Dulce Periculum

12. Tenebra

Yunho was lucky to receive his new glasses on the morning of his day off. The bill went straight to Auresce, so Yunho received shiny new glasses plus frames for free. After picking them up at the receptionist's counter, Yunho wore his casual civilian clothing for his day off. Jeans, some sneakers, and a big cosy hoodie that reminded him there was comfort for him somewhere.

For the first time in a while, he felt like himself again. Not like a puppet in a uniform, hiding his true identity as he was drawn on strings. This was the real him.

It was a shame not to use his time off for his family, but he was too intrigued by Song Mingi. Intrigued, and hopeful.

He left the compound for the busy streets of Gangnam and, though they were ever so harrowing and lavish to him, Yunho could breathe some fresh air outside of Auresce. Their territory offered everything he could ask for, but it was stifling. The people, the surveillance, the weight of every mistake.

Yunho needed to get out of there and he hadn't realised how depressed he was in those weeks. 

His guilt wasn't easily forgotten, but he allowed himself to take a breather. He was in a role that would deal with death time and time again, including his own. But the world still spun on its axis and the people rushing to work safely today would be grateful even to him.

Following the marker on his phone, Yunho stopped by a convenience store to get a drink and found a sleek black car parked in an alley with his strawberry milk in his hand. When he hesitated to approach, the driver stepped out. He wore a black suit and had slicked-back hair. The only thing not professional about him were his black sunglasses, making him look like a member of an undercover organisation more than a driver.

"Mister Jeong Yunho?" He asked and when Yunho nodded, clutching his strawberry milk like a lifeline, the man opened the door to the back seat for him.

As if Yunho was an honoured guest.

"Please get in the car. Tenebra sent me." When he flashed an ID, Yunho's heart trembled in his chest.

No one else would try to pick him up and get him to a foreign place, right? Right?

When he nodded bravely, the man nodded back. He seemed young despite the flat expression. Yunho had no other choice but to trust him. It was the right time and place. So far, he had done nothing wrong that would warrant Auresce to get rid of him.

Once his driver closed the door behind him, he pulled them out of their parking spot. A quiet motor brought them smoothly through the bustle of Gangnam. Through tinted and sound-proofed windows, Yunho barely heard any of the overwhelming noise.

The seats were clean and smelled of leather. Some drinks awaited him at the console and though this car was more luxurious than Yunho liked, it was smoother than Auresce's gaudy flair. Subtler. 

For a while, Yunho sat in nervous silence. He kept his GPS on just in case he needed to send an emergency signal and he wasn't told off, either. If there was really something in the bush, Auresce may track him, but they could be his saviours from some potential danger.

If they even cared to save Yunho.

The driver didn't seem bothered by his silence. But Yunho soon shifted in his seat when they crossed the Han river.

"What is Tenebra?" He asked, hoping this was a safe enough space to talk.

He wasn't disappointed. The man replied to him while steadily managing the traffic. Was he an employee?

"An esper association. I'm bringing you to our headquarters, so there is no need to be nervous. We are an official institution."

If he saw Yunho's surprise in the mirror, he didn't mention it. The fingers wrapped around his strawberry milk scratched at the carton's edges.