They parted in their way out. Yeosang went first and distracted the Bishops in the gardens long enough that Mingi and Jongho smoothly escaped over the wall. Earlier when Mingi had come back to find Yeosang bundled up with a scarf and coat next to Jongho in the dark, he had merely invited him to the party. Without further ado, he had adjusted their plan.

Once outside of the wall, they reversed the act. As Yeosang went back inside, Mingi stirred up some subtle commotion at the front so that Yeosang could flee from his window. Jongho helped him over the obstacle of the fence, and they got swallowed by the night in Asora immediately. Yeosang shivered as they ran through the streets. Worried about his condition, Mingi murmured something about an old coat he still had at home that he could lend him once they were back. Jongho wished he could have done the same, but he was already wearing Yunho's old jacket that had long since lost any pleasant smell of the man it once carried.

Jongho could at least promise his friend that Zey would be slightly more protected from the freezing wind. In an attempt to hide his identity in the worst-case scenario and also to shield him from the worst breeze, Mingi and Jongho had taken him in their midst. Jongho carried the man's bag, too, while Yeosang's considerably smaller statue followed behind the tall Mingi. Against Jongho's desperate attempts, he had persisted in carrying his bird. It was his new best friend, and he thought hard about its possible names whenever he didn't look around the empty streets warily.

As before, not a single soul travelled Asora during the night. The lack of people worried Yeosang, but it was all the more practical to smoothly reach the canyon. At the sight of the gaping abyss, Yeosang immediately retreated a few steps. Instead of down, he tried to look up and at Zey's grey houses. Through his mask, he audibly tried to fix his breathing. With an inward prayer that the man wouldn't throw up or panic at the idea of transgression, Jongho turned to look at Mingi.

"Is it a good idea to still climb down and over? It might be the easier way for him to slide down if he's not used to hiking."

Mingi regarded the nearby edge. Behind his forehead, the cogs turned as he calculated the risk and possibility.

"I agree," he said finally. "Then you go first and show him. I'll stabilise him." At his signal, all three of them dashed over to the Chasm and threw their bodies over the edge. Yeosang determinedly followed behind them even when his movements were less secure and unaware of the danger that threatened them if they were to hesitate too long.

Jongho's eyes were by now used to the familiar form of Mingi's door in the dark. As he quickly rammed a hook into the wall next to him and shot his rope over to the stone above Mingi's door, he tried to hurry for Yeosang's sake. The man hung next to him on the wall with a pale face and trembling hands. Mingi had wrapped one arm around him to shield him with his taller body and trap him successfully against the wall.

Once Jongho was ready, he swung his metal-wrapped fingers over the rope and let gravity pull him. Without a single sound, he arrived at a lower point on the other side of the wall within seconds. Darkness whizzed past his face, and he used the right moment to pull up his feet and catch his momentum against the wall. He hung there on one arm while he opened the door with the other one. It put barely any strain on his muscles, even less to since he used his left hand. He hung securely.

After a second, he managed to open Mingi's door and dropped down on the small threshold in front of it before he stepped in. Once he had put both bags on the ground securely, he stepped back into the opening. Trustful, he motioned Yeosang to follow.

The librarian struggled for a good moment. Mingi stabilised his wobbles to the best of his ability and quietly explained that he just had to hold on tightly, too. Jongho waited and merely opened his arms for Yeosang to crash right into. Better him than the wall.

Once Yeosang got the idea, he nodded shyly. His blonde locks peeked out from underneath his dark hat as he manoeuvred around until he could hold unto the rope. Very shaky, and very slowly, he dropped his weight onto the rope.

Jongho stood as a tower of strength. Not a single hint of hesitation crossed his face when Yeosang raced at him. Both of them closed their eyes at the impact, and then the librarian's small form already hit Jongho's body. Thankfully, he didn't fall. He merely had to catch his weight with one foot, but he cradled Yeosang close still. In his arms, Yeosang breathed hectically and tried not to make any sound that could give his fear away. When their hands brushed accidentally as Yeosang grabbed Jongho's arm for purchase, the same pleasant warmth like before remained on Jongho's skin even after he let go.

With a gentle pat on his back, Jongho walked him over to Mingi's table. By the time Yeosang plopped down on the chair with no strength left in his shaking body, Mingi also stumbled in. He balanced himself quickly and pulled in the hook before he shut the door. Only then, a shared exhale from all of them mixed in the air. Mingi giggled at the timing of their sigh.

"Well, welcome to Zey, Yeosang. May it be kind to you." While Mingi shrugged off his coat and brewed some tea, Jongho closely regarded Yeosang. His face was still stiff and worried, and his eyes curiously wandered about while also constantly losing their focus, too. Their new friend was distraught, and Jongho suspected he might need some rest.

"How long until the curfew is over?"

Mingi glanced at his pocket watch. He snapped the little object open, nodded at the display, and pushed it back in the chest pocket of his vest.

"Another hour. Until then, you can drink tea and enjoy watching me fix a mask for him."

-

After the day had officially begun for Zey, Jongho and Mingi brought Yeosang to Jongho's home. Steering the man through the grimy streets proved difficult since he showed interest in every tiny aspect of Zey that was familiar to the other two men. They told him to keep his head low and stay inconspicuous, but the people, the interactions, and the general atmosphere all had Yeosang at the ready to equip his notebook at any time. Jongho and Mingi nearly had to drag him to the house so he wouldn't stand out in between the shady figures of Zey.

As soon as Jongho stepped into his home, the pressure also lifted. Yeosang was now distracted with his living and working area, and Mingi blocked the door until the man had wandered off to look around.

Jongho and Mingi exchanged an exasperated look that bordered fondness. They had never regarded Zey's face with awe, and it felt less cruel now that Yeosang pointed out its unique charms to them.

"I'll leave you two to it. Let me know if you need help with anything. If he is too much of a handful, just send a delivery boy." Mingi grinned at the way Yeosang stood next to Jongho's table. He brimmed with excitement, and his large eyes above his mask shone impatiently with the need to ask something. Desperate, he tried to keep his tongue from interrupting their conversation.

"Yeah, rest for a while. They probably won't search for him, after all I've gathered. We'll contact you about the further plans soon." Jongho handed Mingi his portion of the food they had gotten on the way. Yeosang had been surprised how cheap it was, but when Mingi reminded him of their economic situation, he had understood.

Mingi bid them a good day before he disappeared, and Jongho closed the door behind him with extra pressure. At once, he was weird to be alone with Yeosang. The pretty librarian was by his side immediately and called for Jongho's attention.

Jongho needed another chair. Today, they would eat on the bed since he didn't want to ask Yeosang to sit on his cold and dirty ground in his clean clothes. He let Yeosang ramble about everything he had to comment on while he unpacked their food.

"The Spheres are so much more horrifying in person! I really hope I won't have to see them in action while I'm here! Now that I know how Zey's life works, I also find them very creepy to imagine at night! And all is just how you described it! I see some unfitting parts to what I have read about, but you truly grew up here! You knew all the streets! Oh, also, do you live alone or...?"

Jongho had to snicker at the raise in his voice that fell to an insecure murmur as he looked around. Since it was Yeosang, he would probably pass out if somebody suddenly came in while he was already this overwhelmed with all the new sensations that impressed him.

As he handed Yeosang a platter with food, Jongho nodded reassuringly.

"It's just us here. Tell me if you need anything, I will try to make it as comfortable as possible for you." Less so because Yeosang was a prince. Mostly just because Jongho wanted him to feel secure and more at home than he had been in the palace.

"Got it, thanks. I never had much, so I don't think I will need much. I might have to get used to your presence here until I leave, but that will work. As long as you don't mind?"

Jongho chuckled as he shovelled spoonfuls of rice into his mouth. With great curiosity in the food, Yeosang copied him.

"I'm fine with it. We lived here as four people once."

Surprised, Yeosang looked around the room that must look far too small for four people in his eyes. Jongho was prepared for the question as soon as he worded it.

"Where are they? Did they move out and you live alone, as Mingi does?"

Jongho mildly shook his head. The wounds of his father were still fresh, but he couldn't stop the flow of time. Neither were life and death to be defied.

"They died. Hence why I wanted to check on you. I know what it feels like." He said it with no victim-blaming or self-pity attached. Instead, his voice carried all the empathy he could muster.

Yeosang faltered in his motion where he had just lifted a spoonful of curry to his face. From how large the bite was, he enjoyed the meal greatly. Satisfaction spread in Jongho's chest.

"I'm sorry about that."

Shrugging, Jongho ignored the painful pull in his heart. It had neither been a surprise nor inevitable. Zey lived and breathed death.

"No need to apologise. At least, I could say farewell to them better than you. But especially since we share this experience, I want to help you with Seonghwa. Just how I could help my family with the money I gained from my visits to you."

Yeosang caught on the time period that death must have occurred then, but he kept quiet about it. Instead, he smiled shyly at the offer for help.

"I thought Zey's people didn't help others?"

Huffing, Jongho gestured for him to eat his meal. Yeosang's bell-like laughter filled the cold room with warmth as he did just that. From time to time, he glanced at Jongho with those glinting eyes of his, but they conveyed respect and fascination rather than negativity.

Jongho had no idea what swayed his mind himself. He knew that helping out was a dangerous thing to do. But even after countless lessons, he was ready to push that off to help Yeosang.

It was for Zey. He did it for Zey and its people. So that one day, they might all help each other without having to worry.

There couldn't possibly be any other reason.

***************
Yooooo, we finished again! Thanks to everyone for reading, liking, commenting and any form of support! I appreciate it lots and look forward to it every day~

As some of you might be able to guess, this is a first book out of a trilogy! I will take a few days off this to write a one-shot for my story Crown, and then come back here with part two! Follow my Twitter @Susimau_s to stay updated, and I will hopefully remember to inform everyone here, too!

See you soon there! I hope everyone is safe and has a nice day ^^