The Invasion (Part 2 of the KaiSoo Fanfic Series)

Chapter 5

As time goes on and the days continue to pass by, everyone comes to find their place at Kohara. Since the bulk of them are grouped together, they see each other every day, but for the ones that aren't together, it's harder to spare some time to catch up. Especially for Kyungsoo and Jongin. They still share a room, but his leader duties keep him up into the late hours of the night, so by the time he finally lays down, Kyungsoo's already long asleep. There are a few occasions when he catches him before his eyes shut for the night and they kiss until their lips get tired. However, a majority of the time, Jongin is left gazing at a sleeping Kyungsoo until the sleepiness finally overwhelms him.

His mind is still reeling from everything going on inside of it: what his next plans were going to be, if everyone is truly happy here, and his worries about Asher. But one thing that seems to take him away from that, even if it only be for a few hours a day, is talking to Taemin. They've grown closer over the passing days and Jongin finds himself relating to him more than he ever thought he could relate to someone.

Their stories are similar. Taemin, like Jongin, said he always felt out of place in The Dome, but he didn't act upon those feelings until he found out about how Onew spoke out against the Government. From there, he joined him, Jonghyun, Minho, and Key in their quest to find a way out. Krystal joined them not long before they made their escape after they found her in the labs being held under the confinement of the Government for a series of genetic testing.

When they hang out, they usually spend their time in the courtyard, talking about whatever subject comes up during the hour-long breaks from their group activities. It's never one topic that they discuss, it's usually several that all sort of mesh together and transition from the first to the second without leaving a trace behind. Sometimes it's lighter subjects like funny stories, but others it's heavier topics like The Invasion and how they still can't remember anything from their pasts before It. But no matter what note they end their discussion on, be it daunting or jovial, Jongin always leaves feeling as if a little bit of the weight sitting on his shoulders has been lifted off.

One day, he's sitting outside with Taemin, laughing with him as he finishes his story about the dysfunctional relationship Key and Jonghyun have. "Do a lot of people, you know, see other people here?" Jongin asks him, trying to think of the right words to use.

"Sure," Taemin answers and nods his head, raising a half-full glass of water to his lips. "I couldn't even tell you how many people here are dating someone. Typically, it's someone that they escaped The Dome with since they ban acting upon personal affections in there. Kohara is a place where they can act however they please, so it's big relief to be able to demonstrate the feelings they've been forced to keep hidden for so long, you know?"

"Yeah, I sure do," Jongin says, turning his head away as he nods it. "I assume you know Kyungsoo, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, I think so. He was assigned to be one of the givers, correct?"

"Hmm." Jongin drones affirmatively and then moves his eyes from Taemin to the sand below his feet. He huffs as a smile spreads out on his lips, his mind making the entirety of his body relive the sensation that comes with being near Kyungsoo. "I didn't know how much I liked him until I started learning and reading," he says, staring at the ground for a while longer before looking back at Taemin. "It's nice to finally show that now that we left. I was always afraid of what would happen if someone found out how I felt and let alone that I was capable of feeling anything, but I don't have to worry about that anymore. It's nice."

Taemin hums in response, gazing at Jongin silently with a slightly clenched for a moment before speaking. He lifts the cup up to his mouth again and throws back the last quarter of water in it. "I always wonder what it's like to date someone, but I don't think I'm ready for that, not even after all this time," he says.