After taking their time to change and close the hangar's large, heavy gates, the four pilots made their way towards the community bathrooms before checking in for dinner. The dining hall is really just an old hangar, restored and extended to fit all the flight crew and the mariners who'd come and dine there, whenever they'd return from their sea and coast guard every now and then. Wooyoung still remembers the day they had first opened the hangar; so many people from different departments had come, because cake and desserts were served and it was the only ocassion they were allowed to have a tad bit of alcohol, as their duties for the day were cleared to celebrate their hard work. The young Captain likes to think about it, as he walks alongside Mingi to grab a tray of food when they finally set foot inside the hall. It's loud this time around, and it startles the shorter pilot because usually, General Jung would be up on his feet, scolding those who were to pitch up their voice even as much as half an octave higher.

 The pilots took their spots at their usual table after setting down their trays and began eating, exchanginf some side dishes and engaging in small talk every now and then. Wooyoung, unlike Mingi, had hated spicy dishes and he'd rather eat plain rice than have the whole air force department laugh at his childish squeaks ever again. It was a long day back then, but he'd never forget it anyways, as tired as he was.

 So the two sat in a comfortable silence as they ate, sometimes exchanging knowing gazes whenever they had overheard gossip, and it's comfortable, until it isn't. There's a shadow looming over them and suddenly, the hall grows silent, awaiting, when the two pilots look up. It's General Lee standing firm beside his husband, but the redheaded base leader seems much more open hearted, much less uptight when he offers a smile, as the two scramble up to their feet to salute and gulp down the food in their mouths. It's impolite, Wooyoung knows, but who is he to spit it out, right? It's dead silent in the dining hall, one could hear a pin drop, and General Jung coughs as if to bring attention up to his eyes. He dismisses the two lower ranked men,  before speaking up, "Captain Jeong, First Lieutenant Song, I want the two of you by General Lee's office tomorrow morning at 8am sharp," he asks, strict voice rough around the edges and it cuts just as sharply through their ears. And it would almost hurt, if Wooyoung hadn't known any better. "I want you to wear your ceremonial uniforms. You are dismissed from the morning training. Look your best. Dismissed." The General dismisses and leaves, the two pilots left to stand there dumbfounded with hundredsof eyes set on their frames. What was this about?

 "You think it's for the royal ball?" Mingi prompts into the dead silence when they sit back down again and he digs into his food and Wooyoung shrugs, anxiety pooling in the pit of his stomach as he rethinks his entire life. He thinks it's okay, maybe it's nothing too bad, nothing to worry about, but being requested to wear a ceremonial uniform only either meant having to retire, attend an important event or join a military parade, and Wooyoung knew it couldn't be the last option. They would've been training for a parade, if that was to be the case, and he wasn't made aware of any important events happening, aside of the royal ball the Generals were requested to attend. Wooyoung can clearly recall the last time the air fleet had attended one of those and a single glance at Mingi confirms him, that he recalls the same event as well. These men serving for the country are really good when it comes to combat or flying, some are really good at marine navigation and combat, but they don't exactly excel when it comes to any social skills, and the last time the air force had attended a royal ball, it had came through, and their base had been laughed upon for the next couple months.

 But Wooyoung had tried his best to work on his social skills nevertheless, especially now, when he'd had set a goal to persuade a particular royal Colonel; a snarky, sarcastic and so terrribly snobbish man whose pride could match General Jung's. He's terrible, Wooyoung thinks, but he still sees through the facade he puts up, and genuinely admires the older Colonel. He'd wanted to get to know him; thought he might be able to take him out on a date sometime too, but all this was written in the stars Wooyoung couldn't quite read in yet. Of course, he'd been taught to find his way home while navigating in the pitch black sky, but these were different stars - ones that looked over love and relationships, gentle touches and tender kisses; all which were totally foreign to the young Captain. And although the unknown, starry abyss felt scary, Wooyoung was willing to reach his hand out, was willing to touch the dark matter and graze his fingers through the unknown. "Eat up, we have a big day coming up tomorrow," Mingi had nudged him with a playful grin and that's when he snaps out of his daze.

 "Whatever you ever do, Wooyoung, never mess with the royals. They are will destroy you when they've played enough," Mingi would repeat, and these words would sting and hurt, but the young man would really like to experience love, he'd love to feel and touch, but it wasn't like he'd had the chance to do so. San was strict; his face always seems to be pulled into a scowl, eyebrows furrowed and eyes narrowed in a glare, and there's just that little something about the overall seriousness of him that Wooyoung finds interesting. Their personalities were pretty similar, also, although the pilot was much more outgoing than the Colonel, and it's something Mingi likes to tease him about. Why, Wooyoung will never understand, but he leaves him be. As long as he's happy...

 It's still unfair, though, when the red haired man gets to flirt his way into a Royal Major's heart, completely disregarding his own advice but the second Wooyoung even as much as thinks of the other royal, it's suddenly wrong and dangerous. It's unfair and it really hurts Wooyoung's feelings and pride, but he decides to follow his friend's advice nevertheless, knowing he's right in a way. Maybe, just maybe, there's some truth to the statement.

 "I'll go ahead, Min. Eat up, let's meet later in our dorm," The blond decides after a couple of minutes of deep thinking, smiles gently at his friend and stands up from the table. The redhead, however, quickly stops him and steals some leftover rice from the blond, before he lets him go his way. Despite Mingi liking to interrogate Wooyoung about his feelings quite often, he knew when it's his time to talk and when to stop, and he senses that now is not the time. People often asked Mingi why's he still sticking to the boring Captain; why would he stay by that man's side, and Mingi never replies; he doesn't want to reply. It wasn't like he hadn't known the answer to those questions – he just hated them. Wooyoung, despite not being as cheerful and talkative as the younger pilot was, had always been the Lieutenant's number one supporter. Whatever Mingi did, the Captain stood by his side and held him up, gave him the confidence and strength he needed, and the taller did the same for him at all times. They were like brothers, cherishing one another, supportive of the other's actions.

 That's why Mingi never dumped Wooyoung. He was his brother, after all.