San is back here again.

Cautiously, he sits up, his palms cushioned by the few patches of grass growing in the woodland. The trees are large and wide, their bulky brown roots stretching across the ground in patterns like an embrace.

Like always, the leaves are almost see-through, swaying to an imaginary breeze. San stares at them for a moment as if preparing himself for the worst, but nothing happens.

Birds San can't see chirp up ahead from varying directions, and as he gets on his feet, he groans at how achey his knees feel. This is another weird thing about these dreams: everything feels a bit too real, and he always wakes up in this strange, unidentified forest.

San exhales a short breath, a little annoyed. He pats down his shorts, the same red ones he'd been wearing at Mingi's house before falling asleep.

Thinking about Mingi makes him remember their earlier conversation about Yunho, and how anxious the taller had seemed about the elf prince's whereabouts. San knows fully well that Mingi cares for Yunho more than he lets on, even when the guy doesn't want to admit it to himself.

And, while San believed Mingi seemed to agree when he said there was absolutely no need to look for Yunho, he can only hope his friend actually heeded to his advice.

"Imagine he did go to that party," San utters to himself. "Why would I not be surprised if that was the case?"

San tries envisioning his tall friend awkwardly idling next to a bunch of drunk, horny teenagers grinding on each other, and he can't help the highly amused chuckle that escapes his lips right then. Alright, there's no way Mingi went there.

A branch snaps, cutting San's thoughts short. He grows rigid, even when there's no need to because this is only a dream, which means this isn't really happening right now.

With bated breaths, San keeps his ears alert for any other sound. For a second, he hears nothing but silence. Then all of a sudden, footsteps echo throughout the atmosphere. They're quick and light, setting San's nerves aflame.

Without wasting another moment, San rushes behind a bush, its sheer size providing adequate protection. Stop freaking out San, he keeps telling himself, but it's hard to listen to logic right now, his heartbeat starting to race.

A growl rumbles in the air right then, hitting San straight to the core. He freezes, frightened of how wild and animalistic it sounds.

Don't freak out. This isn't real, San thinks over and over again, but when that snarl is heard once more terror injects itself right into his veins.

He gulps when hooved legs shuffle in, and then something hairy and beast-like appears past the tightly congregated trees. It looks very much like a rhino, but on steroids.

San quickly holds himself in place behind the bush, lungs stripped of oxygen since he's barely breathing. He can only hope the rhino-looking animal hasn't seen him, and figures that if he is seen, he's not gonna die since he's just dreaming.

The rhino-like beast screeches again, scaring all the chatty birds off. Its hooved feet claw against the soil, as if getting ready for combat.

San clenches his eyes shut as he bites down on his lip, even contemplating pinching himself to stop dreaming when a loud, ecstatic voice echoes through the forest.

"I have found it!"

An arrow whizzes past San's bush, so quick San feared he'd conjured it up at first. The weapon slams into the animal, piercing it through its ribs.

Instantly, the large beast roars in fury and starts to run. Another sharp arrow punctures the middle of its head a second later, causing the beast to stumble and fall.

San feels a little bad even though seconds ago he was literally fucking terrified of the strange animal.

Dark liquid seeps from the animal's fatal wound, like blood but not quite. San's about to relinquish the breath he'd held captive when a new pair of legs jump from a tree right then, tanned, toned and shielded with heavy steely boots.

San's eyes widen, watching as the person those legs belong to holds the third arrow in position, gaze trained on the unmoving animal with a startling intensity. Black symbols swirl around their exposed biceps like tattoos.

San doesn't know how he's still alive at this point, breath stuttering when the person's arrow is soon let loose, hitting the animal square in the mouth.

"Bull's eye," the person cheers, their voice betraying the fact that they're probably male. A glittery dark tunic that seems to be made of animal fur clings to his muscled frame, and his hair is long and as black as ink, the left side shaved while the rest of his hair is intricately braided into this sleek, off-centered ponytail. The ends fall over his shoulders in loose waves and a bright streak shimmers over the strands like lightning, a vibrant blue like the male's eyes.

"That final shot was not necessary," a new voice enters.

"Yes, it was not. But it was fun," the long haired male turns, revealing a face that San doesn't think he'll ever forget in his lifetime. The male's eyes are even bluer from this angle, along with a set of prominent cheekbones, a chiseled jawline and plump lips that are currently stretched into this heart-stopping grin.

San ducks some more, internally going insane. His cheeks are red hot, for some reason. What the hell is even happening?

"Sometimes I forget that you are a prince," the other voice replies, which is owned by another male with long dark hair as well, his features all delicate and pretty. He's dressed in a much simpler tunic and his ears are exposed, displaying pointed edges.

Elves.

"Sometimes I forget too, Yeosang," the very handsome elf says with a cocky smirk. The hooped jewelry lining his ears are no match for the mischief currently glinting through his eyes. "Is that why my soon-to-be husband ran away before we could wed?"

San is speechless. Soon-to-be husband? The prince looked like San's age! But then again, he'd read about how sometimes, royal elves preferred marrying off their children early when it seemed like a good decision for their kingdoms.

"That isn't a laughing matter, your highness. And the prince didn't run away, it's just a rumour," the one called Yeosang comments. His hazel eyes are narrowed at the dead beast on the ground, nose scrunched in disgust at its stench.

"I told you not to call me that when we are alone, Yeosang."

"Because your highness suddenly decided to hunt some Jukls today, I am now being tasked with removing the arrows from their pungent smelling bodies," Yeosang answers. "So I shall call you whatever I want, Wooyoung."

Woo...young. The elf prince's name replays itself again and again in San's mind while he hides behind the bushes, but then he soon catches himself when he realizes how dumb he's being.

This is just a dream, and here he is, acting as though he'll see 'Wooyoung' a next time.

"You know Jukls are highly delicious. And mother has been in the most infuriating of moods recently. Jukl meat will most definitely cheer her up," the prince says, passing his bow and arrow to Yeosang. His movements are graceful, while his entire look screams passion. It creates a very bewitching combination, and San is nothing other than entranced.

Yeosang, after yanking off the arrows, marks the animal with a certain yellow powder. It forms an X on its fur. "Let's get going, since the carriers will be there soon. Staying here any longer than I have to will make me sick."

"This is one of the rare moments I can leave the castle," Wooyoung says, flexing his arms. San can't stop his gaze from following the elf's movements even though he knows it's creepy. His appearance is just extremely pleasing to look at. "So let us not return so early. I want to hunt some more."

"You will leave carcasses everywhere if this continues."

"I can hunt from morning to night everyday for the rest of my life and there will still be more than enough in this forest due to Ynita's blessings."

Ynita? Thousands of thoughts swirl in San's mind at that moment, all centered in confusion. It doesn't help when sunlight slithers past the trees and falls over Wooyoung's left arm right then, the circular tattoo on his skin shimmering a bright gold. Don't tell me --

San gasps, which turns out to be the worst thing he could do because the two elves immediately turn their heads in his direction.

"Who's there?" Wooyoung demands, voice automatically taking on an authoritative tone. "Make yourself known."

San clamps his hands over his mouth, so fucking scared.

"I ask again: who dares to hide in our midst?"

This is only a dream, they can't hurt you. This is only a dream, they can't hurt you. San repeats these words to himself like a mantra, even when he knows deep down that there is a probable chance that he's very, very wrong.

There's nothing but quiet for a hot minute, but then someone is racing at him, colliding with the bush in seconds.

San looks up, only for his heart to drop when a pair of sapphire blue eyes are now staring down at him.

"What on Ynita's blessed green earth -- "

San fucking screams.

• • •

Mingi's eyes open and he immediately groans out loud, a rabid headache pounding at the base of his skull. He stands up and doesn't think anything of it when San isn't next to him on the bed, figuring the guy's probably outside, making himself some breakfast or something.

Mind emptied out of all thoughts, Mingi heads to the bathroom to go take a shower.

Like clockwork, after he's done and goes back to his room, he gets a new syringe and then takes a vial from his stash of testosterone shots, relying on muscle memory more than anything else when he sits on the bed and prepares to inject his thigh with it.

A knock pounds on the door, and Mingi briefly panics before realizing it could be San.

"Currently occupied and naked here, San," he yells, plunging in the shot before long.

A clear of the throat is heard, one that doesn't sound like San in the slightest. Chills descend down Mingi's spine.

"Uh, this isn't San. It's Yunho."

Instantly, Mingi's headache worsens as if his brain is trying to tell him something. He knows he probably did something really fucking stupid last night, but he isn't in the mood to find out what it is.

"What do you want?" He asks, soon searching his closet for some clothes. He pretends his face isn't hot right now at Yunho knowing that he's presently butt ass naked.

"I-I wanted to tell you something," Yunho answers, clearing his throat once more. He sounds incredibly awkward, as if he'd rather be doing anything else at this very moment.

You're not alone in that, Mingi thinks, shoving his boxer briefs up his legs. He then pulls on some joggers and a sweatshirt, not caring enough to fix his hair.

Mingi then opens the door, now face to face with Yunho. The taller's green eyes mirror relief.

"Good, you're thankfully clothed," is what Yunho decides to say right then. "It's about San."

"Wow, you're still thinking about me naked? How lovely," Mingi sarcastically replies. "And what about San? Isn't he here?"

Pink tints Yunho's cheeks, which surprises and amuses Mingi at the same time. "No."

"What do you mean 'no'?"

"He isn't in the house, Mingi," Yunho reveals, exasperation coating his words. "Since last night, I believe. After -- after we...came home together. I tried calling and texting him, but his phone was right inside his bag."

Mingi's recollection of last night gets a little clearer, unfortunately. He remembers dunking a bunch of beers at that dumb party all too well, remembers having some kind of argument with Yunho as well. Mingi decides to stop thinking about it before he unravels more embarrassing memories.

He looks through San's bag, and sure enough, his phone is there, filled with text messages from the elf. The time reads 8:18AM, Sunday.

"That's strange," Mingi states, trying not to freak out about San's disappearance. This isn't like his friend, and the more he thinks about it, the more he hopes he isn't where he thinks he is.

Mingi turns to see Yunho eyeing the empty syringe on his nightstand, and goes to stand in front of it, blocking it from view.

"You said San's been gone since...what time exactly?" Mingi questions.

"I can't exactly remember, but it was a little over eleven pm."

Mingi thinks of the worst case scenario, of San's dad showing up late at night and somehow taking San with him, but something like that has never happened before. It also doesn't explain why San left all his stuff behind, as he's always so careful and organized.

Cold, hard guilt engulfs the entirety of Mingi's being. How could he have been so careless? How could he have left San alone at home to go to some stupid party just because some infuriating guy who's also an elf was there?

Mingi exits his room, said infuriating elf quickly following in his footsteps.

"Where are you going?" Yunho asks, his long legs easily keeping up with Mingi's.

"None of your -- " Mingi gets interrupted when the aunt enters through the front door.

"Hey, guys." She looks a bit sheepish, which tells Mingi all that he needs to know about the woman's night whereabouts. "I bought some boba tea. Where's San?"

"Currently m.i.a," Mingi replies.

"What?"

"He isn't home and he didn't take his phone either. So I'm gonna head to his house, see if he's there," Mingi explains, too anxious to stay here any longer.

Gia's reddish brows rise in alarm. "Want me to join? Should I call the cops -- "

Mingi quickly shakes his head. "No need. I'll text you when I see him."

Mingi's pulling his bike out of the garage when Yunho rushes beside him, blond locks flowing in the wind.

"Let me come with," he suggests.

"No," Mingi presses, his heart beating like crazy underneath his ribs. He really can't afford anyone slowing him down now. "I don't need your help."

But Yunho has already taken San's bike, settling gracefully on it despite his tall height. His hood has also been pulled over his head, which protects his ears from view.

"I know you said you don't need my help, but I still want to be there for San," Yunho tells him. "I still want to be there for you."

Mingi's pulse quickens, but he ignores his racing heart and pedals down the road, not even shocked when Yunho trails after him without any problems.

The journey is majorly silent, save for the occassional car passing by. Having stayed over at San's house many times during his childhood, Mingi quickly locates the place in no time.

The house looks similar to the other ones lining the quaint neighbourhood, only that its garden is unkempt and the paint on the walls is a little old, chipping at the corners.

"Is this where San lives?" Yunho asks behind Mingi, and Mingi's jaw locks, not at all looking forward to dealing with the man known as San's father.

"Yeah." Mingi rests his bicycle against the picket fence, and steps into the vicinity.

You're doing this for San, Mingi reminds himself, before pressing the doorbell. He recollects doing this very action a lot once upon a time -- especially during the holidays -- his parents flanking his sides while San's mum opens up, welcoming him with open arms.

Now he's back again, and instead of an excited woman greeting him it's a tired man with absent eyes, his clothes askew. Working from home, Mr Choi spends more hours than not holed up in his room and forgetting his son's existence, or drinking himself into a stupor and forgetting his own existence.

"Mr Choi," Mingi states, not bothering with a greeting. "Did San come back here yesterday night? Or earlier today?"

San's dad doesn't look like he processed a word Mingi just said. "What...what are you talking about?"

Mingi nods, getting his answer. "I guess he didn't."

He turns to leave, but Mr Choi grasps his wrist, startling him.

"W-What are you doing?" Mingi questions, hating how he stammered at the beginning. It's even worse when Yunho inches closer from where he stands, looking like he wants to intervene. I'm not a fucking baby.

"Is San not with you? He said he was staying with you over the weekend. Where did he go?" San's father interrogates, grip getting tighter around Mingi's wrist. "Where did he go?"

"Let go," Mingi forces out, pure panic infiltrating his veins.

Yunho's there in less than a second, pushing the man away as gently as he can. His expression is hard and stern however, teeth gritted. "He told you to let go."

"Where's San? Tell me where he is."

Mingi shaply exhales, taking a step back. "San is fine. I think I just made a mistake. I'm sorry."

Mr Choi's features relax, and then he's sighing, looking entirely different from the neurotic side he displayed earlier. He's been like that ever since the divorce. "...Okay."

Mingi can only breathe when the door finally shuts, leaving him and Yunho alone on the porch. He can feel the elf's confusion, but he really doesn't want to talk about this right now.

"We can't all have perfect parents," Mingi says, going for his bike.

Yunho nods, but he still glances at San's house as if Mr Choi would suddenly decide to jump them or something.

Mingi's phone vibrates in his pocket, and when he checks it, his eyes grow big.

- aunt gia👩🏻‍🦰👀
san's home
he just came from your room???

"Oh my god. San's back," Mingi narrates.

Yunho looks just as puzzled as Mingi feels. "What?"

Mingi's already on his bike and pedaling into the road, more than eager to leave this damn neighbourhood behind. He just hopes San doesn't get mad once he finds out where he went to.

• • •

"Where the fuck were you?" Is the first thing Mingi tells San once he gets back home, the shorter astonished beyond comprehension. "We looked for you everywhere."

"Oof." San groans when Mingi pulls him into a bone-crushing hug, arms wrapped around his sides. "I just...I just woke up, I swear."

"You weren't here since last night," Yunho says, while Gia sips on her boba tea, obviously concerned. "I checked countless times after Mingi and I came back together -- " He pauses, appearing like a deer caught in headlights.

Mingi grows rigid, and San looks right at him before anyone else.

"Came back together from where?" Gia asks, eyes widening. "Oh my god, Mingi, did you eventually go to that party?"

"Why are we talking about this right now?" Mingi asks, taking a step back. "San just showed up after disappearing for the entire night -- "

"I was sleeping," San answers, insistent on convincing himself of this too.

"Well clearly it wasn't a normal one because you freaking vanished during it."

"I didn't vanish -- "

"It's way too early for this," Mingi's aunt says, rubbing her hair. She gestures at Yunho. "Please hand them some boba tea, and take one yourself too. We'll discuss San's disappearing act later."

At this San outwardly deflates, which Mingi quickly notices.

"...What did you dream about?" Mingi asks, not knowing what pushes him to ask that. He just doesn't like how troubled San now seems.

San's lips flatten into a line.

"San."

"I'll tell you later, but don't tell anyone else, alright?" San whispers, before leaving him to go get his designated strawberry flavoured boba tea.

That's when Mingi remembers that Yunho definitely carried him home on his back.

And remembers that he definitely looked at Yunho's lips at some point during the course of last night.

And remembers that Yunho definitely looked at his lips too.

As if Yunho can read his mind, he watches Mingi right then, never taking his eyes off him even as he sips his boba tea.

Mingi wants to throw himself off a cliff.

Fuck me.

• • •

a/n: thoughts?