Yeosang sat between San and Jongho, rubbing his thighs with his hands. Shyness had overcome him once he had asked both men to join him in the same room. While aware that he needed to sort things out, he now dreaded the much-needed conversation.

"So... Yes, I decided we should resolve this like adults."

San's eyes glinted amused when they travelled over the pair. It took not much of an afternoonified guess to know what had happened between Yeosang and Jongho, and now they sat huddled close together with their heads bowed. At least, they had kept their hands off each other now since guilt still glued Yeosang in place.

"I'm sorry about the chaos I created. I didn't want to drag both of you into this emotional mess."

Yeosang's indecisiveness had made it hard on both of them. He had never responded to San how the man deserved it, and at the same time infuriated Jongho by still dating the other man. For weeks, Yeosang had been unjust to both, and he hated himself for it. San took it with ease, as he usually did, and Jongho sat stiff as ever, but he seemed less defensive towards San now. Yeosang couldn't believe that his stupid headless chicken run had caused both of them so much stress. Their mission had preoccupied him so much that he hadn't even noticed the problems he had created left and right.

"It's fine that you don't always know exactly what you want. From all I've gathered, you guys didn't have the easiest of journeys, and I can imagine that handling everything at once wasn't an easy task to do. I'm not mad at you," San assured him with that kind face of his. Yeosang grinned at him hopefully.

"It wasn't hard to guess that you two had something special going on. I always had an eye out for each of you, so I'm not too surprised now."

Despite his voice carrying no bitterness, Yeosang dug his fingertips into his thighs. He didn't even notice that he worried his lip between his teeth.

"I should have treated you better. My approach was unfair. All this time, it was always rather Jongho than you, but I never mustered the courage to tell either of you so."

Jongho looked at him as empathetic as San did, but he didn't comment on it. In hindsight, Yeosang saw all the hints of his jealousy and own hidden feelings now. He even suspected that Jongho had liked him for quite a while and Yeosang had just been too stupid to notice. If he could turn back time, he would, and not even let this odd puzzle of people become a problem.

"I also sincerely apologise. I viewed you with more contempt than necessary when really, you are a great companion to us," Jongho added with a little unsure smile. Like the fool in love he was, Yeosang studied his features. They seemed so open and trusting by now. Jongho had become a wholly different person compared to when they just met.

San shook his head at both of them. Even now, his support was enormous.

"As I said, I'm happy for both of you, and there is no reason to worry. I won't let this come between us. As of now, I wish you two the best."

The mention of a future friendship had Yeosang rise his head curiously. He trusted in San's words to still be their companion even if the two of them weren't doing the bear anymore, but he didn't know in what setting San imagined himself to be in the future.

"Say, will you accompany us further than here? Or will you stay in Qam?"

"I planned to join the meeting you have with Seonghwa this evening. Depending on what your ultimate plan is, I considered to join you. It's not as if I have much to do here in Qam." San uncrossed his long legs as if ready to leave.

"Oh, that would be great actually! If nobody minds, of course." Unsure, Yeosang glanced over to Jongho. If anybody could have a problem with San joining the team, it would be him.

Jongho looked peaceful. He merely nodded with a little smile.

"I think Mingi would also be elated."

San grinned at them like the sun rising in the morning.

"Delightful. Then I will leave you two gentlemen alone and tend to my other duties. It seems like you also have a lot to talk about." His playful wink suggestionised anything but just talking. Yeosang lowered his eyes as he fought his smile.

San was a precious friend for him. He had spent strength and support for Yeosang when he had been entirely lost and felt as if none of the faces around him could be trusted. From then until ever, he would own a special place in Yeosang's heart.

"See you later, then."

San tipped his invisible hat at the two of them before exiting Jongho's room. He left an awkward silence behind in which none of the two remaining men knew how to address the further topics.

"So... You were jealous a lot because of him, huh?"

"On the better days, I just imagined myself crushing his windpipe with my hands. I was angrier whenever you clearly looked as if you two had been kissing."

Yeosang winced, but he allowed Jongho to wrap an arm around his smaller form and pull him in. His comforting weight around Yeosang had him melt against the westsider willingly. His eyes travelled over the desk opposite of them, where Bricky sat at the moment shut off so nobody in Qam would find him uncanny.

"What brutal imagery."

"If it helps, he is fine. That means I have great self-restraint."

Yeosang laughed at the lack of effort. Still, he found the thought that somebody could care enough about him to get envious of another person incredibly flattering. He had never viewed himself as a person deserving of much attention, but Jongho and San had taught him his worth anew.

"I'm so proud. You truly don't mind him joining us?"

With a gentle shake of his head, Jongho rested his head against Yeosang's. The librarian imagined his cheek squishing against his skull.

"San's a good guy, we can need his help. And since you two also didn't end on bad terms, there is nothing more we could wish for."

Yeosang remembered Mingi and how incredibly unproblematic the man was. He merely accompanied them, had his fun, and was there to help whenever he was needed. A great friend, truly. All three of them had now become important friends to Yeosang, and even if they weren't enough to take over a kingdom, they were enough to bring him happiness how he had never received it before.

"That's good, yeah. Then shall we go?"

"Go where?"

"To Seonghwa. I missed him, and I can't wait to discuss Hongjoong with him now that I figured us out."

Jongho nudged him as if offended by the thought he was a difficulty to solve. He was, to Yeosang, he truly was. But yet, the westsider stood up to kindly offer his hand. A gummy grin showed on his lips when Yeosang took it and let the man lead the way.

-

Once more when Yeosang and Seonghwa met again, the librarian was alleviated to see his brother well. The prince - if he could still be called that - had by now changed his hair colour and style to blend into the crowds more easily and distract people from his true identity. The soft blond hair that fell into his forehead was unfamiliar to Yeosang, but it suited him. Upon San's compliment on it, Seonghwa beamed especially bright.

"It was Hongjoong's idea. We figured that once I go back to the palace, I could use the distraction."

Seonghwa glanced at the air pilot in question who sat right next to him. The rest of the gathered people pretended that they fell for the way they had hidden their hands underneath the table as if they weren't holding on to each other. Seonghwa was secretive about their relationship, dodging many questions, but Yeosang had seen right through his brother. He was absolutely whipped for the other man, and Yeosang didn't doubt that he would also join the team.

A wry smirk crossed Yeosang's lips anyway. Not as if he and Jongho were seated any different.

"A good idea."

Mingi joined the room moments after, completing their group. They had all collected around the tiny table in the middle of the room and brought extra chairs to consult each other on plans and ideas. San was here, Mingi, Seonghwa, Hongjoong, Jongho, and also Yeosang. Even Bricky sat on a windowsill and merrily sung his melody.

"Are we all here? Good. So, now we have this." Seonghwa nodded his chin at the energy core in their middle. By now, the story that Yongguk had told had found its way to everybody's ears, and all of them knew what it meant. Their target was the king on his mighty throne. And all of the people here had decided to take an offensive stance.

"From what I know, if we were able to bring it back into place by building conduction lines between the two cities with this in the middle, then energy will pass freely again. However, not only do we need time for that, but we also need the king to remove the Spheres and also the power he operates to accumulate all energies for himself." Seonghwa's voice was grave as he summarised the current predicament. Mingi's fingers idly thrummed on the scratched up tabletop.

"This means, however, a direct impeachment of him as a king and possible death without his energies. Which is why we can safely assume that he would - once more - try to get rid of our tiny group to uphold his reign."

Some nods and disheartened grumbles answered him. Hongjoong peered at Seonghwa from the side, and a barely noticeable frown marred his features. Yeosang felt with him for the worry about his brother.

"This is why I have compiled all information we have gathered from Asora and Zey up until now to see where we can strike to hopefully win this attempt at what seems to be suicide squad. Before I get into them, though, I need to re-evaluate everybody sitting at this table. With the exception of Yeosang and Hongjoong, because I know to trust those two."

Despite knowing that it was Seonghwa's completely valid paranoia of having been betrayed once, the knowledge that he distrusted Yeosang's friends didn't sit right with him. Before he even had to raise a brow at Seonghwa, the man already caught his gaze.

"I'm not questioning you or your choice in people, Yeo, please know that. So I will do this once and attempt to trust again. I know to believe you." A faint smile pulled on his plush lips. Yeosang complied with a nod. Then, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. Curious, Mingi looked between the two brothers.

Seonghwa supported his elbows on the tabletop and folded his hands underneath his chin. His long fingers curled prettily around his wrist and entranced everyone for a second until they could meet his stern face again.

"Starting at you, Sannie. Why did you decide to join us? And if you were not to, where would you put the knowledge of what we are doing?"

San copied Yeosang's posture, and Yeosang just knew that he kicked his long leather-clad legs over each other cockily underneath the table. He didn't even have to look.

"I joined because, after everything I learnt about your group and your mission, I wanted to help since I got personally invested. Since I am from Qam and intend to stay here if not for the mission, I would quickly forget you people ever existed and continue on my daily tasks."

Seonghwa nodded at him, not even questioning his motives. He didn't want an explanation; he just needed the most basic information. Once his eyes wandered on, they met Mingi.

"I'm in mostly because I am Jongho's friend and want to help Zey. If we weren't here, we would do our work as always."

Jongho beamed at his friend, and the two bumped their fists together, then Mingi ruffled Jongho's hair while he protested with low hisses. Jongho met Seonghwa's eyes with the solemnity of one who met the family of their lover. His back stiffened slightly, and Yeosang awaited his response amusedly.

"I'm also watching out for Zey... And for my brother... And-" Jongho's unsure voice grew smaller when he glanced at Yeosang. The message came across anyway, and once more, Yeosang finally saw. He willed the heavy tears of gratitude in his eyes back down as he held their eye contact.

Seonghwa hummed.

"Very well, then. So let's go over Wooyoung's letters first. And in a few days, we will get ready as this team to depart on our mission."