Number 9 |jaewoo|

4

The two awkwardly made their way inside. They walked up a flight of stairs and arrived to a round room with a table in the middle, perfect for nine people to sit in. Everyone including Taeyong were already in there, talking in soft voices. When they caught his eye, Taeyong clasped his hands together and stood up. "Oh, good, you found him. Thank you Jaehyun." He gestured at two chairs beside him. Jungwoo sat right in between Taeyong and Jaehyun after they both sat back down.

Jungwoo eyed everyone, one by one. He said each of their names in his head to test himself. "What's going on?" Jungwoo then asked Taeyong, who hushed the room.

"You'll see." Taeyong answered, and then he sighed. He faced the group who waited for him to start. "So... I called you here because I have some news. The government officials want to inspect our facility. They need to make sure whatever we create here is ethical and... well, following the law. And they will be coming in three days."

The room remained eerily quiet. Taeyong swallowed, unsure about how they'll react. Then, Doyoung shook his head. "So, what are you implying?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Taeyong looked at the table. "As far as they know, we study the environment. That's why we made that orchard. They believe that we stopped studying the fusion of robotics and biology... thanks to that law."

"And so we're going to let them tell us what to do?" Johnny raised an eyebrow, his arms folded.

"Whoa, wait a second," Mark interjected. "What does that mean for Jungwoo? And the evidence? What if they find out?"

"That's what I'm concerned about." Taeyong tried to finish. "If we want to keep on doing research here and keep our titles, we have to abide by their rules."

Yuta scoffed and twirled a pen. "We've worked too hard and too long. Just to throw it all away and make an act to satisfy them. Pathetic."

"We've spoken about this before," Taeyong reminded them. "The law is different, yes. Did we have to change ourselves for it? Perhaps. But it's the only way we survived. Having Jungwoo back is a huge risk, and if you want to keep surviving, you need to listen to me."

"What should we do, then?" Donghyuck asked, a worried look on his face. "They can't know he's here. They'll..." he paused.

Taeyong thought for a moment. "We need to hide him."

"But where?" Jaehyun asked, concerned. Jungwoo grew nervous as well, and couldn't seem to sit still. It was disturbing to think about. What will happen if those strangers discover him?

"Listen. I have an idea that could work," Taeyong exhaled. "The floor beneath us, underground. That's the saferoom, right? Jungwoo can stay in there with one of you. But the door has to be locked at all times, and you can't make any noise. I'll try not to let them come down there and say its off limits due to privacy. Anything that keeps him hidden. How does that sound?"

"He could stay with me," Donghyuck shrugged. "I'll keep him company."

"Fine. But make sure you do as I say. No noise, and no leaving until I say so." Taeyong pointed at him. Donghyuck smiled and nodded.

Soon, Taeil clasped his hands together and looked at them. "Frankly... I believe everything will be alright. With our experiences, we've never let anything get to us. This is only a minor setback... but it'll pass, I'm sure of it." Taeil glanced up at his friends with a grin that made the room seem a little brighter.

"Then its settled," Taeyong finally said. "Let's get started. We have so much to do in a few days."

Soon after that, everyone got up and went off to complete errands needed to hide any evidence of Jungwoo's existence in the facility. Jungwoo, although knowing he'll be safe with Donghyuck, feared about what those strangers' intentions were. He cringed at the thought of him getting everyone into serious trouble. He held his fist close to his chest and silently vowed to not let that happen. Just then, he noticed something was balled up in his fist and when he opened it, there it was- the little handkerchief. He completely forgot he was holding it. Like a coincidence, he saw Jaehyun leave the room last and went to go follow him. But Taeyong stopped Jungwoo before he crossed the threshold. "Can I speak with you?" he gently asked.

Jungwoo blinked and went back up to him. They were both now alone. It was so quiet that they heard the lights buzzing. "What is it?" Jungwoo wondered.

Taeyong observed the blond up and down with his eyes. "There is something... I've noticed."

"Oh?"

"I noticed that you've been connecting with Jaehyun."

"I guess," Jungwoo glanced at the floor, fidgeting with the handkerchief in his hands. "I'm sorry. Should I stop?" his voice was puny.

"No, of course not! It's great that you're comfortable with him."

"How do you know?"

"There's many cameras throughout this building. But I also watch. You two have been close lately, and that makes me very proud."

"May I confess?" Jungwoo remembered. "Something happened."

"Something happened?" Taeyong was intrigued.

"I think I had a vision. I touched him and suddenly I saw myself with him. But we were in danger, and I had left him alone. I did the exact same thing in my vision, where I touched his cheek and left him there." Jungwoo dabbed the handkerchief on his dampening eyes again and sniffed. "What does it mean? Can I trust? I don't get it." He watched him and waited for an explanation.

Taeyong blinked. He was amazed at the fact that Jaehyun was somehow unlocking things in Jungwoo. But he had a feeling that something was in the air and the memory wasn't just caused by touch. There had to be more to it, he thought. "Did he give that to you?" Taeyong soon asked.

"Yes. It's a gift."

"I see." Taeyong watched him use the cloth. "Well... as far as that memory goes, perhaps something happened long ago with you both. If touch is what's giving you visions... maybe it was something positive." He had enough of watching Jungwoo frustrate himself, so he took his hands, gently moving them out of the way.

Jungwoo silenced as Taeyong went ahead and wiped the tear away with his thumb. He let his fingers glide across Jungwoo's forehead and behind his ear, to move those long bangs away. "Please don't cry," Taeyong told him. Then, he just had to ask. "Jungwoo... you know that we care about you, right? That I care about you?"

The blond nodded.

"I want the very best for you. You know that, right?"

"Yes, Taeyong."

"It was so hard losing you. We didn't know what to do. It's almost a dream now that you're back. And it makes me proud that you're starting to get some memories back. Remember that it just takes time."

"And what about those people coming?" Jungwoo had to ask to put his mind at ease.

"No worries. Like we talked about, you'll be with Donghyuck in the saferoom. I know all of this is risky, but I'm willing to take it." Taeyong smiled again.

Jungwoo did too, and then gave his friend a big hug. He felt Taeyong caressing the back of his head again, which filled him with comfort and determination. Taeyong brushed Jungwoo's hair with his own fingers and let them graze down to the nape of Jungwoo's neck.

Jungwoo felt his friend nuzzling. He was afraid of letting go early, so he kept his eyes shut. Soon, he felt the sensation of Taeyong's lips on his neck that sent chills. He tenderly kissed twice, causing Jungwoo to exhale aloud by the second time.

When he realized what he'd done, Taeyong immediately pulled away. "I shouldn't have done that."

Jungwoo widened his eyes and rubbed where it happened. "It's alright," he stuttered.

"No its not." Taeyong went off to the exit. He covered his face in complete shame as he pushed it open. He wanted it to work. He needed it to trigger something. Anything. But there was nothing and he hated himself for it.

"Taeyong, wait."

"It's going to be very busy here okay? So if you need anything just...let me know. Or Jaehyun. Whoever." Off Taeyong went, leaving Jungwoo by himself. He tilted his head, questioning what that whole thing meant. Although a little stunned, he had to admit that it was really nice.