By the time San texted Hongjoong that he had collected Wooyoung and was on his way, the man still stood in front of his closet. He had gnawed his lips raw with anxiety and couldn't help but scratch at his neck the whole time. His skin there had reddened angrily by now, and when he glanced at his phone and saw time running out, it just got all the worse. In a panic, he searched through the clothes he had been digging through for over an hour now, as if waiting for something new to appear there that would please his perfectionism.

He had got far enough that his legs were dressed in black jeans by now. The rest remained a mystery.

In a hurry, since San would be there in fifteen minutes, Hongjoong wracked both his brain and his closet. Usually, he never had trouble finding an outfit that fit his fashion sense, but his need to impress Seonghwa was impaired by the fact he couldn't just dream up clothing as he wished here.

Hongjoong wanted to sob and curl up on his bed. The fear that Seonghwa would lose interest had gnawed on him all day long and robbed him of his appetite and sleep.

When Hongjoong heard a car honk outside, he decided on a whim. He threw on a white shirt and a black jacket, accidentally reminiscing about the outfit he had worn on their date in Edinburgh. He slipped into his shoes and grabbed his wallet and phone before he stormed outside.

San waited in his car, currently jamming to the music that thrummed through the doors. Wooyoung at his side was entirely into it, and Hongjoong already dreaded the incoming headache.

When he crawled into the backseat, San threw him a brilliant smile. His dimples normally worked wonders in alleviating the pressure on Hongjoong's shoulders, but this time they merely elicited a weak smile from him.

"Hi, Hongjoong," Wooyoung grinned, too. His boyish smile was understanding as he turned down the music. Drained, Hongjoong slumped against the door at his side as they took off. San checked on him through the rearview mirror from time to time.

"Don't worry too much, captain. We'll be there to mediate."

Hongjoong's fingers cramped together in his lap.

"Maybe that's his dilemma," Wooyoung jested.

The two boys in front did their utmost best to lighten the mood and pressure on Hongjoong. He appreciated their attempts a lot, even if they couldn't entirely calm him.

The second they pulled onto the gravel of the parking spot behind the shelter, his heart jumped out of his chest again. Seonghwa was there already, he was actually there. He leaned against his black car with his back to them, not looking up from his phone.

Hongjoong was seconds away from a panic attack.

Desperately, he tried to regulate his breathing and remind himself that this was just Seonghwa. The same sweet man he had fallen for in his dreams, and his utmost source of happiness recently.

Wooyoung cheerfully waved at him when they rushed past so San could pull elegantly in a parking spot two lots away. Hongjoong eyed the leg space around his feet, wondering if he should duck there.

When Seonghwa put his phone away to watch them arrive, Hongjoong dodged his curious eyes. Instead, he met Wooyoung's comforting gaze.

"Hey. We're right here. I'm close to him, so don't be afraid to tell me if you need me to take over. He won't be mad." The man reached back to squeeze Hongjoong's leg comfortingly. Hongjoong took a deep breath and nodded. From his peripherals, he could spot Seonghwa coming closer slowly.

He reminded himself not to go too crazy. They were close. They had sex with each other on mutual terms. Hongjoong could do this.

San and Wooyoung emerged from their seats first. Both of them hollered greetings at Hongjoong. In the distance, a few dogs barked back in response.

Shy and desperately hoping to turn invisible suddenly, Hongjoong opened his door to stand last. He could feel Seonghwa's eyes stuck on him instantly. In the privacy behind the car, Hongjoong wiped his sweaty hands on his jeans.

San came up to his side to swing an arm around Hongjoong's shoulders and pull him close. On the other side of the car, Seonghwa hugged Wooyoung, ever so softly. Wooyoung already babbled like a waterfall, talking about dogs and cats and whatever came to mind. None of them paid his speech too much attention.

Seonghwa's gaze met Hongjoong's eyes this time. For a moment, they seized each other up. Contrary to that meeting at San's, they know could place each other in a way far too intimate for a first real meeting.

Seonghwa came over to pat San's shoulder. While he was at it, he used gentle force to pull the man away from Hongjoong. Giggling, San marched off, but only as far as Wooyoung stood away so they could peer at them discreetly.

Hongjoong swallowed as he looked up at Seonghwa. So handsome in real life, like an illusion that could only ever exist in the dream world.

The tender smile on Seonghwa's lips was familiar.

"Want a hug? You look shaky." Seonghwa opened his arms in a clear offer.

Finally, some tension melted away from Hongjoong's heart. He exhaled, breathing again after what felt like hours. "I am shaky," he grumbled under his breath. Still, he stepped into Seonghwa's arms and let him embrace him. Seonghwa smelled of flowers. He rubbed Hongjoong's back soothingly when he felt Hongjoong quiver in his arms like a leaf in the wind.

They hugged for far longer than a usual greeting. Seonghwa's closeness made Hongjoong calm down and his tensed muscles unclenched.

When he felt better, he rose his head to look at the man. Their faces were close, none of them stepping back just yet.

"Thank you." With an honest smile, Hongjoong went on his tiptoes to kiss the man. Not thinking, Seonghwa moved in too, both used to this.

It was only once their lips met and a dramatic gasp got stifled behind them that Hongjoong remembered they weren't the same in real life. Blushing, he pulled back to bury his face in Seonghwa's neck once more. Seonghwa had to laugh, too, and instead pressed a kiss to Hongjoong's hair.

Hongjoong's lips hurt in a faint reminder of his biting earlier. They matched his burning cheeks.

"Sorry, reflex," Seonghwa called over to the peanut gallery. The two had the time of their lives giggling about poor flushed Hongjoong.

Once the worst had died down, the couple finally parted again. Hongjoong's heart was still restless from Seonghwa's proximity and his dread of appearing boring. But his main anxiety had subsided. With Wooyoung and San leading the way, they marched into the building in groups of two. Seonghwa's arm brushed against Hongjoong's at every step.

"Were you nervous about today?"

Seonghwa's voice was just as affectionate as in his dreams. It carried less pain here, where he had to hold up a face and hide his suffering from curious eyes.

"I was. Nearly died all day," Hongjoong admitted. Now that his stomach wasn't in knots anymore, his hunger returned, grumbling. He wondered if he should steal some snacks from the dogs.

Seonghwa's laugh was equal parts apologising and endeared.

"So the tables turned. You can cling to me if it makes you feel better. I would be glad to pay back some of the support you provided."

When he held out his hand, Hongjoong stared at it for a moment even when there was no scenario in the world in which he would have refused it. Once his fingers slipped between Seonghwa's, the man's warmth sprung over instantly. He squeezed Hongjoong's hand comfortingly as he dropped their arms back between their bodies. Sweet giddiness wormed its way inside Hongjoong's heart.

"Playing the bigger one now that you can?"

"And getting to feel your pulse. It's a win-win." Seonghwa smiled crookedly. The pads of his thumb shifted to press against Hongjoong's wrist for a few moments. Hongjoong's heart raced away, betraying his entire agitation.

Seonghwa held open the door to the shelter for Hongjoong as they stepped in. San already leaned at the counter to chat up the worker. When Seonghwa appeared, San gestured to him.

"That one is the guy in question. Hwa, get over here."

Begrudgingly, Seonghwa let go of Hongjoong again to respond to the call. Hongjoong strode over to Wooyoung and the cat he was petting. The other man nudged Hongjoong with his elbow brotherly. They grinned at each other.

"You've never met Berry before?"

A beat of confused silence passed as Seonghwa had to remember that no, in the real world, he hadn't. He made up some story about San not shutting up about her, so he got curious.

The four of them stepped out to meet Berry once they had cleared the initial confusion. Just like last time, the sheltie chased over the field with a group of other dogs. Some mud clung to her pretty fur, but her enthusiasm was unmatched. When the handler called her, she raced over like a bolt of oiled lightning.

San was instantly on his knees to give her the cuddles she deserved. She seemed to recognise Hongjoong's scent, too, for she yapped at him in greeting. Fond, the handler took her collar to have her sit down with Seonghwa.

"Berry, this is Seonghwa. He considers adopting you," she introduced the two of them. Berry curiously seized him up. Then she placed her head down on his lap to look up at him with sweet eyes. Hongjoong cooed, halfway distracted by the poodle that pawed on his leg.

Seonghwa ran his hands through Berry's fur, already invested. While they got to know each other, Wooyoung and San played fetch with the group of impatient dogs that got disregarded. Hongjoong stayed nearby to watch over Seonghwa. The sight of him interacting and cooing at the dog had Hongjoong's heart soften even more for him.

"She's adorable. I already love her so much." Seonghwa muttered the words into her soft fur. He glanced between Hongjoong and the handler once he resurfaced.

"When can I take her home?"

The woman smiled kindly at him. A little kitten peeked from the pouch of her apron, having slumbered there until now.

"First, you'll have to fill out some forms for us and then there's a waiting period of two days in which we ask you to mull over your decision. We don't want you to bring her back in two weeks, all sad because she was too much work. And then, you can take her any time you want as soon as everything fits and all fees are paid."

Hongjoong didn't doubt that Seonghwa was an excellent match. Not only did he live alone and had enough space for a dog around, but he also was a kind soul. It was impossible to miss.

"I see, that's wonderful. I'll be happy to go through all that, then."

While they talked about Berry and her needs and wishes, Hongjoong watched the merry games on the field. His stomach grumbled once more, displeased by the lack of food he had given it all day long. It was already late afternoon, too.

Once Seonghwa was done with his forms and Wooyoung and San had theatrically taken their leave, the group found themselves back in the parking lot. Seonghwa glowed with happiness at the thought of Berry as his companion. His big goofy grin made the others snicker, too.

"Alright, shall we get home, then? Our shift starts soon and I need to take a shower." San glanced down at his dog-hair-specked glory. Then all of them glanced up at Hongjoong's stomach roaring audibly. With a grimace, he wrapped his arms around his angry belly.

"Good idea, but God, I'm hungry. San, can we pick up some food on our way back?"

Just as the man nodded sympathetically, Seonghwa caught Hongjoong's gaze.

"How about you come with me instead? I want to spend more time with you," he pleaded with a charming smile. Hongjoong was bewitched.

"You want to go on a date? Right now?"

Seonghwa scratched at his nape shyly.

"If you have time, yes. I want to take you out. We can eat together or order, whatever you like more."

Wooyoung and San leaned into each other, whispering under their breaths. When Hongjoong nodded at Seonghwa nervously, they broke out in huge smirks.

"Well, no way to get late to work when your work is right next to you. Have fun, you two. See you next time, Seonghwa." San made the farewell quick before he dragged Wooyoung over to his car. They sneaked glances over at the remaining couple every few seconds still.

Some of Hongjoong's mostly dissolved fear came back. Seonghwa looked at him so tenderly, but Hongjoong couldn't help and overthink. He pushed the thoughts out of his head to the best of his ability to gift Seonghwa with a grin.

At his affirmation, Seonghwa opened the passenger door to his car for Hongjoong. He waited for Hongjoong to hop in before he closed it cautiously behind him.

Hongjoong settled back into the comfortable seat. The car was tidy and smelled of leather. Seonghwa kept a bag with the police crest on it on his backseat. Still awkward, Hongjoong tried to loosen up as Seonghwa slid into the seat next to him elegantly.

Finally, their first proper date with no dream in between.