Tidal-Bore

19. A Peek

For three days, Wooyoung apologised to Yeosang every time they settled down to sleep. The first time, Yeosang grumbled in displeasure. The second time, he muttered his acceptance. The third time, Yongguk asked them to talk it out during the day. Wooyoung was quiet after that, but he told Yeosang with many meaningful glances that he was still sorry. After some time, Yeosang stopped glowering every time their eyes crossed.

Yunho and Mingi returned to their duties, but they took a distance from Yeosang for a while. Only after they were assured no more accusations would get thrown their way, they relaxed in Wooyoung's presence.

Silent as a grave, Wooyoung never mentioned it to Hongjoong or Seonghwa. Since he had no business discussing the matter with anyone but Yeosang, San and he settled on a mutual understanding that they saw nothing.

Because the Atlanteans were busy with establishing their new families and moving in together, Atlantis' bustle fell quiet for a while. No more festivities awaited them, and Wooyoung had dinner with the leaders only once. Apart from that, he often spent time with Jongho and his jellyfish. They could have choppy conversations in each other's language now, and Wooyoung enjoyed the delight on Jongho's features whenever he successfully explained something to Wooyoung in his limited English. He beamed with pride at every crumb of culture he could teach the other.

Kiko was out a lot with the friends she made at the folk festival. Though Wooyoung suspected there was something in the bush, he was the last to judge. So long as she could figure it out the same way he and Yeosang had to.

He also believed that Petra and Yongguk finally got a move on. Sometimes, he caught them talking outside in the evening before they parted to their respective houses. They liked to explore and gush about nerdy things together. Since there was no end to the wonders of Atlantis, those two wrote the longest reports. Wooyoung, on the other hand, acted as if he had lived here all his life. Aside from the language barrier, that was.

As everyone relished in the peace they made and gathered as many memories as possible in their limited time, it felt like a holiday once more. A holiday that Wooyoung spent winged by his adoration for San.

They often sought each other's proximity. Either Wooyoung couldn't endure his loneliness apart from the medium, and found the gorgeous man out at the shore to share secret giggles and kisses. Other times, San came to pick him up at the house and led him around town, showing him scenic spots and artwork the Atlanteans fancied. In the tiny world of the dome, it wasn't much, but it was everything that could ever matter to San.

Most times, their privacy in some place only San knew and that no other dared to tread, so his work wouldn't get disturbed, led to coy giggles. Wooyoung found himself pressed against rocks, walls of lime, the ground, and even a large coral once. Every time, San resisted the lure of the siren. They kissed, they tugged each other closer, but San took things slow and he didn't push Wooyoung to fulfil any expectations.

Charmed since he needed time to think and digest the matter with Seungyoun, Wooyoung rewarded him with more kisses, teasing further until San had to occupy his mind with something else.

Today, too, Wooyoung sat in the kitchen with Jongho and talked about the simple architecture of Atlantis when San arrived. He learned it didn't matter how good the materials they used and how sturdy their buildings were. If the ocean ever crashed into them and ripped down their defences to swallow Atlantis up, nothing would resist. Atlantis would become part of the past and vanish as scientists thought it had for hundreds of years.

When San appeared through the flap of the doorway, Jongho panicked to accommodate his sudden visit, but San waved it off with a charming smile.

"I'm here to pick up Wooyoung," he assured the other, and Jongho's shoulders dropped in relief. He packed them some pastries he had baked in the morning and sent them on their way. On his way out, Wooyoung winked at him and promised to discuss more architecture later.