Acid Lake is calm this morning. Jein strolls out of the cabin, stretching his aching back. It's been a long time since he participated in any combat. Last night was so intense for him that he immediately dozed off once his head touched the pillow.

Jein checks the caravan, pulling something from the floor. Carefully, he pushes a few buttons and a chrome color box slowly emerges from the floor.

If Joon knows about this shit, he will make it a big deal! Jein mumbles inside, before he takes out one of the guns from the box and caresses it carefully. Then he checks the condition of it.

The gun is doing fine.

He then checks and counts the bullet inside the console of the gun. The console is made of some material called Drex. It is a mixture of many kinds of metal. Something unique and rare.

But, that's not the special element in this gun. There is more than just Drex in it.

This gun, can be super powerful if it is activated by a powerful kilowatt of thunder.

With this, not only can we end the war, but we might save the Cosmos City as well. But before that, I wanna know more about Byul and what makes her connect to this event.

He's in deep thought when he hears footsteps and without a warning, he points the gun at the person.

"Bae!"

A mug slips from Joon's hand, who is shocked by Jein's action. He is pointing the gun towards Joon's head, making the man shiver to death.

Knowing the one who approaches him is Joon, Jein pulls back. He exhales heavily, rubbing his chest in worry. Luckily the gun isn't activated yet. Or else, he might kill Joon right on the spot.

"You should make a habit of saying 'Good Morning' from now on, Joon. You never know, one day you might get killed by someone because you fail to do it," says Jein. He keeps the gun back in the box calmly.

"What more do you keep from me, Jein?" Joon's voice suddenly became sullen and serious.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean.. that caravan, that blaster, that gun, safe house? And? What else, Jein?" asks Joon.

He feels betrayed when he realizes that Jein had kept a lot of secrets from him. Joon thinks, they had clear everything before they decide to live together a few years ago. But judging by last night's event, it seems like Jein lives a double life behind his back in discreetness.

"I practice shooting every morning before you even get up from bed. And oh, I keep the token knife that I got from my last mission in the last drawer in the kitchen. I killed at least four people with it," suddenly, Jein just spurs out words out of nowhere, neither budges, nor flinches, making Joon almost faints in shock.

"Why did you keep these from me, Jein?"

It's only one simple question.

But it's hard for Jein to answer.

He glares at Joon who seriously looks pissed off right now.

"You wanna know something?" asks Jein.

"What? Tell me!" Joon presses him for the truth.

"I did this because of you. Because I love you and I don't wanna lose you."

Joon feels his heart has been punched, over and over again.

"I did all this because I wanna protect you. I always feel that somehow, one day, I'm gonna lose you. I'm always afraid of that moment," Jein shuts his eyes tight while explaining.

"You know, when I found out that you were missing with your dad in that mission, I felt like dying! Every day, I wait for phone calls, wondering if it's a good news or bad news. I can't even live properly, not even once! When they found you, I don't know why but I feel like I'm alive back. That's how much I love you..." Jein stares at him with teary eyes.

"From that moment I decided that I will stop making weapons, not only because I hate it. I just realized it's a God's punishment for me, because I create something that kills goddamn-how many lives in this world!"

Tears slowly rolling from Jein's cheek, as he vigorously wipes them away with his strong heart.

"When you said that you wanna live with me, I couldn't have been happier! But the feeling of losing you never get faded in my mind. When I heard about the attack, I prepared myself to protect you, no matter what cost I will pay. I'm afraid that you might misunderstand my actions, that's why I keep this from you.."

Joon can't believe what he heard from Jein. He understands how much Jein wants to protect him. But to keep this from him does not justify the reason.

"Jein, how long have we been friends? Why do I feel like you never trust me? I understand your noble intention, but at least you should tell me if it's not all of it, just a bit of it. The real issue is loyalty and trust!" Joon fumes up. He was known as a person who always calm. To see him get pissed off like this, it is an unpleasant scenery for anyone.

"I'm sorry.."

That's the only thing that Jein can say. Joon sighs as he studies him,  who probably feeling guilty right now.

He walks slowly towards him and pulls him in a huge hug. Jein holds him so tight as if they will never see each other again.

"Promise me, no more secrets after this?" Joon demands a promise from Jein. He can never get mad at him, seriously. Because he knew Jein's intention only to make sure he is safe. And...

Because he loves him too...

Jein nods as Joon wipes tears from his eyes

"Stop crying, you develop some wrinkles on your face.." Jein smacks his shoulder lightly.

"I'll go and grab you some tea okay?" says Joon.

"Wait, I just confess!" Jein is in shock and looks like he is in an awkward situation.

"Yeah... I heard that too.." Joon replies, flashing his dimple. He leaves Jein hanging and waits for his answer eagerly.

"At least say something, Joon!"

The man keeps walking away.

"You hear that, I say I love you!"

...and Joon keeps walking, ignoring antsy Jein who is waiting for his answer.

"Joon, I say I love you!" Joon smirks but never turns back.

"I love you, you asshole!!!" Jein screams as he stomps his feet on the ground. Joon pretends to ignore him until he enters the house. Once he shuts the door, he holds his heart. It jumps up and down inside his rib cage. He is a blushing mess.

He walks slowly into the kitchen, more like hopping in happy mode towards the counter. Carefully pour some tea into the mug when...

"JOON!!!"

Joon quickly runs outside when he hears Jein's scream out loud. There is a group of aliens surrounding Jein, making Joon almost fly out of the house.

"Jein, no!!" Joon's steps are halted when one of the aliens locks him in the eyes.

"Arghhhhh!!!AHH!!!!" Joon feels like his brain is squeezed tight. He held his head, battling with extra excruciate pain ever. Droll and tears rolling, he feels like he is on verge of life and death now.

The alien takes off with Jein, leaving Joon struggling there alone. Yoon, Justin, and Byul run out and reach out to Joon when they hear the commotion from inside the house.

"Joon!!" Yoon holds his brother tight. The man is having a hard time to breath. Byul almost runs toward the alien when Justin grabs her from behind.

"Let me go!!! Jein!!" Byul screams her lung out when she sees Jein passes out on one of the alien's shoulders. They enter the quint jet and take off immediately.

"Joon, stay with me... please..." Yoon grabs him tight. A few seconds later, he passed out.

Justin lets Byul go, and she drops down on earth as she cries out loud. "Why did you stop me just now, you bastard!!" she smacks Justin on his cheek. She hits him over and over again, with tears in her eyes rolling to the cheek.

"You son of...!!"

"I can't just let them take you! If they did, it's the end of us!" Justin screams as he shakes Byul's weak body. "I'm sorry..." says Justin.

Yoon stares at them with wet eyes. Jein got kidnapped, and his brother just passed out. And this two fella got into a fight.

What a morning!

"Justin, bring Joon inside.." he says. The young man slowly scoops him bridal style and walks into the cabin, leaving Yoon and Byul alone.

Yoon slowly walks toward Byul. He squats down and stares at her who is sobbing hard.

"We'll figure this out.."

"You don't understand. He will die! They gonna kill him, they will torture him.. they will-"

"I know Jein can handle it. For now please let just help me with Joon. Please.." Yoon can't hold his tears anymore.

Byul grabs Yoon's hand. They stand up together, hug each other shoulders and walk into the cabin.

***

Night has come. Joon is more stable than before. But his lips still call Jein even in his times of sleep.

"Luckily Jein packed this lavender essence. I didn't know this flower could bring so much benefit.." says Justin. He studies the diffuser next to Joon's bed.

Yoon gazes at his brother. He hopes that both of them survive at least for tonight.

"We can't wait anymore. We need to figure out where they brought him," says Yoon.

"We'll figure this out after Joon recovers a bit.. in this condition we can't be separate," says Justin.

"Justin, can you check on Byul? She hasn't come out of the room since this morning.." asks Yoon. He intentionally asks Justin to check Byul so they can sit down and talk about what happened this morning. They can't afford any fight at this current moment. It will affect the group as a whole if they can't fix this misunderstanding now.

Slowly, Justin moves from his chair and walks out of the room, leaving Yoon who keeps eyeing Joon. He silently sobs, looking at how worst his condition is.

***

A knock at the door makes Byul startled. She opens the door only to find Justin standing in front of the room.

"Are you okay?" she just nods.

"I'm sorry, but I hope you will understand. They went after you for so long. If they manage to take you too, let's just assume that it's the end of Cosmos City! You are our only hope now. Without you, all of this is just meaningless," Justin explains with so much sincerity in his heart.

"I'm worried about Jein. I've been in that situation before. It's only a pain that you can feel after that. You're losing yourself," says Byul.

"Don't worry, we'll figure this out as soon as possible.."

"I hope so.." she replies.

Before Justin could say anymore, there is a knock on the door.

They glance at each other, curious about who will come here in the middle of the night.

Justin slowly grabs his gun from his side waist belt. Byul looks around and finds a long bamboo stick. She grabs it tight and slowly walks towards the door.

"Password?"

"I'm looking for Jein.."

"Password?"

Silent.

"Awoooooo....." the person yowls so hard, as if there's a real wolf behind the door. Justin and Byul nod at each other.

That's the correct password.

Byul opens the door. A man stands right in front of her, wearing lots of military equipment.

"Who are you?" she asks, crinkling her forehead while staring at the man.

"Oh, I'm his friend. My name is Sun.."