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The city was glowing in shades of electric blue and neon pink. The skyline was a jagged silhouette against the vast, dark sky, cutting into it sharply. The densely populated streets were thrumming with the pulse of technology, a steady yet fickle rhythm that seemed to echo through the base of concrete and metal they were built on.The constant pitter-patter of falling raindrops permeated the air in an almost soothing way while the steam and smoke of a dozen machines rattling away in the back alleys served as an unyielding reminder of a rather sobering reality, where shadows were creeping along every path. One could only be lucky to avoid them as long as they didn’t stray too far from the gleaming lights.Somewhere at the heart of it all, up high on one of the gigantic skyscrapers reaching for the cloudy heavens, eight figures stood scattered over the rooftop. A cold breeze was tugging on their clothes, already partly drenched from the rain, but they didn’t care. They had more important things to worry about. Hongjoong stood with his eyes scanning the horizon. As their leader, it was most frequently on him to calculate and plan their next steps, knowing the others would blindly follow his command. He knew they relied on his guidance and although it was an honor to have earned their trust like this through countless missions, it sometimes still was a heavy burden to bear.And that was where Seonghwa came in, Hongjoong’s right-hand man who was standing beside him right now. He leaned in, touching a hand to the small of Hongjoong’s back, his breath warm against his ear accompanied by a faint brush of his lips. He didn’t even have to say anything to provide the comfort Hongjoong was seeking. There was a silent understanding between them, a connection that went deeper than just being allies in this high-tech world. It was something more and it could be felt more than ever during moments like these.“Are you ready for this?” Hongjoong asked quietly.Seonghwa nodded. “Always.” His lips curled into a small, secretive smile that told Hongjoong everything he needed to know.On the other side of the rooftop, San stretched his arms above his head, the glimmering lights of the skyline reflected in his eyes. His usual confidence was tinted with something else tonight - a tense anticipation mixed with the thrill of knowing what was lying ahead of them. He met Yunho’s gaze to his left, seeing the same kind of turmoil in his eyes. He reached out wordlessly, his hand gripping San’s shoulder. It was a small but meaningful gesture, grounding him in the chaos around them.“We’ve got this,” Yunho whispered and San believed him - he always did.The rest of them had gathered in a circle around the special aircraft they’d be using for their infiltration, their bodies close and their minds even closer. Mingi flashed them a grin while he was taking care of some final adjustments on the engine, his excitement never quite contained and helping to lift their collective spirits.Wooyoung was much the same, coming to stand behind him and watch after pressing quick kisses to San’s and Yunho’s cheeks and tugging them along with him. Had he been looking at them and the others with fondness just a second ago, there was now a decisive glint in his eyes betraying an evident hunger for the fight ahead.Yeosang, ever the calm center of the storm in their midst, glanced at him, sensing the pulse of energy that filled the air just as Hongjoong and Seonghwa came up to join them as well. “We’re going to make it, aren’t we?”It was Jongho who took his hand in a loose hold to give it a brief squeeze, the touch reassuring and kind. “We are. Isn’t that right, Captain?”Hongjoong’s eyes softened as he looked at him before nodding. Seonghwa didn’t hesitate to pull them into a group hug then, all of them exchanging some more whispers of comfort and basking in each other’s warmth to forget the freezing night around them. They were more than just a team. They were each other’s foundation in this confusing world. In a digital city powered by ruthless technology, where almost everything could be hacked, manipulated, or erased, the one thing no one could meddle with was the connection they shared. It was encrypted in their hearts, like an untouchable code that could never be broken by any vile outside forces.Their bond was raw, yet intimate, formed and honed through many shared battles and hushed late-night conversations where over time formerly hidden vulnerability had bled into unconditional trust. It made them feel alive like nothing else and no one would ever be able to take that from them. When it was time to go, they moved as one. Their hearts were beating in sync with the city’s electric hum below them and as they stepped onto their aircraft on the way into the unknown, they knew they were invincible. Together, they were more than just individuals - they were unstoppable, bound by a loyalty so profound and unshakeable that it would never crack under any kind of pressure, no matter what kind of challenges this cruel world would dare to throw at them.They’d found true love in a city full of lies.The aircraft’s engines roared to life, the sound swallowed up by the high-rise buildings around them as they began their ascent into the thundering skies. The misty rain fell harder now, an unforgiving downpour that blurred the neon lights into vibrant streaks of color passing by.Inside the cockpit, Hongjoong adjusted the controls with his eyes fixed ahead while Seonghwa sat beside him as the co-pilot, keeping watch over the screens that flickered with the machinery’s stats.The others were divided in duos across the ship’s sleek interior, preparing for the mission ahead of them. Mingi and Yunho were making sure their gear was working properly, the upgraded weapons they carried - mostly laser blasters - loaded and ready for combat.“I hope there won't be any need for these this time… ” Yunho uttered with a frown. Mingi could tell he’d meant it as a general statement, but he reached out to take his hand regardless. Yunho looked up at him, some of the stress disappearing from his features when Mingi planted a tender kiss on his knuckles. “I hope so too, but you know I have your back, should it come to the worst.”Yunho smiled at him, genuine and much more cheerful. “I know.”Meanwhile Wooyoung and Yeosang were tinkering with the navigation system just behind Seonghwa and Hongjoong, their fingers moving with practiced speed. Their route was clear and untraceable.“You programmed it so well,” Wooyoung complimented, playfully bumping Yeosang’s hip and earning an amused huff in return. “Don't act so surprised.”At the rear end of the ship, Jongho was quiet and let himself be lulled in by the chatter of his comrades, his head on San’s shoulder. The latter didn’t mind, leaning back in his seat some more and closing his eyes for just a moment, trying to slow the adrenaline surging through his veins. He could feel the tension that held them in a vice-grip, just like the city itself and everything around them. They were stepping into the lion’s den and they had to be ready for whatever might be waiting.They all knew the weight of this mission. There would be no room for error and most of all, no second chances - there never were.“Captain,” Mingi’s voice cut through the rumbling of the ship, and Hongjoong responded without saying anything by simply turning his head spare him a quick look. “We’re ready.”Hongjoong’s lips twitched into a confident smile. “No turning back now.”The aircraft veered towards the target zone, its cloaking system engaging to make them invisible to the world outside. Their destination was a high-security facility nestled within the towering spires of the city’s innermost and thus most severely guarded district. Even from the air, they could see the shimmering holographic fences surrounding it, coming in the form of thrumming energy barriers that protected the building from any uninvited visitors. It was the last place anyone would dare to infiltrate, at least if they valued their life - and that was what made it the perfect place for their mission, as insane as it sounded.“We’ll breach in five,” Hongjoong announced, his voice calm and filled with determination.Seonghwa reached over to touch his arm. “Whatever happens, we’re in this together.”As the ship descended, they could see the gleaming lights of security drones circling the facility. It was going to be a tight call, but it was nothing they wouldn’t be able to handle and they were prepared for anything.“I’ve hacked into their surveillance feed,” Yeosang’s voice rang out from the cockpit. “We’ve got a thirty-minute window, right after the drone rotation shifts. Most of the automated security will be turned down until the recharge is complete, but there’s no guarantee it won’t turn back on a bit earlier. That means we’ll go in, get what we need and get back out again. No detours and no distractions.” It was definitely something he had to emphasize, as there hadn’t been just one occasion so far where someone got unintentionally lost in an attempt to stray a bit from their original plan. The intentions behind doing so were obviously stemming from wanting to help or gain even more from whatever it was they needed, but it rarely ended without any complications.They caught the precise moment the facility’s barriers went down, just like they’d been waiting for. They went in right away, Yeosang and Seonghwa setting timers on their portable tablets. Hongjoong landed the aircraft on the rooftop of a nearby building, noiseless and concealed.They’d arrived, deep in enemy territory. Everyone knew they’d be absolutely fucked if something went wrong, but that was probably the last thing they should be dwelling on now.Hongjoong stood, his gaze flicking to his team having gathered at the aircraft’s exit. His heart was racing in his chest as he looked into their eyes. These were his most important people. This team was his anchor and safe haven in a world that was relentlessly trying to rip him apart.He couldn’t even bring himself to imagine what it would be like to lose any of them. Unfortunately he had to shove his personal feelings aside though for now, focusing on keeping a clear and rational mind. He took a deep breath to steady himself.“Let’s move.”They exited the ship one by one, their movements fluid and synchronized. They were like shadows against the city lights, moving with purpose and precision. The rain still didn’t matter to them and neither did the cold. All that mattered was the mission.Their objective was to reach the facility’s central vault, holding a certain kind of critical data that could easily tip the power-balance of the whole city. It was a dangerous operation and they knew there would be consequences in whichever direction, but they’d never been the type to shy away from such kind of danger.Even if the stakes had arguably never been higher.“We’ve done this a hundred times,” Hongjoong said, his voice low but firm. “This is no different. Stay sharp, and we’ll be out before anyone even knows we were here.”Seonghwa gave him a quick nod, his fingers already working on the interface of the tablet in his hands. “No room for mistakes tonight,” he said, his eyes narrowing as he pulled up the building’s layout. They’d paid a hefty sum for it, but it would hopefully be worth it.“We won’t make any mistakes,” Yunho replied, making it almost sound like a mantra. “Let’s go.”Without hesitation, they made their way down the rooftop access stairwell. They were working together like a well-oiled machine, each member knowing exactly where they had to be and when. Hongjoong and Seonghwa took the lead along with Jongho as soon as they reached the ground level, scanning the dark area ahead, while Mingi and Yunho provided backup, taking up their positions at the rear. San, Wooyoung, and Yeosang stayed in the middle, ready to provide support wherever it was needed. They moved fast and efficient, their feet barely making a sound on the wet pavement. The city’s ever-present, mechanical hum echoed in their ears, but otherwise the world around them was eerily still. it was as if it was holding its breath, waiting to see if they could really pull off this crazy endeavor.The facility’s towering main gates loomed ahead, guarded by armed guardians who patrolled the perimeter. They certainly wouldn’t be barging in through the front door - although especially Wooyoung and Mingi had been in great favor of doing so at first -, searching for another entrance instead. After a while, Yeosang raised a hand, signaling for everyone to halt. He crouched down, assessing the facility’s map on his own tablet.“There’s an unsupervised gate just ahead - it should lead into one of the smaller cargo areas. That’s our way in,” he said. “I’ve got this.”They moved on as one towards the aforementioned gate, giving him backup, as he worked on the security panel. His skills with technology were second to none and within mere moments, the electric lock buzzed and the gate slid open just enough for them to slip through.Getting inside the facility unseen had been step one. Now it was time to navigate its countless hallways, finding and following the right one to where they had to go. According to the map, the vault was located a few floors below them, which meant it would be best to find some kind of elevator taking them there. They were quiet and careful, getting closer to the one they’d located at the uppermost end of their current floor, while never losing sight of their remaining time.Every step was measured, deliberate, as they sneaked past more guardians and temporarily deactivated security systems. At one point they couldn’t get by without some hacking any longer, finding each door’s extra security more challenging than the last. It was honestly a miracle, they hadn’t been discovered yet or forced to engage in a fight with one of the guardians.“You can tell they’re ramping up the security the farther we go in,” Wooyoung mumbled under his breath, supporting Yeosang in dismantling yet another panel by handling the additional, manual lock on the door. His unbothered and carefree attitude had long since been replaced by the concentrated intensity that always came with missions like this.Seonghwa threw a furtive glance at the digital clock ticking away on his tablet, displaying a blinking 20:18. “All circumstances considered, we’re still good on the time.”“Nice. The elevator should be just up ahead,” Jongho commented just as the door clicked open. They swiftly moved through yet another narrow corridor, leading them even deeper into the building. San and Yunho were the ones to check for any possible threats this time, telling the others to wait.Yunho glanced over at San, his expression serious. “Ready?”San flashed him a grin that was equal parts mischief and focus. “Always.”They scoured the hallway, glad to find it empty and leading right to the elevator just as predicted. It didn’t take long for them to hack into its control panel as soon as the rest of the group joined and then they began their descent beneath the building at long last.The air grew colder as they stepped out again and approached the vault’s location, the walls around them vibrating with the heightened humming of the facility’s digital security systems. The vault itself was a towering structure of steel and reinforced glass, impressive and intimidating with a seemingly impenetrable surface that would’ve discouraged anyone else from making even the smallest attempt of getting through it.But to them, it was just another obstacle to overcome - and not by brute force, but by making the system crumble by betraying itself.There were several consoles scattered around the vault’s corners - four in total - and it would be necessary to hack into all of them to make its grand door open. Hongjoong moved to the front, his fingers tapping on the console closest to him.“Time to split up. Two people per console, one for business, the other for protection,” he said, pulling Mingi to his side unceremoniously while the others immediately reacted and spread out. Yeosang and Wooyoung naturally separated to stay with San and Yunho respectively, knowing Seonghwa would be just as skilled as them and Hongjoong in handling the hacking, with Jongho at his side as well. Eight pairs of eyes locked onto the numerous glowing screens, their fingers dancing over the keys as they worked their magic.“The firewall is complex,” Yeosang muttered, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead as he deciphered the digital maze in front of him. “But I’ll get through it. Just a few more minutes…”San was standing beside him and keeping watch, his hand resting on his blaster. He didn’t trust the calm and much less how there wasn’t even a single guardian stationed here. Then again, it probably just showed their arrogance, thinking that no one would ever be able to make it this far without getting eliminated first.San shivered lightly, a sense of foreboding rushing through him. “I’ll be here if you need backup,” he told Yeosang, earning him a short but grateful glance.“Thanks.”Seconds stretched into what felt like hours, all of them nearly paralyzed by the fear of being interrupted, but continuing diligently with their task. And then, with a series of satisfying clicks, the four screens lit up with a mellow green light almost simultaneously.Hongjoong let out a shaky breath. “We did it,” he whispered, not quite sure whether he was dreaming.“We’re in,” Mingi confirmed once more, unable to resist bending down and pressing a proud kiss to Hongjoong’s temple. The vault doors slowly began to slide open, the others hurrying to join them. When they finally all stood before the heavy metal doors, scraping to part, their hearts were in their throats.This was it. The moment they’d been waiting for - the prize they’d been after would lie just beyond these doors.Hongjoong turned to face his team, his eyes meeting each of theirs just like back on the ship, the unspoken understanding between them more powerful than any words could ever be.“This is for our city. Our future,” he said, his tone burning with a fresh kind of vigor now that they were truly here. “Let’s take it back.”
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The vault’s inside was lined with rows upon rows of servers, their flashing lights casting an eerie glow. This was what kept their city running - but at what cost? -, the sheer amount of encrypted data contained within these computers nearly immeasurable. There were also tons of hard drives and other digital storage units - and one of them would hold the very critical information and program they’d been seeking, undoubtedly hidden in the depths of the vault’s core.They moved forward, splitting up another time to find what they were looking for. “We’re at 11:17,” Seonghwa’s voice rang out and well, that wasn’t a whole lot of time they had left - but they’d make it. It were Yeosang and Wooyoung who eventually found the precious hard drive near the central unit. It was hard to miss, lying in the middle of numerous, neatly organized files and marked by a glistening symbol resembling a feather. “Take it,” Wooyoung urged, Yeosang following the command after inspecting the hard drive, making sure it wasn’t damaged in any way - such a small and deceptively inconspicuous thing, capable of bringing about so many groundbreaking changes if they used its power to their advantage.“You found it?” Yunho asked from across the room where he’d been busy packing some more stuff - one could never know what could be useful in the future after all - with Mingi and Jongho at his side. “Yeah, this has to be it. Silver Light,” Yeosang said, putting the valuable hard drive in the little bag on his belt right next to his tablet after everyone had managed to at least catch a glimpse of it.“Good job,” Hongjoong praised, trying to suppress the wave of unfiltered excitement overcoming him at the prospect of actually having gotten their hands on the infamous program. Silver Light had become something like an urban legend at this point and it was widely known that anyone who could access it, would hold the entire city in the palm of their hand. They hadn’t thought twice about going after it when its alleged whereabouts were leaked, having wanted to go after this facility in particular anyway.“Everything’s packed on our side too,” Mingi said, a pleased grin on lips.Seonghwa and San took the chance of unplugging some of the cables they’d figured out were connected to the building’s immediate security, wanting to make their escape as smooth as possible. Their timer had dropped to 7 minutes and 29 seconds.“We’re done here. Time to go,” Seonghwa announced when they were finished and not a moment too early, as latest now someone had to have noticed the presence of some unwanted intruders, signaled by the sound of a siren going off.Knowing things were about to get serious and with everything they needed secured, they quickly made their way back toward the elevator. They were moving a lot less carefully now, adrenaline kicking in as they knew they’d been discovered and their time was running short. Their exit had to be just as flawless as their infiltration if they wanted to make it.As they made their way back up through the building, they could hear the distant sounds of the formerly disabled and recharging security systems reactivating and even more alarms being triggered. They only had a few minutes left before the facility went back to maximum alert.“Maybe the thirty minutes was an overly optimistic assumption,” Yeosang grumbled, Seonghwa shushing him.“Nonsense. Everything worked out perfectly and it won’t be getting worse from here on out.”“Uh, you sure about that?” Wooyoung inquired, a bunch of foreign footsteps drawing nearer.“We’ve got company,” San said grimly, just as they were confronted by a group of heavily armed guardians blocking their path.Yunho looked over at him, his expression hardening. He hated this part, but he knew it had to be done. “Don’t let them stop us. We’ve come too far to lose now.”That statement resonated with all of them and when they drew their blasters, they were more than aware that none of them would hesitate to use them. They dealt with their opponents with practiced ease, advancing with every step and never backing down. It was chaos - and not the good kind -, but they somehow made it out, greeted by the everlasting downpour of the cold night. “Three minutes!” Seonghwa yelled over the commotion, getting a variety of curses in response. The guardians just kept coming here too, but they didn’t have time to take them all out. Luckily it was another unique and outstanding aspect of their bond that it sometimes felt as if they could read each other’s thoughts, as they drew back in unison, choosing to retreat instead of carrying on this endless fight. Another few shots and some meaningless squabbles later, they were finally back on the roof of the building they’d landed on, running towards their aircraft after Yeosang deactivated its cloaking mechanism per remote control. They piled into the ship, Hongjoong and Seonghwa firing up its engines right away.“Mission accomplished,” Hongjoong panted, still out of breath but visibly content nonetheless.It wasn’t any different for Seonghwa. “Let’s head home.”The aircraft lifted into the air, an array of useless laser bullets being fired from the guardians who’d chased them to the rooftop reflecting off its hull. They abandoned the facility, escaping its vicinity just before its barriers went back up with full drone security returning. The timer on their tablets stopped at 24 remaining seconds.“We made it,” Yeosang stated, exhausted and somewhat in disbelief from where he was squished between Jongho and Mingi.“We made it!” Wooyoung echoed, louder and with much more conviction. “The city will be ours.”This city beneath them, unchanged with its dazzling lights and being kept alive by the pulse of the digital yet restrained life populating it - they could change it forever. It was a surreal realization to have after all this time they’d spent battling its very foundation, trying so hard to give their ambitions a lasting effect.And now they could do that.It had been a successful operation, seamless and swift. The only thing that hadn’t gone according to plan was them getting caught prematurely, but those kinds of risks were part of the job and it wasn’t as if they weren’t prepared to handle them.“Did anyone get hurt?” Hongjoong called over his shoulder, his heart clenching when he heard a pained groan coming from San.“One of them got me,” he uttered miserably and it didn’t take more than that for everyone to instantly start fussing over him.“What? Where?” Yeosang asked, his exhaustion suddenly gone and replaced by a fierce concern they were all feeling.“Why didn’t you say something earlier?” Wooyoung scolded San before he could even reply.“There wasn’t any time, was there?” he gave back, hissing a little when his shirt was peeled away by Yunho who let out a relieved sigh when he saw that the wound on his hip wasn’t all too deep.“It’s not too bad. We can treat it once we’re back at the hideout,” he said, fastening a makeshift bandage over it. His words had the intended reassuring effect and as the aircraft ascended even higher, the city stretched out before them like a magnificent web made of a thousand lights, they couldn’t help but feel a rush of exhilaration despite everything. They’d taken on the city’s most secure vault and come out victorious. No major complications, no delays - just precision, teamwork, and trust.None of their former achievements could measure up to this one. It was worthy of a celebration like nothing else had ever been before.It took them about twenty minutes to reach the southern part of the city. The aircraft touched down near their hideout, nestled within the dirty alleys of a minor district located on the far outskirts. The sky above was dotted with wispy clouds, reflecting the neon glow of the distant skyline. The rain had begun to let up, leaving the world around them shimmering with the misty aftermath of the storm.As the engines powered down, a shared sense of satisfaction settled over them. The leftover adrenaline of the mission was faintly buzzing through their veins as they finally had a brief moment to savor their victory in peace.Hongjoong eventually stepped out of the aircraft first, his head swimming with the rush of success. He felt the weight of the night’s efforts lift off his shoulders. The others followed him outside, San still supported by Yunho and Wooyoung.They made the short trek to their hideout, an underground bunker they’d turned into their private paradise. It had been a cold and desolate place before they’d chosen it as their base, but by now it was everything they could ever ask for, shaped by all of their personalities adding their individual charms and brought back to life through the many memories it had already witnessed.“I’ll take him to the infirmary,” Yunho said as they entered, Wooyoung nodding and reluctantly releasing San from his hold, but not before exchanging a sweet kiss with him.“We’ll be in the common room if you need anything,” Seonghwa added, cradling San’s cheek and pressing a kiss to his forehead as well.“Sorry for worrying you all,” San apologized sheepishly, but obviously nobody was actually mad at him. On the contrary, they were merely upset that one of them had gotten hurt.“Just take care of yourself,” Hongjoong said softly, glad to see San smile through the pain. Yunho led him through the corridor to their left towards the infirmary, his arm curled around his waist. Every step San took was uncharacteristically stiff, no doubt stemming from the wound in his hip. He couldn’t help but wince with each shift of his weight and it made Yunho’s heart ache.“You should be more careful next time,” he muttered, a bit reprimanding but most of all concerned for San’s well-being.San only gave a small chuckle, but it came out strained. “I’ve lost count of how many times I almost died during one of these missions. This is nothing compared to what I’ve already been through over the years.”Yunho minimally tightened his hold on him. “Although I gotta agree with that, I think we’ve both been close a few too many times and that we should probably try and change that.”San didn’t say anything to that and Yunho knew why. It would be impossible to change anything about their lifestyle and everyone in their group was aware of it. Perhaps things would be looking brighter soon though now that they’d gotten Silver Light in their possession - only time would tell.They reached the infirmary, a relatively tiny but well-stocked room with all their medical supplies stored in various cabinets. Yunho switched on the light, the fluorescent tubes on the ceiling flickering. It was never a pleasant experience to come here, as it usually meant that someone got hurt in one way or another, but the small space still offered a certain sense of safety and familiarity.San moved toward the single, low cot, his body leaning heavily against Yunho as he sat down. Yunho immediately got to work, kneeling beside him to gently pull up the hem of his shirt once again. He removed the soaked through fabric of the makeshift bandage, making sure not to cause more pain than necessary. He could hear San’s breath catch, but he didn’t pull away.“Are you okay?” Yunho asked, his voice steady even as his hands shook slightly with the effort of not accidentally hurting San even more.San glanced down at him, meeting his gaze. There was something so comforting in Yunho’s presence, in the way he always seemed to know exactly what to do and say, considerate in everything he did. “Yeah. I mean, you’re the one who’s gonna have to stitch me up now, so maybe I should ask you instead.”Yunho scoffed lightly, preparing everything he’d need. “As I said, I don’t think it’s too deep, but I’ll still need to clean it and stitch it. You trust me, right?”San didn’t even have to think about his answer. “More than anyone.”Yunho looked up at him, his eyes shining with so many emotions that it made San’s heart skip a beat. All eight of them loved each other dearly and without question, but there was no denying that for some of them their connection went even deeper than that. It was more than evident right in this moment, Yunho’s gaze holding more than just care. It was… love. A silent promise that San was never going to have to face any of this alone, not as long as he had him and the others.“Good,” Yunho whispered, his fingers tracing along the edges of the wound as he prepared to clean it. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Not while I’m here,” he verbally confirmed what San already knew. His breath caught again, but this time it wasn’t from the pain. They’d been through so much together, and yet it always felt like there was still something so incomparably precious about these quiet moments between them.Yunho got the sterilizing wipes and started cleaning the wound. The sting of alcohol against San’s skin made him jolt, but it was nothing compared to the warmth of Yunho’s hands and the ardent promise in his eyes.“Yunho,” San spoke after another beat of silence.“Yes?” Yunho’s voice was more subdued now.San paused, looking at the way the other worked, so attentive and mindful. His heart felt full, the affection he held for him growing by the second.“I love you,” San said quietly, his voice nearly breaking with the vulnerability laced into the confession. It felt right to say it, like it had been waiting to break free.Yunho stopped what he was doing, his hands freezing mid-motion. His gaze locked with San’s yet again, wide-eyed and surprised, as if those words were more than he’d ever expected. Then, slowly, his lips parted in a smile, a real one that reached his eyes.“I love you too. I can’t even remember a time when I didn’t,” he said.San felt a strong warmth bloom in his chest, the pain in his hip suddenly far away. He met Yunho halfway when he leaned in, making their lips meet in a tender and loving kiss that gave him butterflies. San would’ve been content to keep going, but of course Yunho wouldn’t ever forget his sense of duty, parting from him albeit with reluctance.“Now, let me fix you up,” he murmured, laughing at San’s pout before resuming his task. San knew he was in good hands, and he’d never take it for granted. When they returned to the common room a while later, the others had already prepared the closest to a feast they could, all their favorite foods piled on their great meeting table with more than enough drinks to match. “Something tells me you had a lot of faith in the outcome of this mission, getting all of this beforehand,” Jongho remarked, Hongjoong merely laughing and kissing the crown of his head before filling up his glass. “How could I not? You only deserve the best for how well you all did tonight.”And he was right.Nearby, Wooyoung and Yeosang were sitting next to each other, their sides pressed together. “It’s good to see everyone so happy,” Yeosang said, feeling proud himself at how favorably everything had turned out for them. He’d put the hard drive containing Silver Light right next to his personal computer, planning on taking a thorough look at it on the next day along with the rest.Wooyoung turned to face him with a triumphant grin that held all the remnant thrill of the operation. “You were incredible tonight,” he said, taking Yeosang’s hand and squeezing it.Yeosang raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a smile. “We were both incredible. We literally disabled one of the most complicated firewalls ever made and escaped with a legendary program as our bounty.” He knew he never would’ve found the courage to do something like that without Wooyoung by his side. They’d joined Hongjoong’s rebellion together back then, having known each other since they were children. It had always been the two of them against the world - before they’d found six more people to share their love and vision with, infinitely changing their lives for the better.“We definitely made history tonight. That’s legendary, if you ask me,” Wooyoung said simply and before Yeosang could say anything else, he pulled him into a kiss - quick yet lingering in the kind of way that was full of unspoken gratitude and also admiration.Yeosang put his arms around Wooyoung’s neck, allowing him to fully climb into his lap as the world around them seemed to fade away for just a moment. When they broke apart, their breaths were shallow, their lips tingling with the aftertaste of each other. Wooyoung never lost his grin, his forehead now resting against Yeosang’s. “We’ve got something special, don’t we?”Yeosang stole another kiss from him, his fingertips tracing Wooyoung’s jaw. “And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”“They’re so cute,” came Mingi’s hushed voice from the other end of the table.“Unbelievably so,” Jongho agreed, taking a sip of the drink Hongjoong had so graciously poured him. Mingi regarded him for approximately three seconds before casually slipping an arm around his waist to tug him closer for a halfhearted embrace. Jongho let it happen without complaint and Mingi knew that was one of the privileges only him - and maybe San and Seonghwa - had, inwardly reeling with joy when he even found the gesture reciprocated.It had been none other than Jongho who’d first helped Mingi settle in this place full of new faces and almost daily dangers. He’d never been one to ask too many questions, preferring to listen and provide support whenever it was required and that hadn’t changed until today. Mingi would always appreciate his steadfast presence, knowing it would never fail to ground him in the present and make him feel safe and protected.“I’m glad we’re in this together,” he said for that reason, Jongho sensing the sincerity in his tone and reacting by pulling him even closer and intertwining the fingers of their unoccupied hands.“Me too.”“You just make everything feel right,” Mingi added in an even softer voice, knowing it would probably fluster Jongho to hear something like that, but that was far from being a problem.“I can give that right back,” was the adorable reply he got and one glance at the hints of a blush having risen on Jongho’s cheeks told Mingi even more than that. He would’ve liked to keep going, but the intimate mood having encompassed them dissolved promptly when Hongjoong finally got around to holding a long overdue speech, toasting to their success.“Tonight we did what no one has ever done before - we infiltrated a top-security facility, successfully stealing one of its most valuable programs. Let this be the first step towards the revolution we’ll bring upon this city, reclaiming our lives and changing it forever.”Everyone cheered and any residual bothersome thoughts were far from their mind. They’d get back to business tomorrow, granting themselves the luxury of basking in the afterglow of their victory for just one night.Hongjoong turned to find Seonghwa standing behind him, easily recognizing the ever-present composure of his closest partner. Their eyes met and they both knew what they wanted without even saying a word.Hongjoong reached for Seonghwa’s hand, his fingers curling around his wrist. There was no need for grand gestures between them, no need for any spoken words - just the simplicity of this touch, reminding them once again of what they’d accomplished. They’d done it together, made it through the mission, and now, this celebration was just as much about them as it was about their success.When they kissed it was unhurried and gentle at first, melting away all the tension from the time they’d spent in that dreadful facility. Seonghwa’s fingers slid up into Hongjoong’s hair, pulling him in as if he couldn’t get close enough. Their kisses deepened, their breaths mingling as they pulled just slightly apart for some air.“We make an amazing team, don’t we?” Hongjoong whispered, brushing a thumb over Seonghwa’s cheek, his voice brimming with pure affection.Seonghwa mirrored his fond expression. “Always have - and always will.” He leaned in for another kiss, Hongjoong eagerly indulging him. They only separated again when they heard a whistling sound coming from one of the others this time, followed by a smug comment of, “Someone’s thirsty.”Unsurprisingly it was Wooyoung.“As if you’re one to talk,” Mingi called him out from where he was leaning on Jongho, both of them having been joined by Yunho and San by now with the latter’s head in his lap.“Never said I was judging them for it,” Wooyoung defended himself, making even Yeosang giggle.Their antics drew a little laugh from Hongjoong and Seonghwa as well, reminding them why they loved them all so much. Hongjoong boldly pressed his lips to Seonghwa’s neck then, far from being done with him. “Perhaps I’ll really call dibs on you tonight. Would you mind?”Seonghwa couldn’t help a shudder of pleasure at the clear promise dripping from Hongjoong’s words. “Not at all.”“That’s what I wanted to hear.”And as the night continued to unfold, each of them found their own space to unwind, the threads of their bond becoming tighter with every exchanged kiss, every caring touch and every whisper of sweet and comforting words. They had survived the chaos of the mission and now, hidden away and cozy in the safety of their hideout, they were free to let go and be themselves - because in the end their love, unwavering and untainted, would always be their truest victory.