"Storm's howling today," Seonghwa noted where he was leaning against the window, peering out into the heavy rain. The wind whipped fat drops against the glass, creating a pleasant melody. Outside, it was absolutely ghastly. Cold and wet and Yeosang took even longer to get to work in this weather because he had to dodge puddles. Plants whipped left and right with the weather's mischief, but their museum, warm and dry and lovely with its exhibitions, was a sanctuary.

Yeosang sorted his Socrates pamphlets for the tenth time. They didn't get a single visitor today, no tours to guide. It was cosy and ever so boring. Greek statues silently paid them company as the two lounged during working hours, waiting for the storm to calm down.

"No wonder nobody's coming in. Do you think the flowerpots at the entrance will be fine?"

Yeosang tried not to overthink the weather. It was autumn, and storms frequently whipped south from the coast. This didn't have to mean anything.

But Seonghwa had been nervous all day, flinching at the first few crashes of thunder before he scurried off to make sure no water was leaking anywhere. Big storms were dangerous, end of the world or not.

And since Yeosang never knew when the end would come... he had to expect it every day. Right now, as the sun was darkened by clouds, or maybe tomorrow, on a clear day. An eclipse no one could predict.

It was haunting to think of, so he forcibly pushed the fear away. This was just a storm like any other.

"They are pretty sturdy, yeah," Seonghwa assured him as he came back over to their counter. His fingers tapped on the wood next to his healed cactus, which Yeosang presented him in the morning, full of pride.

"Wanna take our lunch break together?" He offered with a gentle smile, and Yeosang was eager to get up and stretch his legs. Usually, they switched, so someone always had an eye on the museum, but this was perfect.

"Sure."

As always, Seonghwa's grin whisked all of Yeosang's worries away. He brought their lunch boxes from the fridge while Yeosang fetched some water bottles (funded by Yongguk for the team.) They cosied up behind the counter while Seonghwa's pasta heated up in the microwave.

Yeosang opened his box to the sight of his ever overripe banana, some grapes with leaves attached to them and a sandwich with cheese and salad. Somehow, his cherry tomatoes seemed to have grown halfway across his bread. He could swear they didn't look so squishy and full of fresh leaves when he packed his lunch yesterday. Jongho playing some pranks on him?

"Oh, those look pretty past their prime," Seonghwa also snickered as Yeosang freed his food from the clutches of nature, sprouting without reason. Striving in the rain, he supposed. He did have a green thumb and all the plant growth boosters in his home may have carried over.

"On top of their prime is the issue. I don't keep them near any nutrients, so I have no idea how they always do that," he complained, but everything was still edible, so he dug in as Seonghwa fetched his meal.

"You are just that good at working with plants. They see you nearby and they sprout with joy," Seonghwa snickered at him. He mixed his cream mushroom pasta with some ham in it and Yeosang curiously peeked over. Sometimes, he also cooked, but he just didn't have the patience for it nowadays. It was rare that Seonghwa brought cooked meals, though.

"Looks good," he complimented, and Seonghwa offered him a bite, even scraping the meat aside. Still, Yeosang shook his head. He preferred seeing Seonghwa eat.

"Hongjoong made it for me," he replied happily before he dug in.

Seonghwa's friend Hongjoong. Yeosang had heard from him a few times already. A mystery, aside from the fact they were close. Seonghwa mentioned him from time to time as the person he spent most time with, since his family didn't live in the area. Initially, Yeosang imagined him as some lost youngster like anyone else he knew, fresh out of uni and figuring out his place in life.

Until that one time, when Hongjoong showed up at the museum.

Yeosang remembered he drove an old Bentley, nothing too uncommon in Europe but certainly a luxury reserved to the very rich. When he pulled up before the museum, out stepped a man dressed in an all black suit, casual in it, his stride graceful yet not stiff, almost as if he were dancing. He had black hair, black sunglasses and piercings in his ears, but Yeosang saw enough to tell he was young like them.

After he opened the door for Seonghwa to let him hop out, Hongjoong threw him a lazy salute before he zoomed off, never to be seen again.

He was the oddest character Yeosang had seen, but undeniably attractive in his uniqueness. Seonghwa didn't say much, just that Hongjoong gave him a ride since he missed his bus. Then he went to work in the same merry mood as always.

Yeosang was often jealous when he heard his name. He was nowhere as cool as Hongjoong. What if Hongjoong was Seonghwa's type and Seonghwa just had been too shy to admit it? His crush? Seonghwa never admitted to being in a relationship, but who knew? Yeosang would lose painfully if he were to challenge that enigma.

So now Hongjoong was also cooking for Seonghwa. Though Yeosang was accustomed to hearing about him now, the same lance of jealousy dug viciously into his stomach.

Did they have a date together last night before and Seonghwa packed the leftovers? Did Hongjoong charm him with some expensive wine until innocent Seonghwa was a puddle at his feet? Were they living together?

Such a mystery, that guy. Yeosang's potential rival. But he didn't let it bother him. He had to be above these things if he wanted a chance with Seonghwa.

So he ate in silence while Seonghwa enjoyed his pasta, not bothering him with unnecessary questions.

The storm didn't let up once their break was over. It howled around the building, slammed a shutter and some nearby tree branches against their walls. Yeosang sprinted upstairs to fix the former and in the few seconds he had the window open, he got drenched from head to toe and a puddle formed around him. After telling him to sit by the heater, Seonghwa cleaned up before he joined him in the warm spot.

"I hope it lets up in the afternoon or we might get trapped here," he said after checking his phone. "The streets are flooding, so the busses aren't running right now."

Just a storm, just a storm. Yeosang repeated his mantra in his mind.

"Not too bad. We have food in the kitchen and it's warm and safe," Yeosang tried to cheer Seonghwa up, since he looked so worried. Instantly, his smile was back.

"Unless we get another intruder," he jested, but Yeosang rolled his eyes. Jongho better keep the windows shut at home right now.

"Won't open the cabinet for another of those. I'd hoard you all to myself," Yeosang grumbled, and it came out surprisingly revealing. Seonghwa tilted his head, and he zipped his mouth shut, afraid he said too much.

Huddled against the heater next to each other, Seonghwa's doe eyes were so close. So sweet as they searched Yeosang's face. Nothing like Anubis' brusque flirting, if it could even be called that.

"What do you mean?" Seonghwa asked, and the shine of his eyes was so endearing. Yeosang wanted to caress his cheek, so he tucked his hands under his thighs so they wouldn't act on their own. His cheeks felt warm.

"Oh... You know. Just since we get to have an adventure, just the two of us. We don't get too much time alone despite working together." He felt his heart in his chest, nervous and delightful in its pace. He wasn't too confident, so close to Seonghwa, but confessing felt good. Perhaps Seonghwa would realise he sought time with him alone.

"I see," Seonghwa replied as he relaxed against the heater. "I'll gladly stay with you, then. All yours today."

The last sentence heated Yeosang's nape. He ducked away, shy, and Seonghwa laughed softly at his reaction.

"Did you want to tell me something? I thought you had other things on your mind these days."

"Well, yes," Yeosang said lamely. He gulped. It was as good a timing as he could ask for, but he just didn't have the guts. Struggling to disprove Jongho's taunting, Yeosang searched the right words.

"I just like spending time with you," he mumbled ultimately. Not his best, but also not the worst.

Seonghwa looked flattered either way.

"Why? Am I special?" He whispered, so eager to hear the secret, and Yeosang crumbled under his starry eyes. He whipped his head away, talking to the corridor, as the words finally came out in this secluded, intimate moment. Only the rush of the rain thrumming on the window disrupted their bubble.

"Well, I... I kinda like you. Have done so for a long time, actually." He hung his head, ashamed he couldn't do any better, make it more romantic.

But Seonghwa covered his gasp with his fingers all the same. Making Yeosang bury his face in his hands.

No going back now.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I... Gods, this is mortifying." Yeosang sighed heavily, his body tense with anxiety.

Ever so sweetly, Seonghwa patted his shoulder, not getting any closer than normal for them.

"Take your time," he offered, and Yeosang had to snicker to himself. Of course, Seonghwa took it with grace. He deserved so much more.

"Sorry. I had been trying to tell you, but I never found the courage. I like you because you are so kind. So sweet. And you're beautiful," Yeosang got out awkwardly, but he was rewarded with a smile that made his heart flutter again.

"Thank you, Yeosang. That's... That's so adorable, wow. I never would have guessed."

"Sorry for making it awkward," Yeosang grumbled, but Seonghwa waved it off with a giggle. He was also blushing, his posture shy, and he looked so adorable.

"Not at all; I'm happy. And very flattered. I didn't think I would be your type," Seonghwa also confessed and Yeosang perked up, since they thought the same about each other.

"What would you have thought is my type?"

"Someone manlier, perhaps? Not to judge your preferences, but to me, you always seemed like you needed someone who can... you know. Dominate you." Seonghwa gestured insecurely, and Yeosang froze. His brain caught up, and he tried to play it off, but his voice fell to a squeak.

"Oh. Oh, that's what you mean."

"Did I pry too much?" Immediately, Seonghwa was ready to apologise, but Yeosang didn't allow him.

"N-No, it's fine. But there you have it. It's you." The most awkward of confessions in the middle of a storm with thunder rolling overhead and the hard tiles of the floor nudging their bones through the jackets they sat on. The warm heater in their backs. "I hope this won't make things awkward between us at work," Yeosang added, not about to pressure Seonghwa into anything.

But Seonghwa shyly played with his hair.

"No, actually, I... I can't immediately reciprocate your feelings, of course, but... I'm kind of curious. Would you like to try dating maybe? See if something more comes of it?"

Yeosang didn't hear right. His eyes were wide as saucers as he repeated what he imagined having heard.

"Dating?"

"Yeah."

"Dating you?!"

"If you don't want to, then I-" Seonghwa began, looking insecure now, but Yeosang damn near packed him by his shoulders to shake him.

This couldn't be happening.

Dating Seonghwa?

"No, no, no, I want to. Definitely. Oh, please yes. Date me? I'm not too lame for you?" Suddenly, Yeosang sat straight as a stick, ready and attentive and not missing anything Seonghwa told him.

He would not pass up on this chance.

"No way! You are so lovely and full of light. I could see myself falling for you," Seonghwa assured him, and he might as well have shot an arrow straight into Yeosang's heart.

"Shit... Can't believe I really got a date." Yeosang slumped against the heater, the happiest man alive. He shyly played with the sleeve of his jacket, and Seonghwa was also blushing, too shy to look at him for too long. "What do you want to do first?"

"How about we start where it's cosy and warm? I could come over and we cook together. Or do you prefer the movies?" Seonghwa suggested, and Yeosang just nodded mechanically, happy with anything he could get.

"No, do come by. My plants will have missed you." He could figure out Anubis later. That damn god didn't matter if Seonghwa was there to fall in love with Yeosang as the world was ending.

"Then it's a date," Seonghwa beamed at him and Yeosang was enraptured by his beauty, his soft smile against the roaring storm.

He needed more time. To get to know Seonghwa, to love him, to be together.

Now, there was one more reason why the world couldn't end.