After a long breather, Yunho and Wooyoung dared to show their faces again. Wooyoung huddled into himself as if he wanted to crawl into the nearest crevice, but Yunho was eager to learn about the mission. Once they sat with Jongho and Mingi and shared some sodas on the workbench, Wooyoung relaxed since San wasn't nearby.

Though he deserved an explanation. The major part in Wooyoung wanted to postpone it for as long as possible. Maybe he could make Yunho his excuse?

Wincing when he noticed he acted like a child, Wooyoung focused on their conversation. Jongho was friendly to greet Yunho and shared their delight to have found back to each other. Mingi leaned against the table with his arms crossed, but he heard them out.

"Yunho asked about my plans for this mission. We would like to stay together," Wooyoung explained. He wouldn't let go of Yunho again, never.

Vigilant to the expressions on Wooyoung's face, Jongho nodded.

"We still accept you on the team. Yunho is, of course, welcome to join us." Jongho glanced up at Mingi. "It's fine, right?"

"We have space," Mingi shrugged. As always, they made every decision together.

Relieved, Wooyoung turned to Yunho.

"You will like it once you hear what we are doing."

Yunho played with his can. His smile would follow Wooyoung anywhere. If this was the safety they sought, he would much prefer it over splitting up.

"Indulge me."

It took some time to summarize everything to him. They took him to meet Seonghwa and answered all of his spontaneous questions that were endearingly similar to the things Wooyoung mulled back then. His curiosity healed Wooyoung's soul. Hearing his marvel refreshed everyone's enthusiasm about Mission Bluebird. By the end, they giggled at Yunho's perpetual smile.

"When can we leave?" He asked straight away. His arm was wrapped around Wooyoung's shoulders, dwarfing him. Fond, Wooyoung leaned against his chest to look up at him.

"You're down?"

"So down. I want to see the skies. We promised," he reminded Wooyoung. Though both of them said it light-heartedly since they knew of no method to remove the clouds, that dream suddenly became a reality. They could reach utopia and Seonghwa was the key.

Jongho beamed at the two of them, exposing his gums.

"Glad to hear it. In that case, you are invited to come along. I can't believe I got both of you and San in addition! Where is he?" Jongho looked around and Wooyoung bit back his comment not to speak of the devil. San had every right to be here. And he had every reason to glare at Wooyoung.

"Let's catch him up and depart tomorrow. We have water, Yun. Do you want to take a bath?"

With eyes as big as saucers, Yunho stared at Wooyoung. He snickered when he tugged his companion to his feet.

"A bath?" He didn't trust his ears. Jongho shooed at them.

"Yes, yes, great idea. Get some rest and we will leave tomorrow. Mingi and I will pack some more provisions. No worries, Yunho, we have it all taken care of. The car will bring us anywhere."

In sheer marvel at everything they built in this awful world, Yunho stumbled along on Wooyoung's hand. His giddiness was infectious and Jongho looked after them with a smile before the door fell shut to his whisper at Mingi how happy he was for the two raiders.

If only he knew. Wooyoung's heart was still in turmoil, as much as it appreciated Yunho's presence.

They made their way down into the cavern, and Wooyoung found back to his glee. When he imagined Yunho's reaction to their pool, the strain around his heart unraveled.

As expected, Yunho didn't disappoint. His gasp when he laid eyes on the large body of water was drastic enough to echo through the tunnels. Wooyoung's giggle followed right behind.

"Impressive, right? This is what Seonghwa can do. It was a water orb until a few days ago."

Yunho needed a moment to remember how to shut his mouth, but Wooyoung blissfully drank up his wonder.

This was what hope could do. All those beautiful feelings of joy. If the mission succeeded, there would be much more of this. Yunho knew and he couldn't be more eager. Wooyoung found a beautiful purpose to pursue and it would be even better if they went together.

Since he was there already, Wooyoung agreed to a dip along with Yunho. They left their clothes on the dry stone before they splashed into the pool, giddy about its coldness. Yunho fell back to soak his hair and back.

"This is paradise," he hummed as he sprawled out. Watching him with fond eyes, Wooyoung lounged in the corner so Yunho had space to splash around.

"Sorry that you have no time to relish it, but perhaps we can return. Or even better, every place can become like this. Then we can live wherever we want," Wooyoung replied. He lifted his chin when Yunho stood. Water cascaded down his pale skin marred by the scars of countless fights. He pushed his dark hair back as he came closer to Wooyoung and Wooyoung was ever so weak to his attractiveness.

This room would be the end of him.

"I would like that. We can find happiness. All those years were worth it," Yunho whispered as he cradled Wooyoung's jaw in his long fingers. Though Wooyoung knew what was coming, he didn't have the heart to stop Yunho. He craved that sweet touch, the familiarity of Yunho's body.

Their lips melted into one, but Wooyoung couldn't unwind. His head stuck with San and his kiss in this same place. How different his stubble felt scratching Wooyoung's skin. How the angles of their heads had allowed them to deepen the kiss so smoothly.

Yunho was not as broad as San, but taller, engulfing Wooyoung in a different way. It was always homey against his chest, always relaxing to glide their lips against each other. Not the pushing, pulling, grabbing that San did. Not the sudden rush of heat in Wooyoung's belly.

No, Wooyoung couldn't. Not when Yunho was so sweet in his caress. Not when he doted on Wooyoung and their reunion.

Trembling hands found Yunho's shoulders, seeking distance. Yunho pulled back immediately and his worried eyes searched Wooyoung's pinched expression.

"Did I... Do something wrong?"

Wooyoung didn't deserve him.

Head hanging low, Wooyoung searched for words. Anything that could explain how torn he felt.

But it all got even worse.

As if fate wanted to help him out, it had San entering the room right at this moment. While Yunho still stood with his hands on Wooyoung's hips, their heads angled close.

It was a sickeningly sweet irony.

Wooyoung's stomach plummeted when he caught San's expression. It was stormy yet cold, ignorant to the sight that cut deep into his heart. When Wooyoung's eyes widened, he lifted a dismissive hand.

"Don't mind me. Just passing through," he said and even the first time Wooyoung met him, his voice hadn't been that standoffish.

"Wait, San-!" Wooyoung hastened for the edge of the pool, nudging Yunho away hastily, but the other raider barely spared him a glance.

"Focus on your boyfriend who finally returned from the dead," he mocked and though the words were kind, Wooyoung heard his bitterness poison them. He waded through the water to catch up, but San's gaze was unrelenting.

They weren't anything. For Wooyoung, there had only ever been Yunho, from the very beginning. He made that painfully clear.

San's long legs carried him down the corridor without waiting for Wooyoung to catch up. Before Wooyoung brought out another word, he disappeared with his hands balled into fists.

Mortified, Wooyoung stood in the cold water. The shivers creeping over his spine kept him keenly aware of Yunho's gaze on him.

Fuck, things were derailing way too quickly. Usually, Wooyoung had someone to make up for his shortcomings, but he was alone on this. And he had no proper explanation.

"Wooyoung?" Yunho asked and the tone of his voice gave away that he picked up on Wooyoung's struggle.

It took only Wooyoung's slow turn towards him as he bit his lip in remorse until Yunho understood. He always understood far too well.

Yunho's eyes flinched to the tunnel San had disappeared into and then back to Wooyoung. Careful not to jump to conclusions, he held a mindful distance.

"What's going on?"

"That was San," Wooyoung explained lamely, as if it was all the answer Yunho needed.

A hesitant nod. Wooyoung's stomach was in knots.

He should confess. Before they all sat in a car together all day, fighting for each other's lives. This might break off the deal for Yunho.

Weak fingers clutched around his body. Wooyoung didn't dare face Yunho.

"I haven't met him yet. Is there anything I should know? Is he hurt?"

"He's not hurt." At least not in the way Yunho was concerned about.

A beat of silence. The water stopped rippling at their lack of movements and quickly robbed their body warmth.

"Why did you go after him just now? Was he... disturbed by seeing us together?" To Yunho, it could have many reasons. Wooyoung was still struggling to gag out the words stuck in his throat.

"He knows you are my boyfriend. I mentioned waiting for you."

Just get it out, Wooyoung. You can't keep any secrets from Yunho.

But Yunho figured it out all by himself, too in tune with Wooyoung and his disorderly emotions not to.

"... something happened between you two, didn't it?"

Wooyoung's long pause was telling. But Yunho didn't judge him. Didn't get mad.

Wooyoung didn't deserve him.

"I... It just happened. I denied him several times, waiting for you, but when I gave up hope, I- I'm so sorry, Yunho. This was way too quick and, of course, I still feel for you. It just felt wiser not to linger in the past..." It was a weak excuse. Barely enough time passed and life wasn't all about romance. As pushy as San had been, Wooyoung should have mourned properly.

Numb, Yunho looked at the water glistening between their bodies. Wooyoung quivered, more with the nerves than the cold.

"I understand," Yunho replied slowly. "You thought I died, I... I also wouldn't want you to waste your life away when I wouldn't return." Yet, hurt shone in his eyes. The question of how serious things were. How far they had gone.

"I can end it with him," Wooyoung blurted out. "It was a little flirt, nothing more! You are back now and he knows how close we are. We can go back to normal." He realized he was begging when Yunho was the one who got to make a judgment. Embarrassed, Wooyoung snapped his mouth shut.

"He looked pretty hurt just now," Yunho pointed out, too empathetic for all of their feelings. Was Wooyoung the selfish one? Was there nowhere to shift the blame?

"I'm sorry," Wooyoung apologized once more. "I understand if you don't want to be with me anymore, just... San did nothing wrong. Please don't hate him too much."

Yunho brushed back his wet hair.

"That is to find out. I appreciate you telling me before we departed. This... changes things, but that much was to be expected when you joined a new team."

Another stab. It was Wooyoung's fault. He should have waited there for Yunho. Dug until he died of thirst, but at least he stayed loyal.

They got out of the water since it lost its charm and dressed in their prior clothes. Wooyoung waited for Yunho, shifty on his feet. The celebrative mood died down entirely.

When Yunho finished shrugging on his jacket, his eyes found Wooyoung. Remorse filled them when he realized the pale look on his partner's features.

"Come on," Yunho muttered, nudging him gently though not taking his hand. "Let's go back and help them with the car. It gives us something to focus on."

Once more, and even more desperately than before, Wooyoung prayed San wasn't there. With his head hanging in shame, he followed Yunho. At least the mission served as a distraction and gave them room to ponder their priorities.

Wooyoung didn't even know what he wanted anymore. He wished he and Yunho could be like they were in the past, but that time would never come again.

And he still had to talk to San.

Exhaling, he focused on the car first.