Wooyoung and San didn't exchange a word about what transpired between them. Though the reminder insistently throbbed through Wooyoung's thighs at every step and undoubtedly ghosted through San's mind the same way, neither addressed it. Wooyoung stared out of the window while San drove and hummed sporadically to Mingi's tales about the desert.

Jongho expected their return, and he was ecstatic to see that the car was still in shape. He opened the door for them and they pulled into the safety of the shelter. More than ever before, Wooyoung wanted to collapse on his bed and scream into his pillow.

He didn't regret, not quite. If he told himself anything other than that they had no choice, he might claw his eyes out. But his regret haunted him. The awful, stale taste of having betrayed Yunho. Could Wooyoung dare go that far with another man, further than what he had done with his boyfriend? Even if he was gone, it seemed like dancing on his grave. As if Wooyoung had to hide away in shame now and never tell anyone about it. He couldn't bear the judgment otherwise.

When San finally departed from the group to rest in his room, Wooyoung glared at the back of his head. If anyone made crude comments, it would be him. Him and his constant reminders that Wooyoung loved another yet offered his thighs to him...

Wooyoung shook his head to himself. It was a necessity. And it wouldn't happen again.

Since Mingi had to go out to do his business, Wooyoung helped him stock up his cart. As usual, the trader couldn't foresee when he would return, but he hoped this would be his last trip back and forth before the start of the mission. Jongho and Wooyoung saw him off, not worried about his safety. Mingi knew his way around.

Once alone, Jongho marveled at the jeep with his hands stemmed onto his hips.

"I can't believe it actually works. And it didn't break, no, it didn't. How was San's driving?"

Wooyoung shrugged, careful not to think about him too much.

"It got us back and forth and he didn't ram into anything. Let's hope it's enough for Anda."

With a firm nod, Jongho swiveled in his chair. "It will be. And if he tires, he can explain to us how it works. Seonghwa might have something in his databases."

Perhaps Wooyoung should visit the AI after a nap. He needed someone impartial to talk to and Seonghwa didn't jump to conclusions the way humans did.

Before he could ask, Jongho's face lit up with even more good news.

"Speaking of! Look what I have for you!" With a grand gesture, he stretched his hands out for the gun. It was cleared of leftover scraps and tools, throning in the middle of the table in its sleek black grandeur. At once, Wooyoung was awake when Jongho picked it up with meticulous hands. He ceremoniously handed it over for Wooyoung to look at. Already, its weight felt just right in his hands.

"It's done?" He uttered in awe as he eyed the flawless exterior.

Jongho pushed his chest out with pride.

"Finished just earlier. It was a pleasant surprise for your first successful mission in my team."

Speechless, Wooyoung turned the rifle in his hands. It had an extended barrel and a scope for long-range shots. The body was sleek and pressed into Wooyoung's shoulder perfectly as he tried it out. The balance was better than any weapon he ever wielded, and the trigger smooth.

Lowering it, Wooyoung met Jongho's eager eyes.

"This is magnificent. Thank you so much." He meant it.

Just to play coy, Jongho waved it off.

"A small price to pay for my life. Thanks to you, I can help my light."

"I will use this rifle for your protection," Wooyoung promised. He slung its strap over his shoulder, satisfied with the safety its weight offered.

With a nod at the corridor, Jongho beckoned him to go.

"Get some shuteye and we can talk later. I will prepare the rest."

All too happily, Wooyoung complied. He was satisfied with his new gun and blissfully distracted from the shameful reminder of his tender thighs. Once back in his room, he marveled at it yet again as soon as he placed his bag on the ground. Though he hated to get sand on his bed, he needed another minute to sit and study its shrewd details.

"Look, Yunho," he uttered as he inspected the corners of his room through the scope. "I won't lose anyone with this."

He pointed his gun at the door, imagining the height at which a foul's head would appear to get shot clean off of their rotting shoulders. On cue, someone knocked on the other side and peered right in as soon as Wooyoung gritted out a grunt. San's head was only half foul, but Wooyoung curled his finger around the trigger anyway, imagined the sound of the shot ricocheting off the walls.

Unimpressed, San leaned against the doorway. He stared right down the barrel of the gun until Wooyoung lowered it with a sigh. He didn't want to part from his baby even for a second, but he accepted he shouldn't hug a gun while he slept. Finally, it found its place leaned against his bed and Wooyoung shrugged off his jacket.

"Need something?" He asked, and San took it as his invitation to come in and close the door. Not that Wooyoung wanted to be alone in a restricted place with him, but it was better than discussing their issues out in the open for anyone to witness. Mingi and Jongho already heard too much.

San held up a white tube. His expression was disarmingly open, almost sheepish with his purpose.

"I brought some ointment for... for your thighs."

Wooyoung stared at him with silent judgment. After a few moments, San started fidgeting.

"What's the meaning of this? I was waiting for your crude comments." Wooyoung crossed his arms, eyes cold and merciless. His gaze made San cringe harder.

"Look, I-" San tugged on his bandages, self-conscious under Wooyoung's punitive eyes. "I know we aren't so close to do something like that and shrug it off. I am not interested in fighting with you if we are supposed to work together. So just... Let me take responsibility, yes? It's the least I can do." Ashamed, he studied the floor. His gaze remained stubbornly stuck there until Wooyoung sighed.

"Fine."

He had a point. Wooyoung was stubborn enough never to talk to him again.

San looked back up, hopeful to have overcome the worst. When he shuffled a step closer, Wooyoung studied him suspiciously. Was this an unexpected, new side of him or did he always act like this towards people he got physical with? San didn't seem as unpractised as Wooyoung, but he also mentioned he had no lover.

"Shall I...?" San beckoned at the vague direction of Wooyoung's lap and the raider had to look down on himself first before his eyes widened.

"You- No! I will do it myself," He protested, face heating at the idea of San down there again, smoothing his touch over Wooyoung's sensitive legs. As if it wasn't bad enough already.

Before San could complain, Wooyoung snatched the ointment from him.

"Thanks for taking care of me. I will take over from here," he scoffed. Though his words were unkind, San seemed relieved his concern got accepted. He flashed a grin.

"I will see you later, then." At least understanding enough to leave Wooyoung his space, he retreated. The door clicked shut, leaving Wooyoung in blissful silence.

Numb, he stared at the ointment. Though he hated to be reminded, Wooyoung knew he wouldn't have cared for the soreness any further. Perhaps it was for the best San did. They needed no unnecessary injuries on their journey.

Grumbling, Wooyoung undressed and lathered his thighs in the cool cream. It soothed the itchiness, but as soon as he laid down for a nap, the darkness came with memories. His flesh still throbbed, and he spent agonizing minutes shoving San from his mind to get some rest.

It took a while, but once he fell asleep, he got a few hours in. As he woke, he mourned this place. He rarely got such good sleep as he did inside the shelter and he would miss it.

Cozy and without his guns strapped to his body for once, he padded from his room to find Jongho. The mechanic needed a break anyway from checking on the car, so they agreed to visit Seonghwa together. Everything else remained quiet and compared to Jongho's limp, Wooyoung didn't walk so weirdly that he garnered questions. Once inside the haunting darkness of Seonghwa's cave, Wooyoung unwound.

"How have you been? It's almost time to leave," Jongho greeted Seonghwa as they sat on the ground before him. The laptop lit up.

"As much as I worry about the future, I can't wait. I never saw the world outside."

Wooyoung cocked his head.

"Then how did you get here?"

"I was developed by researchers in Europe, a land mass far beyond the ocean. The nuclear fallout wasn't as bad there since fewer bombs fell. They quickly regained their bearings to fix this world. Unfortunately, such matters cost lots of money and garner the attention of those in need. Criminals destroyed our laboratory, and I was stolen away. They sold me as scrap and I begged my buyer to throw me onto one of the rare ships supplying this country with aid from overseas. I knew if I stayed, I would get destroyed. That was how I ended up here as a spare item that was lost in the cave until Jongho found me."

The mechanic nodded along to the long story. Seonghwa was used to traveling, but he had yet to find the place where he could fulfill his purpose.

"When I realized his divinity, I built this safety zone for him. We'll show you the world once we are outside. It is unspectacular, but it's a fresh sight," he promised. They treated each other with the compassion of friends, warming Wooyoung's bitter heart.

"I'm afraid not to function properly or that the institute got damaged... Though few know of me, the hope of humanity amasses on sheer luck. I can bring life back to everyone or I might perish, helping no one."

It was startling that even the AI was sentient with those human feelings. Wooyoung understood all too well. He wanted to save one person, yet he failed. On Seonghwa weighed much more pressure.

Jongho nodded to himself.

"San and Death are here to help us, and help, they will. Trust in the team. If the answer we seek isn't in Anda, we can continue elsewhere."

Seonghwa made a noise akin to a sigh. So even the program needed reassurance.

Quick to divert those fears since they had yet to become reality, Wooyoung switched the topic.

"You can start calling me Wooyoung, by the way."

Surprised, Jongho glanced at him. Right now, with that gun, he was more Death than ever before.

Wooyoung dared a cautious grin.

"Is Death no more?"

Was he no more? Was Death the grumpy survivalist fighting together with his partner? Did he get buried together with Yunho? Somehow, that persona didn't fit the Wooyoung he was now. It was a man scarred by life warding off the dangers of the desert. Not the person caring for his new friends and cause.

"I feel it's more appropriate since we became so close," he replied. While Jongho needed a moment to digest that, Seonghwa's soft voice smoothly picked it up.

"No problem, Wooyoung. Thanks for being here."

Wooyoung grinned at him before he leaned back on his hands.

"So, when are we leaving? The gun is done, and Mingi is on his last run. Your leg healed enough to get around."

Jongho nodded. When he dusted his hands off, motivation returned to his tired eyes.

"Only one thing left to do. Test Seonghwa's power by bringing down the water ball. If you can't use your systems, the journey is for nothing."

Though insecure, Seonghwa agreed.

"I am ready whenever you are."

When Jongho stood, Wooyoung came along. They glanced toward the orb.

"Let's wait until Mingi is back so he may witness Seonghwa's might. We will pull it down, everyone together. And after a long bath, we can depart," Jongho suggested. Giddy, Wooyoung conceded. He would be the first person in this country to take a proper bath, perhaps even in the world.

But if it worked, they all could do it soon. Thanks to Seonghwa, everyone would have water.

Now they only needed to prove it.