Wooyoung couldn't stop chewing on his bottom lip as he followed Seonghwa to their corner. His mind was spinning with everything he had just learned. But the worst thing was hearing that Mercer really had come after him for a reason.

And apparently that reason was the fact that Mercer believed Wooyoung stole his son from him...

He glanced up at where Seonghwa was staring at the wall and felt his heart stop.

In this other life... He and Seonghwa had been together. Did that mean they could be together now? Or was Seonghwa too far gone?

From everything he had been reading from the older, Seonghwa didn't want to believe Mingi's story. Which Wooyoung couldn't exactly blame him for... Hearing what his father had done, to everyone here and to Seonghwa himself, had to be a hard pill to swallow.

But Wooyoung knew it was true.

He could still hear Mercer's voice ringing in his head, telling him that it was all his fault and that he was going to pay for what he had done.

For the longest time Wooyoung had cried himself to sleep at night, praying to every higher power out there to tell him what it was that he did wrong.

Mercer had taken him when he was young enough that he barely remembered his parents now, and even then he wasn't sure if his memories were real or if they were wishful thinking.

He had seen everything.

Mercer's rise to power. Seonghwa growing up. San being recruited and the changes he went through.

Wooyoung glanced over at the older now to see him speaking angrily with Yunho. A small amount of pity rose up in Wooyoung when he saw the headband nestled in his black hair. If he had known what Mercer had done... maybe he could have tried to warn San.

No... that would have never happened. He would have never had the chance to get away. It was a nice thought though.

San had been a prisoner just like him.

Wooyoung started to walk over there when Seonghwa grabbed his wrist. "Where are you going?"

"To talk to San." Wooyoung turned to face the older and saw his face harden. "Is that a problem? I figured you'd want to talk to him too."

Seonghwa hesitated and looked to the side. "I don't think he wants to speak with me. And I can't blame him."

The younger paused for a moment, then asked, "If you knew, why didn't you do anything?" It was an open-ended question that could apply to either himself or San, and he didn't care what answer he received.

"Hate me all you want," Seonghwa's voice was barely above a whisper when he spoke again, "but I didn't do anything because it would mean going against my father. He's not... I never thought he was a bad man..." He bowed his head in shame. "I'm sorry." His voice cracked at the last words and Wooyoung stepped closer to him.

He could feel the pain radiating off Seonghwa and before he registered what he was doing, Wooyoung wrapped his arms around Seonghwa's chest to pull him into a hug.

Soft sobs came from the older. His legs started to shake and he pulled Wooyoung to the ground with him while burying his face in Wooyoung's shoulder.

All the younger could do was let it happen. He tried to comfort Seonghwa by running his hands through his hair.

"How could he do this? How could he have done any of that in the past? I h-had no idea... I mean... I knew, with you..." Seonghwa choked on his sobs and fisted the back of Wooyoung's suit, which ended up grabbing his skin more than anything.

Wooyoung fought back the pain and just let it happen. He had endured worse. "Because he had one to stand in his way." He whispered back. "And I know that he does love you, he just holds no love for other people."

"H-He's a monster... So what does that make me?" Seonghwa lifted his head up and stared at Wooyoung with red, puffy, tear-filled eyes.

The sight broke Wooyoung's heart. He moved his hands up to cup Seonghwa's cheeks and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears. "That will depend on what you do from this moment on. Are you going to stay loyal to your father and let him get away with the awful things he's been doing? Or are you going to do what is right and stop him from hurting anyone else?"

Every old wound, bruise, scar, and burn seemed to ghost over Wooyoung's body and he shivered at the thought. All this time... if he hadn't asked Mingi to press that button... if they had just destroyed it... he could have been free.

But he would have given up Seonghwa in return, and even now, Wooyoung knew he would make the same decision if it meant Seonghwa got to live. He also accepted how foolish that thought was in this life since Seonghwa didn't return his feelings.

He was surprised when Seonghwa's eyes flickered a little and his grip on Wooyoung softened. His whole demeanor did, in fact. "Woo..."

"So what's the plan." San asked from behind them. There was a snap to his voice that made Seonghwa flinch before looking over Wooyoung's shoulder.

The pair rose up again and faced the five men in front of them.

Seonghwa took a deep breath and gazed down at Wooyoung for several seconds before exhaling. "Let's end this now."

A smile tore across Mingi's face and he ran forward to pull Seonghwa into a crushing hug. "Thank you." He turned to Wooyoung and froze for a moment. "Youngie... I'm so sorry I couldn't find you. I promise... I tried."

Wooyoung's lower lip quivered a little and he nodded. "It's ok, Mingi." He made the first move and hugged the giant in front of him. "This has to have been hardest on you, but we are going to fix everything."

Mingi squeezed him hard, lifting his feet off the ground for a moment, before releasing him and turning to the others. "I know we have a lot we need to work through and figure out. Joong being a big hurdle... But if you stick by me we are going win. I have faith in all of you." He looked around the room.

"Come on." Seonghwa offered, gesturing to the back room. "There's plenty of space downstairs. Why don't we all get some rest and we can meet tomorrow, or whenever Hongjoong wakes up, and get started?"

"Yes, what are we going to do about Hongjoong?" Yunho asked, peering over the counter. "He's still unconscious."

"I'll take him." Mingi whispered.

No one stopped him as he walked over and picked Hongjoong off the ground. Seonghwa showed them where the stairs were to the underground and made sure to lock the doors to the shop, even though it was trashed, and seal the secret door before taking everyone to their rooms.

There was enough for everyone to have their own room if they wanted it, but San and Yunho disappeared into one while Yeosang took another. Jongho hesitated for a moment before slowly following him inside with his head bowed.

Mingi was the last to take a room, but he brought Hongjoong in with him and nodded to Seonghwa before shutting the door.

Wooyoung felt the sudden urge to shower, hoping it would take away the ghostly feeling of his old wounds, so he walked down to the end where he had been sharing a room with Seonghwa. He could sense that he wasn't being followed, so he just went about his business and tried not to be hurt by the fact that he still was hoping Seonghwa would change his mind.

The shower at the end of the hall had individual showers all sectioned off by fogged glass. He chose a stall at the end and quickly stripped out of the suit. It was odd, he missed it once it was off, it was like it had become a second skin and now he felt so exposed.

After folding it neatly and setting it next to a towel he had grabbed, Wooyoung stepped into the stall and paused. His eyebrows lifted in surprise at the array of soaps and shampoos to chose from and he read all the labels while fiddling with the knobs on the wall.

Hot water washed over his skin and he sighed in relief. But that only lasted for a moment. He started rubbing and scratching at his skin, dying to get his ghost wounds off him. They suddenly felt so much stronger.

He turned and grabbed a cloth and soap to start scrubbing at his skin. He was so angry with Mercer for doing this to him. He was such an evil, sick, sadistic man who had managed to scar him for the rest of his life.

Mercer had ruined everything for him. He had stolen any hope of a normal life, and he had planned it since before Wooyoung had even been born.

Fate was a cruel mistress.

Wooyoung's tears were masked by the water running down his face. Especially when he just stood there with his arms wrapped around himself and closed his eyes. The water hit him squarely on the top of the head, running down his face, ears, neck, and then the rest of his body.

He took the time to imagine it washing away all his pain, and he was so focused on it that he didn't sense the door to the shower opening up behind until a pair of arms surrounded him.

There was no need to question who it was. Wooyoung would remember how those arms felt anywhere. But they didn't stop the tears.

"I'm so sorry." Seonghwa whispered. His lips brushed against Wooyoung's ear and made him shiver. And the thing that surprised Wooyoung too was that Seonghwa was still keeping a respectful distance behind him. Only his arms and face were in contact with the younger.

"It's ok." Wooyoung kept his eyes closed and tried to control his quivering lip.

"No, it's not. Woo... I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to make this up to you. I... I keep seeing that moment in Father's office in my mind..." His hands flexed as if he wanted to hold on tighter, but he stopped himself.

Wooyoung bit his lip and tried to keep his entire body from shaking. He wanted to ask why Seonghwa was here, but at the same time he didn't want to ruin the moment.

"I know," Seonghwa swallowed, "I know I haven't been able to straighten out my mind, with Father... you... and now today... But you've stayed by my side this entire time, without judging me... You followed me blindly, when I had given you no reason to trust me..."

"Because I love you." Wooyoung whispered, echoing his words that it felt like he had said an eternity ago.

In an instant, Seonghwa spun him around and pressed him against the shower wall. They locked eyes for only a second before Seonghwa dipped his head down while grabbing the back of Wooyoung's head to tilt it and guide him into a kiss.

Wooyoung's soul felt like it had been set on fire. He brought both hands up to fist Seonghwa's hair and let out a needy moan.

Seonghwa's other hand scrapped against his shoulder and roamed down to settle at the small of his back.

The water continued to cascade over their bodies, making each slide of their hands and arms easy once they became more adventurous.

When then finally slotted their hips together, Wooyoung groaned and felt his stomach flip in response.

But when Seonghwa moved a little lower and placed a hand on his ass, Wooyoung's eyes flew open and he pushed against Seonghwa's chest.

The older gave him a look of confusion that had Wooyoung slapping a hand over his mouth and shaking his hand. "I'm s-sorry." He whimpered.

It took Seonghwa only a few more seconds to realize what was wrong and he gently cupped Wooyoung's chin to tilt his head back. "Hey, it's ok." He whispered. "We don't have to do anything. I know af-"

"I want to." Wooyoung almost pleaded. His eyes grew wide and shimmered with newfound tears. "Please, please help me forget. I don't want to feel him anymore. H-Hwa, make it go away." He was sobbing by the end and Seonghwa immediately pulled him in for another hug.

Gentle hands ran over his back. It was like they were dancing across his skin to stitch the wounds back together. And soon lips joined the healing journey.

Seonghwa started to place the softest of kisses along Wooyoung's shoulder and neck.

Chills flowed through his entire body and even though he still had the instinct to fight, he could also feel himself giving in.

If there was one person that could fix him, it was Seonghwa. Wooyoung's heart had always belonged to him, and now he knew there was a reason behind that.

Neither of them acknowledged the hiccups and sobs that still escaped the younger as Seonghwa started to become more adventurous with his touches. He let his hands wander again, always light and delicate with a touch of hesitancy. This was all a test to see just how far Wooyoung was actually willing to go.

Wooyoung tilted his head back when Seonghwa started making his way down the younger's chest. He would occasionally add just a little teeth, nipping at Wooyoung's skin to show his need, but it was always followed by an open-mouthed kiss. He would focus on any bruise still marring Wooyoung's skin, circling its with one of this delicate fingers before placing a long kiss on the wound.

He was trying to heal everything and remind Wooyoung that it was all in the past. They were both in need of a new start.

Together.

Wooyoung gasped when Seonghwa wrapped a hand around his length and started to slowly stroke it while kissing along his stomach. He fell back against the wall and felt his breathing get heavier and heavier.

It felt so much different than anything he had been through before, but he still had to fight an internal battle.

Seonghwa was so soft, so loving... He glanced up at Wooyoung while sitting back on his heels and continuing his slow strokes. "You're doing so good."

Wooyoung barely heard what he said above the rushing water, but the words made him flush and he jerked his hip a little.

The older flashed a small smirk before standing up and capturing Wooyoung's lips with his own once more. He kept one hand on Wooyoung's length and used the other one to draw him in closer.

Soon the kiss became hungry from both sides and tongues twisted together mixed in with desperate moans.

Wooyoung found himself pressed against the shower wall once more with Seonghwa lifting up one of his legs to hold him place. Then he started to grind their hips together

At one point Seonghwa reached over to turn the dial on the wall when the water started to get too cold. A rush of hot water flooded them and Wooyoung's head fell back against the wall. He could barely control his panting or even keep his eyes open.

Seonghwa looped an arm around him and quickly flipped him to face the wall. He closed the gap between them and his hard length slotted perfectly between Wooyoung's cheeks, making him moan with pleasure.

After a moment, Wooyoung let his head fall back to rest against Seonghwa's shoulder and was greeted with Seonghwa's lips on his ear. He suckled on it and dragged his tongue back and forth around the rim. Then he started to rock his hips, grinding into Wooyoung's ass.

This only lasted for a few more minutes, though, before the water started to turn cold.

The couple was quick to turn the water off and run for their towels.

Seonghwa laughed when he saw Wooyoung trying to snuggled into his and warm himself up. "Here," he said after wrapping his around his waist. He lifted up another towel and started gently drying Wooyoung's hair.

The younger couldn't help but hum and close his eyes. A wide, almost puppy-like smile crossed his face and Wooyoung leaned forward to nuzzle into Seonghwa's chest.

"Are you done for tonight?" Seonghwa asked. He let his fingers graze along Wooyoung's neck, then settled his hand on Wooyoung's shoulder.

"No." There was no hesitation in Wooyoung's answer and he jumped up to wrap his arms and legs around the older, barely giving him the chance to catch him, and pressed their lips together.

Seonghwa squeezed his thighs and stumbled out of the bathroom. They both made sure to stay as quiet as possible on their way to their room, but as soon as the door closed, Seonghwa nipped at Wooyoung's neck and drew out a needy whine. "Hwa..."

"I know." Seonghwa panted. He leaned forward to set Wooyoung down on the bed. His hands traveled over every inch, then he started to gently prod at Wooyoung's entrance.

At first, Wooyoung wanted to push him away again, but he reminded himself that this was Seonghwa and not Mercer. And he wanted to be with Seonghwa more than anything.

"Help me." Seonghwa halfway ordered. He held up his fingers to Wooyoung's mouth and smirked when the younger started circling them with his tongue.

While he did that, Seonghwa spread his legs and started stroking his length again.

Wooyoung bucked his hips at the feeling and fisted the blanket on either side of him. He sucked greedily on Seonghwa's fingers, knowing what came next. His body ached for it. He needed it. More than anything else, he needed to feel good for once and not used.

Seonghwa removed his fingers and gazed at Wooyoung lovingly for a moment before bringing his hand down to work one inside of him. The stretch made Wooyoung hiss a little, but he was fine with it almost instantly.

He'd been through worse pain before.

And Seonghwa must have thought about the same thing because he offered a soft apology before kissing just the corner of Wooyoung's mouth.

It was these soft touches that made Wooyoung's heart flutter even more. He cupped the back of Seonghwa's head and twisted his fingers in his black hair, then gasped when Seonghwa inserted another finger. "H-Hwa..."

"Soon."

The words when straight to Wooyoung's length and he extended his neck to connect their lips.

Seonghwa continued to work his fingers thrusting them in and out while also scissoring them to help open him up.

Their limbs tangled together on the bed, neither one could get enough of touching the other. Wet, sloppy kisses intermingled with needy moans. They both rolled onto their sides and continued enjoying every touch, kiss, and scrapping of the nails they could.

Wooyoung felt like he was finally living. This was what he had always dreamed sex would be like. Not the torture he had been through in the past. But this.

And when Seonghwa spat in his hand before stroking himself to try and get some semblance of lube, Wooyoung rolled onto his back and eagerly awaited the moment they would finally become one.

They both hissed at the entrance, but once they got used to it Seonghwa started to slowly rotate his hips. Every drag and scrap was something that Wooyoung savored. He clung to the older's body, pressing his lips against every bit of skin he could reach.

Everything was perfect. They fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, and the way Seonghwa held him and touched him... Wooyoung felt treasured.

When Seonghwa shifted enough to start thrusting into Wooyoung's prostate, the greedy moan that came from him spurred Seonghwa to start thrusting faster. He also reached down to start stroking Wooyoung while using his other hand to cup the back of Wooyoung's head.

The younger wrapped his legs around Seonghwa's waist and dragged his nails down Seonghwa's back, leaving long, red scratches on his skin.

Their lips meshed together whenever they could between their panting and moans. 

Then Seonghwa gave one last hard thrust and dropped his head down to Wooyoung's shoulder to bite the skin there. He tightened his grip on Wooyoung's hair and tried to keep stroking Wooyoung.

It didn't take long for him to climax as well, emptying himself over Seonghwa's hand and his own stomach.

Panting filled the air and the couple laid there for a long time, limbs entangled on the bed and hearts racing.

"Thank you." Wooyoung finally whispered. He closed his eyes when he felt Seonghwa lifting his head up so that he didn't have to see the other's face. He didn't want to see any kind of pity or regret, just in case. All he wanted to do was remember how amazing this moment was and bask in it for as long as he could.

He didn't get any kind of reply from the older though. Instead, Seonghwa moved his hand from the back of Wooyoung's head so that he could caress his cheek, neck, and eventually the mark he had left on Wooyoung's shoulder. "Mingi was right."

Wooyoung's eyes flew open at those words and he fixated on the confused but elated look on Seonghwa's face.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you before. I'm sorry I didn't protect you all these years. I'm sorry I was so caught up in everything else..." Seonghwa's voice shook a little as he spoke, but he still managed to twist his lips into a loving smile. "None of it was ever right. I was always searching for something... and I could never figure out what it was." He paused and stared deeply into Wooyoung's eyes. "Until now."

Wooyoung didn't know what to say. He could feel tears coming back and the implication of Seonghwa's words, so he decided to wait for Seonghwa to continue.

But he didn't, and really, he didn't need to.

The kiss that followed was filled with thousands of unsaid words and feelings.

Two lost souls had finally found each other and reconnected.

And they would move heaven and earth if it meant they could stay together.

Forever.