Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jongho slides into a familiar booth at the coffee shop not too far from his apartment, settling next to San with a small smile. The older is holding a cinnamon latte in his hands and mumbling about the cold weather. 

Jongho usually settles for an iced-americano but the unrelenting rain and the unusually cold breeze are even getting to him, and so he wraps his fingers around the hot americano before him and hums in agreement as San declares that the weather is too cold for spring.

“You’ve been going out less,” Yunho says to Jongho as a way of greeting as he slides into the booth, sitting across from San. Jongho is known in his friend group for his frequent midnight strolls, which haven’t been quite so frequent lately. Mingi follows closely behind but is too focused on his hot chocolate to say anything to any of them. “Feeling better?”

Jongho shakes his head, pursing his lips and looking down at his drink. “No, not exactly.” If anything he’s feeling even more restless these days. Midterms are creeping up on him and he desperately needs to study, and he knows that graduation will be upon him before he’s ready - hell, he hasn’t even started thinking about applying for jobs yet. “I might be more stressed than usual,” he admits with a frown, taking a drink from his cup.

“Senior year will do that to you,” Mingi says cheerfully, finally looking up from his cup. He has a line of whipped cream on his upper lip from his hot chocolate and San giggles beside him, picking up a napkin. 

“You’re so cute, Mingi-yah,” he says dotingly, leaning across the table to wipe the cream off of his face. Mingi scrunches his nose and pretends to put up a fuss but ultimately lets San clean him off. “He’s right though,” San says, looking over at Jongho. “Senior year is hell. But usually that means you walk more, not less. What’s going on?”

Jongho sighs softly and gives a half-hearted shrug, taking another sip of his drink. Midnight walks are usually the very thing that help him clear his mind but lately they’ve been making him feel a bit strange. “They don’t feel right anymore.”

Yunho raises an eyebrow at this and Jongho knows that the older won’t let it go that easily. “Jongho, you’ve been taking your midnight walks since the middle of your freshman year. You took a walk during the middle of a snowstorm one winter. Not much can stop you.”

Jongho slides further down in his seat as Yunho talks, his grip on his cup tightening. “Jongho,” San says softly, placing his hand on Jongho’s shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

Jongho normally isn’t one for physical affection but something about San’s touch is calming and he can’t help but lean into it. “It’s strange,” he murmurs, finally looking up at Yunho. “Lately I just...I feel like someone, or something, is with me. You know I like solitude. There’s no one there. No one that I can see, anyway. But...it just feels like there’s something there, you know?”

Mingi nods his head a little too enthusiastically, his brown eyes wide. “I completely understand,” he says, putting his cup down on the table - he has been cradling it throughout their conversation, probably to hold on to its warmth. “I felt that way after watching Paranormal Activity, you know? Couldn’t walk past a basement door without feeling jittery for weeks.”

Despite his best efforts Jongho is unable to stop himself from cracking a smile, and Yunho is laughing lightly beside Mingi, his shoulders shaking and a bright smile lighting up his face. “I don’t think that’s what he means,” Yunho says, patting Mingi’s hand as the other boy’s ears go red. “Are you sure there’s no one around?”

“Oh my god, Jongho, what if someone has caught onto your walks and they’re stalking you?” San’s brown eyes are wide with worry.

“I’m sure,” Jongho assures Yunho with a nod, looking sideways at San. “San-ah, that’s not the most reassuring thought you could’ve given me.”

San grimaces, mumbling a quiet, “Sorry,” into his latte and takes a drink, looking down at the table.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Jongho sighs with a shake of his head, putting on a smile for the others. “Probably just my stress getting to me, you know?”

Yunho frowns, looking unconvinced, and opens his mouth to argue but San speaks first. “Let me go with you next time,” he says, looking at the boy beside him. “If it’ll help you feel more at ease.”

Jongho raises an eyebrow at his friend. “You want to take a walk at what you call an ungodly hour.”

San shrugs, his lips quirking up into a smile. “You know I’m awake at that time anyway. I just usually prefer not to be outside.” Jongho shakes his head and opens his mouth to protest but San is faster, placing a finger on Jongho’s lips and shaking his own head. “This isn’t a suggestion. I’m coming with you on your next walk.”

Jongho frowns but San’s brown eyes are narrowed and Jongho recognizes the spark in them - when San has made his mind up about something there’s no changing it. With a sigh he relents, nodding as he picks up his drink. 

Instantly San’s lips pull up into a smile, his eyes turning into little crescents. “Good.” 

And that’s that. They talk some more and Jongho appreciates being able to hear about how his friends are doing - it sometimes feels like they're separated by the fact that he's still in school, but moments in the cafe like this one feel like home again.

He learns that Yunho and Mingi have partnered with a student organization at his school and plan to bring in puppies to help everyone destress the week before midterms and learns that, for all his complaining, San is doing so well at his job that his supervisor is considering promoting him.

"How do you even get promoted at a flower shop?" Mingi asks, raising an eyebrow at his friend.

San scowls into his drink, taking one last drink before peering over the lid of the cup, his brown eyes narrowed. "I'd be promoted to assistant floral designer."

"I thought you already did that."

San rolls his eyes and seems to fight back the urge to sigh, launching into a heated explanation of the difference between a normal floral designer and an assistant floral designer.

Jongho leans over and bumps San with his shoulder, offering him a small smile. "I'm proud of you, hyung," he says softly, earning himself a bright smile from the other.

"At least someone here appreciates me!"

"He's just sucking up to you because you're going to walk with him," Mingi mutters, but his lips are curved up into a smile.

Jongho simply shakes his head and keeps sipping his drink. After more talking the four of them part ways, promising to catch up again at the same time next week, and Jongho makes the walk back to his apartment.

He sighs as he walks in, toeing off his shoes at the front door, and walks over to his couch. The evidence of his earlier failed study attempt stares accusingly at him, his textbook lying open on the couch and his flashcards spread across both the couch and the floor. Meeting up with his friends was a nice escape from the struggle of studying for exams but he knows he has to get back to it. He fills up a glass of water and sits back down, preparing for the worst.

It's nearly 2 am when Jongho finds himself unable to focus anymore, the words from his textbook swimming before his eyes and his own handwriting suddenly seeming illegible. He glances at his phone, chewing his lower lip as he thinks about what to do. On one hand, it’s late and he has not gotten proper sleep in weeks, which means that the smart thing to do would be to go to sleep. On the other, he's pretty sure that going to sleep will really equate to just lying in bed and staring at the ceiling and he could really use the fresh air.

His stomach flips as he picks up his phone but he sends off a text to San before he can change his mind.

You up?

The response is almost instant.

Sadly. Time for a midnight stroll.

2 am stroll technically. Meet you at the park?

He doesn't wait for a response, knowing that San will meet him wherever he asks - that's how it's always been between the two of them and Jongho has always been grateful for it. He shoves his feet into his shoes - tempted to just flatten the backs of his Chucks like San does - and grabs a light jacket before heading outside. 

The night is still and Jongho comes across no one as he makes his way to the park, the moon being his only companion until he comes across his friend standing with his hands shoved in his pocket, head tilted back looking up at the sky. 

“Trying to stargaze?” Jongho asks in greeting, startling the older boy who turns to him with a smile. “Air pollution is too bad San-ah, you’ll never see them.”

“Admiring the moon,” San responds, ruffling Jongho’s hair and ignoring the younger’s protests - he knows they’re half-hearted anyway. “Now let’s go. Lead the way, adventurer.”

Jongho rolls his eyes in feigned annoyance but he can’t stop his lips from curving up in a small smile. He won’t say it out loud - and he doesn’t have to, he knows - but he’s grateful for San’s presence. 

They make their way to the trail that Jongho takes every night and walk along it in silence, shoulders occasionally brushing and smiles occasionally exchanged. The night is quiet and Jongho lets out a deep breath, noticing how his shoulders rise and fall. The past few times he’s come out and tried to clear his head he’s felt a weight on his shoulders, a presence, and a need to get away. Tonight with San walking by his side he finally feels light again.

“Maybe it was all in my head,” he sighs, looking sheepishly at San. “Things seem normal right now.” He’s silent a moment, diverting his attention to the ground. “I’m sorry to bring you out so late.”

San chuckles softly in response and the sound rings out in the stillness of the night. “Don’t apologize, Jongho. I really don’t mind.” He lets out a yawn, shaking his head as he does so. “It’s probably good to step away from the computer screen anyway.” He looks over at Jongho and his smile softens, his cheeks dimpling. “You know I’ll drop anything to help you anyway.”

Jongho knows. He hums in response, lips curved up into one of the small smiles he reserves for San as he notices the other yawn again. He slows his stride and comes to a stop, the older stopping beside him with a curious expression. “It’s getting late. I think I’m okay to finish this walk on my own.”

San’s eyebrows furrow and he looks like he might protest but then he hangs his head, his breath huffing out of him in a silent laugh. “I am getting a bit tired,” he admits. “But I really don’t mind walking with you.”

Jongho shakes his head in response, his smile still in place. “I feel a lot better, hyung. I think I can finish off this walk on my own now.”

San stares at him for a moment, considering, and then nods. “Still send a text to the group chat when you make it back home, okay? I sent one in there when we started our walk.”

Jongho nods. He had seen the text that San had sent and had noticed that Mingi had responded - unusual given that he was usually the first one in the group to fall asleep. “I will, don’t worry.”

“I always do,” San quips in response, cheeks dimpling as he smiles brightly at Jongho. He pulls the younger in for a quick hug before waving and walking away, giving him one last reminder to pay attention to his surroundings and stay alert.

Jongho waves him off with a smile and keeps walking. Minutes after San leaves Jongho feels it again. Something about the air feels heavy and Jongho’s muscles tense - he’s once again struck with the feeling that he isn’t alone. Before he can turn around he hears a voice.

“I’m sorry I’ve been making you uncomfortable. I didn’t realize you could sense me.” The voice is low and smooth, deep like Mingi’s yet entirely different; it’s warm and light, and Jongho almost thinks he can hear a twinge of embarrassment in the speaker's tone. 

He turns to face the speaker and is a bit taken aback by what he sees. The boy standing before him can’t be much older than him - a year or two at most - yet something about him feels infinitely older. 

The boy has fair skin, light golden blonde hair, and a face that Jongho feels would put even Aphrodite to shame. The boy almost looks like he’s glowing and Jongho is sure he must be imagining the faint silver glow he sees surrounding him. The boy smiles at him and Jongho is struck by two things: the boy has fangs and his eyes are glinting silver. 

Jongho can’t help but stumble back upon seeing the fangs, his heart pounding in his chest. The boy’s beauty entrances him and he feels an inexplicable pull towards him, a desire to get closer, but the fangs send a flash of fear through him. Jongho might have joked that the boy was otherworldly because of his looks, dismissed the silver eyes as colored contacts, but the fangs looked far too real. 

The boy is quick to cover his fangs, smile fading into a more neutral expression as his brow furrows. “I must admit, I did not imagine scaring you when I first met you. In fact, I did not really imagine meeting you.”

Jongho finally finds his voice then, though it comes out shakier than he would like. “W-who are you? Are you the person who’s been watching me?” He uses the word person loosely, but it’s the only word that he can think to use.

The boy purses his lips and nods, his lips pulling down into a slightly frown. “Again, I did not think you could sense me. I am sorry.”

Jongho stares blankly at the boy, unsure of what to say. Everything in him is telling him that there is something not right about the boy - something not quite human - but he’s not sure if he can bring himself to believe that there are things that exist in this world that aren’t human. He’s a man of science, thank you very much - he studies kinesiology for goodness’ sake - yet something just feels wrong.

The boy cocks his head to the side as he looks at Jongho and hums to himself, nodding a little as he does so. “You have many questions I’m sure. Come.” He motions for Jongho to follow him and turns without making sure that he does, walking to a bench on the opposite side of the trail. He sits down and looks at Jongho, patting the space beside him.

Jongho follows only after he watches the boy sit down and he does the same, keeping some distance between them. He notices that the boy has what looks like a small, pink birthmark beneath his left eye. “Who are you?”

“My name is Yeosang,” the boy replies, lips curving up into a small smile. He’s careful to keep his fangs covered this time. “God of the Moon.”

Jongho stares blankly at the boy in front of him. “Yes, god of the moon,” he deadpans. “How did I not know?”

Yeosang chuckles in response and Jongho swears his silver aura glows brighter as he does. “That’s about the response I expected,” he admits. “But it is true.”

“And why has a god been watching an ordinary human such as myself?” His voice is flat, sarcasm ebbing into his voice without effort. It is nearly 3 am and he doesn’t have the time to deal with a crazy person. In fact, he shouldn’t have even sat down to entertain this boy. Yet he remembers the fangs and stays seated, curiosity getting the best of him.

Yeosang lets out a small chuckle and turns away from Jongho, resting his back against the bench and letting his head tilt back as he looks up at the moon. “Being god of the moon makes me a traveller of sorts, travelling across the sky every night. As such I am rather fond of travellers and do my best to make sure that they make it through the night safe. You tend to walk at night a lot. I couldn’t help but notice the human who seemed to be out every single night.”

Jongho is quiet at this, turning away from the boy - no, the god - beside him and letting his back hit the bench as well. “There’s no way I’m the only human who takes frequent night walks.”

Yeosang hums in agreement and Jongho looks sideways at him, finding a small smile playing on his lips. “You feel troubled. And before you say something, no, you are not the only human who both takes night walks and feels troubled. But you seem to do it a lot and you appear much younger than the other frequent worriers I have come across.”

Jongho decides not to question how the god can sense his feelings - all of this is too much for his brain already. “And you care...why?”

The god shrugs. “There is no real reason I can give you other than you caught my attention. I decided to keep an eye on you to make sure you were okay.”

Jongho raises an eyebrow at this. “Okay?”

“Yes, okay,” Yeosang repeats, finally tearing his gaze away from the moon and looking at the human beside him. “I wanted to make sure you didn’t try doing anything you might….regret.” Jongho falls silent at the god’s implication and he too is silent, seemingly lost in thought. They’re both quiet for a moment before the god speaks again. “But tonight you brought someone with you and for once you felt happy. It was a welcome change.” A small smile has made its way back onto his lips and Jongho finds himself thinking that it would be a very pretty smile if he wasn’t aware of the fangs that the god was hiding. 

“San has that effect on….well, everybody,” Jongho admits with a laugh. He rises from his seat on the bench and looks back at Yeosang with a slight frown, his eyebrows pulling together in confusion. “I want to believe that you’re just crazy,” he admits, “but there’s something stopping me.”

Yeosang raises a single eyebrow, cocking his head to the side as he looks at Jongho. “And what might that be? My godly aura? My inhumanly good looks and smooth voice?” His smile turns into a sly grin with each new reason and it takes Jongho all of his self-control not to roll his eyes. 

“None of the above. It’s the fangs.”

“Could be a cosmetic change,” Yeosang argues. “I imagine it’s expensive, but someone somewhere would be willing to file my teeth into fangs.”

Jongho is quiet for a moment, considering. It’s true, he supposes, someone could get their teeth turned into fangs. He finds himself looking back at Yeosang in confusion, bemused by the smile that never seems to leave the god’s lips. “Shouldn’t you be trying to convince me that you’re real?”

“Quite the opposite,” Yeosang says smoothly, rising from his seat on the bench. “I should make you think that I’m insane or find a way to make you forget this whole ordeal. Can’t really have mortals learning that I’m real, now can I?”

“Is this when you wipe my memory and send me on my way?” Jongho jokes, but his voice shakes a bit, giving away his worry that that is exactly what’s about to happen. He can’t decide if the boy before him is crazy or actually a god, but a memory wipe would definitely answer that question - not that it would matter, he wouldn’t remember it. 

“If I actually wanted you to forget me, then yes. But I don’t.” Yeosang’s smile is dazzling now, and as he laughs at the way Jongho’s eyes widen and his lips part, Jongho is convinced that the silver aura surrounding him really does glow - there’s no other reason he would need to squint. “It’s getting late, you should get home. Why don’t you let me walk you home?”

Jongho may be confused and quite possibly a little sleep deprived at this point - because Yeosang being a hallucination caused by sleep deprivation makes more sense than anything else that has happened since San left - but he still has enough sense in him to shake his head vigorously at the prospect. “Absolutely not.”

Yeosang looks taken aback and he actually frowns, lips curving down and his lower lip jutting out in the smallest pout. “Why not?”

Jongho’s eyebrows pull together and he looks at Yeosang as if he’s an idiot, which has Yeosang feeling like maybe he is. “Let someone who claims to be a god follow me home and learn my address? No thank you.”

Yeosang looks like he’s going to protest but then thinks better of it, instead nodding his head in a show of understanding. “Fair enough. I will stay on the trail, then. Have a good night.”

Everything about the sentence feels like a dismissal and Jongho doesn’t know if he’s happy to go or if he’s offended at how quick the god is to dismiss him. He stands there for a moment, opening his mouth as if to say something and then shutting it. Eventually he shakes his head and turns around. He starts to walk away without so much as a goodbye when the strange boy calls out to him.

“Can I at least know your name?”

Jongho turns and looks at the god wearily. His silver eyes are wide and if Jongho could trust himself - which he can’t - he would say there was something like hope shining in them. He means to bite back with some excuse but instead finds himself saying quietly, “Jongho.”

Yeosang looks pleased with this and he smiles, shoving his hands into the pockets of the black jeans that Jongho just now notices he’s wearing. He had been so preoccupied with how striking the god looked - not that he would ever admit that - that he hadn’t even noticed what he was wearing. 

“I will stay out of your way now, Jongho. But if you ever wish to speak to me again simply call me and I will be there.” He gives Jongho a warm smile before turning and walking away, not even giving Jongho a moment to think about whether he wants to respond. 

Jongho stares after him for a moment before turning around, shaking his head as if he can shake away the memory of the strange glowing boy. He pulls out his phone to check the time as he walks and groans - it’s nearly four in the morning. He shoves his phone back into his pocket and walks a little faster, rushing to get back to his apartment. He’s not going to survive the rest of the day without a lot of caffeine. 

*           *           *           *          *

Chemistry goes just about as well as he expects and he gets a pretty stern scolding from his lab partner for almost blowing up their testing station. 

“Jongho, did you get any sleep last night?” Yeji snaps, swatting his hands away from the chemical rack for the second time in ten minutes. “You look like a walking corpse.”

“Thanks,” Jongho mumbles, having taken over writing down their results since he can’t be trusted to actually run any of the experiments. “Just had a rough night.”

“I can tell,” Yeji grumbles. They’re silent for a few minutes, Yeji working on mixing various chemicals and Jongho carefully observing their reactions, before she sighs and puts a hand on Jongho’s shoulder. 

“Get some rest tonight, okay?” Her voice is soft now, all traces of her earlier irritation gone and replaced with nothing but concern for the boy beside her. “I’d hate for my favorite lab partner to get blown up.” Her lips quirk up into a smile that Jongho can’t resist returning and he laughs in response, nodding at her. 

“I will, I promise.”

While he did promise to get more rest, and he did intend to follow through on that promise, he didn’t think his rest would be found on the third floor of the library on a hard table. One moment he had been working on his cover letter for a job opening he was hoping to get once he graduated and the next he was being shaken awake by a very concerned looking boy with blue hair. Ah - that concerned boy was actually his concerned roommate. 

“You know, our apartment does have a room you can sleep in,” Soobin jokes, sliding into the seat across from him. “You don’t have to sleep in the library.”

“I just meant to rest my eyes for a minute,” Jongho yawns, attempting to rub the sleep out of his eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you.” Jongho raises an eyebrow in question and Soobin explains without prompting. “Jongho, you got home at four in the morning and then left at seven, I heard you nearly blew up Yeji during chem today, and now you’re sleeping on a table in the library.” Jongho’s face grows progressively redder as Soobin lists out the day's events but if the other boy notices it he says nothing. “So I am here looking for you so I can take you home.”

Jongho opens his mouth to protest but the words die on his tongue as he notices the pleading look that Soobin gives him. His roommate is more than just a little concerned this time. “Fine,” he caves, trying not to roll his eyes at the way that Soobin instantly perks up - Jongho suspects that the younger has picked up on the fact that Jongho hates seeing him sad and is now using that to his own advantage. “But you’re buying me dinner.”

Soobin laughs in response and shakes his head. “I’m not buying anything, but I’ll make you dinner. Now let's go. You clearly weren’t getting any studying done anyway.”

Jongho grumbles a half-hearted rebuttal that Soobin ignores entirely and packs up, following the younger out of the library and back to their shared apartment. True to his word Soobin cooks dinner and they spend the evening watching a bad horror movie and laughing at all of its flaws.

“Why don’t you actually stay in and sleep tonight, hm?” Soobin asks through a yawn as he cleans off the table.

Jongho hasn’t moved from his spot on the couch, his eyes narrowed slits as he opens them. He mumbles a noncommittal response that Soobin can’t even make out which has the younger throwing an empty soda can at him.

"Get some sleep before I make you!"

They both know it's an empty threat - Soobin can't even beat Jongho in an arm wrestling match - but Jongho finds himself conceding anyway. 

“Only because you’re violent,” he mutters. Soobin waves him off with a grin and Jongho has to try not to let his own lips curve up into a smile. He mumbles a soft thank you to the younger boy as he walks past Soobin and towards his own room and Soobin pretends not to notice, but his smile softens in recognition of his roommate’s words.

Jongho falls onto his bed and for the first time in weeks sleep comes quickly. 

*           *           *           *           *

The week passes quickly and for once Jongho doesn’t find himself going out every night. He’s almost able to forget about Yeosang entirely, his thoughts consumed only by school work and his growing list of job applications, but as he sips on his iced americano during his weekly meeting with his friends San decides to bring up the walk.

“Did you finish off the walk alright?” San asks him curiously, brown eyes wide as he looks over at his friend.

Jongho sips on his americano for a second longer than is necessary, debating whether or not he should tell his friends about the strange boy he ran into. “It was fine,” he tells them with a nod, deciding to keep the details of Yeosang to himself for now. After all, how do you explain meeting an apparent god without sounding crazy? “Like I said, it must have just been the stress or something.” 

“You haven’t gone on a walk since,” Mingi points out, stretching his legs as he leans back in the booth and effectively kicking San. “Have you been feeling better? Less stressed?” He ignores San’s complaints and Yunho hides a chuckle behind his hand.

“Yeah, Soobin has been making me stay in and actually sleep. Believe it or not, that’s helped my stress levels a ton.”

“Who would’ve guessed,” Mingi jokes with a grin. 

As they continue talking, San beaming as he reveals that he was promoted after all, Jongho decides that maybe everything about the walk was stress induced. Gods don’t exist, he concludes, and while he doesn’t think his imagination is good enough to think up Yeosang he also doesn’t think that the boy is real. Unfortunately there is only one way to put that theory to the test. 

At midnight he finds himself shoving his feet into his worn out Converse, much to Soobin’s dismay, and grabbing his coat. He assures his roommate that he won’t be out all night and points out that this is an earlier walk than most before heading out the door, sending off a quick text to the group chat before he does. 

The walk to the trail only takes Jongho a few minutes and before he knows it he’s making his way down the familiar path, only half paying attention to his surroundings. True to Yeosang’s word - if he is even real - the lingering feeling of being watched that Jongho had grown used to is gone, and he begins to wonder if he really did make everything up - it would certainly make more sense than god’s being real. 

He walks up to the bench that he sat at the last time he walked the trail, trying to ignore the trembling in his hands. Despite his mind telling him that nothing is going to happen he can’t help but wonder, what if something does? He scowls down at the ground, torn between chiding himself for believing anything would happen and daring to hope that he wasn’t crazy and hadn’t made up the whole ordeal. It takes Jongho a moment to muster up the courage to say anything - what does one even say to summon a god? - but after taking a deep breath he manages to mumble a few words. “Yeosang if you’re real….I’m here, I guess.”

The night remains still and after a minute of waiting Jongho sighs to himself and shakes his head. Honestly, what had he expected to happen? But before he can rise from his spot on the bench he hears a low voice behind him. 

“I was beginning to think I had scared you off.”

Jongho spins around to find Yeosang standing behind him, a small smile playing on the boy's lips. He looks just as Jongho remembers him - blonde hair parted down the middle and swept back off of his forehead, pink birthmark beneath his left eye, eerily silver eyes, and a faint silver glow around him. Beautiful , Jongho thinks. He tries to pay the thought no mind. 

“You’re real.”

“Last time I checked,” Yeosang responds, lips quirking up into an amused grin. “Did you think you dreamt me up?”

“Stress induced hallucination,” Jongho admits, and the thought seems silly voiced aloud. 

Yeosang nods, pursing his lips in thought. “I suppose that would seem a more likely explanation than meeting a god.”

“Just slightly.”

“Is that why you called?” Yeosang’s expression is neutral but Jongho is sure he can hear amusement in the god’s tone. “To see if I was real?”

Jongho nods, not trusting himself to speak. While a part of him had hoped that Yeosang would appear if he called he hadn’t actually thought this through - what was there to say to a god that had noticed you for no real reason?

“And now that you know I’m real?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t expect this,” Jongho admits with a shrug. “I didn’t think this far ahead.”

Yeosang lets out a soft laugh and the sound of it is warm and smooth like honey. Jongho decides that he likes it. “We can just talk,” Yeosang suggests, walking around the bench and sitting down beside Jongho. “Like two strangers who just happened to meet on the trail. That’s what we are, aren’t we?”

“I suppose so,” Jongho agrees slowly, eyeing Yeosang nervously. 

If Yeosang notices Jongho’s nerves he doesn’t show it, saying nothing. “So, what brings you here tonight?”

Jongho is quiet for a moment, looking anywhere but the boy beside him as he speaks. “You.”

Yeosang’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise and he looks over at Jongho. “I’m the only reason you came out?”

Jongho gives a curt nod in response, looking sideways at Yeosang. “Yeah.”

Yeosang throws his head back and laughs, the sound more full this time than before. “I’m flattered,” he says, lips spread in a broad smile. “I didn’t think I was the sole purpose for your walk tonight.” Jongho has to squint now to look at him now, his silver aura shining brighter than before. “What usually brings you here then?”

“You already know,” Jongho says in a flat tone. “Stress, worries, all that good stuff.” He waves his hand as he talks as if dismissing every reason he gives as unimportant. 

“Well, sure, I can pick up on that,” Yeosang agrees, “but why do you feel those things?”

This time it’s Jongho’s turn to raise his eyebrows and he looks over at Yeosang with a puzzled expression. “Bit of a personal question, isn’t it?”

Yeosang smiles apologetically and offers a small shrug in response. “I suppose so,” he agrees. “Does that mean you are uncomfortable answering?”

Jongho is quiet for a moment, considering. He supposes there’s no harm in telling the god his troubles and it would be nice to tell someone who doesn’t think they can solve them - what would a god know about normal college student struggles, anyway? 

“School,” he finally answers. Yeosang is quiet, waiting for Jongho to elaborate, and Jongho does. “I’m in my final year so classes are a lot harder than they’ve ever been, which is fine I guess. Nothing I can’t handle. But what I feel like I can’t handle are all of these damn job applications,” Jongho groans. “Everyone wants more experience than it’s possible for me to have as a senior in college. I feel like I’m never going to find a job.”

Yeosang hums in response but offers no real advice which is exactly what Jongho expected. He allows himself to settle back on the bench and lets out a soft sigh, letting his head fall back so that he can look up at the sky. 

“That’s not all, though.”

Jongho turns his head sideways to look at the blonde boy beside him, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “That’s not all?”

“That’s not all,” Yeosang repeats, leaning his head back to look up at the sky as well. He doesn’t look over at Jongho when he speaks again. “School and your future are a concern, yes, but that’s not all. There’s something else.”

“If you know what’s wrong then why bother asking,” Jongho retorts bitterly, not bothering to deny it. 

“Because I don’t know,” Yeosang responds softly, seemingly unbothered by Jongho’s now hostile tone. “I can only tell that there’s something more. I can’t read your mind, Jongho. You also do not have to elaborate if you don’t want to. I’m not pushing you to tell me anything.”

“It’s my friend,” Jongho says quietly. He doesn’t know why he’s confessing this to Yeosang, but confessing it aloud to a stranger during the night feels safer than speaking about it during the day. “He’s struggling and I’m just...worried for him. But things will be fine.”

Yeosang falls silent again as he listens to Jongho explain, seemingly lost in thought as he looks up at the sky. Jongho is okay with the silence, glad to be left to his own thoughts for a moment, all of which seem to lead to the boy sitting beside him. “Why do you care?” his voice is soft as he asks, curious. 

Yeosang looks over at Jongho and smiles, his features softening as he looks at the human. “I told you, you caught my attention.”

“But why?”

Yeosang’s smile grows and he lets out a soft chuckle but he doesn’t answer. He looks at the sky again before looking back at Jongho, his silver eyes sparkling. “You should get home, Jongho. It’s half past one. I would hate to be the reason you don’t get any sleep.”

“You didn’t seem to mind last time,” Jongho points out. 

“I wasn’t thinking last time. This time I’m being considerate. Go home, Jongho.” The last sentence is final but Yeosang is still smiling as he says it. 

Jongho knows better than to argue, realizing that he’s being dismissed, and he stifles a yawn as he rises from the bench. He hesitates before walking back the way he came, looking back at the god lounging on the bench. “And if I come back,” Jongho starts, noting the way that Yeosang’s eyes light up at the prospect, “you’ll be here again?”

“Call for me and I will come,” Yeosang assures him. “But don’t come too often, hm? As much as I like your company you do need to sleep.”

Jongho nods but has already decided to ignore the advice. “And when do you sleep then?” he asks. “During the day.”

“Never,” Yeosang says cheerfully, laughing at the way Jongho’s eyes widen. “I don’t need to sleep, Jongho. But you do. So again, go home. I will see you the next time you come out should you decide to call me.”

With the second dismissal Jongho turns to leave, but not before murmuring a quick goodnight. He doesn’t look back to see Yeosang’s response but as the trail in front of him briefly lights up he’s sure that the god’s aura has just flared again.

*           *           *           *           *

Moments after stepping foot in the castle courtyard Yeosang hears the high, lilting voice of his best friend teasingly calling for him. “Yeosangie,” the boy sing-songs, voice carrying through the air despite him not being in sight. “Back from having fun with your little human?”

Yeosang bites back a scoff and settles for rolling his eyes, giving the other a half-hearted glare as he comes into view. His friend is lounging on the castle stairs, arms braced against the stairs behind him as he leans back and watches Yeosang come forward. Amusement is sparkling in his brown eyes and Yeosang tries to ignore the golden glow around the boy. 

“His name is Jongho,” Yeosang replies, walking past him.

The black-haired boy scrambles off the stairs as Yeosang walks by and slings an arm across his shoulders. “So you actually talked to him?” he asks curiously. Yeosang nods in response, his cheeks heating slightly, and the boy beside him laughs in delight. “Hongjoong is going to be so mad at you. He also owes me 10,000 won.”

Yeosang looks sharply at the boy beside him, silver eyes narrowing. “You bet Hongjoong on whether or not I’d talk to him?”

The boy nods, either unaware or unfazed by the look Yeosang is giving him. “I told him that I knew you better. That’s why I’m your best friend, right?”

“Neither of you are my best friend,” Yeosang grumbles, but his tone has no real bite. He looks at the boy beside him, sun-kissed skin stark against his more fair complexion, and can’t help but smile. 

The boy beside him laughs as they enter the music room and walk towards a boy sitting at the piano, his blue hair vibrant and out of place among the neutral tones filling the rest of the room. “You owe me!”

The blue-haired boy turns and glares at the boy beside him, slowly moving his gaze to Yeosang. “You talked to him?”

Yeosang shrugs helplessly in response, looking down at his feet, and the blue-haired boy sighs. “Remind me not to bet against Wooyoung,” he grumbles, pulling his wallet out of his pocket. 

Wooyoung laughs happily and moves away from Yeosang to collect his prize. “The human’s name is Jongho, by the way.”

“I don’t care,” the blue-haired boy responds, tucking his wallet back into his pocket. He turns to Yeosang then, pointing a finger accusingly at the younger boy. “And you, you should know better than to go talking to humans. What do you think is going to happen?”

“I don’t know, Hongjoong,” Yeosang mumbles. If he’s being honest he never even intended on talking to the boy. “I just felt bad for making him uncomfortable. I wanted to apologize.”

“Felt so bad you had to talk to him and apologize a second time?” Wooyoung challenges, lips curving up into a shit-eating grin. Yeosang gives in to the urge to hit the younger boy and he can’t help the chuckle that escapes him as Wooyoung squeaks in surprise. 

“Are you just going to keep randomly appearing?” Hongjoong asks with a raise of an eyebrow, leaning back on the piano bench he’s sitting on. “That would be creepy, don’t you think?”

Yeosang shakes his head, a shy smile playing on his lips. “I’ll only come if he calls,” he murmurs, looking down at the floor. He takes in the silence from the other two but refuses to look up until someone breaks the silence - and that someone won’t be him.

“If he calls,” Hongjoong says slowly. Yeosang can see him shift on the piano bench and lean towards him. “He would have to know your name to call.”

Yeosang is quiet now, sparing a glance up through his lashes at his two friends. Wooyoung is staring at him with wide-eyes, his gold irises glowing and his mouth hanging open in a small o - it would be comical if not for the death glare that Hongjoong is sending him. 

“You told a mortal your name?”

Yeosang nods.

“And you told him who you really are?”

Another nod.

Hongjoong lets out a strained breath, pinching the bridge of his nose as he squeezes his eyes shut. “Kang Yeosang,” the older sighs, shaking his head as he looks back at the blonde. “Seonghwa is going to kill you.” It’s an understatement and Yeosang knows it. He knew it when he gave his name to Jongho with a smile and he did it anyway. “Tell me Yeosang, what mortal is worth Seonghwa’s rage?”

Yeosang thinks back to the first night he saw Jongho - the boy had been walking the trail that they met on and had been mumbling to himself, which wasn’t uncommon for walkers at that hour of the night, but there had been a spark about him. Something about Jongho was like a flame and he was the moth that was hopelessly drawn to it. Yeosang’s lips curve up into a small smile and he stands up a little straighter as he looks at Hongjoong. “This one.”

“You sound mighty confident,” drawls a low voice from behind him. The voice is smooth as velvet and deep, though not as deep as Yeosang’s, and it makes his blood run cold. He notices Wooyoung’s very obvious gulp and catches sight of Hongjoong pinching the bridge of his nose again as he turns to face the speaker. 

Seonghwa stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame like he has all the time in the world to spare. His all black outfit lengthens him - if that’s even possible - and his black eyes bore into Yeosang’s silver ones. Yeosang wonders just how long he’s been standing there and how much he’s heard. “Please do tell me about the human worth breaking the rules for.”

*           *           *           *           *

Jongho wishes he could say that he hasn’t been plagued by thoughts of Yeosang but that would be a lie - ever since discovering that the god was very much real and not a figment of his imagination brought on by stress he’s found it hard not to think of him. He still hasn’t managed to tell his friends about Yeosang but figures that that’s a problem for another day - how are you supposed to tell your friends that you’ve befriended a god?

Despite his intentions to visit Yeosang again, schoolwork, job applications, and a nagging roommate get the best of him. On Saturday morning he practically stumbles into the familiar coffee shop and orders his iced americano without much thought. It isn’t until he’s tucked into the corner of his usual booth, San and Mingi laughing loudly across from him and americano thrumming through his veins that he starts to feel like a real person again.

“When are you bringing the dogs?” he asks Yunho, hoping desperation isn’t coloring his voice - it is. 

Yunho grins at his friend in response. “Feeling a bit stressed?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. “Mingi, when are we coming with the dogs?”

Mingi looks up from his heated debate with San and shrugs in response. “I’m not in the office, how should I know? I don’t remember these things.” Yunho looks like he’s about to scold the younger in response but Mingi breaks out into one of his wide grins, his eyes turning into crescents, and it’s impossible for anyone to get mad at Mingi when he looks like that. “We’re bringing them in two weeks. Please do try to keep up, Yunho.”

Yunho can’t seem to help but come back with an attack on Mingi’s memory when it comes to giving the dogs their medicine and within minutes the two are bickering loud enough that Jongho is sure everyone in the shop can hear them. 

“It’s a wonder they get anything done together,” San snickers, leaning across the table so that Jongho can hear him over the bickering of their two friends. 

Jongho remembers last year when the two announced that they would be opening a shelter together - it seemed both perfect and horrible, like a wonderful idea that was destined to fail. Mingi and Yunho didn’t care. The two of them together had a little bit of business knowledge and a lot of love to give, which apparently is all you need to run a successful animal shelter. 

“It is,” Jongho agrees with a grin.

After more bickering and talking they promise to meet up again the following week and Jongho walks back to his apartment feeling lighter than he has since he had dinner with Soobin. His roommate is gone for the weekend and while Jongho doesn’t have a problem being on his own, the silence of the apartment after a week full of spending the evening with someone just feels wrong. 

He plays music while he works on more job applications and when he can’t take it anymore he decides to turn on his PlayStation and play games with San, but as the night wears on he finds himself fidgety and bored. With a sigh he does the one thing he knows will help him feel at ease - he shoves his feet into an old pair of Converse, grabs a light jacket, and heads outside. 

Nothing about the walk is different but everything about it feels different. Jongho finds that he isn’t really walking to clear his mind. He’s walking with the hopes of meeting a certain someone that part of his mind thinks shouldn’t exist. If Jongho dwells on his true intentions too long he’s sure he’ll get embarrassed and turn around, so he makes sure not to think too hard.

He approaches the bench that he sat at before and pauses, considering, before continuing to walk. “I want to actually walk today,” Jongho says to no one, but he hopes that Yeosang is listening. “But I would not mind the company, Yeosang.”

Jongho continues to walk, trying not to get his hopes up, and he ignores the way his heart skips a beat when he hears a now familiar voice behind him.

“I guess that is the reason you come out here, isn’t it?” Yeosang responds, falling in step beside Jongho. He offers the boy a smile that has Jongho quickly looking forward. Jongho hums in response, not trusting himself to speak, and the two fall into a comfortable silence. They walk for a while before Yeosang speaks again. “What’s troubling you tonight?”

Jongho turns to look at him and cocks an eyebrow in response, which Yeosang mirrors. “Are you trying to make small talk?”

“Would you prefer to walk in silence?”

Truthfully Jongho wouldn’t care either way, but he can’t deny there’s a small part of him that wants to talk to the god - a small part of him that wants to try to get to know Yeosang better. “Nothing is troubling me,” Jongho admits. “I was curious about you.”

Yeosang purses his lips, seeming a bit taken aback by the response. “Curious about what?”

“Lots,” Jongho responds. “Will you actually answer any of my questions?”

“Within reason,” Yeosang answers with a small smile. 

That doesn’t give Jongho much of an idea of what types of questions are off the table but he figures he’ll just go until Yeosang tells him to shut up. “So, you’re actually a god?” Yeosang nods, the edges of his lips curving up and settling into more of an amused smirk. “Can you prove it?”

“The fangs aren’t proof enough anymore?” Yeosang teases. He slows his strides and waits for Jongho to do the same. After taking a look around to make sure that no one else is on the trail he winks at Jongho. “You might want to close your eyes for a moment.” 

Jongho raises an eyebrow in question but Yeosang merely nods in encouragement, a smile still playing on his lips, and so Jongho obliges. He swears he sees a flash of light behind his eyelids and imagines it’s Yeosang’s aura flaring. 

“Okay, you can open them.”

Jongho opens them slowly and isn’t sure how to take in what he sees before him. Yeosang still looks like himself - though he’s grinning at Jongho now - but there are suddenly a pair of large, black wings sprouting from his back. “No way,” Jongho exhales, his brown eyes wide. As his heart thunders in his chest he’s not sure if he’s scared of Yeosang or in awe of him - it might be a little bit of both. His wings are just slightly taller than his body and they flare out just slightly longer than Yeosang’s arm span. Yeosang stands still as Jongho walks around him, taking in the sight of him. His wings are made up of long, delicate feathers that Jongho realizes are more blue-black than black as the moonlight ripples over them, and his gaze catches on the claw that sits neatly at the edge of each wing. Without thinking Jongho reaches out and drags a finger across the edge of one wing and he’s surprised by how soft it is. 

Yeosang stiffens in response and lets out a soft hiss, fingers curling into the palms of his hands. He offers Jongho a tight-lipped smile as the younger apologizes. “They’re sensitive,” he explains through gritted teeth, letting out a breath as Jongho comes to stand in front of him again, this time standing a few steps away.

“I-I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Jongho stutters, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. He has resigned himself to never letting his hands leave his pockets again. 

Yeosang lets out a soft chuckle and shakes his head. “It doesn’t hurt,” he assures the younger. “But maybe next time warn me if you’re going to touch them.” He doesn’t elaborate and Jongho doesn’t ask, vigorously nodding his head in response. Yeosang relaxes, hands unclenching, and Jongho swears he sees talons for a second. 

Yeosang is a predator. The realization crashes over Jongho in an instant and he blinks at the boy in front of him. Yeosang was built to create and to destroy, and he could destroy Jongho in an instant if he wanted to.

“What stops you from killing us all?” he asks quietly. 

Yeosang’s silver eyes go wide at this and Jongho swears that he pales. “Killing you all?” Yeosang repeats, his tone pitched higher in disbelief. “Why the hell would I do that?”

This time it’s Jongho’s turn to be flustered, not having expected the god to react so strongly. “I don’t know, you’re built for it. You could take us all out.”

Yeosang’s eyebrows pull together and he frowns, his wings drooping slightly. “Need I remind you what I’m known for?”

“What?”

“As god of the moon. Ask me what I’m known for.”

Jongho doesn’t really know if he wants to but the claws on the end of the god’s wings and the potential talons he saw moments ago convince him to comply with the god’s wishes. “What are you known for?” 

“As god of the moon I am known for making sure the moon makes its journey across the night sky. Do you know what that makes me?” He raises an eyebrow at Jongho but doesn’t actually wait for the boy to give him an answer. “A traveller, Jongho. As such I am known for watching out for night travellers. I am known for guiding them when they are lost and granting them safe passage. Why do you think you feel safe in the moonlight?”

Jongho has never given it much thought but as he stares at the boy before him he thinks that maybe it makes sense. Not a predator. “A guardian,” Jongho says slowly. “You’re a guardian.”

Yeosang hums in response, nodding to himself. “That’s one way to put it, yes. Close your eyes, please.”

Jongho complies and isn’t surprised when he sees a flash of light against his eyelids again. This time he opens them without prompting and finds Yeosang standing before him, free of his wings. The boy starts walking again and Jongho falls in place beside him. The silence is comfortable and Jongho decides that the god must not be mad at him for his question.

“If you don’t sleep during the day then what do you do?” Jongho asks next. It’s a much lighter question and one Jongho is sure will be less awkward to answer. 

Yeosang chuckles. “It's always night somewhere, Jongho. Some part of me is always working." He pauses, pursing his lips as he thinks, and then continues. "It's hard to explain, but I don't actually have to travel at night. I am always aware of where the moon is regardless of where I am. I spend lots of time with the others." 

The others. Of course there are more gods. Logically Jongho knows that, but he's never really given it any thought. “So you’re basically free whenever you want? Like, during the day for example?” Yeosang thinks for a moment and then shrugs, offering him a small nod, and Jongho decides to ask a stupid question. “So I could technically see you during the day instead of during the dead of night?” It’s an open question, easy to deflect or reject him - rejection will sting, but Jongho will move on. He’s far too curious about the chance of Yeosang taking him up on the offer to worry about the possibility of rejection. 

Yeosang is quiet for a minute, thinking. Two minutes. Jongho remains silent but the longer Yeosang takes to respond the more his chest tightens with anxiety. It was a stupid question, he decides, he shouldn’t have asked. He opens his mouth to take back the question but never gets the chance. “Technically, yes,” Yeosang finally answers. 

“Technically.”

“Technically,” Yeosang repeats slowly. “But more people will see me during the day than during the dead of night.”

“Ah, so you’re shy,” Jongho teases, much to the older’s amusement. 

Yeosang snorts and rolls his eyes. “I am not keen on the idea of people knowing who I am.”

“Trust me, no one will know who you are dude,” Jongho says with a laugh. “You’re just going to look like a weirdo trying to look like a vampire.” 

Yeosang grimaces but doesn’t argue back, accepting that Jongho is probably right. “I am not sure that’s how I want to come across,” he mutters, but Jongo either doesn’t hear him or pays him no mind.

“So really, what’s the harm?”

Yeosang purses his lips as he thinks and he eventually gives Jongho a small shrug. “I guess there is none,” he replies, but Jongho can hear the uncertainty in his voice. 

“Do you like animals?”

“Huh?”

“Animals,” Jongho responds with a grin. “Do you like them?”

“Yes,” Yeosang says slowly, his eyebrows furrowing as he tries to understand where Jongho is going with this. 

“Do they like you?”

“Typically, yes. Why? What does this have to do with anything?”

Jongho can’t help the laugh that escapes him and he stops walking, looking over at the god with something sparkling in his eyes. “Do you like dogs?”

*           *           *           *           *

“You’re going to do what?” Seonghwa’s voice is sharper than usual and Yeosang has to make a concentrated effort to maintain eye contact with the older even though all he wants is to melt into a puddle on the floor. 

“Gonna go pet some dogs,” Yeosang repeats, voice dropping despite his best efforts to sound confident. “You know, four-legged creatures, man’s best friend, a gift to humank-”

“Humankind,” Seonghwa sneers. “Last time I checked you are no human.”

“No, but I protect them.”

“At night. Out of sight.”

“Hyung,” Yeosang pouts, gaze flicking to the clock just behind Seonghwa - if this goes on for much longer he’s going to be late. “No one is going to know who I am anyway. I just want to go pet some dogs.” He had been hoping that he would be able to sneak away without Seonghwa noticing but should have known that he wouldn’t be so lucky.

“With a human who very much knows who you are. Yeosang, what are you thinking?” 

Yeosang lets out a small sigh and shakes his head. “I am asking you to trust me on this, Seonghwa,” he says, and Seonghwa straightens at his tone. It isn’t often that Yeosang sounds as serious as he does now. “I know that we shouldn’t interact with humans to this extent, I know . Don’t you think I must have a good reason to go against you of all people?” Yeosang arches an eyebrow at this and Seonghwa can’t help but chuckle, his features softening. 

“You’re going to have to tell me eventually,” Seonghwa tells him. “You know I can’t just let you run around with mortals.”

“Gods do it all the time,” Yeosang mutters with a roll of his eyes. He narrowly dodges a book that Seonghwa throws at him and stares back at the older with a grin. “Well they do.”

“Just because they can’t control themselves doesn’t mean I’m going to let you run about like a wild animal.”

Yeosang laughs and turns away from the older. “I’m going to be late,” he says, walking towards the door. “Promise I am just petting dogs and not having sex.” He isn’t fast enough and this time a book clips his shoulder as he runs out the door, bringing another laugh out of him. He takes a deep breath and steels himself for what he’s about to do before transporting himself to the mortal realm.

Yeosang finds himself standing under a tree across the street from Jongho’s apartment. The mortal had finally caved and given Yeosang his address but this was the first time that Yeosang had actually shown up.  

“Just petting some dogs,” Yeosang murmurs to himself, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He shakes out his hands as if that can shake away his nerves and walks across the street, knocking on the door before he can chicken out.

He’s relieved when he’s greeted by a familiar head of red hair, his silver eyes catching Jongho’s brown eyes and causing the younger to smile. “You came.”

“I came.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

“Come on,” Jongho says with a grin, grabbing Yeosang’s shoulder and pulling him into the apartment. “We only have a few minutes until Soobin is back.”

Yeosang allows himself to be dragged, stumbling slightly as he enters the apartment, and he shoots Jongho a quizzical look, his eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed. “If you want to avoid him then why are you bringing me inside?”

Jongho doesn’t answer, closing the front door behind him and dragging him to the bathroom. “I found a solution for your eye problem,” he says instead, gently pushing Yeosang down on the edge of the bathtub. Yeosang raises an eyebrow in question and is met with a cardboard box that Jongho is shoving at him.

“Colored contacts?”

“Unless you want to explain why your eyes are silver,” Jongho mumbles, suddenly seeming unsure about the small box in his hand. He nervously rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. “You don’t have to use them. I just thought that maybe-”

“I’ll use them,” Yeosang says smoothly, taking the box from Jongho’s hand. “The less people staring the better, right?” Jongho hums in response and looks like he wants to say something more but doesn’t. Yeosang doesn’t press him. He stares at the instructions for a moment with furrowed brows and then puts on the contacts with ease - much to Jongho’s disbelief - and offers the mortal a smile. “Better?” 

His eyes are a light brown now - the box said dark brown but Yeosang's silver eyes had other ideas - and Jongho stares for a moment longer than is necessary. “You still look like you don’t belong in this world, but yeah, better,” Jongho answers truthfully. Yeosang cocks his head to the side in question but Jongho waves him off before he can actually ask anything. “C’mon, the sooner we get there the longer we can pet dogs.”

Yeosang decides that petting dogs is more important than getting his question answered so he obliges, rising from his spot on the bathtub and following Jongho out of the apartment. 

“I thought for sure we would’ve run into Soobin,” Jongho tells him as he leads the way to the student center. “Maybe another time.”

Yeosang glances over at the younger who doesn’t seem to realize the implication of what he’s just said. Maybe another time. “Maybe,” Yeosang replies, a small smile playing on his lips. He lets Jongho tell him all about campus as they walk through and he takes it all in, trying to see this space through Jongho’s eyes. Sure he's seen plenty of college campuses but he's never actually walked one before and he's never given any attention to what goes on. 

Yeosang can't help but notice the somber mood on campus. It seems like almost everyone they pass is either half awake, ready to cry, or drying their tears. "Are people always so distraught?" he asks, concern coloring his voice. 

Jongho takes a moment to take in his surroundings and then laughs, the sound ringing out. "No, not always," he answers. "But midterms are next week, so no one is having a good time."

"Midterms?"

"Exams," he explains. "Middle of the semester exams that can make or break your grade."

"That sounds….dumb," Yeosang concludes, speaking more to himself than the boy beside him. 

Jongho hears him however and laughs, nodding his head in agreement. "Yeah, most of us think so too. You'd fit right in." He winks at Yeosang and the older is surprised by it. 

"I do not think that I would," he murmurs, but Jongho pays him no mind. He guides Yeosang into a building that he explains is the student center and leads him to the back where he says there’s a courtyard. Yeosang hums in response but doesn’t look at him, his now brown eyes wide with curiosity as he takes in the scene before him.

Despite his earlier assessment that many of the students on campus look only half alive - which is true - the student center is thrumming with activity. His eyes take in the students, many of them huddled together in groups with food, textbooks, and laptops between them. There are just as many groans as there are laughs filling the air and despite the nerves and frustration that are apparent to Yeosang he also notes the immense amount of joy that fills the space.

“Is it always so busy here?” he asks Jongho out of curiosity, allowing himself to be led through a pair of wide glass doors and out into a small courtyard - true to Jongho’s word the courtyard is filled with puppies and students alike. 

Jongho nods in response, sparing a quick glance at Yeosang and offering him a smile. “Yeah, there’s always something going on here. That’s why it’s called the student center,” he adds with a grin. 

Yeosang hopes his ears don’t go red as he ducks his head in embarrassment and Jongho chuckles but stays quiet. He notices - too late - that Jongho isn’t taking him to pet a puppy but is instead leading him towards two rather tall people who he can only assume are friends. Jongho hadn’t mentioned meeting anyone. Before he can ask Jongho what’s going on he finds himself in front of the two guys who are peering at him curiously. 

“This is Mingi and Yunho,” Jongho says with a smile, gesturing to the two before them. “They run the shelter that the dogs are from.”

“Jongho didn’t tell us he had friends that aren’t us,” the black-haired boy says happily, grinning at Jongho. He’s slightly taller than the other boy and his brown eyes sparkle with amusement. 

“And he didn’t tell us that he had friends that are prettier than us,” the red-haired boy adds. His voice is deeper than Yeosang expected given his cute appearance. His red hair is slightly ruffled as if he’s run his hands through it one too many times and a pair of cute, circular glasses are perched on his nose. “I’m Mingi, by the way.”

Yeosang can feel heat rushing to his face at the compliment and he can only hope that his face isn’t as red as he thinks it is. “Yeosang,” he murmurs in response, reaching out to shake Mingi’s hand. 

The other boy holds out his hand as well, flashing Yeosang another smile. “Yunho, though I guess that’s obvious.” It is, but Yeosang doesn’t say so. He merely smiles and shakes the boy's hand. “What’s not obvious is why Jongho hasn’t mentioned you at all,” Yunho says, looking sideways at his friend.

Jongho shrugs, nervously running a hand through his hair. “We just started talking not too long ago,” Jongho says. It isn’t untrue. “I didn’t want to unleash you all on him.”

“That’s probably for the best,” Mingi admits, ignoring the offended gasp that Yunho takes beside him. Yunho looks like he’s going to say something but Mingi interrupts him, slapping his hand down on Yunho’s shoulder and squeezing it. “But you’re not here to talk to us, you’re here to pet dogs. Pet your stress away!”

Yeosang thinks that Yunho looks like he could use a minute to pet some dogs - the boy's lips have twisted into something akin to a grimace as he tries to give Yeosang a smile, but Mingi’s grip on his shoulder is too tight for comfort. Yeosang gives the pair a small wave and allows Jongho to lead him over to a golden retriever puppy who strayed away from the small group of students beside them. 

“I didn’t know I’d be meeting your friends,” Yeosang notes as he pets the dog, breaking into a smile despite his nerves. 

“Ah, yeah. I must have forgotten to mention that they’re running this event.” Yeosang hums in response but says nothing, content to pet the puppy before him. “Is that….a problem?” Jongho suddenly asks, looking over at him.

A problem would be an understatement. It was one thing for him to reveal himself to Jongho and it was another thing entirely to go around acting like he was human and meeting his friends. Yeosang means to tell him as much but he makes the mistake of looking up. Jongho is looking back at him with wide eyes and Yeosang can see the worry in them. His resolve crumbles. “No, it’s not a problem,” he finds himself saying. Yes, it is a problem. “I just didn’t think about it.”

“Are you sure?”

No, not at all. “Positive.” The smile that Jongho gives him in response is worth it.

Yeosang doesn’t mean to stay long - what business does he really have in the mortal realm? - but he finds himself unable to ask Jongho to leave, so they end up staying for the entire two hours that the event is scheduled for. And when Mingi and Yunho ask if they want to help take the dogs back to the shelter Yeosang isn’t able to say no, not when Jongho breaks into a smile and says that he’d love to so long as he doesn’t mind.

It’s on the way back to the shelter that the first difficult question comes up. 

“So, what are you studying, Yeosang?” Yunho asks curiously. “And how did you and Jongho meet?”

He sees Jongho’s eyes widen and hesitates for a moment but Jongho doesn’t seem to have thought of an answer for this question - one he thinks that the younger really should have seen coming. “Astronomy,” Yeosang answers smoothly. “I just love the planets, you know? Especially the moon.” He could laugh at the face that Jongho makes - brown eyes widening more than Yeosang thought possible and mouth falling open in shock - but he manages to keep his composure. “We met out on a walk, right Jongho?”

Jongho nods, looking from Yeosang to his friends. If they pick up on his weird behavior they don’t mention it. “Yeah, I met him on the trail not too long ago.”

“And you didn’t mention him to us? I’m hurt,” Yunho pouts. “We don’t bite.”

“You bit San yesterday.”

“Mingi, you are not helping me make a good impression.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t say things that aren’t true.”

They start to bicker amongst themselves about whose fault it is that Yunho has made a horrible first impression - despite Yeosang’s attempts to assure him that that’s not the case - and Yeosang can’t help but smile as he watches them. 

“They’re a bit chaotic,” Jongho murmurs, coming up beside him, “but they mean well.”

“I can see that.”

They make it to the shelter and get the dogs back in their cages and no one says anything when Yeosang makes sure to give each dog extra pets before he leaves, though he swears that Yunho is trying not to laugh. “Don’t be a stranger,” Yunho tells him as he and Jungho head out the door. “You’re always welcome!”

Yeosang thanks the two one final time before him and Jongho are heading out the door. 

"I know they can be a lot," Jongho says with a grimace as they walk, "but they really do mean well. And I think they like you."

"They're nice," Yeosang says quietly, giving Jongho a small smile. He doesn't want to get used to this - he can't get used to this - but he can't deny that he enjoyed himself with the two. "They're probably going to have a lot more questions for you, so maybe you should come better prepared next time." He gives Jongho a wink which seems to fluster the younger. 

"Sorry I wasn't thinking," he murmured, looking down at the ground instead of at the boy beside him. "It wasn't intentional."

Yeosang lets out a laugh and shakes his head. "It's fine, really." 

"I should have asked you, shouldn't I?"

"Asked me what?"

"If it was okay to introduce you."

Yeosang looks over at Jongho and he's met with brown eyes filled with worry. Jongho chews on his lower lip and Yeosang purses his as he thinks. "Hm, yes, you should have," he agrees. He takes a moment to look around and take in the sights - the way the sun is shining in the sky, the students shuffling about, the buildings - and then turns back to Jongho. "I….I am not like you. I am not one of you. As nice as this is and as much as I like it….I do not belong, Jongho." 

The reminder hangs heavy between them and Yeosang hates it - maybe Seonghwa had been right to scold him. Maybe he should not have come out at all. 

"So basically, I shouldn't get attached?" Jongho finally asks, raising an eyebrow. "Is that what you're saying?"

Yeosang lets out a small laugh but there's no humor in it. "I am reminding myself that I should not get attached."

Jongho seems surprised by the answer - the underlying admission - and falls silent. They walk in silence as Yeosang tries and fails to think of anything to say to fill the silence. He wants to let Jongho know that he wants to spend time with him, that he wants to get to know his friends, that he wants to learn more about his world, but words fail him. 

They near Jongho's apartment and he slows, turning to look at Yeosang. "Does this mean we should save our conversations for midnight walks?"

"We should, yes."

"Will you still appear if I call you?"

"I'll always appear if you call me."

"And if I call you during the day?"

Yeosang pauses, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants and staring down at the ground. "You should not."

"If I ask you to hang out during one of our midnight strolls?"

"I should not."

"But will you?"

He takes a moment to think. Would he? Yes, he probably would. But that's not something he thinks Jongho needs to know. His lips curve up into the whisper of a smile and he's unable to stop himself from glowing slightly. "I guess you'll have to ask and find out."

Jongho opens his mouth to protest but Yeosang leans forward and places a finger over his lips. "This is not up for debate. Goodbye, Jongho." Yeosang smiles at him properly before stepping back and disappearing, leaving Jongho alone.

*           *           *           *           *

“Jongho has a boyfriend.”

Jongho coughs, iced americano burning the back of his throat, and San has to hit his back a few times before he’s able to catch his breath. “No I don’t. What the hell are you talking about?” He glares at Mingi who stares back at him with wide eyes.

“Yeosang,” Yunho responds happily. “The boy you kept a secret from us!”

“You’ve been keeping a boy secret from us?” San asks incredulously, shrinking away from Jongho and glaring at him. “And those two found out before me? I’m offended! Who the hell is Yeosang?”

Jongho groans and places his elbows on the table, letting his head fall into his hands. He can feel a headache coming on. “Yeosang is a friend,” Jongho says, emphasizing the word. “He’s a new friend. I’m sorry I haven’t introduced you to him yet, Sannie.”

He looks up to find San pouting at him but the older boy has moved back to his original spot so Jongho knows that he’s forgiven. “I’ll see if I can get him to come out again. He’s just….shy,” Jongho says slowly, grinning at the memory of calling him that. “I just want to introduce him slowly, okay?”

“So you started with those two?” San asks with a snort, raising an eyebrow. 

“We are the perfect pair to meet first,” Yunho argues, glaring across the table at San. 

“They had the puppies,” Jongho explains. “I was taking him to go pet puppies.”

“I’m just going to pretend that we were the first choice and it had nothing to do with the puppies,” Yunho says, sipping his coffee. 

San rolls his eyes but otherwise seems over not having met Yeosang yet. “Whatever you have to tell yourself to sleep at night,” he tells Yunho, smiling sweetly at him. He moves on before Yunho can respond. “So what’s he like? I thought you weren’t really close with anyone in your classes. How did you meet  him?”

"We don't have the same classes," Jongho says, leaning back in the booth and glancing over at San. The older boy has his back against the wall and is watching Jongho with a smile on his face. "I met him on a walk, actually. He likes taking midnight walks too."

“How romantic,” San coos, ignoring the glare that Jongho sends his way. “Two insomniacs meeting on a midnight walk. Wait. Actually, that sounds horrible. Neither of you will ever sleep again.”

“I gave up on hoping Jongho will ever sleep,” Mingi chimes in. “So I think it’s good he at least has company now.”

“You’re still on thin ice,” Jongho tells him, brown eyes narrowed as he pretends to be mad at him. 

“It’d be a flex if he was your boyfriend,” Mingi says, ignoring the glare. “You have to see him, San. He’s gorgeous.”

Something stirs in Jongho’s chest when Mingi says that and he finds it hard to place the emotion. Mingi isn’t wrong, Yeosang is gorgeous - he’s thought as much since he first saw the god - but it feels odd hearing someone else say it. 

“Gorgeous?” San asks, eyes widening in curiosity. “Tell me more. Don’t spare any details.”

“He’s got golden blonde hair,” Mingi says excitedly. “Like, golden. It looks like gold. He has light brown eyes and this cute pink birthmark beneath his left eye. His face is honestly unreal. He is out of this world beautiful.” He looks sideways at Jongho, who wasn’t able to hold in his snort at Mingi’s description. If only you knew , he thinks to himself, trying to regain his composure as he sips his americano. 

“Mingi-yah, it sounds like you have a crush on him,” San giggles, much to Mingi’s embarrassment. 

“Don’t be silly,” he counters, his ears growing red. “I don’t know anything about him. He’s just pretty!”

Yunho is smiling fondly at Mingi, his lips twitching as he tries - and fails - not to laugh. “It does sound like you have a crush.”

Mingi scowls into his cup of hot chocolate and grumbles to himself about having stupid friends which only causes everyone to laugh more. 

“Well, when he has the time and the energy I would love to meet him,” San says with a smile. His cheeks are dimpled and his eyes have turned into small crescents so Jongho finds himself nodding with ease - he’ll do anything to keep his friend smiling like that. 

They change the conversation to focus on the plans that Yunho and Mingi have for the shelter and before long they find themselves filing out of the shop and saying their goodbyes. San lingers behind, falling in step beside Jongho, and the younger doesn’t question it. 

“My apartment or do you want to walk?”

“Your apartment is good.” His voice is soft but there’s still a smile playing on his lips so Jongho isn’t too concerned. 

They walk in comfortable silence until they reach Jongho’s apartment and he lets San in without a word, watching as the other makes a beeline for his bedroom. Jongho stops in the kitchen and takes a few minutes to make hot chocolate - despite the fact that they just had coffee - and enters his room with two steaming mugs and a pack of chocolate chip cookies. He finds San bundled up in his covers, the only parts of him visible being his mop of black hair and his eyes, and hands him the mug, waiting for the older to untangle himself from the covers.

“Rough week?”

“Rough life,” San mutters, scooting back on the bed so that his back is against the wall. He cradles his mug and stares down at it, a scowl marring his delicate features. 

Jongho hums in response and climbs on the bed to sit beside him. He tugs on the end of the blanket and gives San a pointed look, waiting for the older to share the covers with him before he speaks again. “Anything in particular got you down?”

San shakes his head, opting to shove a cookie in his mouth rather than speak. Jongho is patient and sips on his hot chocolate until San finally clears his throat. “Nothing really,” he mumbles, his voice much quieter than it was in the coffee shop. “I just...I don’t know, Jongho. It’s getting bad again.”

“The thoughts?”

“The lack of,” he sighs. “I just can’t bring myself to care about anything.”

Jongho nods in understanding - he’s heard this before. He wishes this was something new for the older but it’s not. “You care about your flowers.”

San hums in agreement, nibbling on a cookie. “Yeah, I care about my flowers.”

It’s the reason San became a florist. Jongho remembers it well - the spiteful botany major who had grown to love flowers more than almost anything else. He decides to broach the subject that likely caused this mood to begin with. “Have you heard from your parents recently?”

San shakes his head, curling in on himself. “Not a word. They’re doing fine though.” He sounds bitter now and Jongho knows he’s hit a fresh wound that he didn’t know was there. 

The older curls into his side and sniffles. Jongho’s chest aches. He sets his mug down on the headboard and wraps an arm around San, using his free hand to play with the boy’s hair. San moves to sit up but Jongho gently pushes him down, taking the now empty mug from his hands. 

“Stay here,” he tells San, his voice soft. “Rest. Then go on a walk with me later.” San raises an eyebrow at this but Jongho explains before he can ask. “I’ll take you to meet Yeosang.”

The prospect of a new adventure - a new distraction - makes San’s eyes light up in delight. “Really?”

“Really.”

“You’re sure he’ll be there?”

“Positive.”

San looks satisfied at this and nods, his lips curving up into a small smile. “Okay. Wake me up when we’re going to leave then,” he says, already yawning. He’s out before Jongho even leaves the room.

Jongho chuckles as he closes the door and as he washes their mugs in the sink he realizes he has no idea how to call Yeosang with San around. He looks at his watch - he has 8 hours to figure it out.

*           *           *           *           *

Jongho wakes San up before they’re set to leave, much to his dismay, but he’s quickly won over when he sees the spread of food that Jongho and Soobin have ordered.

“You’re the best,” San says through a mouthful of tteokbokki, his eyes crinkling as he smiles.

“I know,” Soobin says with a grin. The tteokbokki had been his idea. The younger wasn’t surprised when a sleepy San had stumbled out of Jongho’s room complaining about having been woken up before it was walk time. “Between us, I’m the one with the best taste in this apartment.” Jongho rolls his eyes as he eats but doesn’t deny it, which Soobin and San take as a sign of agreement.

“Whatever makes you feel better,” Jongho grumbles with no real bite as Soobin and San laugh together. 

Once they’ve finished eating and cleaning up San and Jongho slip on their shoes and jackets and get ready to leave. 

“Have you got San to pick up your bad habit?” Soobin asks from the couch, his lips turned down in a disapproving frown. “You should both get some sleep.”

“We will,” Jongho says with a grin, shooting San a look that says he better keep his mouth shut if he knows what’s good for him. “I suggested the walk to San to help him clear his head. He didn’t seem into it if I’m being honest, but I can only be resisted for so long.”

“That sounds suggestive,” Soobin hums, snickering when Jongho’s cheeks flush. “You’re telling me you didn’t do that on purpose? Come on.”

“Not everyone is as dirty-minded as you,” Jongho exclaims, distressed by the fact that Soobin is still laughing. Soobin merely waves him off with another laugh. Jongho takes it as an excuse to hurry up out of the house so he grabs a still chuckling San and makes his way out into the night. 

San is silent beside him but he can tell that the older’s mood has improved, even if only slightly - slightly is an improvement that Jongho will happily take. It’s not until they’re on the trail that San speaks again.

“So how long have you been meeting him?” Jongho turns to find San peering at him curiously. There’s no bite in his voice so Jongho knows that San isn’t angry about the secret, merely curious. “You must like him at least a little if you’ve been keeping him from us.” San grins at this and Jongho resists the urge to roll his eyes.

“I’ve only known him about two weeks.”

“And Mingi and Yunho already found out about him? Unbelievable,” San snickers. “I thought you were much better at keeping secrets. Should I be concerned?”

Jongho scowls at him, bumping him with his shoulder. “I wanted to take him to pet puppies, if not none of you would’ve found out about him.”

“Would you have told me eventually?”

The question is innocent enough but Jongho knows how much rides on it. It has taken years to establish the amount of trust that San has given him and if he doesn’t share then it will be easy for San to slip right back into hiding everything away.

“Of course I would have,” Jongho says softly, looking over at him. “It’s just an...interesting situation. And he’s shy.”

San takes a moment to think about the answer before nodding and flashing Jongho a small smile. “Okay.”

They fall back into silence and Jongho is left to think about how he’s going to call Yeosang without exposing his nature to San. He hopes that the god won’t mind being told where to appear when he decides to speak again. “Yeosang and I usually meet up at a bench a little up the trail,” he tells San, his gaze drifting up towards the sky. “We should see him there.” Hopefully that was obvious enough. 

San merely nods in response, seeming content to walk in silence, so Jongho lets him. As they near the benches Jongho lets out a long breath that he hadn’t realized he had been holding. On the bench sits a familiar god, blonde hair pushed back and a smile playing on his lips. Jongho realizes that Yeosang still has the contacts on and he sends the god a silent thanks.

“Is that him?” San asks in a hushed tone, brown eyes wide with excitement and curiosity. At Jongho’s nod he claps excitedly and Jongho can’t help but chuckle.

Yeosang raises a hand in greeting as they get closer, smiling at both San and Jongho. “I take it you’re San?” he asks as they get closer, light brown eyes fixed on the boy beside Jongho. 

San’s eyes widen more than Jongho thought possible as the older looks over at him. “You’ve talked about me?”

“Of course.”

San’s resulting smile is better than Jongho could ask for - his cheeks dimpling and eyes closing. He turns back to Yeosang and holds out a hand, which the god takes smoothly. “Yeah. Nice to finally meet you, Yeosang.”

Yeosang chuckles, the sound low and smooth, and rises from his seat on the bench. “I didn’t realize Jongho talked about me. Shall we walk?”

"Do you like that he does?" San asks curiously as they start walking, trying to gauge how the boy feels about it. 

Yeosang purses his lips as he thinks before coming to a conclusion. "I do not mind," he says. "But I also would not mind if he did not. Either is fine."

San seems to trust this response immediately because he giggles before responding. "Then truthfully, learning about you was like pulling teeth. If you hadn't met Yunho and Mingi earlier this week none of us would have any idea who you are."

Yeosang seems amused by this and he grins at Jongho, understanding flashing in his now light brown eyes. "I'm a private person, that's all."

"Is that all?" San counters, eyebrows raised. Jongho barely holds in a groan - he's pretty sure he knows where this is going. 

Yeosang raises his eyebrows in response, though he seems more confused than anything else. "Yes." It sounds more like a question than an answer. 

San giggles again and Jongho knows this is going exactly where he feared. "Really? Because, just between us," San says, his voice dropping as if what he's about to say is an important secret, "Mingi is convinced you're dating him."

Yeosang’s eyes widen at this and San can’t stop the laugh that escapes him as Yeosang’s mouth drops open into a small ‘o’. Jongho can’t blame him. “Is he now?” is all Yeosang can manage, quickly dropping his gaze to the ground.

“Don’t mind him,” Jongho says quickly, feeling his cheeks heating despite the attention not being on him. Leave it to San to bring something like this up.

After a moment filled with nothing but San’s snickers Yeosang speaks up. “I can’t blame him for thinking so.” This causes Jongho to raise an eyebrow, looking over at Yeosang in curiosity. The god’s lips are curling up into an amused smirk and Jongho has a feeling that the next words out of his mouth will not be good for him.

“Why is that?” San asks, his own lips curving into a smirk as he catches sight of Yeosang’s.

“Jongho is certainly good-looking enough for anyone to want to go out with him.”

Jongho chokes on air.

“He’s also very nice. A real catch, if I do say so.”

Jongho is pretty sure his face is as red as a tomato and San is howling with laughter now, the sound ringing throughout the quiet and floating up. Yeosang looks rather pleased with himself, his lips quirked up into a smile and amusement dancing in his eyes.

“I shouldn’t have let you two meet,” Jongho mutters, avoiding the compliment. 

“That’s no way to respond to a pretty boy complimenting you,” San scolds, ruffling Jongho’s hair.

Jongho shakes him off, cheeks burning, and mumbles a thank you that has Yeosang chuckling.

The conversation takes a much more normal turn from there, with San asking questions aimed at getting to know the other and occasional jabs at Jongho from the both of them. When San begins yawning more than speaking Jongho declares that it’s time for them to get back. 

“I think it’s past your bedtime,” he says sweetly to San, grinning at the glare that the older gives him. “With your nap I thought you would have been able to stay away longer.”

“What can I say?” San says through a yawn. “I am just a sleepy boy.” He laughs to himself before turning to Yeosang and quickly pulling him into a hug. “It was nice to meet you!”

“Y-you too,” Yeosang stutters, startled by the sudden contact.

“Sorry,” Jongho says with a grimace, peeling San off of him. “He’s very touchy.” 

Yeosang gives San a fond smile and shakes his head, chuckling softly. “It’s fine. Get him home safe.”

“Shouldn’t I ask you for help with that?” Jongho quips, unable to stop the grin that spreads across his lips. 

“Get a room,” San mutters, much to Yeosang’s amusement.

“You have it,” Yeosang murmurs quietly. He then clears his throat and speaks at a normal volume again. “Goodnight, San. It was nice to meet you. And goodnight, Jongho.” He smiles at Jongho again with a tenderness that’s impossible to miss. 

Jongho can feel his cheeks heating as he smiles back. “Goodnight, Yeosang. I’ll see you soon?”

“Whenever you call,” Yeosang reminds him. 

Jongho nods and begins steering San away, laughing as he enthusiastically waves at Yeosang. They walk back in silence again, both boys feeling almost high on happiness. 

“Yeosang is nice,” San says softly as they reach the end of the trail.

Jongho nods, unable to stop himself from smiling. “Yeah, he is.”

“Jongho?”

“Hm?”

“You’d be an idiot if you didn’t ask him out.”

“If I what,” Jongho splutters. His eyes have gone almost comically wide and he stares at San as if the older has lost his mind. “What the hell are you on about? You’re just as bad as Mingi. I think you need to get some more sleep.”

San merely chuckles in response and shakes his head. “Did you see the way he looked at you, Jongho? God, he looked at you like you outshone the moon.” Jongho wishes he could explain to San the irony of his word choice. “He clearly likes you a lot. And I’ve never seen you blush this much,” San added, narrowing his eyes at the younger boy. “So I know you like him too. Man up! Ask him out!”

“San it’s….it’s not that simple,” Jongho mutters, nervously scratching the back of his neck. “I can’t just...ask him.”

“Sounds like you’re scared to me,” San teases. “Honestly, you should do it. He likes you - as he should. And Jongho...you deserve happiness.”

Jongho stares at his friend, speechless. That is the exact line he has repeated to San time and time again. He never expected that his friend would use it on him. “Goodnight, Jongho.” San flashes him one of his signature dimpled smiles before shoving his hands in his pockets and turning away, walking back towards his own apartment. 

“San,” Jongho calls out. The older turns and raises an eyebrow. “Make sure you text me when you make it back safe, okay?”

San’s smile widens and his eyes close. “Always do.” With that he turns and continues walking, leaving Jongho to walk home alone.

*           *           *           *           *

“I think I’ve lost my only functioning brain cell. I think I left it in that test lab.”

“That would explain why you called me during the middle of the day.”

Jongho looks at the boy beside him and glares at him. Yeosang doesn’t seem to notice at all. The god is too busy sipping on his milk tea, staring intently at the drink container in his hands as he tries desperately to suck up boba that has clumped together at the bottom of his cup. 

“You didn’t have to come.”

“I know. I wanted to.”

The answer catches Jongho off guard and he’s stunned into silence. Despite San’s insistence that Yeosang is fond of him, Jongho finds it hard to believe. After all, what interest would a god have in a mortal? 

“You must have been bored.”

Yeosang looks up then, eyebrows furrowing as he looks at Jongho. “Was that a joke? It didn’t seem like it.”

“Uh, partially? A half joke?”

“So you were half serious?”

“I guess, yeah.”

“You shouldn’t be serious about that at all,” he says simply. Jongho raises an eyebrow and Yeosang proceeds to explain. “I don’t hang out with you because I’m bored, Jongho. There are plenty of things I can do when I’m bored that don’t risk me getting in trouble,” he says with a wry smile. “I am here because I want to be.”

Jongho falls silent. Yeosang has explained to him before that the main reason he speaks with him on night walks more often than during the day is because it’s easier to do so. 

Seonghwa is a pain in my ass when it comes to interacting with humans, he had sighed.

Jongho has no idea who Seonghwa is but he gets the feeling that he doesn’t want to know.

“Sorry,” Jongho murmurs, suddenly feeling a bit guilty. “I just don’t understand what you enjoy about doing nothing.”

Yeosang shrugs, finishing the last of his milk tea before looking over at Jongho again. “I don’t mind doing nothing if I’m doing it with you.”

He clearly likes you a lot.

Maybe San does have an idea what he’s talking about. Jongho clears his throat and glances at the god but ultimately keeps his gaze on the ground, unable to muster up the courage to look Yeosang in his eyes - he’s wearing those contacts again and Jongho finds he almost misses the silver. 

After a moment of silence Yeosang prods. “Is there something you wanted to say, Jongho?”

“No thanks. I changed my mind.” Jongho isn’t sure how he expects Yeosang to react but he doesn’t expect to hear a chuckle. He looks up to find the god smiling at him, and once again Jongho swears that he can see the god glowing. “Can you not control that?” he blurts, curiosity getting the best of him.

“Huh? Oh, the glow? I have to think about masking it. I’m not used to needing to,” he says, eyebrows furrowing as he runs a hand through his hair.

“I like it.” He speaks softly but Yeosang still hears him, eyes widening and lips relaxing into a soft smile. They sit in silence for a few moments before Jongho gathers up the courage to speak again. “I like you.”

“Hm?”

“I like you, Yeosang.” 

Yeosang is quiet, eyes wide and lips parted, and Jongho is trying to look anywhere but at him. He’s starting to think that confessing his feelings was a bad idea.

“I know we can’t really work though,” Jongho says quickly, trying to recover. “With you being a god and all. Don’t worry, I know that. And I like our friendship. I don’t expect anything, you know? So don’t worry. You don’t have to-”

“Jongho.”

“Really, I get it. It’s okay. Don’t worry abou-”

“Jongho.” His voice is stern, more serious than Jongho has ever heard it before, and it catches his attention. He stops speaking and looks up at Yeosang, waiting for the worst. What he doesn’t expect is to see Yeosang’s lips curve up into a small smile. “I like you too.”

His last brain cell must be fried. Non-existent. Because there is no way that Yeosang, a literal god, has just admitted to liking him. 

“Pardon?”

“I like you too,” Yeosang says with a chuckle, smiling at Jongho. “I know that I am a god and that you are not, but I like you.”

“Oh.”

Yeosang hums in response, eyes twinkling with amusement. “May I ask a favor?”

“A favor?”

“Yes.”

“I guess?”

“Meet my friends.”

Jongho stares at Yeosang, not sure he heard him right. “Meet...your friends?”

“Yes.”

“Your god friends?”

“Yes.”

Jongho should say no. What business does he have meeting gods? This is insane. There’s no way any of this can work anyway. Which is why Jongho finds himself so very brilliantly answering, “Okay.”

Yeosang’s answering smile is radiant. Jongho decides that his smile alone is worth it.

“I need time to prepare them. Give me a week?”

Jongho nods, unable to say anything. If Yeosang can sense his nerves he doesn’t comment on them, he merely sends Jongho another smile that the younger is convinced will be the death of him.

*           *           *           *           *

As Jongho stands before a castle bigger than anything he could ever have imagined he suddenly thinks that maybe agreeing to meet Yeosang’s friends wasn’t a good idea. He knew that he would be out of his element but just looking at the castle makes his chest tighten in a way that he would not classify as good.

“Relax,” Yeosang murmurs, smiling sideways at him. Now that they’re in his world he doesn’t bother with the contact lenses and Jongho is startled by how much he had missed seeing his silver eyes - he had gotten used to them. “They’re going to love you.”

“You seem very confident,” Jongho responds, walking forward reluctantly as Yeosang starts moving. Yeosang nods but doesn’t elaborate, his smile never leaving his lips. Jongho opens his mouth to speak again when he hears an unfamiliar, slightly high pitched voice shouting his name.  

Before Jongho can turn to see where it’s coming from, a body is barreling into him, unfamiliar arms throwing themselves around his shoulders and squeezing him. “It’s so good to finally meet you!” The voice is loud and right in his ear and he can’t stop himself from tensing up in response. With a giggle the boy releases him and Jongho turns to find himself face-to-face with quite possibly the second most beautiful person he’s ever seen. The boy has black hair that falls over his forehead, and while Yeosang’s eyes are silver this boy’s eyes are ringed with gold, matching the gold aura around him. His skin is tanned, sun-kissed, and his lips are pulled up into a wide smile. “Yeosang has told us a lot about you. I’m Wooyoung.” He holds his hand out to Jongho, waiting patiently for him to take it.

Jongho shakes it and gives the boy a tentative smile. “Nice to meet you.” He isn’t sure what he had imagined the god of the sun would look like but he thinks Wooyoung fits the part well. 

“I was expecting you to tell me that Yeosang has told you a lot about me,” Wooyoung counters, his lower lip jutting out in a pout. He switches his attention to Yeosang and drapes himself across the boy’s shoulders. “Why haven’t you been singing my praises, Sangie?”

“Someone has to humble you,” Yeosang responds with a smile, patting Wooyoung’s head. Wooyoung’s tan skin stands out against Yeosang’s fair skin, his black hair a sharp contrast from Yeosang’s blonde. Yeosang starts moving again and they all start walking, Wooyoung draped across Yeosang’s left side and Jongho walking near him on the right. 

“I take it you’re going to introduce him to Hongjoong?”

“That’s the plan,” Yeosang hums, glancing over at Jongho with a fond expression. “You’ll like him.”

Liking Hongjoong is the least of his worries. "I'm more concerned about him liking me," Jongho admits, keeping his gaze trained on the floor. 

Wooyoung laughs at that, the sound light and airy, and Jongho soon feels an arm being wrapped around his shoulders. "Joong might seem a bit...tense, but don't take that to mean he doesn't like you. He just has too much going on."

"What is he god of?" Jongho asks curiously as they step into the piano room. 

Wooyoung's laughter echoes off the walls and this time it's not so light. While his earlier laugh was breathy and giggly, this laugh seems to come from somewhere deeper - it's full and loud and fills the entire room. 

"Much to Wooyoung's endless amusement, I am not a god."

Jongho's head snaps up and his gaze lands on a boy leaning against the grand piano. He doesn't look much older than the rest of them and his vibrant flop of blue hair is striking. Jongho notices that his eyes are the same color. 

"Oh. I'm sorry," Jongho says quickly, though it sounds more like a question than an apology. 

Hongjoong understands and he gives Jongho a tired smile. "Nothing to apologize for. I'm rather glad I'm not one," he responds, looking pointedly at Wooyoung. "I'm a muse."

"A muse?"

Hongjoong nods. "Of music, specifically." He gestures to the piano beside him as if that answers everything. "You should know me well, no?" he adds with a wink. 

Jongho's cheeks flush at this and Yeosang peers at him curiously, raising an eyebrow in question. "I've been singing ever since I was a kid," he explains, nervously scratching the back of his neck. 

Hongjoong chuckles and sinks onto the piano bench. His smile reaches his eyes now as he looks at Jongho, and as their eyes meet Jongho swears he can hear humming in the distance, the tune reminiscent of something his mother used to sing for him. "Jongho, I am very excited to meet you."

Jongho's eyes widen, eyebrows raising and then furrowing together in confusion. "Uh, why?"

The smile that Hongjoong gives him is radiant, teeth showing and eyes closing. "I want to know all about the human that Yeosang is willing to cross Seonghwa for."

"As do I."

Jongho turns to look at the boy standing in the doorway, and out of the corner of his eye he sees Wooyoung and Yeosang do the same. The boy is tall, all legs and a long torso that are currently leaning against the doorframe. He looks elegant, swathed in shades of black that seem to hug his slender body. Shadows seem to cling to him, wrap themselves around his frame and make a home there. His eyes are black, no indication of where the pupil starts or ends, and they widen as they take in Jongho. The boy's eyes flick to Yeosang, something akin to understanding flashing in them, before landing on Jongho again. "Ah, I see." His voice is low and smooth, but it carries none of the warmth that Yeosang's does. 

Yeosang ducks his head, a blush spreading across his cheeks, and Jongho feels clueless. A quick glance at Wooyoung and Hongjoong proves they're just as confused as he is. He’s tempted to voice that he does not see and has no clue what’s going on but there’s something about the boy’s aura that stops him.

He smiles at Jongho, his features softening. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Jongho. I’m Seonghwa.”

The feared Seonghwa. Despite the warm smile that he’s sending Jongho there’s something about him that seems cold and distant - even in a room of gods he stands out. Jongho nods, fighting hard to meet his eyes as he responds. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

Seonghwa stares at him for a moment, his black eyes seemingly shining with curiosity, before he speaks again. “Follow me, Jongho. Let’s talk.”

Jongho’s eyes widen and he looks over at Yeosang who merely shrugs helplessly and makes a small motion with his hands indicating that he follows Seonghwa as asked. Wooyoung’s mouth has fallen open in an ‘o’ and even Hongjoong looks surprised, his eyebrows raised and blue eyes wide. 

“Despite my reputation, I do not bite,” Seonghwa says with a smirk. 

A nervous chuckle escapes him without warning and Seonghwa laughs lightly as Jongho finally moves to follow him. They leave the music room and Jongho can only hope that the god is taking him somewhere nice like perhaps a sitting room and not to a dungeon. 

“I am sure my reputation precedes me, and maybe not in a good way,” Seonghwa says as they walk, glancing over his shoulder at the mortal behind him. “But I promise I am not going to hurt you. Contrary to popular belief I am not mean.”

“Just strict?” Jongho ventures, thinking of the way Yeosang seemed very hesitant to cross him.

“That’s a good word,” Seonghwa says with a nod, leading Jongho into a small room. “Strict. Protective. I think those are the words I would use.” He falls into a plush armchair and motions for Jongho to do the same. Jongho sinks into the seat across from him less casually than Seonghwa and the other can’t seem to stop himself from smiling. “I really don’t mean you any harm, Jongho.”

“I believe you.” He might be more scared of Seonghwa than anyone or anything he’s ever been afraid of before, but he doesn’t believe the god intends to harm him. He’s pretty sure that Yeosang wouldn’t have let him go if he thought something bad might happen. 

“But I scare you.” It’s a statement, not a question.

“Your aura is very intimidating,” Jongho admits. “And you seem to scare everyone else.”

Seonghwa laughs at this and nods, relaxing into the chair. “Please know I have never done anything to any of those idiots,” he says with a wry smile. “They’re more scared of what I’m capable of than of what I’ve ever done to them. All I do is scold them. Disappointment is a heavier punishment than any of my powers.” He seems pleased about this and Jongho can’t help but laugh. 

“What are your powers?”

Seonghwa’s eyes seem to sparkle - something Jongho didn’t think black eyes could do - and he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he peers curiously at Jongho. “Yeosang has not told you who I am?”

Jongho shakes his head.

Seonghwa smiles, white teeth flashing, and the shadows around him seem to intensify. “My dear Jongho. I am Seonghwa, god of the afterlife.” The cold aura suddenly makes sense. The shadows too. 

“What does that mean exactly?”

“A fair question,” Seonghwa answers with a chuckle. “My main job is simple: I help guide souls into the afterlife and look over them. But I also have the authority and power to deal with anyone who thinks they can escape." Jongho raises an eyebrow and Seonghwa gives him a tight-lipped smile. "When it is your time, accept it," he says, voice serious. "Attempted escape is not worth it."

The room falls silent as Jongho tries not to think about what Seonghwa does to souls who refuse to accept their fate. Eventually Seonghwa clears his throat, a more neutral expression on his face. 

"That's not what I brought you here to talk about though. I intend to know how you feel about Yeosang."

Jongho stares at him a moment before understanding washes over him. "Are you giving me the talk?" Jongho asks, his voice pitching slightly in disbelief. "The 'hurt him and I'll hurt you' talk?"

Seonghwa's eyes widen and he shakes his head. "Jongho, I have no idea what the hell you're talking about, so no. Threatening a mortal just isn't fair. You're so fragile." 

"Just a human thing then," Jongho mumbles, much to Seonghwa's confusion. He continues talking before Seonghwa can ask him anything. "I like Yeosang. Probably more than I should because you know, he's a god and I am not...but yeah, I like him."

"What are your intentions with him?"

"My intentions?" Jongho repeats, staring at Seonghwa as if he's grown a third head. No one talks like that. "My intentions are to enjoy his company and hope he enjoys mine, I don't know."

Seonghwa purses his lips and Jongho gets the feeling that he's not impressed with the answer he gave. "Do you know why Yeosang spoke to you?"

"Truthfully? No," Jongho admits, brows furrowing. It's been bothering him for weeks now. There should be no reason why Yeosang would notice a mere mortal like him. Yet whenever he would ask Yeosang would just smile fondly at him and dance around the question. "It doesn't make any sense to me and I worry one day he'll realize I'm just another boring human and he'll disappear."

Seonghwa's gaze softens and he leans back in his chair, peering at Jongho for a moment. Jongho feels vulnerable underneath his stare - it probably doesn't help that he just admitted feelings that he hasn't even confessed to Yeosang. "You are very special to him," Seonghwa says simply, rising from his chair. He extends his hand towards Jongho to help him do the same and the younger takes it, rising with ease. "It is not my place to explain why, but you do not need to worry about him growing bored of you. He will not."

He doesn't know how Seonghwa knows any of this, but the older speaks with such certainty that Jongho believes him almost immediately. He nods to acknowledge what the other said and Seonghwa smiles at him before leaving the room and leading them back to the others.  

The rest of the visit goes smoothly and Jongho soon finds himself standing outside of his apartment with a beaming Yeosang beside him. 

"They love you," he says happily. Despite the fact that they're out in the open Yeosang does nothing to hide his glow and Jongho doesn't ask him to. "Even Seonghwa. I didn't expect you two to click so fast."

"I didn't expect us to click at all," Jongho responds with a laugh. 

"He's nice. He's just…."

"Protective," Jongho supplies, remembering his earlier conversation with the god. 

"Exactly," Yeosang responds, lips twitching as he tries not to smirk. 

"Yeosang?"

"Hm?"

"Seonghwa asked me a question earlier that I think I should ask you."

Yeosang looks curious now, silver eyes wide and lips slightly pursed. "Anything."

"What are your intentions with me?"

"My intentions," Yeosang repeats, but he doesn't sound as confused as Jongho did when he was asked. Instead Yeosang sounds thoughtful. He's quiet for a moment and Jongho swears he can hear the cogs turning in the god's head but he doesn't rush him. "My intentions are to make you happy, Jongho. I want to make you happy." 

Jongho is startled by the answer, by the sincerity in his voice. He means it with his entire being, Jongho is certain of it. "Why?" he asks quietly, his voice a whisper. 

Yeosang gives him that same smile he always does, lips curving up and eyes gleaming, and gives him the same answer. "Because you're special to me, Jongho. You know that."

"Well, what does that mean?"

"It means I'd give you the moon," Yeosang quips, winking at him. Jongho rolls his eyes and goes to respond when Yeosang cuts him off. "No, that's lame. I'd give up the moon. My immortality, my powers, I'd give them all up for you."

Jongho stares at the god who's looking back at him so nonchalantly you would think he had told him something as mundane as the weather. "You would what?" Jongho manages.

Yeosang laughs and reaches out for Jongho's hands, slipping his fingers through Jongho's with a satisfied smile. "You heard me. I'd give it all up for you."

"Why?"

Yeosang hums in response but doesn't give Jongho an answer. "What if I started to see you more?" he asks instead, changing the subject. 

"What?"

"During the day."

"Aren't you worried about people seeing you? Aren't you worried about Seonghwa-hyung?"

Yeosang shrugs, a smile still playing on his lips. "It'll be fine."

"You're not a student," Jongho says slowly, remembering the conversation they had before about being too different. "How are you supposed to pretend you have classes?'

"I won't. I'll just tell your friends the truth."

"The truth?!"

"There's only three of them, right?"

"There's Soobin, too."

"Hm, okay four of them then. That's fine."

"When?" Jongho asks shakily. All of this feels too much. It's not that he doesn't want to hang out with Yeosang more - he does - but to let all of his friends know that he's been hanging out with a god? For his friends to realize that means he's crushing on a god? Embarrassing. 

"Whenever you're ready," Yeosang says softly, almost as if he can sense the internal struggle that Jongho is going through. 

“What happened to not getting attached?”

Yeosang laughs. “I knew that was going to happen the first time you called for me. It was more a matter of when than of if. So, what do you say?”

The thought of being able to hang out with Yeosang more outweighs the embarrassment that'll come with it, so he nods. "Okay. I'd like that."

“Good.” Yeosang slips his hands out of Jongho's and instead places them on either side of his head. Before Jongho can react Yeosang is up on the balls of his feet, pressing his lips against Jongho's forehead. “Call me whenever.” With a smile and a small wave he’s gone, leaving Jongho standing alone outside of his apartment.

*           *           *           *           *

“So are you guys dating already?”

Jongho looks up from his cup with a scowl, slouching into the cafe booth. “Why are you so invested?”

Mingi laughs and puts his own cup down. “Jongho, I have never seen you this whipped for someone. How could I not be invested?”

Jongho’s cheeks go red as his friends snicker, knowing that he can’t deny it. Yeosang has become a welcome presence after deciding to stop worrying about Seonghwa - which Jongho still doesn’t understand but the god never seems interested in explaining - and his friends have begun mercilessly teasing him for all of the time that he spends with him.

“Him and Soobin speak casually to each other,” Yunho adds with a grin. “That’s how often your roommate sees him. You guys have to be dating.”

Jongho shrugs, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed. That’s what they should be doing, right? You don’t go on dates, break rules for, and spend all night thinking about someone who’s just a friend. “We haven’t put a label on it,” Jongho murmurs into his coffee, taking a sip to avoid saying anything else. He doesn’t want to get his hopes up by thinking about it too much.

“Well, have you talked with him about defining your relationship?” San asks, raising an eyebrow. 

Jongho shakes his head. Truthfully, he’s been avoiding bringing it up. How do you tell a god that you want to date them? Despite Yeosang assuring him that the feelings Jongho has for him are mutual there’s a part of him that just finds it too hard to believe. 

“Maybe he’s just waiting for you to bring it up,” San offers. “He seems like someone who would wait for you to bring it up.”

San isn’t wrong. Yeosang doesn’t bring up much - always waiting for Jongho to make the first move. Except for the forehead kiss. That was all Yeosang and Jongho still isn’t over it. It hasn’t happened since and he’s been too scared to bring it up.

“Maybe,” Jongho allows.

“Talk to him later today,” Mingi says, finishing his drink. “We’re all hanging out anyway, and he always seems so happy after our group hang outs. That would be as good a time as any.”

Jongho disagrees but he gives Mingi a weak smile in response. “Yeah, maybe I will.” In all honesty Jongho is dreading the hangout that they have planned. While everyone thinks they’re just going back to his apartment to meet up and play video games with Soobin, the reality is that Yeosang intends on coming clean to them all today.

“I think they’re used to me now,” Yeosang had mused, sipping on his tea. “Telling them shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re ready, of course.”

Jongho had stopped to think about it, sipping his own tea to buy him time to respond. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready,” he admitted. “But if you think now is as good a time as any then I trust your judgement.”

Jongho means it - he does trust Yeosang’s judgement - but that doesn’t mean that he’s not scared shitless for what’s to come. Thankfully his friends don’t push the subject any longer and they continue to chat about other things, letting Jongho keep his mind off of what’s to come until they pay for their drinks and leave. As they walk out of the cafe and head towards his apartment Jongho tries to ignore the growing sense of dread that threatens to overtake him.

*           *           *           *           *

“You’re a what?”

Soobin is the first to speak. His brown eyes are wide and he’s staring at Yeosang with an odd expression on his face, caught somewhere between disbelief and confusion. Jongho imagines he must have looked the same when Yeosang had told him.

“A god,” Yeosang repeats calmly. He’s sitting on a chair that Soobin has dragged over from the kitchen, one leg folded over the other and hands clasped in his lap. If he’s nervous it doesn’t show. 

“Are we roleplaying right now?” Yunho pipes up. “Yeosang, is this your way of saying you want to play Dungeons and Dragons or something? I’m not following.”

Yeosang’s lips twitch as he tries not to laugh and he shakes his head. “No, I’m serious.”

San has stopped looking at Yeosang and is instead staring at Jongho. Jongho spares him a quick glance and sees the older staring at him with an incredulous look on his face, right eyebrow slightly raised and brown eyes wide, his lips turned down in a slight frown. Jongho quickly looks away.

“Okay,” Mingi says, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees. He drops his chin into his hands and stares at Yeosang. “If you’re not lying then prove it.”

Yeosang smiles properly then. “I thought you’d never ask. Close your eyes.”

“How are we supposed to see if our eyes are closed?” San deadpans, his eyes narrowed as he stares at the god. It’s clear that of everyone in the room, San trusts him the least right now.

“Just trust me, San. I promise you’ll see. Just close your eyes for a moment.”

San glares at him but obliges. Everyone in the room follows suit and Jongho can hear a few gasps as they see light flash behind their eyes. Jongho opens his eyes slowly, already knowing what he’s going to see and still feeling unprepared. 

Yeosang is standing now, black wings tucked in neatly but still very much visible. The room is silent and then there’s a loud thud as San hits the floor.

Mingi’s eyes go wide as he moves to help his friend. “Oh shit, he fainted.”

Yeosang rushes forward and everyone stills, no one knowing what to do. “I promise I’m not going to hurt him,” Yeosang says, seemingly unfazed by the fact that no one wants to go near him. “I can help.” He places a hand on San’s forehead and hums to himself, his body glowing a now-familiar silver as he works. 

San groans and Yeosang quickly moves back, allowing San to take a moment to come to. When he does he immediately scans the room for Yeosang, brown eyes meeting Yeosang’s silver ones, and lets out a shaky breath. “What the fuck are you?”

Yeosang gives him a tight-lipped smile in response, hands shoved into his pockets. “I’m Yeosang, god of the moon.”

*           *           *           *           *

"Well, that could have gone better," Jongho sighs. He's sitting on his apartment stoop with Yeosang right beside him. 

"It could have gone worse."

After everyone had gotten over their initial shock they had bombarded him with questions, which Yeosang had patiently answered. Mingi came around to the idea surprisingly quickly and seemed content to accept it and move on. Yunho and Soobin were both a bit more apprehensive, seeming to struggle with the fact that they knew and loved Yeosang but also didn't know him at all. San's entire world view seemed to be shaken and while he had assured Yeosang that he still liked him he had also seemed to distance himself. 

"Yeah, I guess it could have." He's sure his friends will all come around eventually. It had taken Jongho a minute to process everything too, so he really can't blame them for how they responded. "Is Seonghwa really okay with all of this?"

Yeosang laughs and shakes his head. "Seonghwa has largely left me to my own devices when it comes to you. Though he'll definitely have a few choice words for me when he finds out about this."

Jongho chews on his bottom lip a moment, debating, before deciding to speak up. "Seonghwa said something when I talked with him."

"He does tend to do that," Yeosang hums. "Did he say anything in particular?"

"Kind of." 

Yeosang raises an eyebrow at this and looks at Jongho, waiting for him to continue. 

"He said I'm special to you."

"I tell you that all the time."

"I know, but he understood why. I think he knew why from the first time he looked at me." Yeosang is quiet, only offering a nod when it becomes clear that Jongho is waiting for a response. "Why?"

Yeosang is quiet for a moment before he sighs. "Is it not enough just knowing that you are special to me?"

"I don't understand why."

"Do you have to?"

Jongho shrugs, looking down at the ground. "It doesn't really make sense to me. I thought knowing why might help."

Yeosang hums in response and reaches out, placing his fingers under Jongho's chin and gently pushing up, waiting for Jongho's eyes to meet his own. "Something about you drew me to you," Yeosang says softly. "Of all the people I see every night, you stood out. Your aura is strong and I couldn't help but notice it. I was pulled to it. That's why I spoke to you. But as for why I like you….Jongho, who wouldn't?" He smiles at Jongho, his grip still gentle but firmer as Jongho tries to look away. "You're kind and smart, you're driven...you're incredibly good looking," he adds, grinning and letting Jongho turn away this time, the younger's cheeks now red. "Is that enough of an explanation for you?" 

Jongho mumbles something that Yeosang chooses to believe means yes. 

"Hey Jongho?"

"Hm?"

"Look at me." 

Jongho turns to find Yeosang mere inches from him, silver eyes sparkling and a small smile playing on his lips. 

"May I?"

Jongho is silent, watching as Yeosang's gaze travels from his eyes to his lips and back again in a silent question. Jongho thinks he stops breathing but he nods. Yeosang leans in and Jongho just barely remembers to close his eyes when their lips meet. 

The kiss is soft, almost hesitant, and impossibly gentle in a way that makes Jongho's heart hurt and yearn for more. Jongho cups Yeosang's face in his hands and gently pulls him closer, asking for more. Yeosang happily obliges. Their lips fit together like they were meant for each other and the kiss doesn’t end until Jongho pulls away for air, eyes wide as he stares back at Yeosang. 

“What are we?” Jongho whispers. “What is this?” They’ve long since crossed the friendship line and after this Jongho knows that Yeosang has his heart - god or not, it doesn’t matter, it’s too late for it to matter.

“Whatever you want it to be.”

“Be my boyfriend.” The words are barely a whisper, almost spoken too low to be heard. “Date me.”

Yeosang smiles back at Jongho, his eyes shining with an emotion that Jongho can’t quite place. “I thought you’d never ask.”

*           *           *           *           *

“You had sex, didn’t you?” Yeosang rolls his eyes at Seonghwa’s panicked tone, taking in the olders wide eyes and tense stance. “I know you love him, but did you really screw around with a mortal?”

“Do you have to talk about this in front of me?” Hongjoong whines, his nose scrunching in distaste.

“I bet it was good,” Wooyoung giggles from his spot on the couch, grinning broadly. “I could see Yeosang the moment he got back, his aura was shining so damn bright. I thought I’d go blind.”

“You literally stare at a ball of fire everyday,” Hongjoong deadpans. “You won’t go blind.”

“Oh calm down, all of you,” Yeosang sighs. “I did not have sex.”

“There’s no other reason you would be glowing that bright,” Wooyoung counters with narrow eyes while Seonghwa visibly relaxes.

“I kissed him.”

“That’s all?”

“And he asked me to date him.”

Seonghwa’s eyes flick up at this, landing on Yeosang with an unreadable expression. “What did you say?”

Yeosang looks back at him and is sure the older already knows the answer. “I said yes, of course.”

“Of course,” Seonghwa murmurs with a nod.

Hongjoong and Wooyoung look at each other, visibly confused, and then look back to Seonghwa. The older is sitting back in an armchair with his hands folded across his chest. While his lips are pursed in what looks like an expression of slight annoyance he doesn’t push back against the news. 

“Okay, what the hell are we missing?” Wooyoung asks, breaking the silence. “Seonghwa, you should be flipping shit right now. Yeosang, since when do you even care about humans? Can someone explain what the hell is going on?”

Seonghwa smiles at this and he lets out a soft laugh, his tone sounding warm for the first time in a long time. “Yeosang, please explain already.”

“Yes, Yeosang, please explain,” Wooyoung says, glaring at the blonde. “And while you’re at it, explain why you told Seonghwa before you told me.”

Seonghwa laughs again and shakes his head. “Yeosang did not tell me anything. He didn’t have to. I understood what was going on the moment I saw the boy.”

Before Wooyoung can say anything else Yeosang speaks up. “It’s nothing personal, Woo. I just wasn’t sure how to navigate this at all. I didn’t even know how to bring it up. The reason I noticed Jongho is because of his aura.”

Wooyoung raised an eyebrow, still not understanding. “What, did you like the color or something? Sounds like something Hongjoong would do.” Hongjoong scowls at this but doesn’t interrupt, waiting for Yeosang to get to the point. 

Yeosang shakes his head, though a small smile is now playing on his lips. “No, Wooyoung, I didn’t just like the color. I recognized the color. It’s….it’s the same color as mine. The exact same color.”

“Your twin flame,” Hongjoong whispers, blue eyes wide with awe. “That’s why you could see it, isn’t it Hwa?”

Seonghwa nods. “His soul quite literally calls out to Yeosang. They are the same.”

“Does he know?” Hongjoong asks, cocking his head to the side as he looks at Yeosang.

Yeosang shakes his head, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. “I haven’t told him yet...it’s a lot of information to process. I plan on telling him but...not yet.”

Hongjoong nods, seeming to understand. Wooyoung - who has been uncharacteristically quiet as he processes everything that’s been said - suddenly leaps at Yeosang, crushing the other beneath him. “Yeosang, I am so happy for you!! This is amazing!” He pulls back to look at his friend, his smile blinding, and asks Yeosang the one question he’s been trying to avoid. “But he’s a mortal and you’re not. What are you going to do?”

Yeosang’s face falls slightly and he sighs, looking down at the floor. “There are only two options, you know that.”

“I can’t wait to get another god around here then,” Wooyoung says giddily. Seonghwa looks between Yeosang and Wooyoung and his brow creases. Before he can voice his thoughts Yeosang stands up. 

“Someone is calling me,” Yeosang murmurs. “I’ll be back.” He leaves before anyone can say anything, leaving the three gods to chat amongst themselves.

*           *           *           *           *

Yeosang finds himself in the middle of a small apartment looking up at the black-haired boy who called him. He had known it wasn’t Jongho calling him - he could recognize Jongho’s voice instantly - and had been surprised when he saw who it was seeking him. 

“How can I help you, San?”

“I didn’t think that would work,” San admits, staring at the god that he called. “Do you have to come whenever someone calls you?”

“No,” Yeosang says, an amused smile playing on his lips. “But I saw it was you so I came. How can I help you? And how did you know to call me?”

“Jongho mentioned he does it,” San murmurs, his cheeks heating and turning pink. “I have a few questions.” Yeosang nods and stares at San, waiting for him to start. “W-we can sit down or something,” San stutters, scuttering past the god and towards the one couch he has in the living room. 

Yeosang follows and sits across from San, as far away as possible to make him feel comfortable but not make San feel like he’s trying to avoid him. “What questions can I answer for you, San?” His voice is soft and it helps put San at ease.

“It’s just one question really.” Yeosang raises an eyebrow in question and San continues talking. “You’re a god and Jongho is not. What’s the end goal here? What do you see in this? Jongho does not fall for people easily and I can tell that he’s already head over heels for you. I don’t want him getting his heart broken because you thought it would be fun to have a fling with a human.”

Yeosang smiles and shakes his head. “Truthfully, I do not intend on ever leaving Jongho,” he says seriously, watching as San’s eyes widen at the admission. “Not unless he wants me to of course. This is no fling for me, San. Jongho...I strongly believe that Jongho is my other half. There is nothing I would not do for him.”

“And when he grows old?” San asks quietly. “When he grows old and you do not? What then?”

“I intend to grow old with him.”

San stares back at him, dumbfounded. “That’s a cute sentiment but you literally don’t age, Yeosang.”

Yeosang chuckles. “I told Jongho this once before and I don’t think he thought I was serious...I’m not even sure if he remembers it, but I’m willing to give it all up. My immortality, my powers, I'd give them all up for him. I’d become mortal for him.”

San falls silent, staring at Yeosang with wide eyes. “You’d give up being a god for him?” he asks, voice small. 

“I intend on it.”

“When?”

“Whenever he accepts it,” Yeosang answers with a smile. 

“What happens to the moon?” San asks curiously. 

Yeosang can’t help but laugh. “Someone else will take over my duties for me until a new god is chosen. Are you interested?” he asks with a wink, much to San’s surprise. 

“There’s no way that’s how it works,” San answers, flusters. “And that’s not what we’re talking about. You seriously plan on leaving it all behind for him? Why?”

“Because he’s worth it.”

*           *           *           *           *

Jongho comes up with a routine - because gods do have responsibilities, Yeosang reminds him. He sees his boyfriend at least three times a week, and he’s now invited to Saturday coffee time with the rest of the group. Despite his initial hesitancy San seems to have fallen head over heels for Yeosang and he constantly reminds Jongho of how lucky he is. Jongho sometimes thinks that Soobin likes Yeosang more than him, judging by how well they get along and how often they play games together. All in all, Jongho is constantly left wondering how he got as lucky as he did. 

He’s slouching in the corner of the couch one night as Yeosang and Soobin are busy playing Overwatch when he suddenly lets out a shout. “I DID IT!”

Both Soobin and Yeosang stop what they’re doing to look over at him, seeming like they’re not sure if they should be excited or concerned. Yeosang is the first one to speak. “Did what?”

Jongho looks up happily from his laptop, grinning at the two of them. “I got a job!”

The apartment is silent for a beat before Soobin and Yeosang are shouting with excitement. Yeosang rushes over to pull him into a hug, placing a kiss on his cheek as he does so. “I knew you could do it,” he whispers. He pulls back and smiles at Jongho before leaning forward and catching his boyfriend’s lips with his own. “I knew you could do it,” he murmurs again, this time against his lips. 

Soobin makes gagging noises in the background. “Oh, get a room you two,” he groans, but it’s easy to hear the smile in his voice. 

Jongho ignores him and kisses Yeosang again, and Soobin’s laughter fades to the background. In this moment nothing matters except the feel of Yeosang’s lips on his. 

*           *           *           *           *

Jongho slides into a booth at the coffee shop, though he can’t say it’s familiar. Adding Yeosang to their Saturday coffee chats meant that they had to move to a larger booth but no one had complained. In fact, it had been Mingi’s idea that Yeosang start joining them. Jongho suspected that Mingi just thought it was cool that he was hanging out with a god, but Yeosang didn’t seem to mind so neither did he. 

“Your college career is almost over,” Yunho tells him with a grin, leaning forward in his seat. “Are you excited?”

“I feel nauseated.”

Mingi laughs at this. “That’s just the excitement, trust me.”

Jongho isn’t convinced but decides not to argue. 

“Tomorrow you’ll no longer be a college student,” San sighs. “They really grow up so fast, don’t they?” Jongho shoves him, earning himself an undignified squeak from the older as he tries not to fall out of the booth. “That was unnecessary!”

“I bet he’s more nervous for his gift than for graduation,” Yunho says with a grin, earning him a kick from Jongho and a chuckle from Yeosang. 

He’s not wrong. While he’s admittedly a bit nervous for graduation, he’s more excited than anything. But Yeosang told him that he had a special gift for him after graduation and he wouldn’t give Jongho any clues about what it was other than a smile and a little I told you before , which was not helpful in the slightest. 

If Jongho doesn’t get any sleep that night, who can really blame him?

*           *           *           *           *

“You’re joking.” Wooyoung is staring at Yeosang like he’s grown a second head and Yeosang knows that it’s at least slightly in an attempt to stop himself from crying. “There’s no way.”

“Wooyoung…”

“Sangie don’t go!” Wooyoung throws himself at Yeosang then and Yeosang can feel the tears flowing. “Sangie, I did not think you were going to pick option two.”

“Jongho has his whole life ahead of him,” Yeosang murmurs into his friend's neck, where he currently has his head buried. “He just got his dream job and he has a family that he cares about...I can’t ask him to leave all of that behind.”

“What about you?” Wooyoung demands angrily, pulling back from his best friend. “What about the family you have? You have to leave it behind?”

Yeosang smiles sadly at Wooyoung and wipes a tear from his cheek. “I’m choosing to,” he says softly. “I haven’t even told Jongho yet. He doesn’t know. He’s not asking me to do this….please don’t take this out on him.”

Wooyoung glares at him for a moment longer before he sighs and shakes his head. “I won’t. I’m not. I’m just….I’m going to miss you,” he says softly, voice breaking. 

Yeosang laughs through his own tears and nods his head. “I’m going to miss you, too. You don’t have to be a stranger you know. I’m sure Seonghwa will let you talk to one human,” he says, gaze moving towards Seonghwa. 

The older is standing a few feet away and he scowls at Yeosang. “That’s not funny, Yeosang,” he mumbles, but he smiles despite himself. “Technically I have to make an exception for two. Wherever you are, Jongho won’t be far away.” Seonghwa steps up to him then and holds out his hand. On his palm rests a chain necklace with three charms: a sun, a music note, and a tombstone. “Don’t forget us, okay?”

Yeosang looks at Seonghwa with tears in his eyes and before he can stop himself he’s hugging the older, who holds him tightly. “I couldn’t forget you guys if I tried.”

“I will make sure I am always in your ear,” Hongjoong perks up, a grin playing on his lips despite the somber mood. “You won’t ever be able to forget me even if you want to.” He moves forward to embrace Yeosang in a hug which Yeosang returns without hesitation. 

He pulls back from Hongjoong and takes a minute to look around at the place he’s called home for millenia, knowing that soon the castle will become nothing but a distant memory. As much as the thought scares him,  he thinks of Jongho and his body is filled with warmth, and he knows that he’s making the right choice.

*           *           *           *           *

The graduation ceremony itself passes in a blur. Jongho gets his diploma, he gets drowned in love from his family and friends, and Yeosang meets his parents. It’s honestly all a bit too much for Jongho and by the end of the day he wants nothing more than to lie in bed and pull his covers up over his head, but Yeosang has insisted that his gift has to be given at night. He changes into comfortable clothes and walks into the living room where Yeosang is sitting on the couch, waiting for him.

The older looks up and smiles at Jongho, rising from his seat. “Ready?”

Jongho isn’t but he nods anyway and they walk out of the apartment and head towards the trail where they first met. 

“I didn’t realize you were such a romantic,” Jongho teases as they walk. Yeosang had been adamant that his gift had to be given right where they had first met. For as much as Jongho has teased him about it, he thinks it’s incredibly sweet. Though he won’t ever admit it he knows that Yeosang is aware of it. 

“I didn’t either,” Yeosang hums. “Something about you brings it out, I guess.”

Jongho ducks his head and tries to ignore the blush that spreads across his cheeks. He doesn’t think he’ll ever get used to the casual compliments that Yeosang sends his way. As they walk Jongho can’t help but feel like there’s some sort of finality, some sort of closure, in ending out his senior year of college where he met Yeosang and the thought sends a flash of anxiety through him - there’s no way Yeosang is going to break up with him, is there?

“Calm down,” Yeosang murmurs, looking over at Jongho and smiling. “I promise nothing bad is going to happen.”

Jongho nods but his heart doesn’t stop beating a bit faster than is necessary. Yesoang doesn’t comment on it again, merely lacing his fingers through Jongho’s in response. They walk until they reach the bench where they first met and Jongho can’t help but smile. Yeosang leads him to it and gently pushes Jongho down so that he sits while Yeosang stays standing. 

“What are you going to do, propose?” Jongho jokes.

Yeosang gives him a smile and shakes his head. “Something more serious, I think.” Jongho raises an eyebrow but Yeosang speaks before he can say anything. “When I told you why I was drawn to you...I left out an important detail.”

“I knew it couldn’t have been that simple,” Jongho interrupts with a scowl.

Yeosang shushes him and continues. “It is that simple, but it’s also not. Your aura attracted me for a very specific reason, Jongho. Would you like to see its color?”

Jongho’s eyes widen and he nods, instantly curious. Yeosang’s response confuses him. Yeosang smiles at Jongho and glows but does nothing else. “I don’t understand.”

“You’re looking at it, Jongho,” Yeosang says softly. “Your aura...it is the exact same color that mine is.”

Jongho is quiet for a moment, taking in this information. “Is that rare?” he asks quietly. 

Yeosang nods. “Extremely.” He hesitates a moment before continuing. “Two people can only share an aura if they share part of the same soul.”

“The same….we share…” Jongho trails off, words failing him as he takes in the information. “We share the same soul.”

“We do.”

“That’s why….I didn’t stand a chance, did I?” This time it’s Yeosang’s turn to raise an eyebrow in question and Jongho laughs. “I was always going to fall for you, wasn’t I?”

Yeosang smiles. “Not necessarily, but that’s why it was so easy.”

Jongho nods. It all makes sense. The ease that he felt being with Yeosang, the lack of fear he felt even after learning that he was a god. All of it just made sense. “Was my gift you finally coming clean?” Jongho asks with a grin.

Yeosang laughs and shakes his head. “No, that was just important information. Your gift is actually um…” Yeosang trails off, unsure of how to continue. Jongho, to his credit, is patient and does not rush Yeosang despite his burning desire to know what the other is trying to say. Yeosang pulls the necklace that Seonghwa gave him out of his pocket and shows it to Jongho. 

“Seonghwa gave me this,” he says softly. “A gift to remember them all by.”

Jongho traces each charm slowly, frowning as he processes Yeosang’s words. “To remember them all by?” he asks slowly, raising his gaze so that he meets Yeosang’s eyes. 

Yeosang nods. “There are some small things that need to be worked out soon, but pretty soon I won’t be going back again.”

Jongho is silent, staring at the god before him. “Why wouldn’t you go back?”

Yeosang smiles at him and takes the necklace back, putting it in his pocket. “I told you, Jongho. I told you I'd give up the moon and that’s exactly what I intend to do. I want to spend the rest of my time with you, Jongho. My immortality, my powers, I'm giving them all up for you, and I’m happy to do so….as long as you’ll have me.”

Jongho stares at the boy before him and he can’t help the tears that well in up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. “Yeosang…” He isn’t able to form any other words and Yeosang understands, moving in to hug him. Jongho grips him tightly, holding the older boy to him. 

He hasn’t allowed himself to admit it, but over the past few months his feelings for Yeosang have grown more than he can even comprehend. Just a single touch from Yeosang has grown to be reassuring, a single glance. Since the moment they started dating he’s been worrying about what the future holds for them and now he doesn’t have to. 

“Yeosang,” Jongho manages to say, trying his best to stop his tears from falling. Yeosang pulls back and looks at him with such a tender expression that Jongho thinks his heart might break. “I love you.”

Yeosang’s answering smile is radiant. “I love you, too.”

Jongho moves forward and Yeosang meets him halfway, their lips crashing together in a kiss fueled by raw emotion. As Yeosang slips his hands into Jongho’s and laces their fingers together, Jongho thinks he’d be content to stay this way forever.