Crepuscular Clocksmith

19. Digging into the World

On Friday, Yunho took the day off from work. He barely slept the night prior, too excited and anxious about Mingi's big day. Everything boiled down to their success, and Yunho didn't know what he would do if they didn't find the naga's nest. The guilt would haunt him forever.

In his most casual clothes that wouldn't mind being stained all over with earth, Yunho left his apartment. It didn't rain that day, but Yeosang awaited him outside in the alleyway's corner. Even without his ears and tail, he carried himself with an air of mystery. He greeted Yunho with a smile and Yunho was surprised to find Jongho by his side. Even his sporty work clothes looked luxurious on him, and he donned gloves and a shovel.

Yeosang handed one to Yunho, together with a pair of gardening gloves.

"The spell that makes the store invisible is mine, so I can lift it for today. Mingi waits at the window. We'll go in first." With a beckon of his hand, Yeosang cast the shrouding fog aside that frazzled people's minds and made them overlook the shop if they didn't have a purpose there. During the day, it looked jarringly normal, as if the unassuming facade hid the mysteries inside too well.

While Jongho and Yeosang rang the bell of the neighbouring house, Yunho stepped into the side alley. He found Mingi at the window, purposefully poised so his lower arms wouldn't be visible. When he spotted Yunho, a smile spread across his pale features.

"Yunho, good morning!" He saluted him. Fatigue and hope mixed in his stricken features, but Yunho was glad to see both melt away as they kissed in greeting.

"Nervous?" Yunho asked as he slipped the gloves over his fingers. He moved deliberately, wanting to prove to Mingi how serious this matter was to him.

Restless fingers twiddled on the windowsill. Mingi wore none of his elegant accessories today, too stressed out by the importance of this day to care about them. When Yunho reached to squeeze his hands, the jitters stilled.

"Yeah... I'll be fine even if you find nothing, but I would like to be free. Though I don't know where to go after this." Mingi frowned to himself. The shop had been his home since ever and despite its lonely gloom, he had turned it into a cosy cave. It was also where he had met Yunho, so Yunho understood why he feared losing all that.

"Things might change, but we'll be here for you no matter what. I won't leave you behind and the others won't, either," Yunho promised him. His uplifting smile helped, and Mingi grinned at him. When he dipped for another kiss, neither of them minded San's 'ewww gross', where he just emerged from the shop to come to their aid.

Yunho picked up his shovel once they parted.

"Now, let's get digging. I won't leave before I haven't found your nest," he swore like a knight in shining armour. Mingi grasped his hand to his chest, charmed. As Yunho joined San to take off together, Mingi looked at their retreating backs full of faith.

"Wooyoung will stop by later to help, too," San informed Yunho as they made their way inside the open house. They politely took only the designated path down to the basement, not minding the family bustling around for breakfast.

"Hongjoong and Seonghwa send us their regards. They offered to help move once we relocate the shop."

Like a fly, San rubbed his hands.

"Perfect. So many new friends and helpers. It's a delight to see. It was only us three a while back. Now the place is bustling with life."

They descended the steep stairs, and San walked with one hand on the railing for extra safety.

"Finding the shop was the luckiest thing I did. It's all thanks to my watch." He left it at home today, but it had become his most treasured item, together with the locket. He was almost afraid to wear either of them in case they broke. Not that Mingi couldn't fix them. He would even look super cute while at it.