Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

It's ridiculous, Joshua thinks, crawling upwards the highest branch, spandex riding up in uncomfortable areas. Superheroes aren't supposed to respond to house calls, especially ones that is deceptively important-sounding. It's a mix-up on Wonwoo's department, he's trying out new ways to collaborate with the police in these trying times and had suggested a conjoined collaboration to Doctor McCoy. Problem is, vigilantisms aside, working 'together' with the police just means working under police, even if it's probationary. And that, sucks.

"Mister Whiskers!"

Because things like this happens, where he's disregarding his rumbling stomach foregoing much-needed lunch, in lieu of getting a kitten unstuck from a tree.

Second caveat. He's not a proactive mutant per say, his powers aren't affecting anything physical. Literally anybody else from the team could do this, better even. Jeonghan who's supposed to receive the mission but made him instead, could literally fly. Soonyoung could climb faster. Jihoon could float up a shield. Seungcheol could've...like chop the branches with his golden hands or something. Hell, a pedestrian with a conscience could do this but no...he's the one getting a wedgie from climbing trees, balancing precariously to outstretched his hand towards the hissing beast.

Stupid Jeonghan with his stupid date.

Stupid Professor for trying to save face to the public.

Stupid public.

Stupid Mister Whiske-

"Be careful!" The little girl shouts, and one second Joshua's up a tree in the most ridiculous get-up and the next he's seeing claws and is plummeting down.

The kitten landed atop him. At least he got that going for him.

"Mister Whiskers!" Emily- Lily? Whatever, they all sounded the same- doesn't even so much as glance at the entangled mess of branches and leaves that is Joshua before scooping up a now docile Mister Whiskers into her arms.

No, 'Thanks mister!' No nothing. All in the days work.

Fantastic. He's crawling back to the mansion and giving Wonwoo his peace of mind.

"Oh no!" Joshua sighs, seeing the little girl's disappointed expression.

"What is it?"

"His collar," She whines, lips beginning to tremble. And if there's anything worse than getting your superhero gig demoted down to rescuing kittens up a tree, it's getting terrible reviews from it. He doesn't need another headline declaring how mutants are a menace to society like some wanabe J. Jonah Jameson with a picture of him scowling and a girl crying. From the increasing tremble to the girl's lips and that beginning of a defeaning whine itching that ridiculously strong child's lungs, Joshua has about ten second before his nightmare becomes reality.

"Okay, okay, wait!" He kneels, hands scrambling up in an attempt to comfort the little girl. He sees her shining blues seizing their tears and he sighs in relief. "Wait. I'll get another collar, you just go back inside and clean Mister Whiskers, alright?"

Her mother, curse her, had gone up already, leaving the girl to him. So trusting. So annoying. He's a superhero in training for fuck sakes, not a babysitter.

"A pink sparkly one?"

"The pinkest, sparkliest?"

The girl hesitates, pigtails perking distrustingly. "Pinky promise?"

Joshua nods, repeating the plan in his mind of having children in the future, how he loves children, and trying to let that be his mantra. Linking their pinkies together, he gives it a little tug. "Promise."

He was literally in space battling solar flares and astronaut zombies a couple months back, now he's here because of the registration. Oh, how the mighty fall.

By the time Joshua wriggles himself outside of that ridiculous spandex get-up he feels a little more human than before. Sighing, he saunters staggeringly towards the nearest Pet Store, a bright bubbly establishment promising adorable yapping animals and the utmost care of your friendly companions. Too bubbly, Joshua just wants the pink sparkly collar send straight to the apartment and return to his dorm. This isn't how he thought he'll spend the weekend.

Palms pressing flat against the glass door, Joshua pays no mind to the sign nor the jingling bell that signals his entrance, a melodic "Be right there!" Traveling from somewhere beyond.

Hand inside his pockets, Joshua acquaints himself with the different collars on the wall; no-slip, nylon, leather but nothing sparkly. A whine almost escapes when he thinks of running around the city to search for a goddamn kitten collar. Hoping they have more stuff in the back, Joshua groans himself onto the counter, waiting for whoever's in the back.

There're doggie treats lined like chocolate bars on the counter, he picks one up inspecting it. 'Kibble-Bar' it states, all colorful an smiley. His stomach grumbles, reminding him of his lack of sustenance. If Seungcheol hadn't decided an impromptu date-day for Jeonghan, he would've been with his friend eating, spending a weekend together. It's not that he hates that Jeonghan finally found the balls to face his emotions and bagged himself a Seungcheol, but- well...everybody's pairing up. It's getting a little lonely.

"Sorry, I usually have help on weekends but my coworkers bailed on me, and..."

Joshua's smitten. Fallen. Enamored, or whatever. The employee wearing the bright yellow work shirt, a golden tag in the shape of a bone stating 'Seokmin' appears as cheerfully as the store he's working for. An adorable eye-squinting smile graces his face, shifting the perfectly placed mole underneath his eye. He needs to ask, get his number, speak, something or...oh, oh he's speaking.

"Wh-what?"

The smile falters in confusion before revving itself back up. Seokmin places his hand on the counter and suddenly they're unexpectedly close. Discreetly, Joshua checks his pulse, perhaps he died and met an angel.

"Can I help you with something?" Seokmin repeats and Joshua gives himself a pat on the back for only stumbling a little towards his answer.

Right. Kitten collar. "Do you have any pink sparkly collars- they-they're not for me," Joshua's quick to counter, a sheepish smile gracing his overheated face. "I need it sent to an apartment; can you make a delivery?"

Seokmin shrugs, fingers tapping lightly on the counter before heading back where he previously emerged. "I got some more collars in the back, d'you wanna see? Maybe you could pick one out yourself."

"It's not for me," Joshua repeats, receiving a light chuckle.

"I know, you're still the one picking it."

The backroom is dark, full of strewn about boxes and Joshua lightly kicks some blocking his path. "Reorganizing?" Joshua asks, noticing the scrambled contents.

Seokmin hums, "Yeah, I'll have help tomorrow fortunately."

Their casual conversation about which particular pink sparkly collar turns into a light banter when Seokmin veers into the direction of different interests.

"Really? Dramas?"

Joshua shrugs, wiping his palms on his jeans. "Action Movies aren't really my thing."

Seokmin nods consideringly, dusting of a shelf. "Me neither. I liked Hunger Games though."

"Interesting."

Their conversation mutates into mention of cafes and hanging out just to see if they're live performances is any good and whether or not staying’s worth the shitty coffee. Or tradeoffs on favorite local record stores downtown, maybe throwback shows on theaters, all the way to museum visits and which art gallery has merit and which are decidedly overly pretentious.

"I can recommend some if you like," Joshua offers, cutting their conversation somewhere between favorite hang-out spots.

"Maybe we could visit together."

Joshua finds himself choking on a response. Was that flirting? "Maybe."

It's addicting talking to Seokmin. Because by the time Joshua wheezes his last embarrassing laugh, he's a pile of blushing mess leaning against empty boxes, and as he pushes Seokmin the same time he's reeling backwards they tumble ungracefully onto the disheveled floor together. They never stopped laughing.

"Here," Seokmin offers, cleaning the packing peanuts dotting his hair before handing him the perfect collar. Joshua hadn't realized the other managed to pick one out, preoccupied with continuing the conversation. Joshua's about to tease, perhaps inserting a Segway that'll lead him to asking Seokmin out when-

"Seokmin?"

Joshua didn't mind sticking around longer.

The interruption comes in a form of two adorable looking couple who just so happens to be Seokmin's parents. His mother's eyes crinkle when they meet Joshua's, a welcomed, "Hello, I didn't realize you have a friend over." Followed by an extending of hand.

Seokmin grimaces before amending it with a surprisingly natural 100-watt smile, turning a corner to grab something, giving it to his father.

"Ah, today's issue. I told them we don't live here anymore and they're still delivering them here."

Seokmin smile, gritting through, "They're probably swamped dad." Almost dismisses the couple entirely. Joshua couldn't begin to imagine why; they seem like nice people. That is, before they read the first article.

"Damn mutants, still fighting the laws of nature."

And Joshua knows it's about the registration, knows it like his classmates hadn't been silently trembling through emptions all month long just for another postponed meeting.

"Oh dear- and those child soldiers, how awful." And...there goes the mother. Suddenly, the date Joshua's meaning to ask shrivels in his throat. Seokmin didn't give off bigoted vibes, and perhaps that was a minute glare he was sending his father, but still- he's a mutant, the so called 'child soldiers' they're talking about being him would impossibly complicate things.

Thankfully the parents don’t stick too long, and unfortunately Joshua doesn't stick too long either after that. His mood has fallen towards sour from the encounter.

"Sorry," Seokmin mutters, "They're a little behind on the times."

The smile he gives is a noticeably tight, but it's the best he's got given the situation. "Parents...what can you do?"

The air of awkwardness painstakingly loomed between them as Joshua look between the counter and the door, feeling pressured to choose before Seokmin lets out an exhale. "I'll send this to the address- oh, here-" He says, thrusting a paper card "my number, text it to me."

And Joshua nods, accepting the number and the opening to perhaps summon up the courage for a date later and pocketed with a smile. "Thanks, Seokmin." He longs to be different from his friends, being the one who goes for who he wants but with the reminder of what happened, the megawatt smile needed to wait for Joshua's resolve to arrive.

Assuming by the way Seokmin's eyes softened as he nods an, "Anytime." Joshua's not shooting blind.

He leaves, fumbling out the door with a painfully awkward. "I- by-bye." And a door closing on his ass.

Righting himself he stumbles out to the alley. Just his luck really, the clouds are grumbling above him, threatening to soil his last good shirt for the weekend. With a huff, he trudges underneath an awning, fishing his phone he debates if an uber price point is better than begging Chan to lend him his chauffer.

His attention's quite split. Between the glaring phone screen, the clouds above, and the door to the pet store still visible from where he was. Joshua's sharp senses he's been training ever since he was introduced to the danger room failed to see the threatening figure standing hidden in the shadows somewhere towards his left. He doesn't register the force until he's collapsed on the dirty tarmac and his vision grows dark.

Three things he noticed right away after regaining consciousness, all three cultivating the change of his future trajectory. Firstly, he awakens to his missing wallet, his tightly spun spandex bundled on the bedside metal table. Second was that he's in their infirmary, consciousness returning because of a snickering Jeonghan who seemed really amused that one of the most skilled mutant got mugged in an alleyway. Third was the juxtaposition plastered all over Seungcheol's face, the curious concern radiating in wave.

"What is it?" He asked concernedly, Doctor Grey giving her the all-clear before departing.

Seungcheol shrugged forward. "The cops caught the guy who attacked you. He was pinned to the wall," Seungcheol quickly amends, "There was a note attached to him." There was also an anonymous call for an ambulance, but nobody stuck around for the generous credit.

He didn't anticipate how much the mugging consumed him. How he scrutinized every detail. There was a note attached, ripped seemingly out of a random note book, just like Seungcheol explained. Indeed, the man was pinned to the wall by a makeshift looking knife, something homemade and quickly drawn. There was also the piece of fabric torn from the apparent vigilante. The material grey and too common to pinpoint. Questions and apprehension flooded his mind.

One thing’s for sure though, Joshua felt his prowess as an eagle-eyed superhero slipping between the compromises. He took it upon himself to ask for something better and had bargained the team into more upscale missions, like muggings and such. The irony wasn't lost on him.

Now several days passed and suddenly it's already Sunday. The weekends are times he'd gets release the tension knotting his shoulder.

Casting a glare at the beating sun, he clutches the ice coffee like a vice against the horrendous heat. The world was going to shit, especially the weather.

The creek of the door opening reveals Soonyoung with a much more decorated beverage clutched between his balance act of cellphone, wallet, and pastries. Joshua grins, watching Jihoon throw his boyfriend an incredulous annoyed look before sidestepping away from the circus. Soonyoung fumbles, bumping into other patrons traveling in and out of the cafe, and the three find their way into an empty table.

"How's the public taking it?" Speaking about business during their day off isn't exactly entertaining, but the itch persisted since his mugging. He shouldn't've been that absentminded, allowing somebody an opportunity to attack. Especially during these dangerous times.

Soonyoung takes a slow sip of his tooth-rotting unicorn secretion, grimacing at the sweetness he so stubbornly begged because of the pretty colors, glaring at the sun in question. "People seem to like it," he shrugs, remembering the uptick of likes, tweets, follows he'd gotten from posting their pictures during neighborhood missions.

People are always a sucker for relatable heroes. Humbling their missions from outer space and giant robots to rescuing eye-catching kitten in a tree is definitely...something. Just as long the public's content and the passing of the registration are leaning towards never-going-to-happen, Joshua can be patient a little longer. But only little longer.

There's something sticky about the whole situation. Clinging to his teeth as he swallows the bile constantly rotating in his stomach. Professor Xavier's willingness to cooperate for the time being has never been a point of contention between them. Not until a couple days prior. Now every alarm ring and stray shrieks seems like an opportunity wasted.

"The opposition's pushing back though," Jihoon supplies. The poster boy of the school should know, the speeches he'd toured and conducted wanes a little each day. He sure hopes this newest plan works. "We just gotta hang until Elis Island."

Joshua clenches his fist, biting his lip. Right, the meeting. Just a little longer.

Soonyoung grunts, scraping his chair and letting his head hang loosely outside the shade, squinting at the sunrays. "It's our day off. Can't we talk about something more exciting?"

"Like what?"

"Like that pet store boy," Jihoon supplies with a mischievous grin.

Jeonghan.

He shouldn’t’ve told that demon disguised as an angel anything about the encounter. But he'd been disoriented and his roommate/best friend always has his way with words. Unraveling his conversion with every stray strand, delicately plucking from an off-topic comment or bend in conversation. Maybe that's Jeonghan's tertiary mutation, his silver tongue.

Then he'd divulged the cuteness, the pink sparklines of it all and before he knows it the news had spread like wildfire. Goodie-good boy Joshua Hong finally found somebody contending his goodness, and he thinks...maybe I'd spend my day off with Soonyoung and Jihoon instead.

Some decision that turns out to be.

He swivels his jaw consideringly, thumb nervously wiping away perspiration covering his quickly warming drink, about to defend himself when-

Speak of the angel.

"Seokmin?" He doesn't know what demon possessed him to not only spoke said name aloud but to also beckon the aforementioned over. Doctor Grey must be wrong about the 'it's just a concussion' thing, clearly he's mentally ill.

"Oh hey!" He comes carrying over a puppy nibbling on its leash. Joshua's halfway in through of plotting a murder-suicide of the occupants of the table when Seokmin arrived, his fluffy white Maltese yapping in greeting. The sunshine himself smile, eyes disappearing in the process, "How have you been? You haven't texted me."

"Yeah," Joshua chuckles nervously, only now remembering the card and hoping it's still inside his pocket somewhere.

"Ah, it's okay, just wanted to tell you the package's been delivered safe and sound."

Joshua hears Jihoon and Soonyoung snorting under their breath and has the peace of mind to deliver a two-in-one kick to their shins. They groan, he smiles. "Great!"

Seokmin teeters, rolling from his heel to his toes with his shoulders up, one hand inside his pocket. Awkwardly, he asks, "So...you're out with friends?"

Barely, Joshua thinks, but he nods anyways introducing the others. "Yeah, this is Jihoon and Soonyoung," he indicates them respectively, the dog giving another yelp and a surprising growl towards Soonyoung.

For a second Joshua thinks the dog might've been privy to his social media famous friend and his obvious mutation. That maybe Seokmin somehow suspects. Then the hybrid mutant bends his head, eyes glowing under casting shadows and the dog whimpers into silence.

Joshua stamps down his growing groan.

Cat. Dog. Right.

"You?" He clears his throat, hoping to keep the suspicion to a minimum. He never recalled seeing Seokmin in his favorite hole-in-the-wall cafe before. Cliché as is, he would've remembered a face like that.

"Out walking little buddy over here," He says, scrunching the puppy before settling it down gently. "And uh...job hunting. Got high hopes for this one." The dog yelps it's assent.

"Really?" Joshua's eyebrows raise, after their brief conversation that's news to him. He thought that working under family owned business might have better arrangements, the flexibility of time and salary offered. Don't get him wrong, seeing Seokmin's face in his favorite spot more often isn't a terrible outcome, but he couldn't begin to guess why the other would want to quit that security.

Seokmin seems to notice his silent questioning, laughing awkwardly, scratching behind his neck. "Yeah...Parents y'know?"

Ahh...yeah, Joshua thinks, remembering the other reason why he subconsciously forgot to remind himself of Seokmin's number. The parents.

Their conversation dwindles into a lull, Soonyoung and Jihoon offering little contribution beside awkward glances towards the thick line of tension forming between them. There's a snag to their conversation with the mention of parents. Like they both knew the sensitivity of the unexplored topic hinges on whether their friendship will continue. With a giggle that really shouldn't resonate that loudly in his chest, Seokmin makes some excuse to leave.

Maybe it was the concussion, or the unorthodoxly hot New York weather, but Joshua finds himself opening his mouth one last time. "Seokmin!" The other turns, and oh god...where's that cultivating excuse? "I got this cat-" He blurts, earning a snort-cough from Soonyoung and Jihoon who hides his trembling shoulders by patting his boyfriend's own.

shit shit shit.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah...recently acquired it. I have absolutely zero clue what things to get so..."

Seokmin's smile dips into a grin, something more genuine and natural. Joshua feels roses blooming on his cheeks, it's prickly thorns strangling his neck.

"Yeah?" It's different now, the tone, brimming something similar to hope.

Joshua can feel his face heating, nodding carefully. "Yeah. Maybe I'll see you more often?"

"Call me." With that, Seokmin turns on the ball of his feet, hiding a blinding smile when he walk away.

The laughter broke, tinny sounds of cackling grating his crimson ears. He should start spending weekends alone instead.

"Oh buddy," Jihoon snorts. "You're something else."

Watering eyes lean towards Soonyoung who wipes them without question. "And I thought we were bad," he elbows his boyfriend and Joshua could feel it, the wind picking up to travel the news all the way to Yoon Jeonghan's ears. He wonders if it's too late to ask for another roommate. Ask for other friends for that matter. Being surrounded by happy couples almost daily is annoying, especially if you're pairless yourself. Who can blame him for wanting Seokmin?

The giggling doesn't cease and Joshua's about five seconds away from bursting. "Oh, like you're one to talk," He counters weekly, but the tension eases when he breaks into a smile anyways, laughing along with the jokes before the humiliation of what he did finally settles in. Overall, he deems the weekend a successful rest.

That is, until their return home.

They walk their usual path, cellphones always guarded when a crackling sound of a police radio captures their attention. The cop car seems abandoned and they lean in for a better listen. Might as well, right? They're within the area, it falls under their probationary jurisdiction. Why not?

Another mugging incident, what the operator could gather is a bunch of screaming and a triangulated location. It's close, Joshua thinks, a block away. Without a word exchanged they quickly abandon their jovial nature to run towards the scene.

They turn towards the alleyway, isolated from the whirring sound of a bustling city. A single pierce shout travels to them and at first, they thought it was the woman who was mugged, a distinct layer of doubt growing as they hear the baritone clearer. That is clearly a man.

And there he is, strapped to a teetering utility pole, head bent towards his chest, unconscious.

They wait for the police, stuffing their adrenaline back into their stomach from a fight stolen from them. The time allotted gave way to inspections, upon it two things stuck out.

The familiar accent of a note left behind and another completely different than their newly immerging vigilantes MO. There's no knife this time, just a leash rapped around the unconscious body.

"Well shit," Soonyoung scoffs. "Looks like we got ourselves some competition.

Joshua sits on the chair, clattering a brand-new leash on the counter. He huffs frustratingly, holding his head up with his hands, groaning and shaking. So far, he's gotten three leashes, two bags of kitten kibbles, and a can of tuna, all within a span of two weeks. He's not the poorest of Xavier's ward, not even qualifying for allowances but his pockets aren't bottomless either. At this rate he's going to drown under cat paraphernalia before the UN meeting on Ellis Island. At least then he wouldn't have to worry about the registration passing anymore.

"Yo!" Joshua jerks as a hand slap the hardwood he'd slumped upon. Looking up he sees a pair of steely blue eyes staring amusedly at his strung-out figure. Jeonghan snickers, ruffle his hair before sitting beside him brandishing a bowl and cereal from somewhere.

"What's up?"

"His secret crush." A voice interrupt behind them. Whipping around, Joshua sees Jihoon's smug-face figure sitting on the couch beside the window, one leg bent as he leans an arm against it. "What's his name again...pet store boy?"

Joshua bristles, he would've preferred Jihoon blabber mouthing to Jeonghan when he's not in vicinity. Their unexpected mischievousness are always the worst. How long has Jihoon even been sitting there?

"A while," Jihoon answers his unspoken question and Joshua's working theory that Jihoon's a secret telepath begins blossoming.

"Ooooh, pet store boy! Is that why you've been bringing back pet stuff?" Jeonghan's wings bristles in excitement, his almost white hair catching the sliver of moonlight as he bounces.

"Obviously." Jihoon interrupts again. Anticipatingly Joshua barks a rebuttal, "Oh, shut up!" to Jihoon's cacophonous cackling delight.

Halfway through his midnight breakfast, Joshua swipes the bowl from the winged-mutant, put out by the situation.

"Hey!"

He ignores the complaint despite his better judgement telling him Jeonghan considers him as a brother and therefore would whoop his ass if necessary. He's been doing a lot of that lately, ignoring his better judgement. His better judgement told him to not waste money on trivial, ultimately useless things. His better judgement's telling him if he's a little patient, their probationary x-men situation will eventually smooth out. His better judgement's telling him he shouldn't suggest what he's about to now.

"I think we should capture him," he says, slurping the milk dribbling down his chin.

"What? pet store boy's heart?" Joshua glares at Jihoon again.

"The vigilante." It's quite comical how they're calling this hooded figure a vigilante when they themself are arguably the biggest example in the country, but at least they operate under some kind of guided supervision. Somebody in the (wheel)chair who knows what they're doing. This guy's just...running around catching crimes of opportunity.

His frequency has been increasing recently, having captured twenty petty criminals so far. All without any lasting damage towards them whatsoever and a note recalling their crimes left somewhere in the vicinity. The police have been trying to track him but...Joshua has a feeling since he's doing their job more efficiently than they do, the police hasn't really been searching.

"He's a civilian, he shouldn't be abusing his powers like that. He should get arrested. We should unmask him."

Jeonghan hums doubtfully where Jihoon seems to bristles. "First of, we don't know if he's a mutant. Second, you can't force somebody to reveal their identity...hello? That's what we're trying to fight!" The registration. Everything circles back to that line threatening to be drawn in the sand. Joshua's sick of hearing about it. "Besides, what he's doing is no different than us."

Shadowed by the silhouettes of the trees outside, Jihoon's appears sallow, skin whitened in lowlighting. Suddenly, Joshua knows where he's coming from. Homophobia has decreased ever since the public have mutants to chew on instead, but it still happens. And though most mutants in Xavier's didn't care, Jihoon did and it's been somewhat difficult ever since.

He's come a long way though. Joshua never meant to offend with that statement. "That's not what I mean," he tries, faltering into a sigh in the end.

"You're jealous," Jihoon reaffirms, not accepting Joshua's sputters of nonsense.

"Jealous of what?"

Jihoon scoffs, as if the answer's painfully obvious. "Everything? You're jealous and you're taking it out on him."

"I just think he should operate within the same bound as everybody else."

Jeonghan chuckles beside him, having regain his bowl and shoveling the last dregs of cereal into his mouth. "Didn't peg you for a fighting type."

"What?"

"Y'know, everyone's a little glad we're not going on that much mission anymore. It means everyone's safe- pretty efficiently too, the public's reception towards mutants are swaying more to the positive because of this hooded figure. Shouldn't we leave well enough alone?"

A protest itches the back of his throat before he rewinds. Is he actually jealous?

No...no, he's concerned, and as he plays with the edge of the rounded countertop Joshua tries and convince himself as such.

Sensing his tumultuous thoughts, Jeonghan lays a hand over his warming them. Late nights always dull Jeonghan's abilities somewhat, relegating him to a sliver of radiating warmth instead of a lightning inferno. Joshua appreciates it.

"Hey, if you're so adamant you could talk to Seungcheol about it. He can talk to you about stakeouts or something," Jeonghan offers and Joshua thinks that's a pretty good compromise.

"I still think you shouldn't force it," Jihoon says as his parting words, Jeonghan going along shortly after, leaving the kitchen with Joshua's racing thought.

"Steady," Seungcheol whispers.

They're somewhere between an abandoned factory and rundown orphanage. There was a call to the station, scrambled and disjointed about some suspicious activity. It's somewhere inside the vicinity where the vigilante operates and Joshua's hoping their stake out mission will turn successful.

So far there are no suspicious activities, nor the vigilante. Until a noise like clattering metal keeps their attention.

Seungcheol's holding him towards the wall, palm flat on his chest as Joshua works their illusion over them.

Joshua grits, stirring a little.

"We agreed," Seungcheol half-whispers, "Observation only."

Sighing, he relents, observing as instructed the source of the noise.

There wasn't anything but wet tarmac and smog from the nearby leaking pipe until a series of running footsteps approach them. From within the shadow emerges a face-covered assailant wearing beanie and a scarf, their hands gripping tightly at a duffle bag. Numerous of things could be inside that bag. Whether the contents belong to him remains to be seen. Whatever it is though someone definitely deems it as stolen property.

As if plucked from the darkness itself, something quick and flashy rips through the air. Joshua almost chokes from the arrow pierced somewhere between his and Seungcheol's skull.

He keeps himself still, making sure to entangle his limbs with Seungcheol when the hooded vigilante approaches with steady footsteps. He takes his time dislodging the arrow, not minding the groaning of the figure behind them who fell from the arrow. From this angle Joshua faila to see any discernable feature, but he takes the slightly taller, slightly lithe figure of the vigilante before he pulls himself and the arrow away.

The vigilante doesn't speak, doesn't do anything for long beats. The suspicious man staggers to his feet before he delivers a punch.

To his surprise, the vigilante failed to dodge. Letting it hit his shoulder with a grunt.

Reinvigorated, the man seems to come again and again.

Joshua watches raptly at the steadily increased speed and awareness of the vigilante's response. From being unable to block to pushing forward himself. The pauses between the punches, the staggering shift of his hips. With a silent gasp Joshua realizes.

He's learning.

The pattern of the man quickly becomes predictable and the vigilante takes him down with moves prior he himself was caught with.

Man down, the vigilante looms over him, something long in his hand when silence suddenly blares in the distance, alongside approaching footsteps.

The two hidden mutant watches a little longer at the scene before them, in awed at what happened.

When the officers finally took the burglar in and they left the premises, Joshua releases the hold of his illusion, gasping. "He was..."

"Yeah. He was learning."

"Was he a mutant?" He asks.

Seungcheol shrugs, eyes focused on his reflection in the puddle. "Maybe, or maybe he's just a really good fighter."

The track back home fills Joshua with infinite question, and a swelling of something ugly in the pit of his stomach. This...guy, he might be normal? And yet he's stealing their mission.

The night that guides him might be black, but all Joshua sees is green.

"Maybe you should just ask him out?"

Joshua scoffed, Jeonghan's a real hypocrite for that one. He could admit reluctantly, his friend had a point, a sharp one that pierces through every flimsy armor he's built surrounding himself. Except one.

Flipping over to face Jeonghan's outstretched feathery appendage, Joshua sighed, "His parents hate mutants."

Still, it never stopped him from being persistent. Calling Seokmin every night where his consciousness is in the middle of waning away after a tiring day of being a mutant superhero, the sound of the store clerk's voice sooths his ears. They're conversations surround silly unimportant things at first. Just filling the gaps between acquaintances and friends.

Seokmin liked karaoke nights, piping hot pizza, and puppies more than kitten admittedly. So when Seokmin said, "Your turn." he told him he liked all those things too, twisting his tongue when the words, "I like you," was choking the back of his throat. It became a sort of thing they did, where they list of their general facts about themselves and they both have to answer.

"Blue, definitely blue. Your turn."

"Yellow." Joshua smiled at the ceiling, Seokmin seemed like a yellow. A being of unadulterated sunshine.

Somehow the topic of conversation veers into dislikes and that's when a tentative question breaks through Joshua's inhibition. "How about you? What's your stance on mutants?"

They were talking about a movie character, flashy and bridled with outlandish superpowers, except it wasn't so outlandish. They're dislike of the character ended up with a question regarding the actual thing.

"I'm not my parents," Seokmin answered finally after a prolong pause, still stitching carefully curated words in his mind. "But I still...care about them. Is that wrong of me?"

Then it's Joshua's time to pause, mulling the best way to approach.

Shifting inside his comforter, Joshua landed his cheek on a colder section of his pillow, stretching to turn the bedside table despites Jeonghan's grumbling protests.

"Of course not, I get it."

"So...it's not a deal breaker?"

Now that was another complication entirely. There are people out there who'd unbreakably proclaim their acceptance of certain communities whilst in the same breath reject it when somebody that directly impacts their life's included in said community. Joshua's not a direct impact on Seokmin's life but if continued he wished to be. Will the other's opinion change then?

Joshua wants a clarification. "Your parents? No." You? Yes.

The lack of response brings a chill to his room before Seokmin interrupted with nervous stuttering. "My parents can be a little stifling. They have no idea how much those words hurt you know? I-I mean, I wouldn't know personally though but-"

"Yeah, I do," Joshua blurted, feeling guilty for having this looming storm above his head, a tightness in the atmosphere whenever he talked to Seokmin. It wasn't his fault his parents were bigots, it was a miracle Seokmin sprouted a straight moral compass.

"I hope they won't stop you from visiting every once in a while."

That late-night conversation leads him here, today, heart in his throat, beating away his leftover lunch. Heaving a sigh, he opens the door, working up the courage to-

Oh, it's stuck.

"Sorry!" Seokmin's voice filters frantically, accompanied by a choir of yapping puppies. "Just got new shipments and my new intern's running a little late."

Sparing a foot, Seokmin kicks away the boxes blocking the door, letting Joshua in, ye disappearing with his grin. "Glad you came."

"Still need cat stuff," He says, suppressing a sigh. Yup, still going with that narrative.

"I remember. I hope you don't mind, I sorta put something together." Seokmin balances the boxes, settling it heavily on the counter. He spares Joshua another grin before, disappearing towards the backrooms where everything's squirreled away.

Joshua allows himself to inspect the revamped store, leaning his back against the counter, stretching his head he sees puppies caged at the far side of the room. It's quite an endearing place, apparent in its homeliness. He didn't think he'd appreciated enough before.

The place is quite a mess with strewn boxes piling in every corner, but it just denotes Seokmin's efforts. Joshua's glad Seokmin's getting help and possibly a new job.

His attention travel towards the classic kit-cat clock with its beady shifting eyes and permanent open-mouthed smile. It's a little creepy, but Joshua sees the appeal. Fits the theme of animal figurines lining the wall. Feeling the counter digging on his back, Joshua turns, looking at the pretty paw-printed trinkets inside the glass casing.

He lets himself loosen with the sightseeing, letting his lies drift alongside his attention.

In the vacantness he thinks, there're always trouble when it comes to being a mutant and honestly, Joshua's never affected. Not until now. He feels ridiculous for complaining, especially in comparison to his friend's baggage. There's just something about romance that makes everything unnecessarily complicated.

A clack draws his attention towards the closed door where Seokmin disappeared to. Joshua sighs, letting his attention stray towards the calendar set next to the cabinets, one date circled, bright red. Stomach churning, Joshua shits uncomfortably

Ellis Island, three weeks from now.

Seokmin's parents must be following the progress of the registration act. A chill run through his spine, bouncing inside his skull. They're obsessed. Joshua needs to get Seokmin away.

"Here," Seokmin interrupts, jolting Joshua with the brightest, most innocent grin. He doesn't realize he's staring at Seokmin's face in his dumbstruck until something's nudge against his elbow.

A shoebox, with a lot of cat paraphernalia. Joshua almost melts.

"You never told me any specific breed but they're basics are always the same. Hope you don't mind," Seokmin explains almost sheepishly.

"Mind?" Picking up fish-shaped kibbles, the numerous multicolored toys, the heart-shaped white bed, Joshua sighs, how's he going to lie to this absolutely wonderful person just because he can't look past his parents’ hatred for mutants. Seokmin deserves the full truth at least. It'll be best for both of them. Instead he smiles, tightly. "This is...wow, h-how much?"

"Oh." Seokmin's eyebrows disappears into his forehead, genuinely surprised. "I-it's free."

Joshua's fingers freeze mid inspection, nails getting caught on something stringy. "Free?"

"For you."

That made him blush. "Seokmin, I-" fuck it, he thinks, cupping the side of the other's cheek. "Thank you."

They hold their gaze for seemingly forever, neither wanting to break the unexpected pleasant atmosphere they find themselves in. It almost feels like their last chase before reality hits. Joshua breaks first. Looking down he sees the powdery blue stringy object, realizing it's the most beautifully crochet collar he's ever seen. He can picture it perfectly blending against white fur, the lie that he constructed about his cat. Too bad it doesn't exist; this beautiful collar would have to hang on his nightshade instead. He notices the distinct homemade quality and feels flattered.

"You never told me you know how to crochet."

The nervous chuckle Seokmin lets out made him squirm. "Oh, y'know, I dabble with a lot of things here and there. Crochet, pottery, and such."

"That's amazing." Suddenly all the homemade stuff in the store made sense. Seokmin must've made them, pumping a beating heart behind an otherwise normal establishment. Joshua looks at Seokmin's crinkled eye-smile, hands self-consciously tucking inside his hoodie. Following that line, he something catches his attention.

"Stitching too?" Joshua points noticing the tear where a grey patterned fabric should be, replaced instead with an off-white patch. Something about it strikes him as familiar.

Turning away, Joshua's surprised of Seokmin's expression. An unreadable coldness stilled with a tight smile. "Y-yeah."

And Joshua holds his gaze. "What happened to your knuckles?" Maybe he should've been paying more attention to Seokmin rather than the numerous distractions dotting the store.

"Rope burns," Seokmin lies- because it is a lie, Joshua didn't go through that much training to miss such an obvious fabrication. "From walking the bigger dogs," Seokmin explains further.

"Careful, those look like impact bruises from punching." Seokmin tenses, the movement so small Joshua almost missed it. "You know, cause of the crimes that's been happening near here lately?"

"Right," Seokmin chuckles nervously. When neither speaks for a beat too long, caught in a weird stale-mate, Seokmin breaks it with a chuckle. "Speaking of ropes, since you're here and my assistants seem to be running late, I'm hoping you can help me with something?" That sounded distinctly like a distraction in Joshua's ears, but he figures he'll take it as payment for the free stuff. Besides, his hopeful thinking's convincing him that maybe, just maybe Seokmin wants him to stay a little longer.

"Okay."

And when Seokmin guides him to the backrooms by clasping his hand, Joshua doesn't complain.

Stepping inside the air immediately shifts into something stale, If the boxes outside are intimidating in numbers, the ones there tower even above that. Craning his neck, he barely saw the top. Joshua's surprised of how spacious the backroom is, he never notices even before.

Carding him towards a partial stack, Seokmin inclined towards the ropes winding them together. "These boxes I need to ship somewhere else," he explains, squeezing their hands unconsciously. "Haven't tied them all together though."

Joshua grins, their shoulders are somehow almost touching and when he turns his head, he's almost surprised at how close they are. "I can do knots."

"Y-yeah?"

"Seokmin."

"Hmm."

Joshua chuckles. "My hand."

"Oh!" Separating, Seokmin sets on his side of the boxes whilst directing Joshua to his own. They work in a tense silent, their confession tightly wound in their tongues and stolen glances. Despite the distance and the weird request for assistance, Joshua cherished the moment. Trapped in some sort of denial state with this beautiful boy beside him.

He ties the rope extra tight.

Even if he works better- placing intricate patterns from experience to make the binding stronger- Seokmin works faster, moving to loom behind Joshua with a curious glance. "Your turn," Seokmin whispers almost hoarsely, breath fanning across Joshua's thin shirt-clad back.

The mutant turns, a questioning look upon his face.

"I told you I like crochet. Where'd you learn how to knot like that?"

"Actually, you told me you dabble in a lot of things," Joshua teases biting his lips. Somehow them doing their thing face-to-face feels much more intimate, despite the benign subject. "I was a scout’s boy," Joshua relents, even if it's only a half-truth. He couldn't exactly say he learned it from capturing bad guys.

"Show me?"

There's a curious expression Joshua tries to ignore as Seokmin leans his face over his shoulder to look at his hands. His face etched in focus, tight-knit brows quite literally distracting the mutant.

He never knew tying a knot could be so nerve-wracking, but when Seokmin pulled away he's winded. And when he turns their so close. Too bad the lighting isn't dark, if it is Joshua might've been brave enough to steal a kiss. Consequences be damned.

"Got what you need?"

"You're awesome."

"It's just a knot," Joshua chuckles, but Seokmin's eyes are a little blurred.

One beat. Two.

When they separate, Seokmin tied of the rest of the boxes. Something stirs inside Joshua with seeing the efficiency and speed Seokmin works to replicate his special extra-strength knots. It's in a robotic cadence, almost indistinguishable between one and another. If Joshua didn't know any better, he would've thought Seokmin's a robot.

"Didn't know you could do that," Joshua comments breathlessly. His senses are tingling, alerting him of something, but he ignores it to stare at Seokmin's flushed face.

"I'm a fast learner," He says, "Your turn."

Joshua shrugs, biting his bottom lips. "Guess I'm a great teacher."

Joshua left crashing down from the heightened emotions, addicted to Seokmin's company. Despite knowing he couldn't pluck up the courage, he'll come back again.

Fish food, Joshua's actually stepping up his lies. He might not have a gold fish like he claimed to Seokmin but he does have friends who has them.

"They're not goldfish," Mingyu and Seungkwan protest simultaneously, frowning fiercly at the offense.

"Potato potato, they still eat the same thing."

The roommates concede Joshua that, accepting the free fish food.

"Someone's in a mood," Seungcheol says as he makes space for him on the table, scooting aside so he could pull up a chair. Joshua flips it, leaning his head against the backrest trying to compartmentalize his racing thoughts.

"You have no idea," he mumbles.

On one hand, if his suspicion proves true then he's been despising someone who he's been heavily crushing on. And that does wonders to his psyche. On the other, if his suspicion's false then being with Seokmin might be a little difficult, never mind he's thinking ahead. They're not even dating yet. But to take that step, Joshua needs to get over the fact that Seokmin's parents are complete jackasses.

He just doesn't want to live that kind of lie.

Sensing his tension, Seungcheol strokes the back of his neck, moving to rub circles along his spine.

"Aww, our Joshua's finally falling for someone other than himself." Joshua grunts, leaning across Seungcheol to try a swipe at Jeonghan the winged-mutant leans easily away, tongue darting out teasingly.

Joshua huffs, he can't even muster up the energy to try again, slumping listlessly instead to his previous position.

A frown etches itself to Jeonghan's before he slides his tray towards him, lending his silent support. "C'mon, you didn't even grab a lunch."

Joshua relents, grabbing an apple. Jeonghan might be a mischievous menace, but he's still his best friend.

Repositioning himself to eat properly, the movement jostles him a little and something digs inside his back pocket. /Right...

"Another leash?" Jihoon teases, grabbing to inspect it.

"Yeah, it's for your boyfriend," Joshua counters despite it being a collar, only for Soonyoung to mutter, "Wouldn't mind it." Making Joshua regrets saying anything.

At least he didn't buy the leash, Seokmin actually made it for him. It's sickeningly sweet and sentimental, Joshua almost feels bad for having no usage for it.

"Can I see that?" Junhui asks, a curious expression across his face.

Jihoon takes the collar from his boyfriend's inspection, sliding it across the table and narrowly missing Jeonghan's lunch tray before plummeting down.

Wonwoo freezes it mid-air and Junhui picks up the animal jewelry with delicate fingers, Minghao leaning over his shoulder. Recognition fills their faces and suddenly they burst into chuckles. "Oh man...Seokmin?"

Jihoon snaps his fingers, "That's it! That's the name."

Joshua groans, folding in on himself further as the table echoing laughter invades his peaceful lunch. He should've gone for extra practice with Vernon and Chan. "How'd you know?" He mumbles to his folded arms and catching the explanation belatedly. "What?"

"Nothing, it's been a while since I volunteer there especially now that he has Minghao" Junhui shrugs, "He rarely makes collars anymore but he's pretty crafty, isn't he?"

Joshua shrugs, he guesses so. "Guess you'd be replacing him, huh, Minghao?"

The former assassin nods, glaring at the mystery meat on his tray before pushing it away, grimacing. "Yeah...he's getting another job."

Joshua nods. "Coffee shop." yeah, he remembers.

"He's been trying in other places too, but yeah..." Junhui corroborates, listing all the different, pretty much dissimilar places Seokmin's been applying too, munching happily at his boyfriend's discarded lunch. "He's got pretty good chances in all of them."

"Wow, he must be one hell of a jack-of-all-trades then," Soonyoung offhandedly comments, but Joshua captures that statement a bit too deeply.

"Or he's fast learner," He mutters, focus shifting away from the conversation, mind already racing a mile a minute.

"Probably yeah," Soonyoung responds with a mouth full of mash potato, but Joshua's head already somewhere else and suddenly he's leaving the table, phone in hand searching up action movies currently releasing. A plan forms.

Things might just gotten more complicated.

Their hang-outs have been increasing in frequency and so does the information exchanged between them. Though Joshua cherished every menial information, holding it close like a lifeline across the sand, helping him stay close without being too close, there are some information that stuck starkly against everything. One of them sparking his curiosity.

So in the midst of foolishness Joshua picks through the numbers on his phone, letting the glare burn his retinas as his thumb hovers over the green. He calls. Seokmin answers. They talk.

"A date? To the movies?"

Who knew it was the nail-biting curiosity of wanting to know the identity of the hooded vigilante the people are dubbing 'Hood' after the numerous similarities to Robin Hood and for his choice of attire, that finally made him brave. It's a working theory that he contradictorily denies inside his own mind. There is evidence though, and as (admittedly) jealous as he was beneath it rises doubt and doubt breeds fear.

There's an irking feeling urging him to trust the person he become familiarized to, but trusting is quite a difficult a task when he sees the consequences of overly doing so every day, through the people he loves.

So here he stands, freezing in forty-degree weather adorned in a thinning hoodie and frayed leather jacket Seungcheol left behind in his room some years ago- What? Leather's expensive- waiting for somebody who's contributing in his shakiness, in more ways than one.

A tap on his shoulder turns him around, the warming bashful eye-squinting grin he receives thaws his icicle heart. "Sorry I'm late. I gotta lock up early, and-"

"It's okay." Joshua interrupts kindly, helping his date tame his bird's-nest of a hair, fingers probably lingering too long. "I'm sorry it's last minute. My friend was supposed to accompany me but he ditched me for his boyfriend," he chuckles, fabricating every single excuse.

When he recalls the brutally accurate action movie playing in the theaters, everything just clicked. The plan rolling naturally in motion, the way he might reconstruct some of its scenes later on. And maybe he always wanted to go on a movie date, like one of those clichés. Especially with a perfect gentleman like Seokmin, who strips his extra layer of scarf to wrap around his shivering figure.

Joshua sighs, burying his nose in the lingering warmth of the sun. Maybe his date is a mind reader.

"Well, we can't have you watching alone, now can we?" Seokmin chuckles, intertwining their arms, linking at the fingers as they make their way inside.

The movie is fine, chalk-full of Hollywood-style action sequences. Though, Joshua can see where the groundedness lays. He's pretty sure if he invested his training more, focusing solely on hand-to-hand combat, he'll be able to achieve those moves too. Albeit, less grandiosely. All in all his plan's commencing swimmingly.

What's not commencing swimmingly is the way he can't help nodding off. Submitting his chin to the enticing warmth Seokmin's neck provides, letting his mind wander loose in his pliant state. He's watching the switching lights reflecting on Seokmin's eyes reflecting every gruesome detail depicted on screen in a beautiful kaleidoscope. Without breaking eye-contact, Seokmin draws him closer by the biceps, movement solid but not constricting. It's daunting how comfortable he feels.

The smell of buttered popcorn and cherry soda mixed in with Seokmin's musk is a dangerous combination. The one fuzzy light that persistently flickers throughout the darkness ignites an overwhelming thought. He thinks he just might forever associate these things with Seokmin, and what if he's wrong? What if Seokmin will hate him for this?

What if Seokmin's everything his parents probably thought him to be?

Oh God. Suddenly he doesn't feel remotely like the tactician in 'the five' has trained him to be.

"Wow, this movie's kind of graphic," Seokmin whispers, surprisingly close to his cheek.

Joshua manages a breathless chuckle, masking the nervousness poorly. "Sorry, my-my friend wanted to watch it, not me."

"It's okay, I like being with you." Seokmin said it so innocently, so purely, without the adulterating scent of nervousness one gives whenever they're pretending to be something they’re not. Seokmin's just that nice, and suddenly Joshua feels horrible guilt for doubting him.

He just hopes that it works.

Once upon a time, almost a lifetime ago, Joshua discovered he's not quite like the other kids. He's kindhearted, sure, polite and deafeningly quiet, everything every parent wants from their children. But unlike expectations goes, his life didn't change all that much.

He's not the best at listening to people and not everything has always been handed to him but comparing himself to everybody else who's similar to him, he's had a sufficiently quaint existence. Recently there are people who wants to upturn that tranquility, disturbing the peace in a power struggle so inherently racist that there's nothing much he can do.

The Professor's silence caved everything in, including his hope. Seokmin's arrival was like sunshine after a storm, clouded only by the darkness that is Seokmin's parents

It seems almost foolish. The endless fabrication mixing with his already tumultuous emotions from getting his gig hijacked. These past couple months feels similarly to being tossed around by the uncertainty of his faith. He's not completely accustomed to such emotions. Perhaps the smartest move is to leave well enough alone. Let the vigilante take what's supposedly his, asks Seokmin out on another date and pretend the elephant in the room whenever they're together doesn't exist, and perhaps take Jihoon's advice on not pushing it. He had a quiet life, that might've created his entitled behavior.

He would've completely discouraged himself with the overthinking, except...he's getting results.

"Hey!" Seokmin shouts, diving at the sleeve of the masked assailant. Joshua watches from the corner, amused at how protective Seokmin is of his hologram, who's trembling in fabricated fear, fake hands careful of not touching anything withing Seokmin's vicinity less he breaks the illusion.

In front of them are two masked assailants, constructed with images he'd gathered from the hooded vigilante’s endeavors. They're standard-looking run-of-the-mill bad guys complete with dark clothing and barely intimidating pocket knives.

With a swipe, Seokmin dodges, pushing air behind him and sparing to see Joshua's already further away. "Go!" He instructs, and hologram Joshua pleads with eyes. He's got to make it somewhat believable. "I'll be fine."

Joshua focuses his attention, letting the blue light travel from his body as his alternate self-staggers away from the scene. Seokmin's eyes follow him with sadden relieve and it twisted his gut.

Like a rush, that debilitating guilt returns.

"What do you want?" Seokmin demands. Gritting his teeth, Joshua's fingers squeeze inside his pocket. His holograms can't speak, but it can move.

A sharp slice. The image so vivid it almost catches light. If he gets any stronger his hologram might become semi-solid. But Seokmin dodges, spine curving backwards as his head twist to follow the knife.

The movement's so quick, it's almost supernatural.

Another swipe, then another in quick rapid succession. Seokmin moves, ducking, swiping a leg in choreographed motion that's not only reminiscent of the movie they watched but instead an exact replica.

Joshua's watches enraptured as Seokmin utilizes his surrounding, no longer dodging but attacking. His legs push the ground, kicking the wall, body spinning to deliver his punch.

The hologram dodges last second, making Seokmin land on the ground knee first.

Joshua can't believe what he's seeing. Move after move Seokmin replicates. The perfect posture, cadence, and speed, all adjusted to the situation. And, if he's not flabbergasted then, more happens.

"What, are you not going to say anything?"

Silence.

It's no secret his holograms aren't exactly a combative tool, but when perfected to a tee it could come incredibly handy as distraction. The relief comes from the fact he doesn't need to replicate the impossible techniques his holograms are doing, but he does need to memorize them.

Hours he'd spent watching movies, going to different practices, and just endless bouts of training. His holograms weren't perfect, but it was impeccable, and it used a mixture of every fighter he's known's techniques when it came to fighting.

Years, almost his entire life, predicted in under five minutes.

With scrutinizing certainty, Seokmin sidesteps, predicting a movement before it came. Eyes sharp, Joshua breathes- Seokmin's adjusting to his hologram's fighting style.

The revelation rattles him and even he didn't see it coming. Seokmin drops like he's doing another sweep, so he makes his hologram jumps, but just as he does Seokmin unexpectedly barrels through the assailant’s midsection with his elbow.

From the corner he watches as Seokmin staggers, hitting the brick wall behind him with a grunt and a dumbstruck expression. "You're-" he whirls, only to find nothing but newspaper drifting through concreate and slight smog from the burst pipe above them. "I, wh-"

"Seokmin." From out of the shades, Joshua reveals himself, palms splayed benignly like trying to calm a frantic animal.

"Joshua, what are you still doing here? It's not safe!" Both his hands grip Joshua's shoulder, carding him away with confused determination. With a hand to his chest, Joshua pushes back. "Jos-What are you doing?"

"Seokmin, it was me," he says. The others halt.

"What?"

Joshua barely gestures with his hand before the two assailants reemerge seemingly from nowhere. Seokmin freezes, stance returning to it's previous posture, rigidness slowly falling in realization.

"You're a mutant."

"And you're the vigilante," Joshua says without looking at Seokmin.

He can feel the other's confusion, a hint of frustration, but no anger. With another gesture the holograms disappear, and Joshua finally meets the other's eyes.

The darkness is starting to reach it's peak, the moonlight glowing it's reflection on Seokmin's eyes. It doesn't suit him, this silvery coldness, unlike the warmth of the sun.

"You're a mutant too. When you said you were a fast learner you weren't kidding, “Joshua whispers, laughing hoarsely. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why didn't you?" Seokmin accuses, suddenly loud. But they both quickly realizes why they haven't.

"Do your parents know? God, Seokmin did you realize how dangerous those situations were? What jump-started this, huh?" Joshua realizes the ugly feeling rising through his stomach. Truth be told the revelation hadn't completely surprised him, but the queasiness takes over nonetheless. It was easier before, perhaps, when the person who's been stealing his missions isn't also the person he's been irrevocably crushing on.

Two palms squeezing his cheeks stops his myriad of questions. Seokmin stare him down with a look of apprehension before answering. "I don't care about what my parents think, that's why I'm quitting." A non-answer, Joshua thinks, but enough. "And honestly, I became the vigilante because of you."

This time it's his turn to be stunned silence. "Me?"

Seokmin hums. "You really don't remember, do you?"

No, but Joshua's intelligent enough to piece everything together. He was mugged, he became Seokmin's first case.

"It still doesn't negate the fact that you kept going. You should've stopped and left it to the professionals, like-"

"You?" Seokmin guesses, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Joshua are you jealous?" The other scoffs, turning away.

He got stuck getting kittens out of trees and walking pedestrian down mildly busy intersections- no he's not jealous, Joshua thinks, crossing his arms.

"Hey," Seokmin whispers through a smile, so incredibly close. "You should know, it was the first time I ever felt truly helpful. Like I wasn't wasting away pretending I was something that I'm not," Seokmin chuckles, breath wafting his cheeks. "You inspire me in a surprising amount of ways." And when Joshua stays quiet, blushing madly he prompts, "Your turn."

Joshua stills, cheeks coloring despite the coldness. All he could stutter out is, "You- you've been stealing my missions."

"Sorry about that." Seokmin mutters. "I won't do that anymore."

He says resolute, but even with his missions returning to him, Joshua still doesn't feel right. "My turn," Joshua mumbles. Somewhere along the way he developed something akin to fondness. Maybe Jihoon is right, they probably should be working together. "You don't have to."

"What?"

"Go to Xavier's."

Seokmin inches away slowly, a sadness wafting through him. "Operating alone might get you hurt."

"I can't enroll, my parents-"

"Won't have to know," Joshua assures. What good does a principle telepath do if not to manipulate bigoted parents into letting their child enroll?

"I don't know," Seokmin turns, letting his feet drag along with the newspaper, carried by the cold winds of the nights.

A knot dislodges somewhere in his stomach and Joshua thinks...why not? What's stopping him this time? If Seokmin's actually considering his proposal than the least he can do is take his own leap. Bigoted parents be damned.

"Hey, Minnie?"

"Yeah," Seokmin turns, barely finishing his movement when he's curved down, jaw held by a welcoming grip. Joshua's lips tilt into an involuntary smile when the other reciprocates, gripping tightly the back of his neck.

They move in a comfortable pace, leaning towards rushed and passionate until the need for air releases them.

"I'm sorry I haven't done that sooner," Joshua barely pants.

"I adore you," he sighs breathlessly. "Your turn. And Joshua dives back in, less rush this time, Seokmin guiding by steady hands.

Joshua half-thought the other might've learned kissing techniques from watching the best because /holy shit.

They part and the winds inflate their lungs in a rushed of breath, giggling like the lovestruck teenagers they are.

When the paces slowed and all they are is two people sharing a moment, Seokmin nods, something small. "I'll think about it."

And Joshua learns to accept that it's enough for now.