•Serenity Mansion•

"Hyung, are you going somewhere?" Mingyu halted Hoshi who was shutting his room's door.

"No?" Hoshi nodded, "What happened?"

"Can you spare me a moment?" Mingyu asked in concern.

"Yeah sure." Hoshi nodded.

"Call Wonwoo hyung and ask him where is he? Don't tell him that I asked, make some solid excuse." Mingyu stated.

"Why? What's wrong?" Hoshi frowned.

"He was upset at me, you know, I told you." Mingyu sighed, "He went out alone but the weather is worsening and he isn't picking up my calls. You call him and say that Jeonghan hyung was asking about him that's why Mingyu was calling too."

"Okay I'll try." Hoshi nodded as he made the call which was picked up, "Hello? Wonwoo? Where are you?

"What happened?"

"Jeonghan hyung was asking about you. Mingyu was calling too but you didn't pick up."

"Uh yeah I just saw. Is it something urgent? I'm here walking around this sea shore where we always go."

"Oh okay, it's not urgent don't worry. Take care!"

"Yeah."

Hoshi hung up the call and looked at Mingyu.

"I'm going." Mingyu immediately turned around to leave.

"Mingyu." Hoshi called him, "You're going behind him so I'm not just suggesting, I'm requesting you to confess your love to him. Trust me, you'll regret it a lot if it will be too late to go back."

"He won't say yes." Mingyu looked down, "Our friendship will shatter because of it."

Hoshi held his shoulders, "Your friendship isn't doing any better right now either. I'm telling you Mingyu, once this time will pass, you'll blame yourself everyday for not saying your feelings on the right time. You'll not be able to look at yourself. It will hurt a lot more later on."

'Don't do the mistake which I did.' Hoshi thought to himself.

"I'll try." Mingyu nodded as he rushed out.

Soon enough, he reached the sea shore under the loud echoes of lightening. He searched for Wonwoo for a while after which he saw him sitting on a bench, alone.

Mingyu sighed in relief after which he went to the older, "Hyung."

Wonwoo looked up, "Mingyu? What are you doing here?"

"The weather is worsening, come back home." Mingyu insisted, "I was worried."

"Why were you worried?" Wonwoo stood up, "You don't need to."

I get close, it goes farther
Sorry, I can't get closer
I'm sorry I'm like this

"Hyung please, I've already told you that there's nothing wrong between us." Mingyu tried to explain.

"Lying again. How much you are going to lie Mingyu?" Wonwoo muttered, "I'm so tired of it now. What have I done wrong? Just tell me? Or else, go away."

"Hyung-"

"Don't give me excuses. I won't force you. If you don't want to tell me, then don't." Wonwoo nodded, "I'm giving you the space you want. In return, give me some space too."

It was when raindrops started to fall and gradually, the rain increased its intensity along with the lightening.

"It's raining, let's go back, you'll get sick." Mingyu insisted.

"You can't be helped." Wonwoo looked away.

But anything, nothing
Is like the heart of a person
Eyes meeting but hearts apart
So sweet and so bitter

"Fine. You want to know the truth, right? I'll tell you." Mingyu firmly stated, "I love you."

Wonwoo's breath hitched as he looked at the younger. He searched for a hint of playfulness in his eyes but no, it was genuine. His gaze was softer than ever and his expressions looked vulnerable amidst the raindrops.

Hiding the truth, pretending I'm fine
I'm hiding in the rain, always smiling
Oohh, I want an answer
That I don't think I can find
I want the next thing

Mingyu stepped towards him and held his shoulders, "I love you hyung. Since the day I met you, I lost myself to you. I can't even explain how devoted I'm, towards you. That's why I was always searching for ways to get close to you without making you uncomfortable. I loved it when everyone used to tease us. I started to think we had something between us.

Then came the day when I overheard you scolding Jun hyung and Minghao to not to tease you. If those teasings were making you uncomfortable then my feelings were much worse. I didn't want to lose this friendship that's why I decided to control my feelings."

"But-" Mingyu began to tear up, "I COULDN'T HELP IT. Everyday, I found myself falling for you more and more. It hurts hyung, IT HURTS. I love you but I couldn't tell you because I very well know that you don't. I wanted to move on. I don't blame you at all. And neither do I blame this feeling.

It's beautiful to love you. Be it one sided, this feeling is pure. No expectations, no demands, I just love you because it's you. That's why I didn't want to force it on you. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable by telling everything. I had decided to keep it to myself and gradually get over it. But- you wanted to know it then here you go.

I'm sorry hyung I'm really sorry. I didn't do anything intentionally, it just happened. I don't want you to force you to love me back. I just want you to understand me and let this friendship flourish as ever."

Wonwoo didn't know what to say. Of course he wasn't at the stage to retort the younger's feeling. It came all of a sudden, he had no idea about it. How was he supposed to react in a sane way? He needed time, some alone time, to talk to himself.

"Do you-" Wonwoo held his arm, "Really?"

If I give my hand and expect your heart
My selfishness grows to flaw
Filing the void between us
Filing the heart with more emptiness

"Look into my eyes hyung." Mingyu asked as the rainwater drenched both of them but the tears in the younger's eyes were clearly visible. Still, he had a smile on his face, "If you'll say that I'm lying when I say that I love you, I'll accept it without any ifs and buts."

Wonwoo gulped. The genuineness in his eyes was no joke. It was real, very real.

"Hyung." Mingyu held the older's cheek, "Please don't let this affect our friendship. I don't want to lose a great friend of mine because of this. I swear I'll never bring this up or make you feel uncomfortable. We can just forget this and move on."

"Forget this?" Wonwoo looked at the younger, "Why are you ready to give up so easily? How?"

"Because your happiness and will matters the most to me." Mingyu retorted, "If you don't love me then it's a no, I've accepted it."

Don't want to let go so I let go
You and me we see together
Will our eyes ever meet each other?

Wonwoo looked down. He was feeling guilty for hurting him unknowingly.

"Please don't." Mingyu gently held his chin, "Don't feel bad and don't blame yourself for anything."

"But-"

"No." Mingyu chuckled as he embraced the older, "It's fine, I'm fine. Just stay with me forever. It doesn't matter if you love me or not, as long as you support me in my life. You will, right?"

"Of course!" Wonwoo muttered, "I'll always stay by your side. I respect you and your feelings, Mingyu."

"Thank you." Mingyu stated but something within him broke. But at least, he was mentally prepared for it. At least everything between them was fair without any secrets and complexities.

The rain drop helped them to hide their tears as they parted away, letting themselves getting drenched in water.

"It's happening so suddenly-"

"Not suddenly." Mingyu intervened, "It had been happening for a long time. I just couldn't tell you. But thank you so much hyung, for making me obliged to reveal everything. I feel a lot lighter after letting you know."

"I'm really sorry Mingyu." Wonwoo looked down, "You deserve so much happiness but right now, I don't even know what to say."

"Who said I'm not happy?" Mingyu chuckled, "If you're with me, I'm the happiest. Don't think too much, it's really not your fault. Love is not forced so you better not stress yourself with it. Forget it hyung, just assume that it's my admiration for you, that's it."

"You're too good to be true." Wonwoo smiled, "But I don't want to promise anything without giving it a thought and being genuine about it. I don't want to hurt you."

"It's seriously alright hyung." Mingyu held his hand, "Please- I won't feel good if I'll see you stressed because of this. Let's cheer up, together."

But anything, nothing
Is like the heart of a person
Eyes meeting but hearts apart
So sweet and so bitter

•Serenity Mansion•

Seungcheol stepped into Jeonghan's room who was focused on his laptop. Seungcheol frowned when he saw the younger biting his nails like there was no tomorrow.

Seungcheol slapped his hand away from his mouth.

"What?" Jeonghan squinted his brows.

"Why are you biting your nails?" Seungcheol rebuked, "I shouldn't see you doing that again."

"Ay Mr. Choi, I was just missing your lips." Jeonghan winked.

Seungcheol laughed as he smacked the younger's head gently, "Stop giving ridiculous excuses."

"What excuses?" Jeonghan stood up as he wrapped his arms around the older's shoulders, "I'm serious."

"Close the door." Joshua's voice echoed as the sound of door shutting echoed.

Seungcheol and Jeonghan started laughing as their foreheads met. Seungcheol snaked his arms around the younger's waist pulling him closer to himself.

"You're so freaking gorgeous." Seungcheol whispered while kissing his earlobe.

"And you just need an excuse to say it." Jeonghan slapped his chest.

"No? I don't need any excuse to tell you how much of a chokehold you have on me." Seungcheol played with his hair.

"I had to ask you something." Jeonghan muttered.

"Yes?"

"Will you go to the orphanage with me?" Jeonghan hesitantly asked, "I always go there alone but now I want to go with you."

"Sure, why not?" Seungcheol chuckled, "When will we be going?"

"Umm weekend?" Jeonghan suggested.

"Sure." Seungcheol nodded as they broke the hug, "Can you tell me roughly how many children are there?"

"Approximately two hundred I guess?" Jeonghan thought, "Yeah. Why though?"

"I'll buy gifts for them." Seungcheol retorted.

"You're great." Jeonghan patted his shoulders.

"As if you're not funding the organisation since the beginning." Seungcheol rolled his eyes.

"I don't, Serenity does. The whole team gets the credit for it." Jeonghan explained, "I wonder where Aunt Moon disappeared. She was one of a kind. You should've met her once but she doesn't visit the orphanage anymore. Joshua had told me that she flew overseas."

Seungcheol's smile dropped. Only if Jeonghan knew how much of a selfish lady she was. Being his own aunt, she kept his life a secret from him.

Yeah, Jeonghan only knew about Jihye's half of the sins. The fact that he used to drug him and had leaked the information of him being the CEO, that's it.

Rest of the things weren't good for his knowledge.

"Forget it now." Seungcheol scoffed, "Let's go downstairs."

"No one would be there in the hall at this time." Jeonghan retorted, "Let's just stay here."

"Oh it's raining." Seungcheol heard the sound of water droplets as he went to slide the curtains of the glass door between the room and the balcony.

"Uh- Seungcheol can you please shut the curtains?" Jeonghan hesitantly asked.

"What happened?" Seungcheol frowned.

"I don't like it." Jeonghan looked away, "It reminds me of the only memory I could regain. That accident."

"You lo-" Seungcheol halted himself as he was about to reveal Jeonghan's past preferences.

He walked towards the younger and held his hand, "So are you going to hate the rain, car, glasses, forests everything for it? I mean if you feel anxious then it's okay, I won't say anything but if it's your aversion, then we should talk about it."

"I don't know." Jeonghan looked down, "I hate that day."

"It's okay Jeonghan." Seungcheol cupped his cheeks, "It's natural for you to feel so. But let's move on? Step by step, little by little? You know, I'm always here to hold your hand."

Jeonghan nodded.

"Just trust me." Seungcheol kissed his forehead, "When I'm here, no one can dare to lay a single evil eye on you."

"I know."

"Come." Seungcheol held his hand gently and took him to the balcony.

Jeonghan stood by the edge as he stared at the heavy rainfall which in turn made his heart even heavier. But it was when he felt Seungcheol's one arm around his waist as he stood behind him.

Seungcheol supported Jeonghan's arm and raised it towards the falling raindrops as their palms got drowned in the cold water.

"Close your eyes, darling." Seungcheol whispered slowly, "Forget everything and feel me. From now on, the rain should only remind you of me, nothing else."

Jeonghan breathed calmly as he registered each of the older's words into his mind.

"Your past, present, future, everything is under my protection." Seungcheol continued, "All you need to know, is, my love."

Jeonghan's eyes shot open as he immediately turned around, "W-what?"

"Don't answer it now." Seungcheol chuckled, "I'll ask you again when I'll know that you're capable of answering it, okay? But do remember, this rain did nothing wrong to you. I hope my love is a much better memory for you to treasure."

"It-" Jeonghan snuggled into the older's embrace, "It definitely is, Seungcheol. I don't want anything but you. If you're by my side, I don't have to worry about anything else."

"I'm glad." Seungcheol chuckled.

Vernon was focusing on the road while driving the car. Seungkwan was sitting on the passenger's seat as they were returning from their little hangout at a cafe.

Vernon placed his hand on Seungkwan's thighs as he began to caress it.

"Stop." Seungkwan giggled.

"What? Let me release some stress." Vernon chuckled while driving from one hand.

"You aren't even stressed." Seungkwan rolled his eyes.

"I'm very stressed." Vernon muttered, "I don't know how to impress you."

"You've already impressed me Mr. Chwe." Seungkwan grinned.

"So what?" Vernon retorted, "I'll still impress you everyday in different ways."

"Yah shut up." Seungkwan averted his gaze, hiding his flustered face.

"We're home." Vernon declared as he parked the car.

Seungkwan immediately began to open the door but Vernon held his hand, "Where do you think you're going without kissing me?"

"What?" Seungkwan gasped.

"Nice try to act innocent." Vernon pulled Seungkwan's wrist towards himself, "You always pretend as if you don't want it. But did you forget how you pulled me over yourself last night?"

"Your mouth need a filter for sure." Seungkwan chuckled.

"Nah it only needs your lips." Vernon winked as he closed the distance between them. Their lips moved in unison as they felt each other's comfort and assurance in that one slopy gesture.

They parted away as Vernon placed a kiss on his forehead, "Let's go."

They walked out of the car with their hands intertwined with one another. They were talking and giggling, completely unaware of Dino and Minghao's eyes on them from the garden.

"So they sneaked out without you?" Minghao nudged Dino.

"No I went to attend a meeting with Woozi hyung so yeah, I wasn't available and I guess it's a good thing." Dino laughed.

"True." Minghao nodded, "They're so into each other. It's adorable though."

"Who knows, you can be next." Dino teased.

"Me?" Minghao pointed at himself as he chuckled, "Noo!"

"Why no when we literally have Jun hyung crushi-" Dino slapped his mouth, "Yeah you're right."

"Jun hyung what?" Minghao squinted his brows.

"Jun hyung? Where did he come from?" Dino stammered.

"You just said."

"Slip of tongue, nothing much."

"Don't lie." Minghao frowned, "That day too, you were saying something but Jun hyung dragged you away. What is it?"

"Nothing hyung." Dino chuckled nervously.

"Dino! Just say it!"

"I-"

"SAY IT."

"I'm saying the truth."

"You aren't. I-"

"He has a crush on you." Dino revealed.

"What?"

"Not a crush uh-" Dino scratched his forehead, "He loves you."

"What?" Minghao's eyes widened, "Since when?"

"I don't know." Dino muttered, "I noticed his gaze for you within the first week of our work. I asked him so he told me the truth. But he was scared to tell you because he doesn't want to ruin his friendship with you. I can tell, you're really precious for him."

Minghao looked down as his heartbeat raced.

"And I can also tell, you've feelings for him." Dino mumbled, "And if you don't, please forget everything right now. He would get really sad if something happens to your friendship. You know him better, he would never force anything on you."

Minghao nodded, "I'm sorry Dino but I need some alone time."

"Sure." Dino patted his shoulder, "Please don't go for a wrong decision. I know I shouldn't have been the one to reveal this to you, I'm sorry for that. But I believe you won't want to hurt him either."

Dino left the garden, hoping for everything to be alright.

Meanwhile Minghao scoffed, "Why didn't he tell me all along? Ridiculous."

A/n : So guys, I've decided to publish special chapters for all the side ships after the epilogue! Don't panic, the epilogue isn't here now. We're still left with the last quarter of the story.

Y'all were probably waiting for Soonhoon in this chapter but you gotta wait-

Take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo