ateez - in his mind

sixteen

The rest of the day was spent with San trying to reach this Taehyun, and Hongjoong doing as much research as possible. Unfortunately, both were unsuccessful in finding more information regarding their friend and their situation.

"Here, I brought you some ice cream," San whispered as he handed the small bowl to Yeosang. Wooyoung and Mingi were playing a Zelda game while the other three were making quiet conversation in the next room over. Even though Yeosang was moments away from falling asleep on the couch, he still took the dessert with a smile on his face. He sat up in order to make room for San on the couch, and the two of them watched as Wooyoung and Mingi played their hearts out.

"When did you realize you had telepathy powers?" Yeosang asked amidst the screaming from the gamers. San smiled warmly thinking of the memory.

"It's been about four years now, but I remember waking up one day and hearing Wooyoung talking really loudly. Even though he already talks quite loudly, he wasn't actually saying anything. I remember looking over to see why he talking so much, but he was reading. Then, I began to hear Yunho and Seonghwa, all three of them at the same time. It was pretty scary at first, but I suppose I've gotten used to it now," San explained. Yeosang nodded along as he spoke, trying to drown out the noise from Wooyoung and Mingi. He thought about how he could barely stand when people would talk to him when he wanted to be left alone. San had to deal with that and more, everyday with no break.

"How are we going to find Jongho in three days..." Yeosang whispered after a few moments. Three days. That was all they had until the eruption, which was now confirmed not to occur. But something else was going to happen instead. San put his hand on Yeosang's shoulder, who was beginning to get emotional. He tried to discreetly wipe his tears away, but it was obvious he just wanted his friend back.

"Yeosang, I want you to know that Jong-"

Yeosang whipped his head around when San's words dropped off. Quickly, he finished wiping the last of his tears, growing more concerned when San slowly stood up. San's expression was unreadable, and he made no attempt to continue talking to Yeosang. The one clear emotion on his face was alarm.

"San? Are you okay? What's happening?" Yeosang asked, causing Wooyoung and Mingi to pause their game and look over with concern prominent in their eyes. San remained standing still, however his expression thankfully grew softer.

"Let me try something," San said, a smile actually beginning to form.

Hello? San I know you can read my goddamn thoughts right now, can I please get some sort of response? Yeosang heard. It was Jongho's voice. His eyes widened in happiness and surprise, not expecting to hear his friend's voice. Jongho was okay.

---

When Jongho woke up, he was greeted by a familiar face which he hadn't seen in weeks. The boy gave him a warm smile from the chair he sat on, a few feet away from Jongho.

"Changbin? What are you doing here? Where are we?" he asked, taking a look around the room. The gray walls were so generic that there was no telling where he could be. The only thing that really caught his attention was the giant mirror that took up the entire wall behind Changbin.