind. “I like it, your skin, burning mine cause I´m fucking you good.” He smiled, pushing himself deeper back and forth. Back and forth harshly you thought the cot was going to give up on you any moment. 

You grabbed his face, lips sloppily meeting him in a wet kiss. It was hot and messy and it was sending down waves of pleasure to where you and Jongho were connected, helping you build up your release. He grabbed your other leg and threw it over his shoulder too, now your feet flying in the air over his head. Jongho's breathing was becoming erratic, pushing back and forth inside you all while your skin against his burned so intensely, little waves of pain mixing with the pleasure. His forehead damped, little sweatbeads dripping down his chin into your collarbones. Your cheeks were flushed and your lips swollen from kissing him so much. You could barely keep your eyes open but you tried your best to always maintain them on his.

Jongho was struggling not to use more of his force on you, knowing he could hurt you without even realizing. Your walls tightening and squeezing his cock so good had him losing his mind. Your sounds were another thing making him go insane, you sounded so desperate and beautiful taking him without breaking. You were truly the gift he never thought he deserved.

“Fuck-k. Jongho I-” you cried.

Jongho´s thrusting was so harsh and fast that you couldn´t even finish a sentence. He slammed his cock in and out, your eyes rolling to the back of your head so much it was making you dizzy you had to squeeze them tight. He kneeled on the cot, your legs still over his shoulders where he was keeping them in place. He leaned back to watch how he easily slid in and out of you. Your hands pressing against his chest, trying to ground yourself a little.

“Use your words if you want me to stop.” He urged you.

You shook your head. “No, I- I don't want you to.” you breathed out.

“Want me to fill you up now?” 

You moaned loudly in response. “Yes, Jongho I want all of you, I-” you moaned. Words failed you as your release hit you hard. The waves of pleasure over your lower stomach exploded and were making your skin glow with a red hue. You could see the faint shade of red reflecting on Jongho´s skin. You tried to stop it, you were sure you were hurting him yet, he kept his pace and stroked you over again, finally allowing himself to unload on you.

Panting, eyes shut, tongue licking his upper lip. “God, Fuck-k.” He came all inside you with a couple of thrusts more. “Fuck-k” he panted, pulling out. Hot and thick cum spilling out of you. 

You finally opened your eyes, seeing his own skin glow in the dark. “Jongho-” you sat up and hugged him, not caring to make a mess where his load was still going down over your skin and into the cot. “Are you okay?”

Jongho panted, “Are you?,” he pouted. You could feel his skin was burning still. “We ruined this one.” he said, signaling the cot and the mess between your legs. You laughed, pressing a soft kiss on his lips.

“I´m good. Did I hurt you? I could feel literal fire going through my skin.” you said worriedly. 

“I told you I liked it, I'm used to a little pain.” He raised his brow, teasingly. You hugged him, your bodies still warm from the high. “Hey, I think I know what ability you have.” he said, voice lowering down.

You broke the hug. “What is it?," your eyes are shining.

“I think you can control energy,” He helped you sit down, putting his pants on again and walking towards the little sink outside the toilet room to grab some hand towels. “Your eyes were flickering everytime your heart rate was up while I was inside you,” he helped you clean yourself with the cloth. “The lights were flickering too, so I think that´s it.” 

You blinked rapidly. It was good to know what kind of ability you had, this way it would be so much easier to control it, and with Jongho by your side you were sure you could do it without putting your whole group at risk sooner rather than later. 

“Energy.” you repeated slowly.

Later that night, wrapped in each other's arms, you felt completely safe for the first time in a long time. 

Your eyes started to slowly get opened. You stretched your arm, hoping to find Jongho still close to you. Before you could fully wake up, the concrete walls trembled. Outside, a high pitched noise sounded muffled to your ears. You stood up abruptly. 

“Jongho?” you whispered. He was not in the room, not his clothes or gear. You stood up quickly, throwing your shirt and vest over your head, looking for your boots in a rush. “Ahh, Fuck” you cursed, tripping over the laces as you tried to tie them at the same time you walked towards the hatch leading to the bunker´s secret door. “Jongho?” you repeated, this time cleared. No answer. You reached the hatch's lid, sliding it to the side, finding the crushing light of the outside day in your eyes. It blinded you and you had to take a few seconds to continue climbing up. 

Once outside you noticed the pitching sound stopped. It was eerily quiet, until it wasn´t. 

“She´s there!” you heard someone shouting. 

“Go back inside!” you spotted Jongho´s form at the fake entrance of the bunker, he didn't turn to look at you, but was facing what seemed like a tank from back where you were. “Stay Down. Do not come on unless I go back for you myself.” He shouted. 

They had tracked your heat signature. They were going to try to get you alive, and Jongho was about to face them himself. 

“I won't hide, let's fight.” you stubbornly replied. Getting a little closer to him. 

“No!” he shouted and you freezed. “Just hide. Please.” His tone raised but you could hear his desperate tone. “You are not ready yet, let me get this.” 

You were about to repeat yourself too when a barrage of specialized suppression harpoons slammed into the floor around Jongho, high voltage electricity trying to hit him and ground him where he was. The soldiers got off the tank, charging at him. They tried to pin him down, but Jongho didn´t flinch. 

"Don't act like you can fight us all, not with these.” one of them bluffed, signaling the harpoon on his hand. Jongho spotted several dune skimmers waiting around the tank, probably to take you away fast before he could clear them up.

Jongho snarled, throwing his weight into the soldiers' shields, they shot right at him, pushing him slightly back. Jongho smirked. His skin was so used to all kinds of pain that their attacks were still numb against it. If they wanted to immobilize him to get to you, they would need something stronger. 

“You stay back.” He groaned towards you.

Through the haze of smoke, he saw a scout dragging a heavy alloy restraint towards you. He was quick to react but realized that their goal wasn´t getting him down, but distracting him enough to steal you.

He closed his eyes, letting go of all containment he had inside his body. And the soldiers were quick to notice. 

He let out a guttural gasp that tore from his throat as his core temperature striked. Underneath his skin, his veins glowed with iridescent hue, spiderwebbing up his neck and across his face, like shattered glass. His heart was beating so violently that you could even hear them against his ribs like a heavy machine firing inside him. 

You watched him as the whites of his eyes were completely bloodshot. He moved fast with absolute violence as he grabbed the center of the soldier´s shield with one bare hand and tore him away with the soldier´s arm still attached to it. The horrifying sound of screeching steel and the soldier's scream ringed in your head loudly. You were starting to feel agitated again. Suddenly Jongho was beside you, throwing you over his shoulders and moving fast to get you away from the center of the soldier´s group. 

A few meters away he put you down, without a word he moved back to where the soldiers were trying to get at him. You watched as he caught a 200-pound soldier and slammed him through a brick wall, bringing half the ceiling down on the rest of the squad nearby. He picked up the fallen stone with his bare hands and threw it away towards the stationed skimmers, as if they were wood planks thrown at a pile. 

Steam literally rose from his skin, drops of thick blood began to leak from his nose and his heart hammed past human limits, if he continued using the most of his strength his internal organs could explode at any second. 

More soldiers came out the tank throwing energy blasts at him but he kept going forward, picking the men by the neck and snapping them like sticks before throwing the lifeless bodies over the ones that were still coming at him. One after another, you didn´t see where they were coming from, but Jongho continued slamming their heads one by one.

You watched him terrified, knowing he was pushing his limits. “Stop, you´re killing yourself…” you tried to reach him, but your voice got muffled by the knot in your throat. 

He was about to try to reach the tank firing at him when the second team struck.

You had to cover your eyes, the burning heat erupting in your body as an explosion almost got you deaf. What was left of the entrance to the bunker was detonated, so powerfully it covered you in concrete dust. A secondary team cut straight through, bypassing the mess Jongho was causing. 

Then, a massive shape appeared before you. 

You stumbled back, back pressed against a stone pillar. “Get away from me!” you shouted, blood boiling inside you. Literally. 

The soldier didn't speak, just reached out, his heavy metallic gauntlet clamping down onto your neck, pinning you against the concrete. 

And that´s where you snapped. 

His touch, the imminent reality that you were about to be dragged into a glass tank, or being dissected, only to lose your life when they took away what they wanted triggered something in your chest. 

They were going to do worse things than death, unless you stopped them.

Suddenly, a kinetic wave erupting from your chest detonated in a violent shockwave. The air cracked, it filled a big space around you with blinding static. The soldier pinning you down didn´t just get pushed back; the explosive energy threw him fifty feet through the air, his body shattering the concrete pillar all the way where Jongho was fighting the remaining squad. His body hit the dirt, motionless.

Radars, radios and electronic weapons died at the same time you erupted with energy. Only the light coming out from your radiant heat flashing out. You gasped, completely drained, dropping to the stone floor. 

Your chest locked up entirely. Your heart gave one violent, agonizing flutter, and then seemed to stop entirely, trapped in your ribcage with the lowest hum. 

You could hear bodies falling down and crashing against stone, dirt and metal all the same, but very faintly. Through blurred vision, you saw the remaining soldiers trying to retreat in terror through the dust, except that Jongho didn't let them. 

Their bodies crashed against the ground and the two-ton tank they used to ambush you that Jongho lifted with ease, burying what remained of their bodies under it. After a moment, across the destroyed area where you felt safe mere hours before today, you saw Jongho staggering towards you through the settling dust. His eyes slowly go back to the usual whites, his veins still shimmering with iridescent glow, but much subtle. Body smoking, fighting against his own weakened heart to take one more step towards where you lay. 

It was totally silent again. 

“Hey…” 

He spoke sweetly, his soft tone just like the one from last night, while he had you in his arms after having broken you apart. His shape covered you from the sun. His body returned to its regular temperature, but his pulse plunged erratically. A burning fever flooded his blood, making his breath come in ragged, shallow gasps.

He fell to his knees beside you, He trembled, not from his power having drained all his energy, but for the absolute horror of looking down at your frail, motionless body.

“Hey,” he whispered, voice barely a breath. His blood stained fingers cupping your jaw. “Open your eyes, don't do this to me.”

Your chest was barely moving. The strain had left your pulse hanging by a threat. Slowly, agonizingly, you opened your eyes. The shadow Jongho´s body was providing you was one more comfort he gave you just because he was very good at taking care of you. You tried to smile but were sure your face remained motionless.

“Jongho…” you whispered, voice paper thin. 

He gasped. The spark over his dark eyes came back. “Don´t talk. Don´t force yourself.” He pleaded, hands shaking against your cheek. “I´m right here, you´ll be okay.” 

Finally, a faint smile touched your cracked lips. You weakly reached up, fingers barely brushing the torn fabric over his chest. “I couldn´t let them take me, not after what I finally got you to say you loved me.” 

Jongho's breath hitched. He felt suffocated for an entirely different reason now. His eyes turned teareyed and he smiled through pursed lips, pressing his forehead against yours. “You´re an idiot,” He then looked at you. “You don´t get to tease me right now, you have to stay awake and tell me again how much you love me later.”

Then, a crackle cut through the static on his arm-mounted radio. A localized frequency pinged. A message from the rebellion´s front. 

“—Sector 1 is now securely empty. We had moved back to our main fort. If we need you there, you'll know which one. Anyone within reach, go there asap.” 

Jongho took a deep breath. He drew strength from the warmth of your skin, pushing through the tremor in his muscles and forcing his body back to its feet. He gently lifted you, gently hauling your limp frame onto his back. He wrapped your arms securely over his shoulders, gripping your legs against his waist. 

“Hold on, don´t let go.”

You only hummed softly in response. 

The sandstorm was still raging, but Jongho didn't falter. He kept going forward, knowing the way by memory rather than checking out the radar. He felt the soft, warmth of your breath against his neck, a constant reminder that he had to remain strong, for he was carrying not only his companion, or a member of the rebel group, but the person who held his heart, and that for better or worse, was going to remind him that living out this war was worth, to witness the life you were to share when this was all over. 

Omg I did not expect you getting adrenaline two seconds into this whoa

Jongho is so soft and dependable, I love him so much 🥹

Their dynamic, so loving but not willing to say it, ahhhh the vulnerability!!!

Fuuuucckkkkk this smut, this jongho smut, is everything. And the mixture of Adrenaline and sex wheeeeeew

This moment, oh no, my heart is just pitter-pattering!!

This description of the Adrenaline taking over omg omg omg

This scene!! With her powers being revealed, so cool so cool ahhhh the power!!!

“Quickly, children, this way!”

Seonwoo swung his arms, indicating you should all follow them through a door that clearly said anyone who passed it would be shot. He was the only adult you trusted.

Your feet were stuck in their spot. You couldn't move an inch. You wanted to leave this bad place. But you didn’t want to get hurt anymore. You just knew your limp was going to impede your escape.

“Come on, we gotta go.” Yeosang tugged at your elbow hurriedly.

Mingi had rushed towards Seonwoo but suddenly turned when he sensed that you and Yeosang had lagged behind. “Guys!”

San, who stuck by Seonwoo’s side, started jumping high so that he could see where his friends were. “Mingi? Yeosang? Silver?”

You shook your head vehemently. “I can’t do it, Yeosang.” Hot tears began to fall down your cheeks. “I can’t!”

Yeosang grabbed your face with his two hands. “Yes, you can. I’m here with you with every step of the way.”

You held a hand out and saw that your body was flickering. No, why of all the times would your powers start to work when you had screamed for them to help you at any other time?

Mingi’s head jerked towards another direction and he cocked his head. “Guys, we gotta go. Please!”

Yeosang closed his eyes, screwing up his face in concentration. You felt yourself get lighter and you gasped. When Yeosang opened his eyes, they were that weird blue color. “Light as a feather now, right? Let’s go.”

Yeosang pulled you along like you weighed nothing. And even though your feet didn’t move, your body followed him. You passed Mingi, whose nose was flaring. When at last you were the final ones to pass by San and Seonwoo, Mingi began a sprint behind you.

Children of different sizes were all climbing the staircase that most likely rose to the surface.

“No more dilly dallying, children,” Seonwoo cooed. “It’s time to be free birdies again, hmm?”

Yeosang nodded firmly and continued to tug you up the stairs.

“That’s so cool,” San murmured behind you.

Yeosang giggled. “You’re the one with super strength!”

“I’ve got a cool power too guys!” Mingi insisted.

Somehow, between the boy's silly conversation, you felt your nerves ease a little and your body stopped flickering in and out of sight. Yeosang sent you a bright, encouraging smile and climbed the stairs, two stairs at a time.

“I bet I can get to the top faster than you!” San declared.

“Hey no fair! You didn’t say when!” Mingi protested.

“That’s it, children,” Seonwoo encouraged. “Last one up is a chicken.”

“I don't want to be a chicken!” Mingi screeched, overtaking San, and then you and by proxy, Yeosang.

The moment of fun was quickly lost once everyone reached the top. The surface wasn’t bare, as you had normally imagined the wasteland of the apocalyptic desert. There were patrols and government soldiers. They had guns and gun mounted vehicles. There were towers with search lights.

“Everyone, take each other's hands,” Seonwoo shouted to the crowd of children.

Someone was crying but you weren’t sure who it was.

Seonwoo crouched in front of Mingi. “Remember, Mingi, your powers are super important here, right? Your sixth sense allows you to know when danger is coming. Use it just like the hallway.”

Mingi nodded but he looked very pale.

Seonwoo next stood in front of you. “Silver, I need you to imagine that everyone that is holding hands is all under a big sheet. And under that sheet no one can see you guys. Do you understand?”

“I--I can’t,” You sniffled.

“I know you think that you can’t but, child, you can. Whatever was making you flicker when Yeosang was trying to get you to run, you have to channel that.”

You nodded stiffly. You were going to fail, you just knew it. Your heart started to beat a million miles per second, just like right before an experiment, and you whimpered.

“Sannie, you know what you’ve got to do. Break that door. Stand in front of any of the cars that are trying to go after the children. You’re the protector.”

“I can do it,” San said with confidence.

“I’ll be right behind you every step of the way!” Seonwoo shouted.

San pushed everyone away from the door, before backing up and taking a run at it. He tackled it with his shoulder and the door went flying. With a grin of triumph, San hooted, and then everyone rushed out.

You watched with bewilderment as everyone flickered out of existence. Yeosang’s hand still warm in yours and another child’s in your other, you floated along with the line of children. Your heart was beating out of your chest as you passed soldiers with their guns and vehicles with their machine guns but no one noticed you were escaping because everyone was invisible.

“You’re doing it, Silver, see!” Yeosang praised you.

You were actually doing it! Your heart swelled with pride. You had numerous injuries and a hurt heart from failing experiment after experiment. You weren’t useless, you were actually helping!

“Silver, no!” Mingi shouted suddenly.

And that’s when everything crumbled around you.

Your prideful moment hushed the Adrenaline pumping in your veins and the line of escaping children flickered back into view. Shouts broke out and soldiers beelined towards you.

San ran towards the soldiers immediately, not a scarred bone in his body. Yeosang dropped your hand in order to block any of the incoming fire from the soldiers. A spotlight blinded him but for a moment, allowing some of the sleeping agents to hit a few of the children.

You watched in horror as a car hit San at full force, bending like paper around him.

You wrapped your arms around you, rocking on the ground. You knew you were going to fail this.

“It’s okay, children, you can still escape!” Seonwoo shouted from the back of the line. “Run! Use your powers!”

The last thing you saw was Seonwoo running towards San, who was sending soldiers flying with his strength. But they had numbers that could even combat that. San's tiny face smiled towards you and Yeosang and Mingi, nodded purposefully, and then you lost sight of him under all the soldiers. There was no way he was making it out of that alive. You knew how the facility was towards unruly Adrenaline children.

Mingi was the first to take off, his long legs taking him far. Yeosang grabbed back onto your hand and dragged you away as well. All three of you watched as a soldier loaded a different set of bullets and they hit San like he was just like all the other children.

“No!” You screamed.

“San will be okay,” Yeosang insisted. “He always is. We have to run!”

Mingi was so far ahead of you, you didn’t think you’d ever catch up. But Yeosang was steadfast by your side. Somehow your little legs moved, despite your injured foot, and you made it into the city and away from the floodlights.

You shot up in your bed, breathing heavily. You hated when you dreamt of that night that you had escaped the Facility. You put a hand on your chest to calm your beating heart. You watched with a worried gaze as your body began to flicker in and out of reality. This was not the time!

It was most likely coming back to you with your intentions today.

Today was the day you reversed your curse.

If the damn radiation from the apocolypse had fucked up everybody’s physiology then it could damn well reverse it. The plan today was to catch yourself in the middle of one of those nuclear radiated sandstorms, and come hell or highwater, you were going to be free. You didn’t care if it cost your life. It wasn’t much of one anyways.

You had been scared most of your life, or most of what you can remember anyways. Scared when the government had raided your home when you were young and abducted you because you tested positive for Adrenaline. You had been scared as the government had experimented on you, trying to both understand what Adrenaline did for you but also to capture it for their own use. You had been scared when you had escaped the Facility. You had been scared when you had gone into hiding and left Yeosang and Mingi to their own hero-hungry plans. You still lived scared because at any moment the government could finally track you down and drag you back to the Facility.

You wrapped your arms around your legs and rocked yourself, just like you had that faithful night in the desert. Unfortunately for you, nothing really calmed you down like Yeosang did. And that ship had long set sail.

You shook your head. It was fine to be scared today. Maybe it would be easier to weave your way through the slums and get to the edge of town quicker. You weren’t going to attempt the train, that was beyond your capabilities. You were also too scared to use anything government controlled.

So you took a backpack, with nothing really inside of it. You were too much of a paranoid mover to really own anything you couldn't pick up and carry. You took enough water from the hidden well under the old ice cream shop to last you for the trip there and back. You got scared enough to disappear for a few moments to steal some days-old bread.

And then you were ready.

You kept a light jog, throughout the slums, avoiding crowds and keeping to the lighter traffic areas, despite your odd gait. Although you always feared being caught, which helped your Adrenaline flow easily, you weren’t stupid. If you were invisible, you didn’t need someone bumping into nothing. Even a whisper in the slums could travel up to the government.

Before no time at all, perhaps by noon, you had made it to the edge of the city. The slums were closest to the desert, of course. No one that worked for the government or was better off wanted the constant reminder that this world was the result of a nuclear reaction that ruined the world. You wondered if they were truly better off in their unawareness. Does the government steal children that were well off just as much as children were sold by their parents for some spare coins?

Your disgust at your own past had your body flickering and you cursed yourself for getting distracted. You looked around to see if anyone was around you and were shocked when you saw a blonde figure behind you.

Yeosang strode confidently towards you. He wore a long black shirt. You weren’t sure that was the best choice in the desert but maybe it was made from a special material you were unfamiliar with.

“Did you really think you could go anywhere without me?” Yeosang said quietly.

You looked away, guilt flushing through your veins instead of Adrenaline. “Why are you here, Yeosang?”

“Whatever you're planning on doing, you're not doing it without me.” His eyes were solid on yours. He didn’t need to shout to be heard.

“I’ve done well enough without you so far, I don’t need you for this,” You snapped.

Yeosang flinched but smoothed his features quickly. “Not true. You always need me.”

“Don’t you dare follow me,” You snarled, before adjusting your pack on your back and limping into the desert fully.

You didn’t hear him, but Yeosang caught up with you quickly, grabbing your hand.

It yanked you backwards, and your hood fell from your head, revealing your silver hair. You were shocked for a moment at the contact. Yeosang’s hands no longer fit perfectly between your own hands like they had as children. No, his hand practically engulfed yours now.

Shaking yourself from your stupor, you yanked your hood back up. “Let go of me.”

Yeosang shook his head. “No. I didn’t back then and I won’t now.”

Yeosang’s small face flickered in your memory. His quiet smile. His quiet encouragement. His quiet strength. Damn him.

“Well, we aren’t children anymore, Yeosang. You don’t have to save me anymore either.” You pulled at his hand but Yeosang refused to let go.

“You don’t have to do that, you know,” Yeosang said. “Hide yourself from me.”

The left side of your face had been horribly scared by an experiment gone too far. The scientists had, in a foolhardy plan, scared you with acid, only for you to freeze up and actually get doused in it.

“Habit,” You murmured. “Whatever! It shouldn’t matter. Let go of me and leave me alone. This is my burden to deal with.”

A tiny frown marred Yeosang’s handsome features. “You don’t get it, do you? I will never leave you alone.”

“You’ve left me alone fine all these years,” You insisted.

Yeosang’s hand slowly loosened over yours. “Do you really believe that?”

You were quick to take back your hand. As soon as you turned around, your heart started to beat out of your chest. Not far off, electricity traveled through a wall of yellow dust. There it was, the storm that the old lady in your slum had predicted. She said she could feel those storms in her bones.

Your body went invisible and you started off with your gangly limp once again.

“Silver, I will follow you into that storm, don’t you ever doubt what I won’t do for you!” Yeosang shouted.

You cursed under your breath. “How did you know I was planning on doing this anyways!”

“I have my ways. If you didn’t insist on not being a part of my life, you’d know that.”

The guilt stabbed through your heart. Your body flickered back to life and you grumbled Yeosang’s name. He easily caught up to you again. Damn that bastard for knowing you inside and out. His arms wrapped around you, pack and all, trapping you against his body.

“If you go into that storm, I’m going in there with you. We will both get rid of our powers together or we’ll die together. It’s your choice,” Yeosang said steadily in your ear.

You shouted with rage and then slumped in Yeosang’s grasp. “You know I’ll not risk your life. Not after what we’ve been through.”

“San would be so pissed off at you right now. He didn’t--”

You jerked your head back and bonked Yeosang hard enough that he yelped. He let go of you and you scrambled backwards in the sand. “How dare you use San’s death against me! Who are you, Kang Yeosang? I don’t know this man before me.”

Yeosang’s gaze is hard but firm. “I’m taking you back to my bar. We’ll talk more there.”

Your mouth dropped open as he promptly turned on his heel and started to head back towards the city’s outskirts.

“What do you mean by ‘your bar’?” You shouted at his back.

As it turned out, your telekinesis-wielding ex-best friend owned a bar. He waved a hand at the bartender, who immediately pulled a bottle from the top shelf and poured two glasses.

You wrinkled your nose as he shot the glass back. He offered you one and when you didn’t take it, he threw that one back too.

“Jesus, Yeosang,” You scoffed.

“It’s not every day you save your best friend from killing herself,” Yeosang said.

You coughed and choked on your own spit. Yeah, you had no idea who this Yeosang was anymore.

“So, what do you think about it?” Yeosang wondered.

You shook your head in disbelief. “How the hell do you run a bar?”

“It’s quite easy, actually. You see, everyone is miserable, so they all want to come here and drink their woes away. I provide the alcohol and they provide the money.”

You glared at Yeosang and his eyes sparkled with amusement. “Congratulations.”

His glee made him smile. “Did you see what the name of the bar was?”

Your eyes moved around and then you locked in on the blinking neon light behind the bar.

Floating Silver

“You named your bar after me?” You shouted.

Yeosang gazed at you sadly. “I didn’t know what else to call it. You’re the only thing that’s ever meant anything to me.”

You hung your head in shame. You still didn’t understand why this man held you in such high standing in his life, even after all this time. You had both been children while you had endured the horrors inflicted upon you in the Facility but once you had escaped, you had refused to risk bringing any attention to yourself. Yeosang had decided he was going to do anything to help others escape, just like Seonwoo had done for you group of children.

“There’s something else I want to show you.”

There he was again, grabbing your hand like it was nothing. Or maybe it was everything and he was determined to pretend like no time had passed between you two.

Still, Yeosang brought you to a backroom where the liquor was stored. You peered curiously at the bottles and kegs. “How do you get all this stuff?”

“The government is fine providing the slums with alcohol. It keep us dull and buried in our problems, just how they like us,” Yeosang said with a fake smile that he quickly wiped from his face.

“That’s great and all but what else--?”

Yeosang looked at you with a sneaky smile. He put his hand palm down on one of the large wooden kegs. It began to float, revealing an empty, dark corridor.

Yeosang pulled you into the darkness and you couldn't see anything at first. “Yeosang!” You squealed.

Suddenly, lights turned on and you could see the corridor went at a slow slant down. “I syphon some of the electricity provided to the bar down here.”

“What is this place?” You couldn't help but wonder.

“This is how I sneak people out of the city,” Yeosang told you plainfaced.

“I…” Your words caught in your throat. “You actually did it.”

Yeosang looked proud. “I did.”

Shame burned through you. Here you were, living for yourself, and Yeosang was saving people. You shouldn’t even be allowed to stand by him.

“Good for you, Sangie,” You said with a tight throat.

“Good for us, Silver,” Yeosang corrected you. “I was thinking--”

“Raid!” The bartender shouted down the corridor. “We gotta get everyone out of here, Mister Kang!”

“Shit,” Yeosang cursed under his breath. “Quickly, get anyone who needs to flee down the tunnels.”

Both your hands tightened on Yeosang’s sleeve. “Yeosang” you said, your throat tight with fear.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” Yeosang assured you.

You watched as various people from the slums filtered past you. You worried at your lip with your teeth and couldn't take it anymore. “Yeosang, we have to go.”

Yeosang shot a glance towards you. “I said I’ve got us, Silver. Why can’t you trust me like before?”

“Because I’ve spent all my life ensuring I never get caught, Yeosang, and waiting around as others flee is not how I kept out of their hands!” You shouted.

Yeosang’s lips made an angry line. “Once everyone is safe, I’ll close the door and it’ll be fine.”

“I’m not fine!” You argued. You pulled at his arm. “Please, Yeosang, surely someone else can close the door?”

Yeosang shook his head. “No. I’m the one that guarantees everyone’s safety. I’m always the last to leave.”

You let out a small noise in your throat and collapsed to the ground. How was it that the boy who ensured your survival was now going to be your demise?

You watched as your body began to flicker in and out of existence. You held your hand out as it blended into the dirt below. This was it. You were going to get caught. All because Yeosang interfered with your brilliant plan to--

Yeosang used his powers and moved the old keg in front of the entranceway to the tunnel and then dusted his hands. “There. Tight and safe. We can--” Yeosang peered around. “Silver?”

You opened your mouth but no words could come out. You were so tight with fear, so locked up because of it, that you couldn't even reach out to your ex-best friend.

“Silver?” Yeosang couldn't raise his voice, in fear that the government soldiers would hear you behind the keg. “Silver, please. Don’t leave me again.”

You managed a squeak through your fear-locked throat and Yeosang’s head whipped in your direction. “I’ve got you, don’t worry.”

Yeosang put his hands out, tentatively reaching around until his deft fingers found your shoulder. The next second, you were floating. His hand smoothed down your arm and wrapped around your hand.

Tears flowed down your cheeks silently. Once again, you’re an utter failure and a coward. And here was Yeosang saving the day. You hated every fiber of your being.

Without another word, Yeosang pulled your floating body down the tunnel. For what seemed like hours, all you could hear was Yeosang’s booted steps as he ran while pulling you behind him. Eventually, the soothing rhythm of his steps settled you and your Adrenaline slipped away, taking away your invisibility.

By then, the tunnel had widened out and a smooth sandstone wall with a single steel door came in view. “This is a safe place. Don’t worry,” Yeosang assured you before tapping a beat on the door.

A slot moved across, eyes assessed him and then closed. You feared the worst immediately, but then large bolts moved back and the door opened. “Get in here, Yeosang.”

Yeosang squeezed your hand and took you in with him. The doors closed but the person who opened them narrowed their eyes at you.

“Who’s this?”

Yeosang smiled. “It’s my bar’s namesake.”

Yeosang disengaged his powers and you fell to your feet.

“Well, she goes with the others that we don’t know,” the person grumbled. They reached out for your arm.

Yeosang intercepted the hand before it even landed on you. “After everything I’ve done for you guys?”

The person winced. “You know security is higher after--”

Yeosang chuckled darkly, tongue in cheek. “If I say she’s trustworthy, then she is.”

The person paled and then lowered their hand. “Sure. Okay, Yeosang.”

“What is this place?” You wondered.

Yeosang put an arm around your shoulder and tucked you against his body. “Used to be an old bunker for the government. Since it’s buried in leagues of sand, it’s long since been abandoned.”

You stared at Yeosang. “What is this place?” You repeated flatly.

Another voice answered. “Welcome to the Rebellion, Silver.”

Yeosang’s eyes widened momentarily. “Shadow.”

“You’re not the only one who knows things, Yeosang.”

You turned to find a woman standing with her arms crossed under her chest. Everyone about her showed that she was confident in where she was in life. She was the complete opposite of you. That was… until you reached her eyes. Her eyes showed a different tale. She was one step from going over the edge.

“Silver, this is Shadow. She’s a good friend of mine.”

Shadow shook her head. “We’re working acquaintances, Yeosang. Your true friend was--” The words turned to ash in her mouth and she shook her head as if to get her thoughts in place. She sent a polite if not tight smile your way.

Yeosang’s eyes softened and he looked away. “I was just telling Silver we’re safe here.”

Shadow’s lips twitched in agitation. “What would provoke this raid?”

Yeosang shrugged. “I paid my dues already so your guess is as good as mine.”

Shadow’s eyes came back to you. “She’s the only different factor, Yeosang.”

“There--” You licked your lips. “I’m a nobody.”

Shadow laughed dryly. “You and I both know that’s not true, Silver.” Her eyes dragged back to Yeosang. “You know--”

Yeosang held up a hand. “We’ll be out of your hair as soon as the coast is clear.”

Shadow huffed. “Whatever you say, Yeosang.”

“Now what?” You wondered as Yeosang squeezed you even closer in reassurance.

“Now you’re stuck with me,” Yeosang declared.

You stiffened. “What does that mean?”

“Until we figure out if the raid was truly about you or not, you’re not going anywhere without me, Silver.”

You frowned up at your ex-best friend. “You do remember my ability is to disappear, do you not?”

Yeosang grabbed both of your shoulders. “I”m serious. You could be in big trouble. You’re not to leave my sight.”

“If anything, this is your fault! If you had just let me--”

Yeosang shook you. “Don’t. I would never let you. Ever.”

“I probably wasn’t even on their radar until you decided to take me back to your stupid bar!” You shouted. You attempted to knock Yeosang’s hands off you but he wasn’t letting go.

“You're lying to yourself if you think that.” Yeosang leaned down to peer into your eyes. “Why are you trying to get rid of me?”

Your spine straightened and your jaw snapped shut. You refused to answer that question.

Yeosang sighed. “Let’s find a place to settle in. It’s going to be a while before the bar is cleared and we can go back.”

Meanwhile, you studied this so-called rebellion. It seemed like a simple community until you saw the others with Adrenaline. It made sense that others would come together. The thought terrified you, of course. Wasn’t this a present wrapped in a bow for the government? If they ever found this place, it would be like a goldmine for them.

You started to tremble in Yeosang hold.

“Hey, I said we were safe here, Silver, come on.”

Immediately Yeosang enveloped you into his chest. You could hear his steady heartbeat. Your throat was tight, and swallowing was difficult. How could he be like this after all this time? After your cowardice and fear were always painting every aspect of your life.

Once your trembling stopped, Yeosang pulled back. “I”m going to go check and see if everyone from the bar is okay.” He paused, studying your features. “Stay where I can see you, okay?”

You explored the rebellion’s HQ in order to keep your nerves under control. There were old rusting tanks that would never move ever again. They were trapped in their own bodies. You sympathized with their state.

“I like using their old base against them. It feels like another fuck you to them, you know?”

Once again, Shadow seemingly popped out of the darkness. She scared you enough for your body to blink out of existence immediately. She chuckled but it was along the line of insanity. You had a feeling that she was playing a little too well with that line.

“It’s an honor to finally meet Yeosang’s inspiration, you know. Even though I have no idea who you two were before you joined the fold.”

You breathed in and out deeply. “If he didn’t tell you, I’m not going to either.”

Shadow sent you a measured look and then curtly nodded. “I respect that.”

“Are you…?”

“One of you?” Shadow laughed softly under her breath. “No.”

“Then why… why help any of us?”

“The truth?” Shadow strode in measured steps. “I only did it because that’s what he wanted to do.”

You waited for the other shoe to drop. You weren’t about to push a wounded animal.

“Hongjoong was the one that wanted to keep everyone safe. He’s never stood for any injustice in his entire life. I was just here to watch his back. And I couldn't even do that.” The final sentence was said in a silent whisper not meant for anyone’s ears.

You nodded like you completely followed. “Did you love him?”

Shadow turned, her face full of ache. “He was all that I’ve ever loved.”

You’re the only thing that’s ever meant anything to me.

You don’t even know why you asked her that. Or why Yeosang said a similar sentence. You were just supposed to be floating in life, taking care of yourself.

“Did you tell him that?”

Shadow’s hair fell in front of her face. “Never.”

Suddenly, like someone pulled a string through Shadow, she left behind her confessions and drew back to her restricted self, and walked off without another word.

You couldn't blame her, really. Too much vulnerability could do one harm.

Things settled, and true to his word, Yeosang took you back to the bar, albeit in a more calm manner aka your feet could take you there yourself.

“Listen, I’ve got an apartment above the bar,” Yeosang spoke carefully. “You’ll stay with me until we get this figured out.”

“No,” You folded your arms under your chest.

Yeosang lifted an eyebrow at you. “Yes.”

“How exactly are you going to figure out if the government is after me or not?” You demanded, still standing in the storage room.

“I have my ways,” Yeosang said cryptically.

“Whatever,” You stride out of the storage room and directly into someone’s broad chest.

“Watch where you're--Silver?!”

You crank your neck back and look up into the face of someone who you did not think you’d ever see again. “Mingi?”

He does not look pleased to see you again. The feeling is mutual. The last time you saw him was when you had all split ways, you believing it would be harder to find escaped children that way. But the scene of Mingi being the first to flee never left your mind.

“Hey, Mingi, what can I do for you?” Yeosang greets Mingi with a half hug.

“I’ve got a problem that I need you to look into,” Mingi said gruffly.

“Problem?” Yeosang’s eyes travel along the bar behind Mingi when they finally land on someone sitting on the stools. “Her?”

“I found her when I was trying to break up a--” Mingi’s eyes shoot towards you. “Can we talk somewhere else?”

Yeosang tilted his head. “Certainly. Silver, my office is--”

“Without her?” Mingi cut Yeosang off immediately.

Yeosang shook his head. “No can do, Mingi. If you haven’t noticed, the bar just got raided. I’ve got to keep Silver close by.”

Mingi scoffed. “She’s probably the reason you had the raid. Not exactly conspicuous, an invisible girl.”

Your hackles rose at Mingi clear animosity. “That’s literally the definition of inconspicuous, Mingi.”

“Hey.” Yeosang put a hand on Mingi’s chest. “She’s with me, whether you like it or not. But we should go back to my office.”

Yeosang grabbed your hand and took you towards a door on the other side of the bar. You gazed curiously at the ‘problem’ Mingi had dragged in and were surprised that you knew her. She waved shyly but remained at the bar as Mingi barked at her. This didn’t feel right.

Once in Yeosang’s office, Mingi started to give the details to Yeosang on how he had found his little problem. The details weren’t exactly damning but he kept insisting that she wore the insignia of the government.

“She’s not one of them,” You interrupted.

Yeosang cocked his head. “How do you know?”

“I know her,” You admitted.

Yeosang sat back in his chair, fingers steepled. “Tell me what you know.”

“One of the nights my part of the slums got raided, we ended up in the same hidey hole. There’s no way she’s one of them. If she was, then I would have got caught.” The woman had been kind and cheerful. She was a little ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark world where you tended to hide in.

Yeosang looked deep in contemplation. “I can put some feelers out, let you know if I dig anything else up,” he offered.

You shake your head. The circumstances that Mingi caught your Sunshine friend wasn’t sitting well with you. Manhandling her and treating her like shit was a little too much like the government had treated you and countless others.

“Why help Mingi, Yeosang? It’s not like he doesn’t understand about running away and leaving others high and dry,” You said, derisiveness dripping from your tone.

Mingi’s lips pulled into a sneer. “I’m out here risking my life. What are you doing? Hiding in a hole in the wall, trembling and hoping the government doesn’t find you again?”

“Enough, the two of you.” Yeosang shook his head like he was the only levelheaded one in the room. “We didn’t escape for the two of you to fight like this. San didn’t give up his--”

Mingi stood ramrod straight, looking extremely uncomfortable. “I’m not here to talk about the past. Look into my problem for me and let me know if you find anything.”

They exchanged a nod and then Mingi was gone.

Yeosang stood up and sat on the front of his desk. “Did you have to attack Mingi like that? You have no idea how long he’s wrestled with what he did that night.”

“Clearly he’s not over it,” You murmured.

“And neither are you.”

You hung your head low. “I don’t understand why I’m here, Yeosang.”

“You’re here because--”

“So what if the government is after me?” You shouted at Yeosang. “What does that have to do with you? I’m just someone who you knew once that isn’t worth her weight in gold. I have no business being here.”

“That’s not true,” Yeosang argued. “You’re worth something to me.”

You looked up and saw that Yeosang’s hand was hanging over your head, like he was about to reassure you. But you didn’t want that. You wanted to cling to your anger at yourself rather than recognize that feeling that you had buried long ago.

“Your bar got raided because of me, Yeosang. I am fucking up everything for you! You should just discard me like the trash I am.”

“Don’t say that.” Yeosang’s tone was rough and his throat sounded like it was tight. “You’re not trash. You helped us escape that night, Silver, regardless of how it ended, if you hadn't summoned your powers, we never would have made it as far as we did. You have to see that!”

“I’m tired, Yeosang. Can you please show me where I can sleep?” It was clear that Yeosang wasn’t going to let you go no matter your reasoning. The only true escape was to fall into a slumber.

Yeosang wiped a hand over his tired face. “Yes. Of course.”

He led you to an apartment that was above the bar. You could still hear some random notes of the music playing downstairs, despite the lack of customers after the raid. It wasn’t much but it was Yeosang’s and he was clearly proud of it. It was much better than the cell you used to share in the Facility. Or even your room in the slums for that matter.

“I’ll fetch some water and heat some up for you. You can at least wash up,” Yeosang offered.

You sent him a baleful look. “Not worried I’m going to disappear on you again?”

Yeosang sent you a bittersweet smile. “Nothing to be scared of up here, right?”

You let out a bittersweet laugh in return. “Right. I’m useless without my fear.”

Yeosang’s face dropped. “I didn’t mean--”

You held your hand up. “It’s fine, Yeosang. Thank you for the water and the offer to clean up. I’ll gladly take it.”

In no time at all, Yeosang had the promised hot water, which he poured into a large, chipped basin. He gave you a washcloth and a towel, ratty, but clean at least. “Let me know if you need anything else,” He said.

“I just want to sleep the day off me,” You muttered.

Yeosang closed the door behind him and you started to strip. You only let yourself get down to a tank top and shorts. You never stripped naked--ever. You sat down on the bed, rubbing your disfigured foot. You tried to avoid anything reflective, not particularly interested in looking at yourself.

You methodically wetted the washcloth and rung out the excess water, washing off the sweat from your fear and the sand from the desert off your body. It wasn’t long before the basin was dirty and you were somewhat clean. It felt nice, at least.

“I’ve got a change of clothes if you need them.”

You jumped at the sound of Yeosang just outside the door. “I--I’m not decent, don’t come in!”

Yeosang chuckled. “I’ve never heard that one before.”

Your stomach dropped. Of course Yeosang has had partners. You are well into adulthood now. Not to mention Yeosang was gorgeous.

Except now you didn’t know what to do. You didn’t want to put on clothes just to accept Yeosang’s offer. This was stupid.

“I don’t need any clothes, Yeosang,” You refused his offer.

“Silver, I know you do have access to good amenities where you were living. Take my clothes, and I’ll wash what you’ve got,” Yeosang sliced through your declination like it was butter.

“No, it’s fine. You’ve already given me this much.” You glanced at his bed. It wasn’t glamourous but it wasn’t a nest of blankets on a floor of stone like you were used to.

Then it all hit you. “Wait, you want me to sleep in your bed?” you squeaked.

“I’m coming in, this is ridiculous, Silver.”

“No--wait!--Yeo-Yeosang!” You floundered back, arms reeling and you fell backwards, knocking the basin over and spilling the water all over you.

Yeosang opened the door, his eyes wide with surprise at your current state. “Silver, what…?” Those eyes quickly darkened as the water made your clothes cling to your body.

You avoided the look he was giving you. It was making you feel warm and it was completely foreign to you. You scrambled to find the towel he had given you. Yeosang’s hand covered yours before you could bring it around your body and shield yourself from him.

“It’s dirty, don’t,” Yeosang said softly.

“Yeosang.” You were trembling and your body began to flicker in and out of existence.

“What are you so scared of?” Yeosang cooed. His other hand cupped the side of your face, the bad side, that was textured from your acid scars.

“How can you bear to touch me like that?” You demanded roughly.

A faint, amused smile pulled the corners of Yeosang’s lips. “Touch you like what?”

“Like I’m not disgusting,” You whispered.

Yeosang pulled you flush against his body. You squirmed but it only made it all the more apparent how exactly Yeosang was feeling. “Does it seem like you are disgusting to me?”

You started to shiver delicately in Yeosang’s hold. “You don’t make any sense.”

Yeosang held your chin between his thumb and forefinger, determined to hold your gaze. “You’re beautiful and flawed to me. Both can exist at the same time. In fact, your flaws are what make you beautiful.”

Your throat tightened. You had never forgotten the one night you two had whispered to each other the first night you had been captured; children scared and hiding under the covers in the same bed. You held a glow-in-the-dark stuffed animal while Yeosang told you that his birthmark was the reason the government had pulled him in for Adrenaline testing. That same night Yeosang had told you that your hair was beautiful. Neither of you saw each other as flawed, despite those characteristics being the reason you had been targeted.

“I’m a coward, Yeosang,” You whispered. “I’m disfigured. There’s nothing about me that’s beautiful.”

Yeosang’s eyes were full of sorrow. “I wish you could see yourself the way I do.” Tears spilled down your cheeks. Yeosang’s hands cupped your face, rubbing them away. “Don’t cry, Silver.”

“Wh-wha-whatever this is. I d-don’t d-deserve it,” You spat out, despite your hiccups and sobs.

“That’s not true. Stop saying such cruel things about yourself.” Yeosang whispered back.

Then he leaned in and placed a kiss on your cheek, the scarred side first. He turned your head and placed one on the other side, the unmarred one. When you didn’t struggle in his hold, he moved to kiss the side of your mouth that was closest to your acid scars. You whimpered, tears still pouring down your cheeks.

“It’s okay, Silver,” Yeosang assured you. He pulled you into his arms and hugged you tightly. You released everything into sobs. You cried and cried and cried, tears soaking his own shirt. You cried for your lost childhood. You cried for your injuries that would never be healed. You cried for losing San and the other children that didn’t make it out that day. You cried for leaving behind Yeosang and Mingi to find themselves instead of staying together. And most importantly, you cried for Yeosang’s clear adoration for you, despite your own self hatred.

Once your sobs subsided, Yeosang let go of you for only as long as it took for him to rid himself of his shirt. You stood in shock at the view of his upper body. He had his own scars but they only seemed to add to his beauty, if not to the lines of muscles.

Before you could protest, Yeosang was pulling off your wet clothing and putting you into his original set he had brought in for you. Then he bundled up the two of you in his makeshift bed, and petted your hair until you fell asleep in his arms.

You woke up in Yeosang’s bed but he was no longer there. He must have left sometime in the night to go get information for Mingi. You still didn’t like that Mingi had basically kidnapped your Sunshine friend and was keeping her captive, but it wasn’t like you knew where Mingi went, and you weren’t exactly in a position to save her.

You left Yeosang’s room and wandered around his apartment. You didn’t know what else to do and felt too much of a burden to eat any of his food. You had no idea what Yeosang’s situation was, exactly, even as the owner of the bar.

He didn’t leave you alone for long, which you should have come to the same conclusion. He stopped mid purposeful stride, seeing you in his clothes in his place.

“Do you know how many times I’ve wished to walk into my place and see this?” Yeosang said in a strangled tone.

Your heart constricted and you battled with it immensely. “Yeosang, don’t.”

It was clear after what had occurred last night that Yeosang was more determined than ever to push his agenda. “No, I won’t stop, Silver. You’ve been beating yourself up over something that you cannot change. You’re just like Mingi. You have to stop. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for me.”

You turned your head. You didn’t want to cry again. Your hair falls like a curtain, hiding your emotions.

“Let’s get out of here. Get some fresh air.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Yeosang.”

“You spent enough time dodging the government and their goons. Surely you could spend an afternoon with me.”

“And do what? Stroll around, arm in arm, and talk about what exactly in the middle of a public area? Yeosang, we’re not normal citizens. We won’t be safe no matter how much you want to pretend.”

“Then let’s not pretend.”

You rolled your eyes but Yeosang’s face was firmly confident. “I’m serious. No one is going to suspect anything if we walk around like we have nothing to hide.”

“Yeosang, I can’t!” You couldn't help but wail. “It’s been years and I still don’t have control over my powers. All it takes is a tiny scare and then I’ve revealed the both of us.”

“I have confidence in the both of us. Come on.”

Once again, Yeosang was holding his hand out and asking for you to take it. He wriggled his fingers encouragingly. “I got you, Silver. Let’s go.”

Hesitantly, your fingers slid over his palm and he entwined them amongst his own. He smiled sweetly. “See? We can do this.” And just to show you just how confident he was, he tucked your hand into his arm, like a gentleman of old, and you two strolled through the streets around the bar.

Floating Silver wasn’t located in the bad part of the Slums; that was reserved for where people wanted to live and hide. He was in a somewhat respectable part. It was almost on the line between what people considered the poor part and the City. Pavilions and stands popped up around the wall that separated the two. City citizens were not encouraged to mix with the rabble. Their shiny boots hardly ever touched the dust outside of the wall. But it was still a natural place for everyone to gather.

The stalls sold various items. There was food, fresh for what it was worth, and cooked. There was salvage from the desert and abandoned places, which there was a plethora of. People hawked their wares, some eagerly looking to make money and others dejected at what the world had given them.

“See? Isn’t this nice,” Yeosang murmured.

You pulled up your hood firmly so that your hair was well hidden. You noted that Yeosang had his hood up too. It wasn’t uncommon for a sandstorm to whip through the city at a moment’s notice. But it hid his beautiful birthmark.

“It’s been a few minutes, like that’s proof,” You argued.

“The fact that this world continues to spin on its axis makes me understand that no matter what, life will go on. It’s up to you to walk with it or against it,” Yeosang mused.

You watched with a pessimistic gaze as a thief pickpocketed an unsuspecting citizen. You saw the smirk that painted their features as they dashed away, turned a corner and were gone. It was only when the citizen went to pay for the item they had been looking to purchase and put their hand in their pocket, that they realized all their money was gone. They cried out with shock but no one around them pointed the way the thief had gone. It was a dog eat dog world here and if you were stupid enough to get stolen from then you deserved the empty purse.

You exchanged a glance with Yeosang. Yours was “see, I told you so.” But his was accompanied by a big sigh.

“Do you have a coin to spare, Miss?” A tiny adorable child stood in front of you all of a sudden. They grinned broadly, missing a front tooth. Too young to be begging.

“I’m sorry, I don’t--” The words caught in your mouth as you felt some unskilled movement in your pocket. Your hand wrapped around the tiny wrist immediately.

“Awe, Minjae, you said you could do it!” the adorable child in front of you protested.

“Let go!” Minjae cried out, struggling in your grasp. You bent down to show Minjae how to improve his skills, for you had been a begging child on the streets once, which evolved into a pickpocket. But before you got a chance, Minjae firmly planted both of his feet against your knees and pulled himself from your grasp.

You both fell backwards. Minjae sprung up immediately and fled the scene, weaving between the taller adults. Your ass hit the sand and sand path and your hood flew back.

There were some startled gasps. Silver hair wasn’t exactly common.

“It’s one of them!” A woman cried, covering her mouth. “Quick, someone call the authorities!”

Yeosang yanked your hood back over your head and hauled you upwards with his hand in yours. “Quickly. We must flee!”

“Don’t let them get away!” A man shouted. “There’s coin in turning in one of the Adrenaline Afflicted!”

After only a few steps, your heart started to beat a mile per minute. Fear seized up your throat and slowly iced its way through your veins. Your body began to flicker, becoming an illusion and camouflaging amongst the sandstone buildings. “Yeosang!” You squeaked in terror.

Yeosang spun you around and cupped his hands together. “Climb. We’ll be better off the streets. Hurry, Silver!”

You put your hands on Yeosang’s shoulders, his eyes flashing blue for but a moment, and when he hefted you upwards, you floated like you were lighter than a sheet in the wind. You grabbed the lip of the three story building and quickly pulled yourself to the rooftop. Yeosang was only seconds behind you, eyes taking in the surrounding area. When he was satisfied that no one was following you, the two of you skimmed the rooftops.

Your Adrenaline was still acting up. Your hands and feet were gone, along with part of your forearms and calves. Leaping over a gap between buildings didn’t help the matter. “Do you think we lost them?” You couldn't help but ask.

Yeosang turned his head to send you a confident smile. “Of course.”

You clucked your tongue. “You're just saying that to settle my anxiety.”

Yeosang shrugged his shoulders. head still on rotation for anything threatening. “Even if that was the case, I’ve gone this way before. No one ever looks up, Silver.”

A few minutes later, Floating Silver’s sign gleamed in the distance. You felt your shoulders relax and your invisibility eventually dissipated. You felt safe with Yeosang, so that of course extended to his bar. It made you wonder, if you had never disappeared from his life, could you have lived a better life of yours? Instead of fleeing from a rat hole to a garbage dump, always on the run, always hand to mouth, could you have settled somewhat comfortably with Yeosang?

You shook your head. In what universe was a silver-haired being that disappeared every time she got scared going to live a normal life when hard lived citizens were eager to turn individuals with Adrenaline in for money? You were at least happy that Yeosang had found his place of peace. And you were ruining that.

Yeosang found a latch on the rooftop, right behind the neon sign. He raised it and signaled for you to go down the ladder first. It led into Yeosang’s office. Convenient.

“I’ve got to put some feelers out,” Yeosang said. “After that sighting, you might be in even more danger. Go straight to my apartment and stay there until I come back.”

“Yeosang…”

Despite the urgency of the situation, Yeosang crossed the space between you and him. He tugged you against his chest and held you tightly. “It’s not your fault, Silver. None of this is your fault. You were born with Adrenaline. You’ve never hurt a fly with your powers. The government is just some shitty group of people that believe that your life is worth sacrificing so they can live their cushy lives. We’ll get through this. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Okay, Yeosang,” You whispered against his chest.

“You and me until the end, remember?” Yeosang whispered into the crown of your head.

Once Yeosang left after comforting you, you couldn't get what he said out of your head. You hadn't heard him say that since the day you had left him and Mingi behind. But you used to say it to each other each night before you went to sleep. Or sometimes Yeosang would say it to you to reassure you that nothing could ever separate you two. It was the only way you got through some situations of your life in the Facility….

Flashback

“What do you think they’ll ask us to do today?” Mingi wondered, eyes studying the adults as they gathered in a group.

All the children that lived in the Facility had been drawn out to the proving graveyard. This was a place where you children were tested. You hated this place. The cars that were planted into the earth like rotting vegetables gave you the heebie jeebies.

“I don’t know but they look angry today,” you said warily.

San nodded, quiet this morning. He danced on the balls of his feet, looking antsy as well.

“No matter what, we’ll get through it together, okay?” Yeosang smiled at you, brighter than the sun sometimes.

You squeezed his hand back but jumped when one of the handlers clapped their hands. “Stand in your positions, children. Don’t dally now, we have important business to get to.”

Once the handler was satisfied that everyone was in their spot, he nodded. He wasn’t Seonwoo, who was continuously offered comfort and sweets to keep your spirits up. This one, his name was Hyuk. He was always the handler that had the most hard tests. It was like he enjoyed torturing children for a living.

“Today, we separate the strong from the weak. Some of you have performed wonderfully, which you shall be rewarded today. You will not have to participate.” As if not having to go through whatever horrible situation Hyuk had thought up was a reward enough. “But the rest of you, who have not harnessed their powers to our satisfaction will be fighting today.”

Yeosang and San moved to the group of successful Adrenaline users and you and Mingi were in the failure group. Mingi stood tall, spine straight but his jaw trembled as if he was holding back sobs. You kept your eyes on the ground. Perhaps if you believed this one time, you could finally go invisible and avoid this test altogether.

“I hope we’re not fighting the dogs today. I hate when they sic the dogs on us,” a child beside you shuddered after their statement.

“You’ll be fighting each other today, children.” Hyuk smiled like he was a cat eating his cream.

Round after round ran, children pitted against each other. Speed against echolocation. Fire powers against teleportation. Some children didn’t survive their round and were left bereft of any air, face down, never to rise again. You chanted inside your head that today would be the day that you were able to summon your powers immediately.

“Silver.” Hyuk said your name with a snap. “You will fight…” His eyes skimmed the failure children before he settled on one that was one of the biggest children of the group. She didn’t have strength like San had. No, her power was making the ground move. It wasn’t very helpful when there wasn’t any natural earth around, as was most of the cases when you were inside of the stark white walls of the Facility. But out here, in the proving graveyard, she was queen of the castle. “ ...Jiwoo.”

You flinched but still moved to the centre of the graveyard. You had learned a long time ago that if you fought these little tests, no matter how much you knew you would fail, there was always a shock stick that Hyuk used liberally. The children learned quickly to not prompt him to use it.

Jiwoo looked like she was determined to win this. You closed your eyes and dug your nails into your palms. Please let you become invisible, please let you become invisible, please--

Hyuk blew his whistle and shouted “Begin!”

When you felt the trembles below your feet, you knew you had failed. Your eyes flew open and you began to run. Sand blasted in a spot behind you. Then another. And another. You were barely missing Jiwoo’s blows. So she adjusted. Instead of shots of earth upwards to hurt you, she opted with blocks of ground that rose up and clamped together. You started to pant as your energy was leaving you. You could run a little fast but the air in your lungs often gave up on you quickly. You were slowing and you knew there was nothing you could do about it.

“You can do it, Silver!” Yeosang shouted.

Hyuk snapped his fingers and sent a soldier to discipline your best friend. You watched in horror as they snapped out a baton and brought it down behind Yeosang’s legs. He cried out and fell to his knees in pain.

“No!” You yelled. You paused and suddenly your body was completely invisible. But it was a few seconds too late. The edge of two slabs slammed together on one of your feet, creating so much pain that you blacked out.

It took hours for them to find you, because you had remained invisible as you had passed out. Even once they got you to the medical wing of the Facility, and with the experimental scientists and doctors on their payroll, the best they could fix you up with was a limp that would follow you for the rest of your life. But, since you had successfully brought forward your invisibility to survive the round, they had passed you and Jiwoo.

You got back to the room you shared with Yeosang, Mingi and San late. But that didn’t stop Yeosang from offering you the lower bunk and carefully tucking you into his blankets.

You whimpered in pain and Yeosang squeezed your hand in reassurance. “You’ve had worse, remember, Silver?” The acid running down your face still haunts your dreams sometimes. You nodded imperceivably against Yeosang’s pillow. “You’ll make it through this too.” He paused, his voice sounding rough. You weren’t sure, but you had a feeling he was crying. “We’ll make it through this. I’ll make sure of it.”

You were too hurt to agree with him. You just wanted to go to sleep.

Yeosang raised your hand between your two small bodies, turning on his side to face you. “You and me until the end,” Yeosang whispered. “Promise.”

Like clockwork, you both held out your pinkies and kissed them. “Promise,” you said hoarsely.

Present day

“Pack up your things,” Yeosang said with a tight throat, blood completely draining from his face when he finally came back to his apartment.

Your head snapped up to meet your childhood friend’s gaze. “What?”

“I’ve started to hear some things. I’ve got a few sources that say the government thinks some new Adrenaline users have surfaced. We need to go to ground. Somewhere that won’t bring attention to the bar or the hq. Get desert-ready.”

“What about Mingi’s information?” You couldn’t help but ask.

“I’ve got it. We’ll find him later. Mingi has a knack for that, remember?” Yeosang jerked his head at the direction of the door. “Let’s go.”

You grabbed your familiar cape, bringing it tight around your shoulders and pulling up your hood. You had always cursed your hair for being the reason that the government had pulled you from the slums to the government facility but nothing was harder than keeping your one identifier hidden from inquiring gazes.

Yeosang put on airy, light colored clothing, grabbed your hand and then you two were back on the streets.

“Where are we going?” You wondered.

Yeosang shook his head. “I can’t say. Just know it’s somewhere safe.”

The journey was less heart-thumping than when you rushed to the rebellion hq or when you had made your way into the sandstorm. You continued to look over your shoulder, however. Yeosang’s words echoed in your mind. Did the government really find you? If they thought you were a new, undocumented individual with Adrenaline, it was only a matter of time before they figured out you were one of the missing children from years ago. And that meant bad things for Yeosang and Mingi. You didn’t want to be the reason their lives got ruined again.

“Are you sure I should be going with you to this safehouse?” You hissed.

Yeosang looked both ways down a broken road and then shot across it. “Of course. If you’re the one they’re looking for, you have the best reason to go there.”

“Mingi would be cursing you right now and you know it, Yeosang,” You insisted.

Yeosang smirked, his shoulder shaking in silent laughter. “Well, sometimes Mingi doesn’t always know best. He may have his powers but his heart might as well be a mystery to himself.”

“What do you think San would say?” You couldn't help but ask next. Being with your old comrades in arms, children against the government, was shaking up a lot of old memories.

Yeosang looked sad but almost happy at the thought of San. “I think he’d be whooping and laughing, excited that we’re seeing some more action. I think that he would roll his eyes at your protests at going to the safe house with us. I think if San… if San was here with us, you never would have left us.”

The quiet realization that he had been the glue to your group the entire time washed over you. He truly was the one who wouldn’t let anyone blame themselves. San was always quick to make someone smile. Of all the people that had survived, the children that had escaped, San deserved to have been one of them.

You let Yeosang drag you through the quiet morning light, through the streets that had yet to stir with stubborn but bleak determination to live through this post-apocalyptic life. When you got to the edge of the city again, this time on the other side, you dug in your heels. The last time you had come here was to end your life. Suddenly, you didn’t want to risk it anymore.

Yeosang hefted the bag he had brought along, nodding resolutely. “Trust me, Silver.”

Of course you trusted him; you trusted Yeosang with your life. How else would you still be alive today if not for him always believing in you. “I trust you, Yeosang.”

Yeosang smiled and then wiped it, eyes getting serious. “Let’s just hope there’s not another storm on the horizon. Wooyoung really hates when I bring sand in.”

Yeosang leaned over, his elbows against his knees. He let Mingi know that Mouse was in the clear, despite the difficulty of having to dig around without a proper name. Mingi seemed to visibly sag with relief, which was another development. Although you had known in your gut that Mouse was on your side, it was good news that Yeosang had found nothing on your sunshine friend.

Luckily, there was no sandstorm. It was the simple struggle of walking through the dunes. The sands constantly shifted. Even a slight breeze would bring up a dusting of sand, that could blind you or make you cough, your tongue getting coated with it. You pulled the collar of your cape up above your mouth as Yeosang found a scarf and tied it around his face as well. You two looked like a bunch of thieves in broad daylight. But it was the only way to survive the harshness of the desert.

It wasn’t long before you came across a house that looked almost consumed by the dunes. It was tilted at a crazy angle, half buried in the sand. It looked long abandoned and you pulled back on Yeosang’s hand. “Are you sure about this?”

“It looks run down and rickety, right? Like it’ll collapse at any moment? If you didn’t know, you’d walk right past it, wouldn't you?” Yeosang said with a twinkle in his eye. “That’s what makes it the best safe house ever. Wooyoung has meticulously curated this place. Sometimes he adds something to make it look even more structurally unsound. Don’t even get me started on his haunted idea.”

Cautiously, you followed Yeosang as he took the last little bit to come in front of the ‘safehouse’. You believed Yeosang but it was truly hard to understand that this was actually safe.

Yeosang rapped his knuckles on the doorframe. The door was the sturdiest part of the building. The door was rusted but didn’t look like it would budge despite any encouragement from a crowbar. You heard a loud sucking noise and then the door whooshed open wide.

Your jaw dropped when a dark head peaked from behind. His arms bulged as he pushed up the steel door and he peered around with a sour look on his face. But when he saw Yeosang, his face lit up and it changed entirely. “Yeosang!” He hooted.

“I didn’t have enough time to radio ahead that I was coming,” Yeosang apologized immediately.

Wooyoung waved his hand through the air as if to erase Yeosang’s sincere apology. “No need. There’s always room for you here… who is that?” His eyes narrowed down on you.

Before you let Yeosang answer with something that was most likely going to embarrass you by speaking of you as his inspiration or something more, you lowered the hood of your cape.

Wooyoung’s mouth dropped in surprise. “Oh. Well. That explains things. Come on, quickly, before someone sees you guys.”

You and Yeosang were ushered inside by Wooyoung, the safehouse’s caretaker. You expected desolation on the inside but it was surprisingly clean. There was a living room, a kitchen--it looked homey. Like every survivor of this apocalyptic world, there were various items that littered the safehouse, that would have looked at odds with each other if not for the fact that this was an odd world now.

“It’s been a while. I was worried that you found someone to replace me, buddy,” Wooyoung chatted as you studied the safehouse.

“Who could replace you, Wooyoung?” Yeosang mused.

“I mean, those are my thoughts exactly. But it’s not like I get out much. So then I started to think, well, there might be someone else out there that talks a lot, right?”

“Not likely,” Yeosang scoffed under his breath.

“I mean, it’s not like Mingi could replace me,” Wooyoung continued to jabber. “That one only talks a lot when he’s angry.”

“Leave Mingi alone, Wooyoung,” Yeosang gently scolded your current savior.

“Oh, please, Mingi can fend for himself,” Wooyoung replied. “He was here recently, by the way. He had a most agreeable character with him,” Wooyoung brought up.

“Sunshine?” You perked up

Wooyoung laughed. “Is that what you call her? Yeah, that’s kind of apt, isn’t it? Did he come see you guys too?”

You nodded. “He wanted to know if she was one of the enemy,” You said, derision coating your tongue. “Like one of us would ever be one of them.”

Wooyoung cocked his head. “Well, there are a few of them that work as double agents. I do know this one guy--”

“Wooyoung, enough,” Yeosang quietly but effectively cut the other off.

“I thought she was with you!” Wooyoung whined.

“Yes, she is. You can trust Silver. But you shouldn’t just be blabbing all your information into the air just because you like the sound of your own voice.”

Wooyoung looked a bit bashful at the scolding. “Okay, Yeosang, I hear you.” Wooyoung perked right back up, changing the subject. “How do you know Yeosang?”

You press your lips together, looking to Yeosang for a clue of how much Wooyoung knew. “She’s the love of my life,” Yeosang said with no hesitation.

“Yeosang!” You jumped on him to cover his mouth. “We’ve been friends since we were kids,” you supplied instead. Obviously your identity was a hot commodity, if he wasn’t telling the rebellion or Wooyoung for that matter.

Wooyoung nodded. “I’m jealous. I wish I had known Yeosang since we were kids.”

Your shoulders drooped. You hadn't exactly been around Yeosang the entire time. Your guilt weighed you down once again. “Yeah. He’s the best.”

Yeosang’s arm moved around your waist and he hugged you, then pulled your hands from his mouth. There was some movement behind a door. Yeosang threw out his hand and the door slammed open to reveal another person behind it. “We’re not the only ones you’re keeping safe here, I see.”

Wooyoung began to stare at the ceiling. “About that…”

The keeper of the safehouse began an interesting story about how the woman had sought refuge, and Wooyoung had taken pity on her. Eventually, Wooyoung had become suspicious of her, though. The girl had a jacket with the government insignia on her when Wooyoung had rescued her. When Mingi had visited, he had insisted that Wooyoung toss her back out.

“It’s not like he had any leg to stand on!” Wooyoung protested. “He keeps carrying your sunshine friend around like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder.” A look comes over his face, as if he’s momentarily distracted by a thought. “It’s kind of romantic if you take out the part where he thinks she’s related to the government.” Wooyoung shook his head as if to dislodge his distraction. “Anyways, this one hasn’t done anything to prove she’s a part of the government. She’s decided she’s safer here and since this is a safe house…” Wooyoung shrugged, as if that was enough said.

“We need to get the government off Silver’s trail for a bit,” Yeosang said soberly to Wooyoung.

“Not easy to hide with all that silver hair, huh?” Wooyoung beamed.

You smiled painfully. “Something like that.”

The woman in the other room finally came out. “What if you… colored your hair?”

Wooyoung cocked his head in thought. “That could work.” Then he snapped his fingers. “Damn, if only the convenience store was still open, we could pop down and grab a dye kit.”

The woman rolled her eyes at Wooyoung’s antics. “I’m just trying to help.”

Wooyoung’s sarcasm faded from his face. “I know, I know.”

“We could use charcoal,” You mused. “I’ve done it before.”

Wooyoung stood up quickly. “I’ll start burning something right away.”

Yeosang winced. “Can’t we just use what’s leftover from the tea you heated up?”

Wooyoung grinned. “Where’s the fun in that?”

The woman brushed a skirt under her thighs and sat down beside you. “So… you’re afflicted, huh?”

“I…” You watched as Yeosang helped Wooyoung lift a few items with his powers. Clearly, this place was truly a safe place. You smiled hesitantly. “I’ve got a trick or two up my sleeve.”

The woman nodded sagely, tucking some hair behind her ear. “Invisibility is going to come in handy.”

You both froze, meeting each other’s eyes slowly. Then you let out a breath. Clearly this woman was just like you. “Do you--?”

“I just see what might be!” She scuffed her shoe against the floor. “A lot of use that’s been.”

You understood her frustration with a power that wasn’t in your control. “Tell me about it.”

“Well, if I can tell you anything that will help you…” The woman, you decided she was kind of like a solid rock, something steady, like a willow tree with its roots deep into the ground. “Stick with him. You won’t be safe but you’ll be secure.”

You let out a bitter laugh. “You don’t have to see the future to know that.”

Willow chewed her lip, still hesitating. “Don’t let Yeosang look into me. If you could do one favor for me. I know you don’t know me but… don’t let Wooyoung find out what my powers are. I want to tell him myself.”

You met the eyes of Willow and you felt something… beyond just the companionship of being outcasts of this fucked up world. She… Did she feel something for Wooyoung? Both of your gazes moved towards the loud man, who was busy nagging Yeosang about not bothering to bring him any alcohol even though Yeosang ran a bar.

“I’ll do my best,” is the best you can offer Willow. She nods and gets up to help with the charcoal mixture for your hair.

“It won’t last very long,” You tell Yeosang. “I’ve had to do this a couple of times.”

Yeosang nodded, his eyes far away. “Maybe it’ll be enough to get you into another hidey hole. The safehouse is only temporary.” The both of you watched as Wooyoung leaned forward, clearly teasing Willow, who looked a bit flustered right now. “Well, only temporary for most.” A soft smile pulled at Yeosang’s lips, and you could have sworn you heard him whisper ‘good for him’.

Wooyoung stirs an old pot, the plastic handle long broken off, and the pot was dented and didn’t sit on the embers of the fire well. Still, with his long stick, he stirred the mixture as if he was a chef of old in a kitchen. He looked determined to help. No wonder Yeosang and he were drawn together; they were both souls looking to do more.

Something you should take note of. Maybe you could help Willow? Perhaps this was your first step to redeeming yourself. It was, after all, one of Yeosang’s wishes for you. As long as it didn’t harm anyone or yourself, you’d do your best.

“This needs to brew for a while,” Wooyoung declared. “You’ll stay the night.”

“Where…?” You looked around. There was the couch you were sitting on. You assumed the other door led to Wooyoung’s bedroom. Was that where Willow had been?

“Oh, you’ll sleep on the couch, of course,” Wooyoung winked gratuitously. “No problem for you two love birds, right?”

Yeosang laughed loudly, clapping his hand down on your shoulder. “We’re happy you’ll have us, Wooyoung.”

Wooyoung sent Yeosang a dirty look. “Well, of course I’m happy to have you. What do you think I am, a monster turning out my best friend?”

The fire snapped merrily as Wooyoung ushered Willow into his bedroom to give you and Yeosang some space. Which was ridiculous. It’s not like you and Yeosang would… your face burned up when you remembered Yeosang pulled you against his body the other night. Maybe you were wrong.

You jumped a foot in the air when Yeosang ran a finger down your cheek scarred softly. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing,” You snapped. “You can’t just tell everyone you’re travelling around with someone precious to you, Yeosang!”

“Wooyoung isn’t just anyone,” Yeosang denied, folding his arms behind his head as he sat back on the couch. “And besides, you’re not denying it.”

“There’s no doubting your feelings on the matter,” you grumbled under your breath.

Suddenly, you found yourself on your back, with Yeosang above you. His eyes studied your face intently. “And your feelings?”

Your heart sped up. Yeosang looked gorgeous in the firelight; it flickered against his skin, only making him glow even more. He was so fucking handsome, it hurt to look at him, sometimes. What he ever saw in you, you truly had no clue. But for some reason he saw the best version of yourself. Your mouth went dry. “I…”

Your body began to flicker in and out of existence, and you sighed. Way for your body to betray you. “Get off of me, Yeosang. What if Wooyoung were to come out here and see us…?”

Yeosang smiled angellically. “See us what?”

Your eyes avoided his face. You couldn't form proper sentences when he was looking at you like that. “Just get off.”

You yelped as Yeosang instead scooped you against his body and flipped the positions. Now you were lying against his body, and his back was against the couch. “We’ll be up in a few hours. Try to get some sleep, please.” Yeosang’s words washed over you, the steady beat of his own heart calming your nerves immediately. “Then we’ll dye your hair and see if we can’t find another hidey hole.”

“Wooyoung’s going to tease us if he finds you holding me like this,” You can’t help but murmur as you fight slumber.

“Wooyoung would tease a stone about being grey, it’s just his nature. Sleep, Silver. I’ll watch over you,” Yeosang whispered. Then he kissed the top of your head and rubbed your back until you did indeed fall contently asleep.

The charcoal mixture did not work upon waking up with Yeosang. Your body shimmered in and out of existence after exhausting all the effort into rubbing the mixture into your hair. You were worried about the government finding you again. You were worried about putting Yeosang and everything he had worked his adult life into, including the bar.

Later that morning Mingi showed up, still carrying your sunshine friend around like they're a sack of potatoes. You glared from your spot on the couch with Yeosang. Before you can demand how or why Mingi was here, the tall man beats you to it.

“What's she doing here?” Like he can’t even say your name. “It better be news on Mouse, Yeosang.”

You folded your arms over your chest. He called your sunshine friend Mouse?! Mouse hoisted herself up by grabbing Mingi’s hair so that she could see who Mingi was talking to. Her eyes lingered on Yeosang and then landed on you. The sunshine practically beamed out of her eyes then.

“Can I get down, Mingi? I want to talk to--”

To your utter surprise, Mingi agreed. He didn't unceremoniously dump Mouse either. He carefully held her against his body as she was set on her feet. He said something in his cave voice to her, which made her blush. Well, that was new. Who knows what had occurred while they had been traveling in the desert.

Still, the behemoth dragged Mouse to the couch, and continued with his verbal poison. “Thanks. Are you staying? Do I have to play nice with this bi--?”

“Mingi.” Yeosang and Mouse both covered up the foul words he was about to say. Yeosang's arms bulged as if he was holding back but Mouse proceeded to beg for him to stop although citing she wasn't sure why he felt the way he did.

You knew exactly why he hated you. He hated you for the same reason you hated yourself. The same reason his own self-loathing ate away at his consciousness, according to Yeosang. You both failed that night and San was lost to you all.

“She knows why I don't like her. What she did. Or didn't do.”

Still, you couldn't help but flinch at the truth of his words.

Despite his obvious ire with you, Mingi sat down beside you, placing Mouse on his lap and arranging her like a doll. Still, it seemed like Mouse didn't mind, so you kept your mouth shut in that regard.

“You said you missed them, right? So talk. Don't expect me to acknowledge them. I don't like cowards.”

Mouse took your hands in her own. When it was obvious you couldn't tell her how you knew Yeosang, she talked about herself. Where she had been since you saw her in the bar. How she wanted to go back with you and Yeosang and Mingi and actually have a drink. You didn't think that was possible but you didn't want to kill her dream.

“Oh! Also, I thought you might want to know, Mingi and I figured out my powers!” Mouse announced.

Everyone froze. It was still difficult to speak of Adrenaline and its effects, even now, with years between you and the Facility. Even now with the government looming on your tail.

But here was Mouse, prepared to explain it in great detail. How her feelings created illusions. How her illusions affected the one who made her feel those feelings. How Mingi wanted to help her control them.

Suddenly, no one could make eye contact. It hit a little too close to home, learning to control your powers as children with the cruel handlers in the Facility. Regardless of your opinion of Mingi, or perhaps in view of his new treatment of Mouse, you were sure she was in better hands than you and the other children had been.

Before you know it, while talking with everyone, and Wooyoung loudly announcing to no one that was listening that he was making dinner, you had fallen into a false sense of security.

“...and how you're going to repay for getting information on your little mouse is by helping me eliminate whoever is hunting Silver.” You tuned into the ass end of Yeosang negotiating with Mingi.

Mingi frowned. “I know I owe you but--”

“You do.” Yeosang met Mingi’s frown with a firm gaze. “And you'll help me do this.”

Out of nowhere, a beep begins to sound, interrupting everything. Wooyoung paused his vigorous cooking at the sound of it. Just as quickly, he snapped out of it, zooming towards where the sound was coming from. Magpie and Wooyoung have an exchange of words and then the safehouse keeper is grabbing a bag, looking at a device and heading for the door to the outside. Wooyoung stopped, looking back at Magpie and another type of silent conversation happens before Wooyoung is tossing the device to Mingi, asking him to go in his stead. Yeosang agreed easily which had you wondering why exactly Wooyoung would want to run out the door and then decide it was better to send out others. Then again, you all had your secrets and trauma.

To your utter horror, Mingi decided to drive you all through the dunes to the location. It seemed the device Mingi had given him, a tracker, showed that the person you were attempting to save was far away. Mouse offered you a trembling smile over Mingi’s shoulder, her typical roost, but smartly didn’t say anything.

While the hours seemed to pass in anxiety-ridden slowness, Yeosang’s thumb stroked the back of your hand the entire time. You wanted to say something to him, anything, but it didn’t seem like the time. All you could wonder was if you would get there in time to save someone. Finally.

When Mingi killed the engine, the darkness still blanketing everything, you knew it was time.

This was it. This was your chance at redemption, you could feel it in the way that Yeosang clung to your hand as you ran into a battle unknown. You could feel it in the way that Mingi’s shoulders were tense. You could feel it in your own body, because you were solid and unflickering. It was as if your fear was nowhere to be found. Had Yeosang conquered it.

“I can’t see anything,” Yeosang protested, loping beside you easily.

“We’re getting closer,” Mingi growled over his shoulder, eyes glancing at the tracker.

A cluster of guns went off and a roar of anger echoed through the dunes. Whoever was in trouble, they sure had pissed off the government. Either that or they were too valuable to lose. You knew that feeling all too well.

The sun was beginning to rise, the darkness of the early morning slowly releasing its hold. Soft blues became a backdrop to a place that had you stopping in your tracks. “It’s…”

How did you give voice to the one place that you did not want to return to? To the place of your torment and anguish. To the place where Yeosang and Mingi and… and San struggled with you through the experiments and the torture as mere children.

You were at the proving graveyard.

There wasn’t any time to process what you were feeling. You could see two figures in the distance running away from a group of what must be the pursuing soldiers. Since when were there more than one person to save? The soldiers were catching up.

“We have to hurry,” Yeosang pulled at you and began to ran again.

“Fuck,” Mingi cursed, hefting Mouse higher up on his shoulder. “We need a plan!”

“There’s no time!” You shouted, keeping up with Yeosang.

You watched without the ability to help as the larger of the two picked up the smaller and leapt farther away. It shouldn’t have surprised you that you were coming to save someone with Adrenaline but it was more than that.

“You two, go after the one that needs help. Mouse and I will go help the other one,” Mingi barked.

Yeosang nodded and started to branch off, splitting up. You watched as the larger person in trouble leapt back into the fray. They must be trying to keep the other safe. Your heart sank. You weren’t going to be that person this time, you refused. You weren’t a coward any longer. You were going to start helping others, not be the one always in need of help.

The fight, despite your quick response, was starting to go in the soldier’s favor. Mingi’s long legs were working their hardest to catch up with the other person who was fighting. Hand to hand combat could only go so far against soldiers who were armed. As much as it seemed like they were getting overwhelmed, it didn’t seem like they were getting harmed. Odd.

You and Yeosang finally manage to catch up with the smaller person, who turned out to be a woman in a labcoat. Is this the person you were saving? No wonder the government wasn't too keen on letting her get away. If she was one of them, she would know too much to let loose into this world.

Before you could introduce yourself, however, there was more commotion. You watched as the man who was fighting lifted one of the cars that was nose first in the sand and chuck it at a knot of soldiers, taking out a quarter of their numbers. Then he leapt at another set of soldiers, fighting continuously, tirelessly.

“San!” The woman shouted at the man fighting for the both of them.

The near-invincibility, the super-strength, the power-leaping… it couldn't be. San was…

The man turned around at the lab coat woman’s shout and it was as clear as the sun finally cresting over the dunes and washing the red-sand with its light. The boy from your childhood, the one with a heart of a lion and the courage to match, was standing bathed in the golden hour. He was alive, San was alive!

You had but a moment to dash away a tear before meeting Yeosang’s eyes. He nodded gruffly, turning his head away. You didn’t have to say anything. It was obvious that this time you were going to help San, and save him. There was no other alternative.

“Don’t move, we’ll go help San and come back for you!” Yeosang assured the woman before taking off towards the fight.

You followed behind him, arms pumping and legs lifting with all your might. All this running was burning your lungs but you refused to stop.

Mingi had joined the fight already, having put down Mouse, and taking out a few soldiers already. However, when the woman shouted your dead-friend’s name, he froze. Mingi hadn't moved, mouth open, unable to contain his complete shock. Not even his super power could rouse him as a soldier aimed at the tall man’s body.

“No!”

Mouse, who had been using her powers to confuse a clutch of soldiers, immediately dropped her hands and launched herself at the man who had been keeping her captive. Her shoulder hit him in time to help the bullet avoid his flesh. But she ended up taking the bullet herself, that was evident as red blossomed from her shoulder.

Yeosang and you caught up with the two. Yeosang crouched immediately, pressing a hand to staunch Mouse’s wound. When that wasn’t enough, he ripped a piece of the hem of his shirt, in order to tie it around Mouse’s shoulder. Mingi looked in horror at the cost of his moment, frozen once again in the moment of danger.

“Mingi!” You shouted at your old childhood friend. “Mingi, we can’t do this again.”

For the first time since you had reconnected with Mingi, he showed worry. He started to appear just like the child of the past. “I can’t--”

You brought your hands to his shoulders and shook him. “We can save him. We have another chance. We can save Mouse. And we can save the lady San is trying to help. We won’t fail.”

“Mingi,” Mouse said in a faint voice, clearly filled with pain, but still smiling through it. “I…I'll be fine. After all, I'm good at hiding, right?” Mouse jerked her chin towards San. “Go.”

Yeosang stood and moved in front of both you and Mingi. His eyes were serious but there was a small pull at the corner of his mouth. “Let’s go save San.” He appeared confident that he could succeed with you two. He reached down with both his hands. You clasped one and Mingi the other. Yeosang pulled you both up and the three of you turned back to the tide of battle.

San may be invincible, but it was clear he was tiring. His motions were a little slow, his reaction time a little lax. He needed help. He needed his friends.

“San!” Yeosang couldn't help but shout out.

San whipped around, eyes wide with confusion. “Yeosang? Mingi? Silver?”

“Watch out!” Mingi shouted, his powers letting him know that two soldiers were behind him, looking to take him out with his back turned.

San ducked without another prompt, avoiding one punch, and sweeping out a leg to take out the other soldier. His fighting abilities were at another level. What had he been doing this entire time you three thought he was dead?

Yeosang put his hand on a car and moved it with his telekinesis, making a few yell and scramble to avoid the twisted, empty wreck, distracting them from harming San, but still more seemed to approach the invisible man.

Once again, every one of your friends was helpful, useful, doing something while you were left to watch on. Mouse was bleeding somewhere, hurt as well. No, you weren’t the trembling child that had been hurt time and time again any longer. You were here to prove with Mingi that you weren’t a coward. You were here to make sure that San survived another sunrise. You were here because Yeosang believed in you. You were here because you had found a friend in Mouse, a comrade-in-arms with Magpie. You were here because… you loved yourself. Your powers. Your disabilities. You were you. And you weren’t afraid of that anymore.

You dashed forward, coming to San’s side. Your hand descended on San’s bicep and you both turned invisible. You couldn't see it, but you could hear San’s infectious grin. “You learned to control your power!”

You didn’t have any time to self reflect anymore. Mingi turned, his sense advising him about the soldier that had whipped out one of the feared electric batons of your childhood, going for Yeosang. Mingi’s eyes narrowed, remembering the attack from the proving grounds with Hyuk. He blocked the attack, grabbed the attacking man’s arm and threw him over his hip. When the baton fell to the ground, you snatched it up, letting go of San.

The three of you stared at San. His wise eyes paused on you all and then he nodded. “Let’s do this.”

San launched himself into the battle once again, landing on top of the car that Yeosang had floating in the air like a wrecking ball. His land caused the car to slam to the ground, taking out more soldiers with it. Ming shouted out warnings to you all, doing his best to disarm and disable any soldier that dared take him on. Yeosang touched some fallen soldier's bodies, sending them careening out like ragdolls. You ran and touched your comrades, putting them into the cloak of invisibility when they were in danger, and using the baton to stun soldiers to unconsciousness. The four of you worked fluidly, just as you the facility had been working to break you from. You banded together and you took out the entire battalion that had pursued San.

By the end of it, there was no one to challenge you. San bent over, his hands braced against his thighs, clearly beyond fatigued. Mingi’s eyes searched the desert for Mouse, for she was nowhere to be seen. And Yeosang… he had eyes for only you.

“I knew you could do it!” He shouted in triumph. He jogged to your side, lifting you up and swinging you around.

You smiled down at him as he lowered you down, his face became serious. You knew that look. “No. Wait. This is not the--”

Yeosang silenced you with a kiss. It was a kiss full of his happiness for you. It made your mind spin with its intensity. It’s as if, for a moment, the only thing that existed in the desert was you and your childhood best friend. Your Yeosang.

San whooped and catcalled. “When did that happen?” He shouted.

“The hell if I know,” Mingi replied. “She hasn’t seen him since--”

--since you died.

It was unspoken and yet it held itself aloft in the air, as if it could be dashed in a moment. As if San would fade and the three of you had only imagined this entire fight.

Yeosang broke the kiss with you, but held you close. “We should regroup. You can tell us everything when we get back to Wooyoung’s safehouse.”

Eventually, Mingi’s powers helped him find Mouse. He carefully, tenderly held her to his chest, almost appearing as if was holding glass. San passed out soon after. You also found the lady in the labcoat passed out as well. Somehow, Mingi, Yeosang and you managed to get the others back to Mingi’s vehicle and you made the trek back to Wooyoung’s safehouse.

You were driving, considering if anything went south while the sun was up and you were visible to any patrols, you could make the car invisible with your controlled power. The idea of being able to save everyone once again almost made you giddy with desire to see it happen. Almost.

“Look at them,” Yeosang said softly about the two couples in the back of the vehicle.

You glanced in the cracked rearview mirror, finding San and the lady he saved passed out together, heads knocking gently against each other. You had no idea who this woman was but you knew without a shadow of a doubt that if San was trying to save her, that she was one of the good ones. Mingi snuggled Mouse, completely in his lap, careful of her wounds of course. It was evident that your sunshine friend meant everything to your childhood friend and you couldn't help but want things to work out between them.

“It’s nice to see love win, yeah?” Yeosang prompted you.

“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” Mingi grumbled. “Who said anything about love?”

Yeosang turned around completely in the car. “After everything we witnessed, and you want to deny that love wins? What about our love for San helping us win?”

“That’s different,” Mingi denied.

“You better love her,” You snapped suddenly, weary of this Mingi right now. “The way you’ve been taking care of her… if I were her, I’d fall for you too. Just do right by her, do you hear me, Mingi?”

Mingi looked like he wanted to argue with you, but when he met your eyes in the rearview mirror, he didn’t. “Yeah.”

“Such a lame reply,” You scoffed.

Yeosang watched your interaction and the lightbulb suddenly went off over his head. “You guys made up?”

“Don’t get used to it,” Mingi and you said in unison, causing Yeosang to laugh.

Wooyoung’s face was beyond relieved when you all showed back, battered, but alive. Mingi gave Wooyoung back his radio tracker. Wooyoung supplied you all with some medical supplies and food and water. There was limited space at Wooyoung’s safehouse, so the plan for Mingi to fix up Mouse at Yeosang’s bar was made. A quick conversation between Yeosang and San had San deciding to head back to the bar with the labcoat lady known as Sage and you as well. So it was settled.

Yeosang clapped Wooyoung’s bicep in a weird bro-shake. “We’ll return with some damn good alcohol next time,” The bar owner promised, making Wooyoung grin widely.

You also exchanged some final words to Magpie. “Love won today, for all of us. Maybe it’ll win for you too.”

Once the six of you were back at Yeosang’s bar, quickly closed and everyone shooed out, San began his long story about what actually happened to him that fateful night. How Seonwoo had saved him. San was instead brought up, like the other children that had been caught that night, to become the government’s keen tools. He suffered the future that you and Yeosang and Mingi had escaped. It wasn’t all bad, considering Seonwoo was working for the rebellion and kept him safe.

That’s where Sage came in. The woman seemed wide-eyed in wonder about it all. She certainly didn’t view the group of you Adrenaline-afflicted as the other scientists once did when you lived in the Facility. She was more of a lab rat, as it turned out. She was Seonwoo’s protege. You were sad to learn of his death, all the Facility-tortured children were. She had an unfortunate incident with another soldier and that’s how the two of them were on the run. Luckily, San had the back up S.O.S signal and tracker and the rest was history.

“What will you do now?” You couldn't help but wonder as you all sat in various positions in Yeosang’s bar.

San looked conflicted. His eyes shot towards Sage, who was twisting her hands in her lap and deliberately not looking at San. “I’ve got to get her to safety.”

Sage opened her mouth and then thought better upon it, closing it without speaking.

Yeosang slapped San on the shoulder. “That's why you're here. We’ll get you to the rebellion without another hiccup.”

“But…” Mingi hefted Mouse in his arms, almost as if to distract himself. “This won't be the last time we see you… right?”

San must have recognized old Mingi--the vulnerable child he used to be--and knew exactly how to respond. “Of course!” he said, grinning like he was just going to go to sleep in the bed above Mingi, like the old days.

“San,” You bit down on your lip. How did one apologize for another's misfortune?

“You don't have to say anything,” San replied softly. “Everything happened as it should have.” He glanced at Sage again. “We were exactly where we needed to be when we needed each other.”

After promising that they would see San again, Yeosang guided San and Sage to his underground tunnels to ensure they got to their destination. San had decided that their best course of direction was literally to go underground, to the rebellion. San needed to tell them that his position in the Facility was compromised but he was clearly concerned about Sage as well. Considering that was exactly what Yeosang had done the minute you were in danger, you couldn't begrudge them that, even though it hurt to see San leave once again. You hoped he continued to keep Sage safe, whatever else those two were going to go through.

Eventually, Yeosang gave up his bedroom in the apartment above so that Mingi could finally nurse Mouse back to good health. And then there were two.

Yeosang was still behind the bar, wiping it down like it was just another day, while you still sat in front of him at the bar on a barstool. Except it wasn’t just another day, but far beyond that.

“Yeosang.”

Yeosang sent you a sweet smile your way. “We don’t have to talk about it. We dealt with a lot today.”

You shook your head, your silver hair swaying around your head, brushing against your scars. “No, I think we do.”

Yeosang pressed his lips together. Was he nervous? “I’m really proud of you today. You made up with Mingi and you proved to yourself that you can control your powers, despite your fear. You did good.”

Your chest became warm from his praise but he was dancing around the true subject. “And the kiss?”

“The kiss was in the moment. I--if it made you uncomfortable…” Yeosang sounded choked up about it.

You cocked your head. What happened to the confident Yeosang from the past week? The one that wouldn’t let you hide from him, inside or out. “Yeosang, what are we?”

Yeosang’s shoulders curved in on himself, almost as if he was a big dog trying to make himself seem smaller. “Best friends?” he offered.

You clucked your tongue. Since when had you changed positions? “Try again.”

Yeosang slowly raised his eyes. “Boss and employee?"

You couldn't help but laugh silently at that. “Are you offering me a job?”

“A woman that could turn invisible would be awfully useful for a guy who runs an information market,” Yeosang smiled hesitantly.

“True.”

“...does that mean you’ll accept my job proposal?”

“Well,” You drew out the syllable in thought. “Isn’t it frowned upon for the boss to be in love with his employee?”

Yeosang’s eyes widened. “Yeah, I suppose that’s unprofessional.”

“Then perhaps we should be partners.”

“What did you just say?”

“Yeosang, you have been there for me for literally everything in life. You were even there for me when I needed to walk away from everything. You were there for me when I wanted to end my life. You were there for me when I wanted my life to end when we were children. You were there for me when all others would report me for coins. You were there for me when I finally found myself. Don’t you think you should be there for me now that I know what I want?”

Yeosang’s voice was husky with emotion. “And what is it that you want?”

“A life with the person who means the most to me.”

Even if Shadow had lost Hongjoong, even if the future for Magpie and Wooyoung was still uncertain, even if Sage and San were just starting their journey and even if you had to beat up Mingi to get him to admit his adoration for Mouse, you had to do this for yourself and for everyone else fighting for their love. Because you had fought for yours and you deserved to take those winnings.

Yeosang gave up on the rag he had been using to wipe down the bar and circumvented the space that dared insert itself between you and him. He stopped just short of where you had swiveled around to meet him. “Please tell me that means me because I will float whoever else you’re talking about and they’ll never kiss the ground ever again.”

You smiled broadly, barely holding back a happy laugh. “Of course that means you, you goof!”

Yeosang’s eyes darkened and this time you didn’t feel weird or off or worried or unsure. This time you knew what you wanted. “I don’t think it would be a good idea for our first time to be on the barstool, Yeosang.”

“Maybe the second time then,” Yeosang replied cheekily but nonetheless, effortlessly scooped you up and took you to his office.

“We can talk about our partnership later,” You joked.

Yeosang confidently held you against his body with one hand and swiped all his belongings on his desk off, before depositing you there. “There will be no talk about it,” Yeosang said gruffly, “This is what seals the deal.”

Yeosang held your face and kissed you. Your legs remained around his thick waist, eager to keep him close. This time you kissed him back, sure in your feelings for this man who never doubted his own. You hoped he felt your love for him because there was no denying it now. You loved Yeosang.

“Wait--” You pushed back on Yeosang’s chest.

“If you’re going to tell me that we have to stop, I don’t think I can agree with you,” Yeosang growled.

“No--” You paused to laugh. “Yeosang, I love you.”

His lust lessened because pure wonder and love for you replaced it. “You love me?”

Your hand reached up to thumb across his birthmark. “I think I’ve loved you since that moment we slept together under the covers, telling each other why we were here.”

“Me too,” Yeosang whispered, like admitting that might break the spell between you two.

That’s when you pulled off each other’s clothes. Yeosang had seen you earlier the day you had tripped and spilled the dirty water from the basin over your tank top but this time he could admire more of you. His gaze burned into every inch of your skin. If your skin became heated, it wasn’t from embarrassment but feeling like you were a person who deserved to be lusted after. Yeosang’s body wasn’t anything to skim past either. His body had clearly been sculpted from years of working for the rebellion, for helping others and being on the run himself. He truly was gorgeous, your childhood best friend. No, your love.

“I can’t believe I was away for so long. I was an idiot,” You said as your hands admired Yeosang’s chiseled body.

Yeosang huffed in laughter. “Oh, so now my body is what makes you change your mind.”

You leaned forward, to press a soft kiss to one of his pectoral muscles. “I guess you should have taken your shirt off and came and rescued me from the slums a long time ago,” you joked back.

Yeosang’s arms wrapped around your head, practically smothering you against his chest. “You needed your space.”

“Something you’re clearly not worried about now,” You joked, muffled by your lips against his skin.

When Yeosang released you, you continued to kiss down his body until he couldn't take it anymore. He gripped your head and raised you back, slanting his lips against yours, your naked chest against his. Your nails dug into the muscles on his back and he groaned into your mouth.

“At least wait until I’m inside of you before you do that,” He complained.

You raised an eyebrow at him. “Do you want me to scratch your back while we have sex?”

Yeosang’s eyes practically rolled into the back of his head at your words. “God, yes.”

You bit down on your lip and glanced down at Yeosang’s cock, clearly pressed up against his stomach. “Then maybe we should get you inside of me then.”

Yeosang swallowed loudly, then lined up his cockhead to your wet slit. He pushed in, slowly, eyes watching your face for any sign of discomfort. Instead, you moaned loudly as he fought against your clenching walls. He felt so good. He was so good.

“Yeosang,” You choked on his name.

“You’re doing so well for me, my love,” Yeosang said.

You clenched down on him, from the praise and from the new nickname and Yeosang accidentally shoved the rest of himself deep into you. You both cried out together and then laughed at the moment. Yeosang’s forehead was pressed against yours. “Ready?”

“Yeosang, please!” You begged.

Once Yeosang focused on moving in and out of you, your hands flew back to his back, scratching down with the desperacy of remaining grounded. “Oh, shit.”

Yeosang hummed, husky voice tight with desire. “Does that feel good?”

“So good, Yeosang, oh my god, please.”

“Please what?” Yeosang growled, biting down on his lip.

“More, more, more,” You chanted.

You laid back on the desk, with Yeosang's palms planted behind your hips to keep your body trapped so he could slam into you. The harder he thrusted into you, the louder the sound of skin on skin echoed through the office. You couldn't be ashamed, however, all you could feel was the pleasure of being with the one you loved and who loved you back.

“I--fuck--” Yeosang cursed quietly. “Are you close?”

“Mhmm,” You nodded, “So close.”

Yeosang adjusted his angle and then you were gone. One more pass deep inside of you and you were seeing stars. You screamed his name, nails now clawing across his forearms. The pleasure that you felt right now, was worth all the work you put into yourself.

You opened your eyes as you felt Yeosang’s thrusts become sloppy. He panted above you, nose scrunching as he whispered the only name you had ever known, too young to remember what your parents had ever called you. It was who you were and it was perfect coming from Yeosang’s mouth.

“There.” Yeosang gasped. “Deal sealed. Partners in crime and in life,” Yeosang proclaimed.

You threw an arm over your eyes in exhaustion. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously in love, maybe,” Yeosang shot back.

You scoffed. “Let’s clean up. I want to see if Mouse is up yet.”

“Priorities, huh?” Yeosang raised an eyebrow at you. You swore that you had never seen anything sexier in your entire life.

You pressed a happy kiss to his lips and hummed in agreement. “Confession to my childhood best friend. Then seal-the-deal sex. Then checking up on my sunshine friend. Priorities.”

After disentangling yourself and getting dressed, you opened the door to the bar from the office and jogged to the stairs that led to Yeosang’s quarters. When you saw that Mingi wasn’t out of Yeosang’s bedroom, you moved to the door, knocking gently. Your impatience to see Mouse okay had you pushing through regardless of what was on the other side.

You gasped as you took in Mingi braced over Mouse. You let out a sigh of relief. At least she was conscious. Still, what the hell was Mingi thinking???

“Can you not attack her the moment she wakes up, Mingi?” You hissed.

Some movement occurred and Mouse’s face peeped past Mingi’s bicep. “Hi! It is totally okay. I am totally okay right here. Mhmm pro-promise.” Mingi moved in closer to Mouse, causing her breath to hitch. Ew.

You rolled your eyes. You guessed this would be your life now? “Well, I thought you might want a drink with me. To help with the pain. Down at the bar. But if you--”

“No no we’re coming!” Mouse covered Mingi’s mouth before his typical garbage could spew from his lips, smiling adorably. “I-if it’s okay if Mingi--”

“Course it is. We made up, baby, don’t worry.” Mingi spoke past Mouse’s hand as if it was nothing. “Let’s go have a few drinks with our friends, yeah?”

“Guess who I found up and smiling?” You said as you descended the steps back into the Floating Silver.

Yeosang grinned broadly. “You’re awake. Thank God.”

“Or, you could thank Mingi,” Mingi grumbled, scratching the back of his head. “Can I have my regular, Yeo?” He said, somehow managing to keep Mouse on his lap as he sat sideways on a cracked bench in a booth.

“What’s that called, a Grumpy Giant?” You shot at Mingi as you moved behind the bar to help Yeosang with the drinks.

“Ha ha ha,” Mingi said sarcastically.

Yeosang looked thoughtful. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea, Silver. I was trying to think of a name for his monstrosity."

“What’s that?” Mouse piped up.

“Ginger beer, a shot of ginseng, dark rum and a slice of lab-grown lemon,” Yeosang supplied.

You covered your mouth, giggling. “No, seriously, that sounds exactly what a Grumpy Giant would be!”

Mingi frowned, bemoaning his self-made fate. He looked down at Mouse, who couldn't help but laugh as well. “No, seriously, guys! That’s not funny. Yeosang, don’t make that a thing.”

Yeosang shook his head. “I’m adding it to the menu the next minute I have.”

Mingi covered his face in lament and you all bursted into belly laughter.

Yeosang made a bright, lemon and bubbly drink for Mouse, which matches her perfectly. A tequila and lime juice over ice is for Yeosang. And for you, he creates something with liquid smoke that he said he stole from a transport for the inner city. The four of you cheered at the booth and drank, celebrating a job well done, and frankly, a new, budding friendship that would work for the rest of your years.

Because even if the government was after you all, and even if your Adrenaline put you in danger, you all had each other and that’s all that truly mattered, in the end.

(m) Eldest Pup @breathe4me

Synopsis: UnestablishedRelationship

(a,f,m) Assigned To You @cbeargyu

Synopsis: Distopya!Au, ArrangedMarriage

(f,a,m) By A String @delugyu

Synopsis: Spiderman!Yeonjun

(m) Princess Treatment @ghstzzn ft.Taehyun

Synopsis: FriendsWithBenefits

(m) Your Name? @heemunch

Synopsis: RivalAssasin!Yeonjun x LethalAssassin!Reader

(f,a,m) The Terrible Half-Truths Of The Undead King @hyukascampfire

Synopsis: Revenant!Yeonjun x Haunted!Reader

(m) Pool Boy @ihavethedreamiesx

Synopsis: LifeGuard!Yeonjun x Noona!Reader

(m) Flesh & Rind @prince-jjae

Synopsis: StrawberryShortcake!Au, WatermelonSorbet!Yeonjun × CherryJam!Reader

(m) Sugar Rush Ride @sanjoongie

Synopsis: NonIdol!Au, CollegeStudentSugarBaby!Yeonjun x ProfessionalBossLadySugarMama!Reader

(m) After School Activities @seoulzie

Synopsis: StudentCouncilPresident!Jun x VicePresident!Reader

(m) Cute When You’re Not Quiet @spookyji ft.Soobin

Synopsis: Boyfriend!Yeonjun x Girlfriend!Reader x Roommate!Soobin

(m) Needy Jealousy @biteyoubiteme ft.Kai

Synopsis: Throuple, PolyEstablishedRealtionship

(m) Mango Flavoured

Synopsis: Rivals-To-Lovers

(m) Cherry Flavoured ft.Kai

Synopsis: EstablishedRelationship

(a,m,f) The underground @jjunieworld

Synopsis: EstablishedRelationship, UndergroundBoxer!Yeonjun x Ballerina!Reader

(a,m) Ceilings

Synopsis: SecretFriendsWithBenefits-To-???, SecretRelationship, Punk!Yeonjun x Nerd!Reader

(a,m) I Wanna Be Yours

Synopsis: Part II of ‘Ceilings’

(f,m) My Girl @taegimood

Synopsis: Friends-To-Lovers, Non-Idol!Au

(m) Nudes?!

Synopsis: BestFriends-To-?, Non-Idol!Au

(m) Careful What You Wish For @b4echo ft.Hyunjin

Synopsis: EstablishedRelationship

(m) [2:14 Am] @daceydeath

Synopsis: EstablishedRelationship

(m) Munch @dwaekkicidal

Synopsis: EstablishedRelationship

(f,m) Kept Secret @ihavethedreamiesx

Synopsis: Wonsanghwa!Changbin x Princess!Reader, Historical!Au, Pre-Joseon!Era, Friends-To-Lovers

(m,f,a) The Strong Doll @jeonginsleftcheek

Synopsis: Sci-Fi!Au, Doll!Changbin

(m) Demon Corrupts Angel @KimCheekies

Synopsis: Demon!Changbin x Angel!Reader

(m) Barbarian Prince @milkteabinniechan

Synopsis: Barbarian!Changbin x ForcesdBride!Reader

(m) Life Aboard @sanjoongie

Synopsis: Alien!SeoChangbin x Exobiologist!Reader, Adventure!Au, Sci-FiAlien!Au, SpaceTravel!Au, CloseProximity

(a,m) Chokehold @squoxle

Synopsis: RichCeoHusband!Changbin x TouchDeprivedWife!Reader

(m) Pet Play @abiaswreck

Synopsis: EstablishedRelationship

(f,m) Monarchs: Wildflowers

Synopsis: Vampire!Changbin x Human!Reader

(m) Gf!Reader x Bf!Changbin @vanesycho

(m) Anniversary @agustmari

Synopsis: EstablishedRelationship

(a,f,m) In The Doghouse @ihavethedreamiesx

Synopsis: DogHybrid!Yeosang x CatHybrid!Reader, Hybrid!Au, HistoricalPeriod!Au, Strangers-To-Friends-To-Lovers

(m) Puff, Puff, Pass @last-words-ofashootingstar ft.Hongjoong, Seonghwa

Synopsis: Boyfriend!Hongjoong x Girlfriend!Reader x Friends!SeonghwaYeosang

(m,f) Dear, Deer @littlefireball

Synopsis: DeerHybridExchangeStudent!Yeosang x DeerHybrid!Reader

(m) The Raging Storm @lovely-lilies

Synopsis: FallenAngel!Yeosang x Human!Reader

(m) Pheromone @sanjoongie ft.Seonghwa

Synopsis: MagicalBoy!Yeosang x Succubus!Reader x MagicalBoy!Seonghwa, TargetStrayKids!Changbin

(m) Yeosang Picking You Up Into His Thrusts @shinestarhwa05

Synopsis: ImpliedRelationship

(m) Take It @kissmatz

“Quickly, children, this way!”

Seonwoo swung his arms, indicating you should all follow them through a door that clearly said anyone who passed it would be shot. He was the only adult you trusted.

Your feet were stuck in their spot. You couldn't move an inch. You wanted to leave this bad place. But you didn’t want to get hurt anymore. You just knew your limp was going to impede your escape.

“Come on, we gotta go.” Yeosang tugged at your elbow hurriedly.

Mingi had rushed towards Seonwoo but suddenly turned when he sensed that you and Yeosang had lagged behind. “Guys!”

San, who stuck by Seonwoo’s side, started jumping high so that he could see where his friends were. “Mingi? Yeosang? Silver?”

You shook your head vehemently. “I can’t do it, Yeosang.” Hot tears began to fall down your cheeks. “I can’t!”

Yeosang grabbed your face with his two hands. “Yes, you can. I’m here with you with every step of the way.”

You held a hand out and saw that your body was flickering. No, why of all the times would your powers start to work when you had screamed for them to help you at any other time?

Mingi’s head jerked towards another direction and he cocked his head. “Guys, we gotta go. Please!”

Yeosang closed his eyes, screwing up his face in concentration. You felt yourself get lighter and you gasped. When Yeosang opened his eyes, they were that weird blue color. “Light as a feather now, right? Let’s go.”

Yeosang pulled you along like you weighed nothing. And even though your feet didn’t move, your body followed him. You passed Mingi, whose nose was flaring. When at last you were the final ones to pass by San and Seonwoo, Mingi began a sprint behind you.

Children of different sizes were all climbing the staircase that most likely rose to the surface.

“No more dilly dallying, children,” Seonwoo cooed. “It’s time to be free birdies again, hmm?”

Yeosang nodded firmly and continued to tug you up the stairs.

“That’s so cool,” San murmured behind you.

Yeosang giggled. “You’re the one with super strength!”

“I’ve got a cool power too guys!” Mingi insisted.

Somehow, between the boy's silly conversation, you felt your nerves ease a little and your body stopped flickering in and out of sight. Yeosang sent you a bright, encouraging smile and climbed the stairs, two stairs at a time.

“I bet I can get to the top faster than you!” San declared.

“Hey no fair! You didn’t say when!” Mingi protested.

“That’s it, children,” Seonwoo encouraged. “Last one up is a chicken.”

“I don't want to be a chicken!” Mingi screeched, overtaking San, and then you and by proxy, Yeosang.

The moment of fun was quickly lost once everyone reached the top. The surface wasn’t bare, as you had normally imagined the wasteland of the apocalyptic desert. There were patrols and government soldiers. They had guns and gun mounted vehicles. There were towers with search lights.

“Everyone, take each other's hands,” Seonwoo shouted to the crowd of children.

Someone was crying but you weren’t sure who it was.

Seonwoo crouched in front of Mingi. “Remember, Mingi, your powers are super important here, right? Your sixth sense allows you to know when danger is coming. Use it just like the hallway.”

Mingi nodded but he looked very pale.

Seonwoo next stood in front of you. “Silver, I need you to imagine that everyone that is holding hands is all under a big sheet. And under that sheet no one can see you guys. Do you understand?”

“I--I can’t,” You sniffled.

“I know you think that you can’t but, child, you can. Whatever was making you flicker when Yeosang was trying to get you to run, you have to channel that.”

You nodded stiffly. You were going to fail, you just knew it. Your heart started to beat a million miles per second, just like right before an experiment, and you whimpered.

“Sannie, you know what you’ve got to do. Break that door. Stand in front of any of the cars that are trying to go after the children. You’re the protector.”

“I can do it,” San said with confidence.

“I’ll be right behind you every step of the way!” Seonwoo shouted.

San pushed everyone away from the door, before backing up and taking a run at it. He tackled it with his shoulder and the door went flying. With a grin of triumph, San hooted, and then everyone rushed out.

You watched with bewilderment as everyone flickered out of existence. Yeosang’s hand still warm in yours and another child’s in your other, you floated along with the line of children. Your heart was beating out of your chest as you passed soldiers with their guns and vehicles with their machine guns but no one noticed you were escaping because everyone was invisible.

“You’re doing it, Silver, see!” Yeosang praised you.

You were actually doing it! Your heart swelled with pride. You had numerous injuries and a hurt heart from failing experiment after experiment. You weren’t useless, you were actually helping!

“Silver, no!” Mingi shouted suddenly.

And that’s when everything crumbled around you.

Your prideful moment hushed the Adrenaline pumping in your veins and the line of escaping children flickered back into view. Shouts broke out and soldiers beelined towards you.

San ran towards the soldiers immediately, not a scarred bone in his body. Yeosang dropped your hand in order to block any of the incoming fire from the soldiers. A spotlight blinded him but for a moment, allowing some of the sleeping agents to hit a few of the children.

You watched in horror as a car hit San at full force, bending like paper around him.

You wrapped your arms around you, rocking on the ground. You knew you were going to fail this.

“It’s okay, children, you can still escape!” Seonwoo shouted from the back of the line. “Run! Use your powers!”

The last thing you saw was Seonwoo running towards San, who was sending soldiers flying with his strength. But they had numbers that could even combat that. San's tiny face smiled towards you and Yeosang and Mingi, nodded purposefully, and then you lost sight of him under all the soldiers. There was no way he was making it out of that alive. You knew how the facility was towards unruly Adrenaline children.

Mingi was the first to take off, his long legs taking him far. Yeosang grabbed back onto your hand and dragged you away as well. All three of you watched as a soldier loaded a different set of bullets and they hit San like he was just like all the other children.

“No!” You screamed.

“San will be okay,” Yeosang insisted. “He always is. We have to run!”

Mingi was so far ahead of you, you didn’t think you’d ever catch up. But Yeosang was steadfast by your side. Somehow your little legs moved, despite your injured foot, and you made it into the city and away from the floodlights.

You shot up in your bed, breathing heavily. You hated when you dreamt of that night that you had escaped the Facility. You put a hand on your chest to calm your beating heart. You watched with a worried gaze as your body began to flicker in and out of reality. This was not the time!

It was most likely coming back to you with your intentions today.

Today was the day you reversed your curse.

If the damn radiation from the apocolypse had fucked up everybody’s physiology then it could damn well reverse it. The plan today was to catch yourself in the middle of one of those nuclear radiated sandstorms, and come hell or highwater, you were going to be free. You didn’t care if it cost your life. It wasn’t much of one anyways.

You had been scared most of your life, or most of what you can remember anyways. Scared when the government had raided your home when you were young and abducted you because you tested positive for Adrenaline. You had been scared as the government had experimented on you, trying to both understand what Adrenaline did for you but also to capture it for their own use. You had been scared when you had escaped the Facility. You had been scared when you had gone into hiding and left Yeosang and Mingi to their own hero-hungry plans. You still lived scared because at any moment the government could finally track you down and drag you back to the Facility.

You wrapped your arms around your legs and rocked yourself, just like you had that faithful night in the desert. Unfortunately for you, nothing really calmed you down like Yeosang did. And that ship had long set sail.

You shook your head. It was fine to be scared today. Maybe it would be easier to weave your way through the slums and get to the edge of town quicker. You weren’t going to attempt the train, that was beyond your capabilities. You were also too scared to use anything government controlled.

So you took a backpack, with nothing really inside of it. You were too much of a paranoid mover to really own anything you couldn't pick up and carry. You took enough water from the hidden well under the old ice cream shop to last you for the trip there and back. You got scared enough to disappear for a few moments to steal some days-old bread.

And then you were ready.

You kept a light jog, throughout the slums, avoiding crowds and keeping to the lighter traffic areas, despite your odd gait. Although you always feared being caught, which helped your Adrenaline flow easily, you weren’t stupid. If you were invisible, you didn’t need someone bumping into nothing. Even a whisper in the slums could travel up to the government.

Before no time at all, perhaps by noon, you had made it to the edge of the city. The slums were closest to the desert, of course. No one that worked for the government or was better off wanted the constant reminder that this world was the result of a nuclear reaction that ruined the world. You wondered if they were truly better off in their unawareness. Does the government steal children that were well off just as much as children were sold by their parents for some spare coins?

Your disgust at your own past had your body flickering and you cursed yourself for getting distracted. You looked around to see if anyone was around you and were shocked when you saw a blonde figure behind you.

Yeosang strode confidently towards you. He wore a long black shirt. You weren’t sure that was the best choice in the desert but maybe it was made from a special material you were unfamiliar with.

“Did you really think you could go anywhere without me?” Yeosang said quietly.

You looked away, guilt flushing through your veins instead of Adrenaline. “Why are you here, Yeosang?”

“Whatever you're planning on doing, you're not doing it without me.” His eyes were solid on yours. He didn’t need to shout to be heard.

“I’ve done well enough without you so far, I don’t need you for this,” You snapped.

Yeosang flinched but smoothed his features quickly. “Not true. You always need me.”

“Don’t you dare follow me,” You snarled, before adjusting your pack on your back and limping into the desert fully.

You didn’t hear him, but Yeosang caught up with you quickly, grabbing your hand.

It yanked you backwards, and your hood fell from your head, revealing your silver hair. You were shocked for a moment at the contact. Yeosang’s hands no longer fit perfectly between your own hands like they had as children. No, his hand practically engulfed yours now.

Shaking yourself from your stupor, you yanked your hood back up. “Let go of me.”

Yeosang shook his head. “No. I didn’t back then and I won’t now.”

Yeosang’s small face flickered in your memory. His quiet smile. His quiet encouragement. His quiet strength. Damn him.

“Well, we aren’t children anymore, Yeosang. You don’t have to save me anymore either.” You pulled at his hand but Yeosang refused to let go.

“You don’t have to do that, you know,” Yeosang said. “Hide yourself from me.”

The left side of your face had been horribly scared by an experiment gone too far. The scientists had, in a foolhardy plan, scared you with acid, only for you to freeze up and actually get doused in it.

“Habit,” You murmured. “Whatever! It shouldn’t matter. Let go of me and leave me alone. This is my burden to deal with.”

A tiny frown marred Yeosang’s handsome features. “You don’t get it, do you? I will never leave you alone.”

“You’ve left me alone fine all these years,” You insisted.

Yeosang’s hand slowly loosened over yours. “Do you really believe that?”

You were quick to take back your hand. As soon as you turned around, your heart started to beat out of your chest. Not far off, electricity traveled through a wall of yellow dust. There it was, the storm that the old lady in your slum had predicted. She said she could feel those storms in her bones.

Your body went invisible and you started off with your gangly limp once again.

“Silver, I will follow you into that storm, don’t you ever doubt what I won’t do for you!” Yeosang shouted.

You cursed under your breath. “How did you know I was planning on doing this anyways!”

“I have my ways. If you didn’t insist on not being a part of my life, you’d know that.”

The guilt stabbed through your heart. Your body flickered back to life and you grumbled Yeosang’s name. He easily caught up to you again. Damn that bastard for knowing you inside and out. His arms wrapped around you, pack and all, trapping you against his body.

“If you go into that storm, I’m going in there with you. We will both get rid of our powers together or we’ll die together. It’s your choice,” Yeosang said steadily in your ear.

You shouted with rage and then slumped in Yeosang’s grasp. “You know I’ll not risk your life. Not after what we’ve been through.”

“San would be so pissed off at you right now. He didn’t--”

You jerked your head back and bonked Yeosang hard enough that he yelped. He let go of you and you scrambled backwards in the sand. “How dare you use San’s death against me! Who are you, Kang Yeosang? I don’t know this man before me.”

Yeosang’s gaze is hard but firm. “I’m taking you back to my bar. We’ll talk more there.”

Your mouth dropped open as he promptly turned on his heel and started to head back towards the city’s outskirts.

“What do you mean by ‘your bar’?” You shouted at his back.

As it turned out, your telekinesis-wielding ex-best friend owned a bar. He waved a hand at the bartender, who immediately pulled a bottle from the top shelf and poured two glasses.

You wrinkled your nose as he shot the glass back. He offered you one and when you didn’t take it, he threw that one back too.

“Jesus, Yeosang,” You scoffed.

“It’s not every day you save your best friend from killing herself,” Yeosang said.

You coughed and choked on your own spit. Yeah, you had no idea who this Yeosang was anymore.

“So, what do you think about it?” Yeosang wondered.

You shook your head in disbelief. “How the hell do you run a bar?”

“It’s quite easy, actually. You see, everyone is miserable, so they all want to come here and drink their woes away. I provide the alcohol and they provide the money.”

You glared at Yeosang and his eyes sparkled with amusement. “Congratulations.”

His glee made him smile. “Did you see what the name of the bar was?”

Your eyes moved around and then you locked in on the blinking neon light behind the bar.

Floating Silver

“You named your bar after me?” You shouted.

Yeosang gazed at you sadly. “I didn’t know what else to call it. You’re the only thing that’s ever meant anything to me.”

You hung your head in shame. You still didn’t understand why this man held you in such high standing in his life, even after all this time. You had both been children while you had endured the horrors inflicted upon you in the Facility but once you had escaped, you had refused to risk bringing any attention to yourself. Yeosang had decided he was going to do anything to help others escape, just like Seonwoo had done for you group of children.

“There’s something else I want to show you.”

There he was again, grabbing your hand like it was nothing. Or maybe it was everything and he was determined to pretend like no time had passed between you two.

Still, Yeosang brought you to a backroom where the liquor was stored. You peered curiously at the bottles and kegs. “How do you get all this stuff?”

“The government is fine providing the slums with alcohol. It keep us dull and buried in our problems, just how they like us,” Yeosang said with a fake smile that he quickly wiped from his face.

“That’s great and all but what else--?”

Yeosang looked at you with a sneaky smile. He put his hand palm down on one of the large wooden kegs. It began to float, revealing an empty, dark corridor.

Yeosang pulled you into the darkness and you couldn't see anything at first. “Yeosang!” You squealed.

Suddenly, lights turned on and you could see the corridor went at a slow slant down. “I syphon some of the electricity provided to the bar down here.”

“What is this place?” You couldn't help but wonder.

“This is how I sneak people out of the city,” Yeosang told you plainfaced.

“I…” Your words caught in your throat. “You actually did it.”

Yeosang looked proud. “I did.”

Shame burned through you. Here you were, living for yourself, and Yeosang was saving people. You shouldn’t even be allowed to stand by him.

“Good for you, Sangie,” You said with a tight throat.

“Good for us, Silver,” Yeosang corrected you. “I was thinking--”

“Raid!” The bartender shouted down the corridor. “We gotta get everyone out of here, Mister Kang!”

“Shit,” Yeosang cursed under his breath. “Quickly, get anyone who needs to flee down the tunnels.”

Both your hands tightened on Yeosang’s sleeve. “Yeosang” you said, your throat tight with fear.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” Yeosang assured you.

You watched as various people from the slums filtered past you. You worried at your lip with your teeth and couldn't take it anymore. “Yeosang, we have to go.”

Yeosang shot a glance towards you. “I said I’ve got us, Silver. Why can’t you trust me like before?”

“Because I’ve spent all my life ensuring I never get caught, Yeosang, and waiting around as others flee is not how I kept out of their hands!” You shouted.

Yeosang’s lips made an angry line. “Once everyone is safe, I’ll close the door and it’ll be fine.”

“I’m not fine!” You argued. You pulled at his arm. “Please, Yeosang, surely someone else can close the door?”

Yeosang shook his head. “No. I’m the one that guarantees everyone’s safety. I’m always the last to leave.”

You let out a small noise in your throat and collapsed to the ground. How was it that the boy who ensured your survival was now going to be your demise?

You watched as your body began to flicker in and out of existence. You held your hand out as it blended into the dirt below. This was it. You were going to get caught. All because Yeosang interfered with your brilliant plan to--

Yeosang used his powers and moved the old keg in front of the entranceway to the tunnel and then dusted his hands. “There. Tight and safe. We can--” Yeosang peered around. “Silver?”

You opened your mouth but no words could come out. You were so tight with fear, so locked up because of it, that you couldn't even reach out to your ex-best friend.

“Silver?” Yeosang couldn't raise his voice, in fear that the government soldiers would hear you behind the keg. “Silver, please. Don’t leave me again.”

You managed a squeak through your fear-locked throat and Yeosang’s head whipped in your direction. “I’ve got you, don’t worry.”

Yeosang put his hands out, tentatively reaching around until his deft fingers found your shoulder. The next second, you were floating. His hand smoothed down your arm and wrapped around your hand.

Tears flowed down your cheeks silently. Once again, you’re an utter failure and a coward. And here was Yeosang saving the day. You hated every fiber of your being.

Without another word, Yeosang pulled your floating body down the tunnel. For what seemed like hours, all you could hear was Yeosang’s booted steps as he ran while pulling you behind him. Eventually, the soothing rhythm of his steps settled you and your Adrenaline slipped away, taking away your invisibility.

By then, the tunnel had widened out and a smooth sandstone wall with a single steel door came in view. “This is a safe place. Don’t worry,” Yeosang assured you before tapping a beat on the door.

A slot moved across, eyes assessed him and then closed. You feared the worst immediately, but then large bolts moved back and the door opened. “Get in here, Yeosang.”

Yeosang squeezed your hand and took you in with him. The doors closed but the person who opened them narrowed their eyes at you.

“Who’s this?”

Yeosang smiled. “It’s my bar’s namesake.”

Yeosang disengaged his powers and you fell to your feet.

“Well, she goes with the others that we don’t know,” the person grumbled. They reached out for your arm.

Yeosang intercepted the hand before it even landed on you. “After everything I’ve done for you guys?”

The person winced. “You know security is higher after--”

Yeosang chuckled darkly, tongue in cheek. “If I say she’s trustworthy, then she is.”

The person paled and then lowered their hand. “Sure. Okay, Yeosang.”

“What is this place?” You wondered.

Yeosang put an arm around your shoulder and tucked you against his body. “Used to be an old bunker for the government. Since it’s buried in leagues of sand, it’s long since been abandoned.”

You stared at Yeosang. “What is this place?” You repeated flatly.

Another voice answered. “Welcome to the Rebellion, Silver.”

Yeosang’s eyes widened momentarily. “Shadow.”

“You’re not the only one who knows things, Yeosang.”

You turned to find a woman standing with her arms crossed under her chest. Everyone about her showed that she was confident in where she was in life. She was the complete opposite of you. That was… until you reached her eyes. Her eyes showed a different tale. She was one step from going over the edge.

“Silver, this is Shadow. She’s a good friend of mine.”

Shadow shook her head. “We’re working acquaintances, Yeosang. Your true friend was--” The words turned to ash in her mouth and she shook her head as if to get her thoughts in place. She sent a polite if not tight smile your way.

Yeosang’s eyes softened and he looked away. “I was just telling Silver we’re safe here.”

Shadow’s lips twitched in agitation. “What would provoke this raid?”

Yeosang shrugged. “I paid my dues already so your guess is as good as mine.”

Shadow’s eyes came back to you. “She’s the only different factor, Yeosang.”

“There--” You licked your lips. “I’m a nobody.”

Shadow laughed dryly. “You and I both know that’s not true, Silver.” Her eyes dragged back to Yeosang. “You know--”

Yeosang held up a hand. “We’ll be out of your hair as soon as the coast is clear.”

Shadow huffed. “Whatever you say, Yeosang.”

“Now what?” You wondered as Yeosang squeezed you even closer in reassurance.

“Now you’re stuck with me,” Yeosang declared.

You stiffened. “What does that mean?”

“Until we figure out if the raid was truly about you or not, you’re not going anywhere without me, Silver.”

You frowned up at your ex-best friend. “You do remember my ability is to disappear, do you not?”

Yeosang grabbed both of your shoulders. “I”m serious. You could be in big trouble. You’re not to leave my sight.”

“If anything, this is your fault! If you had just let me--”

Yeosang shook you. “Don’t. I would never let you. Ever.”

“I probably wasn’t even on their radar until you decided to take me back to your stupid bar!” You shouted. You attempted to knock Yeosang’s hands off you but he wasn’t letting go.

“You're lying to yourself if you think that.” Yeosang leaned down to peer into your eyes. “Why are you trying to get rid of me?”

Your spine straightened and your jaw snapped shut. You refused to answer that question.

Yeosang sighed. “Let’s find a place to settle in. It’s going to be a while before the bar is cleared and we can go back.”

Meanwhile, you studied this so-called rebellion. It seemed like a simple community until you saw the others with Adrenaline. It made sense that others would come together. The thought terrified you, of course. Wasn’t this a present wrapped in a bow for the government? If they ever found this place, it would be like a goldmine for them.

You started to tremble in Yeosang hold.

“Hey, I said we were safe here, Silver, come on.”

Immediately Yeosang enveloped you into his chest. You could hear his steady heartbeat. Your throat was tight, and swallowing was difficult. How could he be like this after all this time? After your cowardice and fear were always painting every aspect of your life.

Once your trembling stopped, Yeosang pulled back. “I”m going to go check and see if everyone from the bar is okay.” He paused, studying your features. “Stay where I can see you, okay?”

You explored the rebellion’s HQ in order to keep your nerves under control. There were old rusting tanks that would never move ever again. They were trapped in their own bodies. You sympathized with their state.

“I like using their old base against them. It feels like another fuck you to them, you know?”

Once again, Shadow seemingly popped out of the darkness. She scared you enough for your body to blink out of existence immediately. She chuckled but it was along the line of insanity. You had a feeling that she was playing a little too well with that line.

“It’s an honor to finally meet Yeosang’s inspiration, you know. Even though I have no idea who you two were before you joined the fold.”

You breathed in and out deeply. “If he didn’t tell you, I’m not going to either.”

Shadow sent you a measured look and then curtly nodded. “I respect that.”

“Are you…?”

“One of you?” Shadow laughed softly under her breath. “No.”

“Then why… why help any of us?”

“The truth?” Shadow strode in measured steps. “I only did it because that’s what he wanted to do.”

You waited for the other shoe to drop. You weren’t about to push a wounded animal.

“Hongjoong was the one that wanted to keep everyone safe. He’s never stood for any injustice in his entire life. I was just here to watch his back. And I couldn't even do that.” The final sentence was said in a silent whisper not meant for anyone’s ears.

You nodded like you completely followed. “Did you love him?”

Shadow turned, her face full of ache. “He was all that I’ve ever loved.”

You’re the only thing that’s ever meant anything to me.

You don’t even know why you asked her that. Or why Yeosang said a similar sentence. You were just supposed to be floating in life, taking care of yourself.

“Did you tell him that?”

Shadow’s hair fell in front of her face. “Never.”

Suddenly, like someone pulled a string through Shadow, she left behind her confessions and drew back to her restricted self, and walked off without another word.

You couldn't blame her, really. Too much vulnerability could do one harm.

Things settled, and true to his word, Yeosang took you back to the bar, albeit in a more calm manner aka your feet could take you there yourself.

“Listen, I’ve got an apartment above the bar,” Yeosang spoke carefully. “You’ll stay with me until we get this figured out.”

“No,” You folded your arms under your chest.

Yeosang lifted an eyebrow at you. “Yes.”

“How exactly are you going to figure out if the government is after me or not?” You demanded, still standing in the storage room.

“I have my ways,” Yeosang said cryptically.

“Whatever,” You stride out of the storage room and directly into someone’s broad chest.

“Watch where you're--Silver?!”

You crank your neck back and look up into the face of someone who you did not think you’d ever see again. “Mingi?”

He does not look pleased to see you again. The feeling is mutual. The last time you saw him was when you had all split ways, you believing it would be harder to find escaped children that way. But the scene of Mingi being the first to flee never left your mind.

“Hey, Mingi, what can I do for you?” Yeosang greets Mingi with a half hug.

“I’ve got a problem that I need you to look into,” Mingi said gruffly.

“Problem?” Yeosang’s eyes travel along the bar behind Mingi when they finally land on someone sitting on the stools. “Her?”

“I found her when I was trying to break up a--” Mingi’s eyes shoot towards you. “Can we talk somewhere else?”

Yeosang tilted his head. “Certainly. Silver, my office is--”

“Without her?” Mingi cut Yeosang off immediately.

Yeosang shook his head. “No can do, Mingi. If you haven’t noticed, the bar just got raided. I’ve got to keep Silver close by.”

Mingi scoffed. “She’s probably the reason you had the raid. Not exactly conspicuous, an invisible girl.”

Your hackles rose at Mingi clear animosity. “That’s literally the definition of inconspicuous, Mingi.”

“Hey.” Yeosang put a hand on Mingi’s chest. “She’s with me, whether you like it or not. But we should go back to my office.”

Yeosang grabbed your hand and took you towards a door on the other side of the bar. You gazed curiously at the ‘problem’ Mingi had dragged in and were surprised that you knew her. She waved shyly but remained at the bar as Mingi barked at her. This didn’t feel right.

Once in Yeosang’s office, Mingi started to give the details to Yeosang on how he had found his little problem. The details weren’t exactly damning but he kept insisting that she wore the insignia of the government.

“She’s not one of them,” You interrupted.

Yeosang cocked his head. “How do you know?”

“I know her,” You admitted.

Yeosang sat back in his chair, fingers steepled. “Tell me what you know.”

“One of the nights my part of the slums got raided, we ended up in the same hidey hole. There’s no way she’s one of them. If she was, then I would have got caught.” The woman had been kind and cheerful. She was a little ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark world where you tended to hide in.

Yeosang looked deep in contemplation. “I can put some feelers out, let you know if I dig anything else up,” he offered.

You shake your head. The circumstances that Mingi caught your Sunshine friend wasn’t sitting well with you. Manhandling her and treating her like shit was a little too much like the government had treated you and countless others.

“Why help Mingi, Yeosang? It’s not like he doesn’t understand about running away and leaving others high and dry,” You said, derisiveness dripping from your tone.

Mingi’s lips pulled into a sneer. “I’m out here risking my life. What are you doing? Hiding in a hole in the wall, trembling and hoping the government doesn’t find you again?”

“Enough, the two of you.” Yeosang shook his head like he was the only levelheaded one in the room. “We didn’t escape for the two of you to fight like this. San didn’t give up his--”

Mingi stood ramrod straight, looking extremely uncomfortable. “I’m not here to talk about the past. Look into my problem for me and let me know if you find anything.”

They exchanged a nod and then Mingi was gone.

Yeosang stood up and sat on the front of his desk. “Did you have to attack Mingi like that? You have no idea how long he’s wrestled with what he did that night.”

“Clearly he’s not over it,” You murmured.

“And neither are you.”

You hung your head low. “I don’t understand why I’m here, Yeosang.”

“You’re here because--”

“So what if the government is after me?” You shouted at Yeosang. “What does that have to do with you? I’m just someone who you knew once that isn’t worth her weight in gold. I have no business being here.”

“That’s not true,” Yeosang argued. “You’re worth something to me.”

You looked up and saw that Yeosang’s hand was hanging over your head, like he was about to reassure you. But you didn’t want that. You wanted to cling to your anger at yourself rather than recognize that feeling that you had buried long ago.

“Your bar got raided because of me, Yeosang. I am fucking up everything for you! You should just discard me like the trash I am.”

“Don’t say that.” Yeosang’s tone was rough and his throat sounded like it was tight. “You’re not trash. You helped us escape that night, Silver, regardless of how it ended, if you hadn't summoned your powers, we never would have made it as far as we did. You have to see that!”

“I’m tired, Yeosang. Can you please show me where I can sleep?” It was clear that Yeosang wasn’t going to let you go no matter your reasoning. The only true escape was to fall into a slumber.

Yeosang wiped a hand over his tired face. “Yes. Of course.”

He led you to an apartment that was above the bar. You could still hear some random notes of the music playing downstairs, despite the lack of customers after the raid. It wasn’t much but it was Yeosang’s and he was clearly proud of it. It was much better than the cell you used to share in the Facility. Or even your room in the slums for that matter.

“I’ll fetch some water and heat some up for you. You can at least wash up,” Yeosang offered.

You sent him a baleful look. “Not worried I’m going to disappear on you again?”

Yeosang sent you a bittersweet smile. “Nothing to be scared of up here, right?”

You let out a bittersweet laugh in return. “Right. I’m useless without my fear.”

Yeosang’s face dropped. “I didn’t mean--”

You held your hand up. “It’s fine, Yeosang. Thank you for the water and the offer to clean up. I’ll gladly take it.”

In no time at all, Yeosang had the promised hot water, which he poured into a large, chipped basin. He gave you a washcloth and a towel, ratty, but clean at least. “Let me know if you need anything else,” He said.

“I just want to sleep the day off me,” You muttered.

Yeosang closed the door behind him and you started to strip. You only let yourself get down to a tank top and shorts. You never stripped naked--ever. You sat down on the bed, rubbing your disfigured foot. You tried to avoid anything reflective, not particularly interested in looking at yourself.

You methodically wetted the washcloth and rung out the excess water, washing off the sweat from your fear and the sand from the desert off your body. It wasn’t long before the basin was dirty and you were somewhat clean. It felt nice, at least.

“I’ve got a change of clothes if you need them.”

You jumped at the sound of Yeosang just outside the door. “I--I’m not decent, don’t come in!”

Yeosang chuckled. “I’ve never heard that one before.”

Your stomach dropped. Of course Yeosang has had partners. You are well into adulthood now. Not to mention Yeosang was gorgeous.

Except now you didn’t know what to do. You didn’t want to put on clothes just to accept Yeosang’s offer. This was stupid.

“I don’t need any clothes, Yeosang,” You refused his offer.

“Silver, I know you do have access to good amenities where you were living. Take my clothes, and I’ll wash what you’ve got,” Yeosang sliced through your declination like it was butter.

“No, it’s fine. You’ve already given me this much.” You glanced at his bed. It wasn’t glamourous but it wasn’t a nest of blankets on a floor of stone like you were used to.

Then it all hit you. “Wait, you want me to sleep in your bed?” you squeaked.

“I’m coming in, this is ridiculous, Silver.”

“No--wait!--Yeo-Yeosang!” You floundered back, arms reeling and you fell backwards, knocking the basin over and spilling the water all over you.

Yeosang opened the door, his eyes wide with surprise at your current state. “Silver, what…?” Those eyes quickly darkened as the water made your clothes cling to your body.

You avoided the look he was giving you. It was making you feel warm and it was completely foreign to you. You scrambled to find the towel he had given you. Yeosang’s hand covered yours before you could bring it around your body and shield yourself from him.

“It’s dirty, don’t,” Yeosang said softly.

“Yeosang.” You were trembling and your body began to flicker in and out of existence.

“What are you so scared of?” Yeosang cooed. His other hand cupped the side of your face, the bad side, that was textured from your acid scars.

“How can you bear to touch me like that?” You demanded roughly.

A faint, amused smile pulled the corners of Yeosang’s lips. “Touch you like what?”

“Like I’m not disgusting,” You whispered.

Yeosang pulled you flush against his body. You squirmed but it only made it all the more apparent how exactly Yeosang was feeling. “Does it seem like you are disgusting to me?”

You started to shiver delicately in Yeosang’s hold. “You don’t make any sense.”

Yeosang held your chin between his thumb and forefinger, determined to hold your gaze. “You’re beautiful and flawed to me. Both can exist at the same time. In fact, your flaws are what make you beautiful.”

Your throat tightened. You had never forgotten the one night you two had whispered to each other the first night you had been captured; children scared and hiding under the covers in the same bed. You held a glow-in-the-dark stuffed animal while Yeosang told you that his birthmark was the reason the government had pulled him in for Adrenaline testing. That same night Yeosang had told you that your hair was beautiful. Neither of you saw each other as flawed, despite those characteristics being the reason you had been targeted.

“I’m a coward, Yeosang,” You whispered. “I’m disfigured. There’s nothing about me that’s beautiful.”

Yeosang’s eyes were full of sorrow. “I wish you could see yourself the way I do.” Tears spilled down your cheeks. Yeosang’s hands cupped your face, rubbing them away. “Don’t cry, Silver.”

“Wh-wha-whatever this is. I d-don’t d-deserve it,” You spat out, despite your hiccups and sobs.

“That’s not true. Stop saying such cruel things about yourself.” Yeosang whispered back.

Then he leaned in and placed a kiss on your cheek, the scarred side first. He turned your head and placed one on the other side, the unmarred one. When you didn’t struggle in his hold, he moved to kiss the side of your mouth that was closest to your acid scars. You whimpered, tears still pouring down your cheeks.

“It’s okay, Silver,” Yeosang assured you. He pulled you into his arms and hugged you tightly. You released everything into sobs. You cried and cried and cried, tears soaking his own shirt. You cried for your lost childhood. You cried for your injuries that would never be healed. You cried for losing San and the other children that didn’t make it out that day. You cried for leaving behind Yeosang and Mingi to find themselves instead of staying together. And most importantly, you cried for Yeosang’s clear adoration for you, despite your own self hatred.

Once your sobs subsided, Yeosang let go of you for only as long as it took for him to rid himself of his shirt. You stood in shock at the view of his upper body. He had his own scars but they only seemed to add to his beauty, if not to the lines of muscles.

Before you could protest, Yeosang was pulling off your wet clothing and putting you into his original set he had brought in for you. Then he bundled up the two of you in his makeshift bed, and petted your hair until you fell asleep in his arms.

You woke up in Yeosang’s bed but he was no longer there. He must have left sometime in the night to go get information for Mingi. You still didn’t like that Mingi had basically kidnapped your Sunshine friend and was keeping her captive, but it wasn’t like you knew where Mingi went, and you weren’t exactly in a position to save her.

You left Yeosang’s room and wandered around his apartment. You didn’t know what else to do and felt too much of a burden to eat any of his food. You had no idea what Yeosang’s situation was, exactly, even as the owner of the bar.

He didn’t leave you alone for long, which you should have come to the same conclusion. He stopped mid purposeful stride, seeing you in his clothes in his place.

“Do you know how many times I’ve wished to walk into my place and see this?” Yeosang said in a strangled tone.

Your heart constricted and you battled with it immensely. “Yeosang, don’t.”

It was clear after what had occurred last night that Yeosang was more determined than ever to push his agenda. “No, I won’t stop, Silver. You’ve been beating yourself up over something that you cannot change. You’re just like Mingi. You have to stop. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for me.”

You turned your head. You didn’t want to cry again. Your hair falls like a curtain, hiding your emotions.

“Let’s get out of here. Get some fresh air.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Yeosang.”

“You spent enough time dodging the government and their goons. Surely you could spend an afternoon with me.”

“And do what? Stroll around, arm in arm, and talk about what exactly in the middle of a public area? Yeosang, we’re not normal citizens. We won’t be safe no matter how much you want to pretend.”

“Then let’s not pretend.”

You rolled your eyes but Yeosang’s face was firmly confident. “I’m serious. No one is going to suspect anything if we walk around like we have nothing to hide.”

“Yeosang, I can’t!” You couldn't help but wail. “It’s been years and I still don’t have control over my powers. All it takes is a tiny scare and then I’ve revealed the both of us.”

“I have confidence in the both of us. Come on.”

Once again, Yeosang was holding his hand out and asking for you to take it. He wriggled his fingers encouragingly. “I got you, Silver. Let’s go.”

Hesitantly, your fingers slid over his palm and he entwined them amongst his own. He smiled sweetly. “See? We can do this.” And just to show you just how confident he was, he tucked your hand into his arm, like a gentleman of old, and you two strolled through the streets around the bar.

Floating Silver wasn’t located in the bad part of the Slums; that was reserved for where people wanted to live and hide. He was in a somewhat respectable part. It was almost on the line between what people considered the poor part and the City. Pavilions and stands popped up around the wall that separated the two. City citizens were not encouraged to mix with the rabble. Their shiny boots hardly ever touched the dust outside of the wall. But it was still a natural place for everyone to gather.

The stalls sold various items. There was food, fresh for what it was worth, and cooked. There was salvage from the desert and abandoned places, which there was a plethora of. People hawked their wares, some eagerly looking to make money and others dejected at what the world had given them.

“See? Isn’t this nice,” Yeosang murmured.

You pulled up your hood firmly so that your hair was well hidden. You noted that Yeosang had his hood up too. It wasn’t uncommon for a sandstorm to whip through the city at a moment’s notice. But it hid his beautiful birthmark.

“It’s been a few minutes, like that’s proof,” You argued.

“The fact that this world continues to spin on its axis makes me understand that no matter what, life will go on. It’s up to you to walk with it or against it,” Yeosang mused.

You watched with a pessimistic gaze as a thief pickpocketed an unsuspecting citizen. You saw the smirk that painted their features as they dashed away, turned a corner and were gone. It was only when the citizen went to pay for the item they had been looking to purchase and put their hand in their pocket, that they realized all their money was gone. They cried out with shock but no one around them pointed the way the thief had gone. It was a dog eat dog world here and if you were stupid enough to get stolen from then you deserved the empty purse.

You exchanged a glance with Yeosang. Yours was “see, I told you so.” But his was accompanied by a big sigh.

“Do you have a coin to spare, Miss?” A tiny adorable child stood in front of you all of a sudden. They grinned broadly, missing a front tooth. Too young to be begging.

“I’m sorry, I don’t--” The words caught in your mouth as you felt some unskilled movement in your pocket. Your hand wrapped around the tiny wrist immediately.

“Awe, Minjae, you said you could do it!” the adorable child in front of you protested.

“Let go!” Minjae cried out, struggling in your grasp. You bent down to show Minjae how to improve his skills, for you had been a begging child on the streets once, which evolved into a pickpocket. But before you got a chance, Minjae firmly planted both of his feet against your knees and pulled himself from your grasp.

You both fell backwards. Minjae sprung up immediately and fled the scene, weaving between the taller adults. Your ass hit the sand and sand path and your hood flew back.

There were some startled gasps. Silver hair wasn’t exactly common.

“It’s one of them!” A woman cried, covering her mouth. “Quick, someone call the authorities!”

Yeosang yanked your hood back over your head and hauled you upwards with his hand in yours. “Quickly. We must flee!”

“Don’t let them get away!” A man shouted. “There’s coin in turning in one of the Adrenaline Afflicted!”

After only a few steps, your heart started to beat a mile per minute. Fear seized up your throat and slowly iced its way through your veins. Your body began to flicker, becoming an illusion and camouflaging amongst the sandstone buildings. “Yeosang!” You squeaked in terror.

Yeosang spun you around and cupped his hands together. “Climb. We’ll be better off the streets. Hurry, Silver!”

You put your hands on Yeosang’s shoulders, his eyes flashing blue for but a moment, and when he hefted you upwards, you floated like you were lighter than a sheet in the wind. You grabbed the lip of the three story building and quickly pulled yourself to the rooftop. Yeosang was only seconds behind you, eyes taking in the surrounding area. When he was satisfied that no one was following you, the two of you skimmed the rooftops.

Your Adrenaline was still acting up. Your hands and feet were gone, along with part of your forearms and calves. Leaping over a gap between buildings didn’t help the matter. “Do you think we lost them?” You couldn't help but ask.

Yeosang turned his head to send you a confident smile. “Of course.”

You clucked your tongue. “You're just saying that to settle my anxiety.”

Yeosang shrugged his shoulders. head still on rotation for anything threatening. “Even if that was the case, I’ve gone this way before. No one ever looks up, Silver.”

A few minutes later, Floating Silver’s sign gleamed in the distance. You felt your shoulders relax and your invisibility eventually dissipated. You felt safe with Yeosang, so that of course extended to his bar. It made you wonder, if you had never disappeared from his life, could you have lived a better life of yours? Instead of fleeing from a rat hole to a garbage dump, always on the run, always hand to mouth, could you have settled somewhat comfortably with Yeosang?

You shook your head. In what universe was a silver-haired being that disappeared every time she got scared going to live a normal life when hard lived citizens were eager to turn individuals with Adrenaline in for money? You were at least happy that Yeosang had found his place of peace. And you were ruining that.

Yeosang found a latch on the rooftop, right behind the neon sign. He raised it and signaled for you to go down the ladder first. It led into Yeosang’s office. Convenient.

“I’ve got to put some feelers out,” Yeosang said. “After that sighting, you might be in even more danger. Go straight to my apartment and stay there until I come back.”

“Yeosang…”

Despite the urgency of the situation, Yeosang crossed the space between you and him. He tugged you against his chest and held you tightly. “It’s not your fault, Silver. None of this is your fault. You were born with Adrenaline. You’ve never hurt a fly with your powers. The government is just some shitty group of people that believe that your life is worth sacrificing so they can live their cushy lives. We’ll get through this. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Okay, Yeosang,” You whispered against his chest.

“You and me until the end, remember?” Yeosang whispered into the crown of your head.

Once Yeosang left after comforting you, you couldn't get what he said out of your head. You hadn't heard him say that since the day you had left him and Mingi behind. But you used to say it to each other each night before you went to sleep. Or sometimes Yeosang would say it to you to reassure you that nothing could ever separate you two. It was the only way you got through some situations of your life in the Facility….

Flashback

“What do you think they’ll ask us to do today?” Mingi wondered, eyes studying the adults as they gathered in a group.

All the children that lived in the Facility had been drawn out to the proving graveyard. This was a place where you children were tested. You hated this place. The cars that were planted into the earth like rotting vegetables gave you the heebie jeebies.

“I don’t know but they look angry today,” you said warily.

San nodded, quiet this morning. He danced on the balls of his feet, looking antsy as well.

“No matter what, we’ll get through it together, okay?” Yeosang smiled at you, brighter than the sun sometimes.

You squeezed his hand back but jumped when one of the handlers clapped their hands. “Stand in your positions, children. Don’t dally now, we have important business to get to.”

Once the handler was satisfied that everyone was in their spot, he nodded. He wasn’t Seonwoo, who was continuously offered comfort and sweets to keep your spirits up. This one, his name was Hyuk. He was always the handler that had the most hard tests. It was like he enjoyed torturing children for a living.

“Today, we separate the strong from the weak. Some of you have performed wonderfully, which you shall be rewarded today. You will not have to participate.” As if not having to go through whatever horrible situation Hyuk had thought up was a reward enough. “But the rest of you, who have not harnessed their powers to our satisfaction will be fighting today.”

Yeosang and San moved to the group of successful Adrenaline users and you and Mingi were in the failure group. Mingi stood tall, spine straight but his jaw trembled as if he was holding back sobs. You kept your eyes on the ground. Perhaps if you believed this one time, you could finally go invisible and avoid this test altogether.

“I hope we’re not fighting the dogs today. I hate when they sic the dogs on us,” a child beside you shuddered after their statement.

“You’ll be fighting each other today, children.” Hyuk smiled like he was a cat eating his cream.

Round after round ran, children pitted against each other. Speed against echolocation. Fire powers against teleportation. Some children didn’t survive their round and were left bereft of any air, face down, never to rise again. You chanted inside your head that today would be the day that you were able to summon your powers immediately.

“Silver.” Hyuk said your name with a snap. “You will fight…” His eyes skimmed the failure children before he settled on one that was one of the biggest children of the group. She didn’t have strength like San had. No, her power was making the ground move. It wasn’t very helpful when there wasn’t any natural earth around, as was most of the cases when you were inside of the stark white walls of the Facility. But out here, in the proving graveyard, she was queen of the castle. “ ...Jiwoo.”

You flinched but still moved to the centre of the graveyard. You had learned a long time ago that if you fought these little tests, no matter how much you knew you would fail, there was always a shock stick that Hyuk used liberally. The children learned quickly to not prompt him to use it.

Jiwoo looked like she was determined to win this. You closed your eyes and dug your nails into your palms. Please let you become invisible, please let you become invisible, please--

Hyuk blew his whistle and shouted “Begin!”

When you felt the trembles below your feet, you knew you had failed. Your eyes flew open and you began to run. Sand blasted in a spot behind you. Then another. And another. You were barely missing Jiwoo’s blows. So she adjusted. Instead of shots of earth upwards to hurt you, she opted with blocks of ground that rose up and clamped together. You started to pant as your energy was leaving you. You could run a little fast but the air in your lungs often gave up on you quickly. You were slowing and you knew there was nothing you could do about it.

“You can do it, Silver!” Yeosang shouted.

Hyuk snapped his fingers and sent a soldier to discipline your best friend. You watched in horror as they snapped out a baton and brought it down behind Yeosang’s legs. He cried out and fell to his knees in pain.

“No!” You yelled. You paused and suddenly your body was completely invisible. But it was a few seconds too late. The edge of two slabs slammed together on one of your feet, creating so much pain that you blacked out.

It took hours for them to find you, because you had remained invisible as you had passed out. Even once they got you to the medical wing of the Facility, and with the experimental scientists and doctors on their payroll, the best they could fix you up with was a limp that would follow you for the rest of your life. But, since you had successfully brought forward your invisibility to survive the round, they had passed you and Jiwoo.

You got back to the room you shared with Yeosang, Mingi and San late. But that didn’t stop Yeosang from offering you the lower bunk and carefully tucking you into his blankets.

You whimpered in pain and Yeosang squeezed your hand in reassurance. “You’ve had worse, remember, Silver?” The acid running down your face still haunts your dreams sometimes. You nodded imperceivably against Yeosang’s pillow. “You’ll make it through this too.” He paused, his voice sounding rough. You weren’t sure, but you had a feeling he was crying. “We’ll make it through this. I’ll make sure of it.”

You were too hurt to agree with him. You just wanted to go to sleep.

Yeosang raised your hand between your two small bodies, turning on his side to face you. “You and me until the end,” Yeosang whispered. “Promise.”

Like clockwork, you both held out your pinkies and kissed them. “Promise,” you said hoarsely.

Present day

“Pack up your things,” Yeosang said with a tight throat, blood completely draining from his face when he finally came back to his apartment.

Your head snapped up to meet your childhood friend’s gaze. “What?”

“I’ve started to hear some things. I’ve got a few sources that say the government thinks some new Adrenaline users have surfaced. We need to go to ground. Somewhere that won’t bring attention to the bar or the hq. Get desert-ready.”

“What about Mingi’s information?” You couldn’t help but ask.

“I’ve got it. We’ll find him later. Mingi has a knack for that, remember?” Yeosang jerked his head at the direction of the door. “Let’s go.”

You grabbed your familiar cape, bringing it tight around your shoulders and pulling up your hood. You had always cursed your hair for being the reason that the government had pulled you from the slums to the government facility but nothing was harder than keeping your one identifier hidden from inquiring gazes.

Yeosang put on airy, light colored clothing, grabbed your hand and then you two were back on the streets.

“Where are we going?” You wondered.

Yeosang shook his head. “I can’t say. Just know it’s somewhere safe.”

The journey was less heart-thumping than when you rushed to the rebellion hq or when you had made your way into the sandstorm. You continued to look over your shoulder, however. Yeosang’s words echoed in your mind. Did the government really find you? If they thought you were a new, undocumented individual with Adrenaline, it was only a matter of time before they figured out you were one of the missing children from years ago. And that meant bad things for Yeosang and Mingi. You didn’t want to be the reason their lives got ruined again.

“Are you sure I should be going with you to this safehouse?” You hissed.

Yeosang looked both ways down a broken road and then shot across it. “Of course. If you’re the one they’re looking for, you have the best reason to go there.”

“Mingi would be cursing you right now and you know it, Yeosang,” You insisted.

Yeosang smirked, his shoulder shaking in silent laughter. “Well, sometimes Mingi doesn’t always know best. He may have his powers but his heart might as well be a mystery to himself.”

“What do you think San would say?” You couldn't help but ask next. Being with your old comrades in arms, children against the government, was shaking up a lot of old memories.

Yeosang looked sad but almost happy at the thought of San. “I think he’d be whooping and laughing, excited that we’re seeing some more action. I think that he would roll his eyes at your protests at going to the safe house with us. I think if San… if San was here with us, you never would have left us.”

The quiet realization that he had been the glue to your group the entire time washed over you. He truly was the one who wouldn’t let anyone blame themselves. San was always quick to make someone smile. Of all the people that had survived, the children that had escaped, San deserved to have been one of them.

You let Yeosang drag you through the quiet morning light, through the streets that had yet to stir with stubborn but bleak determination to live through this post-apocalyptic life. When you got to the edge of the city again, this time on the other side, you dug in your heels. The last time you had come here was to end your life. Suddenly, you didn’t want to risk it anymore.

Yeosang hefted the bag he had brought along, nodding resolutely. “Trust me, Silver.”

Of course you trusted him; you trusted Yeosang with your life. How else would you still be alive today if not for him always believing in you. “I trust you, Yeosang.”

Yeosang smiled and then wiped it, eyes getting serious. “Let’s just hope there’s not another storm on the horizon. Wooyoung really hates when I bring sand in.”

Yeosang leaned over, his elbows against his knees. He let Mingi know that Mouse was in the clear, despite the difficulty of having to dig around without a proper name. Mingi seemed to visibly sag with relief, which was another development. Although you had known in your gut that Mouse was on your side, it was good news that Yeosang had found nothing on your sunshine friend.

Luckily, there was no sandstorm. It was the simple struggle of walking through the dunes. The sands constantly shifted. Even a slight breeze would bring up a dusting of sand, that could blind you or make you cough, your tongue getting coated with it. You pulled the collar of your cape up above your mouth as Yeosang found a scarf and tied it around his face as well. You two looked like a bunch of thieves in broad daylight. But it was the only way to survive the harshness of the desert.

It wasn’t long before you came across a house that looked almost consumed by the dunes. It was tilted at a crazy angle, half buried in the sand. It looked long abandoned and you pulled back on Yeosang’s hand. “Are you sure about this?”

“It looks run down and rickety, right? Like it’ll collapse at any moment? If you didn’t know, you’d walk right past it, wouldn't you?” Yeosang said with a twinkle in his eye. “That’s what makes it the best safe house ever. Wooyoung has meticulously curated this place. Sometimes he adds something to make it look even more structurally unsound. Don’t even get me started on his haunted idea.”

Cautiously, you followed Yeosang as he took the last little bit to come in front of the ‘safehouse’. You believed Yeosang but it was truly hard to understand that this was actually safe.

Yeosang rapped his knuckles on the doorframe. The door was the sturdiest part of the building. The door was rusted but didn’t look like it would budge despite any encouragement from a crowbar. You heard a loud sucking noise and then the door whooshed open wide.

Your jaw dropped when a dark head peaked from behind. His arms bulged as he pushed up the steel door and he peered around with a sour look on his face. But when he saw Yeosang, his face lit up and it changed entirely. “Yeosang!” He hooted.

“I didn’t have enough time to radio ahead that I was coming,” Yeosang apologized immediately.

Wooyoung waved his hand through the air as if to erase Yeosang’s sincere apology. “No need. There’s always room for you here… who is that?” His eyes narrowed down on you.

Before you let Yeosang answer with something that was most likely going to embarrass you by speaking of you as his inspiration or something more, you lowered the hood of your cape.

Wooyoung’s mouth dropped in surprise. “Oh. Well. That explains things. Come on, quickly, before someone sees you guys.”

You and Yeosang were ushered inside by Wooyoung, the safehouse’s caretaker. You expected desolation on the inside but it was surprisingly clean. There was a living room, a kitchen--it looked homey. Like every survivor of this apocalyptic world, there were various items that littered the safehouse, that would have looked at odds with each other if not for the fact that this was an odd world now.

“It’s been a while. I was worried that you found someone to replace me, buddy,” Wooyoung chatted as you studied the safehouse.

“Who could replace you, Wooyoung?” Yeosang mused.

“I mean, those are my thoughts exactly. But it’s not like I get out much. So then I started to think, well, there might be someone else out there that talks a lot, right?”

“Not likely,” Yeosang scoffed under his breath.

“I mean, it’s not like Mingi could replace me,” Wooyoung continued to jabber. “That one only talks a lot when he’s angry.”

“Leave Mingi alone, Wooyoung,” Yeosang gently scolded your current savior.

“Oh, please, Mingi can fend for himself,” Wooyoung replied. “He was here recently, by the way. He had a most agreeable character with him,” Wooyoung brought up.

“Sunshine?” You perked up

Wooyoung laughed. “Is that what you call her? Yeah, that’s kind of apt, isn’t it? Did he come see you guys too?”

You nodded. “He wanted to know if she was one of the enemy,” You said, derision coating your tongue. “Like one of us would ever be one of them.”

Wooyoung cocked his head. “Well, there are a few of them that work as double agents. I do know this one guy--”

“Wooyoung, enough,” Yeosang quietly but effectively cut the other off.

“I thought she was with you!” Wooyoung whined.

“Yes, she is. You can trust Silver. But you shouldn’t just be blabbing all your information into the air just because you like the sound of your own voice.”

Wooyoung looked a bit bashful at the scolding. “Okay, Yeosang, I hear you.” Wooyoung perked right back up, changing the subject. “How do you know Yeosang?”

You press your lips together, looking to Yeosang for a clue of how much Wooyoung knew. “She’s the love of my life,” Yeosang said with no hesitation.

“Yeosang!” You jumped on him to cover his mouth. “We’ve been friends since we were kids,” you supplied instead. Obviously your identity was a hot commodity, if he wasn’t telling the rebellion or Wooyoung for that matter.

Wooyoung nodded. “I’m jealous. I wish I had known Yeosang since we were kids.”

Your shoulders drooped. You hadn't exactly been around Yeosang the entire time. Your guilt weighed you down once again. “Yeah. He’s the best.”

Yeosang’s arm moved around your waist and he hugged you, then pulled your hands from his mouth. There was some movement behind a door. Yeosang threw out his hand and the door slammed open to reveal another person behind it. “We’re not the only ones you’re keeping safe here, I see.”

Wooyoung began to stare at the ceiling. “About that…”

The keeper of the safehouse began an interesting story about how the woman had sought refuge, and Wooyoung had taken pity on her. Eventually, Wooyoung had become suspicious of her, though. The girl had a jacket with the government insignia on her when Wooyoung had rescued her. When Mingi had visited, he had insisted that Wooyoung toss her back out.

“It’s not like he had any leg to stand on!” Wooyoung protested. “He keeps carrying your sunshine friend around like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder.” A look comes over his face, as if he’s momentarily distracted by a thought. “It’s kind of romantic if you take out the part where he thinks she’s related to the government.” Wooyoung shook his head as if to dislodge his distraction. “Anyways, this one hasn’t done anything to prove she’s a part of the government. She’s decided she’s safer here and since this is a safe house…” Wooyoung shrugged, as if that was enough said.

“We need to get the government off Silver’s trail for a bit,” Yeosang said soberly to Wooyoung.

“Not easy to hide with all that silver hair, huh?” Wooyoung beamed.

You smiled painfully. “Something like that.”

The woman in the other room finally came out. “What if you… colored your hair?”

Wooyoung cocked his head in thought. “That could work.” Then he snapped his fingers. “Damn, if only the convenience store was still open, we could pop down and grab a dye kit.”

The woman rolled her eyes at Wooyoung’s antics. “I’m just trying to help.”

Wooyoung’s sarcasm faded from his face. “I know, I know.”

“We could use charcoal,” You mused. “I’ve done it before.”

Wooyoung stood up quickly. “I’ll start burning something right away.”

Yeosang winced. “Can’t we just use what’s leftover from the tea you heated up?”

Wooyoung grinned. “Where’s the fun in that?”

The woman brushed a skirt under her thighs and sat down beside you. “So… you’re afflicted, huh?”

“I…” You watched as Yeosang helped Wooyoung lift a few items with his powers. Clearly, this place was truly a safe place. You smiled hesitantly. “I’ve got a trick or two up my sleeve.”

The woman nodded sagely, tucking some hair behind her ear. “Invisibility is going to come in handy.”

You both froze, meeting each other’s eyes slowly. Then you let out a breath. Clearly this woman was just like you. “Do you--?”

“I just see what might be!” She scuffed her shoe against the floor. “A lot of use that’s been.”

You understood her frustration with a power that wasn’t in your control. “Tell me about it.”

“Well, if I can tell you anything that will help you…” The woman, you decided she was kind of like a solid rock, something steady, like a willow tree with its roots deep into the ground. “Stick with him. You won’t be safe but you’ll be secure.”

You let out a bitter laugh. “You don’t have to see the future to know that.”

Willow chewed her lip, still hesitating. “Don’t let Yeosang look into me. If you could do one favor for me. I know you don’t know me but… don’t let Wooyoung find out what my powers are. I want to tell him myself.”

You met the eyes of Willow and you felt something… beyond just the companionship of being outcasts of this fucked up world. She… Did she feel something for Wooyoung? Both of your gazes moved towards the loud man, who was busy nagging Yeosang about not bothering to bring him any alcohol even though Yeosang ran a bar.

“I’ll do my best,” is the best you can offer Willow. She nods and gets up to help with the charcoal mixture for your hair.

“It won’t last very long,” You tell Yeosang. “I’ve had to do this a couple of times.”

Yeosang nodded, his eyes far away. “Maybe it’ll be enough to get you into another hidey hole. The safehouse is only temporary.” The both of you watched as Wooyoung leaned forward, clearly teasing Willow, who looked a bit flustered right now. “Well, only temporary for most.” A soft smile pulled at Yeosang’s lips, and you could have sworn you heard him whisper ‘good for him’.

Wooyoung stirs an old pot, the plastic handle long broken off, and the pot was dented and didn’t sit on the embers of the fire well. Still, with his long stick, he stirred the mixture as if he was a chef of old in a kitchen. He looked determined to help. No wonder Yeosang and he were drawn together; they were both souls looking to do more.

Something you should take note of. Maybe you could help Willow? Perhaps this was your first step to redeeming yourself. It was, after all, one of Yeosang’s wishes for you. As long as it didn’t harm anyone or yourself, you’d do your best.

“This needs to brew for a while,” Wooyoung declared. “You’ll stay the night.”

“Where…?” You looked around. There was the couch you were sitting on. You assumed the other door led to Wooyoung’s bedroom. Was that where Willow had been?

“Oh, you’ll sleep on the couch, of course,” Wooyoung winked gratuitously. “No problem for you two love birds, right?”

Yeosang laughed loudly, clapping his hand down on your shoulder. “We’re happy you’ll have us, Wooyoung.”

Wooyoung sent Yeosang a dirty look. “Well, of course I’m happy to have you. What do you think I am, a monster turning out my best friend?”

The fire snapped merrily as Wooyoung ushered Willow into his bedroom to give you and Yeosang some space. Which was ridiculous. It’s not like you and Yeosang would… your face burned up when you remembered Yeosang pulled you against his body the other night. Maybe you were wrong.

You jumped a foot in the air when Yeosang ran a finger down your cheek scarred softly. “Penny for your thoughts?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing,” You snapped. “You can’t just tell everyone you’re travelling around with someone precious to you, Yeosang!”

“Wooyoung isn’t just anyone,” Yeosang denied, folding his arms behind his head as he sat back on the couch. “And besides, you’re not denying it.”

“There’s no doubting your feelings on the matter,” you grumbled under your breath.

Suddenly, you found yourself on your back, with Yeosang above you. His eyes studied your face intently. “And your feelings?”

Your heart sped up. Yeosang looked gorgeous in the firelight; it flickered against his skin, only making him glow even more. He was so fucking handsome, it hurt to look at him, sometimes. What he ever saw in you, you truly had no clue. But for some reason he saw the best version of yourself. Your mouth went dry. “I…”

Your body began to flicker in and out of existence, and you sighed. Way for your body to betray you. “Get off of me, Yeosang. What if Wooyoung were to come out here and see us…?”

Yeosang smiled angellically. “See us what?”

Your eyes avoided his face. You couldn't form proper sentences when he was looking at you like that. “Just get off.”

You yelped as Yeosang instead scooped you against his body and flipped the positions. Now you were lying against his body, and his back was against the couch. “We’ll be up in a few hours. Try to get some sleep, please.” Yeosang’s words washed over you, the steady beat of his own heart calming your nerves immediately. “Then we’ll dye your hair and see if we can’t find another hidey hole.”

“Wooyoung’s going to tease us if he finds you holding me like this,” You can’t help but murmur as you fight slumber.

“Wooyoung would tease a stone about being grey, it’s just his nature. Sleep, Silver. I’ll watch over you,” Yeosang whispered. Then he kissed the top of your head and rubbed your back until you did indeed fall contently asleep.

The charcoal mixture did not work upon waking up with Yeosang. Your body shimmered in and out of existence after exhausting all the effort into rubbing the mixture into your hair. You were worried about the government finding you again. You were worried about putting Yeosang and everything he had worked his adult life into, including the bar.

Later that morning Mingi showed up, still carrying your sunshine friend around like they're a sack of potatoes. You glared from your spot on the couch with Yeosang. Before you can demand how or why Mingi was here, the tall man beats you to it.

“What's she doing here?” Like he can’t even say your name. “It better be news on Mouse, Yeosang.”

You folded your arms over your chest. He called your sunshine friend Mouse?! Mouse hoisted herself up by grabbing Mingi’s hair so that she could see who Mingi was talking to. Her eyes lingered on Yeosang and then landed on you. The sunshine practically beamed out of her eyes then.

“Can I get down, Mingi? I want to talk to--”

To your utter surprise, Mingi agreed. He didn't unceremoniously dump Mouse either. He carefully held her against his body as she was set on her feet. He said something in his cave voice to her, which made her blush. Well, that was new. Who knows what had occurred while they had been traveling in the desert.

Still, the behemoth dragged Mouse to the couch, and continued with his verbal poison. “Thanks. Are you staying? Do I have to play nice with this bi--?”

“Mingi.” Yeosang and Mouse both covered up the foul words he was about to say. Yeosang's arms bulged as if he was holding back but Mouse proceeded to beg for him to stop although citing she wasn't sure why he felt the way he did.

You knew exactly why he hated you. He hated you for the same reason you hated yourself. The same reason his own self-loathing ate away at his consciousness, according to Yeosang. You both failed that night and San was lost to you all.

“She knows why I don't like her. What she did. Or didn't do.”

Still, you couldn't help but flinch at the truth of his words.

Despite his obvious ire with you, Mingi sat down beside you, placing Mouse on his lap and arranging her like a doll. Still, it seemed like Mouse didn't mind, so you kept your mouth shut in that regard.

“You said you missed them, right? So talk. Don't expect me to acknowledge them. I don't like cowards.”

Mouse took your hands in her own. When it was obvious you couldn't tell her how you knew Yeosang, she talked about herself. Where she had been since you saw her in the bar. How she wanted to go back with you and Yeosang and Mingi and actually have a drink. You didn't think that was possible but you didn't want to kill her dream.

“Oh! Also, I thought you might want to know, Mingi and I figured out my powers!” Mouse announced.

Everyone froze. It was still difficult to speak of Adrenaline and its effects, even now, with years between you and the Facility. Even now with the government looming on your tail.

But here was Mouse, prepared to explain it in great detail. How her feelings created illusions. How her illusions affected the one who made her feel those feelings. How Mingi wanted to help her control them.

Suddenly, no one could make eye contact. It hit a little too close to home, learning to control your powers as children with the cruel handlers in the Facility. Regardless of your opinion of Mingi, or perhaps in view of his new treatment of Mouse, you were sure she was in better hands than you and the other children had been.

Before you know it, while talking with everyone, and Wooyoung loudly announcing to no one that was listening that he was making dinner, you had fallen into a false sense of security.

“...and how you're going to repay for getting information on your little mouse is by helping me eliminate whoever is hunting Silver.” You tuned into the ass end of Yeosang negotiating with Mingi.

Mingi frowned. “I know I owe you but--”

“You do.” Yeosang met Mingi’s frown with a firm gaze. “And you'll help me do this.”

Out of nowhere, a beep begins to sound, interrupting everything. Wooyoung paused his vigorous cooking at the sound of it. Just as quickly, he snapped out of it, zooming towards where the sound was coming from. Magpie and Wooyoung have an exchange of words and then the safehouse keeper is grabbing a bag, looking at a device and heading for the door to the outside. Wooyoung stopped, looking back at Magpie and another type of silent conversation happens before Wooyoung is tossing the device to Mingi, asking him to go in his stead. Yeosang agreed easily which had you wondering why exactly Wooyoung would want to run out the door and then decide it was better to send out others. Then again, you all had your secrets and trauma.

To your utter horror, Mingi decided to drive you all through the dunes to the location. It seemed the device Mingi had given him, a tracker, showed that the person you were attempting to save was far away. Mouse offered you a trembling smile over Mingi’s shoulder, her typical roost, but smartly didn’t say anything.

While the hours seemed to pass in anxiety-ridden slowness, Yeosang’s thumb stroked the back of your hand the entire time. You wanted to say something to him, anything, but it didn’t seem like the time. All you could wonder was if you would get there in time to save someone. Finally.

When Mingi killed the engine, the darkness still blanketing everything, you knew it was time.

This was it. This was your chance at redemption, you could feel it in the way that Yeosang clung to your hand as you ran into a battle unknown. You could feel it in the way that Mingi’s shoulders were tense. You could feel it in your own body, because you were solid and unflickering. It was as if your fear was nowhere to be found. Had Yeosang conquered it.

“I can’t see anything,” Yeosang protested, loping beside you easily.

“We’re getting closer,” Mingi growled over his shoulder, eyes glancing at the tracker.

A cluster of guns went off and a roar of anger echoed through the dunes. Whoever was in trouble, they sure had pissed off the government. Either that or they were too valuable to lose. You knew that feeling all too well.

The sun was beginning to rise, the darkness of the early morning slowly releasing its hold. Soft blues became a backdrop to a place that had you stopping in your tracks. “It’s…”

How did you give voice to the one place that you did not want to return to? To the place of your torment and anguish. To the place where Yeosang and Mingi and… and San struggled with you through the experiments and the torture as mere children.

You were at the proving graveyard.

There wasn’t any time to process what you were feeling. You could see two figures in the distance running away from a group of what must be the pursuing soldiers. Since when were there more than one person to save? The soldiers were catching up.

“We have to hurry,” Yeosang pulled at you and began to ran again.

“Fuck,” Mingi cursed, hefting Mouse higher up on his shoulder. “We need a plan!”

“There’s no time!” You shouted, keeping up with Yeosang.

You watched without the ability to help as the larger of the two picked up the smaller and leapt farther away. It shouldn’t have surprised you that you were coming to save someone with Adrenaline but it was more than that.

“You two, go after the one that needs help. Mouse and I will go help the other one,” Mingi barked.

Yeosang nodded and started to branch off, splitting up. You watched as the larger person in trouble leapt back into the fray. They must be trying to keep the other safe. Your heart sank. You weren’t going to be that person this time, you refused. You weren’t a coward any longer. You were going to start helping others, not be the one always in need of help.

The fight, despite your quick response, was starting to go in the soldier’s favor. Mingi’s long legs were working their hardest to catch up with the other person who was fighting. Hand to hand combat could only go so far against soldiers who were armed. As much as it seemed like they were getting overwhelmed, it didn’t seem like they were getting harmed. Odd.

You and Yeosang finally manage to catch up with the smaller person, who turned out to be a woman in a labcoat. Is this the person you were saving? No wonder the government wasn't too keen on letting her get away. If she was one of them, she would know too much to let loose into this world.

Before you could introduce yourself, however, there was more commotion. You watched as the man who was fighting lifted one of the cars that was nose first in the sand and chuck it at a knot of soldiers, taking out a quarter of their numbers. Then he leapt at another set of soldiers, fighting continuously, tirelessly.

“San!” The woman shouted at the man fighting for the both of them.

The near-invincibility, the super-strength, the power-leaping… it couldn't be. San was…

The man turned around at the lab coat woman’s shout and it was as clear as the sun finally cresting over the dunes and washing the red-sand with its light. The boy from your childhood, the one with a heart of a lion and the courage to match, was standing bathed in the golden hour. He was alive, San was alive!

You had but a moment to dash away a tear before meeting Yeosang’s eyes. He nodded gruffly, turning his head away. You didn’t have to say anything. It was obvious that this time you were going to help San, and save him. There was no other alternative.

“Don’t move, we’ll go help San and come back for you!” Yeosang assured the woman before taking off towards the fight.

You followed behind him, arms pumping and legs lifting with all your might. All this running was burning your lungs but you refused to stop.

Mingi had joined the fight already, having put down Mouse, and taking out a few soldiers already. However, when the woman shouted your dead-friend’s name, he froze. Mingi hadn't moved, mouth open, unable to contain his complete shock. Not even his super power could rouse him as a soldier aimed at the tall man’s body.

“No!”

Mouse, who had been using her powers to confuse a clutch of soldiers, immediately dropped her hands and launched herself at the man who had been keeping her captive. Her shoulder hit him in time to help the bullet avoid his flesh. But she ended up taking the bullet herself, that was evident as red blossomed from her shoulder.

Yeosang and you caught up with the two. Yeosang crouched immediately, pressing a hand to staunch Mouse’s wound. When that wasn’t enough, he ripped a piece of the hem of his shirt, in order to tie it around Mouse’s shoulder. Mingi looked in horror at the cost of his moment, frozen once again in the moment of danger.

“Mingi!” You shouted at your old childhood friend. “Mingi, we can’t do this again.”

For the first time since you had reconnected with Mingi, he showed worry. He started to appear just like the child of the past. “I can’t--”

You brought your hands to his shoulders and shook him. “We can save him. We have another chance. We can save Mouse. And we can save the lady San is trying to help. We won’t fail.”

“Mingi,” Mouse said in a faint voice, clearly filled with pain, but still smiling through it. “I…I'll be fine. After all, I'm good at hiding, right?” Mouse jerked her chin towards San. “Go.”

Yeosang stood and moved in front of both you and Mingi. His eyes were serious but there was a small pull at the corner of his mouth. “Let’s go save San.” He appeared confident that he could succeed with you two. He reached down with both his hands. You clasped one and Mingi the other. Yeosang pulled you both up and the three of you turned back to the tide of battle.

San may be invincible, but it was clear he was tiring. His motions were a little slow, his reaction time a little lax. He needed help. He needed his friends.

“San!” Yeosang couldn't help but shout out.

San whipped around, eyes wide with confusion. “Yeosang? Mingi? Silver?”

“Watch out!” Mingi shouted, his powers letting him know that two soldiers were behind him, looking to take him out with his back turned.

San ducked without another prompt, avoiding one punch, and sweeping out a leg to take out the other soldier. His fighting abilities were at another level. What had he been doing this entire time you three thought he was dead?

Yeosang put his hand on a car and moved it with his telekinesis, making a few yell and scramble to avoid the twisted, empty wreck, distracting them from harming San, but still more seemed to approach the invisible man.

Once again, every one of your friends was helpful, useful, doing something while you were left to watch on. Mouse was bleeding somewhere, hurt as well. No, you weren’t the trembling child that had been hurt time and time again any longer. You were here to prove with Mingi that you weren’t a coward. You were here to make sure that San survived another sunrise. You were here because Yeosang believed in you. You were here because you had found a friend in Mouse, a comrade-in-arms with Magpie. You were here because… you loved yourself. Your powers. Your disabilities. You were you. And you weren’t afraid of that anymore.

You dashed forward, coming to San’s side. Your hand descended on San’s bicep and you both turned invisible. You couldn't see it, but you could hear San’s infectious grin. “You learned to control your power!”

You didn’t have any time to self reflect anymore. Mingi turned, his sense advising him about the soldier that had whipped out one of the feared electric batons of your childhood, going for Yeosang. Mingi’s eyes narrowed, remembering the attack from the proving grounds with Hyuk. He blocked the attack, grabbed the attacking man’s arm and threw him over his hip. When the baton fell to the ground, you snatched it up, letting go of San.

The three of you stared at San. His wise eyes paused on you all and then he nodded. “Let’s do this.”

San launched himself into the battle once again, landing on top of the car that Yeosang had floating in the air like a wrecking ball. His land caused the car to slam to the ground, taking out more soldiers with it. Ming shouted out warnings to you all, doing his best to disarm and disable any soldier that dared take him on. Yeosang touched some fallen soldier's bodies, sending them careening out like ragdolls. You ran and touched your comrades, putting them into the cloak of invisibility when they were in danger, and using the baton to stun soldiers to unconsciousness. The four of you worked fluidly, just as you the facility had been working to break you from. You banded together and you took out the entire battalion that had pursued San.

By the end of it, there was no one to challenge you. San bent over, his hands braced against his thighs, clearly beyond fatigued. Mingi’s eyes searched the desert for Mouse, for she was nowhere to be seen. And Yeosang… he had eyes for only you.

“I knew you could do it!” He shouted in triumph. He jogged to your side, lifting you up and swinging you around.

You smiled down at him as he lowered you down, his face became serious. You knew that look. “No. Wait. This is not the--”

Yeosang silenced you with a kiss. It was a kiss full of his happiness for you. It made your mind spin with its intensity. It’s as if, for a moment, the only thing that existed in the desert was you and your childhood best friend. Your Yeosang.

San whooped and catcalled. “When did that happen?” He shouted.

“The hell if I know,” Mingi replied. “She hasn’t seen him since--”

--since you died.

It was unspoken and yet it held itself aloft in the air, as if it could be dashed in a moment. As if San would fade and the three of you had only imagined this entire fight.

Yeosang broke the kiss with you, but held you close. “We should regroup. You can tell us everything when we get back to Wooyoung’s safehouse.”

Eventually, Mingi’s powers helped him find Mouse. He carefully, tenderly held her to his chest, almost appearing as if was holding glass. San passed out soon after. You also found the lady in the labcoat passed out as well. Somehow, Mingi, Yeosang and you managed to get the others back to Mingi’s vehicle and you made the trek back to Wooyoung’s safehouse.

You were driving, considering if anything went south while the sun was up and you were visible to any patrols, you could make the car invisible with your controlled power. The idea of being able to save everyone once again almost made you giddy with desire to see it happen. Almost.

“Look at them,” Yeosang said softly about the two couples in the back of the vehicle.

You glanced in the cracked rearview mirror, finding San and the lady he saved passed out together, heads knocking gently against each other. You had no idea who this woman was but you knew without a shadow of a doubt that if San was trying to save her, that she was one of the good ones. Mingi snuggled Mouse, completely in his lap, careful of her wounds of course. It was evident that your sunshine friend meant everything to your childhood friend and you couldn't help but want things to work out between them.

“It’s nice to see love win, yeah?” Yeosang prompted you.

“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” Mingi grumbled. “Who said anything about love?”

Yeosang turned around completely in the car. “After everything we witnessed, and you want to deny that love wins? What about our love for San helping us win?”

“That’s different,” Mingi denied.

“You better love her,” You snapped suddenly, weary of this Mingi right now. “The way you’ve been taking care of her… if I were her, I’d fall for you too. Just do right by her, do you hear me, Mingi?”

Mingi looked like he wanted to argue with you, but when he met your eyes in the rearview mirror, he didn’t. “Yeah.”

“Such a lame reply,” You scoffed.

Yeosang watched your interaction and the lightbulb suddenly went off over his head. “You guys made up?”

“Don’t get used to it,” Mingi and you said in unison, causing Yeosang to laugh.

Wooyoung’s face was beyond relieved when you all showed back, battered, but alive. Mingi gave Wooyoung back his radio tracker. Wooyoung supplied you all with some medical supplies and food and water. There was limited space at Wooyoung’s safehouse, so the plan for Mingi to fix up Mouse at Yeosang’s bar was made. A quick conversation between Yeosang and San had San deciding to head back to the bar with the labcoat lady known as Sage and you as well. So it was settled.

Yeosang clapped Wooyoung’s bicep in a weird bro-shake. “We’ll return with some damn good alcohol next time,” The bar owner promised, making Wooyoung grin widely.

You also exchanged some final words to Magpie. “Love won today, for all of us. Maybe it’ll win for you too.”

Once the six of you were back at Yeosang’s bar, quickly closed and everyone shooed out, San began his long story about what actually happened to him that fateful night. How Seonwoo had saved him. San was instead brought up, like the other children that had been caught that night, to become the government’s keen tools. He suffered the future that you and Yeosang and Mingi had escaped. It wasn’t all bad, considering Seonwoo was working for the rebellion and kept him safe.

That’s where Sage came in. The woman seemed wide-eyed in wonder about it all. She certainly didn’t view the group of you Adrenaline-afflicted as the other scientists once did when you lived in the Facility. She was more of a lab rat, as it turned out. She was Seonwoo’s protege. You were sad to learn of his death, all the Facility-tortured children were. She had an unfortunate incident with another soldier and that’s how the two of them were on the run. Luckily, San had the back up S.O.S signal and tracker and the rest was history.

“What will you do now?” You couldn't help but wonder as you all sat in various positions in Yeosang’s bar.

San looked conflicted. His eyes shot towards Sage, who was twisting her hands in her lap and deliberately not looking at San. “I’ve got to get her to safety.”

Sage opened her mouth and then thought better upon it, closing it without speaking.

Yeosang slapped San on the shoulder. “That's why you're here. We’ll get you to the rebellion without another hiccup.”

“But…” Mingi hefted Mouse in his arms, almost as if to distract himself. “This won't be the last time we see you… right?”

San must have recognized old Mingi--the vulnerable child he used to be--and knew exactly how to respond. “Of course!” he said, grinning like he was just going to go to sleep in the bed above Mingi, like the old days.

“San,” You bit down on your lip. How did one apologize for another's misfortune?

“You don't have to say anything,” San replied softly. “Everything happened as it should have.” He glanced at Sage again. “We were exactly where we needed to be when we needed each other.”

After promising that they would see San again, Yeosang guided San and Sage to his underground tunnels to ensure they got to their destination. San had decided that their best course of direction was literally to go underground, to the rebellion. San needed to tell them that his position in the Facility was compromised but he was clearly concerned about Sage as well. Considering that was exactly what Yeosang had done the minute you were in danger, you couldn't begrudge them that, even though it hurt to see San leave once again. You hoped he continued to keep Sage safe, whatever else those two were going to go through.

Eventually, Yeosang gave up his bedroom in the apartment above so that Mingi could finally nurse Mouse back to good health. And then there were two.

Yeosang was still behind the bar, wiping it down like it was just another day, while you still sat in front of him at the bar on a barstool. Except it wasn’t just another day, but far beyond that.

“Yeosang.”

Yeosang sent you a sweet smile your way. “We don’t have to talk about it. We dealt with a lot today.”

You shook your head, your silver hair swaying around your head, brushing against your scars. “No, I think we do.”

Yeosang pressed his lips together. Was he nervous? “I’m really proud of you today. You made up with Mingi and you proved to yourself that you can control your powers, despite your fear. You did good.”

Your chest became warm from his praise but he was dancing around the true subject. “And the kiss?”

“The kiss was in the moment. I--if it made you uncomfortable…” Yeosang sounded choked up about it.

You cocked your head. What happened to the confident Yeosang from the past week? The one that wouldn’t let you hide from him, inside or out. “Yeosang, what are we?”

Yeosang’s shoulders curved in on himself, almost as if he was a big dog trying to make himself seem smaller. “Best friends?” he offered.

You clucked your tongue. Since when had you changed positions? “Try again.”

Yeosang slowly raised his eyes. “Boss and employee?"

You couldn't help but laugh silently at that. “Are you offering me a job?”

“A woman that could turn invisible would be awfully useful for a guy who runs an information market,” Yeosang smiled hesitantly.

“True.”

“...does that mean you’ll accept my job proposal?”

“Well,” You drew out the syllable in thought. “Isn’t it frowned upon for the boss to be in love with his employee?”

Yeosang’s eyes widened. “Yeah, I suppose that’s unprofessional.”

“Then perhaps we should be partners.”

“What did you just say?”

“Yeosang, you have been there for me for literally everything in life. You were even there for me when I needed to walk away from everything. You were there for me when I wanted to end my life. You were there for me when I wanted my life to end when we were children. You were there for me when all others would report me for coins. You were there for me when I finally found myself. Don’t you think you should be there for me now that I know what I want?”

Yeosang’s voice was husky with emotion. “And what is it that you want?”

“A life with the person who means the most to me.”

Even if Shadow had lost Hongjoong, even if the future for Magpie and Wooyoung was still uncertain, even if Sage and San were just starting their journey and even if you had to beat up Mingi to get him to admit his adoration for Mouse, you had to do this for yourself and for everyone else fighting for their love. Because you had fought for yours and you deserved to take those winnings.

Yeosang gave up on the rag he had been using to wipe down the bar and circumvented the space that dared insert itself between you and him. He stopped just short of where you had swiveled around to meet him. “Please tell me that means me because I will float whoever else you’re talking about and they’ll never kiss the ground ever again.”

You smiled broadly, barely holding back a happy laugh. “Of course that means you, you goof!”

Yeosang’s eyes darkened and this time you didn’t feel weird or off or worried or unsure. This time you knew what you wanted. “I don’t think it would be a good idea for our first time to be on the barstool, Yeosang.”

“Maybe the second time then,” Yeosang replied cheekily but nonetheless, effortlessly scooped you up and took you to his office.

“We can talk about our partnership later,” You joked.

Yeosang confidently held you against his body with one hand and swiped all his belongings on his desk off, before depositing you there. “There will be no talk about it,” Yeosang said gruffly, “This is what seals the deal.”

Yeosang held your face and kissed you. Your legs remained around his thick waist, eager to keep him close. This time you kissed him back, sure in your feelings for this man who never doubted his own. You hoped he felt your love for him because there was no denying it now. You loved Yeosang.

“Wait--” You pushed back on Yeosang’s chest.

“If you’re going to tell me that we have to stop, I don’t think I can agree with you,” Yeosang growled.

“No--” You paused to laugh. “Yeosang, I love you.”

His lust lessened because pure wonder and love for you replaced it. “You love me?”

Your hand reached up to thumb across his birthmark. “I think I’ve loved you since that moment we slept together under the covers, telling each other why we were here.”

“Me too,” Yeosang whispered, like admitting that might break the spell between you two.

That’s when you pulled off each other’s clothes. Yeosang had seen you earlier the day you had tripped and spilled the dirty water from the basin over your tank top but this time he could admire more of you. His gaze burned into every inch of your skin. If your skin became heated, it wasn’t from embarrassment but feeling like you were a person who deserved to be lusted after. Yeosang’s body wasn’t anything to skim past either. His body had clearly been sculpted from years of working for the rebellion, for helping others and being on the run himself. He truly was gorgeous, your childhood best friend. No, your love.

“I can’t believe I was away for so long. I was an idiot,” You said as your hands admired Yeosang’s chiseled body.

Yeosang huffed in laughter. “Oh, so now my body is what makes you change your mind.”

You leaned forward, to press a soft kiss to one of his pectoral muscles. “I guess you should have taken your shirt off and came and rescued me from the slums a long time ago,” you joked back.

Yeosang’s arms wrapped around your head, practically smothering you against his chest. “You needed your space.”

“Something you’re clearly not worried about now,” You joked, muffled by your lips against his skin.

When Yeosang released you, you continued to kiss down his body until he couldn't take it anymore. He gripped your head and raised you back, slanting his lips against yours, your naked chest against his. Your nails dug into the muscles on his back and he groaned into your mouth.

“At least wait until I’m inside of you before you do that,” He complained.

You raised an eyebrow at him. “Do you want me to scratch your back while we have sex?”

Yeosang’s eyes practically rolled into the back of his head at your words. “God, yes.”

You bit down on your lip and glanced down at Yeosang’s cock, clearly pressed up against his stomach. “Then maybe we should get you inside of me then.”

Yeosang swallowed loudly, then lined up his cockhead to your wet slit. He pushed in, slowly, eyes watching your face for any sign of discomfort. Instead, you moaned loudly as he fought against your clenching walls. He felt so good. He was so good.

“Yeosang,” You choked on his name.

“You’re doing so well for me, my love,” Yeosang said.

You clenched down on him, from the praise and from the new nickname and Yeosang accidentally shoved the rest of himself deep into you. You both cried out together and then laughed at the moment. Yeosang’s forehead was pressed against yours. “Ready?”

“Yeosang, please!” You begged.

Once Yeosang focused on moving in and out of you, your hands flew back to his back, scratching down with the desperacy of remaining grounded. “Oh, shit.”

Yeosang hummed, husky voice tight with desire. “Does that feel good?”

“So good, Yeosang, oh my god, please.”

“Please what?” Yeosang growled, biting down on his lip.

“More, more, more,” You chanted.

You laid back on the desk, with Yeosang's palms planted behind your hips to keep your body trapped so he could slam into you. The harder he thrusted into you, the louder the sound of skin on skin echoed through the office. You couldn't be ashamed, however, all you could feel was the pleasure of being with the one you loved and who loved you back.

“I--fuck--” Yeosang cursed quietly. “Are you close?”

“Mhmm,” You nodded, “So close.”

Yeosang adjusted his angle and then you were gone. One more pass deep inside of you and you were seeing stars. You screamed his name, nails now clawing across his forearms. The pleasure that you felt right now, was worth all the work you put into yourself.

You opened your eyes as you felt Yeosang’s thrusts become sloppy. He panted above you, nose scrunching as he whispered the only name you had ever known, too young to remember what your parents had ever called you. It was who you were and it was perfect coming from Yeosang’s mouth.

“There.” Yeosang gasped. “Deal sealed. Partners in crime and in life,” Yeosang proclaimed.

You threw an arm over your eyes in exhaustion. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously in love, maybe,” Yeosang shot back.

You scoffed. “Let’s clean up. I want to see if Mouse is up yet.”

“Priorities, huh?” Yeosang raised an eyebrow at you. You swore that you had never seen anything sexier in your entire life.

You pressed a happy kiss to his lips and hummed in agreement. “Confession to my childhood best friend. Then seal-the-deal sex. Then checking up on my sunshine friend. Priorities.”

After disentangling yourself and getting dressed, you opened the door to the bar from the office and jogged to the stairs that led to Yeosang’s quarters. When you saw that Mingi wasn’t out of Yeosang’s bedroom, you moved to the door, knocking gently. Your impatience to see Mouse okay had you pushing through regardless of what was on the other side.

You gasped as you took in Mingi braced over Mouse. You let out a sigh of relief. At least she was conscious. Still, what the hell was Mingi thinking???

“Can you not attack her the moment she wakes up, Mingi?” You hissed.

Some movement occurred and Mouse’s face peeped past Mingi’s bicep. “Hi! It is totally okay. I am totally okay right here. Mhmm pro-promise.” Mingi moved in closer to Mouse, causing her breath to hitch. Ew.

You rolled your eyes. You guessed this would be your life now? “Well, I thought you might want a drink with me. To help with the pain. Down at the bar. But if you--”

“No no we’re coming!” Mouse covered Mingi’s mouth before his typical garbage could spew from his lips, smiling adorably. “I-if it’s okay if Mingi--”

“Course it is. We made up, baby, don’t worry.” Mingi spoke past Mouse’s hand as if it was nothing. “Let’s go have a few drinks with our friends, yeah?”

“Guess who I found up and smiling?” You said as you descended the steps back into the Floating Silver.

Yeosang grinned broadly. “You’re awake. Thank God.”

“Or, you could thank Mingi,” Mingi grumbled, scratching the back of his head. “Can I have my regular, Yeo?” He said, somehow managing to keep Mouse on his lap as he sat sideways on a cracked bench in a booth.

“What’s that called, a Grumpy Giant?” You shot at Mingi as you moved behind the bar to help Yeosang with the drinks.

“Ha ha ha,” Mingi said sarcastically.

Yeosang looked thoughtful. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea, Silver. I was trying to think of a name for his monstrosity."

“What’s that?” Mouse piped up.

“Ginger beer, a shot of ginseng, dark rum and a slice of lab-grown lemon,” Yeosang supplied.

You covered your mouth, giggling. “No, seriously, that sounds exactly what a Grumpy Giant would be!”

Mingi frowned, bemoaning his self-made fate. He looked down at Mouse, who couldn't help but laugh as well. “No, seriously, guys! That’s not funny. Yeosang, don’t make that a thing.”

Yeosang shook his head. “I’m adding it to the menu the next minute I have.”

Mingi covered his face in lament and you all bursted into belly laughter.

Yeosang made a bright, lemon and bubbly drink for Mouse, which matches her perfectly. A tequila and lime juice over ice is for Yeosang. And for you, he creates something with liquid smoke that he said he stole from a transport for the inner city. The four of you cheered at the booth and drank, celebrating a job well done, and frankly, a new, budding friendship that would work for the rest of your years.

Because even if the government was after you all, and even if your Adrenaline put you in danger, you all had each other and that’s all that truly mattered, in the end.

Author's note (PLEASE READ): so I have been working on this for months and it's been a slow process because it was a collab. a crossover collab. There was a lot of back and forth to make sure things aligned nicely and we all liked the ideas and world we built. Some of the 8 of us kept our stories pretty solo and some, like me, wanted to include others. So keep in mind that every other member and oddly named character is one of the other writer's! It's their reader and the member they curated for this piece. This also means you can see THIS Mingi in the other fics. There are going to be scenes told from multi POV's and there are also going to be some inconsistencies we did our best to smooth out. Each story can still be read as a standalone but please feel free to read the others. In fact, to better understand the Mingi here, I highly recommend reading the others! This entire 22k is from reader's pov. There are aspects I wrote about Mingi that didn't get showcased. I enjoyed writing this so much. The slow burn, the world, the crossover's. I know it's a chunky fic for tumblr. I know it's not the usual cup of tea (the spice isnt until way later and pretty brief) I really hope you all enjoy this and pls please PLEASE give feedback and check out the other's for a better, more amazing picture!

Last but not least: Dividers by me, Banner was made by @yourfatherlucifer , beta reader was my lovely @bunnliix and biggest shout out to @sanjoongie for making this one of my favorite pieces to work on! if you see any mistakes pls ignore. I suck at editing and this was a big piece im so tired bruh will link the Adrenaline Anthology masterlist as soon as it's available!

Fear is a powerful motivator.

Like gasoline in your blood, pumping through your veins with each ragged breath, ready to explode at any second. Every step further and further. Every paranoid glance around.

Blood pumping so viciously it felt like a physical drumming on your skull and chest as you darted down another alley in search for freedom.

But freedom isn’t for you. There was a time when you might have thought so, that you were free to an extent. Yet it had been shattered and spewn across the dusty sands along with the blood and chunks of human flesh that had been your parents.

Nights like this was just another reminder of how much freedom you lacked. How it came at such a high price, instilling the fuel of fear into your blood like a drug.

Most raids you had lived through were stealthy, though you can count on both hands the amount of raids you had lived through in your twenty something years of life. Or was it thirty now? You would be lying if you said you knew what year it was, let alone just how old you had been when you had lost both parents and freedom alike.

Needless to say, not all raids were stealthy and quiet and easy to avoid. Those ones ended as soon as they found whoever they wanted, and it was never you. But these ones? Where gunfire and explosions and screams could be heard around the rubble turned town? They had no specific target. These were the raids you were sure were attacked just because of the sheer amount of people living there. Or lack thereof. Like they just had a hunch the population held what they wanted.

You didn’t want answers, if only because you thought it would steal any remaining freedom you might still have. To keep yourself from being tethered to whatever these strange men were looking for- that they thought you had.

A nearby yell told you that your current hiding spot in this alley was not safe, so quickly you scrambled up and rushed across the cool sand to the other end of the alley, hissing when you tripped over buried debris that wasn’t deep enough in the sand to avoid.

Somehow you managed to roll out of sight and into the shadows of the stone and metal half destroyed construct, realizing too late that beyond the large slabs of broken wall and concrete there was no escape from this alley. Not without climbing too high on wavering debris where you would surely be seen in the moonlight up there, no guarantee the other side was safe. For all you knew it could be a chasm in the earth, small ones littered all over the wasteland from the occasional earthquakes over the years, sometimes too subtle to notice until the ground was sinking beneath you.

No, it would be best to turn around and- shit.

You had a split second to sink yourself further into the shadows of the debris, glancing over your shoulder at the mountainous rubble to see if perhaps a hiding place would work. Your one saving grace was that the masked men now standing a few yards from you had their attention elsewhere.

Well at least they didn’t see me when I crossed the path, you bemused in your head, pulling your hood up and over your face more to try and hide in the shadows. It was both a blessing and a curse that the moon was full and free tonight, guiding your way but making it hard to hide.

Maybe you should have stayed where you had been sleeping since the men hadn’t scoured the buildings as you had thought. No, you just had to run, fear of being caught and dragged to who knows where causing you to flee.

Why is it that when the intense urge to flee over takes your body you always seem to make the wrong decision?? 

Holding your breath to try and still your rapid heartbeat- that you were sure the men would be able to hear if they tried- you could only watch wide-eyed as they charged.

Not at you, but another group from the other end. They had taken off after a deep… bark? And from your spot attempting to become one with two pieces of wall and shadow, a fight ensued.

At first you only saw the masked men in all black, and a second group of men. Shirtless, heads and faces covered with masks, bandana’s, and hats. What weapons there were found new homes in the sand beneath their feet, turning the fight into an all out brawl. It was clear the shirtless men weren’t trying to kill like the masked men were.

When one was tossed face first into the sand at the entrance of your alley your blood burned with the need to run again. They were so close. They just had to look up and-

Shaking from the fear and need to flee, you risked a glance over your shoulder again to look for a better hiding space. The man was dragged off without noticing you and you were quick to climb a bit deeper into the mountain of debris, small enough you could fit almost completely behind another section of wall. 

Terrified of being discovered, you situated yourself so the top half of your head was peaking over the wall, gripping the stone with trembling fingers. 

Fate was cruel to have this battle right where you could see. Why couldn’t they just move on already?

Another deep bark, this time closer, drew your attention to the left. A new figure stepped into the scene, moonlight illuminating his back and casting his front in shadow. Pale blue hair was slicked back wildly down over his nape and into a black military type jacket with worn golden accents fluttered as he moved with surprising ease between the men fighting.

He was tall, dark, and fierce. And you had no idea which side he was on.

Something told you that it didn’t matter, he was dangerous.

He moved like the eye of a sandstorm, the chaos continuing around him but left him untouchable. As if he was above it all, or the others around him were so beneath him they were just that unworthy of a glance.

The fact he stared ahead as he effortlessly pushed the men out of the way, every step like an effortless dodge or defense, the feeling running through your veins was even more painful than before.

Like alarm bells going off in your skull, positive if you so much as breathed he would be on you like a hell hound tearing into his next meal.

The apprehension in the pit of your stomach only grew when a few men charged at him from behind and he effortlessly turned as if he sensed it. They stumbled, your heart skipped a terrified beat, both in response to the fierce and cocky expression now illuminated by the moonlight.

The shirtless men around tried to back pedal as if they knew what was coming. The others charging the stranger finding out first hand what that was.

As if he knew just how to kick the man closest to him for maximum damage, you watched in cold awe as the man flew back right into his comrades, all of them falling like a domino effect. One or two of the shirtless men got pushed down in the way, but they were all quick to disarm and restrain the men in black.

The blue-haired man watched with something akin to cold nonchalance and you were certain he had known that was going to happen.

Just like that the fight was over. This stranger swooping in and ending it with such natural ease it was something to admire.

You would hate to be on his bad side.

No sooner had you thought that, exhaling the breath you had definitely held too long, that the air seemed to shift. It was easy to miss if you weren’t still so high strung and on high alert.

Like a wolf that had smelled its prey, the man’s head snapped in your direction. Dark eyes locked onto yours, his sharp jaw clenching hard enough you could see it from where you were hidden. High cheekbones, hard angles around his eyes and the sharp and straight nose; everything about him was hard edges and fierce danger. You swore his eyes reflected the moonlight, or like they glowed from within.

Before you could even process if you were seeing things, he was already marching directly your way. As if your body finally registered that you were in danger and needed to move, you quickly started scrambling up the debris behind you even if it would result in a dead end. He was bigger than you, maybe he wouldn’t follow-

With a cry you were pulled back so suddenly and thrown through the air behind you. Vaguely you registered that he had yanked you by the back of your jacket but before you could think of a reaction, that same fabric was hitting the packed sand. 

Unlucky for you the same debris beneath the sand you trip over earlier found your head with a harsh thunk. It left you further disorientated and unable to do anything as you were suddenly pinned down, arms at your sides and legs pressed tightly together between two knees.

You could only stare up at the twisted and fierce features above you, even more sharp angles from the shadows of the moonlight. The skin around his eyes a deeper shade like makeup or some discoloration of his skin, making the fierce narrow blue gray of his eyes feel as if a dragon was staring you down.

The snarl on his wide lips only intensified that feeling.

“Who are you?” The deep timbre felt like a piercing knife.

And under all this, with your head throbbing from the pain of injury, your lungs felt like closing in. This was how you die. By a beautiful warrior ready to kill you for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Your lips moved soundlessly, attempting to get something out. A name, a purpose, but none came to mind.

None but the soft plea of “please don’t kill me”.

Pain shot out from your skull down your neck as the man above you slammed you back on the ground, your head once again hitting the buried object, the sand making the impact blunt enough to do more than bruise and jar your brain. Suffocating on your own fear at the impact, you barely noticed his eyes taking on a glow as if from within.

“I will if you don’t give me a straight fucking answer! Do you work for them?! Are you spying on us?!” Spit hit your cheek as he screamed mere inches from you, jostling you further.

“No! I was just passing through. T-the fighting woke me up and I just ran! I swear-” You gasped.

The man above you didn’t seem pleased, snarling back his lip as he yelled “lies!”

It was by some luck one of the shirtless men was nearby and tried to vouch for you. “I saw her earlier at the market.”

“Oh yeah?” The stranger’s head snapped up to turn his fierce glare on his companion. “Was she wearing the mark of that blasted place then?!” He grabbed at your jacket, paused to glance down and then started patting the dark fabric. Each pat had his brow furrowing more and more in confusion. “Why the fuck can I not touch it? What’s your fucking ability, rat?” The bystander tried to see what his companion saw, only to tremble and step back. He let out a panicked yell and then ran.

Your fear felt ten times more weighted on your chest now, eyes burning as if they were full of gasoline. You were just as confused as they were. “Please- let me go-” Your voice trembled, trying to reel in your fear, knowing that when your emotions were high it was hard to understand what was going on. Hell, half the time you didn’t understand even when you were once again level headed. It didn’t even phase you any more when someone just ran when you were scared. Were you a scary sight as a tiny trembling woman?

Because what did he mean mark that he can’t touch? What ability? You were nobody with nothing important, could he not see that?

Just someone at the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Please…” You tried again, noting his paler complexion now.

He seemed to be at war with himself over your plea, his expression softening for a moment, just the barest, before hardening back into a scowl.

“Like hell I’m letting a rat run back to it’s master’s.” A deep snarl before he was yanking you up onto your feet.

With a yelp you could only go along with him, his large hands enveloping your smaller wrists, making you feel as tiny as a rat. But you weren’t a rat, or a mouse or an animal. The sudden pull to your feet had your head spinning, your fear so suffocating that you realized you hadn’t been breathing right.

Not that the other cared as you swayed on your feet, instead wrapping an arm around your waist and yoinking you up and over his shoulder. The motion was so sudden and jarring that your vision was spotted for a moment. “Take care of the other rats.” He barked out, moving in the direction that he had originally come from.

Resigned to your fate you shut your eyes, hands grabbing the back of the jacket just to steady yourself. He moved fast, long legs gliding over the sands beneath his feet as if no grain dared to mess up his gait.

There were murmurs as he passed the others, fear and other such tones heard even if the words weren’t as clear. 

“- not scared?” “So much bl-”

“-not what I see.”

“Creepy.”

They were afraid of you for some reason. How did you appear to them? When you looked in the mirror you thought you were the least threatening person out there. Right?

It hurt to think about and your head was pounding. The tears wanted to fall and the fear burned in your veins.

Years you had run, avoiding capture though you never understood why anyone would want to capture you. Now that you were caught, you were just so tired.

Your only hope was that the man who held you on his shoulder like a sack of junk wouldn’t kill you. The ones he had fought had no problem killing people after all.

They killed your parents.

So maybe, just maybe, you would be fine.

That spark of hope loosened the knot in your throat to finally let you breath enough to relax. Just enough to let that insistent throb in your head take over and consciousness to leave you.

When you woke, it was due to getting thrown from your seat. If you could call it a seat. 

Your head hit the rough metal roof, limbs tangling themselves as you found yourself in a cramped space, half on a worn seat. A loud rumble vibrated the seat and space, which you quickly realized was a vehicle. 

Another jolt had you realizing that it was moving and you were in the backseat. Your hands had done a good job of keeping your head from bashing into the roof again, gaze taking in your surroundings a bit better.

The windows were all missing save for the front one, and even that was cracked to bits and barely holding on. Sand flew in from all the windows and you had to quickly pull your own goggles down to save your eyes, the man in front of you wearing shades himself and some black military hat with worn gears sown into it. The jacket was now removed and the white tee shirt he wore was covered in sweat and sand from the hot sun. One long muscled arm was on the makeshift steering wheel, the other moving the gearshift with ease.

The “jolts” were the vehicle going over the sand dunes, the half buried settlement no longer in sight behind you but you could make out some sort of old broken road for miles just over the last couple dunes behind the vehicle. So the two of you had been going for awhile? Truthfully you hoped he had rested before taking you away.

Where was away anyways? “Um… where are we going?” He shot a glance over his shoulder and smirked. Suddenly your stomach was swooping from more than just the jostling of the car. “So it finally wakes up."

Okay, ouch. You weren’t an it. “Hard to sleep when you get pelted into a metal roof.”

“Oh I imagine.” Did he just pick up speed?

Holding onto the door as tightly as you can after the vehicle flew over another dune, you felt sick to your stomach. Maybe you were wrong and he really was going to kill you.

He didn’t say anything after that, and you were too sick and disorientated to attempt speaking again. Instead you held on, whining in pain any time your still throbbing skull hit the roof or your butt hit the uncomfortable worn leather seat beneath you. You swore you could feel the springs of it poking your ass every time it came down.

The sun was high in the sky but had already started its descent by the time the desert dunes gave way to the road again, and then shortly after a settlement came into view. Vaguely you remembered it, you had been to so many over the years after all. Another small one but it was more well built than the one you had just been at. In the distance you could see a larger settlement. Maybe one of the city ones. 

Maybe you were being dramatic when the vehicle stopped just outside the small settlement and you opened the door with the intention of hugging the ground. “Sweet land~”

The man who had taken you was a lunatic. Who drives like a mad man? Like he would drive right off a cliff if one was in his way?!

You didn’t even mind the bit of sand that got in your mouth, spitting it out and wiping off the grains with the back of your hand. 

Like the madman he was proving to be, he just picked you up as if you weighed nothing and tossed you back on his shoulder. With a whine you accepted your fate.

Maybe that made you a coward or a quitter to not fight back, but you weren’t a fighter and he certainly was. Running was your usual go to and that was out of the question, so you would just have to go along and hope everything makes sense eventually. Most of all, you hoped that you weren’t in any danger.

Unsure when the man was going to let you down - or if he would let you speak- your eyes darted around. There were a few merchant stalls in what looked like the town square. The couple dozen buildings boarded up and protected with the wall wrapped around the settlement made of debris of metal, cement, and anything large. There was even a large old neon sign that said “Drive-In” as part of it.

No different than most small settlements. A lot of them were areas that weren’t completely destroyed, usually off main roads that were still intact even after a century or so. And never too far from larger settlements like the city just on the horizon. Small settlements were with people that didn’t want to deal with the self appointed government or the rebellion, or any powerful movements.

At least that’s what you gathered. Most people didn’t pay attention to the forces building around them, just trying to survive in the wasteland that was the world.

What was a bit strange though, was that small settlements weren’t the nicest to strangers. Not with fear of bandits or the raids. And yet it was not lost on you how a few of the merchants called out to the man carrying you. “Welcome back! I have new supplies if you’re interested.” One of the traders said as the two of you passed, just for his eyes to land on you and widen considerably. 

All you could offer was a shy wave and smile, jostled with every step of the body holding you up. Honestly you were starting to get light-headed from all the blood running to your head.

Before you could mention it, suddenly the two of you were inside and you were set down at a booth, ass nearly missing a loose spring. That would have hurt like a bitch.

“Stay right here.” His deep voice rumbled with a warning glare before he was turning towards someone at a makeshift bar.

He crossed the distance with considerable ease, said something to the older woman behind the counter, and then set a few bits of payment down before immediately making his way back to you.

In all that short time you definitely let your eyes wander. With the daylight it was easier to make out his features; just as fierce as you expected but the plump lips were definitely a showstopper. Wide shoulders accentuated by the white tee that had a light dusting of sand on the fabric, and a gaudy golden sash around his small waist, hanging down to his knees. It wasn’t the only thing on his waist, two belts at different angles holding a water skin and dagger, all hanging over dark pants that showed just how long his legs were.

It was entirely unfair that he looked like a damn wet dream and nightmare at the same time.

He paused on the other side of the small rickety table that had some stained cloth as a poor tablecloth. One eyebrow lifted as he stared you down and you were positive he looked almost amused. The expression was gone after a mere second and he easily slid into the booth next to you, throwing his arm over the back as a silent threat.

That left you stuck between the towering gorgeous captor and the rusty, painful looking spring. It made the top ten of uncomfortable but not horrible positions you have been in.

It was worse that he didn’t say anything. You had no idea why you were here, where here was, or his intentions. Meaning you had to pull your big girl panties on and ask “Um… Sir?”

“Shut up.” He hissed, not even looking in your direction.

Instantly you stiffened, hands on your knees as you worried your bottom lip in between your teeth.

“But I would like to know what is going on? I won’t run off or anything just- eek!” You jumped when he slammed the side of his fist on the table, fear shooting through down your spine to make it ramrod straight.

“Didn’t I say to shut up?!” He growled- growled- like a damn dog as he narrowed his eyes on your much smaller figure. Another squeal left you as his hands grabbed at your jacket again, positive he probably could smell your fear at this point. “This wasn’t there a minute ago. What the fuck are you doing? Stop it!” Sounds escaped your too tight throat as you tried to explain you weren’t doing anything, just scared. You didn’t know what he was seeing. His words made no sense. No sound you made seemed to appease him, the leather clad fingers of his now wrapped around your throat as if it could make your pathetic sounds make sense.

At a loss on what to do your eyes darted around the room for help. Anyone. Surely someone would be willing to- ah the bar lady! She was watching across the room, eyes wide but clearly confused by the two of you. She caught your gaze, and all you could do was try and plead with your eyes.

Desperate for her help.

Her expression shifted in an instant, her footsteps like thunder mixing with the rush of blood in your ears. And then- “Mingi! What are you doing to that poor girl?! She’s clearly frightened!” “She works for them! See? The logo right here, that’s from the lab!” The man hissed out, tightening his grip on your throat. The pain burned as much as the tears building up behind your lashes. Keeping your gaze on the woman and pleading was all you could do, mouthing help as if she really could.

She did. A gun was pulled on him, holding it up while the woman looked absolutely furious. “You’ve finally lost your fucking marbles, Min. There ain’t no logo  there. I just see a scared, injured little woman who is terrified of you and blue in the face. Now get. The fuck. Off her!” She cocked the revolver, surprisingly in good condition, and that finally gave him pause.

Your gaze met his- Mingi’s- and you pushed down your fear as much as you could to show your sincerity that you were not a threat. This close you could see the shift of emotion in his blue-gray eyes; the anger and fear to confusion. They searched yours for any sign of… well you didn’t know what but judging from the way his fingers loosened and the shame the momentarily colored his face, you didn't think he found it.

Gasping for breath when the hand was finally off your throat, your own fingers gingerly touched the now bruised skin. Mingi seemed to adjust himself a bit further from you and turn his attention to the woman. The woman who had just saved your life, earning a raspy “thank you” from your throat. You hadn’t realized he had been choking you that hard, too caught up in your own fear and desperation.

Assured there was no more immediate danger the woman put her gun away and offered you a small smile. “‘Course sweet thang. I don’t know why this brute tried to wring your pretty neck after he just paid for a meal for ya both but I’m sure he is gonna tell you as I go get your food. If he tries it again, he won’t be living this little hole without a hole in his head. Understood?” She aimed the last word at the ‘brute’ next to you.

“Yes.” He grumbled, almost dejectedly.

Satisfied that he listened, the woman turned on her heel and headed back to a door behind the bar. There was no one else in the place at the moment so you were sure there was nothing stopping him from finishing the job he just failed at, but several moments passed without any threat. 

You were starting to think he wasn’t going to explain like the bar woman had told him to, resigned to it even when he did speak. It caught you off guard enough you jumped again, earning a look from him you couldn’t decipher.

“I swear you work for them. The fuckers who do the raids. Kidnap people. I wouldn’t be surprised if they used someone with adrenaline as a spy out here, like a dirty fucking rat. If it’s useful enough.”

Okay that answered literally zero of your questions and just gave you more.

Adrenaline?

He thought you were a spy? To help the people that murdered your parents?

A soft chuff-like laugh escaped you, making you wince from the pain in your throat. “She’s right. You really lost your marbles.”

He didn’t seem to like that judging by the flash of fury over his features. Immediately you shut up. Whether he was insane or not, he was powerful and capable of ending your life whenever he wanted. You might be safe for the moment but once you left this settlement with him -which you were sure was going to happen- he had nothing stopping him.

Attempting to appear sheepish from your outburst you turned your attention back to your hands and the worn and holey gloves that covered them. “I don’t get what you mean, like at all, but if it clears my name or whatever, I’ll go wherever you need me to go to prove my innocence. I also don’t like the suggestion I work with those mask men. They- they have been nothing but a source of pain for me and I would rather not be associated with them.” Hesitantly you spared him a glance. “So- I’ll do whatever you ask of me until you believe me when I say I’m nothing you claim I am.”

Another undecipherable expression, shifting over and over again, like circling through the same thoughts. Until finally- “I am taking you to a contact of mine. I trust that he can properly determine if you belong with them or not.”

“And if he proves I am innocent?” something told you that it wouldn't be enough to be set free.

The gaze he fixed you with all but confirmed it. “Then we figure out what the fuck you are doing to throw my sense off. It's never wrong.”

“Your… sense?” Would anything he says not confuse you for once?

He was saved by the woman returning with two metal plates of food. Some kind of meat, potatoes, even some bread. Your mouth watered at the sight even if it looked dry, there was water set down as well.

Mingi didn't bring it up again and you were too distracted by the food to do so yourself. However, for the first time, you didn't like that it was left unanswered.

For the first time you did question your reality. Not to know why the raids were done. Or what made you similar to the ones they were after.

You wanted answers just so you knew why your captor thought so low of you. You wanted to know what he saw, and why he did. And most of all, you wanted to know if he would ever look at you as something else than an enemy.

Being carried like a sack of junk was a running theme at this point, but he didn't seem to mind that you held yourself up to stare at more than his ass- if he hadn't tried to strangle you, you would admit it was a very nice ass.

After the meal, which he had been scolded for the duration of by the bar woman- who had introduced herself as Mox-, Mingi had carried you back out. He stopped at the trader who had called out earlier, looking at his wares and making a purchase you couldn’t see since you were once more just trying to make sure your face didn’t collide with the other’s rear end.

He was definitely less scary like this, being face to bum.

You were getting lightheaded again by the time you were unceremoniously dropped into the passenger seat of his vehicle, wincing as your butt met more than the seat. He just pulled you forward to take the item- some communicating device by the looks of it- and then set you back in the seat. 

The drive to the city(because of course that’s where he’s going) was silent and only a little less scary than the ride to the settlement. It was spent mostly keeping the sand out of your face and not swerving out the window when he made a sharp turn to avoid a hole in the road. Reckless and dangerous.

It would be a scary fact if you didn’t think it came from some sort of confidence he had. Which, sad to admit to yourself, was attractive.

He didn’t take the vehicle into the city though, stashing it by some rubble just outside after he had roughly deposited you on some rock to wait. Then it was back over his shoulder as he headed right in.

You lost track of time as you glanced around as best you could, constantly having to adjust your hood that got in the way. The city was busy, and much nicer than surrounding settlements.

That was until you had presumably gotten to the slums. 

While there was technology throughout most of the city, from speakers to some cameras and working lights and appliances, it was much less lit up and much more run down. There had been a lot of construction in what you thought was the city center.

Here it did look like most other settlements just with the addition of power. Probably working water. Would you be able to bathe or shower? Now that sounded like a grand time.

The deeper into the slums you went, the more you noticed everyone looked at you two in the same two different ways. Either with suspicion or wary; or a nod of acknowledgement. Well, they looked at Mingi that way. Everyone just gave you a look of suspicion. Or dare you say disgust.

It was starting to get really uncomfortable being on his shoulder like this, especially after another near miss with a cart passing by. “Hey Mingi?”

“What?” Well at least he didn’t tell you to shut up this time.

“You said we are meeting a contact of yours right? Are we almost there? I’d like to be able to use my own feet again.” There was only some hope that he would find your joke humorous, but it was met with the same brick wall that was your captor.

He didn’t reply or react until a bit later. “Here.” He pushed through some doors, down a hall, and then into another door. Music is what you heard first, low enough you couldn’t make out where it was coming from, but it was nice none-the-less. Pushing yourself up you took in where you were and-

It was a bar. He brought you to a bar.

Odd place for a contact to prove you weren’t some secret spy but he was an odd guy so nothing off the point yet. The strangest thing is the place looked trashed, like a storm had come through or a- no, no way it was a raid, right?

Getting used to this by now your bum didn’t hurt that bad when he set you down on a stool at the bar. “Stay here.” He grumbled but not like you had any plans to move. This seat was actually the comfiest one you’ve sat on all day.

Without waiting for a sign you were going to follow his order he was off, heading down the bar and towards a door that was half behind it. Just as someone stepped out. “Watch where you're--Silver?!”

The woman who had collided with his chest looked up and her face fell. “Mingi?”

He did not seem to like the other and for a moment your heart went out to them. You knew first hand what it was like to be on the receiving end of his ire and it was a scary thing.

Before the woman could say anything, you noticed someone else next to them. They seemed happy to see your captor even. “Hey, Mingi, what can I do for you?” The gorgeous man greets Mingi with a half hug. Of course he’s friendly with gorgeous people- no, you didn’t let that thought spiral either.

“I’ve got this rat that I need you to look into,” He jabbed a thumb in your direction and you tried not to flinch at the action.

“Rat?” His eyes followed the direction Mingi pointed before landing on you. “Her?”

“I found her when I was trying to break up a--” Mingi’s eyes shoot towards the silver haired woman, which on closer inspection you recognized. How could you ever forget the one woman you spent a whole raid with hiding out. That sort of camaraderie was not easily forgotten, even as a wanderer yourself. Mingi did not seem to share the sentiment considering the glare he shot her way, “Can we talk somewhere else?”

The too-gorgeous man tilted his head in answer. “Certainly. Silver, my office is--”

“Without her?” Mingi cut him off rather rudely in your opinion. You shot the woman, Silver, a smile of understanding. Did this Mingi dislike anyone who’s been a victim of a raid before or something?

The other shook his head. “No can do, Mingi. If you haven’t noticed, the bar just got raided. I’ve got to keep Silver close by.” Ah so you were right. A raid. That was- your anxiety spiked a bit, head falling to hide your expression. Maybe you should ask why they-

Mingi scoffed. “She’s probably the reason you had the raid. Not exactly conspicuous, an invisible girl.”

His animosity was clear and you could hear how it made Silver guarded from her tone “That’s literally the definition of inconspicuous, Mingi.”

“Hey.” You lifted your head at the deep warning word to see the man put a hand on Mingi’s chest as if to hold him back. “She’s with me, whether you like it or not. But we should go back to my office.”

Realizing that they were leaving you glanced up, meeting eyes with Silver first and offering a wave and a shy smile as if that could encourage her. Just for Mingi to snap at you. Really you didn't mean to flinch but he sounded so pissed off.

“Don’t fucking move, I’ll be right back.” He barked out before following the two out of sight.

You stayed right where you were, playing with the bar and taking it all in. There was a pool table in good condition, and even under the debris it looked like a nice bar. Maybe when all this is over you could get a drink? Right here in this bar? Maybe talk with Silver? 

What if…?

Maybe you did want to move now, suddenly restless with thoughts and feelings you realized you never let yourself have. What if you had friends? What if you had someone to laugh and cry with? Make memories with? Someone you could come to a bar like this and just enjoy being alive?

Why couldn’t you do that? Just enjoy being alive? For once?

The memory of your parents dying for you flashed in your head as a reminder. Because that’s what happens when you don’t worry about dying. 

The sound of raised voices- Mingi’s voice- drew your attention. You looked up to hear a door slam and then Mingi was in sight marching in your direction with a fierce expression, much like when he had when fighting those men. “Everything alright?”

He paused just before you, chest heaving and glare sharp enough to feel like daggers piercing your skull. Despite that, the fear you expected didn’t rise. Not until he snapped his hand out and grabbed your shirt, yanking you close enough his breath fanned your face. “I will kill you if you really aren’t innocent. Understand?”

A spike of fear shot down your spine because you believed him. You believed him and that he would kill you even if you are proven innocent, just doesn’t meet his standards.

“Y-You have to actually give me a chance first you know?” You choked out, hands coming to rest on his in an attempt to pull him off or appease him- really you didn’t know which.

“Why should I?! You have that logo! I don’t trust what Silver said about knowing you- maybe you bugged her?”

There was a crazy look in his eyes, like he wasn’t seeing you, or even the present. 

“Mingi-” He jostled you, dropping you back down on the stool for a moment and looking away. You recognized that same battle on his features from before and it occurred to you that his blatant hatred for you wasn’t for you at all, but something you reminded him of.

Once more your parents faces flash in your mind, knowing damn well what it feels like when the past haunts you. “I want to prove my innocence, not manipulate you or anything. I- I want to know why you dislike me so much or are so convinced I am out to get you. I don’t know why those raids happen, just that those men are bad and they hurt others. They killed my parents for getting in the way once. A long time ago. And I’ve just been trying to get by since. I swear I have nothing to do with them if you think I am with them. And if you just… just give me a chance. And let your friend prove it I-” You swallowed hard, not sure what you could offer outside of your life.

Nothing else needed to be said though, he no longer looked ready to rip your head off. Your desperation to be heard must have reached him. “Fine. I will… consider you innocent until Yeosang tells me otherwise. Until then we are laying low.” He grabbed your arm then and pulled you off the stool.

Even if his grip hurt a little, he was letting you walk with him, right out the door. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a step in the right direction.

Hopefully it didn’t take too long for his friend- Yeosang he said- to tell him that you were innocent. But maybe long enough for you to figure out just what it is about you that makes your captor so quick to anger. 

What in his past was he running away from too?

He was quiet on the trek back out of the city, only making one stop at a street vendor grabbing food. Rice balls and some meat on skewers that you couldn't name for the life of you. It was a lesson long ago not to try and guess what you were eating as long as it was edible and didn't taste like dung. He didn't say anything as he gave you a small portion, pulling you along once more but now out of the city.

Back in his vehicle, more silence. It was almost unnerving by now, though you should take it as a good sign since he wasn't sneering in your direction or making accusations. You weren't about to look a gift horse in the mouth, eating the food given to you as quickly as the other.

It took the water bottle handed to you for you to realize just how parched you were. The heat was no joke in the wasteland, water scarce outside of cities and settlements that have made due. It was an effort not to down the bottle, and to ignore the unreadable expression on Mingi's face.

You weren't sure what to make of him when he wasn't glaring or cautious of you, and that expression was neither. Best to ignore it, hold some small hope in the back of your mind it was a good sign.

It was silence once more when he started driving, this time in the opposite direction the two of you had come from. You didn't bother asking where he was taking you now, only hoping that it wouldn't end with your head rolling.

He didn't bother offering an answer either, just drove.

And drove.

And drove.

Not nearly as maniac as before but you were starting to miss the back seat as you were jostled left and right in the small space, too afraid to jostle towards the other and receive backlash that would shatter this fragile truce the two of you seemed to have.

So by the time the sun was setting on the horizon and a small settlement much like the one this morning pulled into view, you had hopes of meeting the ground again.

And much like the morning, you did face plant into the rough sand as he pulled to a stop, adding some dramatics under your breath. "I will never take solid ground for granted again."

"Can you shut up?" Mingi barked from the other side, getting out and making his way around the car in quick strides thanks to his long legs. "Get up, we're staying here for the night."

Ah so not a permanent stop? Though the locals seemed to be friendly with Mingi here too, a guard of sorts waving in his direction and a young teenager running up and babbling something to him about gas and a room.

They paid you no mind, not even when Mingi yanked you up by your bicep, apparently too impatient to wait for you to stand up yourself. Rude, but your mouth stayed shut.

You couldn't forget your life was in his hands. Maybe you could fight back. Take the weapon he had in his holster and use it against him, but you had the feeling that just the thought alone of doing so would have your head bashed into the ground. Instinct said Mingi was not a man to try and fight. You had no chance of winning.

Not like you were a fighter either. You were, as ironic as it was, a mouse. You hide and run and make yourself as small as possible to avoid conflict and pain. How fitting he would call you a rat, even if you didn't like it.

You were pulled into a rundown shop front, dragged along as he caught what looked like a key tossed in his direction before you were pulled down a narrow hall, last door on the right. The rotting wood beneath your feet creaked with every step until you were both stepping into a small room.

Small room, one bed, no window, and just a rickety wooden chair next to the smallest table you had ever seen. It was more an armrest for the chair than a table.

"Sleep. We leave first thing in the morning." He nudged you towards the bed and shut the door. He had to squeeze past you to the chair, groaning as he sat down and dropped a small bag on the floor next to his leg. You hadn't even noticed that he had brought a bag.

But you noticed the gun he set on the narrow table, finger on the trigger as he jutted his chin to the bed.

You scrambled over to it and climbed onto the lumpy mattress, though it was still better than the hard floor you had slept on often.

Laying on your side, up against the wall, there was probably enough room for him to lay down if he wanted, but with the way he was looking at you, like the slightest wrong move he would shoot, had you believing he wouldn't take you up on the offer if you spoke it.

Worth a try though right? He clearly hasn't slept since he found you. And you had no idea how long before then he had last slept.

"You should sleep too Mingi. You need rest."

His eyes lowered from your frame to empty spot on the bed. For a moment his gaze wavered, his exhaustion apparent.

You pushed.

"I won't do anything. But if you don't trust me you can tie me up or something. You just… you should sleep." It wasn't lost on you that he could have tied you up to the chair and slept himself, but he had given you the bed to let you sleep. "It wouldn't do you any good to be sleep deprived." Mingi was silent, appearing as if he was mulling over your words. So you didn't expect him to stand up and start removing the sash.

What?

Squealing, you quickly backed up, hands floundering in front of you. "Please keep your clothes on!"

He scoffed- or chuckled- kneeling on the bed and grabbing both of your wrists. "I'm not a monster, I wouldn't force myself on my enemy. I have no need to force myself on someone if I want them."

That stung, though you couldn't pinpoint why. Just whimpering as he tugged your wrists in front of you and started looping the golden sash around them. Soon enough they were tied together, tight but not digging into your flesh. That's all you could ask you suppose.

It still puzzled you why the words stung. Maybe his insistence that you were some harmful person? When you haven't done anything to really earn such a view.

Maybe you took his words to heart more as a woman than as a person. Why would you want him to want you though?

"Face the wall." He ordered before rolling you over anyways. He adjusted your body with a clear disinterest, chipping that ache deeper. There was a dip in the bed as he got up, the small, buzzing light in the room was turned off the next second, and then another dip in the bed.

Despite facing the wall, you were hyper aware of his every movement. Every shift of his body as he got comfortable. His large hand found your waist like a heavy weight that knocked the breath out of you.

It burned even through the clothes. His grip was tight, breath on the back of your neck as he let out a few huffs in his effort to situate himself. The bed wasn't long enough for his legs and they ended up bent and pressed against your own, one over top yours.

You had never laid so close to someone before, your heart racing in your chest and heat burning your cheeks. Was this normal? While your legs were entangled, there was distance between your torsos, like it would physically burn him if he got too close.

That odd stinging was back in your chest.

"How do you know her?" His deep voice practically vibrated the air, blowing heat onto your back.

"Who?"

"That bi- the woman earlier. Silver."

"Oh." Licking your lips you thought back to the closest to a friend you had before. "We hid together during a raid. When we weren't quite yet adults. It was an accident really. We both slid into the same rundown shack to hide from the other men, too scared to speak since we could hear them right outside."

The moon had been bright that night, much like the night Mingi had found you. Even to this day the striking silver of her hair was so easy to remember. Over the scars you glimpsed, and the wounds you were sure she carried, it was the silver hair that was first to your mind.

Like liquid moonlight.

A stark contrast to the dull gold of your own hair.

Pushing those thoughts aside- and pushing your hair out of your face with your bound hands- you continued. "It was a tight fit, and even when we could no longer hear the men we didn't move. Some time during we had grabbed each other's hands, shared our cloaks like blankets. I remember hoping they didn't find us, if not for me than for Silver. She was so scared she trembled." You had pushed your own fear down as best you could, wanting to reassure her more than anything that she would be safe. That they would make it out.

You had hoped the smiles you had given in the moonlight provided comfort.

If she still remembered you, then maybe you managed that at least. "We said a few words to each other in the morning. Neither saying our names or where we were going. Not out of distrust though! I just… if I got caught I didn't want to know where she went. I heard they have ways of getting that information out of you even when you don't want to tell them."

Having rambled a lot you tried to turn to apologize- make sure he wasn't upset with you even- but his hand tightened on your waist when you tried, his head pressing against the back of yours. "They do." He had whispered it so softly you weren't sure you had heard him right.

But you had. You hadn't mistaken that vulnerable shake in his tone. You hadn't misheard the emotion that belied experience.

When he didn't say anything else, you swallowed a growing lump in your throat, pushing down your fear and stealing the courage from the memory you had just recited. "If you… if you are scared… I would like to be a comfort for you. However that looks. Everyone needs someone who will keep them safe." Even to your own ears, it sounded as if you were about to cry.

His exhale was shaky against the nape of your neck, fingers bruising against your hip but you stayed strong. This was a moment to understand him and why he was so dead set on making you an enemy. He could drop the key to the answers at any second.

Perhaps he did, with the rough way the words left him. "I lost them."

You didn't know what to say to that, what could you say? Talk about your parents? How they died to keep you safe? He could probably understand, but this moment was vulnerable enough. You didn't want to push him, it could just be his sleep deprivation getting him to open up like this after all!

Instead, with great effort, you moved your hands down to his. It was a bit awkward, but you managed to wrap your hands around four of his fingers. A gentle squeeze, then just holding them.

Not long after, the steady breath against your neck and the loose hold in your hand told you that he had fallen asleep. It wouldn't come easily for you though, as your mind was plagued by the enigma of a man behind you.

And the urges to turn and comfort him in your arms, even if he would find it unwelcome.

Somehow you had fallen asleep, though it didn't seem to be for long, as your body was still quite heavy and demanding rest when you awake. Mingi is shaking you by your bicep, even going so far as to pat your cheeks a few times.

Which was odd for you. Years of wandering had made you a light sleeper especially with the constant threat of those raids. This was proving false ever since you met Mingi, finding yourself harder to wake and in deeper sleep than normal.

It would be an issue if you didn't have a dozen more blaring issues to handle before it. Like how impassive Mingi's sharp features were when you finally looked up at him with sleepy eyes.

Had you imagined the vulnerable talk the two of you had last night?

He made no sound or indication that you had, instead pulling you up a bit roughly. It had you wincing. "I can get up myself." Voice groggy, you protested the treatment for perhaps the first time.

His posture stiffened as if struck, breath halted as he just stared. You almost believe you imagined it with how quickly it passed. The next second he was tugging the sash off your wrists, freeing you just to immediately put distance between you two. "Let's go."

You had to scramble out of bed to catch up to him with how fast he left the room. You didn't even see him pick up the bag or gun, but neither were there.

"Wa- Mingi!" His long legs made quick work of the distance while your own short ones struggled to close the growing distance. He made it down the hall and out of the inn before your own limbs stopped stumbling and were fully awake.

Part of you wondered if he intended to leave you behind. If he no longer cared about your innocence, just wanted you out of his sight. That same part of you ached at the mere idea of him leaving you behind.

Which was foolish to say the least. He had been nothing but abrasive towards you. He gave you no reason to like his presence, to care for his opinion.

And yet… chasing after him through the sand, past the vehicle, you did your best to close the growing distance as your footing became unsure once more. You reached for him, panting out his name as you identified the reason for the fear in your chest.

You didn't want him to leave you behind. You wanted to know him. To know why he seemed so afraid of you. What had made him prickly like a cactus, what was he protecting?

Mingi was an enigma you wanted to know all the ins and outs of, despite his poor treatment of you.

Despite how out of reach he was, both physically and figuratively.

The sand moved wrong under your foot, your tired limbs caving under the sudden movement, knees hitting the still cool sand as the sun was just barely peaking over the horizon.

That was when he finally stopped. When his broad back turned so he could face you. His expression was twisted as if wounded by the sight of you. How did you look, for him to have such a pained glaze to his eyes?

With a shake of his head he seemed to shake off the emotions, features blank as he closed the distance with three easy strides. "What a nuisance, can't even keep up little mouse?" He huffed, hauling you over his shoulder the next second like a sack of potatoes.

You should be upset that he was carrying you like this, but you weren't. His large hand on the small of your back wasn't as rough as it was before. He adjusted your body so it wasn't so harsh on your stomach.

Most importantly, he wasn't leaving you behind.

He walked for a moment, the sun a bit higher now and warming up the wasteland once more. You could see the settlement that the two of you had just left straight behind you, and the city was off in the distance, parallel to the current path. He seemed to be going deeper into the wasteland, a dangerous thing to do if you don't know where you are going. So easy to get buried under sand dunes or find yourself in a sandstorm. Let alone sink holes.

"Where are we going? Why did we leave the vehicle?" You decided to ask, much more awake and alert now.

Surprisingly, Mingi answered "a friend's place. He doesn't like it when I bring it."

"What's he like?" Did Mingi treat him the same way he would treat the two at the bar?

"Annoying." He scoffed immediately, but you could feel the fondness in his tone. You were sure he might be smiling even, not that you could see.

Your view consisted of his ass in his jeans, his white shirt getting pulled up by your hands holding onto it for dear life, afraid to go lower. Your social interactions with people were on acquaintance level basis, so to think of someone's rear end- even if it's the majority of your sight right now- had you quite flustered.

The fact it was a nice one, a good size with his muscular thighs right under, made you even more conscious of it. And your own. It was right there next to his face, right by his hand. He could-

"Is he just annoying?" The words slipped from your lips like a serious of chirps, hiding your face in your hands as you willed yourself to be a civil woman about your… captor's ass. Because he was still your captor, even if you were a willing victim. Even if you wished he was much more than that.

That was a statement you would not be thinking about in further detail at all.

"He talks a lot. Loves the sound of his own voice. Pushes himself like an idiot. Just as reckless in his own right. Too friendly if you ask me. Always calls on me to verify if someone is safe but still takes them in first. Like what if they hurt his weak ass before I get there? There is no need for him to be so fucking friendly. He can take care of himself, yeah, but I rather he not." It was a lot more than you expected to hear from him, the fondness much more evident the more he talked about this person.

Like a distraught mother nagging out of care.

The comparison had laughter bubbling from your throat before you could help it. His feet stopped on the sand dune beneath you both, turning his head to glance down at you- though you felt it more than saw.

"What the fuck is so funny, mouse? Would you like me to go on about how much of a pain in the ass you are?" He barked out, grip on your back tightening for a moment.

Maybe the heat or the constant rush of blood to your head was making you delirious, but it had the bright idea of pinching the man's ass in retaliation. "There, now I really am a pain in your ass." You giggled, shifting your body enough to try and grin back up at him, pinching again just a bit harder to earn a barely there yelp from the man.

"I will fucking drop you." He hissed out, yet you didn't feel any real malice in the words. Like it was just for show.

Odd that.

Instead of calling him out on it, you circled back to his friend. "It just sounds like you care about him, nagging about how he isn't taking care of himself the way you wish he would."

He turned his face away quickly, robbing you of seeing his reaction to your words. Yet you felt it. In the way his shoulders relaxed, his grip on your shirt that didn't feel threatening or harsh, more like resignation.

"I do." Soft, barely caught over the wind blowing sand around you, somehow missing your face- quite strange out in the open like this. It always felt impossible to fight off the sand, thus the permanent goggles on your head.

That you hadn't needed once since meeting Mingi, outside of the vehicle.

"So don't try anything funny with him either." He growled out, starting the trek once more.

The rest was left in silence. Him as he focused on moving over the dunes while adjusting your weight on him. And you kept pushing yourself up to take a look around. There was a lot of debris around, but it was some structure that he came up to. It looked no different than the rest of the debris in the distance, like destroyed buildings slowly worn down by the sand and heat.

Yet he walked up to what appeared to be a door, though it looked more rusted shut than a usable entrance. You didn't question it as he started pounding on the metal. "Woo! Open up!" A beat past, then another. He pounded on the door once more. "Wake your ass up. It's not that early. No one else is around."

When you were beginning to question if this was truly the right place. After all who would live in a house half buried in sand? Like it was sinking at the weird angle it was leveled. But the door did creak open, a lanky man with wild black hair sticking up from sleep holding something up that you couldn't see from your angle. Some weapon probably.

"Mangi? What the- if this is some new weird way your ability manifested that's kind of cool." Tone heavy with sleep still, it was clear the man was happy to see the taller one, putting away the weapon and grinning. Then he glanced your way. "Or not? What is this? You never bring anyone to visit me."

You didn't have to see it to know Mingi rolled his eyes. "I'll explain when we're inside if you don't want any sand getting in."

"Right right, come on in." He stepped back, letting the two of you inside. You tried to get a look around, but once more your sight was only of the stranger and the heavy door he was pulling closed, muscles bulging with the effort.

"That must be heavy." You blurted out, brows furrowed with concern at the effort it took to shut the hulking metal.

The man, Woo(?), smiled at your concern. "I got the muscles for it, don't you worry your pretty little head about it. I'm Wooyoung by the way, a friend of Mingi Mangi's is a friend of mine. Make yourself at home." "We're not friends." Mingi barked out before you could reply, tossing you down on some cushions. A couch apparently. "I just need a safe place for a bit to keep an eye on her."

Your eyes took in the surprisingly cozy living space as the two chatted.

Wooyoung didn't seem too keen on keeping you out of the conversation though, making his way over and taking a seat next to you, that wide grin still on his face. "Oh? Well does she have a name?"

Mingi tensed at the question, but Wooyoung wasn't paying attention. Of course Mingi didn't know, he didn't ask. And what would you say anyways? You hadn't told anyone your name since your parents died, too scared of what would happen.

"You can just call me whatever you like. I'm not usually around someone long enough to exchange personal information." You said instead, which was mostly true.

"But I gave you my name, isn't it only fair? And you'll be with Mingi for awhile." The other pressed, making you a bit nervous.

He had a point as well, yet you still didn't want to indulge it. The name you hadn't spoken in so long. Was it really even your name anymore? Trying to think of your parents calling out to you, all you could picture was the way they told you to run even as they were killed.

Your discomfort must have been obvious, Mingi swooping in and picking you back up and away from Wooyoung, making a sound that was like a warning growl. "Wooyoung-" "It's okay!" Not wanting the two to fight, you were quick to speak up, placing a hand on Mingi's chest as if that could stop him. "It's just… I don't remember my name. Only my parents did and for the longest time I tried not to think about them. It always made me sad, because I'd inevitable think of the last time I saw them. So please, call me anything. I really don't mind. In fact it's nice to see what people come up with! Mingi called me rat- well mouse. I guess I am quite skittish like one." You rambled on, wanting the tension to ease up.

They were friend's, they shouldn't fight. Mingi should be nice to him even! If he cared so much about the man.

"Oh you poor little goose, you sound very proud of that." Despite the almost playful nature of his words, Wooyoung's brows were pushed together in sympathy or something akin to it. It was jarring to see such emotion directed at you after the way Mingi had been treating you.

Or perhaps this was the first time someone looked at you as if they were acknowledging the pain you had gone through.

The smile you offered the man felt watery. "Goose? Am I goose-like or something??" You giggled, feeling Mingi's arms tighten around you in an almost defensive manner.

"You are so tiny I could break you in half." Mingi unhelpfully supplied.

"Yah! Don't threaten Miss Goose like that!" Wooyoung pointed a finger at him while your brain was still processing what had been said.

It definitely did not register as a threat in your head.

Rolling his eyes, Mingi set you back down on the couch, hovering a moment before facing off with his friend, arms crossing over his bare chest. "Whatever. You have someone here Wooyoung. Want to tell me about them?"

At that, the other looked away. "No getting past you huh? I was actually going to send word to Yeosang to have you come visit me. Got someone I need you to check out. They sought refuge but… well they wear a jacket with the insignia-"

Mingi's whole demeanor changed then. Becoming rigid, fierce. Any ounce of warmth gone from his visage as he stared at a nearby door that was shut. Like he could see behind it. "Bring them out."

Immediately his eyes flickered to you once more, the hardness from the first meeting was back. Fear wanted to over take your heart once more, but you fought back. Now that you believed you knew him a bit better, you didn't want to fear him. He also seemed more dangerous to you whenever you let your fear show.

"I normally would have you stay where I can see you, mouse, but I'd rather not let you meet someone else who also wore the insignia. Wooyoung, can she use your shower?" He glanced back at the man.

You no longer cared about what was going on at the mention of a shower. How long had it been since you could enjoy getting clean? The layers of sand probably stuck to your skin even under your clothes?

"Yeah sure but she'll have to use your clothes. You're welcome to wash hers in the meantime." Wooyoung waved his hand as if shooing you both off.

Immediately you stood, bowing and thanking the other before you were quickly thrown over a familiar shoulder. At this point you should expect it.

As Mingi carried you to what appeared to be a bathroom, you waved and smiled at Wooyoung who looked quite taken back by Mingi's behavior. And then the bathroom door was shut. "Stay here a moment."

He was in an out in a flash, setting a pile of clothes on the old warped counter. "The shower works but careful of the crack in the ceramic of the tub. Wash up well and just leave your clothes there." He pointed to a wicker basket that must be a clothes hamper of sorts. "Don't leave until I come get you."

And then he was gone.

No complaints on your part, you stripped quickly and turned on the shower. When warm water came out you squealed in happiness. Not too hot, which was perfect for the heat outside. Something nice and cool on your overheated skin, getting rid of all the sand from the deepest crevices of your body.

Sometime between washing your hair with the soap provided and just standing under the cool water to soak in the sensation there was a knock on the door and Mingi's deep voice through the wood. "Call when you're done."

It was some time later when you were dried and wearing clothes that were far too big on you. The shirt hug off one shoulder completely, tucked as much as you could into the jean shorts that went halfway down to your knees. If not for the clean pair of underwear he got from somewhere, you would be concerned of accidentally flashing your gracious host or Mingi.

One of those did not spark the embarrassment you expected it to.

Mingi retrieved you when you knocked on the door, his expression one of shock and something else you were unfamiliar with as he took in the sight of you in his clothes.

"Why are you hogging little goose! Let her free you big brute!" Wooyoung called from behind when Mingi made no move to let you out of the bathroom. "They need to eat. Come on."

Your stomach growled at the mention of food, the aroma now reaching you. Had you taken that long in the shower? For him to make a meal of all things?

When Mingi still didn't move, you ducked under his arm with a squeaky "excuse me". Spotting Wooyoung in the small kitchen at an old table, you waved and made your way over. Since Mingi didn't stop you, you supposed it was allowed. "This smells delicious."

"Thank you, cooking is a passion of mine. Have to have those in this forsaken wasteland right?"

"I suppose so. I don't really have one. I'm good at trading though." When a seat was offered to you, you graciously accepted, eyes wide at the food. It was not much, after all in a wasteland feasts were a rarity. But it was a meal. A home-cooked meal.

One Mingi did not join you for.

He disappeared into the bathroom, most likely to take a shower himself. But it gave you plenty time to eat yourself.

Wooyoung was good company. As Mingi had said, he talks a lot. He had a warm energy to him, carrying most of the conversation but still asking for your input. It was mostly about food, you even found yourself indulging his questions about what sorts of food you had discovered on your travels.

The fact he was in awe over the distances you had traveled made something blossom in your chest. He talked about Mingi, how he was always off doing something, probably saw as much as you had. That it was a wonder the two of you had never met before now.

Mingi was silent when he came out of the shower, plopping down at the table where half the food was finished between you and Wooyoung. He listened to the man regal a tale of Mingi getting in a fight with someone over the "stupid vehicle" he always drives. The tall man had some choice words to say on the matter, but Wooyoung laughed him off.

"Why don't you make sure your damn guest eats and isn't plotting your fucking demise or some shit?" Mingi snapped out after you laughed at something Wooyoung said.

That was the first time Wooyoung looked genuinely put off by something Mingi said to him. Almost angry. "Fine, I will." He got up, made a plate, and then disappeared into the other room.

Mingi snatched your wrist the second Wooyoung was gone, pulling you closer with a snarl. "I told you not to try anything."

Confused, you blinked owlishly up at him. "But… I'm not? We're just talking?"

"You're getting all bright and shit when you do. Pulling something weird with your ability." He hissed, dismissive as usual.

There was those confusing words again. You didn't have an ability though? "What do you mean ability? I'm just a traveler. You still don't think so?"

He wavered. Just for a moment. But the derision was back quickly. "My intuition says you have one. And all I can think about is that it probably has to do with illusions. You're making them somehow."

You could not be more confused, mouth agape as you just stared.

Mingi kept talking. "Mine has never been wrong about recognizing another with Adrenaline. I know you have it. I just can't figure out how it manifests. We'll have to test it while we're here. No need to bother Woo with playing host to you."

He let go of your wrist the second the door opened again, turning to his food as if he hadn't just flipped your world upside down.

"There. Happy you damn grouch?" Wooyoung huffed as he sat back down, returning to his food before he noticed the change in your posture. "What did I miss?”

"Nothing. Just a warning…" You quickly tried to amend, unsure if it would spark an argument between them or not. Hopefully not. "I have an ability I guess? He said we'll be figuring it out while we're here, so sorry if we bother you with that."

Wooyoung looked crestfallen. "Bother- you aren't a bother silly goose. Maybe I can put you two to good use instead?”

That perked you up. "Like what?" Helping might be a way you could prove yourself a bit more trustworthy.

Yet Mingi quickly intervened, dampening your eagerness a bit. “You aren’t doing anything.”

“Aw why not? Come on~ It’ll be fun! Oh I know, how about you two help me with dinner later?"

"I don't know how to cook…." You start, just for Wooyoung to wave you off.

"That's fine, Mingi does. He can teach you.."

"Absolutely not!"

"Why not? Don’t be rude Mangi. It’s just cooking. Maybe Goosey has a hidden talent for it or something? I know you have reasons to be wary but nothing can be confirmed unless you give her a chance.” It almost sounded as if Wooyoung spoke from experience.

Yet the words had Mingi even more tense, practically vibrating with emotions-anger most likely- as he glared at Wooyoung. The latter seemed unaffected by it. "It's… complicated."

After a few more moments of tense silence, Wooyoung let out a sigh as if he could blow away the tension. The look he gave Mingi, one of care and other mixed emotions you couldn’t name, made your own chest ache. “Fine, just you and me then? We can talk about it later. Just… being friendly doesn’t hurt sometimes ya know?” Words that sounded as if they’ve been spoken many times before.

"Caution can be necessary but can be damaging in many ways as well. It’s something anyone can struggle with." A new voice filled the air, soft and sagely.

Mingi jumped up quickly, grabbing a knife from the many belts around his waist and pointing it at the woman. Wooyoung jumped up with concern, ready to reach for Mingi should he do something.

The woman looked a bit embarrassed at the reaction of the two. "I just came to bring these out. I'll be out of your way shortly."

"Good." Mingi hissed, earning a warning look from Wooyoung who was now moving around the table to take the plate from the woman.

However you didn't want her to leave just yet. Something about her words rang true and you wanted to hear more. "How can it be damaging?" After all, you had spent most of your life on the cautious side as well.

"Don't listen to her. Just a tri-"

"Wooyoungie is right, being friendly wouldn’t hurt you know." You found yourself huffing out, not thinking about the consequences of your words. This was just the first thing you wanted to put your foot down on. "I want to hear what she has to say. Can't you trust your friends as well as you trust your so-called ability?"

The tall man went deadly silent at that, making no move at first. No one spoke until he put the knife away.

"Hi there, are you staying here too?" You asked, trying to be friendly while the two men seemed to have a silent conversation with their eyes over your head.

The woman, something regal about her, nodded. "Something like that. I'm sorry if my words confused you. If… you would like to talk away from them?" She asked, glancing at Mingi.

You supposed she didn't want to be around him. Which was fair. He wasn't being very nice. However the malice you expected to see was not there on Mingi's face. He looked… conflicted.

This was a vital point you supposed, to show that he could trust you to some extent. Trust you and trust his friend. And you hoped he would.

The joy you felt when he not only nodded but shooed you in their direction was immense. You didn't even think about how you were reacting, jumping up from your seat and kissing his cheek with a squeal before making your way over to the woman. "Thank you Mingi!"

You followed the woman into the room, missing the teasing remarks Wooyoung whispered towards Mingi but not missing the tell tale "shut up" the man barked in response.

He might be doing this for Wooyoung, but it still made you happy.

You found that you really liked the woman. She was quiet, but with an air about her that had you hanging onto every word. She explained her ability let her see what could come to pass, sounding quite forlorn about it.

But what you liked the most was the patience she seemed to have, letting you open up to everything that had happened with Mingi. They two of you put your heads together to try and decipher just what your own "ability" was that he seemed so dead set on saying you had.

"You're good for him." She had told you after listening to your story, a soft smile on her face.

It made you blush. "I don't know about that. He said… nevermind." You sighed, adjusting your position on the bed the two of you had been sitting on for the past few hours, it seemed, fresh glasses of water on the end table that Wooyoung had brought recently, teasing you both for your "girl time."

"I don't need my… ability to know. The way you talk about him is sweet. Even though he hasn't given you a good reason."

You knew her words were true, but you could not think of yourself being good for someone. "I… I hope he believes I'm innocent some day. I… I want to stay by his side. Know why he's lashing out so harshly."

She reached over and patted your hand, the soft smile somehow warmer. "Everyone needs time. Especially with this. But… I don't see him being unreasonable." The certainty she said it had warmth spreading through your chest.

What you couldn't admit was how terrifying it still was. You had thought for years that you just had to keep moving. Don't get attached. Don't stay in one place. No one will get hurt for you if you do that. No one else's blood will be on your hands.

Yet Mingi filled you with some certainty that he was safe to be around. That the real threat was whatever plagued him. That he could, and hopefully would, stop harm from coming to you. It was a surreal feeling.

He was a surreal man.

When you left the room to accompany them for making dinner, it ended up just being you watching Wooyoung and Mingi bicker in the kitchen. Wooyoung constantly teased him, often bringing you and the woman he called Magpie into the conversation. You were the one who mostly responded.

Mingi practically ignored Magpie's existence. Acting as if she wasn't even there. No one pointed it out, but you did pout about it. You had asked enough of him though, you didn't want to ask him to put aside his prejudice for the woman when it seemed like a losing battle to begin with.

When dinner was done, Mingi once more carried you to the table, acting as if your legs were incapable of working. The fact he sat you on his lap to eat further flustered you. Was this due to distrust or something else?

"I only have the couch and floor for bed options." Wooyoung said after dinner was done and you insisted on helping with the dishes.

"We'll take the couch." Mingi's tone left no room for argument.

Which you wanted to do, glancing at the couch and knowing it wasn't even big enough for Mingi. How were you both going to sleep on it.

Or did he intend not to sleep once more?

You found the answer later, Mingi picking you up to be chest to chest before laying down on the couch so you were on top of him. Your heart was racing, face to face with him beneath you, fierce eyes boring into your wide ones.

"Oh isn't that romantic~" Wooyoung teased from the other side of the couch, plopping a blanket over you both. "Rest up silly goose. Don't let this meanie eat you in his sleep. He can be quite the wolf." He winked before leaving you there a stammering red mess.

Mingi chuckled once the two of you were alone, his arm solid around your back and holding you in place. Your legs were tangle in between his, one of his longer limbs propped up while the other hangs off the couch and his foot rested on the coffee table. "Stop acting like such a virgin. This is the easiest way to make sure you don't run off." He hummed, pressing your head down to his chest- it was a nice, plump chest- and urging you to sleep.

But his words just had you even more on edge. Virgin. Well you were one. And it flustered you to no end that he called it.

What was worse was the chuckle he let out. "Oh you are huh? Don't get so squeamish, little mouse." His chuckle was deep and you could feel it in his chest under your ear, making you blush and squirm even more.

His hands tightened suddenly, holding you against him to the point you could feel everything. It just made it worse, your heart racing. Your hands tugging on his shirt.

You didn't know what changed, but everything felt different. Hotter.

Mingi had pulled you up so you were staring down at him, mere centimeters between noses, eyes locked. "You are… quite easy to read actually."

What did he mean by that? Why was he smirking up at you like he just caught you in a trap? Where was his hand go-

Oh.

Squeaking you grabbed his wrist in surprise, face burning, chest tight, but nothing as hot as your breast now in his hand.

"I can fit you in my whole hand perfectly."

Pushing up as fast as you could you were straddling his thigh and holding his hand away from you, a mess of emotions. Hot, flustered, particularly warm and fluttery in your stomach and lower. "Mingi-"

He grinned. Not in that near sadistic way when he would spare a grin your way. But it was still teasing.

And warm.

"You like that don't you? Want me to touch you, mouse?" He asked, large hands on your hips, moving up and pushing his shirt up in the process.

Whatever your expression was just had him chuckling again, low and deep that had your stomach doing jumps and tricks.

"Yeah… you are easy to read." His tongue darted out, running over his thick bottom lip and drawing your attention.

What did he see? Why was he looking at you like… that.

Like he was enjoying himself. Like he enjoyed the view of you sitting on him like this. Enjoyed touching you.

Why were you enjoying it? Especially from a man that scared the living daylights out of you just yesterday.

You were more confused by these feelings more than anything. Confused by the way Mingi scrutinized your expression; no longer with overwhelming malice but like he was putting together a puzzle and starting to see the picture.

Then "I'll stop, lay back down and sleep."

Not that he gave you a choice, pulling you back to his chest, tucking you half under his arm but making sure you were comfortable.

Too flustered to protest any more, you shut your eyes. Sleep didn't come quickly, but it did come. Lulled to slumber by the steady heartbeat under your head.

You woke to the rumbling of words in the chest under your head- but it was a stomach not a chest. You didn't move, flustered from the position and alert from the words spoken.

"We were kids ya know. Tortured. Experimented on. Killed if we didn't follow them or try to escape. We didn't ask to be hurt. But we could have stayed there and continued to be. We chose to leave and fight."

Mingi was talking. Snapping at someone low and mean. There was pain in his tone, his hand gripping the back of your shirt tightly. You gripped his side back, a poor attempt to comfort.

If he noticed, he didn't say anything. "I'd rather die fighting than die being a lab rat for them to play with until they don't think I'm useful anymore. Better me, someone willing to fight- willing to die- than an innocent fucking child who's only crime was being different." He spat, and then was up off the couch, throwing you over his shoulder.

You squeaked, gripping his shirt and glancing at who he was being harsh to. You weren't surprised it was Magpie.

"Tell Woo I'll be back later. If I stay I might bash your fucking head in and I am not about to do that to him when he gives a shit about you. He's better than the both of us." He snapped, grabbed his bag, and was carrying you out before you could say anything.

The sun was barely up, the light peaking over the horizon while the burning star was still hidden out of sight. It bathed the sand dunes with intricate shadows and warm colors, no doubt the grains still cool from the night however.

Mingi moved with a purpose over the dunes, and after the first you had a feeling you were heading to the settlement the two of you had stayed at prior.

It wasn't a long walk, but long enough for you to think about the scene you woke up to. The words hissed with years of pain. An anger that seem bone deep.

Should you ask?

Would he answer?

Pulled out of your thoughts you were set down much more gently than you expected, hands on your shoulders to balance you quickly. You had been right about the sand, it was cool on your bare feet. Grounding.

"Mingi?" You glanced up at him, curious as to why he had stopped. The settlement was in sight, seemingly still asleep. You couldn't see Wooyoung's safe house any more. So why?

The only answer was an expression on his face that was akin to anguish and the rapid breathing he was trying to control.

Hesitantly, you reached out and gripped his forearm, a gentle squeeze like a comfort. "For what it's worth, I think you are doing a brave thing. T-the fighting and rebellion. You're a part of it right?" After the day with Wooyoung, you had put it together.

The rebellion you tried to stay away from. For no reason other than the doubts you could help. You traveled. You could barter. And you were scared more often than not.

The men in the raids. The emblem they wore. You didn't pay attention to it other than to avoid anything with it. But maybe you always knew.

Mingi stepped closer, eyes wide as he processed just what you had said. "Wha- what happened to the shivering mouse who was scared of me hm?" It was clear he was trying to tease, but his tone was more questioning- too wispy to be teasing. Like he couldn't find his own breath.

He was right to question you though. You did. It hasn't been that long since he found you. Less time since he had his hand around your throat.

And yet… you thought of how frightened he had looked even as you were shaking with your own fear. You thought of yesterday as he had interacted with the talkative man who welcomed you, even if a bit cautiously. You thought of how close the two of you have been physically two nights in a row and how his touch seemed to be getting more and more gentle.

"I don't have a reason to be scared of you when you aren't hurting me. When you listen to me talk. When you give me your clothes and keep me safe, even if you are doing so for different reasons than care. You could have killed me that first night. In my sleep. Or any time really. But you didn't." You offered a smile, moving your hands to his torso and gripping the fabric of his shirt. "You don't want to hurt someone who doesn't deserve it and I think you think I don't."

Wherever you had gotten this confidence was beyond you, but you fully believed it.

Mingi did not think you were a threat. He did not want to hurt you. Not any more at least.

He looked shaken by your words, hands clenching but not gripping your shoulders; just resting there. He didn't speak, but he was trying based on his mouth opening repeatedly.

Pride swelled in your chest, that you could render the large man speechless. Shaken. When he often moved and spoke with unwavering conviction and confidence. In this moment he seemed off kilter.

It didn't last long. He was throwing you over his shoulder again as soon as he found his bearings. And as if to punish you for the feelings you incited in him, he smacked your ass. Squeezing the plump flesh a second after and keeping his hand there as he started his walk again.

No longer face to face, he spoke, voice gruff "cheeky little mouse. Maybe I should teach you a lesson."

You didn't mind the lick of heat that ran down your spine at his tone. It had been far too sensual to be a threat.

As he carried you into the settlement you realized, with warmth blooming in your stomach, he never denied what you said.

Unfortunately, the punishment was having you sleep and eat alone in the same room as the night you had spent here. Mingi left you alone to go handle things, and you were left with your thoughts.

Imagination drew up visages of what you thought Mingi would have looked like as a child. Afraid as he is experimenting on- not that you can conjure up such images, just blurry feelings of a scene.

Did that mean he had no family? No parents?

Would you have experienced the same if you had been captured when your parents were killed?

These thoughts and more ran through your mind as you lay there, staring up at the ceiling, waiting for your not-really-captor captor to come back.

About midday he did, stepping into the room and pausing as his eyes landed on you.

You offered a wave and small smile, trying to be welcoming.

He scoffed, rolling his eyes as he shut the door. "I never locked the door you know."

"I know." You had never heard the click. And he didn't tie you up. "Why would I leave?"

That had him pausing again, expression void of any discernible emotion as he stared. He shook whatever thoughts he had and climbed onto the bed, boxing you in. Eyes locked on yours he said "what sort of mouse enjoys being trapped?"

"I'm not a mouse, ya know. I just… Have no reason to leave." The admission had heat running up your neck as you turned away rather quickly. As if you could hide from him.

He laughed, low and deep. You could see a wide grin on his lips in your peripheral, deepening your blush.

"Are you sure about that?"

"I told you I wasn't afraid of you anymore-"

"Oh I know, mouse. But that doesn't mean you want to stay with me."

Your fingers twisted in the worn sheet under you, catching your bottom lip between your teeth as heat flooded your nervous system. "I-" Did you want to stay with Mingi?

He was making you feel so small right now. Probably intended to make you feel trapped, his body easily covering yours. He could wrap his hands around your throat in an instant.

He could… but he won't. The playful glint in his eye when you turned to meet his gaze once more said that much.

"If I wanted to stay with you… Would you let me?" You spoke the words so softly between you, like a secret that would shake the world if spoken too loudly. In a way it was, it would shake your world.

It seemed to shake Mingi's. The playful glint was gone, a whirlwind of emotion in his blue-gray eyes.

Unintentionally you held your breath, waiting for some dismissive remark or a threat or something. All you saw in his expression was conflict.

"Why?" He finally croaked out, as if he couldn't fathom you- or anyone- wanting to stay by his side.

It was a good question. One you weren't sure you could answer. "I don't know exactly. I- I've spent my life on the run. Hiding and never staying in one place for long. I guess I realized that isn't much of a life. Just because I am afraid someone will get hurt for me, like my parents did, shouldn't keep me from people."

You thought particularly of a silver haired woman, one who had spent only a night with you and it was the closest you felt to someone in so long. The fact you crossed paths with her again was… well it felt like you were being given a chance for something.

Wooyoung's chattering self wormed his way into your mind- your heart. The woman in his home that listened to your troubles, even when you could tell she was guarded and feeling awkward.

But most of all- the man above you. "You face your enemy head on Mingi. Even though I think… I think you are afraid of them. Of what they do. You still fight them. You told Magpie you would rather fight and die than have them harm another innocent child. That's… really cool of you." Offering a smile, you brought your hand up to the dangling necklaces between you. Silver and gold, loud and unnecessary for battle. Like he was saying look at me. I'm too cool for you to touch. "You don't run, and maybe I'm hoping that I can get some of that courage if I stick around."

Like a broken spell he slapped your hand away and sat up, still caging you in with his legs as he glowered down at you. "You don't know me, little rat. Don't act like you do."

"But I want to" you shoot out quickly, not wanting to back down.

"No you don't" He hissed, grabbing your hands and pinning them to your sides when you reached for him again. "I don't- I am not as brave as you think I am. I-"

You wanted him to open up to you. You hoped he would. His sight faltered, a gasp leaving his lips as he stared down at you, eyes glassy.

Then angry, growling as his hands moved to your shirt and he yanked you up. "You're doing it again! Stop it! Whatever fucking illusion- I don't want to see this. I don't want-" a sob. That was definitely a sob he broke off on.

"I want to get to know you Mingi. Tell me? Please?" You fought off your fear, focusing instead on being pliant and safe for him. You wanted Mingi to trust you.

He bent over you, face buried into your chest as his hands shook. "I run when it matters most, mouse. You shouldn't-"

He didn't continue.

You couldn't ask.

The shirt was getting wet, sticking to your skin. You didn't move, letting him do… Whatever this was.

Maybe he was right, that he did run when it matters. Maybe you did too.

He didn't get up until your shirt was drying and he was no longer shaking. He avoided your eyes, but you could see his were red.

The urge to embrace him and comfort him was strong but you reeled it in, just watching as he swung himself off you and sat on the edge of the bed. He pushed his white and blue hair out of his face, the strands looking oddly soft but wild.

"I have a theory about your ability. We're going to kill some time here and figure it out. Give Wooyoung time to head home and deal with…" He sighed, shoulders drooping.

So he was changing the subject? Not even bothering to address what had just happened? Was this an example of how he runs away?

It made you want to stay even more. To follow. Scurry after him like a mouse looking for the scraps he'll drop. Scraps of himself, pieces he will let you glimpse.

Maybe you finally lost it mentally, thinking of yourself with such an analogy.

"Okay. What do you think my ability is?" You can be patient, follow his lead. All you have is time.

"Illusions. Like a camouflage or mirage. Those bastards had us doing all sorts of tests for our abilities, I can remember some. Some of their explanations. The… Chemical that gives us our abilities have different triggers. There are those that are constant. Part of us. Like my sixth sense of sorts, it is always present, always beneath the surface. But most are triggered. At first as a defense mechanism or as a response to feelings. That bi- Silver goes invisible. I think yours can work like that, but it's different.

"Yours changes how you are perceived, based on how you are feeling. When you were afraid of me, I saw what I was afraid of on you. Your ability manipulated my sight so that I would feel what you feel towards me." Mingi finally ended his explanation, finally glancing up at you.

There was some sense to it, his theory, though it was hard for you to work through it when he had given you another piece of himself. Alluding to his childhood, the training he was forced through. The implication that he doesn't remember all of it.

It was a lot to process, so you focused on what you could. "How um… how do you know it's not just fear?" You wanted to know about your so called ability, after all it was why those men had gone after you.

Had killed the only family you had. Continued to hunt you like prey.

And maybe there was a way to use it- this ability. A way to make a difference. Stand your ground.

"Because-" Mingi pulled you out of your thoughts, his expression now hungry in a way that had your stomach doing figurative flips. "When you got flustered, when I touched you, there was another illusion of sorts. I saw you not only shirtless but marked up and looking as if I just fucked you dumb. A sight, I'm sure, was meant to turn me on. Despite the fact I could physically feel your shirt."

Well, with the heat burning just under your skin and the ache between your thighs, you were sure he was now seeing a similar visage.

If he was correct.

"Mouse-" He turned towards you, swallowing hard enough you couldn't help but watch the way his throat bobbed. "Reel it in baby, we still have a long day ahead of us."

He made true on that, pulling you out of the room after finding you sandals since your shoes were forgotten at Wooyoung's. After a light meal, the "testing" began.

It wasn't anything cruel or harsh, just emotionally draining. Testing what emotions trigger it. The distance it works. If you could willingly force a perceived illusion onto him from thought alone.

You couldn't just make yourself feel something toward him and it was unpleasant when he would get snappy at you for it. Something he stopped quickly when your annoyance at his attitude did manage to incite an illusion of sorts.

He got some of the people in the settlement to join in, though briefly, so by the time the two of you stumbled back into the small room and onto the just as tiny one bed, you both had a pretty good handle on your ability and triggers.

It was funny actually. You had been so worried about learning about the men of the raids and what made you a target before- believing that knowing would take away the last bit of freedom you fooled yourself into thinking you have. But now that you knew about the lab rats that took those with Adrenaline - Mingi had explained during your training montage- and about your own ability, you felt free.

No, not freedom. Control. You felt like you had control over your life for once.

That you didn't need to run or hide. That there were other options for you.

That you could provide safety, just as you had wanted to do so with Silver so long ago.

It had you grinning as you sat on the bed, watching Mingi as he slid the deadbolt shut, effectively locking you in here with him. No fear sparked at the action, but heat did. No one would disturb you, making this now the safest place for you to be.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He cocked an eyebrow, closing the distance between you while fighting off his own grin.

"Like what?"

"Like… hm, you're happy to see me? Didn't I tell you mouse-"

You waved your hand to dismiss his half baked warnings. "You never answered me. Earlier. When I said I wanted to stay with you. If you want to train me and my ability, that means I get to stay right?" You asked, widening your grin.

He barked out a laugh, shaking his head as he pushed you back onto the bed, manhandling you with ease. There was no malice behind it, no real force, but you sort of enjoyed it. You weren't going to tell him that just yet though.

"You really want to stay with me?" He asked, climbing over you, muscles moving in a way that reminded you more of a predator stalking it's prey. "I think you're smitten with me. Find me hot. Want my cock? Little Miss virgin."

Heat ran up your chest at his words, charring the skin of your cheeks from the inside it feels like. Your body betrayed you, no doubt giving off your emotions and with your ability too. It would be nice to control that part, so you could be turned on in his presence and be spared from his immediate teasing.

And for reassurance that he wanted you in turn because of yourself, not whatever your ability made him see.

He groaned, head falling forward to rest on your clavicle. "It makes it easy to read how you are feeling, that's for sure, but I am afraid I wouldn't last long when you look like the perfect fucking wet dream. I'm hard already, baby. Try and reel it in- Ah that can be a great way to train you. Like a pet."

You gasped at his words, hands gripping his biceps as his nose brushed against the skin of your neck. "Do you think I can? What if I never get a handle on it well enough? I wouldn't want to have to focus on that while you're making me feel good, Mingi…"

Another groan. "Good point. Maybe I should shut my eyes. I'm sure the sound of you whining and moaning with each thrust would be-" "Mingi!" You were hot all over, legs pressed together as you felt his mouth on your skin.

"Yeah just like that-" "Mingi-" He nipped at the flesh just under your ear, causing you to whine.

His hands moved to your thighs, squeezing and rubbing them as he pushed them wider. A second later they were wrapping around his small waist.

Your whole world tilted as you felt a hard bulge in his jeans, pressed against your core. It made it hard to think, to breath right. Soft whines left your lips as he continued the assault on your neck. Kisses both soft and harsh, trailing over your flesh. Some were on the tender skin of the left over bruises from when he had choked you, inciting delight instead of fear.

It occurred to you, somewhere in the back of your muddled brain, this was a distraction.

He kept you pleasantly in a state of bliss with the kisses, hands kneading your flesh and his hips beginning to rock against yours. A glance down and you noticed his eyes were clothes tightly, but not in pain or concentration. Like desperation.

A roll of his hips applied pressure just right for your head to fall back, his name falling from your parted lips like a reverent cry. You had never felt like this. This pleasure, this desire, burning a sizeable hole in your belly up to your chest but mostly in your core where it throbbed.

The underwear you wore was wet, sticking to your folds more and more with each press of his bulge to your core. You wished the clothes were gone, that you felt his member poking and prodding and then slipping in deep to chase away the intense emptiness that had found it's way into your inner walls.

His lips never left your skin, the heat from his breath burning as much as your own desire. His spit joining your sweat, making a mess of your neck.

The pull of your shirt up had you whining, the roughness of his own shirt scrapping against your hardened nipples as the force of his rolls had your whole body moving on the bed. His large, rough hands found the supple flesh. He wasn't gentle, but not too rough, squeezing, kneading and pinching.

"Fuck, baby, get a bit louder for me. Cry my name. Cry." His tone was rougher, but hot. Husky maybe? It didn't matter, just that the tone of his voice had you obeying instantly. You pulled at the back of his shirt, holding on and even trying to meet his hips. The pleasure from each roll was building and building, driving you to something that was a rarity even by your own hands.

Tears pricked your eyes when you were finally on the precipice. It was right there. A harsher flick of his hips, a slight difference in angle as you realized you were babbling his name like a chant. That you needed it more than air.

It was the wetness of his tongue on the shell of your ear as he whispered "cum for me" that released the knot holding it all back. Your underwear was soaked, hips jerking so much he had to grip them to hold them still while he chased his own. A moment later, when clarity started to find you, did you feel the way his hips stuttered and he drooled against the flesh of your throat.

It took some time for the heat between you both to dissipate. For Mingi to straighten your limbs and pull away, halting all protests with a kiss to your forehead.

"Good pet. Get some sleep now, we'll head back to Woo's in the morning to clean up. I forgot your clothes there but they're clean." His tone was strange: warm but somewhat distant. He didn't look at you as he got up from the bed, turning off the small light.

Only when you were facing the wall, heart finally beating at a normal pace did you acknowledge the blaring truth.

He never said you could stay.

“Still carrying you like that?” Wooyoung's familiar voice had you lifting your head to see him as Mingi passed. The man was smirking and you returned the smile.

Hand on Mingi's side to hold yourself up, you waved. “I'm used to it by now. Easy traveling.” You offered up, having just accepted your fate that this was how Mingi was going to carry you, even if he no longer seemed hostile towards you.

No, whatever was between you both now was something far different. Not that you could name the strange heated tension. Lust maybe? You've never wanted someone like that.

Until Mingi. Until yesterday.

Laughing, Wooyoung shut the door. He turned just to find you both no longer moving. Not that you knew why.

“What is she doing here?” Mingi hissed beneath you, his body tense under your hands. “It better be news on Mouse, Yeosang.”

Yeosang? Wasn't he-

Quickly you scrambled up, accidentally yanking Mingi's hair to push yourself up and peer over his head at who was in the room. There was the far too beautiful man, and then, even without the silver hair, you could recognize her. “Can I get down Mingi? I want to talk to-”

“Fine fine.” The man huffed, dropping you down next to him with his arm wrapped around your waist and holding you against him. “Stop your squirming little one or I'll tie you up again.”

You couldn't help the heat that bloomed over your face at the reminder, gripping his shirt to stop your squirming as he so eloquently put it.

“Hi Mingi. I did look into it and she's clear as far as I saw. It would have helped if you gave me a name though.” The blonde huffed though it was more of slight amusement and resignation than actual annoyance.

The tension immediately leaked out if Mingi at that, you could feel the way his muscles relaxed at the confirmation. Even if the both of you had figured things out, it didn't hurt that he still had his doubts.

He nearly dragged you to the sofa, moving before you realized he was. When you nearly tripped over your own feet, he just manhandled you up, swinging you forward, and then unceremoniously dropping your back on your feet in front of him. “Thanks. Are you staying? Do I have to play nice with this bi-”

“Mingi.” The blonde cut him off the same time you did, though his was in warning and yours like a plea.

Mingi ignored Yeosang and glanced down at you instead with a glare that lacked his usual malice.

You didn't hesitate to continue your plea even if you didn't think he would listen. “Please don't. I don't know why you dislike them but please?”

His jaw clenched, heated gaze flickering to your lost acquaintance of sorts. “She knows why I don't like her. What she did. Or didn't do.”

For a second the air cracked with palpable tension, making you shiver. Silver flinched and you wanted to reach out and soothe whatever wound Mingi just poked at, but in the next instant the tension was zapped away.

To your surprise, and everyone's perhaps, Mingi moved to sit on the couch right next to Silver, pulling you down on his lap so you were facing the woman. His arm was around your waist, gripping your side a bit harshly but you didn't mind.

No longer were you scared of him. No longer did you think he would harm you. Or that he even disliked you. The new marks he left on your neck were probably proof of that, as was his jacket that swallowed your frame.

“You said you missed them right. So talk. Don't expect me to acknowledge them. I don't like cowards.” Mingi snapped out, starting soft and ending harsh. You got the impression he wasn't talking about just one person though. His words yesterday had you believing he thought of himself as one of those cowards.

Still, it was more than you could ask, glancing down at Silver's hands with a silent question to hold before you started chatting away.

Asking about them. How they knew Yeosang. When it appeared they didn't want to talk about it, you offered up parts of yourself.

Places you visited. How you would like to visit the bar maybe and have a drink with her. And Yeosang. Even declaring you would drag the man beneath you.

Mingi let you chat, adding nothing to the conversation unless he was directly spoken to by either you, Yeosang or Wooyoung. It wasn't lost on you how he didn't acknowledge Magpie.

It wasn't lost on you that with the hours of chatting, Mingi never stopped touching you. Not unless he was pulled away by one of the others or the restroom. Or when he had you clean up and change into your old and now clean clothes like the original purpose for coming back so soon. It wasn't lost on you the bit of disappointment on his face when you stepped out in your own clothes, or the devilish smirk he gave when you slipped his jacket back on instead of your own.

He stayed as a brooding presence attached to you. You just accepted it. After the discovery of your ability- or at least deducing what it probably was- he stopped being an enemy.

You almost wanted to say friend but… a friend doesn't mark up your neck with his mouth or touch you intimately. They definitely didn't dry hump each other. But you most definitely did not bring any of that up surrounded by his actual friends. Instead the topic of your ability was enough. Explaining it to Silver and the others who would listen.

That Mingi wanted to teach you how to control it. The room was far too heavy at that statement and you had no idea why.

It was dinner time when you were no longer sitting on Mingi(after his shower finally), but he was next to you sitting on the arm rest, his thigh against your shoulder, talking to Yeosang about… something you hadn't been paying attention to. Plans for tomorrow you think?

It was with a ringing alarm that everything seemed to stop. All eyes on Wooyoung as he ran for it almost desperately.

He speaks to Magpie for a moment, too quiet for you to hear but he glances your way.

“Mingi, can you take this one? Use the radio, it has a tracker.” Wooyoung suggests, tossing the old radio to Mingi who catches it with effortless ease “I…I have to stay back.”

The next second you are hauled up by his hand on your bicep. He pockets the radio and is already on his way towards the door. You follow without thinking. “You sure?”

You notice Yeosang and Silver are quickly trailing after you both, something set in their shoulders that breeds trepidation in your stomach. “We’ll fix it, Wooyoung. Count on us. We’ll bring them home.” Yeosang offers as if to appease the other man.

Then the four of you were outside. And as you suspected, you were swooped up onto Mingi's shoulder again. Any humorous comeback that might have filled the space wasn't spoken. The tension was too heavy to let it.

“I have my vehicle nearby. We can take that. It's a bit of a walk.” Mingi announces, already setting off to the nearby tiny settlement he had left the car at. The same settlement you two had spent the other nights at, learning what made your ability tick. Just over a few dunes.

Thankful you didn't have to walk over the sand, you just held on as the two followed. They seemed tense. You didn't like how tense everyone was.

Yet all you could do is offer a disarming smile. A wobbly one that betrayed your own anxiety, too scared to ask what was happening.

So you didn't.

The night was long and tense. From Wooyoung's to the car and then holding on for dear life in the vehicle as Mingi's reckless driving ensued. The delay for gas seemed to make the tallest even more anxious.

He must have a bad feeling about this, and yet he we was still rushing. Perhaps he thought things would end badly if they didn't make some imaginary deadline.

He made you hold onto his arm as he drove as recklessly as usual, his hand finding your thigh when he wasn't using it. You had a feeling it wasn't to keep you seated.

Nothing was spoken all night. Hours over sandy dunes, half hidden roads, all in tense silence.

It broke when Mingi shut the car off suddenly and pulled it to the shadow of some rubble. He apparently decided the rest would be done on foot, considering you were thrown over his shoulder seconds later.

Without the vehicle there was no lights, just utter darkness before dawn. It made it hard to see the expressions on your companions faces, but you could still hear Yeosang complain about the lack of vision.

"We're getting closer" Mingi's chest rumbled under you, his hand tightening when the sound of gunfire and angry voices- an angry roar actually- reached you. He was taking off in seconds.

The downside to being hauled around was the view: you had no idea where you were going, or what the others saw. Whatever they saw when dawn broke and light illuminated their faces enough to see their expressions, their features were twisted with old pain and shock.

Like seeing a monster that they thought they had been rid of.

Mingi nearly dropped you at whatever he saw, making it hard to twist and see just what the issue was.

“We have to hurry,” Yeosang pulled Silver past you both, breaking through whatever shock had taken hold of them.

“Fuck,” Mingi cursed, hefting you back onto his shoulder, higher this time. “We need a plan!”

“There’s no time!” Silver yells after them, running towards the loud gunfire and shouts. Lots of shouting.

“You two, go after the one that needs help. Mouse and I will go help the other one,” Mingi barked out, already on the move to… well someone needing help.

After hours of silence it really hit that this was a rescue mission. A dangerous one. One you had no business being in.

Yet Mingi set you down when he reached the fight, glancing at you with a look of concern. "Make them afraid. You can do it." He shoved a gun into your hands and then turned to fight the men without a second thought.

The same men he fought the night he found you. The same men that took your only family away.

It was difficult to bite the anger back and bring forth your fear, willing the men to feel it. To be afraid enough to run.

Not once did you pull the trigger, instead taking note of how Mingi handled anyone who dared to aim at you. Who began to panic with the fear you were no doubt making them feel with whatever illusion they perceived you to be.

It was more than a little hard to keep focus when someone threw a car and leapt a great distance to another portion of soldiers. The loud noise had you dropping the gun, chest pounding with your own need to run. All you could do was confuse and frighten them and yet here someone was like a super soldier!

“San!”

An unfamiliar voice screaming an unfamiliar name shifted everything. You felt it. Saw the way Mingi froze after kicking away one of the armed men. Even the sand in the air seemed to still in this moment.

Your gut twisted with one look at Mingi's face. Eyes wide, burning with emotion. Shock, disbelief, hope and an insurmountable guilt you could not fathom.

It occurred to you he knew this San… and he had no idea he was who they were saving today.

The sight rooted him in place, even as one of the soldiers aimed at him. Mingi didn't seem aware of it.

The gun went off.

You acted without thinking. Pulse racing. Fear suffocating your lungs and stomach. You screamed something, unable to hear your own voice over the ringing in your ear.

Collision with the larger body was felt throughout yours, just to be overwhelmed by the shooting pain in your shoulder. The pain had your knees weak, falling to the sands beneath you the same second Yeosang reached you both.

At first you didn't hear what was said, the pain was too much. The ringing in your ears white noise. Your eyes worked just fine though, taking in the too gorgeous man ripping his own shirt to wrap your shoulder with bloody hands.

That was your blood on his hands.

It was your wound he was wrapping.

Silver shouted out Mingi's name and brought you back to the world, eyes flickering up to meet Mingi's horrified gaze. He looked frightened, staring at you as if you were dying in his arms.

The pain might feel like death, but it wasn't anywhere vital. Yeosang was handling it with precision. This might be the first time you had been shot but you didn't think you were going to die.

“We can save him. We have another chance. We can save Mouse. And we can save the lady San is trying to help. We won’t fail.” The conviction on Silver's voice latched into your own chest, even if the words were meant for Mingi.

Last night filled your head. The way he had cried. The sorrow that had filled his voice when he had admitted that he runs when it matters most. This was one of those moments, where it mattered.

And you still believed he was not a coward. You still believed he was capable of bravery and heroism and winning even when he's scared. Precisely when he is scared.

“Mingi,” you did not like how faint your voice sounded. The pain you could not hide from your tone, even with a smile. “I…I'll be fine. After all, I'm good at hiding, right?” Yes you weren't a fighter, but you were damn good at hiding. At surviving. And right now Mingi needed you to be okay, even if it was just so he can focus on who really mattered. You jerked your chin in the direction of the super soldier that seemed so important to him. To them. “Go.”

As soon as they ran off you started to crawl away, a feat with your injured arm. Holding it to your chest you made it to the nearest broken vehicle, standing straight up with its nose buried in the sand. There were a lot like that around now that you could take a quick second to grasp your surroundings.

You tucked yourself behind the vehicle, out of sight and hopefully safe. A good distance from the core fighting.

There were shouts, more gunfire. You could hear Mingi and Silver and Yeosang but could not decipher what was said.

The pain was intense now that there were no dire distractions. Breathing took effort. Keeping your eyes open as your head spun took more.

The battle was still ongoing when your consciousness left you.

When it returned to you, there was no sand or sun or fighting. No vehicle holding your spine up. You were laying down now, sprawled out on a bed. There was a dim lamp across the room, and when you turned your head to examine the room you found a figure bathed in that light.

It was Mingi, sitting in a worn leather chair, continuously running his hands through his hair. He wore new clothes. Clean clothes. And the strands he kept stressing seemed damp.

The lack of sand on his form brought attention to the lack of sand on your own. You felt clean, no longer in your own clothes and- with a wince you became acutely aware of your shoulder.

In an instant Mingi was up and at your side, brow furrowed with apparent worry and pain. "Don't move too much." The concern was even more evident in his deep voice.

"It's fine, just hurts… a lot." You offered him a smile, reaching up with your uninjured arm to run your fingers along his tense jaw. "I'm just happy you are alright. Is your friend okay too? The one we went to save?"

"How do-" his eyes had gone wide, breath halting.

You saw no distrust in his eyes, only shock. "Wasn't hard to figure out. I don't know the details but he sounded important to you and Silver."

"He is." Mingi blurted before flinching at how loud his voice had come out. "He is. He… well thought we lost him, a long time ago." He brought his hand up to hold yourself to his cheek, gaze soft and vulnerable on yours. "You said everyone needs someone to keep them safe… to be their safety. Right?" When you nodded, he continued on. "San was that for me. He's… he always made sure we were all safe and taken care of. With his ability we put blind faith in him. We thought he couldn't die. But that wasn't the only reason he made us feel safe."

Looking away, Mingi seemed to be battling with himself or searching for the next words. You let him, thumb brushing over jaw in silent encouragement. "We… We escaped. Silver, Yeosang, San and I… With a lot of other kids. Some of them help out with the rebellion. Some settled down or went into hiding. We had a plan, had help, but we got caught. I- I blamed Silver. She was supposed to keep us invisible up to a point. But failed. And so we had to fight…"

Tears brimmed his eyes now, blinking rapidly to stop them as he lowered his head. "By we I mean San. He jumped in and took the damage. Shielded us so we could run. I-I could have helped. But I was scared. Freedom was right there. And I was so scared of being taken back there I just ran. I didnt care about San or Silver or Yeosang in that moment. And when I glanced back, I swore I saw San bleeding. I thought he died to save us, but the only one I saved was myself."

By the time Mingi had finished recounting the clearly traumatic memory, you were sitting up and holding his head to your chest awau from your wounded shoulder. His broad frame was shaking with sobs, but you let him continue.

His hands gripped the back of your shirt, pulling you closer. "I don't remember tests the put us through but I remember the proving grounds. Where we saved San last night. I could remember every time I hurt another kid out of fear of getting hurt and tested on. There weren't many of us that had a constant type of adrenaline, and San's made it difficult to test but not me."

Your arm tightened around his head, heart hurting for him. He had just been a kid. They had all been just kids. "It's okay Mingi. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to act on that fear. And San… your safe space is back. You saved him and-."

"You got hurt because I froze." His words cut through your own attempts to comfort him. He lifted his head, the blue in his eyes vibrant beneath the tears. "You saved me. And not just with that bullet. I-" he cupped your small head in his larger hands, bringing his forehead to yours. "I have no words to explain how much you have grown on me. Baby I- fuck it."

His lips were on yours the next moment, full of reverent devotion and vulnerability. He was giving a piece of himself with every quick stroke of his lips that your own matched, taking him in.

You could not explain it either, how in a matter of days he had gone from your captor to someone you wanted to stay with for perhaps the rest of your days. You wanted to be a part of his life as much as Yeosang and Wooyoung were- no much more. You wanted his lips on yours and to be carried on his shoulder. You wanted to wake up to him and bounce around in his vehicle as he drives with reckless abandon.

You wanted Mingi and all that meant.

Head hitting the pillow again, Mingi had laid you down with a gentleness that betrayed the growing desperation of his kisses. He crawled over you, caging you in and keeping you safe from the rest of the world.

There was a knock on the door suddenly, but Mingi didn't pull away until someone stepped in and gasped.

"Can you not attack her the moment she wakes up, Mingi?" Someone hissed. A familiar someone.

You wiggled from under Mingi just enough to see over his bicep at who stood there. Silver. "Hi! It is totally okay I am totally okay right here. Mhmm pro-promise." Your breath hitched when Mingi's lips moved to your ear and nippled on the sensitive flesh.

Silver rolled their eyes but they didn't seem offended. "Well I thought you might want a drink with me. To help with the pain down at the bar but if you-"

"No no we're coming!" You stopped Mingi by covering his mouth, smile widening. "I-if it's okay if Mingi-"

"Course it is. We made up baby, don't worry." The man grumbled against your hand as he sat up. "Let's go have a few drinks with our friends yeah?"

Warmth flooded your chest, this time tears pricking your eyes. "Yeah." Then, much softer and with a sudden boldness you lifted up your arm. "Carry me?"

Now Mingi rolled his eyes, just to grin down at you in a way that was boyish and warm. "Always."

Our members decided to come together and formulate a world where we would collectively write in, inspired by the Ateez Music Video Adrenaline. Here, you will find the many stories interwoven with the same events from different perspectives and cameos of each of the member's characters. Enjoy!

@defwoodz | Isa's Afterburn

@flurrys-creativity | Flurry's Rubicon

@daemour | Dae's Crossroads

@sanjoongie | Topaz's Floating Silver

@anyamaris | Anya's Guardian's Oath

@potatomountain | Ares's No more running

@pars-ley | Ley's Sand in an hourglass

(m,f) Sweet Mornings @jxerv

Synopsis: EstablishedRelationship

(m) Puff, Puff, Pass @last-words-ofashootingstar ft.Hongjoong, Yeosang

Synopsis: Boyfriend!Hongjoong x Girlfriend!Reader x Friends!SeonghwaYeosang

(m) Sea Foam And Skin @lovely-lilies

Synopsis: Merman!Seonghwa

(a,m) Dig Your Trenches @m1rotics

Synopsis: BodyPossessor!Seonghwa

(m) Matz @mymoodwriting ft.Hongjoong

Synopsis: A/b/o!Au, Enigma!Hongjoong x Omega!Reader x Alpha!Seonghwa

(m) Save A Horse @shinestarhwaa

Synopsis: Cowboy!Au, BestFriendsBrother!Au

(m) Scenario @wooliberry

Synopsis: EstablishedRelationship

(f,a,m) Dirty Dancing @yundeob

Synopsis: Enemies-To-Lovers, 1960s!Au, Dancer!Seonghwa

(m,h) Making It Fit @kisssan

(m) Gotta Love A Scoundrel @sanjoongie

Synopsis: EmpireAdmiral!ParkSeonghwa x RebellionScoundrelThief!Reader, StarWars!Au, Sci-Fi!Au, SpaceNavyMilitary!Au, Enemies-To-Lovers, StarCrossedLovers

(m) Pheromone ft.Yeosang

Synopsis: ‘SoulChained’&‘Libido’Universe, MagicalBoy!Yeosang x Succubus!Reader x MagicalBoy!Seonghwa, TargetStray Kids'!Changbin

(m) Dirty Tail

Synopsis: BunnyFamiliar!ParkSeonghwa x Witch!Reader, ModernFantasy!Au, ModernWitch!Au, Hybrid!Au

Fics:

@sanjoongie 's Tentacle Sex

@defwoodz 's Waterlily

Graphics: