"So this is it, huh? All the new fuckers entering Oasis? They all look like a bunch of fucking pussies!"

Hwanwoong cringes to the words of the woman stomping down the line of the new recruits, himself included being on of those fuckers she's scowling down at. He stood upright, as Jungkook raised him and Yeosang to stand when it involves listening to authority, and maybe's that's the reason why she didn't look his or Yeosang's way.

If there's anything Jungkook taught them well, it's how to handle the screaming and yelling of a strict instructor: Unlike a few newbies here who immediately started crying just by a sneer of her hateful gaze alone.

Besides, Yoongi made sure to give them a run through last night before they were on their own this morning. So you can imagine the night filled with lots of yelling, sudden command to do on the spot - some basic military tactics to be ready for. Bootcamp in Oasis will feel a lot like the military, so another bonus to having a father who's a Sergeant - while also having Eden and Karma encouraging from the side.

Wonwoo met up with them in the sight of the incident, and he was actually a lot nicer than expected - but that didn't change Yeosang's subtle grudge on him for what he did to his parents.

They didn't do much talking on the way, just for the sake of fearing that someone may overhear or they're being watched. So he only took them to Oasis headquarters, and from there he did a brief run through on what to expect - but Jimin also already did that aside from Yoongi's military introduction.

So getting in, registering, seeing their fake identifications in the system, they were easily given access inside.

As Wonwoo promised, no one recognized them, especially Director Jung - who smiled to everyone as they entered to the gymnasium.

Both boys made sure to remember his face well before standing into a line.

So far, no sign of Jungkook nor Taehyung, but the Boss of Orchids was here with Director Jung - since of course a handful of these recruits would be going with him - assuming that's the deal the two made along with their alliance.

One of those people being Yeosang.

"I need to know if some of you will make the cut to stay here," Drill instructor Moonbyul continues to scowl, turning around to face everyone in the line, "If not, then you will find yourselves escorted out to go with this fine gentlemen here."

All eyes falls to Boss of Orchids, Kim Namjoon. Everyone here knew who he was, and clearly they know he has a thing for those who don't showcase their best to suffer in his empire.

Quite the reputation he has.

Hwanwoong gulps thickly, glancing to Yeosang briefly. The other boy didn't seem phased, if anything he looks as though he has just aimed for his target.

To melt with his bare hands.

"Well don't you have a thing for straying eyes," Suddenly Hwanwoong is to the center of the attention, having the drill instructor in front of him with a pointed stare, "Alright newbie, since you don't care so much for instructions, why don't you go first in displaying your abilities? And you will go against him."

Hwanwoong stares in between her eyes stiffly but then salutes to her, at the same time Yeosang did as well as she chose him as his competitor, "Yes ma'am."

The two approach the mat, feeling the eyes of the Director and Boss eying them from afar, but they calmly remove their shoes and stand face to face. As Jungkook taught them to do, they bowed to each other and got ready.

Luckily for them while growing up, they grew up fighting each other often. They know their every weak spot, and currently as well since they practiced for this one-on-one combat plenty of times.

However, Yeosang would always win because his abilities are simply unbeatable. With a single touch, he can drag Hwanwoong to the ground while suffocating for air. That's why he has to hold back, just to make Hwanwoong win.

That was the goal.

That's why when the Drill Instructor shouted to begin, Yeosang let Hwanwoong teleport like some pop up around his body - landing punches after punches and kicks with his quick teleportation - so fast that even if Yeosang wanted to hit him, he couldn't because he wouldn't know where he'd be.

So Yeosang resulted with crouching to the ground and heating up the mat with his hand, just as Yoongi taught him. Hwanwoong stopped right in front of him, and Yeosang kicks his ankles and yanks him to the ground, on him in seconds and ready to land a punch across his face - but Hwanwoong held his hand up, forcing Yeosang to levatate off him and aggressively across the mat until his back collided with the wall.

Which was a big, brutal, mistake.

Physical pain triggers Yeosang's radiation abilities, a lot, so upon feeling the brutal strike on his back from the wall, he immediately felt his body growing hot.

So, feverishly, hot.

He tried doing as Yoongi instructed him to do, which was to let the radiation travel to a specific part of his body and just move, but he felt this overwhelming desire to just explode when he moved and felt that striking pain.

His eyes began to blaze orange.

In seconds Hwanwoong is over him, the worry laced in his voice when he whispers, "Remember how Yoongi taught you-"

"I'm trying," Yeosang growls, closing his eyes as the sweat beamed his skin, "You did a number on me Hwannie."

"I'm sorry! I didn't think it-"

"I apologize for being late sir."

Every single cell in Yeosang's body froze, completely frozen. The heat was immediately replaced by a cold chill running down his body, his heart esclating in beats to the familiar voice speaking into the air.

Slowly Yeosang shifted his gaze, through the blur seeing two people standing in front of Director Jung in their cameo uniform.

After a few blinks, Yeosang could feel his heart plummeting when he sees the familiar face of his father standing right there. In the very room he's in.

So close.

Hwanwoong turns his head as well, his body going rigid but he was quicker to react in grabbing a hold of Yeosang and standing up. Yeosang was in too much shock that he didn't even realize his radiation levels were gone, now as the two stand before their drill instructor on the mat.

"Well you were completely worthless," She spats immeditately to Yeosang, then looks to Hwanwoong, "And guess you're more promising than I thought. Get back in line kid, as for you, go with boss."

Yeosang and Hwanwoong gave each other a glance, knowing this is where their path will be divided for now, but trusting each other to accomplish what needs to be done.

So Yeosang turns around, his breath going shakily as he approaches boss - who's still next to Director Jung, who's also have his father facing him.

Yeosang did everything in his power to keep himself composed, and no break down by the stress upon seeing his father again, just as he stands before Boss with his alined figure.

He could feel eyes to the side of his head, and he did everything to not take a peak - only focusing on the man in front of him - who's only grinning at him humorously.

"I saw you heating that mat up to delayed the boy's movements," His voice is deep and husky, yet swayed like silk, "Which makes me think if you were holding back, or your abilities are just not yet explored."

Then he looks at the pair beside him, "Lisa my dear, do you mind analyzing this."

Yeosang's breath hitched, feeling his body tense up as a hand places itself on his shoulder and turns him around.

He couldn't look up.

He couldn't.

But with a tender hand under his chin, it raised his gaze to see the woman before his eyes.

Lisa...

The woman duplicated as his mother.

His biological mother.

And.... She's so beautiful.

Breathless to such beauty that he remembers from photos his father showed to him, she's standing right in front of him with such a delicate smile when she searches his eyes.

His mom...

She's.... His mom.

"Aw, his abilities are still new, involving heat," She whispers kindly, retreating her hand back, "What is your name?"

For a good moment Yeosang forgot his fake identity and was just about to spill his true name, but he caught his tongue when he took a glance to Director Jung, immediately remembering his mission.

So he gathered his composure and kept his held up, "Um, Min Yoonmin."

He hated the name, but Jimin thought it was cute.

It's better than Jigi, which is Hwanwoong's fake name.

"Interesting name," Lisa compliments softly, looking at Boss, "He has potential, aptitude leads to explosion with practice."

So even her double holds her same abilities.

Good to note.

"Interesting indeed," Boss murmurs, his eyes focused to Yeosang, "In that case, Jungkook, do you mind he demonstrates?"

Now this had Yeosang's going into a state of anxiety, and not because he's facing his father - who doesn't know it's him and remembers nothing of their past in the sixteen years they've been together - but because he's afraid he's going to somehow be discovered.

In the past, Jungkook would be like Yeosang's shield. He would test the highest Yeosang would reach his radiation before it can be destructible, and never was it enough to hurt him.

Now Yeosang knows he can because he has reached such high levels while training with Yoongi than he ever has with Jungkook and Taehyung.

He could kill him.

However, the goal isn't to rely on radiation, it's to rely on the heat before it.

He has to concentrate, but that means he has to be distracting so Jungkook won't push him to use his full potential.

Yet with Jungkook now moving to stand in front of him, Yeosang felt his legs suddenly weaken when Jungkook looks at him directly in the eyes and nothing is demonstrated back. Yeosang knows right now he's not recognizable for his protection until Jungkook remembers, but having his biological father look at him and show nothing broke something inside him that felt much more than his heart.

Especially when Yeosang took his outstretched hand, and squeezed it tightly.

Yeosang couldn't prevent the tears that glittered his eyes upon feeling his familiar touch again, but he focuses on the heat in his hand to transfer - knowing that's not enough to hurt him.

His hand....

His warm hand.....

Father.....

"You're holding back kid," Jungkook's voice startled a shiver down Yeosang's spine, "There's nothing in this world that could possibly hurt me. So, don't hold back."

Is that so?

Snapping those teary eyes to Jungkook's empty stare, Yeosang steps forward with eyebrows furrowed, "Nothing in this world could possibly hurt you?"

Jungkook seemed somewhat taken back by such counter attack, but Yeosang felt his body firing up as he glares through his tears, "Yeah, maybe nothing can hurt you physically, but your eyes speak a different story."

"What-"

"I can read your expression, everything about you actually," Yeosang bullshited on the spot, yet that didn't dim down the flare in his eyes to glow, "Those eyes speak so many words of how much you've given up. You just accepted reality now, didn't you? We all live in an illusion, a box, and we're mere puppets to play for someone else's fucking show. Isn't that right?"

Jungkook glances down to the heat he's starting to feel on his hand and back to the kid, "Okay, you need to cool it down -"

"Did you cool it down when you grieved too?" Jungkook's eyes widen, "Oh those bruises under your eyes speak of a grieving heart, one that you let die? Right?"

"I didn't -"

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm not - watch your tongue!"

"It's guilt isn't it? Did they scream for you to save them? That they were helpless? Hm? You're squeezing my hand, so I must be right at something?"

"Don't fucking push it -"

Yeosang falsely smiles, "Then hide a little more so I won't use it against you."

Jungkook's face toughens, "You know nothing about me or my son-"

"Was it a son then, hm? Oh it definitely was, why were you so careless?" Yeosang was losing it in his head, just like the tears that glided down his cheeks, "Waking up everyday thinking it's your fault? Living day by day to ignore the fact that you killed him -"

"SHUT UP-"

"AND BECAUSE OF YOU HE WAS SCARED AND WAS HELPLESS!" Yeosang snaps back, "HOW DOES IT FEEL BOILING WITH THE SAME FIRE THAT EXPLODED HIS LIFE!"

Jungkook suddenly screeches and yanks it hand back, an evident burnt mark now on his hand - the first time Yeosang has ever managed to be able to do that.

Meaning Jungkook wasn't concentrating.

And it immediately fueled him with regret.

Yes, Yeosang has held so much in since this all started, but never did he ever blame Jungkook for any of it.

Yet once he started talking, he couldn't stop.

For a moment..... He sounded like Eden.

"Hm, seems like you're quite the observer there kid, and that fuels your abilities," Boss suddenly mutters, narrowing his eyes, "Or... Do you know something we don't know?"

All eyes are on him now, but Yeosang has now let his feelings grow numb as he stands there, facing him with his own empty eyes, "I know how to read people's expressions well, and by that I judge on what they say and attack for weakness. A distraction makes the person unable to focus on their abilities. I'm an observer, I can see everything with just a glance."

Which is not exactly a lie. A bonus to having a narcissistic asshole as Eden like a parental figure is that he can be quite educational in his approaches. Not only did he teach Yeosang to communicate with him, but he also taught him how to be a manipulative fucker like himself. He can read people so easily, just by a moment with them alone. He can tell so much just by a brief scan of their breathing patterns, expression, even by scent.

And since Eden has been with him for sixteen years, Yeosang has mastered that ability to read without being told anything.

Yeah, him and Eden always got off on the wrong foot most of the time, but Eden was always in want of Yeosang's protection - all of the time. That's why he taught him all of this, for his protection and survival.

And now Yeosang is using it well, to the point it made him sound just like him.

Unfortunately.

"You can read people you say?" Boss snickers, standing upright, "I know someone who will be the judge of that, who's so well at reading people like a book."

Place a hand on his back, Boss waves a hand to the drill instructor, "I'm conformed with just him, carry on."

Yeosang still remained tense, trying to avoid Jungkook and Lisa's heavy stare but he didn't play it off for Hwanwoong - sending him a final stare, who only gave him a subtle nod and faces ahead.

From that moment on, life began to feel as though it was moving in a slower motion. For Hwanwoong, everyone moved down the line and he didn't even remember even watching most of their abilities if he's being quite honest. Not even when Jungkook found his familiar face as the boy from the park was enough to shine a light inside Hwanwoong's body.

All that cloud his head was Yeosang, and for first time since they've been together, they've divided their paths.

He knows Yeosang can definitely take care of himself, probably ever better since he'll be around both Taehyung and Wonwoo in the process - but what's nerving is his method of getting close to Taehyung. Yeosang, just like his abilities, can be extremely emotionally impulsive when he's not in his cool - which is why sometimes his abilities are uncontrollable.

Hwanwoong's just afraid something will happen, and he won't be there to help him.

But he's going to have to trust that he can handle it, after all, there's nothing he can't get through if it involves his family.

That's the only thing driving Yeosang's mind right now, just as he sits in the back of the car with Boss, having Wonwoo drive them to Orchid headquarters. Yeosang was still, mellowing down every piece of his emotions to not feel a single thing in his body. Unlike his explosive emotions, which is thanks to Karma for that, Yeosang has mastered keeping his composure intact most of the time and that's because of Jungkook.

He is either too calm, or too emotional - there's no in-between.

So right now he feeds off his father's way of being expressionless to be silent, calm, and in a way slowing himself down to take in what's going on - which a lot really has happened.

He saw the duplicate of his dead mother.

His father didn't recognize him.

Exploded his inner, and darker feelings out in the open while making it seem like some stupid game.

Got recruited into Orchids.

Away from Hwannie.

Now he's going to be met someone with apparently the same gift as his to read people, and no doubt it'd be Eden.

Another reason as to why Yeosang is mellowing himself down, since he knows Eden can easily sniff him out with just a second in his presence. For that moment he's going to have to either play it safe, or play it exactly like how he taught him.

If he does that, maybe there's a slim chance Yeosang will get somewhere in figuring out a trigger to have his memories come back.

Won't hurt to try, besides, there's nothing Eden can possibly do to him that Yeosang doesn't already know.

He made the first mistake in trusting in their connection without knowing what's going on, won't happen again.

Yeosang will show how well we learned.

The car suddenly stopped outside a large mansion, having Yeosang actually be impressed since he's never been around such a large... Building like that before. It screams money and wealth, something Yeosang never in his dreams imagine he'd step foot in.

Shrugging off his shock, Yeosang exits the car once he notice Boss approaching the entrance and follows after him. Wonwoo traces behind him, and Yeosang immediately heard him in his head.

"Faster than expected, impressive. I'm assuming you can handle this?"

Yeosang just barely nods his head, playing it casual when he looks around as though he's appreciating the portraits against the wall upon stepping inside the mansion.

"You have a difficult task in triggering Taehyung because you must trigger all of them. Let me give you debrief within this walk."

Yeosang focuses as he follows Boss to remember hallways, turns and exits as they walk, keeping himself casual while Wonwoo continues to speak into his head.

"The way I adjusted Taehyung's memories is different compared to Jungkook. The reason you're gone from his memory is because you are an important asset in remembering, I saw it in his head."

Now this made Yeosang furrow his eyebrows, thinking how he could possibly be more important than Hwanwoong to trigger Taehyung's memories.

"Hwanwoong is his kid, but you are not - technically. You were the new chapter in his life, what made him a better man. He sees you as a new beginning in his life, as someone who also saved him," This tugged Yeosang's heart, frowning to the words, "You had your own connection with each alter, so there's specific things that will trigger the alter to remember. I don't know what it could possibly be, but you will know."

How the fuck -

Boss rounds the corner, entering another hallway, and Yeosang took that opportunity to glare at Wonwoo. The man glares back, motioning to Boss to keep up. Yeosang was barely paying attention to what Boss was saying about Orchids by this point, since a lot of this is what he already knew.

Thank you Jimin.

"I know you may be thinking about how your father will remember. Well, with him is a lot more simpler than Taehyung. Hwanwoong, for him, he'd always wanted to protect with such a parental love other than you. In his memories, he saw Hwanwoong as someone who always made him feel normal, happy even - which says a lot considering his personality. Hwanwoong will have to build a connection to snap him, and..... Well.... He will have to risk himself to the point Jungkook will find him worth saving."

Yeosang snaps his head to him, "That is fucking suicide!"

"Not quite," Boss answers to him, "You will only be test towards the end, so you have enough time to build up your skill set before facing him."

Huh?

Face who?!

Dammit Wonwoo!

Yeosang couldn't even nudge a reaction before Boss suddenly enters inside a room, which looked far too similar like an interrogation room - adding onto a small glass divider on the table, assuming it's purpose are for preventing things from getting physical.

A familiar man already sits on other side of the glass divider, boredly strumming his fingers on the metal table. When they entered inside, Eden twirls his head to them and grins to boss, but that drops when he sees Yeosang.

For a moment, Yeosang saw a glimpse of him in there.

The protective Eden.

The one who do anything to assure he's safe.

But that quickly faded when he looks back to Boss, "Babysitting now?"

"No, I know that's not your taste," Boss ventures, motioning for Yeosang to sit on the empty chair to the other side of the table, "You got word of what I'd like for you to do, correct?"

Eden grimaces and looks at the kid, "So you're telling me this brat is the one who supposedly reads? You've got to be joking."

"I'll love to hear the results once you got your perspective if he's as devious as you are."

With that Boss leaves the two alone, Wonwoo giving him a final wording on luck.

Now having Yeosang face Eden.

For some reason, out of everyone that could possibly leap out right now, Yeosang feels this comfort around Eden.

Eden never changes, even now as he sits there in front of him.

He's exactly.... The same.

Which makes things a little smoother for Yeosang.

"The fuck are you doing here you brat?" Eden scowls, still leaning back on the chair with a scowl, "You were the same one from the park, followed me?"

He has begun.

Yeosang eyed him momentarily, "I don't follow people with little empathy."

"Ouch, calling me heartless?"

"The correct word is narcissistic," Yeosang retorts back, mimicking his posture, "But looking at you now, you don't seem any better than me that day."

This perked an eyebrow from him, now Eden eying him back, "Judging by your attitude, I hurt your little feelings, didn't I? Must mean you're so fucking lonely to have ended up here in my presence."

"Don't act like you hate it since at least I've been able to express my emotional vulnerability," Yeosang played the words with his tongue, "You on the other hand, how's crying to sleep working for you?"

Eden narrows his eyes, clearly trying not to feel affected by his words, but he did let out a brief dry chuckle, "You do have an eye huh? Was it the under eye bruising? Or the swollen edges of my eyes?"

"It's you having the same killing guilt look like Jungkook had."

Eden's entire face drops, sitting up abruptly with those glass dark eyes staring into his, "Do I now?"

"So you do know him, special friend?"

"Oh, you want to go there?"

"I'm an open book, there's nothing you possibly can uncover from me that I have to hide."

Eden twitches a sinister smile, reaching all the way to his cheeks as he tilts his head to the side, "Is that so?" And his stare grew intense, "You're so intense, you don't want to be here but you have to. The way your hands are twitching together must mean you're holding yourself composed, purposely, which leaves me to think that you are thinking of someone right now who you left behind to be here."

Hwanwoong.

Yeosang curses to himself for not being attentive to those physical details, but he retailiates it by crossing his fingers on the table, smiling back, "Enlighten me please."

Now things got interesting for Eden.

He also leans forward, his smiling twitching wider, "I can get into your head so easily and have it revealed to me as dreams what really is your deal, but because of my loyalty to Boss, I'll play it safe. Want me to enlighten you? Your challenge shows to me you're trying to seem transparent, not afraid of anything -"

"Bold assumption -"

"But that makes things clear that you are missing someone who you're hiding, who is it hm? Mother, father, brother - Brother? Oh, you left a brother? I'm assuming in Oasis?"

He's just as good as Yeosang remembers.

It's actually making him excited.

"Guess we're not the only ones who left something precious in Oasis, is that right?" Yeosang glances down to the empty hands that didn't have the ring, looking back to him, "The difference is, I don't cope with my guilt by running away."

This provoked Eden, now sitting upright, "Who's running away? I don't have any guilt."

"Watch your words," Yeosang taunts carefully, smiling, "I'm sensing you becoming emotional."

"You're pulling a distraction."

"It's working wonderfully," Now Yeosang places his chin on his hand, "Now you're curious, how did I possibly ever learn to read so well people's possible behaviors through words of manipulation and expression, right?"

Eden stares at him pointedly, his teeth grinding together, "I haven't been manipulated by you."

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"If you weren't, you wouldn't have entertained this conversation."

"I'm not entertaining, Boss asked me to do a job and I accomplished."

"And what is the job you accomplished?"

"To see if you can read me."

"To which you admit I did."

"Yes - Wait, no -"

"So that means you are running away from Jungkook because you feel guilty because that day you did not just lose your son, but you felt like you lost more than that, right?"

Eden nose twitches, snarling, "You're not about to put words in my mouth."

"Okay, I'm not."

"Yes you are, you're trying to get into my head."

"If you say it like that, must mean I'm right," Yeosang grins, tapping his finger on the table, "Ironic since you're the one who can only get into mine."

Gotcha.

Eden gets to his feet, sneering down at Yeosang, "Who the fuck taught you this shit?"

Yeosang grins as he stands to his feet and walks around the table, standing in front of Eden in confidence.

This made him feel real fucking good.

"A father who used to call his son a brat," He taunts, smiling, "Eden."

Eden's face falls, something about him saying his name clearly triggering something, but Yeosang only turns around and goes to the door, glancing back to him, "I know one day you'll be proud of me."

With that he walks out the door, leaving Eden with his head spiraling on its own.

So brutal to the point he fell silent in that same conference room with the other alters, who were clearly watching as this unfolded.

"How the fuck did you let a little kid get you like that? What happened to you being the best one out there?"

Eden didn't say anything to Karma's retort, only kept his arms crossed with a heavy stare to the table.

"Something about him nudges me," Tigresa suddenly spoke up, rubbing a hand to their throat, "He woke me up. There's something about him I can't put my finger on."

"The kid is just someone looking for trouble," Valencia states, looking at Taehyung, "We need to keep an eye on him."

Taehyung similarily to Eden has been silent, keeping to himself. He remembers him from the park, and there's this thing about him that just makes him so.... Familiar.

It tugged Taehyung in such a way he can't even describe, and he can't even put his finger on it.

"This kid is vivid, I'll give him that," Karma suddenly says, looking at Taehyung, "We do nothing, let's see what he has to show."

Taehyung tugs his bottom lip to this and glances to Eden, still seeing him with that lost daze in those eyes.

Completely lost

[Note]:

Oofffff

This should be entertaining.

What you think of Yeosang and Eden's interaction?

Get ready for some Taekook next chapter, about to be intense!

Lots of love <3