Dulce Periculum

24. Strategising

When Yunho and San came in the next morning, Wooyoung stopped them at the door. San greeted him like an eager puppy, hugging Wooyoung to nuzzle his cheek with cute pecks, while Wooyoung snickered and tried to hand Yunho a document without stepping away from his boyfriend.

"Good morning. We have a meeting today and Mingi wanted you two to be there," he chirped, full of energy that poured from San into him. When he hugged San around his narrow waist, Yunho believed to hear the big esper purr.

He nervously accepted the paper to look over the schedule. Still riding on the high Mingi granted him by going down on him, Yunho was terrified to look him in the eye. What purpose could he serve at a meeting?

"We are starting at 11 in the conference room upstairs, so be there. And Sannie, don't be too sweaty, hm?" Wooyoung mumbled when he finally turned around to kiss his clingy lover. San pouted back at him.

"I can shower first."

Yunho left them to their shenanigans as he made his way downstairs to train a bit. Hongjoong and Seonghwa were in today and awaited him.

"Hey there," Seonghwa greeted him, and both of them had the same documents resting on their bags. It seemed exclusive to those of higher rank, so why Yunho? Was this Mingi's revenge? Pushing him around as his personal assistant?

Today, Hongjoong tried out a new technique of sparking smaller explosions along his body. Yunho's job was to suppress them.

They worked hard, and Seonghwa kept running around with his water bucket. During their break, he lingered his hands on Hongjoong's back until he stopped panting and he brought Yunho a water bottle as well since he forgot his.

They chattered with each other when they made their way up the stairs after training.

"I have no idea why Mingi wants me there," Yunho confessed since the meeting concerned military strategies and Yunho had neither the brawns nor the brains to be of help.

Hongjoong shook out his wet hair. Out of their training gear, the two looked like sun and moon. Seonghwa fashioned long skirts and elegant blouses and Hongjoong was punky and alternative.

"Maybe because you have some experience with Auresce? They deal with rifts differently than we do," Seonghwa suggested with his velvety voice and Yunho held the door for them when they made it to the conference room.

Wooyoung was already here, preparing a presentation on the laptop. He threw them a grin when they huddled in their seats.

Jongho arrived with San, and a few other A-class espers and guides Yunho had seen around also sat with them. Nobody of lower rank.

Yongguk and Mingi arrived last when the entire table was filled with curious babbling already. Mingi was the taller of the two, sophisticated in his full suit. Yongguk wore a formal shirt for the occasion, but he looked cosier than his partner, easily disappearing into the shadow.

Mingi sunk into the big chair at the head of the table and Yongguk sat by his side. When their boss crossed his legs, he swiped his eyes through the round and met Yunho's glimpse. Though his face barely changed, the corners of his lips curled slightly when he noticed how Yunho's ears got red and he whipped his head away.

Wooyoung took the word first.

"Okay, everyone here? Sound working? Perfect. So, we called you together to update our plans on how we deal with high-level rifts. All input is welcome, we will take notes," he informed the quieting group and Yunho fiddled with his fingers in his lap.

When Wooyoung gave the word to the bosses and pulled up his presentation, Yongguk greeted them.

"Thank you for taking the time out of your schedules," he grinned, ever so soothing. Yunho was happy to see him around and so open with people of lower ranks in Tenebra. It made him feel more connected.