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With San back to full health, it's no surprise he gets mailed that Monday morning about a task he needs to complete. With the suicides last Thursday and Friday reported on every news channel and striking fear into the hearts of the Utopion metropolis citizens, the Headquarters were scrambling to rectify the public's perception of the superheroes once more and boost their brandings.

San feels his breath hitch when he sees the name of the hero he's meant to 'battle' today. It's The Golden Clover -- Wooyoung -- and he's meant to cause a scene at Paradigm Avenue so the hero can show off his powers and convince the general public they're safe again.

San remembers their conversation last night. Somehow, after Wooyoung called him on Friday evening, he'd found himself talking to the man a couple hours a day since then. San doesn't really know how it happened, but Wooyoung would text him about some random thing he did that day (like this new cereal he bought and ate on Saturday, for example), and suddenly hours would flit by without notice as San indulges Wooyoung's frequent and unexpected attempts at conversation.

Wooyoung would also ask San questions about himself, like his plans for that day, his favourite food and the like. He even asked about Jongho yesterday morning, promising he'd see the boy soon when he's a little less busy.

And San...San doesn't know how to really feel about it. There's some guilt involved too, of course, because Wooyoung is trusting San with all this information about himself without knowing who he actually is, what he actually does. And the fact that San can't reveal himself without dire consequences fucks a bit with his conscience.

I think I've officially gone insane. Wooyoung's words from Friday continue to haunt San's thoughts. Wooyoung had sounded so broken at that moment, so lost that San fell back into the quicksand of his past, back to those memories he'd fought and still fights so hard so forget. It'd taken heaps and bounds of sheer willpower to help Wooyoung through his anxiety and not succumb to his demons once more.

Even now, San's still struggling to put it all behind him.

He stands from his bed, preparing to go shower when his phone vibrates over his dresser. San hates how his intensely heart quivers at seeing texts from Wooyoung pile on top of the screen. It's the first time the shorter's texting him so early, a heaviness in San's chest when he predicts what the contents will be about.

- WOOYOUNG
gooood morning san :))
hope you slept well
sorry if that was weird

- WOOYOUNG
anyway ik youre probably asleep rn but i just felt like texting you

- WOOYOUNG
also i have to go to work in a bit
hope i dont d i e from exahaustion
i say anyway a lot oh my god

San can almost hear Wooyoung rambling on and on in that bright, airy voice of his as if he's in this very room with San. The very thought of it has the man's stomach flipping.

- WOOYOUNG
omg u just read my texts
uh heyyy san
sorry if i sound a lil awkward, i thought u were still asleep

San contemplates just leaving the shorter's texts unanswered, something he would've done if Wooyoung was just a stranger. San doesn't do friends, and he's been alone for so long with Mingi and Jongho as his only company that he's more than used to shutting others out. His scar too doesn't help matters.

But Wooyoung is no longer a familiar stranger the Headquarter pays him to battle, no longer a seemingly egoistic and irritatingly perfect superhero born with a silver spoon that he watches through the TV screen. He's Jung Wooyoung, this clumsy, talkative man that trips over his words, is exceedingly generous with him and his brother and blushes like a newly bloomed rose in Spring. He's soft and considerate and worries a little too much despite all the fame and power he's acquired.

Jung Wooyoung is just a person, a human being with flaws and imperfections just like everybody else, and the realization has San all the more aware of his ricocheting heartbeat and flushed skin. And as with everything too strange or difficult for him to comprehend, San decides to fully ignore whatever his body's trying to tell him.

- SAN
i'm not asleep
and good morning

- WOOYOUNG
are you going out today to meet jongho?

San doesn't think he can ever get used to how direct Wooyoung can be at times, especially on matters San doesn't easily share with others. And while Wooyoung doesn't know the kind of history he and Jongho share, Wooyoung is more than familiar with how close they are.

And when San recalls how kindly Wooyoung had treated Jongho the last time he came to Promise shelter, it makes it a little easier to reveal part of his plans to Wooyoung.

- SAN
not now, but later

- WOOYOUNG
cool cool
im guessing you're going to work now?

San stiffens where he stands, on edge. For a second he fears Wooyoung has figured out what he's about to do, but relaxes at the reality that the man has seen him with and without his mask and hasn't put two and two together.

You're basically fooling him, the voice in San's head yells, imitating his conscience. But San knows he isn't obligated to disclose anything about his secret identity to Wooyoung, because while they've texted a bit Wooyoung is still a renowned superhero, and superheroes despise anyone considered a villain. They're both on different planes; they should've never even talked to each other in the first place.

- WOOYOUNG
san??
saaaannn

San bites his lip. On cue, the right side of his face throbs, making its existence known before long. The scar there is far past the point of hurting (physically, at least) but now that San remembers it's on his face -- and why it's on his face --, he understands that there's no chance of him ever revealing this part of himself to Wooyoung.

Despite the hero being nothing but nice to him so far, San knows fully well that he'll become just like the others if he ever catches sight of his disfigurement. Wooyoung is only human, after all, and humans don't take kindly to imperfection.

- SAN
i have to go

- WOOYOUNG
oh okay
i just realized i have to go too now

- WOOYOUNG
gotta start my daily duties sooner or later haha

San doesn't bother replying. He throws his phone into his bed and walks out of his room in quick strides. He doesn't mean to, but the bedroom door smacks against the doorframe with such an enormous force that it nearly collapses through the wall.

San can alreay feel an headache coming on.

"Chill out!" Mingi yells from the kitchen, no doubt making himself some coffee before he embarks on his own task.

"Sorry," San mutters, too mentally exhausted to speak up. He's experiencing that sensation again where the ceiling spins and the walls appear like they're closing in. His body feels too tight for him.

He's panicking.

"Are you okay?" Mingi shouts out again, and the last thing San wants is for the younger man to find him in this position and try to convince him to skip his task for today. The Headquarters operate on a 'show up, get paid' basis and if San misses out on today despite how much it pains him, another villain is going to get assigned for the job.

"I'm fine." San enters the bathroom before Mingi can comment on how strained his voice sounds.

He promptly undresses, the mirror replicating the small cuts scattered across his chest and arms. At least they're healing. The gash on his left leg has closed up too, and luckily it doesn't look like it'll form a scar. His bodily injuries aren't ideal, but San has to suck it up to survive. As long as he has time to recuperate and doesn't get caught, he'll be able to utilize the Headquarters to get one step closer to financial freedom.

San and Wooyoung's conversation somehow gets him to look at himself in the mirror. He doesn't know why he expects something different; the stark red gash marring nearly half his face is still as visible as ever. Disgust poisons his insides like acid.

San thinks of Wooyoung's odd interest in him, and a part of him has to wonder if the man would still treat him the same if he knew this is what San actually looks like.

A crack slithers over the mirror, cutting the glass in two. The bottom half crashes into the sink, and San feels even worse about himself.

You destroy everything.

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San takes care to wear another hooded cape this time around, clasping on a mask that encircles both his eyes as well. The weather's a bit on the hotter side but it seems as though everyone is outside, enjoying the breeze and basking under the sunlight.

As San gazes at the civilians far ahead of his hiding spot on the a roof of a power plant, he feels like an intruder. He's a citizen just like everyone else, but because of his zia, he can't live like a normal person. He's never lived like a normal person.

His breath is shaky when he inhales, but he convinces himself this will all be over soon.

In a minute, Jung Wooyoung is flying over the city as he patrols the metropolis, his suit looking extra golden beneath the sun. His face is void of emotion even as he coasts over the crowded streets, people pointing and cheering his superhero name in the process.

Half of San wonders if he has anything to do with Wooyoung's unusual apathy, but then he cancels out the thought immediately. You're not that important.

With that, San's jaw constricts and he extends his hand, the ground shaking almost instantly. A few of the trees lined up in the distance tremble as a rift forms between them. Furious at his hopelessness, San doesn't care as much as Wooyoung hurriedly dives for the tree closest to falling and stops it from hitting the ground.

The bigger the damage, the more he gets paid and the more Wooyoung gets to show off and save the day.

Knowing he's seconds away from being spotted, San uproots a slab of metal from the nearby building and uses it to transport himself further into Paradigm Avenue.

The broad road offers barely any cover unfortunately, and soon enough Wooyoung's gliding above him, his growing shadow giving how close he's getting.

San pauses, half to confirm people are watching and half to figure out an exit plan, when Wooyoung abruptly tackles him to the ground.

Dramatic gasps fill the atmosphere, akin to a soap opera, but San isn't in the position to roll his eyes right now.

Wooyoung is on top of him, knees pressing into his thigh, and he's looking right at him as if he recognizes him.

San bypasses every one of the hero's stares until his gaze falls across a bakery. He crushes his fists and the building's signboard tears through the air and slams into Wooyoung, knocking him over.

San almost feels bad until Wooyoung lunges for him again.

No matter what, you can't get caught. San remembers the Headquarter's number one rule. He leaps to his feet and twists a street lamp in two, launching it at Wooyoung like a boomerang.

Wooyoung catches it easily, discarding it to the side like nothing. There's a determination in the hero's eyes that's nearly frightening as he regards San, and the way a blazing heat pools San's stomach in anticipation is even more alarming.

San doesn't know how it happens, but he's in the sky before he knows it, tripping over buildings while he gets dragged to god knows where.

Careful not to use his voice, San fights against Wooyoung's girp to get the man to let him go, but Wooyoung doesn't budge. When San looks down and sees how far they both are from everyone else, he panics.

He attempts freeing himself once again when Wooyoung glares at him like he's a petulant child.

"Stay still unless you want to fall to your death," Wooyoung commands, grey eyes narrowed. He sounds nothing like the Jung Wooyoung San's come to know, his harsh, domineering tone taking San aback.

He obeys, mostly because him and Wooyoung are fully in the air now, getting further and further away from civilisation. It troubles San, because where can Wooyoung be taking him if he isn't planning on handing him to the authorities?

For a terrifying moment, San fears Wooyoung has figured out his identity and is dragging him to the Headquarters, but that's before Wooyoung descends into an empty field in Lemon Gate, the small, mostly unoccupied village located on the outskirts of Utopion.

San's on solid grass in a matter of seconds, shoulders rigid when Wooyoung still won't let him go.

The hero seems to realize he's still holding San, because he releases him soon enough. The bright sun shines behind him like a halo as he taps the brass gadget on his wrist.

"Disengaged the locations setting, so we're not being monitored," Wooyoung begins, his eyes never leaving San's. It's both unnerving and discombobulating, making San want to hide away.

"Why am I here?" San says, his voice but a murmur. As if it was planned, the field provides next to nothing to use as defense.

Wooyoung draws closer, his gaze remaining steady as if under a trance. He holds up his palms in surrender. "I'm not planning on hurting or capturing you. I just want to know who you are."

San can't believe his ears. He nearly scoffs but stops himself before that gives him away.

"I know you," Wooyoung keeps going. "We keep meeting. You do something that catches my attention, we fight, and then you slip away. What do you want from me?"

All throughout his speech, Wooyoung keeps looking San right in the eye, and it's worse when San can't look away either.

I don't want anything. I'm being tasked to utilize your powers, and that's why I'm here, San thinks, but obviously can't say this out loud.

Wooyoung gets even closer, captivated by San's presence. "Please answer me so I can finally get some peace. So I can finally get you out of my head."

San's heart goes into overdrive the moment Wooyoung's fingers grasp his hood, the hero's intent loud and clear.

He grabs Wooyoung's hand to stop him, out of breath when the hero barely reacts, eyes solely on him and face gloriously sunkissed.

"Don't touch me," San utters without any hesitation.

"Okay." Wooyoung slowly nods. The air between them is suffocating, thick with tension. "Just...just let me know who you are. I promise I won't tell a soul."

San doesn't know how, or what to reply.

"I helped you the last time you got hurt, remember?" Wooyoung continues, his eyes so genuine and honest that San almost reveals himself right there and then. "So I'm not the enemy. I'm just curious."

"I'm a villain."

"I don't care."

San doubts Wooyoung's telling the truth. Either way, he knows he has to get out of here before he's seen talking with a superhero unchained and unharmed.

"If you're not the enemy, like you said," San begins, voice lowered, "then you'll let me leave once more."

Wooyoung's face falls, looking less like the model hero he portrays and more like the wide-eyed Wooyoung San had spent the last few days messaging.

"Will I get to see you again?" Wooyoung asks after seconds of silence.

Why are you like this? San wants to question, appalled by how entranced Wooyoung seems to be by him. It makes his head hurt, and he decides on not answering altogether.

Wooyoung exhales, shoulders deflating. He pulls out his teleportation slide before long. "Give me your hand."

San does as he instructs, hating the shivers that run down his spine when Wooyoung holds onto his hand a little longer than necessary.

"Consider yourself lucky," the hero speaks. "I might not be so generous next time around. I might even capture you."

His words are a threat, but his tone sounds playful, almost. San doesn't know what to feel.

"I think you're my soft spot," Wooyoung then admits while staring into the horizon, his crimson hair like flames. His confession stuns San to bits. "But don't try to take advantage of that. I'll make you regret it if you do."

With that, Wooyoung flies off into the sky, leaving San all alone with his thoughts.

Thoughts that are way too out of control to be normal. His cheeks are warm.

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a/n: thoughts?