⚠️ This oneshot contains (light) smut, if you a minor or uncomfortable with that genre please skip!  Other warnings include: Unwanted touching/kissing, panic attacks & vomiting! ⚠️

Hongjoong's inspiration had been near bone dry for months. Any time he picked his paint brush up, dipping it into his hues of assorted colors to splash across the white surface of his canvas.. absolutely fucking nothing. He couldn't find a single thing to motivate him on his next piece and it really was beginning to irk him. And that annoyance began showing itself more and more whenever he agreed on spending time with his friends.

He did a lot of things to try and motivate him. His go to was putting on his headphones and listening to his favorite songs; nope. He tried going on walks around his neighborhood, taking in the scenery of the slowly changing seasons as they began to enter springtime, admiring the flowers in the bushes that began to sprout. That didn't work either. It was infuriating really, Hongjoong once was able to produce painting after painting at the beginning of his career. But that was years ago, and his passion and motivation for something he once loved was beginning to run out.

Having been dragged to Wooyoung's apartment from his norm of being cooped up in his own for nearly a week, he was sitting on the younger's couch, nursing the drink made by the man with his legs crossed. The man in question was sitting on the other end, a glass in his own hands while he was flipping through the different selections on netflix.

It was a nice little change of his daily routine. Even if Wooyoung could be.. quite the pain in the ass at some points.

"Shit!"

Hongjoong nearly dropped his glass at Wooyoung's shout, head whipping around as Wooyoung hopped up from the couch, drink placed on the coffee table as he ran to the front door where his bag had been left. He picked it up, returning to where Hongjoong sat and plopped right back down. "I almost forgot."

As he was calming his now racing heart, Wooyoung started to dig through his bag, clearly looking for something and when he found that something, he pulled it out and revealed two tickets. "Work was giving away prizes." He handed them into Hongjoong's direction. "It's to that new art museum that opened up a couple of months back. I won these but if I'm honest I'm not much into art like you are so maybe you'll find more use with these than I."

"Why not go with San? It'd be a nice date." Hongjoong took the tickets from Wooyoung anyway, giving a quick glance at them and checking when exactly they should be used.

"Eh." Wooyoung waved it off while tossing his bag on the floor. He picked his drink back up and returned to his previous position. "Art museums aren't really my perfect idea of a date." He crossed his legs. "My kind of date involves maybe a night in the town, a couple of drinks before going back to one's place for maybe a movie. And a lot of se—"

"I get it." Hongjoong did not want to listen to Wooyoung's ramble on what he believed to be a perfect date, knowing Wooyoung enough. His eyes went back to the tickets in his hand, already knowing that if he even went one would go to waste.

Hongjoong was not a social man, he had maybe two friends, three if you wanted to count San. But that was an if since he'd only seen the man a handful of times ever since he and Wooyoung had started seeing one another. Maybe he could invite Mingi, but then he would feel bad for not inviting his boyfriend along. Maybe he should just give the tickets to them. Like himself Mingi had a love for art, though he was more of a photography person than a painter. For now, he tucked the tickets into his shirt pocket and returned his attention to the television screen as Wooyoung finally picked out a movie for them to watch.

He honestly forgot about the tickets after a while. When he got home and changed for bed he took one look at them, and then put them in his nightstand drawer before crawling underneath his covers. By the time he did remember them, he fished them out and decided screw it, he'd visit the following day. Maybe looking at the art on display would give him some sort of inspiration and finally get himself out of this block he had himself in. Unfortunately he ended up alone. He did call Mingi to ask if he was available, but he had already made plans with Yunho to go out for lunch. He tucked his phone in his pocket after reading the apology Mingi sent him, inhaling the last of his cigarette and tossing the butt of it into the nearest trash can after putting it out with the bottom of his shoe. That's fine, Hongjoong was telling himself as he made his way up the stone steps that lead to the building. He was a grown up, he could do things on his own. He made way inside of the museum building, straight to the front desk to hand in his ticket.

He had to admit, he hadn't been in any museum maybe since he was in middle school on one of those boring field trips they would make you go to because it counted as a grade. He kept to himself, his headphones snug against his ears as he took in each display art piece, reading the description on the plaques in front of him and occasionally taking pictures on his phone to post about later before he moved on. It was calm, peaceful as he made way through each room and taking in each painting and sculpture. He'd hope long after he was gone his own work would be displayed as such for hundreds to admire and take photographs of.

If he could even get himself out of the fucking gutter.

He stopped in front of one sculpture to look at, phone up to capture.

' The Angel. '

The plaque gave no description of what the piece was or about; just the name and the date that it was made, but it was fucking beautiful. Like all other sculptures it looked near real, the way its arms wrapped around itself, the fingers digging into the skin looking realistic. If Hongjoong reached and touched he could possibly feel warm flesh instead of cold porcelain stone. The look of sorrow on its face as it was looking down. The clothing on the sculpture looked real too, like he could yank the silk looking material off. He took many pictures, capturing the piece in every angle he could before letting his arms fall to look at it without a screen in between. There was... something. He didn't know why. He wanted to touch it, hold it and comfort it. It was an odd feeling, it almost was like he recognized the person that inspired it.

He shook that feeling off, moving to the other end of the exhibit to look at the matching statue.

' The Demon. '

He went to take pictures like he had previously done before, holding his phone up with the camera app ready and his heart nearly stopped. What the fuck. That's the only thing on his mind. The face.. It was exactly like his own. "What the hell..." Hongjoong found himself saying in a whisper to not disturb any other visitors.

The pose was nearly identical, aside from the expression on its face as well as it looking up. The first expression was saddened.. This one. This one held anger, hatred . There were horns adorning its head, and his fingernails were long and sharpened as a way to show who it was compared to the halo on the other statue.

In between them, Hongjoong moved to get a closer look at the painting. It was of the two in each other's arms. The once sorrowful and sharp looks each statue had was no more. Only love, like they only mattered to each other. The one that looked way too similar to himself had a hand held up to caress the angel's face. The angel was leaning in the touch, one hand holding the demon's wrist while the other held onto its shoulder.

' The Lovers. '

Hongjoong took a photo, before looking down at the plaque. This time where was a description.

' Two lovers.

Forbidden from one another and divided by war.

While their kinds fought, they would hide and love in secrecy.

When discovered and outted they were sentenced to death.

Legend says there will come a time when they will reunite and love without a worry. '

Hongjoong was getting chills down his spine while he took a photo of the plaque before looking at the painting yet again. This.. had to be some sort of coincidence. It had to. He looked at the date in the corner of the art piece. It was painted nearly four hundred years ago. Surely he was bound to have a look-a-like back then? He shoved his phone in his pocket. He still had a weird feeling.

He hesitated as he began to turn to leave, his eyes landing on the angel sculpture once more, almost dreading leaving it. But he forced his gaze away and willed himself to walk away to walk through the remainder of the museum. The rest of his time there was a breeze. But as he exited the building to get to his car his mind just would not stop thinking about that angel and wondered why he wanted to get back to it...

Hongjoong had weird dreams that night upon returning home, tossing and turning on his queen sized bed. Images of the angel ran through his mind in vivid scenarios.. like they were real in his current life.

"Together forever, right Uzraz ?"

"That's right, Adimus." Uzraz placed his hand on Admus' cheek, thumb rubbing the perfect flesh as they made their promise to each other. "So long as my heart beats, it belongs to you always."

The promises of forever echoed in his mind, even as he woke up early the next morning, dreading the idea of returning to work after taking the last week off. But at least as he left that morning, driving to the Aurora cafe he knew he would at least busy himself with the morning rush and potentially forget the weird dream he had.

By the time he got to the café and clocked in, it was already jammed packed. He was groaning to himself as he made way behind the register, fake customer smile plastered on his face to start on his first order of the day.

And like any average day working as a barista, there was bound to be some sort of mishap. At one point a mother had come in with her toddler and had gotten him a small chocolate milk, but when she handed it to him it apparently wasn't what he wanted and threw it on the ground and spilled it everywhere. Hongjoong had to stop his eye from twitching as she apologized while also grabbing her son to leave, leaving him with the mess.

He came around with a mop and bucket, one of his coworkers taking his place while he mopped the floor. He stepped back as he cleaned more and more of the mess, unintentionally running into a person that had been standing behind him. He was quick to apologize, even bowing his head while he did so. When he lifted it up though, seeing the familiar face in front of him made him blink.

"What.."

"Surprise! I came to visit you on your break!" Wooyoung proclaimed, seemingly proud of himself to surprise the elder man while he checked the time on his watch. Huh. He didn't even realize that his break was supposed to start a couple of minutes ago.

"Mm. Go sit down. Let me clean this up and I'll join you." Wooyoung listened to his instructions, and once Hongjoong cleaned up the mess he put the mop and bucket away. He exited the back area of the store and like he said, joined Wooyoung at an empty table.

"So? How was the museum yesterday?" Wooyoung placed his elbows on the table, leaning forward and placing his chin in his hands. "You never texted me back when you got home about it like you said you would." He pouted as he spoke those words. The mention of his day out the previous day, the memory of The Angel statue flashed through his mind.. as well as the memory of The Demon statue.

"Yeah.. about that." He reached behind himself, into his back pocket to fish out his phone. He unlocked it, went straight into his gallery to show him the others of the other exhibits he walked by before finding The Lovers . "Look at these." He said, first showing Wooyoung The Angel .

"Whoa, he's hot." He took Hongjoong's phone without asking to zoom in on the statue. "Damn, too bad he's from too long ago."

"That's the thing." He leaned over to get a glimpse of the screen. "Scroll to the next photo."

Wooyoung did just as Hongjoong asked, and for once Wooyoung was silenced. A look of both shock and confusion ran across his face as he zoomed in on the look-a-like statue of Hongjoong. "What the fuck." Wooyoung lifted the phone so that it would be right next to Hongjoong's face and zoomed in on the photo. "Wh— It looks just like you!" He yelled out and for sure gaining the attention of the surrounding people, Hongjoong sending an apologetic glance in their direction.

"Keep scrolling." He told Wooyoung. And again, he did what he was told and seeing the painting his eyes bulged out of their sockets. He scrolled to the last photo, the description of the painting. " They will reunite and love without worry." Wooyoung repeated aloud as he read the plaque. "That's some insane shit. I can't tell if this is a weird coincidence or.. I don't know." He was suddenly grinning and before Hongjoong knew it he was pocketing his cellphone, standing up. "But I have to show San this. He's gonna eat this right up."

"Wooyoung, wait—!" He stood up so quickly the chair scraped against the wooden flooring while Wooyoung took off for the glass doors; Hongjoong was quick on his tail. "Dammit Wooyoung, give me my phone back! I'll send you the damn photos!"

Wooyoung ran down the block, and Hongjoong was following. But Wooyoung was a dancer and more fit than he was, he was easily outrunning him, quickly taking the corner and disappearing from Hongjoong's sight. He loved Wooyoung, but it was moments like these he'd love nothing more than to put him in a chokehold until he was blue—

He took the same corner, so into his thoughts of what to do with Wooyoung once he had the man in his hands that he didn't see the stranger on the sidewalk as he made the turn, in result colliding straight into their chest with enough force to knock them both to the pavement.

Hongjoong was fine, only managing to scrape the palms of his hands when he tried to break his own fall and not land on top of the stranger. They, however, smacked the back of their head hard onto the concrete and a pained groan came out of their lips from the contact. Hongjoong gasped, throwing himself off of the stranger and got up on his feet.

"Oh my god. I am so so sorry!" Profusely apologizing while the stranger sat up, Hongjoong bowed at the waist. "My idiot friend took my phone and I was chasing him, I didn't mean to knock you over!" As he went to straighten himself up, to help the person to their feet and even offering anything he could get them, but when their eyes met, Hongjoong was at a loss.

He recognized those eyes.

He felt like he stared into them a thousand times.

Hongjoong's eyes were as wide as saucers as he took in the person's face.

He...

"Hongjoong!" His head snapped up. Wooyoung was jogging back to them, having took off and only stopped when he realized the older had not been chasing him anymore. "Giving up already?" Though when close enough, his eyes fell on the stranger that remained sitting on the concrete, having been behind him so he didn't get a look at his face just yet. "Oh shit." He rushed up, to the man's side but now that he was able to look at his face, like Hongjoong he was shocked.

This was the same person as The Angel .

The stranger looked between Hongjoong and Wooyoung, not at all wondering why the hell they were just gawking at him. He went to stand, but when he moved his head, he hissed and sat back down. "Ow." He reached behind his own head, flinching at the tenderness of it. He only grew dizzy when he pulled his hand back and saw specks of blood dripping from his fingertips. "I didn't realize I hit my head that hard."

Hongjoong shook his head, snapping back to reality and remembering the situation. He'd worry about this... coincidence? ( Could it even be that anymore?) at another time. He bent down, grabbing him by his arm to help him up. "Shit. Let me take you to the hospital to make sure I didn't give you a concussion."

The stranger tried to resist, even attempting to pull his arm away with a small mumble of I'm fine, I don't need a doctor but when he took a step, dizziness overtook him and he stumbled, Hongjoong quickly took action and grabbed his (Incredibly soft) hand to hold him and keep him on his feet. When their skin touched bolts of electricity ran across Hongjoong's hand. He looked down at them, and the stranger seemed to feel the same thing because he also looked at their hands. When Hongjoong looked up, he saw how the stranger's eyes began to water and right after the tears began to stream down his cheeks. He started apologizing again assuming they were tears of pain.

"Again I'm really sorry, please I insist on taking you to the hospital—"

"Hongjoong? Why are you crying?" He looked to Wooyoung when he spoke, his question making him lift a hand up and wipe at his cheeks.

Wet.

Why was he crying?

He wiped at his cheeks, but more tears just flowed. While guiding the stranger to his car he kept wiping at his eyes, trying to will himself to stop his crying. He got the man to his car, even opening the passenger seat for him and shut the door when he was situated. Just before he could go in and inform his manager of an emergency and needing to leave early he casted his eyes over to Wooyoung's, swiping for his phone that this whole time remained in his hands. "I will talk to you later." Speaking through gritted teeth, Hongjoong went inside of the café.

The drive to the emergency room was awkward. What was he even supposed to say to this supposed stranger? He didn't even know his own name!

"Here," Hongjoong leaned over to open his glove compartment, pulling out some napkins that were stored inside. "It's not much but it can wipe up some of the blood."

"Thank you." The stranger responded, taking them and gently placing them behind his head.

More silence after that. Hongjoong stepped on the gas when the light turned green.

"Sorry, this is just so weird." The man next to him was the one to break the silence, pulling away the now soiled napkin and wadding it up in his hand. "But I feel like I know you from somewhere.."

"Not sure how. We've never met before."

Not in this lifetime.

"I know." The man turned to him. "Maybe it's the possible concussion. I'm Seonghwa, by the way."

Seonghwa .

What a gorgeous name.

"Hongjoong."

The man, Seonghwa, gave him a tiny smile before he turned forward. Getting to the hospital, they were fortunate enough that the emergency room wasn't too packed and only needed to wait for about twenty minutes in the waiting area. Hongjoong could have just waited there while Seonghwa stepped through those thick wooden hospital doors but something was pulling him to Seonghwa, wanting to keep close to his side so that he could first handedly make sure he would be okay. So as Seonghwa rested in the uncomfortable looking hospital bed, Hongjoong sat next to it in the equally uncomfortable looking plastic chair, needing every now and again to shift so that his ass wouldn't get too numb in it.

They didn't speak much to each other, only occasionally Hongjoong asking how Seonghwa was doing and if he needed anything, his answer was always I'm okay, I don't need anything. Seonghwa was taken back for a quick scan, leaving Hongjoong alone in the tiny hospital room and leaving him nothing to do but sit on his phone. He ended up in his phone gallery at one point, looking at The Angel to look closely as the face. It was a perfect copy of Seonghwa's, much like his own. Now this was either one big coincidence or something more, Hongjoong wasn't able to wrap his head around it. He put his phone away when Seonghwa stepped back in the room, sitting on the bed with an ice pack in his hands as they waited for the doctor to return with the scan results.

She came in not long after, explaining Seonghwa did in fact have a minor concussion, as well as explained what Seonghwa should do for the following few days so that he was able to recover as quickly as he could, such as limiting is screen time of his phone or any other devices he could have at home, keeping hydrated and resting as much as he could. After she explained she quickly left to get his papers ready to send him on his way.

"I'd be more than happy to take you home." Hongjoong offered while Seonghwa slowly stepped off the bed, Hongjoong himself rising.

"No offense, as kind of a person you seem to be, I really don't think trusting a stranger with my address is a good idea." Seonghwa said, taking the papers from the nurse that came in the room and with slow steps started to walk out, Hongjoong closely behind.

"Is there anybody I can call for you to pick you up then?"

Seonghwa reached behind and grabbed his phone from his back pocket, unlocking it real quick and handing it in Hongjoong's direction. "Go to my contact and find Yeosang. He should be available to pick me up."

"That I can do." Hongjoong sat opposite of Seonghwa in the waiting area, scrolling through the contacts of Seonghwa's phone until he found Yeosang's. He clicked it, and pressed the phone to his ear.

"Hello? Hwa?" The deep voice on the other end vibrated in his ear, almost similar to Mingi's voice.

"Um.. hello." Hongjoong began. "My name Is Hongjoong. Your friend Seonghwa is here at the emergency room—"

"Oh my god?" He could hear Yeosang rushing on the other end, most likely standing up and then heard rushing. "Is he okay? What happened?"

"He's fine, no need to worry!" He reassured Yeosang before he could cause the man to worry too much. "I ran into him on accident while I was chasing my friend, he has a minor concussion and he told me to call you with his phone saying you can pick him up?"

Hongjoong heard a relieved sigh come from him. "Thank god.. yeah. I can pick him up. I'll be there shortly."

Click.

He pulled the phone away after Yeosang had hung up the call, but before he could give Seonghwa his phone back, he swiftly added his number into it, texting himself so that after he gave it back he was able to save Seonghwa's number. "Hope you don't mind." Hongjoong told the man as he pocketed his phone. "I wanna do something as a way to apologize for all this and I need some way to contact you."

"Oh, you don't need to do that, you called off of work just to bring me here." Seonghwa tried to deny it but Hongjoong wasn't going to have any of it. He waited with Seonghwa until a stranger came rushing in through the sliding doors, eyes scanning the room and when they landed on Seonghwa, he turned and ran over. This must have been Yeosang.

"Seonghwa!" He sat next to his friend, Hongjoong remaining opposite of them while the younger of the two was inspecting Seonghwa, the oldest fondly rolling his eyes while telling him he was fine as Hongjoong said on the phone

"You should have been watching where you were going." Yeosang said as his head snapped in Hongjoong's direction, Hongjoong's eyes widening as the sudden hostility. But that should've been expected. Seonghwa patted Yeosang's arm before he was getting up on his feet.

"Sangie, it's okay. He feels bad enough as it is and he's going to make it up to me when I've recovered."

"He better." Yeosang grumbled, giving Hongjoong one last side glance before turning to Seonghwa. "Come on. I'll get you home to rest, I'm sure your head's killing you."

With a faint nod, Seonghwa turned to Hongjoong. "Thank you for bringing me here.. even if you are the reason I'm here in the first place." Both he and Hongjoong lightly chuckled. He remained sitting in his chair while the two disappeared out of the sliding doors, to Yeosang's car where the younger drove them both off.

Hongjoong tossed his bag on his couch after returning home. During the drive, the adrenaline of everything came crashing down and he felt exhausted, but at the same time felt more awake than he had in weeks. He also felt for once since the block began some motivation, making way right to his art room and sitting in the chair in front of the empty canvas. He picked up his bag of assorted paint colors, mixing a few to make new shades until he was satisfied. He picked up his paintbrush and once he picked up the first color, the bristles of the brush sliding along the white surface, Hongjoong was in another world.

He hadn't felt this much passion for something he proclaimed to love for so long, maybe since he first picked up the brush way back in his early years of high school. Once he was out of school, although it stayed as more of a hobby as he started working he also sold his work online in commissions so most of the time he couldn't just let his mind wander and let it create whatever it wished, wanting to focus so that he would make his commissioner satisfied with their purchases.

Worrying too much on commissions as well as working his main job his passion slowly dwindled. He wasn't sure why his motivation returned, but he had an inkling it was because of a certain male. Hongjoong stopped once he realized he recognized his boba eyes, blinking as Seonghwa stared back at him in the canvas. He only got most of his head and a bit of his shoulders painted, but still.. Why his mind started to paint Seonghwa he wasn't sure. He set his brush down once he realized it was way past his usual bedtime, deciding to tuck the canvas away in the corner of the room and going to his bedroom without even bothering to eat dinner.

He doesn't contact Seonghwa until nearly a week later, knowing the other shouldn't be looking at his phone screen as per doctor's orders. During his break, while eating a breakfast sandwich and sipping on his iced coffee he scrolled through his phone until he found Seonghwa's number and decided to message him.

[ Hongjoong ]

U free tonight?

Seen 1:16 PM

He saw how his message was immediately read, and then the three dots indicating Seonghwa was responding.

[ Seonghwa ]

aside from studying yes, why?

Sent 1:16 PM

[ Hongjoong ]

I still have to make up for last week, remember?

Let's go out for dinner. My treat.

Seen 1:17 PM

It takes a while for Seonghwa's next reply, it gave Hongjoong time to finish up his sandwich, wiping his hands on his apron of any crumbs left behind while he waited for the response.

[ Seonghwa ]

oh

yeah

where to?

Sent 1:24 PM

[ Hongjoong ]

Ur choice:)

Seen 1:25 PM

[ Seonghwa ]

hm.. okay. but let's meet some place public

i still dont want to give u my address

u could possible kill me

actually u could still kill me

u sure ur not a killer?

Sent 1:28 PM

[ Hongjoong ]

I promise im not trying to kill u

Fine by me! Txt me details

Gotta get back to work

Ttyl

Seen 1:30 PM

Seonghwa didn't reply to him, so he shoved his phone back in his pocket, finishing off his coffee and like he said in his messages returned. An hour after he returned he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and had assumed that was Seonghwa sending him the details of where to meet up. When his shift was over, as he went to his car he quickly checked and confirmed it was in fact Seonghwa.

He told Hongjoong they could meet up at the park that was close by where he worked, as well as the time he should be there and said he would show him where he wanted to go once they met up. He could work with that. Hongjoong got home, took a quick shower so he didn't smell so heavily of coffee grounds and changed into his regular lounging attire. While he waited for the time to pass, he sat on his couch with his laptop in his lap. He originally planned to watch some television to pass the time but he couldn't find anything interesting to watch. So he found himself on the internet. While he thought of it, maybe he could do a bit of digging on those statues or even the painting from the museum, maybe he could get some more information than what the exhibit had to offer.

Though most of his search just turned into nothing, as most websites he clicked on just told him the same thing, 'The Angel and The Demon are art works that are rumored to be based on a real couple thousands of years prior. It is also rumored that one day the two will be reincarnated as humans and find one another one day.'

...

Reincarnation?

That's how Hongjoong found himself down a rabbit hole, looking up the word, and then looking into possible cases of something like this happening before, but not much information was said about their case.

He wanted to look more into it, but seeing the time in the corner of his screen he had to start getting ready to meet up with Seonghwa. Shutting his laptop, he changed. With the weather getting warmer and warmer, closing in on summer time Hongjoong pulled out of his favorite black flowy skirts to toss on, tucking his white shirt into it and even fixed up his hair.

No. He was not trying to impress Seonghwa. Once his shoes were on, he was out, to his car to drive and parked near the park that was agreed on. Seonghwa told him to meet him by the pond, but just in case as he was locking his car he double checked the message. After tucking his phone away Hongjoong started to walk. The park was fairly small, besides the pond it had to offer there was a small trail that circled around the park, and even a playground for a family to bring their children along to run around while the adults sat at the benches watching over the little ones.

Hongjoong passed by the playground, by then it was too late for children to be out playing, most of the occupants were teenagers hanging with their friends, most likely having snuck from their homes just to meet up. He continued down the path that eventually led him alongside the pond, mostly empty aside from the occasional duck swimming along the surface. While he walked alongside the pond that's eventually how he found Seonghwa, strayed semi off the pathway, crouched in the small field of grass quietly watching the ducks, even smiling when a mama duck passed by with her babies. Hongjoong stood still, not moving and not alerting Seonghwa that he was there, watching the taller with a fond smile on his face. He stayed still for a while, until Seonghwa lifted up his head and when their eyes connected Seonghwa gave a friendly wave that Hongjoong returned.

"Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long." Hongjoong spoke up while Seonghwa straightened his knees, dusting off any dirt that managed to snag onto his clothing.

"I only arrived a short while ago myself." Seonghwa waved it off, before his eyes trailed down, down Hongjoong's outfit. His eyes seemed to stop once they noticed that he was wearing a skirt. "You look nice." Seonghwa commented as he moved to walk by Hongjoong's side, keeping a good couple of inches between the two of them. "I feel sort of underdressed now."

Hongjoong waved it off. "You look fine yourself." He gazed to him, spotting just a small blush on the man's cheeks. "Have you decided on where you wanted to go?"

Nodding, Seonghwa began to lead them out of the park, with Hongjoong following. "Yeah. There's this neat little restaurant Yeosang told me about that I've always wanted to check out. There's rooftop seating and I think it would be nice to eat up there."

"Lead the way then." Hongjoong walked next to the taller, mostly in silence and on occasion looked up to him, admiring his side profile, but any time Seonghwa started to look his way he looked forward. At the restaurant, upon Seonghwa's request Hongjoong asked for a table up on the rooftop, though they had to do a little bit of waiting before one would be available. Hongjoong didn't mind the wait, in fact it was worth it when they were guided upstairs, outside to their table Seonghwa was looking around. The railing along the roof was covered in fairy lights, giving off a peaceful low light.

Hongjoong was even a gentleman, pulling out Seonghwa's chair for him and pushing him in before he sat himself down. "So, aside from running into people on the streets what do you normally do?" Seonghwa spoke up, elbows on the table and letting his chin rest on his intertwined fingers.

Hongjoong did chuckle at the light joking comment on their meeting and responded to him, "I work at Aurora, but I do a bit of art on the side." Seonghwa's eyes lit up when he mentioned art.

Pretty... They shine like stars.

"Oh I love art! Could you show me some of your work?" Hongjoong was already pulling out his phone, opening up his instagram account where he did most of his commissions and pulled up his page, handing his phone to the older to let him scroll through his posts. Which he did, making little comments on each piece he got to look at like Wow, this is incredible or You're so talented!

"Someday I'd love to have some of my work up in a museum." He told Seonghwa while he continued scrolling. "Though I don't think I could ever become that famous. Maybe long after I'm dead."

"Never say never. Your paintings are absolutely amazing, I know someday you'll get that chance." Hongjoong's cheeks flustered up. He was used to the comments made by strangers online over his works. He was easily able to give a thank you! before he scrolled away but getting compliments face to face, especially by someone like Seonghwa got him a little flustered while he set his phone on the table, screen side down.

"What do you do? Besides getting knocked over by people?"

"Oh ha-ha." Seonghwa rolled his eyes. "But nothing too much. I actually am trying to start a modeling career." Hongjoong wanted to say that he wasn't shocked, Seonghwa radiated with beauty that if he chose a career that wasn't modeling he'd be a fool to let his natural good looks go to waste. "It's tough. I haven't had any call backs just yet but I don't plan to give up any time soon."

"Good." Hongjoong picked up his glass of water, sipping at it before he continued, "Don't be crushed just because you aren't sure whether it's going to be a flop or not. Like you just said to me, never say never. You're beautiful and any company that you've signed up for will be lucky to have you a part of it." Again, Seonghwa blushed a little at Hongjoong's compliment.

"Are you just buttering me up so I'll fully forgive you or-?" Seonghwa raised a brow, failing at fighting back his smile that Hongjoong was already adoring on him.

"I mean those words. You're beautiful, almost like you've been crafted by Aphrodite herself." He continued to praise the man because his smile, the way he giggled as he tried to hide his flustered face behind his hand, was incredibly adorable. He could stare at him for hours, either The Angel or Seonghwa himself. They continued to talk over their meals, occasionally Seonghwa stopping the conversation to look up at the sky; the stars twinkling in the reflection in his eyes that Hongjoong quickly grew to like more to look at than the stars themselves. As their dinner progressed more stars began to pop out in the night sky and Seonghwa fawned over them.

When he found out Seonghwa had a sweet tooth he even let him order dessert and handed the server his card while Seonghwa took a bite out of the chocolate cake he ordered, dancing in his seat as he took that first bite and commenting over how warm and delicious it was. He even offered a bite to Hongjoong, which he couldn't deny, so he took the bite off of Seonghwa's fork. They left the restaurant once Seonghwa finished the cake and Hongjoong got his card back, walking back to the park but both taking their time.

"Tonight was nice." Seonghwa spoke up, the park coming into view. "We'll definitely have to do it again sometime." Hongjoong agreed. They stopped at the enterance of the park, and Hongjoong moved to face the taller. Seonghwa's hands were behind his back, rocking back and forth on his feet.

It was late, so before Hongjoong went to his car he stepped closer, leaning up just a little bit and planted a kiss on Seonghwa's cheek. Like with the first time that they touched, it felt electrifying just kissing the man's cheek. "I'll hopefully see you soon."

With that, they parted ways, with his back turned to Seonghwa he didn't see the way he lifted his hand up. His fingertips brushing over where his lips once were and he swore he could still feel that tingling sensation.

Hongjoong came home, back pressed to his front door once it shut. He swore he felt like a highschool girl after they had been asked out by their crush. He went to bed that night with a smile on his face.

...

..

"I didn't think you'd show up." Relief flooded over Adimus the moment his eyes landed on Uzraz. Because they couldn't be seen with each other, their ways of meeting up were as secret as they could get, often times meeting in secluded areas like hidden caves. Today was no different. The moon was shining high in the sky as Uzraz stepped in through the entrance. They often met at night times. It was easier to hide away. Adimus stood from the rock he was resting on, rushing straight into his lover's awaiting open arms.

He cupped his cheeks with both hands as their lips met, putting all his love into it like always. "I'll always come to you." Uzraz mumbled against the angel's lips, his hands resting gently on his hips. "I do not think I could last a day without seeing your face."

"Always such a sap." Adimus pulled back, and went back to his seat, but stood right back up when he noticed as Uzraz made his way over, he had a hand pressed to his ribs. Uzraz must have noticed his staring.

"I'm okay." Adimus didn't believe that. Because when he was close enough, he lifted his shirt and gasped. It was bandaged, but the blood was seeping through it.

"What happened?"

"We're in a war honey." Uzraz tried to swat his hands away, moving to sit on the sand instead as the softness of it sounded more tempting than a rock. Adimus did not hesitate to slide down next to him.

"Who did this to you?" Adimus asked, taking his lover's hand.

"Even if I told you, what could you do? You will be questioned for asking why they tried to kill me." Uzraz said, one of his hands caressing Adimus' cheek. "I will be fine. I promise."

Even if assured, the tears still began to fall. "I hate this."

"I know." He looked down. "I do too. But I promise when this war is over, you and I both will get through it together, then we will wed and I can call you mine in this eternal life of ours."

He couldn't help himself. Adimus had so much love for Uzraz it was almost scary. He leaned forward, and kissed his pain away. They just have to make it through this god awful war, then they won't have to worry about being spotted.

Hongjoong was having more dreams similar to those the more he spent time with Seonghwa. It was odd, even at one point consoling with his friend Wooyoung about them, which quickly proved to be a mistake on his part because his friend just merely teased him over being so in love with Seonghwa that he was imagining him in different scenarios. But that was the thing. Tthey didn't feel like just scenarios, there was more to it than that. And he had a feeling it had to do with the reincarnation he looked up just weeks prior.

Mingi sent him a text that following weekend, inviting him to come with to celebrate Yunho's birthday at Utopia, the club Wooyoung worked at during the weekends for extra money. He would have denied, not really into the idea of drinking and working the next morning with a hangover but Mingi pulled out the puppy look, bottom lip jutted out and innocent eyes that the older just could not say no to. His friends would be the death of him. So that Saturday night he pulled up to the club, giving a little wave to the bouncer as he went inside.

He'd been here time and time again, either for a drink or simply visiting his friend so he was acquainted with a few of the other staff. Jongho was one of the newer staff, just recently working there a few months prior and from waiting on Wooyoung had talked to the younger. He learned that Jongho was a freshman in college, working not only as a bouncer but worked at the gym in the daytimes. Hongjoong doesn't know how Jongho balances it out while being a fulltime student. He was envious of that. He squinted as he entered the club, lowlights in contrast to the bright street lamps just outside as he looked around for his friends.

"Hongjoong! Over here!" Hongjoong turned at the sound of Mingi's voice, finding him with his arm wrapped around his lover's shoulders, on the other side of the corner booth was Wooyoung sipping on a glass and when Hongjoong got closer, the younger's expression lit up.

"I figured you wouldn't show up." He scooted to give Hongjoong the space to sit next to him. While taking off his jacket Mingi spoke up for him,

"Just gave him the puppy eyes. Never fails!"

"Aw what? That never works when I try it on him!"

"No offense Wooyoung, but it's because you're not nearly as cute as Mingi." Yunho butted into the conversation, kissing said man's cheek and accepted the card handed to him by Hongjoong, giving a thank you and went to open it. Hongjoong wasn't sure what to get him, he still didn't know much of the tall man so he figured nothing could go wrong with a gift card to some fancy restaurant. He never been there nor really knew about it, he just grabbed the first gift card he saw and put enough that could pay for not only Yunho but Mingi too.

"I'm gonna get a refill." Mingi proclaimed, shaking the empty glass that was in his other hand and with another kiss to Yunho's cheek he pulled his body away. "Any of you guys need anything while I'm up there?"

The three at the booth spoke over the loud music of what they wanted to the man. Hongjoong ended up requesting a screwdriver. When Mingi left to fulfill their drinks he leaned back in the seat, before glancing at Wooyoung. He still had his makeup on from work, he must have clocked out early just so he could be around as a guest rather than employee. "Sannie said he's gonna come around when he's off work." He started to speak, mostly to the birthday boy while checking the watch on his wrist. "Should be about another hour till then. Didn't you say your friends are coming too?" Yunho nodded.

"Yeah, a one of my coworkers said he was on his way, and he even asked if he could bring his roommate with because apparently he doesn't get out much outside of work. I told him he was more than welcome to come, so long as he doesn't mind us when we're wasted."

Speaking of this friend of Yunho's. The door to the club was opened, and from Hongjoong's spot he was able to get a clear view of the two men walking inside, one was taller than the other by only a couple of inches, but when the large doors shut, he was able to see their faces and his heart almost stopped then and there.

Seonghwa.

Their eyes met, and Seonghwa seemed as surprised as he was. Next to him was Yeosang, following behind his friend as Seonghwa made his way to the table. Yunho perked up, and smiled at the two.

"Well speak of the devil and he shall appear. I was just talking about you! Seonghwa, Yeosang this is my friend Wooyoung, and that's—"

"Hongjoong."

Oh, the way he said his name gave him butterflies. He broke their eye contact to look at Yunho, who seemed confused that Seonghwa had known his name. "I've met him. Wooyoung too.. Remember when I had to call out because of my concussion?"

Yunho's mouth went into an o shape. "What was you?" He turned to Hongjoong, the shorter man just nodding his head while he had to scoot until his thigh pressed against Wooyoung's so that Seonghwa could slip into the booth.

"I'll get us drinks. Let me guess; strawberry martini?"

"You know me so well, Sangie."

"Not by choice." Those words from Yeosang were spoken more quietly, drowned out by the music as he went in the same direction Mingi went to.

"Well, this is coincidence." Wooyoung spoke, taking his drink from Mingi who had finally returned.

"Really. I didn't know you were friend's with Yunho." Seonghwa's attention went to Hongjoong. "It's a small world, huh?"

"More acquaintances than anything. I'm his boyfriend's friend and got dragged here against my will."

"Oh you did not!" Wooyoung scoffed at Hongjoong. "You came because you're weak to the infamous Mingi look." Wooyoung turned to Seonghwa. "Ah. How's your head by the way? The only time he's ever talked about you was because he—"

Hongjoong covered Wooyoung's mouth, feeling the grin underneath his palm while the older glared at his friend. Like the childish person he was Wooyoung stuck out his hand and licked Hongjoong's hand.

"Gross!" He yanked his hand back, grabbing Wooyoung by his shirt to wipe the saliva off before turning to Seonghwa to try and apologize about Wooyoung, but when he looked at him he found him smiling, amused by their behavior.

"It's fine. I appreciate your concern. Hongjoong made up for what happened by taking me out for dinner."

Wooyoung gasped.

Oh boy.

"You went out on a date?" Wooyoung smacked Hongjoong's shoulder. "And didn't tell me about it?!"

"Because you don't need every detail of my life!" He grabbed Wooyoung's wrists, preventing him from smacking him any more while he was whining But I'm your best friend! right in Hongjoong's ear.

"Tell me everything! Is Hongjoong a romantic sap? Where did he take you? Did he pay for everything? Did you go home with him? " Wooyoung broke out of Hongjoong's hold, turning to Seonghwa instead to try and gather information from him. Seonghwa opened his mouth to speak, but Yeosang returned with their drinks, handing him the martini and slipped into the booth next to Mingi, a glass in his own hand Hongjoong could tell was beer.

Seonghwa brought the martini up to his lips, eyes casting from Wooyoung to Hongjoong, then back to the other. "Sorry, Wooyoung. My lips are sealed."

"I hate you already." Wooyoung spoke, more playfully than anything as he grabbed his drink to finally sip on. The conversation easily was dropped, the now merged group making small talk as they drank, Yeosang mostly being the one to leave for refills when they were needed, sometimes he was accompanied by Seonghwa or Mingi. The more he drank, Hongjoong felt himself starting to relax more and more, cheeks lightly flushed from alcohol as he leaned back into the booth's seat. He also began to notice just how incredibly close Seonghwa was to him, their thighs rubbing against one another whenever one of them shifted or how Seonghwa's bare arm brushed against his own, sending electrifying chills down his spine. Like explained, San arrived an hour later than they all did, apologizing for his tardiness while handing Yunho his birthday card. Seonghwa and Hongjoong both slid out of the booth so that San could slide in and sit next to Wooyoung.

"I have to use the restroom. When I come back, do you want to dance with me?" Hongjoong didn't even have to think about it, giving Seonghwa his answer by nodding his head while sitting next to San. Seonghwa smiled, before he ventured off, towards the direction where the bathrooms were. Hongjoong watched until Seonghwa was completely out of sight before turning, finally the pairs of five eyes looking his way.

"What?"

"You're so in love, it's almost sickening." Hongjoong's face reddened at Mingi's words, taking his screwdriver to down what was left before leaving the booth to get his own refill, not even bothering to ask if anyone else wanted one. He sat on one of the bar stools waiting until the bartender was free before he'd ask for his refill, his finger tips tapping along the wooden surface.

"He likes you too, just so you know." Yeosang's voice appeared by his right ear. Hongjoong cursed, almost falling off of his seat as Yeosang sat in the seat next to him, crossing one leg over the other.

"Holy shit, don't do that." Hongjoong placed a hand over his racing heart.

"Sorry." Yeosang apologized, though it wasn't genuine as he still laughed at Hongjoong's reaction. "I meant what I said though. He likes you as well."

"I don't like Seonghwa." Mumbled Hongjoong, finally getting his refill order requested when the bartender walked in their direction, Yeosang had requested another beer along with him.

"I'll let you believe those words. After he came home from your guys' outing he wouldn't stop talking about it, or you for the matter. He also told me what you do and showed me your art account. He added that he wasn't sure why but he has this feeling about you that he doesn't want to lose."

Hongjoong looked at Yeosang at those words, intrigued to know more but Yeosang wasn't going to give him anything else besides a nod. He took his beer from the bartender and went back to their booth, leaving Hongjoong alone with this new information. He got his drink, and when he came back he found that Seonghwa had yet to returned. He didn't want to sound clingy, but it felt too long for just a quick bathroom break.

"I'm going to check on him." He set his glass on the table. He ignored the looks of the others and even the comments from Wooyoung as he turned around, slipping past the people. He darted straight to the bathroom, placing his hands on the men's door and pushed it open. He expected Seonghwa to be by the sink, to look up and find Hongjoong and apologize for taking so long and explain that there was a line in the restroom that had taken longer than expected. But that simply wasn't what was happening before him.

⚠️.....................⚠️

Seonghwa was being cornered by a taller man, possibly Mingi's height, unwanted hands placed on Seonghwa's waist to try and push underneath his shirt to get a feel of his porcelain skin. Lips were on Seonghwa's neck to try and kiss it, though they kept getting pushed away and words were being mumbled by the man. Hongjoong couldn't hear it, and he was pretty sure he didn't want to know what was being said to him. Seonghwa craned his neck, peaking over the stranger's shoulders and when he found Hongjoong standing at the bathroom's entrance, the look he was giving him.. Something snapped.

And suddenly Hongjoong wasn't Hongjoong anymore. He wasn't at Utopia anymore.

Uzraz had witnessed many other beings flock over Adimus from afar. But he never worried of any betrayal because he knew that his heart would always belong to him. But that didn't stop them trying to get their hands on him. When going to one of their meeting points, Uzraz found his lover not alone, helpless under another angel's hold and he was seething with rage. He grabbed the angel by his shoulders and yanked him off his lover, shoving him to the ground and Uzraz on top of him, throwing one punch after another, each one earning a crunch with each impact that landed. That didn't stop Uzraz, nor did the blood that began to paint his skin.

"You don't touch my Adimus." He warned, now his bloodied hands were wrapping around his neck. "Especially not without his consent. You will wish you never laid a finger on him. You will BEG for not my forgiveness, but his."

Uzraz squeezed and squeezed, ignoring the faint clawing on his arms from the man below, the scratches slowly growing redder. He planned to squeeze until he went limp—

"Hongjoong!"

Hongjoong's head snapped up. No longer was he at the meeting point. He was in a restroom, at Utopia. He looked down at his hands, finding them squeezed around the stranger's neck. His eyes widened, letting go and throwing himself off him, scooting until his back connected to the wall. The man, now freed from Hongjoong's grasp gulped down large breaths, coughing with each exhale while trying to crawl to the bathroom door, to get away from Hongjoong's wrath. His breathing picked up when he looked down, seeing the blood splattered on his knuckles.

What the hell was that?

✅.....................✅

His head snapped over when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Seonghwa was now crouched next to him, worry on his face and something else.

Fear.

Seonghwa feared him. The realization of that seemed more scary than what he had just done to the man that finally crawled out of the bathroom, but got stopped by one of the bouncers that had been called because of the commotion.

"Hongjoong? Can you hear me?" He didn't answer Seonghwa, turning away almost shamefully to look down at the floor, trying to scoot away from Seonghwa but found himself cornered in the room.

"I don't..." His voice was shaking, fighting the urge to just shove Seonghwa away and run out of the room, out of Utopia to go back to his apartment. The adrenaline of what happened added with the alcohol unhappily sitting in his stomach the feeling of nausea hit him at full force, pushing Seonghwa back so that he could throw himself into one of the empty stalls, hands gripping at the porcelain bowl as he emptied out everything he had ingested over the last few hours. He heaved and heaved until nothing more came out, then proceeded to crawl into the small space between the stall wall and the toilet to try to hide away. "I'm sorry."

"Hongjoong look at me. Can you look at me please?" He felt warmth on his cheek, Seonghwa's thumb gently brushes along his cheekbone, wiping away the tears on his face. Hongjoong was so worked up he hadn't realized he had began to cry, nor did he notice Seonghwa entering the stall and crouching in front of him. It took a while, to will himself to look up and look at Seonghwa. When he did.. the older smiled.

"There you are. Now take deep breaths for me okay?" For example, Seonghwa had taken in a larger breath than necessary for Hongjoong to follow along. He tried, although still shaky he was following Seonghwa's orders and taking long, deep breaths until he felt himself slowly sagging against the wall, body finally relaxing enough.

"Do you feel better?" Hongjoong slowly nodded. Slowly guided out of the stall after flushing the toilet, Seonghwa kept his hand on his cheek, but now that he wasn't so overworked he realized it was no longer the two of them in the restroom. Wooyoung had come into the room, standing by the door with Yeosang and even Yunho. Next to the tallest was Jongho, probably to ask them what happened to have caused the fight. Hongjoong didn't speak, so Seonghwa explained the situation, that Hongjoong walked in on the stranger cornering Seonghwa and he was just defending him.

"I think you should leave." Jongho commented, though he didn't actively try to get Hongjoong up, he remained by the entryway.

Seonghwa again spoke for him, saying he would bring Hongjoong home and turned his attention back to the younger. "Do you want to leave? I'll take you home. Or you can come to my apartment."

Again he just nodded, so Seonghwa helped him up onto his shaking knees, and even helped washing the drying blood from his hands. The small gather of people moved to the side so that they would walk through. Seonghwa continued to follow Hongjoong until they were outside, then was lead to an unfamiliar car. Seonghwa's most likely, and guided into the passenger seat.

"Wait right here just a moment okay? I need to go in and grab our stuff." Seonghwa said through the window but as he stood to leave, Hongjoong finally spoke up.

"Wait." He reached through the window, grabbing Seonghwa's arm. "Haven't you been drinking..?"

Seonghwa turned back around, and gave him a warm smile. "I'm alright to drive. I only had one, don't worry. I won't be long okay?" Hongjoong seemed content with that, so he let go of Seonghwa's arm and watched the older as he disappeared, leaving Hongjoong in the car alone.

Like he promised, Seonghwa didn't leave him long, returning with their cellphones and Hongjoong's jacket, which got tossed in the backseat as Seonghwa got in the driver's seat.

"What about Yeosang? Didn't he come with you?" Hongjoong asked while Seonghwa started the car engine.

"Don't worry about him. He's going to get an uber back to our place. And don't worry about your car either. Wooyoung said he'll make sure it doesn't get towed away." Hongjoong listened to Seonghwa's words, slowly nodding before looking down at his lip, fingers fiddling and picking at the hangnails around them.

"I'll apologize to Yunho tomorrow for ruining his birthday... Seonghwa I can't even begin to say how sorry I am to you—"

"It's okay." Seonghwa stopped him before he could continue with his apology. "I'll admit... I was frightened in the beginning but if it weren't for you stepping in I don't know what would happen. Who knew you had such strength." He tried to joke, to make light of the sudden situation they were in but Hongjoong couldn't find it within himself to laugh. "How about we just go to my place, I don't live too far from here."

"Are you sure?" He knew that Seonghwa was at first skeptical about letting him know where he lived.

"Mhm." He hummed. "I trust that you won't do anything to me or Yeosang. But just in case, Yeosang knows self defense."

With the reassurance that it was fine for him to come to Seonghwa's apartment, Hongjoong nodded and had gone quiet. He kept his eyes mostly down in his own lap as Seonghwa drove. The older at one point turned on the radio so that they weren't sitting in silence. He didn't look up until he felt the car being parked, and suddenly he was being gently pulled out of the passenger seat by Seonghwa, pulled into the building and straight to the elevator.

"You can borrow a pair of my clothes.. and you can take a bath if you want, or shower. Whichever you want. I also have an extra toothbrush in my closet for.. you know."

Seonghwa was offering him so many things, being kind to him even after what he witnessed, it was making his heart warm. He nodded as they walked out of the elevator, following Seonghwa down the long corridor until they stopped in front of one of the many doors. Seonghwa fished out his keys, looking through each one on his key ring until he found the one that unlocked the front door. Once it opened he was pulled inside, Seonghwa even helped him with taking off his shoes. "Thank you.." Hongjoong spoke, voice barely above a whisper as Seonghwa placed his shoes in the rack next to the door. The blond waved in acknowledgement while focused on taking his own shoes off.

"Of course. It's the least I can do. Let me show you to the bathroom okay?" He was taking his hand again, Hongjoong welcoming the warmth that came out of his palm. Brought to the bathroom, Hongjoong stood by the sink as Seonghwa went into the closet bathroom, pulling out an unopened pack of toothbrushes and opened it to pull one out for Hongjoong. "I always keep extras on me in case someone stays over." He explained while the toothbrush was handed to him. He took it, as well as the toothpaste and while he turned on the sink Seonghwa told him he would fetch him a pair of clothes he could change into and would start a bath for him even.

Everything Seonghwa was doing to him just made the butterflies grow, before he knew it, Hongjoong was stripping out of his clothes, taking the first step into the warm bath water and letting his body soak in the warmth, relaxing his tense muscles as he tried to forget what had happened not even half an hour ago.

After he got out, drying himself and putting on the provided clothes he stepped out of the bathroom, to the living room where Seonghwa sat waiting on the couch, scrolling on his phone. But that was quickly abandoned when Seonghwa noticed Hongjoong's presence. "You can sleep in my bed." Seonghwa stood up, slowly stepping up to Hongjoong to make sure he wouldn't step back.

He nodded, yet again being led by Seonghwa into the small room. Like the rest of the apartment, it was clean, not a speck of dusk seen anywhere he looked. He sat on the edge of the bed, watching Seonghwa walk around his room and tuck things away he thought were out of order, before standing before him. "I'll leave you to rest.. I'll stay in the living room. If you need me you can—"

"Don't."

His voice was small, but loud enough to stop Seonghwa from finishing his sentence while Hongjoong grabbed his wrist.

"Don't.. please.. I don't.. want to be alone."

Hongjoong's head lowered while he spoke his words, embarrassed that he was practically begging Seonghwa to stay in the room with him like a scared little child. But it was the truth, he didn't want to be alone any longer than he had been. Seonghwa seemed to understand, nodding and turned to fully face Hongjoong again.

"Okay, I'll stay. Let me at least grab my phone from the living room? I promise I'll come right back." The promise that he would return let Hongjoong release him, watching Seonghwa turn and leave the room and come back just a few short minutes later with his cellphone, which he plugged into its charger then went into his closet to grab some clothes for himself.

He immediately turned away, though he heard Seonghwa leaving the room, then heard the soft sound if the bathroom door. Seonghwa must have went to change there rather than his own room. He waited for him, moving the covers and laying down, pulling the blanket over himself. He watched the doorway until Seonghwa cane back, now changed. He turned though as Seonghwa got in the bed himself, now the two of them faced one another, looking at each other.

"Thank you." Hongjoong's voice was heard in the room, a little louder this time. Seonghwa hummed, eyebrow lifted when he was being thanked. "For staying.. and caring for me."

"I really should be thanking you." Seonghwa said, his hand coming in contact with Hongjoong's cheek again. "You came when I needed you the most."

Hongjoong leaned in his touch, lifting one of his hands from under the covers so that he could cover Seonghwa's with his own. "I promise to always be by your side. We may not have known each other long," in this life, "But you can count on me to keep you safe."

"I'll keep that in mind." Seonghwa whispered. His touch lingered for a while, Hongjoong reveling in it until Seonghwa pulled back, and shifted to his back with his eyes shut to sleep. Hongjoong remained on his side, watching Seonghwa's silhouette until his breathing evened out. Eventually his eyes grew too heavy to keep open.

Hongjoong woke up to the scent of strawberries and mint evading his senses. He quickly grew to like it, smiling as he went to snuggle in what he thought was his pillow but got concerned over how firm it felt under him so suddenly. He'd soon find out the reasoning why his pillow felt different when he opened his eyes, and found himself pressed up into Seonghwa's side, his head resting on his shoulder. His breath got caught in his throat when he looked up to Seonghwa's face to see his head turned in his direction, mouth just barely open with small puffs of breath coming out of it. His heart started to race at the close proximity. It felt so natural, so right being this close to Seonghwa. He wanted nothing more than to cuddle into him and shut his eyes to sleep more, but he didn't want Seonghwa waking up to find Hongjoong like this and potentially making him uncomfortable.

He quickly grew cold once he willed himself away, finally turning so his back was towards Seonghwa as he curled in on himself. He already missed his warmth. There was no way he was falling back asleep now, so instead he reached for his phone that he left next to Seonghwa's, turning its brightness down as it was still near pitch black in the room. He checked the time on his phone.

4:56 AM.

Still a little too early for any normal human to be awake, yet here he was checking the messages during the night.

[ Wooyoung ]

R u ok?

Sent 12:13 AM

yeosang said hwa took u to their place

Sent 12:37 AM

im worried:( i never seen u so freaked out

text or call me when u can

Sent 1:46 AM

[ Mingi ]

yunho told me what happened when we got home

that guy totally deserved it

bet u kicked his ass hard

Sent 3:05 AM

[ Unknown Number ]

hi hongjoong! it's yunho

i got ur number from mingi's phone

sorry about him btw

hes rlly drunk

pls dont feel guilty about what happened!

try not to let it freak u out more than did ok?:D u didn't ruin the night

im glad u defended hwa

Sent 3:17 AM

He read through his messages, deciding to repond to both Yunho and Wooyoung, Hongjoong explaining he'd make it up to Yunho anyway and saying to Wooyoung he would call him later once he was home and said he was fine, before letting his phone fall onto the pillow and pull the blanket up to his chin.

He ended up staring into the wall for who knows how long, until he felt movement behind him, and when he peaked over his shoulder he found Seonghwa, turned on his side and eyes now opened to look at him. "Can't sleep?" His voice cracked, raspy from just waking up. Hongjoong nodded while he slowly turned to face Seonghwa again.

"Yeah, it's fine though. You go back to bed. I can just get an uber back to my place so I don't bother you.." He didn't want to leave, but he really didn't want to be a possible bother to the older. Seonghwa just shook his head, and Hongjoong was surprised to watch Seonghwa open up his arms.

"C'mere." He sleepily mumbled. He was hesitant, like it was a trap, but when Seonghwa didn't move his arms he finally scooted over and when close enough, his arms entrapped him, holding onto him tightly and giving him that warmth he missed. He took in a deep breath through his nose, taking in Seonghwa's smell and found himself melting in his arms. He felt the way Seonghwa nestled his nose into his hair, already falling back asleep. Hongjoong decided to wrap his own arms around Seonghwa to hold him back, finding himself so at ease he ended up falling asleep without even realizing it.

He woke up alone in the bed, Seonghwa was nowhere to be seen in the room. He sat up, his eyes squinting as he scanned the bedroom. Light now shined through Seonghwa's curtains and when he checked the time it read just a few minutes past ten thirty in the morning. He rubbed at his eyes, a yawn fighting past his lips as he stretched his other arm. In the middle of his stretch, though, he heard the bedroom door opening and when he turned he found Seonghwa standing there.

"Ho- Oh! You're awake." Seonghwa walked over to him, standing at the side of the bed. "Good morning."

He mumbled a little good morning in return while kicking off Seonghwa's covers.

"I was just coming in here to wake you up actually. I made breakfast, if you're hungry." Food sounded heavenly about now, so he nodded while standing up. He followed Seonghwa into the kitchen, stopping at the doorway when he saw two plates of two sitting at the kitchen table just for them.

"What about Yeosang?" He asked as he sat in front of one of the plates, taking the cup of coffee Seonghwa had brought over.

"Don't worry about him." Seonghwa sat with his own coffee cup in front of the other plate. "He left about twenty minutes prior to waking you up. Said he planned a breakfast date with Jongho." Hongjoong perked up at that.

"Jongho?"

"Yes, oh god you should have seen him when we stepped out of the car and had to show him our IDs. I never seen him so flustered over another guy." Seonghwa covered his mouth as he spoke, having cut into his pancakes and talen the first bite already. "He also ended up being brought back here with him and that's when the date was set. I'm glad he's finally going out with someone that's not me for once, he doesn't really do much." While he listened to Seonghwa's rambling about his friend he cut into his own pancakes, and that first bite was heavenly. He took a bite of bacon after before grabbing his coffee. They both fell into a comfortable small talk as their ate their food, or well Seonghwa was mostly talking and Hongjoong happily listened to him.

"By the way.. can you tell me who Adimus is?" Hongjoong stopped mid bite when Seonghwa questioned him. He set his fork down. "When you were beating that guy up you kept mumbling something along the line of "you don't touch my Adimus" it was weird.. Because.. I've heard that name somewhere."

Hongjoong placed his hands on his thighs, head lowered as he took a breath in through his nose. "I don't mean to answer you with another question," He looked back up. "But.. Do you believe in past lives?"

Seonghwa didn't answer at first, staring at Hongjoong, waiting for him to keep explaining why on earth he was suddenly bringing up the idea of reincarnation. He reached for his phone which he placed on the table, unlocking it and went into his gallery. "A couple of weeks ago Wooyoung gave me these tickets to an art museum. When I went I.. saw this exhibit." Rather than explaining any further, he pulled up a picture of The Angel and turned his phone for Seonghwa for him to see for himself. He grabbed the younger's phone and the second his eyes landed on the phone screen.. his face was expressionless. He was taking in what Hongjoong had showed him. It was his own face sculpted in a work made centuries prior to him being born. Now he was confused, and a little bit frightened as he scrolled to the next photo when given Hongjoong's permission, The Demon made him gasp, looking from Hongjoong back to the photo like he was trying to confirm that they were the same . Things only got even weird when he went to the last photo; The Lovers.

"This is weird." Seonghwa started, zooming in on the painting to get a closer look at it. "I mean.. they're identical to us! But.. how?"

"I don't know." Hongjoong shook his head, hand out for his phone with Seonghwa slowly returned. "I tried looking it up before we went out for dinner and that's when I read about reincarnation. That has to be it. I also have these weird vivid dreams sometimes. They only but more frequent when I ran into you of us.. but different. In my dreams you're Adimus and I'm.."

"Uzraz.."

Hongjoong was surprised that Seonghwa finished his sentence. "Yeah.. Exactly. How..?"

"The day you ran into me I started having similar dreams. I thought they could have been just because I thought you were really attractive and it was my mind's way of telling me I haven't been with someone in so long but—"

"Wait, what?"

Seonghwa's cheeks went red, and suddenly he was lifting his fork to continue with his meal, not planning on repeating his words to Hongjoong again. "Can you take me to go see the exhibit?" Seonghwa had soon asked when they were close to finishing their meals.

"Huh? Oh." He went back on his phone, to check to see if the museum was even open that day. "Yeah.. sure. We can go today if you want."

After their meals, Hongjoong had offered to wash the dishes since Seonghwa took the liberty to prepare them food but Seonghwa had only nudged him out of the kitchen while commenting he was a guest, and he never allowed guests to do chores in his home. He liked to keep them taken care of. So while Seonghwa was busy doing those, Hongjoong sat on the couch purchasing the museum tickets online.

And that's where they found themselves a few hours later, having went by his place real quick to wear something other than his borrowed pajamas or the clothes worn the previous night that smelled heavily of alcohol. He lead Seonghwa inside the museum, scanning the ticket codes on his phone at the front desk before speed walking to the direction of the exhibit. They did stop a couple of times to see the other works, but they weren't important. He turned a corner, and stopped mid step once the exhibit was within sight, his heart racing when The Angel was within view. He turned to Seonghwa, who stood behind him. Like before, his face at first emotionless before many were running across his face a mile a minute. Seeing it through Hongjoong's phone was one thing, but getting a closer look of The Angel was something he couldn't even begin to explain. And how could you? Seeing your own face on not only the statue but in The Lovers painting.

"Are you okay?" Hongjoong questioned as he stood next to Seonghwa, the older's arms crossed over his chest as he stared at The Angel .

"I don't know." He whispered.

"Yeah." Hongjoong said, walking around Seonghwa and stood in front of The Demon. He still felt those shivers staring at himself. In front of the exhibit was a clear Do Not Touch sign, but it was being ignored by Seonghwa, who leaned over the velvet rope and extended his hand up, to touch The Angel's face and the moment his fingers went into contact with the porcelain surface of its cheek he gasped, yanking his hand back so quick you would've thought he had gotten burned. "Seonghwa—?"

"I'm fine." Hongjoong shut his lips when Seonghwa interrupted him before he could even ask what had happened. He brought his hand to his chest, taking in a couple of deep breaths through. It was like he was trying to compose himself. "Let's just.. go. I've seen enough." His wrist was grabbed, gently, and pulled to follow along. He did, not failing to notice that Seonghwa's eyes had began to water up. But for Seonghwa's sake, he kept quiet.

"Mama look! They look just like those statues!"

The child's voice was loud in contrast to all the hushed conversations of the people who also came to enjoy a day at the museum, it caused Hongjoong to turn his head, catching the sight of a mother grabbing onto her son's pointed hand while trying to whisper to him to keep quiet and that it wasn't polite to point at complete strangers. But curiosity got the better of her and when her eyes met Hongjoong she gasped, looking to The Demon and then back at her. Seonghwa pulled him away before anyone else could start noticing the similarities.

Now they sat in Seonghwa's car, Hongjoong in the passenger seat and the older in the driver's. Seonghwa hadn't said a word since he decided he wanted to leave, in his hand his car keys in the position to be put in the ignition, but not yet attempting to turn the car on.

"Are.. you sure you're okay?" Hongjoong placed a hand on Seonghwa's shoulder. That seemed to snap him out of it, lowering both his hand and head while he sighed.

"I don't know what happened." Seonghwa started, now picking at the end of his shirt while he was formulating what he wanted to say. "When I touched that statue I just.. felt so sad. I never felt so much grief and.. and pain before." He lifted his hand back up, placing over his own heart and gripped at the fabric of his shirt. "I felt like.. losing someone that's precious to me." Hongjoong's heart broke for Seonghwa as he explained what he felt, wanting nothing more than to shield him away from all the negatives in live, only letting in the happy and positive feelings. All it took was a tear to slip down his cheek for Hongjoong to reach over.

He grabbed Seonghwa, pulling him over until his head fell on his shoulder, one hand holding onto him and the other carding his fingers in Seonghwa's blond hair. Seonghwa sniffled, before he was softly sobbing into his neck while Hongjoong was telling him that it was okay, to let it out and get it out of his system.

The position was awkward, he knew his back would be sore. But if it would help comfort Seonghwa then it was very well worth it.

The next time they see each other isn't for another few weeks. Their schedules just didn't line up for any free time with each other, but that didn't mean they weren't talking. Whenever able to, he was texting Seonghwa and vice versa. When they finally had a free night that overlapped with each other, Hongjoong had invited him over to his apartment for dinner and a movie.

He would have tried to prepare them something they could enjoy but if he were honest with himself; Hongjoong was not a good cook at all. He could cook the basics just fine, but anything more than that then he went with the safe option of frozen food or take out. And he was sure Seonghwa wouldn't exactly care for a frozen dinner, so takeout it was. He had just placed everything on his kitchen table when he heard the buzzing of his doorbell. "Just a second Seonghwa!" He called loud enough so his voice was heard on the other end. He didn't want to seem to eager to finally get to see the taler again, but he rushed to the door after making sure everything was in order, smiling at him once he swung his door open. "Perfect timing," He opened the door wider to allow the taller entry, "I just got everything ready. Oh! I also remember you telling me that you liked strawberries so I got us some strawberry shortcakes for dessert."

"How sweet of you."

Seonghwa's smile grew fond as he tugged off his shoes and his jacket, handing it over to Hongjoong who had his arms open for it. While Seonghwa stepped further into his home he placed Seonghwa's jacket into the small closet filled of his own jackets and sweaters. "Mm, I also wasn't sure what kind of movies you like so I hope you're fine with choosing what we watch."

"That's a dangerous move." Seonghwa teased as he followed Hongjoong to the kitchen. "Unless you don't mind watching Star Wars." His nose scrunched up at the mention. There was nothing wrong with that possible choice, he just personally never was into those movies that much, nor would he ever suspected Seonghwa to like it.

Either way, he shrugged. "That's fine. If it's what you want to watch, then Star Wars it is then." When the decision was finalized, Hongjoong went to grab some plates for them, and as he turned to hand Seonghwa his, he found the man staring at him, eyes lit up.

"Really? You wouldn't mind?" Again he shrugged.

"Why not?" Seonghwa took the plate from him but after had done something Hongjoong didn't suspect, he wrapped his arms around him tight, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Anytime Yeosang and I have movie nights he always complains that I watch them too often and that it gets repetitive. I know it's playful teasing and I'm sure he really doesn't mind my choices but then I feel a little bad so I always end up choosing something else instead."

Seonghwa was rambling, but Hongjoong found it endearing. Suddenly he didn't mind if they watched Star Wars all night, if it meant Seonghwa kept that look on his face. "Cute." He found himself mumbling, with their closeness still Seonghwa was able to hear him. Realizing this, growing a little flustered he turned away quickly. "I mean—"

Seonghwa giggled. It was music to his ears. His cheek was pecked once more before he was released, Seonghwa walking over to one end of the table while Hongjoong went to his fridge to grab them some drinks. He came back, two soda cans in his hands and placed one in front of Seonghwa, setting the other next to his plate before taking the seat across from Seonghwa. Picking up his chopsticks, the two settled in a comfortable small talk while they ate their dinner.

"And so Wooyoung gets dared by Mingi to go skinny dipping at the lake right? We assumed he'd say no way because it was super cold outside but it turns out Wooyoung's a lot more brave when he's got cheap beer inside him and lo and behold he stands up, gets naked and runs straight into the water!" He and Seonghwa both laugh while Hongjoong explained the story of the one time he and the two had decided on a whim to go camping one weekend a few years prior, and one too many cans of beer left them leaving early because Wooyoung caught a cold for his idiotic decisions. "Still blames Mingi for it to this day even though he could have easily told him no. He doesn't say it a lot but he doesn't want to seem like a quitter. He's a fighter and likes seeing things through most times."."

Seonghwa giggled behind a hand. "You guys truly are three musketeers huh? I could never." Hongjoong grinned. When dinner was eaten, trash thrown away and table briefly wiped down by Seonghwa their conversation moved into the living room, now on the couch as Hongjoong pulled up Disney+ on his television to search for the Star Wars films.

Ultimately he wasn't sure which was the first film, so he handed his remote off to Seonghwa who easily found it, their conversations dying down as the movie began. In the beginning, they sat next to each other, legs just a couple of inches apart, and as the movie progressed they both started to relax more onto the couch. Hongjoong propped his legs up on his coffee table as one of his arms went to rest on the back of the couch, the other resting on the arm of it. When Seonghwa started to relax, his head laid back and gently rested against Hongjoong's forearm, that turned into him slowly scooting towards Hongjoong's bit by bit, until their sides were touching, and Seonghwa's head was against his shoulder, arm now moved to be wrapped around Seonghwa's, both moving until they found a spot that was the most comfortable. A blanket was thrown over them too once Seonghwa made a comment that he was a little chilly. And now being wrapped up by the blanket along with the natural heat that came from Seonghwa's body, Hongjoong was content, eyes on the screen while Seonghwa gave him little bonus details in certain scenes.

By the end of the second movie, their little marathon was paused for a quick bathroom break for Seonghwa. Hongjoong didn't even think to tell him the directions, standing up when he heard a faint whoa coming from the man. He went down the short corridor to find Seonghwa at the door to his art room, door now wide open and Seonghwa gazing around but not quite stepping in.

"You can take a look if you want," Hongjoong told him, startling Seonghwa who must've not realized he was now there, "I won't mind."

With the artist's permission, the light to the small room was flicked on and Seonghwa stepped in. Hos eyes went from one painting to another. Sure, he had seen most of the works on Hongjoong's page but that was through a phone screen and this was righr in front of him. "I know I said it before but wow, Hongjoong your works are incredible. It's a shame they aren't as well known as they should be."

Hongjoong waved off his compliments, still not completely used to hearing the praises of his work face to face and while the tips of his ears went red, Seonghwa's eyes zoned in on the abandoned canvas in the corner of the room. "What's this one?"

"Oh, that's—" He was going to explain it was nothing important, something that he never planned to finish but Seonghwa was already walking over, grabbing he canvas to turn around. He heard a faint gasp come from the blond to see his own face staring back at him.

"You... painted me?" His words didn't hold any grotesque in them, simply curious as he turned to Hongjoong but he still turned away shamefully, fully assuming Seonghwa would find him weird for that.

"Yeah... I'm sorry. Before we had met, I had an art block and really didn't have much inspiration. But after meeting you... My mind went wild and before I even realized it I started to paint you. When I did I wasn't sure what to do with it. It's fine if you find it weird.. I would too if someone who I still don't know too much about were to paint me—"

"You're rambling." Seonghwa interrupted him. Rather than a weirded out look he was expecting to have, he had a fond look, his eyes going back to the unfinished piece. "It looks amazing, do you do commissions?"

"I—" He wasn't expecting Seonghwa to ask him that, rubbing the back of his head while he nodded.

"Then I want to commission you." He stepped over to the easel that stood in the middle of the room. "I want you to finish this."

Hongjoong went to stand beside him, not having looked at the work since he had started on it, blinking and now really sure what he should say to him other than just accepting the commission. "Okay."

As promised, Hongjoong got to work on finishing the painting after Seonghwa commissioned him. If he wasn't at work, Hongjoong was cooped up in his art room painting. But even so, he found time in between his little breaks texting Seonghwa. There was even a time the blond was curious so they facetimed, Hongjoong having his phone angled so both himself and the canvas would appear on camera, Seonghwa watching in mostly silence as Hongjoong invested himself in his works, even muting at one point so he wasn't bothering the ravenette.

It took about a week and a half for the painting to be finished, and maybe Hongjoong was a little biased but it was one of his favorite works so far, taking a photo of it before setting it up to dry to be brought over to Seonghwa's apartment the following day. He even wrapped it up and everything to keep Seonghwa surprised. Which he failed at doing so, because when he knocked on the door to Seonghwa's apartment he easily guessed as to why he was visiting with a large wrapped present.

"Where's Yeosang?" Hongjoong asked as he handed the present to Seonghwa to take off his shoes, placing them neatly in the shoe rack.

"Oh, he went out with Jongho. Something about going to see a movie. He was out the door before I could even ask what movie they were going to see." Rather than ripping into the wrapping paper, Seonghwa went with Hongjoong to sit on the couch, waiting until they both were settled on it before he'd start to unwrap the canvas. As expected, he was neat with opening it, even folding the wrapping paper up to be placed on the coffee table so he could toss it away when he had the chance. With the artwork revealed, Seonghwa had a large smile on his face. He expected nothing less than perfect from Hongjoong.

Hongjoong was speaking to him, explaining he had painted Seonghwa in his own version of Aphrodite, the silk robe Hongjoong painted him in just barely stayed on him, slipping over his bare shoulders, Seonghwa's own hand looked as though it trailed down his own chest and wearing gold jewelry he couldn't even begin to imagine how much it would cost if they were real. "I.. Wow. I know you've been updating me via video calls but.. I honestly have no words to say." Seonghwa slowly set the canvas down, reaching into his pocket so he could pull out his wallet and as promised pay Hongjoong, but the younger male grabbed his hand.

"You don't have to pay me, really." He insisted, a pout forming on Seonghwa's pretty lips.

"Then how do I pay you for your hard work?"

Hongjoong bit on his lower lip, mindlessly shrugging while he turned towards the TV.

Seonghwa hummed, before an idea came to mind and swiftly left for the kitchen. It wasn't hard to realize what this idea had been, because the smell of cooking meat and the sizzling sounds from the pan were heard, and Hongjoong went to check. He poked his head through the kitchen doorway to find the taller in front of the stove, humming quietly to himself. He did turn, to open the cabinet to grab something but spotting Hongjoong spying on him, he had been ushered away.

"No, go! It's a surprise!"

"I don't think you can surprise me with food because I can smell it."

"Go wait in the living room!" Seonghwa chased him away, playfully kicking in the younger's direction while he went back to the couch, eyes rolling as he sat down and waited for Seonghwa's apparent surprise. To keep himself busy, he went onto his phone and decided to post his finished piece on his instagram since Seonghwa now saw it, and after he pressed post he went onto the home page to scroll through the posts of the other artists' he followed. He hadn't really used the app in a while, so might as well see what he had missed. He actually seen a few posts from Mingi that he hadn't recognized, some photos of food he had been eating that day or when he was out; most likely with Yunho. He only confirmed it when he clicked on the photo and saw Yunho tagged in the corner of it.

"How's Yeosang and Jongho?" Hongjoong spoke aloud, to have some sort of conversation.

"They're doing good!" Seonghwa's voice echoed out from the kitchen and into the living room. "They're taking their relationship slow but Jongho is always over whenever he can be. He even offers Yeosang to take him to work all the time. It's cute. You can definitely tell that they're into each other. How's San and Wooyoung?"

"Oh you know.. same as ever." Hongjoong snorted, standing up to go into the kitchen when it was proclaimed their dinner was ready.

"Chaotic I assume." Seonghwa responded, this time when Hongjoong stepped in the kitchen he didn't stop him or kick him out, only going into the fridge to retrieve them drinks. While he did that, Hongjoong took it upon himself to at least do something and that was look for the bowls for the ramyun Seonghwa had cooked too. He opened one cupboard, but shut that as it was filled with cups and mugs, the second one he managed to find the bowls. On the third shelf.

Curse his height. Even when he got onto the tips of his toes he could just barely feel the edges of the bowls against his fingertips. With being so focused, he didn't notice that Seonghwa had been watching him with an amused smile on his face, only realizing as he spoke up. "Need help?"

"I got it!" He replied with total confidence. That confidence withered, as when he just about had the bowls he felt a warm chest pressing into his back, Seonghwa's obviously. He pressed up against him, able to easily grab them two bowls and leaving Hongjoong slumping and pouting as he placed them on the table.

"Sit!" Seonghwa pulled back one of the chairs from the man and even pushing him in once he sat down and watched him open one of the drawers, grabbing two pairs of chopsticks.

"I'm sorry that it's not a whole lot." He took one pair and watched Seonghwa sit across from him, in the middle of the table was the pans Seonghwa used to cook. "Yeosang and I are supposed to go shopping once I get my next paycheck, so I hope you'll make do with what I could make."

Hongjoong waved it off, starting to fill his plate up with the beef from one pan (while completely avoiding the broccoli that was cooked with it. Seonghwa eyed him as he did this) and picked up some of the noodles from the large pot placed next to it. "Please, this is perfect. I've been craving beef lately."

"Well eat as much as you'd like!" Seonghwa placed some noodles into his own bowl before he began to eat. As they ate their meal together, the only sounds outside from their small talk was slurping of noodles, Seonghwa talking about an asshole customer he had to deal with while at work. Hongjoong only mumbled that he knew that feeling all too well.

"I also got my first call back!" Hongjoong's eyes shot up at this sudden news. They hadn't exactly talked about Seonghwa's modeling career ever since they had first went out for dinner. As Seonghwa explained what the shoot was he would take pieces of beef, talking behind a hand that was placed over his mouth. "It's for this lipstick brand. I'm so excited. They want to start next week!"

"That's amazing!" Hongjoong set his chopsticks down to clap for the man. "I'm proud of you, this is just the first step to your dream. And with how perfectly pretty you are it's not going to be long you'll get calls left and right!"

Seonghwa blushed a little, picking at another piece of his beef that was left in the mostly empty bowl of his. "You think I'm pretty?"

"Well of course." Hongjoong reached over, grabbing the hand laid on the table and gently began to intertwine their fingers together. "I think you're the prettiest person I've ever laid my eyes on, the most beautiful artwork. There was a reason I painted you in my version of Aphrodite."

Seonghwa's shyness took over at the compliments Hongjoong was throwing him in his direction, teasingly mumbling that he shouldn't say those things in the way that he did. He only tilt his head. But Seonghwa didn't leave him room to ask him what he meant, proclaiming he was finished with his meal and setting his bowl into the sink, washing it because he always hated leaving dirty dishes in his sink. Yeosang liked to mess with him sometimes, Seonghwa told Hongjoong once that he left a few dirty dishes in the sink before he left to visit his family one weekend and he was irritated. Not wanting to keep Seonghwa alone as the man went in the living room, Hongjoong took big bites of his remaining noodles as well as the last of the beef.

Like what Seongbwa did he washed his bowl and chopsticks and went back in the living room to find Seonghwa sitting on the left end of it, feet tucked under his knees and a blanket over his legs, opening the blanket up to allow Hongjoong to join him. "Would you like to pick the movie this time?" Seonghwa questioned. Knowing how excited he got from the last time, Hongjoong allowed him to pick and as expected they ended up watching where they had left off from their last movie night binge.

Hongjoong sat next to Seonghwa, the blanket tossed over his legs and Seonghwa reached for the remote to open up Disney+. Like the last time, they mostly watched in a content silence with the occasional comment from Seonghwa. As the movie progressed they got in a comfortable position, Seonghwa leaned back, basically laying down with Hongjoong on top of him, his head on top of his beating heart. Instinctively his hand began to rub up and down Seonghwa's bare arm, and whether it was because of the closeness they now were at, but with his ear pressed to his chest he could hear just how quickly his heart was beating. He lifted his head so that he could ask if anything was wrong, maybe he was just so invested in the movie that it was really getting his blood pumping.

Only he wasn't watching it anymore. His eyes were solely on Hongjoong.

"Everything okay?" He asked, moving his hands to place on Seonghwa's chest and rested his chin on them while waiting for a reply from Seonghwa.

"No.. I mean- Yeah.. Yeah. Everything's fine." Seonghwa was chewing in his lower lip, contemplating with himself if he should bring up the question he had on his mind probably since the very beginning of their dinner.

"Can I kiss you?"

Well, fuck it.

Hongjoong wasn't expecting that kind of question. Sure, they sort of been dancing around each other but never stepping into such bold territory. Seonghwa took the silence from him as a no and just shook his head. "Nevermind, I shouldn't have asked." Now things were awkward between them—

Hongjoong had pulled his face so he would look at him again, how much closer than he was before. Able to feel the breath that escaped through Hongjoong's lips ghosting over his skin, leaving it littered with goosebumps. How did he not even feel Hongjoong shift closer? Seonghwa sat quietly, eyes nearly bulging as he waited for Hongjoong's next move. He just eyed back, waiting for Seonghwa to back out at any moment but with no answer, he went for it.

It felt like what you'd expect those first kiss scenes would be in one of Seonghwa's favorite korean dramas, the way their lips felt like that were molded perfectly for each other, melting with each move one would make. Hongjoong took his hand and cupped Seonghwa's cheek, thumbing the flesh of it with gentle strokes as he savored this electrifying moment between them. It felt almost too perfect to kiss Seonghwa, he didn't want that feeling to go if he tried pulling back. So he simply didn't, and Seonghwa didn't seem to want to do so either, with the way he was grabbing Hongjoong's shirt, shuffling them into a more comfortable position, Hongjoong nestled in his legs which were now spread to accommodate the mass of a body now in between them.

Star Wars continued to play in the background, now long forgotten by the two when Seonghwa began to wrap the leg left dangling over the couch to wrap around Hongjoong's waist, nails digging into his lower back and a low whimper coming from him from the way Hongjoong bit down on his lower lip. He licked into his mouth once it had opened, getting a better taste of the beautiful man and leaving him breathless when he finally had to pull back before he could get dizzy from lack of oxygen.

"I've wanted to do that for weeks." Admitted Hongjoong.

"Why didn't you...?" Seonghwa questioned, small breaths coming from him as he reached around for the remote and pause their movie.

Hongjoong only shrugged, leaving Seonghws pouting as he tugged him by his shirt.

"Well do it again." He then said, making Hongjoong laugh as he did as he was asked, lips back on Seonghwa and began to kiss him back with as much passion as the first. One way or another, they had changed positions so that Hongjoong was now the one on the couch, sitting with his legs spread while Seonghwa straddled his lap, one hand refusing to let go of his shirt and the other shoved deep into his black hair, both of their tongues circling around each other. Seonghwa started to moan when Hongjoong's hands were now over his clothed ass, a hand on each cheek and giving them both firm squeezes. The kiss was yet again broken but Hongjoong kept his lips busy, nibbling, sucking and missing down the skin of his jaw before he settled into his neck, his teeth just barely grazing against his skin before sinking down to bite. Seonghwa laid his head in Hongjoong's shoulder and moaned right in his ear.

"Gorgeous." Hongjoong whispered, hands squeezing his ass again before they trailed up his back, to feel Seonghwa in all his glory. "You're perfect. In every way. Fuck-" Seonghwa pressed his hips into Hongjoong's, right in his slowly hardening cock. "Please. Please I want, no, need to worship you in any way I can. Pleasure you in a way no one has ever done before."

"Do it." Seonghwa breathed out, taking a moment to pull back and began to unbutton the buttons of his shirt, each one revealing more and more of his skin and Hongjoong was drinking in the sight like it were pure honey. With the last button, the fabric of his shirt easily fell behind him and left him shirtless.

Hongjoong didn't waste his time. His mouth connected to the now bare skin, sucking and licking until there were marks that were enough to satisfy him. It wasn't until his pectoral area was covered in hickeys when he placed his mouth on Seonghwa's left nipple, tongue pressing into it before he started to gently bite the bud, causing Seonghwa to twitch at the action and began whimpering as the bud began to harden in his mouth. Beautiful was the word that was coming out of his lip after each kiss and bite, giving the other nipple equal attention while his hands continued roaming.

Seonghwa gently nudged him away, confusing him until he felt him reaching for the end of his shirt, so he took it off and tossed it into a direction he wouldn't remember later on. His attention was on Seonghwa and Seonghwa alone, rolling their hips together to gain more friction while his mouth began to move from his chest, back up to Seonghwa's neck to catch his lips in an open mouth kiss. He got pushed away again, watching Seonghwa stand and grab him by his arms. He easily followed from the living room's couch, television left on as they rushed into Seonghwa's bedroom, door left open because the two just weren't bothered to worry about shutting it; not at all thinking about if Yeosang possibly coming home and seeing the two with the wide open door. The younger fell back with Seonghwa straddling him. Hongjoong was the one to move them properly on the bed, his back against the small abundance of pillows the older had on his bed, breathing into each other's mouths while Seonghwa's hand blindly felt around next to his nightstand. He did knock over an unlit candle, but that was the least of his concern when he finally found the nightstand's drawer and opened it, fishing through it until he found his bottle of lube and hazily shoved it into Hongjoong's hand.

"I'm clean." Seonghwa told him, pulling away for a third time so he could abandon the remainder of his clothes. Hongjoong did the same. "You?"

He snorted, unbuttoning his jeans and shimmying them down his thighs. "I don't think I've had sex with anyone since I was eighteen."

"Perfect." Down his underwear went too, now Seonghwa was nude, Hongjoong's eyes flickered for only a moment, looking back up at his face. "No need for condoms." He groaned. Lube was squeezed onto his fingers, rubbing them against each other to warm it up while Hongjoong's free hand wrapped around Seonghwa's torso, pulling him up until their chests pressed to each other and his lubed hand reached around. He fingered him open, starting with one, then two, then a third one. He drank in each moan Seonghwa gave, his head rolling around and falling onto Hongjoong's bare shoulder. He was getting impatient when the younger added his pinky, mouthing his neck while he begged for his cock, and who was he to deny this god of a man? He shoved his boxers down, too impatient to rid of them completely and pulled his fingers out. He squeezed more lube onto his aching dick and spread it. Though when Hongjoong went to guide Seonghwa onto it, the older was already moving, hovering with his hand on the base of Hongjoong's cock and slowly sinking down onto it, both groaning in unison.

Seonghwa began moving his hips in fluid motion, slow at first, to get adjusted to his girth before going faster; leaving Hongjoong to just lay there and watch Seonghwa, face full of ecstasy with his hands against his chest to hold himself up properly. "You're an angel." Hongjoong's hands rubbed up the man's thighs, gently squeezing before he moved them upwards to his sides, aiding him with bouncing on his dick. "Where the hell have you been all my life?" He sat up, hugging onto Seonghwa and began to move instead, kissing all over his shoulders as the older cried out his name. Seonghwa was a blubbering mess, only able to chant Hongjoong, Hongjoong, Hongjoong and that was if he was able to even speak at all. They both came at the same time, Seonghwa yelling out so loud he was a little worried the male's neighbors had heard him in bliss.

He wouldn't actually admit it, but getting Seonghwa to that point almost boosted his confidence in the bedroom. Neither wanted to move at that second, so Hongjoong shifted them into a comfortable position; Seonghwa's back to his chest, being spooned with his arms wrapped around the older. His nose gently rubbed into the back of his neck, smelling of sweat and sex still. He smiled tiredly, his eyes fluttering shut.

Uzraz grunted, tossed onto cold hard concrete without a care of whether he got scraped on it or not. It's not like it would matter, it would just add onto the many other injuries inflicted on him.

"You will remain here until the morning for your execution." He flinched at the sound of the heavy metal door shutting and getting locked behind him. Uzraz only curled in on himself, crawling into the corner of the cell he was forced into. This was it, huh? Adimus and himself were caught, and to keep his love safe he jumped in the way just so he could run away. His crying still echoed in his head, the tears brimming into his eyes. It was cold in the cell, leaving him a quivering mess. At one point, he sat up and tucked his legs against his own chest, his bruised arms wrapped around himself to keep what little warmth he could.

He didn't know how long he remained in that position, but when the door swung open again, he was not happy at the sight before him. An all too familiar body tossed in, limp on the concrete as the door shut once more.

"Adimus!" He scrambled over, right to his side and turned him onto his back. He was unconscious, and bleeding pretty badly from the injury to his head ( It was probably why he was unconscious in the first place ). He didn't hesitate taking off his shirt to press against it, lightening up the bleeding by a little. He was pale from the loss of blood, and Uzraz wanted nothing more than to strangle the ones that hurt the one he loved most—

"Uzraz..."

It was faint, but hearing his name come from Adimus' mouth gave him great relief. "Shh." he gently shushed him. It took a bit of effort, but he was able to move them from the pile of blood left, and even get his head elevated with his lap. "Do not speak." He used his free hand to run his fingers in his blood soaked hair. "Save your energy."

"I suppose this is it?" He ignored his worries, eyes flickering around the room before they fell back on Uzraz.

He didn't want to admit it. But it was. He could only nod, unable to fight back the choked sob that came out of his throat when he spotted the tears building up in Adimus' eyes.

"It was all my fault, love." His back slowly pressed into the wall. "I was not cautious enough." He shut his eyes, biting his lower lip so he didn't show any more emotion than he already was. Death lurked around the corner for them, he knew the fear Adimus had of it, he didn't want to add onto it; even if he was terrified of it as well.

"I'm scared." Adimus choked out, a shaky hand slowly reaching up, to place on Uzraz's bruised cheek, unintentionally smearing blood onto it. He only leaned into it.

"Don't be scared." He moved a little so he could press a gentle kiss into Adimus' palm. "There will come a day, you and I will be together in another time. Hopefully by then I will no longer have to live in fear just for loving you and you with I."

"Do you promise?"

He wasn't sure if that was a promise he could keep, but seeing that small glimmer of hope in Adimus' dull eyes had him nodding his head quickly.

"I promise."

Hongjoong didn't mean to fall asleep so soon, eyes shooting open with a gasp. He looked around in the darkness of his bedroom, it couldn't have been more than a couple of hours since he fell asleep. Although pitch black, barely able to see past his own hand, when he looked down he could just barely see the silhouette of Seonghwa's body. While they slept, Seonghwa had shifted into another position, pulling Hongjoong out of him in his sleep and now had been facing him, nearly half of his body on top of Hongjoong's; who in his sleep shifted onto his back. This basically trapped him, leaving him to try and keep his quickly growing panicking under control.

It didn't help, his quick breathing jostling Seonghwa from his own sleep. "Hongjoong?" His voice was laced with sleep and concern, the older blinking a couple of times while he lifted his head up from Hongjoong's chest. He didn't answer, gently moving Seonghwa off of him in order to sit up, and pulled his legs up against his own chest.

"What the hell was that?" He mumbled, mostly to himself while Seonghwa, although still achy from their earlier activities crawled to the end of his bed, and flicked on the lamp on the bedside table; bedroom no longer in pitch darkness but a comfortable low glow.

"Joongie?" He tried to call out again while coming back next to him, his hand hesitant but slowly resting in the middle of his bare back. Again, no response but from the way his shoulders started shaking Hongjoong began to cry.

Not one word was uttered after that. Seonghwa just rubbed Hongjoong's back as he softly cried to himself. Though, he had just an inkling he knew what this was about...

"You had that dream too, didn't you?"

Hongjoong froze.

Too?

He doesn't have to ask, Seonghwa, with tears welling in his own eyes, rested his cheek against Hongjoong's shoulder with his hand coming to rest on his other one. "I had the same dream too, after I went to your place." A warm, inviting hand gently pulling him to look at Seonghwa. In the glow of the light, he looked... angelic.

"Uzraz..." The name came out of Seonghwa's lips like second nature, and it was all he needed to hear. He turned fully to face the older, blanket shoved to the side.

"...Adimus."

Hongjoong's arms went around Seonghwa, the hug quickly being returned, and tears fell continuously down both of their faces. "Adimus," Hongjoong repeated again, "Oh I've missed you so." He kissed his forehead, and then his nose. "You're as beautiful as ever my amazing angel."

"I can say the same for you, my dashing devil." They both shared choked laughs, and Hongjoong pulled them back to lay down, pulling Seonghwa to lay on top of him again, this time he caged him with his arms to prevent the older from pulling away. But neither wanted that in that moment, wanting to soak in the feeling of each other. They could barely even stop from kissing each other until their lips were raw. It was a feeling neither thought they would get to experience again.

"Finally together," Seonghwa said, kissing Hongjoong's peck before he allowed his head to rest delicately on it, "After so many centuries..."

"It really is a dream come true." Hongjoong finished his sentence, the whole time he didn't break his stare away from him. He doesn't want to look away. He only wanted to look at his love. His life source; his heart.

"What should we do now? Do we tell our friends?" Seonghwa lifted his head back up, but Hongjoong just gently laid it back where it was.

"Shh." He shushed him, only then did he let his eyes flutter shut. "We won't worry about them right now. Right now, you are the only thing I wish to think about." He felt himself relax under Seonghwa's weight, though that wasn't long until he felt it shift, and when he opened his eyes he found Seonghwa on top of him, straddling his lap.

Seonghwa's hands placed themselves on his chest, thumb rubbing along his creamy skin.

"Sorry my love." He moved one hand to gently tug Hongjoong's until it laid on top of his bare thigh, which Hongjoong squeezed softly as he smiled; already aware of what his plans were. "But I don't believe we'll be going back to sleep any time soon."

"Mm, I wouldn't have it any other way." He sat up, his other arm wrapping around Seonghwa's perfectly slim waist while pressing his lips against the older's. "I love you." He mumbled over and over against the kiss while he gently bucked his hips up against Seonghwa's, causing him to faintly moan.

"Promise? Until the end of time?"

His smile grew, connecting his lips now to his neck and placed tiny kisses along it.

"I will always love you in this eternal life of ours."