They had decided against going to search for Jongho today. Mingi and Yunho had taken off to search for something to help their mission with later that day. They had supplied as much information on this planet as possible, and Seonghwa and San had sucked it up like dry sponges.

Hongjoong was a mere bystander, curled up in the place where they had left him. Sometimes Wooyoung came over to gently poke his arm and ask how he felt. Hongjoong didn't answer him.

They later brought him back to the base that still looked a bit run-down from the outside but had become a safe spot inside. They had removed all of the plants inside and fixed any holes left in the walls. When they entered it in the late afternoon, the air inside had become as hot and dense as a stuffy can.

Hongjoong didn't even wait for everybody to come in. He merely slumped down in his sleeping corner, curling up his shivering body. He needed a nap, but the few hours he’d spent in a fitful sleep were not nearly as refreshing as he’d wished. When he woke up sometime in the middle of night, he felt sweaty and restless.

His skin was crawling, itching with the need to strip it off and shove his human cage away that seemed to trap and suffocate him. Hongjoong was sure that the increase of his heart rate had woken him, and he tossed and turned with quiet whines, scratching at the bare skin of his arms.

He hated it. He felt weak and defenseless. He was here, slowly getting consumed by this planet even if he’d managed to not get himself eaten. His defeat felt bitter, made the foul taste in his mouth even worse.

Hongjoong turned again, opening his eyes to stare up at the ceiling with his chest heaving for breath.

It was dark out but not as dark as he would have expected, courtesy of the two moons. When Hongjoong stepped outside with his diving suit carelessly pulled up to his hips, both of their pale circles seemed to stare back at him. Hongjoong allowed them to witness his fear, his deep anxiety, and worry about what was to come. Was it even worth trying to survive if it was only to become one of those… things?

Hongjoong dropped down on his haunches, pushing both of his hands through his hair. He felt his fingers tremble against his skin, clenching them around the dark locks in his grip to stop it. Stressed, he tried to breathe deeply, in and out.

Long moments passed with only the stars watching over him and a faint wind brushing over his naked back. Hongjoong's head was blank, all thoughts escaping his grasp.

Only when his senses finally came back to him, he was aware of the soft grass underneath his bare feet. He felt it tickle against his toes when he stood back up, looking around for a moment.

The woods seemed peaceful. Some bugs were chirping away and the occasional rustle in the leaves when a bird moved, but apart from that, it was tranquil.

Hongjoong gave a little sigh, already stopped hoping for more sleep. He might as well take a walk.

This time he went the other way, to the opposite end of the island. He had never gone down here before, and he wanted to look around. The island had two tall mountains, and the base was right in the middle of the two of them. Hongjoong turned left and started walking the paths around the northern peak.

He could finally gather his thoughts a bit. The hypnotizing rush of the waves in the distance helped him refocus on his breathing and concentrate on what he was thinking.

They needed equipment to research that virus. Equipment they didn’t have here.

Hongjoong mindlessly ripped a leaf off some tree to squeeze and shred it in his hands.

Maybe there would be something salvageable on the Aurora. They could give Yongguk a call in the morning and ask him about it. If they split up, they could send Wooyoung and San over to Yongguk, and Hongjoong and Seonghwa would go search for Jongho.

And if they couldn't make use of those... Maybe the androids would be able to build something? At least San must have some blueprints in his database to work with. Then they would only need the necessary materials.

Hongjoong dropped a few sticky leaf shreds to the ground, leaving a trail in his wake. He grumbled under his breath. With a grimace, he wiped his hands on his pants, dropping the rest too.

He ventured a bit further, circling the mountain once. After that, he felt too tired to explore any further and climbed up the bank again to go back. If he couldn't sleep, he might as well keep tabs on their logs or try to pull some weeds from their new base.

Before he managed to go back however, he found himself distracted by the noise of water splashing in his close vicinity. He turned curious as he was quite far from the ocean already. Leaving the paths, Hongjoong followed the noise instead. He had to step around a few bushes only, and then he already saw the small clearing, the little lake in the middle. He was positive that it was connected right to the ocean as he could see the two bodies of their new aquatic friends moving through the water.

It appeared they had brought something, as they had promised, and Seonghwa was there, helping them pull it partly ashore so it wouldn’t get washed away.

Hongjoong descended slowly, sniffing a little when the breeze got to him. When he finally felt sand under his toes and lifted his head again, the two mermen had already left.

The picture was pretty, colorful and picturesque plants glimmering and shining in the moonlight. The water lapped gently at the shore, endlessly dark in the night.

Seonghwa stood there like a dark knight, his face framed by shadows and his wet hair on one side. The other side was palely illuminated by the moon, his eyes looking much darker than they usually would.

Hongjoong slowly walked closer, contemplating to pull the rest of his suit up when he shivered again. Not that it would warm his cold insides up, but he could always try. Before he did, however, Seonghwa was already speaking.

"Are you alright? I left San behind as a means of protection, did something happen?" Concern was laced in his voice. Hongjoong noticed his eyes sliding down his naked chest, checking for any injuries.

"Nothing happened, don't worry. I just couldn't sleep." Hongjoong tiptoed to look over Seonghwa's shoulder, trying to see whatever shadow they had pulled on land. It looked like some sort of machine. "You're working?"

"Affirmative. I wanted to make sure that we can go to search for Jongho in the morning without any complications. I asked Yunho and Mingi about it. According to my calculations, we should be able to go without further issues." He gave a little smile that was probably meant to be uplifting. Hongjoong could only return it weakly.

"Yeah, thanks. I hope he is alright. What is it?" Hongjoong curiously stepped closer, hearing Seonghwa's warning that the rocks underneath were slippery a tad bit too late. With a surprised yell, Hongjoong slipped, sliding right into the water.

It felt cold at night and far too intrusive against his skin.

With a splutter, Hongjoong came up again, trying to snort the water out of his nose. As soon as he’d managed to throw his wet hair out of his eyes, he looked at Seonghwa punishingly.

"Hey, why didn't you try to catch me? You were close enough," he accused barely angry, trying to find a non-slippery spot to push his body up on. Seonghwa watched him struggle with a chuckle.

"Oh? I am certain that you told me not to touch you. I merely followed your wishes." He said it with smug confidence, clearly teasing.

Once again, Hongjoong could only roll his eyes at his humor.

"Brilliant. The one time I'd have needed it... I'll take that back. Can you help me up?" He couldn’t find purchase on the dark rocks, his weak arms not cooperating either.

Seonghwa stepped up with a little hum, crouching down to hold his hand out to Hongjoong. His blue eyes flashed when the light hit them. Hongjoong saw it, but he felt calm when he placed his hand in Seonghwa's, locking them together.

Seonghwa rose, easily pulling him out of the water. Hongjoong's left foot slipped again in the process of finding footing, and he stumbled right into the android's chest, not letting go soon enough.

Both of them froze up, Seonghwa not moving an inch as Hongjoong stood close to him. Their upper bodies pressed together tightly, and he had instinctively grabbed Seonghwa's shoulder. And still, he did not want to let go just yet.

It felt oddly welcoming. The water bickering in the background and the moon shining down on them set a peculiar atmosphere that Hongjoong didn't feel like breaking just yet.

So he just - dropped his head. And everything fell into place like that.

Seonghwa's free arm came up to settle around Hongjoong's waist, pulling their bodies close together in a soft hug. He also shifted the grip of their fingers with each other, interlacing them sweetly.

Hongjoong fit into his arms perfectly, and maybe his heart cracked a little.

"Stay like this, please," he mumbled vulnerably when he felt hot tears in his eyes. Seonghwa merely hummed while Hongjoong hastily tried to blink away the sadness.

"I don't even know why I'm like this, I- Maybe it's a craving for human contact. I'm sorry. If you feel uncomfortable, then-" He sniffed, quietening down when Seonghwa gave no indication to move.

"You can tell me if you want to. I might not be able to give you the comfort you need, but I am good at listening."

Hongjoong sniffled against his chest, grabbing Seonghwa's fingers just a tad more tightly. That suit was annoying him. He wanted to bury his nose in the soft fabric of a real sweater. He missed the smell of home, of scented candles and cooked food. He needed a break from all this.

"I'm probably acting stupidly. I- I'm not hurt, but... I think I just want to go home. I already felt so stressed and now with that sickness looming- you wouldn't understand." He said it without spite, discreetly wiping his runny nose on his hand so he could press against Seonghwa's shoulder again.

He wanted Seonghwa to lay his cheek on his head, wanted to feel more of the little warmth he had to give. But that was too much to ask. Hongjoong wouldn't allow himself to take such a big step in their fragile relationship. So he merely sobbed quietly against the other man's shoulder, his tears hot on his cheeks.

He wondered if Seonghwa felt them.

"No, I can't understand." Seonghwa's voice was deep, a velvety hum in the dark blue night. Dark blue was suited Seonghwa. It was peaceful but deep. "I can't understand, but I can give you a promise. I will do anything to get you home. Anything to prevent you from becoming sick. You will go home, back to your family or your lover or whoever that can understand. I promise. I will make sure of it."

A faint smile painted Hongjoong's quivering lips even when his upper body shook and trembled with emotion, his heart feeling as if it slowly fell apart. He let it, crying in Seonghwa's arms until all of the tears had dried, and he could breathe again. Time to piece it back together.

He must have spent hours there because when he lifted his head again, his hair had long since dried, and the sky was already becoming a lighter gray.

Seonghwa was still there, looking at him attentively while some unkempt strands of his hair brushed against his forehead.

Hongjoong silently stared up at him with itching eyes, getting lost in the inexplicable emotion that Seonghwa's face was showing for a moment.

"Thank you. I will hold you to that. When I get home, I will make sure to gift you some nice new set of screws or something." Hongjoong grinned cheekily, making Seonghwa snort this time.

"Why, how generous of you. I can't wait to send you little obnoxious scientist home and go back to the peaceful days on the ship." Seonghwa rolled his eyes, finally stepping back. Hongjoong immediately missed his warmth, but he bit his lip to hold his comment back.

"Maybe I'll also tell Yongguk to let you roam freely as long as nobody's looking."

Seonghwa gave a little smile.

"That would be nice.”