#:end

jun: i'm okay too. i was already outside, on my way to the car. i guess we missed each other because of the commotion. do you have any idea how big the damage is? junho: yeah, i don't have an exact number but — i helped out the rescue efforts, the casualties aren't as bas as it could have been. the building's a mess but--- it could have been so much worse jun: good, that's good... and suspicious. if it's the same people from the previous time they would know what they were doing. i mean, they managed to get into headquarters unseen with bombs. either the explosions weren't meant to be found or all they really wanted to do was disable home base junho: i- yeah, it's complicated. -loaded silence- by the way, where are you? jun: i'm on a plane, headed to mexico city with a layover in san francisco. -short hesitation- business trip junho: oh, shit. i'm not distracting you am i? jun: no baby, don't worry, i still have dozens of flight hours ahead of me. what's with the complicated, though? can you talk about it? junho: i- it's- it's fine, it really is. nothing that can't wait. jun: junho -another small sigh- maybe if you bounce your ideas off of me you can figure out more than what you have right now. but if you're not okay with sharing it over the phone i understand. i don't know when i'll be back, though, it's definitely going to be a couple of days junho: it's not a big deal, really. i'm just still a bit high strung about it all - i'm just really relieved to hear your voice, did you hear about the others? jun: i know yongguk's alright he texted me back almost instantly, and jitae let me know he's fine too. aside from you and hyun those are the only people i reached out to, though, so i don't know about the rest junho: -a loud, content breath- that's so good to hear. i was so worried jun: i know baby, i think we all were. did you eat yet? make sure you get a proper meal in your system okay? junho: it's- it's just a huge mess, how did they do it? we have to find whoever responsible- i will eat, i just want to sleep, if i can, so much has happened.

listening to the younger male speak, jun calmly gets up from his seat and asks the older man in the aisle seat if he can pass by. he pays no attention to the gaze that lingers on his butt as he moves past and simply makes his way over to the restroom. giving one of the flight attendants a nod and a friendly little smile as he passes them by, he enters the little restroom and latches the door behind him. he moves the lid of the toilet down and takes a seat on it.

jun: you want to talk about it baby? about what happened? junho: i'm all good, you just focus on the job okay. you gotta come back safe and sound, okay? jun: always. baby if you need me call me, okay? i'm not going to be doing anything all too crazy this time around so I'm available junho: got it, thanks jun. good luck out there jun: yeah... are you ready to head to bed? junho: yeah, i'll go to sleep now. tell me when you get back, yeah? jun: i will baby. would you like me to... sing to you? to help you sleep.. junho: -short silence- junho: i- yes, please. jun: okay. tell me when you're in bed. i'll stay with you until you're asleep junho: -a longer silence- junho: im in bed —thank you, jun - i- just thank you. jun: it's okay baby

he looks at the wall of the restroom for a short moment in silence, wondering where the urge comes from to speak the words that are about to leave his lips. and then he speaks them anyway.

jun: i- i love you. i'll do this for you any time. sweet dreams, little one. i'll be back before you know it. junho: i love you too, jun -tearful voice- you're the best. jun: and you're even better, baby

closing his eyes, jun starts to sing a soft chinese lullaby that he remembers from one of the times he’d been spying on a loving family. he somehow manages to link the first verse onto the last one so he can sing a never ending loop of the same sweet melody. he pays no mind to the complaints on the other side of the door, just occasionally opens it the slightest bit to let the flight attendants know he’s fine but needs another moment.

when all is quiet on the other end except for junho’s rhythmic breathing, he just sits there for a little while longer listening to it, wondering about the fact that this is only the second time in his life he’s ever said those particular words to someone. and he knows they’re true, even though he knows little to nothing about the feelings themselves.

“goodnight, my baby. i’ll see you soon. be safe.” he whispers those words into the phone eventually, and then ends the call so he can return to his seat and let other people use that particular restroom again.