Pandora's Box ch 14

[yeonah]

Title: Pandora’s Box
Fandoms: SS501, Super Junior, U-KISS, B1A4, KARA
Chapter: 14/?
Pairing: HyunJoong/KyuJong, JungMin/HyungJoon, YoungSaeng/JongWoon, KyuHyun/ZhouMi/RyeoWook, others TBA
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: Two years after the end of the Sylar war, the Proteus makes a strange and disturbing discovery. An echo of the past long thought buried tests the loyalties and bonds of everyone on board.
A/N: Sequel to Proteus.



"I do as well, thank you," YoungSaeng nodded, turning away again and starting down the hall. He opened his mind back up to JongWoon, the alone feeling he had had disappearing. JongWoon, where are you?

In my office, JongWoon replied, tangible relief in his voice as YoungSaeng finally replied. He hadn't been able to do any work since losing the connection, pacing around the room and the hallway as he argued with himself about going to find YoungSaeng. You? What's going on?

Heading to you, we need to talk, YoungSaeng replied, taking a flight of stairs up to the upper decks. I'm sorry I had to keep you in the dark.

It's okay...are you okay though? JongWoon asked worriedly, turning towards the door as he felt the younger man approaching.

YoungSaeng didn't reply to that, stopping outside the office door as he shifted back into human form. When he opened the door, he gave JongWoon a tense smile. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to make you worry," he said, closing the door behind him. Taking a seat in one of the chairs on the opposite side of the desk, he frowned down at his hands. "I had a conversation with SooHyun."

"Oh?" JongWoon blinked, sitting down in the chair beside him rather than on the other side of the desk. "About what?"

"About a couple of things," YoungSaeng said, not looking up at him. "One being they're going to try to be nicer, to everyone. He apologized for how he was treating me and JungMin, and for the slurs against you and the others."

Blinking, JongWoon smiled at that. "Well, that's good. Maybe with that, who knows, maybe they'll feel more comfortable here soon."

"I hope so," YoungSaeng nodded, lips quirking slightly before he swallowed thickly and looked up at JongWoon. "He also told me... that the bond you and I share, may not be permanent. It could very well be broken or fade... because you're not Shinbi."

JongWoon's smile slowly faded. "...What? But...why should it matter if I'm Shinbi or human?" he asked quietly. "The bond feels strong to me...it's always felt so strong."

"I know, but what if he's right?" YoungSaeng said, his eyes sad. "He also said that.. bonding with a human isn't a true bond, not like it is with a Shinbi. I'm sorry JongWoon, I love you, but I am doubting myself right now."

Eyes widening slightly as his stomach plummeted, JongWoon shook his head and reached out to take YoungSaeng's hand. "But...what we have is special, right?" he whispered, searching YoungSaeng's eyes. "I've never felt this way before, ever... Even if it's not what it's supposed to be, it's my bond with you, and it's perfect..."

YoungSaeng smiled sadly at that, taking JongWoon's hand and holding it in both of his. "What we have is very special, and I love you so much, even without the bond. I just need some time to figure things out."

Time? "You want...time apart?" JongWoon whispered, just the idea of it causing a stabbing pain in his chest.

"I'm sorry JongWoon... please, understand," YoungSaeng said softly, his grip tightening on JongWoon's hand. "I don't want you to get hurt, I don't want either of us to get hurt. But I need to know we're doing the right thing. For both of us."

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, JongWoon looked down at their hands rather than into YoungSaeng's eyes, his own eyes starting to burn. "I...I understand," he said quietly, closing his eyes to stop the tears from coming out.

Even without the bond, JongWoon wasn't very good at hiding his emotions, and it hurt YoungSaeng so much to feel and see him like this. This was worth it, it had to be. "No matter what JongWoon, I love you, I love you so much," YoungSaeng whispered, sliding out of the chair onto his knees. "And if I ever say otherwise then I'm a liar."

Sniffling, JongWoon's eyes opened again and he looked down at YoungSaeng. "I love you too Saeng," he whispered, lower lip trembling. "You're everything to me...” He lifted YoungSaeng's hand and kissed it softly.

YoungSaeng's heart nearly broke at that, the tears falling down from his own eyes. He did love JongWoon, this could be good for them, even if it hurt now. Leaning up, YoungSaeng freed one hand from JongWoon's to cup his cheek lightly and press a kiss to his lips.

Kissing him back desperately, JongWoon wrapped his arms around YoungSaeng's neck and tried not to cry into the kiss. What could he do to show YoungSaeng he just couldn't survive without him anymore? He would do anything for the younger man, even go through with this if YoungSaeng wanted to, even if it killed him inside.

Pulling back slowly, JongWoon met YoungSaeng's eyes, his own tear-filled. "I'll miss you," he whispered.

"I'm not really going far," YoungSaeng whispered, sniffling a little as he tried to wipe away the tears from JongWoon's eyes. "We'll still see each other, I just... have to be alone in my thoughts for a while. Spend some time alone."

"Doesn't mean I won't miss you," JongWoon murmured, catching YoungSaeng's hand and just resting his cheek against the other man's palm. "I'll be here when you're ready," he tried a watery smile, looking into YoungSaeng's eyes.

"Thank you," YoungSaeng smiled softly at him, leaning in for another light kiss before pulling away and getting to his feet. "If you need me... I'm going back to the cargo hold, finish cataloging our supplies."

"Okay," JongWoon drew in a shaky breath, looking up at him. "I'll be...here."

Nodding, YoungSaeng turned and stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind him. That had been the hardest thing he had ever had to do, and he never wanted to go through that again. Just a few days to clear his head, that was all he needed. Pushing away from the door, he started down the hall again to the cargo bay. It was going to be a long few days.

************************************

Returning from the cargo bay, SooHyun stepped back into the shared room with Kevin and closed the door behind him. That had been...an interesting conversation, the Shinbi's head tilted to the side in thought.

Kevin looked up at SooHyun from where he was sitting on the bed. In his human form, he'd been studying the way his hands looked. "Where were you?" he asked, his words clearer and more confident than they had been. He could do simple sentences now without problems, anything more complex and he struggled.

"Speaking with YoungSaeng." SooHyun padded over to the bed and sat down next to the other Shinbi, looking at him in confusion. "...What are you doing?"

"Practicing," Kevin said, holding up his hands. "Hands... look weird," he said with a frown.

"Everything looks weird." SooHyun pressed his hand against Kevin's, glass-like skin against human skin. "Feels weird too. I don't like it."

"Not so bad," Kevin shrugged, his skin rippling as he shifted back into his true form. "Once you get used to it, it isn't that bad. How did your discussion with YoungSaeng go?"

"Interesting." SooHyun tilted his head to the side. "He is easier to talk to than the other one. I told him why a bond with a non-Shinbi doesn't work, he seemed more willing to listen."

"Willing to listen doesn't mean much, but it is progress," Kevin said, lacing his fingers with SooHyun's. "Was there anything else you discussed with him?"

"Well, he asked for us not to refer to the non-Shinbi as rocks," SooHyun looked at Kevin. "And I also told him why the council ordered us to stay here."

"I hope that was a wise decision," Kevin said. "Do you trust him?"

"More than the non-Shinbi and JungMin," SooHyun shrugged. "We will need someone else aware if we're going to keep a better watch. As well as...observe them more closely," he frowned at Kevin.

"True, do you think he'll tell the other?" Kevin asked.

"I don't believe so. I told him to keep this to himself, in case there is an infection on board," SooHyun shook his head.

"I think it is unlikely any of these others became infected," Kevin said. "So would you say that YoungSaeng is more... congenial towards us? I dislike having to argue."

"I doubt we're going to get away from that, but he is more congenial, yes," SooHyun chuckled. "Maybe we should just ask him when we have a question from now on."

"Maybe, though we were told to talk to the other crew as well," Kevin said with a frown. "Not the two they have bonded with though, just knowing that two of our own kind bonded with... that makes me sick. I can't look at them, especially when they're around each other."

"No, I don't understand it," SooHyun shook his head. "Though we might not be able to avoid YoungSaeng's... 'partner' so easily as the other, he is Captain of this ship after all."

"I would rather deal with the other Captain," Kevin said, scooting closer to SooHyun and resting his head on his shoulder. "If we are going to be here anyway, we probably should spend more time practicing this... human speech."

"But it sounds so clumsy and...brutal," SooHyun pouted, wrapping one arm around the other Shinbi. "I like your voice as-is."

"I like your voice as well," Kevin said, looking up at him. "You like YoungSaeng, don't you."

"He's...interesting," SooHyun shrugged. "I just find it a pity he's wasting himself on a half-bond, in a strange human form."

"Yes, it is rather sad," Kevin agreed, touching a finger to SooHyun's jaw. "Maybe you should show him the merits of what a true Shinbi can offer."

"Maybe," The older Shinbi mused, fingers trailing along Kevin's side before slipping under his shirt, melting into the skin underneath. "But I'd rather show you."

"He doesn't know what he's missing," Kevin whispered, brushing his lips to SooHyun's jaw, his fingers disappearing into SooHyun's cheek.

****************************************************

Everyone arrived slowly for dinner, occupied with their own thoughts and problems. KyuHyun had yet to make an appearance throughout the day, though GongChan said he saw the Gecko in the lower levels by himself earlier. HyunJoong and KyuJong arrived again to eat with the group, the Captain at least seeming better after spending the night before playing games with the others.

"Smells good Mi," JungMin called into the kitchen as he and HyungJoon arrived, steering his boyfriend to their seats. JongWoon was nibbling on a bread roll that had been put out on the table, head down.

"I should hope so," Zhou Mi said, trying to sound as chipper as possible, but KyuJong could see his smile was strained. "It's my own recipe, I was in the kitchen all day experimenting with new sauces," the gecko babbled, setting down plates for JungMin and HyungJoon.

"You've been doing that a lot lately," KyuJong said, tasting the food curiously and humming in approval. "It's good though."

"Well, I've just been trying to keep myself occupied," Zhou Mi said, glancing at RyeoWook before disappearing back into the kitchen. YoungSaeng stepped in through the door right then, looking at the table worriedly for a moment before stepping forward and sitting down next to JungMin; at the opposite side of the table from JongWoon.

KyuJong didn't fail to notice that, especially since there was an open seat next to JongWoon. He looked at HyunJoong with a raised eyebrow.

HyunJoong didn't notice the change right away, watching Zhou Mi go back into the kitchen, but when he looked back at the table he did a double-take. Glancing between YoungSaeng and JongWoon, who hadn't lifted his head, he looked at KyuJong in confusion. What was going on now?

Giving YoungSaeng a tight smile, JungMin sighed inwardly and picked up his glass to drink. Why don't you go sit with him, he suggested quietly. True to his word he'd kept the memory of the conversation with YoungSaeng from HyungJoon, but he couldn't hide his frustration and worry.

HyungJoon did his best not to round on JungMin and glare at him, knowing his boyfriend knew something he didn't. What's going on Min, he asked, getting up and coming around the table to sit down. "Hey, enjoying that?" he said casually, poking JongWoon in the arm.

"Hm?" JongWoon looked up at HyungJoon mid-chew, like he hadn't even realized he was eating something. The edges of his eyes were an angry red, hidden behind bangs he'd pushed forward specifically for that reason. "...Yeah, it's good," he nodded after a moment, looking down at the roll in his hands.

Nothing good, JungMin sighed inwardly, not letting HyungJoon have that memory yet. His boyfriend would probably announce it right then and there. Ask him later, actually why don't you stay with him for a while, he probably needs it.

Okay... you and I are going to talk later as well, HyungJoon threw a dark look his way before turning his attention back to JongWoon. "So I was thinking, you know, now that we're back on board together, we should do something together," he said quietly to JongWoon. "It's been so long since we've watched a movie or just talked. That sound fun?"

JungMin slumped in his seat at the look, glancing at YoungSaeng beside him. YoungSaeng better be happy about this, now JungMin was in trouble too.

"Yeah...sure," JongWoon nodded slowly at HyungJoon's suggestions. "It's been a while..." It was clear his attention was not on what he was saying, HyungJoon, or even the bread he was eating.

"Cool, I won't be infringing on any Captain duties I hope," HyungJoon said, trying to smile at him.

"I'll be covering the bridge for him," YoungSaeng said, not looking up from his plate that Zhou Mi had brought him. "He has the night off."

JongWoon hadn't known that, but he nodded anyways. Reaching out automatically to say thank you, he smacked right into the block between their minds, throat closing. Instead he turned to HyungJoon, smile pained and mechanical. "I guess you won't be."

"Guess not," HyungJoon said, his brow furrowing slightly in worry.

"I think I'm done," YoungSaeng said quietly, setting his chopsticks down on the plate and standing up. "If anyone needs me I'll be on the bridge," he said, nodding to JungMin as he took his plate into the kitchen and left. He didn't even notice Zhou Mi had jumped like a startled rabbit from where he had been hunched over the counter.

"Maybe we should spend more time outside of our room," KyuJong whispered into HyunJoong's ear.

Nodding slowly, HyunJoong looked between the door and JongWoon. "I'm not sure it's even safe to ask," he murmured.

Dinner was painfully quiet, JongWoon pushing his food around the plate rather than eat it. GongChan made a valiant effort to fill the silence, but it wasn't enough not to notice how few others were talking. JungMin was the next to leave, to go see if YoungSaeng wanted any company. He relayed this to HyungJoon along with a quiet I'm sorry before disappearing.

Seeing as JongWoon wasn't really going to eat much more, HyungJoon sighed a little and pulled the plate away from him. "Okay, I think we're done eating, let's go," he said cheerily, grabbing his plate and JongWoon's to take to the kitchen. When he stepped in, he blinked repeatedly before backing out and looking at RyeoWook. "Wook... I think you should come here."

Head snapping up, RyeoWook didn't have to be told twice, standing and hurrying to the kitchen. When he saw the state Zhou Mi was in, tears filled his eyes and he went in to wrap his arms tightly around the gecko. "It's okay, it'll be okay," he whispered.

Curled up on the floor against the wall, Zhou Mi immediately clung to RyeoWook tightly. "I miss him," he choked out, tears running down his cheeks.

HyungJoon gently set down the plates on the counter before stepping out again. "Probably shouldn't go in there," he said to those that were left at the table.

"What's going on?" HyunJoong was half-standing, worried at the sound of quiet sobbing from the kitchen.

That seemed to have woken up JongWoon a little at least. "KyuHyun's...been acting weird, not wanting to be around them," he said quietly, looking at the door. "No one knows why."

"KyuHyun? But... he adores Mi," KyuJong said, looking at JongWoon with sad eyes. "I wonder what could have happened."

"Obviously Zhou Mi isn't taking it very well," HyungJoon said with a small sigh. "Don't really blame him. I haven't really seen KyuHyun around at all lately. He doesn't even bother JungMin anymore."

"Someone's going to have to find him and talk to him," HyunJoong shook his head, slowly sitting back down. "It must be pretty big for this to have happened...they never even argue, let alone split up for this long."

"Maybe what happened to the ship got to him more than he lets on," KyuJong said.

"Possible, but that doesn't really seem right," HyungJoon frowned. "If he was upset about that then why would he be avoiding Mi and RyeoWook? Wouldn't he do the opposite?"

"He would," HyunJoong nodded, troubled. "The only way we're going to find out is by talking to KyuHyun directly. If he's still acting this way after over a week, he probably isn't going to go back to them on his own."

"So who gets the task of talking to him?" HyungJoon asked.

"Maybe I should," KyuJong said. "And you too, Hyun. He might respect you enough to talk to you."

HyunJoong nodded. "We'll see if we can track him down then...might need either YoungSaeng's or JungMin's help to find him though, they're the only ones who can see geckos when they're camouflaging. Besides other geckos."

"Well I don't think we'll get Zhou Mi's help," KyuJong said quietly.

"Okay, well while you two go do that, JongWoon and I will be... in my room," HyungJoon said, going to his friend's side and putting his hand on his shoulder. "Right?"

"Right," JongWoon nodded slowly, looking up at HyungJoon. He stood up and made his way to the door. "Let me know if you find out anything?" he asked quietly, glancing back at HyunJoong who nodded, eyes worried.

KyuJong sighed heavily when the two left the room, looking to HyunJoong. "I wonder what we missed this time."

"I have no idea," HyunJoong shook his head, frowning. "Well, let's see if we can find KyuHyun," he placed his chopstick down, finding it hard to have much of an appetite with so much going on to his crew. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'll call JungMin and see if he can spot him on the security feeds," KyuJong said, getting out his com device. "JungMin?"

"Yeah?" JungMin replied after a moment, sounding like he was sulking. "What's up?"

"Can you check the security feeds and tell me where KyuHyun is?" KyuJong said, picking up his plate to take to the kitchen. Zhou Mi was still on the floor with RyeoWook, clinging tightly to him.

"Yeah, sure, one second," JungMin replied. RyeoWook looked up at KyuJong as he came in before turning his attention back to Zhou Mi, running his fingers through the gecko's hair and kissing him softly as he whispered in their language.

"Okay, got him," JungMin answered after a minute of looking. "Storage Room 4, lower level."

"Thank you Min, if he moves, let me know," KyuJong said, closing the device. He watched the two for a moment, heart hurting for them both. Hopefully they could get to the bottom of this. Turning around, he smiled tightly at HyunJoong. "Lower level storage room."

"Got it," HyunJoong nodded, waiting for KyuJong to rejoin him before heading to the door. "Do you think he'll talk to us?" he asked quietly, wrapping his arm around KyuJong's waist as they walked.

"I don't know, he doesn't usually talk to anyone but Zhou Mi or RyeoWook," KyuJong said, leaning slightly against him. "But we have to try, because I have never seen Zhou Mi so upset about anything before."

"No, neither have I," HyunJoong shook his head. They'd missed a lot, the older man feeling a strong guilt for not being there when his crew needed him. "We'll do our best, he wouldn't be acting like this for no reason."

"No, but if Zhou Mi didn't know why, then what kind of reason would there be?" KyuJong frowned. "I hope he doesn't feel like we're attacking him in any way, we do just want to help."

"He might, we're going to have to be careful," HyunJoong shook his head. "And whatever the reason is, it has to be major because we all know he wouldn't do this to the other two for anything short of the world ending." He headed down the stairs to the lower levels.

KyuJong nodded in agreement. They may not know that much about Geckos, but one thing had been very clear; they were loyal to a fault to each other. If something had come between them, then it was something very serious.

Leading HyunJoong down the corridor at the bottom of the stairs, he stopped at the storage room JungMin had directed them to, glancing at HyunJoong as he touched the control panel to open the door. Stepping inside when the door opened, he glanced around in the dim lighting. "KyuHyun?"

There was nothing for a moment before the gecko shifted back into view from where he had been sitting on a storage box. "...Yeah?" he looked between them both warily.

Something was off about KyuHyun, though HyunJoong couldn't put his finger on it. "Have you been eating?" HyunJoong frowned, stepping into the room. "No one's seen you in the mess hall for a while."

"I've been eating, yeah," KyuHyun shrugged. "What do you want?"

"We were just worried about you," KyuJong said. "Zhou Mi is up in the mess hall right now crying, did something happen?"

HyunJoong saw how KyuHyun bristled slightly. "No, nothing's wrong," he looked away.

"KyuHyun...we know that's not true," HyunJoong shook his head. "Is there anything we can do to help? You're all our friends."

"I said, there's nothing wrong," KyuHyun hopped off the container and disappeared.

Immediately shutting the door behind them and locking it, KyuJong crossed his arms over his chest. "Then why is Zhou Mi crying?"

"Because I told him something he didn't want to hear. I don't see how this is any of your business," KyuHyun's voice echoed from somewhere in the room.

"It's our business because you're upsetting him, and RyeoWook," KyuJong said, eyes narrowing. "Don't you care that he's upset?"

"It's his problem if he can't take hearing the truth. I've always done what he wants, given up everything for him, but does anyone even care about what I want?"

"That isn't true KyuHyun, and you know it," HyunJoong frowned. "Everyone here cares about you, especially Zhou Mi."

"I don't see him here now, do you?"

"What did you say to him, KyuHyun?" KyuJong asked. "What did you say that upset him so much?"

"It's none of your business!" KyuHyun snapped.

"KyuHyun, answer us," HyunJoong's eyes narrowed. But there was no further conversation from the hidden gecko.

"I don't understand why you're doing this to Zhou Mi, and to RyeoWook," KyuJong said, glancing around. "The KyuHyun I know wouldn't act this way. Let's go Hyun."

Looking around as well, HyunJoong sighed softly before unlocking the door. "This can't keep going on KyuHyun, get your head on right and fix things with them." He heard a small sniffle as he and KyuJong left the room, closing the door again behind him.

"Well...that didn't go as hoped," he sighed softly.

"Maybe we should have JungMin come down and string him up by his tail," KyuJong said, shaking his head. "There is something wrong Hyun, I have never seen him so hostile, especially about Zhou Mi."

"No, and I don't think it's about what he was saying either," HyunJoong shook his head. "That couldn't be the entire reason." But if not, then what was the reason?

Back up on the main level of the ship, JongWoon stepped into HyungJoon's and JungMin's room after the younger man, not looking around. Beneath the worry for the two geckos and RyeoWook, was an unshakeable feeling of loneliness and pain. He'd gotten so used to the connection between himself and YoungSaeng that to suddenly feel nothing brought tears to his eyes.

HyungJoon chewed on his lip worriedly, pulling off his shoes when he sat down on the bed. "Okay JongWoon, what's going on? Did you and Saeng have a fight or something?"

"A fight? No...no, we didn't fight," JongWoon shook his head, slowly sitting down next to the younger man. Should he have fought YoungSaeng's decision more? Would they be in a better position now? "We...He decided we needed...some time apart," he whispered, eyes glassing over even as he said it.

"Time apart? You two? Why?" HyungJoon blinked in confusion. "You two are like... everything JungMin and I aren't, why would you need time apart?"

"H-he..." Swallowing past the lump in his throat, JongWoon shut his eyes tightly. "He said...he talked with SooHyun, and...our bond might not be complete. Or p-permanent. He said...he needed time to think."

"Not... permanent?" HyungJoon repeated in a whisper, his eyes widening. What did that mean for himself and JungMin then? You knew about this and didn't tell me? he hissed through the bond. "Okay... well... time is good, it's not like you guys really broke up right? That's gotta be hard for him to hear, especially from his own kind."

I'm sorry, I promised YoungSaeng... JungMin whispered, scared to say anything.

"I know," JongWoon couldn't open his eyes again, feeling the tears waiting to come out. "I just...I miss him, it feels so lonely," he sniffled. "What if our bond isn't good enough? I'm not good enough? If he can have so much more with a full bond, with another Shinbi...I'm only human, what if he decides t-to..." JongWoon choked on a sob.

"Hey," HyungJoon's expression softened and he put his arm around JongWoon's shoulder. "He'll come around, he loves you, you know he does. I doubt any Shinbi would be half as amazing as you are. YoungSaeng's being an idiot right now, letting those damn assholes get in his head. He'll realize he made a mistake and he'll be back."

Turning into the younger man, JongWoon buried his face in HyungJoon's shoulder. "What if he doesn't?" He sobbed quietly. "I-It's only been a few hours, and I feel...I feel like I'm dying, I don't know what I'll do if he leaves..."

"He won't, I know he won't," HyungJoon said softly, holding his best friend close. "He's not going to just up and leave because of what some stupid alien says. He loves you, and up until a couple of hours ago I don't think he doubted that at all."

JongWoon swallowed past the lump in his throat, tears spilling down his cheeks. "I hope...I hope you're right," he sniffled. "I don't want him to go...I don't want the bond to fade...I just want to be with him my whole life."

"I know, I understand exactly how you feel," HyungJoon said, rocking them back and forth slowly. "You want to stay here with me tonight?"

"If...if you want...I don't want to kick JungMin out," JongWoon looked up at HyungJoon, holding onto his best friend tightly.

"Don't worry about that, he understands," HyungJoon said, giving JongWoon his best reassuring smile. "It'll be just like old times, you and me staying together. Except less kissing."

That prompted a watery chuckle, JongWoon's lips curling into a shaky smile. "Yeah...can we still watch a movie?" Maybe it would help him forget the hole in his heart for a little while.

"Of course, I hope you've got a good selection here," HyungJoon said, wrinkling his nose. "All my movies got destroyed."

"I've got a couple, yeah," JongWoon nodded, sitting up and wiping away his tears. "Want me to go get them?"

"Sure... you want me to go with?" HyungJoon said, bouncing a little. He'd really missed spending time with JongWoon, even if this wasn't exactly ideal circumstances.

"Yeah," JongWoon gave a smile that was less strained this time, standing. He could survive until YoungSaeng decided to come back. As long as he had HyungJoon as a friend.

"Let's go then," HyungJoon grinned, pulling his boots back on before hopping to his feet. Sorry Min, you're going to have to sleep somewhere else tonight, he sent the thought out, linking his elbow with JongWoon's as they headed out the door. He would do his best to keep JongWoon distracted until YoungSaeng came to his senses.

Okay, that's fine. JungMin listened to what was going on nervously. You're mad at me, aren't you.

No, I'm not mad at you. Annoyed, yes. Did you know about all of this HyungJoon replied amidst chatting with JongWoon, trying to keep his spirits up.

Yeah, YoungSaeng told me before him, JungMin glanced over at the other shifter. He wanted JongWoon to hear it from him. I was going to tell you.

Figured as much. You're not having any stupid thoughts are you?

You can hear all my thoughts, does it sound like it to you? JungMin was nervous though. He didn't want the bond to ever fade, and this recent news was setting him on edge. You're stuck with me whether you like it or not.

Guess it's a good thing I like it then. I'm ignoring you for the rest of the night by the way. Half because I want to pay attention to JongWoon, and half because I'm still annoyed at you. I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay, JungMin's shoulders slumped unhappily. Just don't cut me off, okay? Good night.

Night Min. I won't cut you off. I still love you, you ass.

Love you too, turtle.