The scent of Mingi's perfume lingered in Yunho's sheets. Though the room reeked of sex and Yunho direly needed a shower, he was too obsessed with it. He slept late in the morning, snuggled into the fleeting scent of his boss and free of all dreams.

When he got up, he was rested, and he admitted he needed to clean up and ventilate the area he shared with San. After doing his laundry, he stopped by a convenience store to get himself a sandwich and some eggs and rented a bike to get to the headquarters quicker.

It was ridiculous how good he felt.

His mind was clear of its usual stuffiness, clearer perhaps than even before he awakened as an esper. He took in noises and scents as if a greasy film lifted off the world and his body felt light. The fever was cured overnight and Yunho could probably run a marathon without training right now.

And that was just a taste of things. Mingi and he hadn't gone the full way.

Guiding was addictive. Scary. Not something Yunho wanted to get used to.

Since his mind was so refreshed and sharp, Yunho remembered everything. Every moment was burnt into his mind with a big, fat badge of No.1 stamped on it to take over an important spot in his memories. He remembered the feeling of Mingi's hands on him and every single word. Calling him pet names, cooing over him.

Yunho never even considered being attracted to a man. Or liking sexual interaction with one.

With red ears, Yunho parked his bike next to the entrance and ducked into the building. Wooyoung wasn't at his desk right now, and Yunho hurried to get past before he would return.

He didn't know how to look Mingi in the eyes. What was he supposed to say? Everything felt so intimate and crazy, so significant to Yunho's life, even if it hadn't been for Mingi. Because he wasn't used to guiding? To sex?

It didn't matter. He should thank Mingi and be normal about it. After all, Mingi made his expectations clear and guiding was no big deal in this lifestyle. Yunho didn't need to delude himself or invite him for dinner.

But he wouldn't forget it anytime soon either...

Like a ghost, Yunho floated down the corridor. He felt detached from his physical form, unable to interact with his surroundings and unable to be perceived. Since he reached a higher level, he was far in his mind, digesting everything he experienced and the scent lingering in his nose.

Until a hand landed on his shoulder.

Yunho startled out of his skin, almost knocking his glasses off when he whipped around. Nonchalant, Jongho dodged his flailing.

"Hey, there you are. How are you?" He asked, and Yunho clutched a hand to his hammering heart. For a moment, he thought that would be Mingi. He wasn't ready yet to be questioned.

"H-Hi," Yunho stuttered, ruffled again. Jongho scanned him from head to toe.

"You look better today, but you are jumpier than ever. Did you finally receive guiding?"

Yunho peered at the ground, shy to nod. It was as if he was confessing he broke a vase to his mother. Somehow, it was humiliating. Did he commit a crime? No. Then was it because he had his first kiss? Or because it was Mingi he lost it to?

But Jongho just looked relieved he got on with it. His gummy grin was proud of Yunho for taking care of himself.

"Who was it? Wooyoung?"

Yunho's ears got hotter and hotter. He was afraid admitting to it would spread more rumours. Or that Mingi wouldn't want some D-class nerd on his tally. Would he want Yunho to stay quiet?

A door closed upstairs, and Yunho's eyes treacherously flinched to the staircase. Like a deer caught in the headlights, he locked up, ready to dash into the nearest bathroom if he spotted Mingi's shoes coming his way.

But no one moved. Only Jongho crossed his arms with a knowing grin.

"It was Mingi, right? How exciting. He is famed for his skill, but he is selective for people in Tenebra."

Unable to hide the way he awkwardly scratched his neck, Yunho nodded. His adrenaline kept him on alert. Jongho didn't seem like the guy to spread rumours. At the barbeque, he was the most chill.

"H-He said he feels responsible since he picked me up."

"Wise man," Jongho agreed. "He isn't available as an exclusive guide, but I always like to hear that he takes care of the people around him."

A tiny little stab dug into Yunho's heart and it was gone so quickly he didn't ponder it. He blurted out his next question, thinking of Seonghwa and Hongjoong and how attached they were thanks to their pairing.

"What if someone catches feelings for a guide like him? Won't they hate how he sleeps around?"

Jongho shook his head. He also wasn't anyone's sole guide, helping the soldiers he trained during their sessions. Yunho couldn't imagine him intimate with anyone, but when things got tough on the battlefield... Would he or Mingi be in some side alleys, helping the espers stay sane?

Yunho shuddered at the thought. That wasn't how he wanted to perceive his superiors.

"He works. He isn't sleeping around to cheat on someone. And people are bound to catch feelings. Anyone loves the handsome life saviour who puts his mouth to use," Jongho snickered, despite Yunho's grimace. "Don't worry too much about him. Mingi can decide for himself what he wants. I'm glad you are feeling better."

They were about to leave for training after Jongho patted Yunho's shoulder in brotherly comfort when the door to a meeting room next to them swung open and the exact man of Yunho's newest nightmares stepped outside. He spotted Yunho frozen right away, and a charming grin dashed over his lips.

"Have fun during practice," he wished them, stepping past in the fellowship of an assistant. When he brushed past Yunho in his sleek black suit, the scent of the same perfume caught in his nose.

Mingi winked at him when Yunho stared with wide eyes, then his long legs brought him up the stairs.

Yunho didn't dare breathe until the door upstairs closed. Then, he broke out into a jog, hastily removing himself from anywhere near where Mingi might show up. His head was hot and his stomach all knotted up.

Jongho ran after him with a light chuckle.

"Come on, if you react so cutely, he will continue teasing you," he snickered, but Yunho didn't halt until he changed his clothes and could run a few rounds to dispel his excess energy. He was so down to have Hongjoong explode him through the wall if that meant the mental image of Mingi between his legs leaving his mind.

Jongho kept chuckling about him, but he didn't tell a soul.

-

"Sup, Yunho. Looking good today."

Yunho smiled at Wooyoung on his way out. He had calmed down from his panic and trained twice as hard to stop thinking about Mingi. Though Jongho found him hilarious, he supported him and training was a great success, since Yunho was so focused.

"Thanks. Did San already go home?" Yunho asked as he halted by Wooyoung's desk. The guide had been printing out some documents and stapled them into neat piles.

"He left half an hour ago, yeah. Said he was worried about you. Are you alright?"

Grateful San didn't mention calling Mingi and leaving them in the dorm after, Yunho beamed back at Wooyoung.

"Absolutely. I'll catch up with him and tell him I'm good now. You have a good evening."

"You too," Wooyoung chirped after him and Yunho brought out his bike to make his way home. He spotted Mingi's motorcycle under the roof and ducked away hastily, not chancing his luck to run into him again. Though Yunho wanted to thank him, he wasn't ready yet. Maybe next week.

On his way home, he called his mother. They hadn't chatted in a long while and Yunho felt bad for barely contacting her while he wasn't feeling well.

She picked up after a couple of rings and her voice was delighted at seeing his name.

"Yunho, my dear. How are you?"

"Hey, mom," Yunho smiled as he bobbled down the hill, relishing the golden hour of the evening settling over the mountains. "I'm doing well. How about you?"

"Everything as always. How is your new job going? Is everyone nice to you?"

Yunho still didn't have the heart to tell her. He was afraid of her finding out by seeing him on TV, getting shredded by some demon and named a casualty. Though he needed to tell her so she could prepare her heart, he found it so cruel to rip her from her current trust and confidence in his safety.

How was he supposed to tell her the most well-known and governmental centre abused its espers? About joining the misfits? About Mingi?

"Everyone is super nice and welcoming. I made some friends," he assured her what he had already told her last time. She was anxious on his behalf since they were so far apart. Though it had been a few years since he came to Seoul to prove himself in the job market and earn his own money to fund his studies later in life, she still worried about her baby.

Not that those studies were ever going to happen. All dreams of travelling overseas for a semester, of working in a top firm, they all evaporated that day in Yongsan.

Yes, Yunho had a hailed position now, and it basically fell into his lap, but that wasn't him. And Tenebra wouldn't make his mother proud like Auresce. She just had no idea how differently Yunho got treated.

"Are you eating enough? Do you meet with your friends a lot? Remember to prepare for the entrance exams."

Yunho smiled to himself. In the last light of the day, he made it back to his street and slowed down in front of the dorm building.

"Yes, mom, I'm taking care."

Family was difficult as someone working for the NEA. It could be ripped from him any day. Few espers dared to have children, especially with their guides, because either parent could be lost any day.

Though it was hard to come to terms with, Yunho was more confident in his survival now. Or perhaps he was just more settled in his role.

But he didn't want his parents have to go through loss and grieving because of him. So Yunho wanted to do his best to stay alive. Even if that meant picking up on guiding.

His mother rambled on as Yunho left the bike in its zone and walked up the stairs to his room.

"Your dad and I should come visit you one of these days. You can show us around your neighbourhood. I will bring Kimchi for you. Maybe some fruit... Do you eat fruit over there? Do you need me to bring anything else?"

Yunho chuckled at her, and his echo followed him up the stairs.

"Don't carry too many heavy things on the train. I would love to see you two, that's more than enough for me," he nagged her gently and she mumbled to herself. She would bring gifts, no matter what he said.

Fond of her, he told her he would text about the details and that he was meeting friends now. She was eager to say her goodbyes so he could have fun. Yunho ended the call and though his heart was eased after having heard her voice, he was also deeply troubled by the burden on his shoulders.

People cared for him, and he didn't want them to get hurt. Even Mingi came rushing.

After exhaling and gathering his breath, Yunho tapped the code into their door.

He wanted to do better. To look at things as his opportunity instead of a necessary evil. He would tell his mother what he was up to and he would thank Mingi for having patience with him, even after his unreasonable stubbornness.

When he made his way inside, San jumped up from his table to dash over. He patted over Yunho's arms, inspecting him full of concern.

"Are you alright now? No more pain?"

"No more pain," Yunho assured him. "Thank you for calling Mingi and sorry for being difficult."

A dimpled grin spread on San's lips.

"No big deal. Come on, let's play some games."

Yunho followed him inside and he was no longer anxious.