Chapter Text
“A group workout?”
“Yeah, I really think we’d benefit from it.”
“...Was this your idea?”
San shrank under Hong Joong’s gaze. “...Yeah. But maybe not workout, but more like training, you know?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Hong Joong sighed, turning away from his computer to fully face the brunette. It briefly crossed his mind that he knew Seong Hwa would scold him for even being on it when it’s only been a week since their encounter with Gu Min, but he shoved the thought away. “It’s not a bad idea. I’d like this team to have something more under their belt besides their Gifts, especially for those of you who don’t have as offensive Gifts. I’ll take it up with Eden.”
San couldn’t help but smile.
“By the way…sorry if this is a personal question but…how do you know basic combat training?”
“Um…I actually don’t know. I guess when I saw that Jong Ho, Kyung Moon hyung, and everyone else were in danger I just sort of…acted? I wasn’t really thinking about anything.”
“Do you think it might have something to do with your past? Something you can’t remember but it’s almost ingrained in you.”
The boy shrugged. “If it is, it’s nice to know that I’m not completely hopeless.”
“San…”
“I'm just being real, hyung.” He then turned away from the brunette. “ Some days I wonder if I even wanna regain my memories .”
“What-”
Hong Joong was cut off by the sound of the front door opening. San took that as his cue to stand, looking at his phone. “I told Woo Young that I’d meet him on campus once he got out of class so I'll see you later, hyung.”
He left before Hong Joong could say another word. He briefly heard San and Seong Hwa exchange greetings before the latter knocked on his door.
“Jagiya?” Seong Hwa peeked through and frowned. “Why are you sitting at your desk?”
“How was work and class?”
“My professor told me I should try my hand in the showcase this semester, but I don’t think I want to.”
“Maybe you should give it a shot after the summer. My professors told me to enter stuff too.”
“Well, I can see why. Scouts from different agencies and companies come by and listen to everything. Is that what you’ve been working on instead of resting and being away from a screen like you should be?”
“Just brainstorming. Then San dropped by for a few hours and I just never moved. Speaking of, he brought up the idea of doing group workouts and training.”
“I’m not opposed to the idea. I think it’ll do everyone some good.” He sat on the floor, leaning against his boyfriend’s bed. The two of them sat in silence for a few moments before the blonde spoke again. “I can tell that something else is bothering you.”
“...San just said some things that got me thinking is all.”
“What’d he say?”
“Something about not wanting to regain his memories.”
“What?! Why?”
“He didn’t say.” Hong Joong sighed. “...I just want to find the man who hurt him-”
“That’s out of our control, Joong. You know that. Especially without San’s consent. We need to let him move and navigate at his own pace or we risk him relapsing. You know that's what Eden told us.” The brunette could only grumble in response. His boyfriend frowned. “Yeo Sang is gonna be out with the others tonight, so why don’t we order in and watch a movie or something? You can vent to me about how nervous you are for your internship.”
The younger groaned. “...I forgot about that.” He could use the welcome distraction. “Are you paying for dinner?”
“At this point, that’s a dumb question.”
“...Fine then. Dinner, dessert, and a movie and you have me hooked.”
“An abandoned building?”
“Yeah, I was jogging around campus one day and found it,” Jong Ho answered with a shrug, guiding the group back behind the campus gym. “I peeked inside and it looks like it could’ve been a boxing ring at one point. If you guys are serious about this training thing, I think it’d be the perfect spot.”
“Does Eden hyung know about this place?” San asked, tightening his grip around Woo Young’s arm.
The silver-haired boy gave him a small smile. “I wouldn’t mind checking it out for ourselves before reporting about our hyungs. Besides, if this place was actually dangerous, I’m sure it wouldn’t still be here.”
“He’s right,” Yun Ho answered. “And if you want, one of us could stay out here with you while the rest of us go in if you don't want to.”
“No, all of this was my idea, so the rest I could do is go inside with you all.”
“Well then, what are we waiting for-”
“What are you guys doing?”
Min Gi let out a surprised yelp, startling half the group. Jong Ho and Yun Ho turned, being the only two who didn’t react. “Hyung? What are you still doing here?”
“I had private lessons,” Kyung Moon answered with a shrug, trying not to laugh at Min Gi’s reaction. “Speaking of, are the two of you still good to meet tomorrow?”
“Yep. No fainting this time,” Jong Ho said in an attempt to lighten the mood. “I already have a few choices picked out too.”
“Same here,” San answered.
“Ah, you guys are awesome. I think Hong Joong said he’d stop by too. And if you guys have a little extra time, he wants you to stop by to help him with something.”
“Is it that song he was telling us about?” Yeo Sang asked, slowly moving the group toward the door.
“Oh, he told you guys about it already?”
“Before the whole music building commotion.” Yun Ho pushed the door open.
“Right…Well, that makes everything a little easier. He was hoping to record a demo but you know…the music building’s been closed off so I’m not sure when he’ll get it done. He’ll probably text you all about it though.” He then paused at the door. “You never answered my question about why you guys are checking out the old boxing ring the team used to use.”
“Do they not use it anymore?”
“We just never got enough traction so the team sort of died my first year. Again, what does this have to do with you all?”
“Sannie suggested we go some training to enhance our Gifts,” Woo Young answered, somehow halfway across the room already. “Jong Ho found the building and it’s awesome! We have to tell Hong Joong and Seong Hwa hyung about this place!”
“Do you think it’d be possible?” San asked, looking at the older.
Maddox thought for a few seconds. “...In theory, there’s nothing wrong with the idea at all. You’d just have to take preventative measures to make sure no one catches you guys. You could also always bring it up with Eden hyung.” He looked around with a whistle. “But this is a really nice building. I’ve only ever seen it from the outside.”
“Well, I’d say it’s settled then.” Yun Ho took a few more pictures before turning to the group. “I’ll send these pictures in our group chat and we can go from there!”
“I’ll leave you all to it then,” Maddox said, digging for his keys in his bag. “See you guys around!”
There was a brief silence after their hyung left before anything of them spoke. “...I just realized, I don’t really have anything to train,” Min Gi said with a frown.
“Yeo Sangie, Sannie, and I don’t really either,” Woo Young answered.
“That’s why I had mentioned like combat and hands-on physical training too,” San said, his voice almost lost in the large room. “The only ones with really combat-equipped Gifts are Yun Ho and our hyungs. Maybe Jong Ho too if you trained it more. So the rest of us could just practice regular fighting skills.”
“Do you know regular fighting skills?” Min Gi asked, raising a brow, though his question was innocent.
“I forgot, you guys weren’t there. It was crazy! He did some cool kick against that Min girl and everything. It was like you were a whole different person, San.”
The brunette shrugged. “I honestly don’t remember much of the fight. I just remember Jong Ho being hurt and you and hyung trying to protect him. I wasn’t really thinking.”
The mood suddenly shifted as Woo Young walked over to the older, grabbing his hand. “...Well, I thought it was pretty sexy.”
“Woo Young-”
“What?! It was getting depressing in here.” He then hugged San, squishing their cheeks together. “You’re making my boyfriend all sad.”
San couldn’t help but laugh, shaking both him and Woo Young. “It’s fine, Woo. They’re just curious. I’ll explain everything to everyone when I’m ready.”
“I don’t need a whole backstory as long as you actually know how to fight,” Min Gi said, playfully throwing around some punches. “Why don’t we all get dinner? My treat.”
“With what money?” Yeo Sang asked, raising a brow. “You’re rich like Seong Hwa hyung all of a sudden?”
Min Gi and Yun Ho just looked at each other, and their brief silence was the only answer the rest of them needed.
“What?!”
“Min Gi?!”
“Since when?!”
“What do you mean since when?! My mom is a nurse and my dad’s a lawyer!”
“Seong Hwa hyung gives off the “sweet son of a rich CEO” vibes though. You on the other hand…” Jong Ho didn’t even get to finish his sentence before the whole group burst into laughter.
Woo Young was the first to recover. “Okay, okay…I’m down for a group dinner if you guys are. Should we invite-”
“When the apartment’s empty, they take advantage of it,” Yeo Sang, shaking his head. “I’d say let them be. You wanna come or did you wanna stay on campus, Jong Ho?”
“And eat cafeteria food? Are you kidding?” He then jumped onto Min Gi’s back without warning, nearly sending both of them to the ground. “Away we go!”
“The hell?! I’m not treating you all to a five-course meal! Why are you all getting so excited? Yun Ho!”
The brunette somehow managed to kiss his boyfriend, grabbing his free hand. “You love this little group, admit it. Now, let’s eat. I’m starving.”