Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

These nights, these nights, yeah

They control me, you control me, yeah

These nights, these nights, yeah

They control me, you control me, yeah

The thrum and bass of the rhythm fills the room, stretching out from the long bar-shaped speaker beneath the large holographic TV embedded in the wall. Silver stones cut into rectangular facets, lining both appliances in a strip that runs from the baseboard to the ceiling molding, sparkle in the faint moonlight shining in from the floor to ceiling glass wall opposite. Below the black speaker is a fireplace, unlit, clean of ashes, and stacked with the marron wood native to the planet. Sleek black plastic sofas, the latest style trend, curve around the living room area, encasing a small white trapezoid coffee table. In the corners of the room, hovering cylindrical lamps glow softly casting a warm light within the seal grey and white-colored walls. 

Around the coffee table, Taeil and Taeyong dance, swaying side to side and bobbing their heads to the music while huge grins decorate their faces. Taeil dances closer to Taeyong, singing along with the song. Taeyong grins and grabs hold of Taeil’s hands, pulling and turning in time with the beat. Taeil bursts out laughing mid-lyric and pulls away, eliciting a chuckle from Taeyong as he continues to dance without a care. Taeil smiles and watches him before once again joining. 

When Johnny arrived earlier with both Ten and Taeyong in tow, he was altogether surprised and confused seeing as how the last time they saw them wasn’t even a span ago. If anything it’d been about 3 rotations since Jackson Wang’s elaborate Party Of Destiny. He was expecting them to just come and see Johnny for whatever reason. What he wasn’t expecting was for his fiance to ask him to distract Taeyong while he and Ten gathered some things from their storage room. 

He doesn’t have any negative feelings or thoughts towards the duo, even after knowing the kind of things they do to get by (he’s met many much worse), but he doesn’t know them that well either. In the end, the distraction came in the form of getting Taeyong hooked on 80s music. He’d started out with his own picks, a variety of R&B, all of which got a small sway and head bob from Taeyong until the signature sound of synthesizers started flowing from the speakers and Taeyong was up with the beat, dancing away. 

The song soon comes to an end and another takes its place with an equally groovy and synthesized drum rhythm. Taeil grins as the faded blue haired android slows his movements but continues to sway, turning to face the speaker. He wonders briefly if all androids are into electronic, non-traditional instrument kinds of music… Then he shuts that thought away, cheeks burning with embarrassment, not wanting to make assumptions about a whole species based on one. 

He reaches for the small white remote on the table and presses one of the various buttons. A soft whir is heard as the black couches lower into hatches that open up in the wooden floor and in their place plush curved beige sofas rise. Taeyong turns around when he hears the faint sound beneath the music and his eyes widen comically as the new sofas sit in place, the hatches in the floor closing beneath them. 

Taeil sits on the one that has its back towards the small entryway of the penthouse apartment, on the left side of the wall with the speaker and tv. Taeyong continues to bop his head as he plops down next to Taeil. Taeil smiles and hums along with the song, swaying side to side and prompting Taeyong to do the same. 

Taeil reaches for the remote once again and lowers the volume of the music when he sees Johnny and Ten coming down the hall opposite them, carrying metallic banker boxes. Three of them he recognizes as ones that hold Taeyong and Ten’s things, back from their university days. The contents are probably 4 or 5 revolutions old but he can’t be sure, he doesn’t know what’s in them specifically anyway. Taeil smiles when Johnny’s eyes meet his and he smiles back as he sets the boxes down near the door beside Ten. 

Taeyong got up at some point while he was lowering the music and took the box from Ten’s hands, carrying it for him towards the door. Taeil watches as Ten pecks Taeyong on the cheek and Taeyong proceeds to blush and smile widely, which would be surprising if it weren’t for Johnny explaining to him his history with the mercenary duo or, rather, their story. Taeil can’t say he’s really surprised, knowing just what kind of chemistry they have, but it’s still… interesting. 

That’s why they’re here now. The only one who doesn’t know the whole thing is a certain android, who’s currently looking through the boxes. Well, that isn’t entirely true. Johnny told him some things but not the whole story. 

Taeil gets up to follow Johnny when he goes into the kitchen, around the wall dividing it from the living room. His fiance is standing in front of the Bibery they bought recently. Johnny thumbs at the display of the dark grey and red microwave-like appliance and then stands back, leaning against the black quartz island and crossing his arms over his chest. He walks over and stands beside him, listening to the soft hum of the machine. The display shows it’s set to make tea for two. 

“Ten wants us to talk to him in the morning.” 

Taeil hums and leans his head on Johnny’s shoulder. “Me too? I don’t really know much.” 

Johnny leans down to press a kiss to the top of Taeil’s head before standing up straight. A small tray emerges from the appliance, holding two baby blue ceramic cups, their favorite cups, filled with steaming lavender tea. “Well, you don’t have to if you don’t want to.” He grabs the tray and turns to Taeil, smiling. 

“I’ll let you three have some privacy. I have a photoshoot to attend, anyway.” 

Johnny nods and sets the tray down on the island behind Taeil. “Thank you.” 

Taeil smiles and leans his head back, puckering his lips. Johnny chuckles and leans down to kiss him softly, his long hair curtaining around them. Taeil smiles and then grins when Johnny smiles back, a humored glint in his eyes. 

“What?” 

Taeil runs a hand through his hair in response and Johnny smiles fondly. “I’m going to cut it for the wedding.” 

“I’m gonna miss it.” 

“I know.” 

“Maybe I should let my hair grow out.” 

Johnny giggles and reaches around him for one of the cups, blowing on it for a few seconds before sipping at the mauve liquid. Taeil smiles and grabs the other, doing the same. Johnny sets his cup down on the counter. “I’m going to show them to the guest room.” 

Taeil places his cup next to his. “Ok.” 

They step out of the kitchen, Taeil tailing behind Johnny. 

Taeyong and Ten are hunched over the boxes. Taeyong crouched as he simply just looks and Ten stands beside him, arms crossed over his chest. He looks over when Johnny and Taeil come close and nudges Taeyong with his foot. Taeyong glances up at him then at the couple before standing. 

The speaker is still playing music in the background, a song of unbroken promises and bonds. 

“We’ll show you to your rooms.” 

“Room,” Ten cuts in, his hand finding Taeyong’s to entwine their fingers. 

Johnny smiles. “Right. Come on.” He turns and walks back down the hall, Taeyong and Ten follow him, and Taeil stays behind to turn off the speaker and switch off the lamps save for one, leaving the room to be illuminated by the moonlight and yellow glow alone. He walks over to the floor to ceiling window that makes up the wall. There’s a clear door that leads out onto a small balcony overlooking the brightly lit city below. The lights from below don’t interfere with the night’s atmosphere so much up here and he’s glad for that. He presses another button on the remote and curtains draw themselves over the glass. He sets the remote down on the coffee table before making his way down the curved hall. 

Their apartment is the entirety of the 50th floor of a circular luxury residential building. There are 3 rooms including the master bedroom, 4 bathrooms, the living room, kitchen, an office (for Johnny when he decides to work from home instead of going to any of his headquarters), and a closet they use as a storage room. It’s pretty small compared to his other apartments or Johnny’s houses but it’s one of the ones they like staying at the most, namely because of its resemblance to Johnny’s home planet, Terra. He passes by the closed door of the guest room and stops, wondering if he should say goodnight but decides to leave them alone and continues down the hall to his and Johnny’s room. 

On the other side of the door, Taeyong sits at the edge of the bed, listening to Taeil’s footsteps recede down the hall and then the slide and soft click of their bedroom door closing. He looks around the room again. 

The queen-sized bed he’s perched on is pressed against the wall. The small lamps on the nightstands on either side of the bed are on, casting the room in yellow light. The window directly opposite the door is covered with translucent silver curtains that contrast nicely with the solid steel blue color of the walls. There’s a wooden dresser pressed against the wall across from him that he assumes serves no real purpose other than for decoration. Other than that, the room is bare but it’s clean, which is good. The carpet is also clean, he notes as he swings his legs, scuffing his feet on the fabric. He hears the water in the connecting bathroom turn off and stills, waiting for Ten to come out. 

Things between them were good. Better ever since he reawoke in their hideout on an uninhabited tropical dwarf planet. They look at each other eye to eye now, no more need for the terms “master”, “creator”, “android”, “bodyguard”. Now it was just Taeyong and Ten. Other terms have yet to replace what their relationship used to be, but that part would come soon or so Taeyong hopes. 

Ten contacted Johnny when they couldn’t get one of their hidden spaceships to work due to plants growing in the thrusters and finding their way into the other ship’s components. A simple turn of the engine would have burnt the meandering flora to an ash in seconds but Ten didn’t have the will to do so when Taeyong, worrying for their fate, sulked. So Johnny went and brought them back to his and Taeil’s apartment. 

To set things straight, Ten explained, he has to know his past and why he was created. No more cover-ups, and Taeyong is glad, he would’ve felt a little awkward asking. It’s his past but it would’ve been overwhelming asking Ten for answers to questions he couldn’t even begin to conceive… All he knows is that he is supposed to be the survivor to a being that used to be romantically involved with Ten, all he knows is that he feels strongly for Ten, and it’s an emotion he hasn’t quite defined yet. 

Speaking of, the door to the bathroom slides open and Ten steps out in a steamy cloud smelling of lemongrass. He’s dressed in the silky indigo pajama set of shorts and t-shirt that Johnny said they could find in the automatic dresser in the bathroom. His wet black hair is falling into his eyes and Taeyong swears his non-existent heart skips a beat. 

Ten looks at him, holding the clothes he was wearing folded neatly in his arms and gestures over his shoulder towards the bathroom with a chin jerk. “Your turn.” Taeyong stands and walks over, avoiding Ten’s eyes because he will combust if he looks into their pretty chocolate brown abyss. Looking down proves to be a mistake because he’s now facing his chest and the pajama shirt he’s wearing cuts low, low, low… 

He blushes and averts his gaze completely, walking past him to the bathroom. 

“Do you know how to use the dresser?” 

Taeyong nods and steps into the bathroom, the door slides closed behind him and he exhales. It’s humid inside and the tile underfoot feels cool. It’s a nice sensation. A luxurious tub and shower with clear glass walls lie to his right. Directly ahead is the glass door for the dresser compartment. The large sink counter and mirror lie to his left between the toilet and vanity. All the counters are of warped marble and the mirror is cloudy with steam. 

Taeyong steps closer to the counter and reaches into the sleek cubbies beneath it for a towel and a loofah. He undresses, folding his clothes and setting it aside on the counter beside the towel he got before getting into the tub. He turns on the tap so little water pours out and begins to bathe himself, scrubbing soap into the loofah and then using it on himself, cleaning every inch of skin but careful of his open chest. Ten was able to salvage him but the gun blast that tore through his chest plate rendered it useless. Water can’t get in because of the thin metal sheet Ten welded onto him until he can repair his body and, even if it did, it’d evaporate upon contact with his innards; nonetheless, he repeats the process until he’s satisfied and then leans back to wet his hair under the tap and scrub it clean with the shampoo provided. 

Once he’s done, he turns off the tap, steps out of the tub, and dries himself off with the towel. He looks at his reflection while he tussles the towel over his head, the mirror having cleared while he bathed. 

He looks human. His skin and hair are synthetic but they react all the same as the natural ones. He stinks if he doesn’t shower and if he gets cut, blood emerges, even though he can go much longer than a human without a shower, and his cuts heal within minutes, seconds if he focuses. He has all other normal bodily reactions though they are less responsive than that of a normal being. He’s meant to pass as a human, that’s why. Underneath it all though, he’s just metal plating, metal wiring, metal, metal, metal… but he can think and feel, and oh he feels. 

He places the towel in the designated bin once his hair is dry enough and steps into the dresser when it’s glass door slides open. It closes and is set to automatically dress the being within per the time. He’s put in briefs and the same silken pajama set after only seconds and then the door slides open with a soft ping. 

He steps out and looks back at the dresser machine in awe. The clothes fit perfectly as if tailored and he runs a hand over the sleeve of the material, rubbing it between his fingers for the silky sensation. He smiles and makes sure he’s left no trace of himself in the bathroom before grabbing his things and turning to the door. 

The bathroom door slides open and as he steps out, the lights within the bathroom flicker off and the door closes behind him with a soft metallic click. The lamps are off in the room, the curtains over the window drawn back, moonlight illuminates the room ever so slightly. The white covers and sheets on the bed are untucked and lying underneath them is Ten. His eyes are open and looking up at him. A look he’s come to recognize as affection. 

His hand pats the empty spot beside him, beckoning him. He sets his folded clothes aside on the nightstand and slides into bed beside him. Ten immediately scoots closer, molding himself to Taeyong’s front. Taeyong smiles and wraps his arms around Ten the best he can, pressing his lips to his forehead, to his soft damp hair. 

The days they spent in their hideout were dedicated to reacquainting themselves with each other. Reworking and breaking down boundaries they’d both set. Touch starved as they were, they held hands, kissed, and cuddled at every instance but they never went farther than that and never without consent on either side. Taeyong feels Ten’s lips on the exposed skin of his neck in an innocent kiss. He smiles wider at the simple gesture and hugs him tighter. 

“Ten” 

“Hm?” 

“Tenie” 

“Yes?” 

“Nothing. I like saying your name.” 

Ten pulls away to look up at Taeyong in mock annoyance. Taeyong smiles down at him as if Ten himself formed and hung all the stars in the galaxy, and Ten grins as he looks back into Taeyong’s eyes, knowing all the stars he’d ever wish upon and need were there. 

A hand comes up to cup Ten’s cheek. Ten smiles and nuzzles into Taeyong’s hand when his thumb brushes against the apple of his cheek, and when it falls and lingers over the corner of his lips, silently asking permission, he turns his face to kiss the pad of his thumb. He revels in the soft giggle that escapes Taeyong and leans up to brush his nose against his, their lips a breath away. 

“May I?” 

Ten nods and lets his eyes fall shut as Taeyong fills the space between them, their lips meeting in a soft kiss. They hold it for a moment and then pull apart to press their foreheads together, blushing and smiling. Ten cuddles closer, making himself as small as possible to fit between Taeyong’s arms. He presses his face to his chest, tucking his head beneath Taeyong’s chin. He listens and hears Taeyong’s soft breathing, idle as it may be, synced with his own, and the faint hum of his power core working and keeping Taeyong alive. 

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” 

“I’m nervous.” 

“You didn’t answer the question.” 

“I’m ready… I’m ready,” he repeats more to reassure himself than for Ten. 

Ten closes his eyes. “Goodnight, Taeyongie.” 

“Goodnight.” 

Taeyong holds Ten as he falls asleep and stares out the window at the night sky. He doesn’t need to get any shut-eye, not at all, and yet when he’s sure Ten is sound asleep, he closes his eyes and turns off his mind, feigning sleep. Taeyong opens his eyes when he hears movement, footsteps in the hall, walking away from the room and round the hall. 

The sky outside is still dark but beginning to brighten into a mix of grey and blue. His mind tells him its early morning and he concludes, based on how light the footsteps were, that Taeil has woken up and is going about his morning routine. Without moving his head, he looks down. Ten is still asleep though he’s now facing the wall and holding Taeyong’s arm over his waist, clasping his hand to his chest. 

Taeyong smiles and lies there, looking out the window as the morning winds, changing the sky from dark to light in purples, pinks, and yellows. He hears more footsteps when the sky transitions from purple to pink, walking past the room at a brisk pace. Taeil again. A few moments after he hears heavier footfalls, slower. Johnny is awake. Both of them headed towards the living room or kitchen, he assumes. 

When the sky transitions from pink to orange and yellow, Ten shifts in his arms, turning so he’s still facing the window but angled so Taeyong can see his side profile. He blinks a few times, squinting against the slight sunlight brightening the room. He stretches, throwing his arms up against the pillows and rolling around to face Taeyong, smoothly relaxing his arms back down onto his shoulders. 

Taeyong smiles as Ten closes his eyes again, a slight smile on his face. “Good morning.” 

“Mm.” Ten presses his face to Taeyong’s shoulder petulantly and Taeyong giggles, running a hand over his neck affectionately. “Don’t wanna get up. It’s too early,” his voice is muffled against Taeyong. 

“Johnny and Taeil are awake.” 

“That makes no difference.” 

“Come on.” Taeyong presses a kiss to Ten’s temple before sitting up. 

Ten is still hanging on to him and is pulled up when he does. He groans and leans his head back, whining, “Noooooo, Taeyongggg.” 

Taeyong grins and looks down at Ten as he tries to pull him back down onto the mattress, pouting and squinting his eyes closed. 

“Taeyooonggggggggieeeeeeeeee.” 

“Tenie.” 

He leans down to kiss the tip of Ten’s nose and his chin. Ten continues to pout. Taeyong smiles and peppers kisses on his cheeks. His pout breaks and he tries hard to fight the smile beginning to pull at his lips. 

“Tenie,” he speaks in a low tone that he knows Ten loves. Ten meets Taeyong’s fond gaze and lets himself fall back onto the bed, blushing and giggling. Taeyong smiles and cocks an eyebrow, “What?” 

Ten shakes his head, still smiling. Taeyong slips out of bed and Ten turns his head to watch him. He’s looking between his clothes on the nightstand and the bathroom door, brow furrowed. He looks over when Ten speaks up, “Use the dresser. I’m sure there’s something in there you’ll like.” 

Taeyong blushes slightly and nods. “Ok.” He disappears into the bathroom and Ten waits a few moments before sitting up begrudgingly. He runs a hand through his hair and sighs, glancing towards the bedroom door and then to the window. The sun has risen over the city line but it still isn’t high enough to shine rays into the floor up here. 

Today is going to be a long day… He isn’t sure if he’s ready… Thinking back on his actions, he feels horrid and he worries… Taeyong is gladly by his side now, but that could change. He breathes out when his head starts to throb, every morbid thought trying to claw up into his consciousness at once. He lays down again and rolls onto the side where Taeyong slept, grabbing the pillow he used and hugging it to his chest. 

After a few moments, the bathroom door slides open and Taeyong steps out wearing a white t-shirt and black sweatpants. Ten looks him over, notes the lilac sneakers, and looks him straight in the eye. “Baby, we’re gonna need to work on your fashion sense.” The name slips out before he’s even realized he’s said it. Ten plays it off by getting up off the bed and past a crimson Taeyong into the bathroom. 

When he returns in an all-black outfit, very stylish if you ask him, Taeyong is sitting on the bed, which is now neatly made, biting at one of his fingernails while staring down at the carpet. He wonders what has him so deep in his thought that he doesn’t even turn around when he steps out. 

“Hey.” 

He blinks once and looks over. 

“Don’t do that.” 

His eyes widen comically and he draws his hand away from his mouth, wringing it out as if that’ll get rid of the fact that he was trying to eat it. “Sorry.” 

Ten shakes his head and holds out a hand, which he takes as he steps off the bed. “If you were that hungry, you could’ve said,” he says with a small smirk. 

“... I don’t need food?” 

Ten rolls his eyes and squeezes his hand before entwining their fingers. “I know, Taeyong, I was joking.” 

Once the door to their bedroom opens, they hear music from down the hall and the aroma of “Coffeeeeeee,” Ten inhales and smiles. They walk side by side down the hall to the living room, music growing louder as they near, something groovy and full of rhythm. 

The curtains over the glass wall are drawn away and sunlight streams in, lighting up the room, the furniture casting shadows. The wall once separating the kitchen and living room is no longer there. A quick glance at the ceiling shows a small outline where it was and Taeyong surmises it was retracted away. High-end home. 

Taeil is singing along with the song playing as he shoves different colored vegetables and fruit into a sleek white juice press.  

“Every little step I take. You will be there. Every little step I make. We'll be together.”  

Johnny is standing behind the island with him, looking through the refrigerator. His disheveled long hair and pajamas contrasting sharply with Taeil’s slicked-back hair and suit. 

Ten leads Taeyong over to the island and sits on one of the white stools, “Morning.” Taeyong sits beside him, smiling and swaying in his seat already. 

Taeil smiles over the juicer at them, straight teeth impeccably white. “Good morning.” 

Johnny looks over his shoulder and smiles. “Morning.” 

Taeyong mumbles a ‘good morning’ and continues to sway in his seat, moving his shoulders from side to side. Taeil watches fondly and takes a glass cup away from the juicer, filled with a purple liquid. “Like it, Taeyong?” He taps the top of the machine twice and it slides down into the counter, storing itself away. 

Taeyong quirks an eyebrow then nods when Taeil gestures towards the speaker in the living room. “It’s… groovy.” 

Taeil grins, reaching over to give Taeyong a high-five. “Heck yeah, it is.” 

Johnny looks at both Taeil and Taeyong wide-eyed, mouth slowly widening in a surprised manner as he presses buttons on the Bibery for another cup of coffee, presumably for Ten, who’s rubbing his neck and squinting his eyes at Taeil, nose wrinkled. Taeil sips his drink, flat-out ignoring their cringing. 

“Please don’t teach Taeyong those words. This isn’t the 60s.” 

Taeyong looks towards Ten, confused and then back at Taeil, who simply shrugs. Johnny chuckles as he places a cup of coffee in front of Ten. 

“It’s too late, Ten, he’s already got him on 80s music.” 

Ten looks at Taeyong, gripping his arm as if to say ‘Is it true?’ 

Taeyong smiles and shrugs, “I like it.” 

Ten covers his face with his arm dramatically, “Oh my god.” 

Taeil winks over at Ten as he places his now empty glass in the sink beside the Bibery. “Don’t use my name in vain.” 

Johnny and Ten collectively groan while Taeyong looks on in confusion. 

Taeil straightens his tie and clears his throat, “Ok, I’m going to work now.” He walks around the island to hug Taeyong and Ten and then walks towards the front door, stepping around the banker boxes, followed by Johnny. At the door, they share a kiss and exchange ‘I love you’s’ then he’s gone. 

Johnny walks back over and sits at the end of the island beside Ten. They sip at their coffee while Taeyong looks down at the small rectangular display that Taeil slipped into his hands when he left. At the bottom, text scrolls above a play button along with arrows. Above that, a multitude of songs. 

Johnny glances over with a small smile on his face. “Can I recommend a song, Taeyong?” 

Taeyong looks up and nods, smiling. 

“Location by Khalid.” 

Ten smiles at Johnny as Taeyong scrolls through the display and presses on the song. Johnny bobs his head as the first thrums flow from the speakers, filling the living room and reaching them in the kitchen. Ten smiles and sways, singing the first lines, “ Send me your location. Let's focus on communicatin' 'cause I just need the time and place to come through~” 

Taeyong turns to look at Ten, his wide eyes shining with a mixture of surprise and admiration. He never knew Ten could sing… like an angel, no less. 

Johnny smiles as he sways in his seat and watches Taeyong’s awe-struck expression. 

Ten smiles wide, snapping his fingers in tandem with the beat. Taeyong smiles and follows along, his eyes never leaving Ten. Ten smiles and winks at Taeyong, singing to him, “ I don't need nothing else but you~” 

Taeyong blushes and points at himself. Ten nods, smiling sincerely. 

Johnny grabs the forgotten media player and scrolls through, picking a different song once the one playing ends. He sets the display down on the counter, grabs an elastic band from his wrist and ties his hair up into a bun. “Now how about some real breakfast? I’m thinking a classic Terran brunch?” He turns to look in the fridge again. 

Ten nearly jumps out of his seat with excitement. “Hell yeah, bring on the grease!” 

Taeyong looks confused and watches as Johnny pulls out butter, eggs, ham, bacon, bread, and a carton mysteriously labeled ‘Hash’, setting them out on the counter. He rushes over to the other side of the kitchen, looking through the steel cupboards and pulling out oil, pancake mix (whatever that is), syrup, and sugar. 

Ten sips at his coffee, smiling as he watches Johnny cook. He glances at Taeyong and quirks an eyebrow at the concerned bordering on horrified look on his face. “What’s wrong, Taeyong?” 

“This… the nutritional value is… it isn’t healthy at all!” 

“Fuck that! If you enjoy what you eat, it won’t have any calories!” 

“You’re quoting…” 

“It’s true though.” 

Johnny looks over his shoulder as he cooks over the stove with a small smile on his face. “Don’t worry, Taeyong. This used to be some of your favorite food.” 

“Used to be?” 

Johnny turns his attention back to the stove, avoiding the question and Ten places a hand on Taeyong’s arm, rubbing soothingly. “We’ll explain once we’ve all eaten, ok?” 

Ten smiles cutely at him and Taeyong looks down at him for a moment before nodding, “Ok.” 

Ten kisses his cheek and continues to sip at his coffee. Taeyong looks down at where Ten’s hand is entwined with his on his lap. He rubs his thumb over his and lifts his hand to press a kiss to Ten’s knuckles. Ten smiles into his cup of coffee. 

The smell of grease begins to increase in volume along with the sizzle and popping of the food on the stove. Johnny flinches back from the stove a couple of times as he adds more bacon and ham into the pans. He only nears when the insistent sizzling simmers down some. 

Ten gets up to get more coffee from the Bibery and returns to his seat with his cup refilled and with a glass of orange juice for Taeyong. He grabs the cup in his hands cutely and smiles at Ten, “Thank you.” Ten nods and turns to look at Johnny as he begins setting the food out. He only sits once the spread is all done and he’s refilled his cup. 

Johnny waves a hand over the multitudes of food with flare, his signature smirk on his face. “Please. Dig in.” 

Ten reaches over his plates for the syrup and begins to drizzle it over his stack of pancakes. “You don’t have to tell me twice!” 

Taeyong watches both Johnny and Ten digging in, stuffing their faces without a care in the world. He looks down at his own plates, all flat and round, identical save for their size. The largest plate holds two eggs, whites firm but yolk runny and seeping from beneath them towards the crisp starchy pile on the opposite side of the plate. Teetering on the edge of the plate are two strips of bacon alongside two pieces of toast, cut down the middle into triangles, butter quickly melting on them. The other two plates, respectively, hold a slice of slightly charred ham, and two pancakes with a small ball of butter sitting on top of them like a crown. Taeyong grabs his fork and stares down at his plates… 

He isn’t sure where to start, there’s so much. 

Ten notices him struggling and leans over, pointing at the eggs with his own fork. “Start with the eggs, Yongie, work your way around.” Taeyong glances at him and Ten smiles, food in his mouth making his cheeks protrude cutely like a Terran chipmunk. 

Johnny is in much the same state and gestures over at Taeyong’s food. “Before it gets cold!” 

Taeyong cuts into the eggs and, after a hesitant first bite, begins to devour the food. Johnny and Ten watch with matching grins as he gobbles down the food forkful after forkful. Ten reaches over, laying a hand on his forearm. “Slow down, baby,” he chuckles as Taeyong turns to look at him, a sparkle in his eyes. 

“It’s so good, Tenie!” He pauses to sip his orange juice and smiles at Johnny. “It’s so good!” 

Johnny nods his head and tips his cup of coffee at him, “That’s Terran cuisine for you.” 

Taeyong smiles and starts on the pancakes, stuffing a forkful of the thick bread into his mouth after smothering the butter over it along with syrup. He pauses, chewing on the sweet morsel practically dissolving on his tongue. He leans forward, staring down at the neat pancakes with a triangle cut out of them. 

Ten looks at Taeyong when Johnny looks over at him, wide-eyed, concerned. Tears are running down the android’s cheeks. Ten turns in his seat to wrap an arm around his shoulder, his other hand to wipe his cheeks. “Taeyongie? Why are you crying?” 

Taeyong turns to look at him. “It’s so good. I-” He chews a couple more times and swallows. 

Ten removes the fork from his hand with gentle fingers and glances at Johnny, gesturing at the Bibery. He quickly gets up and returns with a glass of milk, placing it before Ten. Ten takes the glass and presses it to Taeyong’s lips. “Drink some, Taeyong.” He sniffles and sips at the milk. 

Johnny stands aside, watching Ten and Taeyong concerned if not a little distressed. 

Ten strokes Taeyong’s back as he coaxes him into drinking the milk. He looks over at Johnny when Taeyong starts to drink it steadily. “Sensory overload which led to emotional overload.” His gaze returns to Taeyong. “Sometimes built androids will malfunction because of too many orders or complicated orders…” He trails off, lost in thought before speaking up again, “I should’ve slowly introduced him to bland foods, not something so good, you know.” 

Johnny nods slightly, watches as Taeyong straightens up and wipes at his face. Ten sets the glass down and continues to stroke his back. “You okay, Taeyongie?” 

Taeyong nods and turns to press his face to Ten’s shoulder, his hands gripping the shirt over Ten’s waist. Ten hugs him and continues to rub his back, patting slightly. “Do you still wanna eat?” 

He shakes his head no and Johnny begins picking up the plates, placing them in the sink where two robotic arms emerge and start the task of washing the dishes and setting them aside on a rack to dry. Johnny wipes down the stove and puts away the ingredients he used. Ten continues to hold Taeyong and stroke his back, running his hand over his spine. 

Taeyong shifts and turns his face, pressing his ear to Ten’s chest, and watches the arms over the sink at work. That’s me , he thinks solemnly. He curls in on himself, pressing his face further into Ten’s chest, hoping he can hide somehow. 

“Taeyong.” 

He glances up. Ten is looking down at him, a neutral look on his face, not smiling or scowling. It’s the look he has on when they’re about to start a mission. He worries he might’ve upset him with his hiccup and slowly draws his hands away from his waist, sitting up in his seat. 

Ten catches on and cups Taeyong’s face in his hands, peppering kisses all over his face until the frown on Taeyong’s face morphs into a smile, his cheeks quickly turning pink. Ten places one last kiss on his lips and pulls back, continuing to cup his face in his hands. Taeyong smiles, meeting Ten’s gaze but snorts and laughs when Ten pulls a cute face, blowing him a kiss. 

Johnny grins, watching them and walks around the island, making his way to the hall. “I’m just going to change,” he calls over his shoulder as he walks down the hall, disappearing around the curve. 

Ten watches him go and looks back at Taeyong. “Come on, we have a lot to talk about.” He takes hold of his hand and leads him from the slightly elevated floor of the kitchen into the living room and towards the couches. 

Taeyong sits in the middle of the couch and glances at the speaker when the music suddenly cuts off. Ten reaches forward to put the remote down on the coffee table and sits close to Taeyong. He didn’t notice him grab the small controller but all thoughts of surprise vanish when Ten grabs hold of his hand, entwining their fingers. 

Johnny returns a few moments after wearing distressed jeans and a loose white tee. 

Ten looks over and smiles. “Wow, going for the rebel look, aren’t you, Mr. Suh?” 

Johnny sits in front of them on the couch opposite and leans back, flipping his now brushed long hair with flourish. “Please, I was born a rebel.” Ten chuckles and Taeyong smiles, watching the two of them banter. 

“When did you two meet?” 

Both Johnny and Ten look towards Taeyong and then glance at each other. ‘This is a good place to start,’ they both seem to think as they exchange smiles. Ten leans back nestling into Taeyong’s side, letting Johnny take the lead. 

Johnny leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. “We met in uni. The Institute of Gyoyug in the Daw Kam system of the ZECH-2L galaxy.” 

“Our home galaxy,” Ten says as he squeezes Taeyong’s hand. Taeyong glances at Ten, a sparkle of wonder in his eyes and growing curiosity. 

“I’d just been transferred to that university and ended up sharing a room with Ten.” 

“Transferred, my ass. He got kicked out of the last university he was in because he didn’t go to any of his classes and actually tried to start a revolt against the administration–” Ten snorts when Johnny and Taeyong gape–“Yeah, don’t let him fool you, Taeyong, he’s every bit as chaotic as I am. He just chooses to hide it behind his handsome face and ridiculously long legs.” 

“My legs aren’t long, yours are just short.” 

“Johnny, I’ll fight you. I swear I will.” 

Johnny chuckles and Ten turns to Taeyong, uncrossing his legs to draw all attention away from them. 

“Anyway, we got roomed together and, of course, we became friends. We both knew Imperial K so.” Ten shrugs, nonchalant. 

Johnny gasps and shifts closer. “That’s not it!” He turns to Taeyong. “He’s leaving out the most important detail! Chittaphon-” 

“Don’t call me that.” 

“-had the biggest crush on me and was not subtle about it at all!” 

Taeyong’s eyes widen and he turns to look at Ten’s red face. 

“Hey! I wasn’t that obvious!” 

“Uh, ok, sure you weren’t, Mr. The-Only-Clothes-I-Own-Are-Booty-Shorts.” 

“Don’t act like you didn’t like me either.” 

“I have no idea what you’re-” 

“Oh really? Do you really want me to bring up your random exercise sessions in the middle of our room that somehow coincided with the time that I usually got back from classes?” 

Johnny pulls a straight face and sits back. “I remember no such thing.” 

Ten rolls his eyes, “Sureeee. Anyway, we became friends, we had crushes on each other, but we realized we were better at being friends than lovers, or something like that.” 

Johnny nods and can’t help but grin when he sees Taeyong wrap an arm around Ten’s waist. “Don’t worry, tiger. I’m not going to take your man. He’s all yours.” 

Ten smiles and pats Taeyong’s knee, the one pressed against his leg. “That’s how we met. He’s been a pain in my ass ever since.” 

“Best friends!” Johnny interjects. 

“Right. Best friends.” 

Taeyong smiles slightly, looking between the two before looking down. His hands return to his lap out of habit. Ten watches him with close eyes before glancing at Johnny, who smiles reassuringly. 

“Do you want to know how we met you?” 

Taeyong looks up at Ten suddenly, confusion marring his features. “Me?” 

Ten nods as if he didn’t just knock Taeyong off of his existential axis and into another crisis. 

“But I know how I met you and Johnny. We met when I woke up and I met Johnny-” 

“Stop, stop, stop–” Ten grabs hold of Taeyong’s hands–“Your life did not begin when you woke up on that laboratory table, ok?” 

Taeyong shakes his head. “I don’t understand.” 

Ten sighs softly and looks down at Taeyong’s hands in his own. 

Johnny watches them both and stands. When he returns, he sits beside Taeyong, the banker boxes from before at their feet. “I know you don’t remember,” he starts hesitantly, “but you had a whole life before you woke up when you did.” He looks into Taeyong’s eyes and pats the top of one of the closed metallic boxes. “These hold all the things you owned before, in the past. That’s why Ten couldn’t tell you anything about your past life, but we’re here now and we’re going to try and explain everything the best we can. Are you alright with that, Taeyong?” 

“... Yes.” 

“Ok.” Johnny catches Ten’s eyes and smiles when he mouths a ‘thank you’. 

Ten pats Taeyong’s shoulder. “Go ahead, those are your things… Well, some are ours, but they’re mostly yours.” 

Taeyong nods and lifts the cover on one of the boxes. This box holds a few articles of clothes, shirts, pants, and a single pair of shoes, weathered, battered, and yellow. Taeyong picks them up in his hands and looks over the beige and black canvas shoes. A quick press of the sole against the shoes he’s currently wearing proves them to be his. He glances into the other two uncovered boxes, which hold other items besides clothing, and back at the box he uncovered. 

“Were these- Are these the only pair I owned?” 

Before Johnny or Ten can answer, he reaches into another box, drawing out a rolled-up paper. He unrolls it with difficulty. Part of it is burnt, leaving a big piece of it missing but the image he can still make out jogs his memory. He remembers the glimpse of the room he woke up in, before the fire. 

This was one of the posters on the walls in that room. 

“What happened? I remember a room–” he turns to look at Ten and Johnny–“There was a fire. What happened?” 

“That was our apartment… Well, it was mine, but it was going to be ours… I-” Ten sighs and shakes his head, chuckling so his emotions won’t get the best of him. He needs to be level-headed if he’s going to go through with this. “Let’s back up a little. You’re jumping ahead in the story.” 

Taeyong sets the poster down, rolling it up again and looks at the other clothes in the first box. The shirts are mostly black and holding some emblems of different bands, except for three yellowed button-up shirts, which he assumes used to be white. Along with the shirts are three pairs of pants, one pair of jeans and two pairs of plain brown slacks. 

“You were wearing this when we first met you.” Johnny gestures at one of the slacks, one of the dress shirts, and the canvas shoes. 

“We decided to spend our second semester abroad, on a different planet for a biology class. The planet we moved to was yours, Kwamrak. That’s where we met you.” 

Johnny nods. “We really liked it there. The scenery of the capitol is- it’s beautiful, really.” He draws up his phone, holding his wrist up, and types into it before grabbing the holographic display and handing it to Taeyong. “This is Lukmurk. The capital of Kwamrak.” 

Taeyong takes the display and looks at the city pictured, lying on a hill that rises and falls into a sort of valley. The short buildings rising no higher than five stories are colored in silvers and yellows, with most of the silver ones in the lower region and growing more yellow as they go up the hill. At the very top of the hill is a modern-looking castle colored in the most vibrant yellow. Surrounding the city and even peeking from between buildings are blue-leaved trees. 

“It’s a pretty planet but they have some highly questionable social views,” Ten seethes. 

Taeyong is too enraptured by the picture to make a comment about that and continues to stare at the picture. “Is this my hometown?” 

“No, but it’s near that city. Just a train ride away actually.” 

Taeyong frowns and returns the display to Johnny, who takes it and holds it over the central bracelet piece of the phone. The display dissipates in a small light and returns to the device. 

Ten leans forward to look into one of the boxes, rummaging through until he finds what he’s looking for. He pulls out a cardboard box that fits in his hand. The faded light blue and white colors on it along with the cartoonish logo suggest the box held a bar of soap at some point. 

He passes the box to Taeyong as Johnny speaks up again, “We ran into you a rotation after we arrived at Kwamrak. There was going to be a festival in the city to celebrate the birth of the first Queen. They hold the festival every revolution. I think that revolution was the 127th birthday of the Queen?” 

Ten puts a hand over Taeyong’s as he begins to open the box and shakes his head. “That revolution was 3314. It was the 125th birthday of the first Queen. I remember.” Taeyong glances at Ten, confused. Ten pats his hands. “Wait until you’re alone to open this box, alright? You never let anyone see what was inside it, not even me, but you did tell me it’s important, so wait a bit to open it, ok?” 

Taeyong looks down at the box and can’t even begin to fathom what’s inside or why he’d deem it important, but he nods anyway and puts the box back where it was. 

Johnny smiles. “Yeah, you would remember, huh?” 

Ten leans forward to look at Johnny. “Yeah, just like you remember the first time you met Taeil, right?” 

Johnny leans back, closing his eyes and smiling wide. “How can I forget?” 

Ten smiles and rolls his eyes. 

“So then, what’s my hometown?” Taeyong almost mumbles. 

“Kyarknak.” 

“Kyarknak…” Taeyong repeats. The name is foreign but it rolls off his tongue like belonging. 

“That’s it. We heard there was going to be food and festivities of different kinds.” 

“Basically it was going to be a lot of fun,” Johnny adds. 

Ten smiles and nods. “So we went.”

~~~ 

Ten looks at himself in the mirror as he puts on his stud earrings, two pairs of silver and black. His hair is brushed, parted down the middle, his bangs brushed forward with flair and kept in place with copious amounts of hairspray. He wonders briefly if he should add hair glitters but decides against it and settles on eyeliner that complements his outfit of black jeans and an oversized maroon sweater. He smiles at himself in the mirror satisfied and walks out of the bathroom. 

“John, are you ready!?” 

Johnny looks over from where he’s posing in front of the dressing mirror behind their bedroom door, his bangs falling into his eyes. “Is this jacket too much?” He pulls on the lapels of the leather jacket over his plain white tee and turns in place. 

“Yeah, it doesn’t go with your jeans.” 

“Good call.” 

Johnny returns the jacket to the rack along the wall and smooths out his shirt, tucking it into his black jeans. 

“Ready?” 

“Ready.” 

“Let’s go then!” Ten links his arm with Johnny’s and they walk out the door, leaving behind the dorm. 

Outside, the cobblestone roads shine with moonlight and the lights of paper lanterns strung overhead that light the way towards the festival. Green placards on the walls of the surrounding silver buildings point out the way. Johnny and Ten don’t need them anyway, the rhythmic music of strings and drums pound and rise into the night, leading straight to the central road that spans the entirety of the town. 

As they walk away from their lodging and down the street to the main road a block away, they can’t help but grin as they pass by the beings of the town, those that call themselves Kwamrakians, dressed in their best clothes. Some choose to wear clothes traditional to their planet, others the clothes that fall in line with the fashion of foreign planets. 

The main road is filled with beings, families and couples alike. Along the sides, vendors stand with their stalls filled with goods of food, clothing, and trinkets among others. Ten grips Johnny’s arm and smiles up at him. “Where should we start first?” 

Johnny smiles. “I could really go for some of that good stew right about now.” 

“The leaf one?” 

Johnny shakes his head, scrunching up his nose. “No! The black noodle one!” 

Ten grins teasingly. “I know–” He sniffs the air and tugs on Johnny’s arm–“Come on, my impeccable sense of smell is telling me we’ll find your precious stew stand over this way!” 

Johnny rolls his eyes but lets Ten lead him down the road anyway. They walk past stands of different wares in search of a stand selling the stew Johnny wants but give up after the third food stall where they had trouble even asking for a menu of sorts. They know basic Kwamrakian phrases but sometimes even that fails them so they settle on the first food stall they find with translations in Imperial K. 

The stall is full with guys cramped behind it taking orders, cooking, and handing out orders all at once. It’s a bit dizzying to watch but as chaotic as it seems, everything is in order. Around the stall, customers sit on mats with the smallest of tables holding a variety of spice containers for the food. Everyone eats with their plate on their lap and their trusted hands as the only utensils. 

As Johnny and Ten near, a pair of women stand, dressed in the traditional clothing of silver robes that hang loosely, offering Ten and Johnny their seats with flirtatious smiles. Johnny smiles politely, bowing his head as they take their seats before thanking them in their language. The women walk off after waving goodbye and Ten watches them go, shuddering. 

“I forgot about that.” 

Johnny shrugs as he looks over the propped menu on the table. “It’s not so bad.” 

“Yeah, right. I don’t like being looked at like I’m just a piece of meat.” 

“Well, at least they’re polite.” 

Ten shakes his head and looks over the menu. “They don’t have your stew.” 

“That’s ok. I feel like having something more filling instead.” 

Ten hums and decides on a fried roll of vegetables along with a small dish of soup. Johnny waves a waiter down when they’re both ready. The food comes to them not even five minutes after they first placed the order and they both eagerly dig in, sprinkling in some of the provided spices on their dishes. 

Johnny eats like there’s no tomorrow but somehow manages to still enjoy his food while simultaneously giving commentary on everything his tongue finds remarkable, which is everything. Ten chuckles and eats his food a little more slowly, watching Johnny rant about his assortment of fried meats. 

“So, when are you gonna tell your parents about you switching majors?” 

Johnny slows down, running a piece of meat over the little bit of sauce pooled at the edge of his plate. “Welllll… I actually didn’t change majors.” 

“What? So you’re still in business?” 

Johnny nods, scooping the dripping piece of meat up to his mouth. 

“Then why are you taking this class?” 

“I didn’t want you to come by yourself. Also, it’s really pretty here.” 

Ten smiles and shakes his head. “Johnny, you didn’t have to.” 

“I wanted to and I’m already here so–” he shrugs and then smirks–“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” 

Ten chuckles, “I see that.” 

They finish their food and pay before getting up and walking down the street again. Ahead they hear the music growing louder and speed up their pace. On one of the street corners stand a group of guys dressed in the traditional clothing of white robes that cover only their chest and private areas. Yellow dye is painted on their faces in small strokes under their eyes and along their jaws that make them look like beautiful sculptures. They dance in a circle in the small clearing formed by the watching crowd while two women behind them, dressed in their silver clothes, play their instruments made of white bark. The same fascinating bark of the trees native to the planet. 

Johnny smiles watching the performance even clapping his hands in tandem to the beat. Ten watches the dancers, his sharp eyes following their movements. They move like leaves in the wind. Their dance slows and speeds up with the music and then when the piece comes to an end, they finish on their knees, bowing towards where the 4th Queen’s castle lies at the very top of the hill in the distance, all the way down the main road. The crowd applauds them and a few beings scatter, Johnny and Ten included. They hear the music start up again as they walk away. 

“That was amazing. I mean it wasn’t no Coldplay but it was still good, you know.” 

Ten chuckles and nods. “The dancers were something else too. It was a beautiful dance.”  

“I bet you could do that.” 

Ten shrugs. “Probably.” 

“Most definitely.” 

Ten grins up at Johnny and Johnny smiles back. 

“Hey, I feel like having some dessert before we go back.” 

“Ok, let’s find something.” 

They continue walking back the way they came, passing by the road that’ll lead them back to their lodging and towards the other side of the festivities. They pass by a stand selling charms made of the blue-green leaves of the trees. Johnny buys himself a leaf crown that he promptly puts on and Ten picks out a small jar of the dye made from the very same leaves, planning to either use it or send it as a souvenir to his family back home. 

They continue on their way down the road until Johnny stops in his tracks, sniffing the air. “Do you smell that?” 

Ten sniffs and cocks an eyebrow. “No. What is it?” 

Johnny grabs hold of Ten’s hand. “Follow me.” Ten holds on tight as he’s almost dragged along by Johnny’s tall frame, zigzagging through the crowd until he runs smack dab into Johnny’s back when he stops. “There! That stand. Can you smell it?” 

Ten rubs his jaw and sniffs again, this time he does smell sweet bread cooking. “Oh yeah, let’s get some, but don’t drag me this time. I’m not a ragdoll.” Johnny chuckles and lets go of Ten’s hand, walking towards the stall. Ten follows close behind him. 

The stall is a meager old wooden counter, open on all sides so that beings passing by can see the cook at work. He has the sleeves of his white button-down shirt rolled up to his elbows and is working at the counter, kneading dough. From this angle, Johnny and Ten can only see the top of his head, dark brown hair parted down the middle. A small sign hanging to the side shows the price for the treats and nothing else. 

Johnny clears his throat to get his attention. The cook looks up and smiles, wiping his brow with the sleeve of his arm. He’s young like them and crazy handsome. He almost looks unreal. 

“Hello, how can I help you?” There’s a slight lilt in his accent, denoting the fact that his Imperial K is limited. 

Johnny smiles. “We’d like one–” He looks down at Ten about to ask if he wants some but stops when he sees the expression on his face. Ten is staring at the cook with a blank look on his face, eyes glazed over. 

The cook quirks an eyebrow when he notices him just staring. 

Johnny nudges Ten. “Hey, you want one too?” 

Ten nods slowly. Johnny turns back to the chef, holding up two fingers. “Two of whatever you’re making, please.” 

The cook smiles and nods, turning around to face a stack of baskets to the side on their own raggedy table. “There are seats if you like,” the cook says while he reaches into the top basket with a pair of tongs. 

“Thank you–” Johnny nudges Ten again–“Hey, quit staring and pass me a seat.” 

Ten blushes and grabs two stools from beside the stall, passing one to Johnny and seating himself in the other. 

The cook turns back to them with two small plates, on each a simple round bread. Johnny sniffs and smiles. “These smell delicious.” 

The cook smiles and nods his head. “Thank you. They are called frijanpang.” 

“Free-janpang?” 

The cook chuckles and shakes his head, enunciating it slowly, “Fri-jan-pang.” 

Johnny nods his head. “Fri-jan-pang.” 

“Yes, enjoy.” The cook chuckles again and goes back to working at the dough in front of Johnny and Ten. 

Johnny grabs his steaming bread and pulls it apart down the middle, revealing the sticky red insides. The cook turns away with the dough balled in his hand to two pots behind him on top of an outdoor stove. Johnny bites into his bread while he’s turned away and looks at Ten, whispering, “Hey, what’s the matter with you? Do you recognize him or something?” 

Ten shakes his head no and touches the top of his head gently. “How does my hair look?” 

Johnny quirks an eyebrow. “Fine. Why?” 

The cook turns back to them before Ten can answer and Johnny smiles politely at him as he eats his bread. 

“This is really good.” 

“Thank you.” He smiles. 

Ten starts to eat his bread too, faster than Johnny, surprising both his friend and the cook. “Can I have another?” 

The cook nods and takes Ten’s plate to serve him another bread. 

When he sets the plate in front of Ten again, Ten smiles cutely, “Thank you.” 

He nods in response. 

Johnny then realizes what all the weird staring was and tries really hard not to roll his eyes. He leans forward as he eats. “So is this festival just for tonight?” 

The cook nods. “It goes to sunrise then done.” 

“We won’t see you again!” Johnny pouts and the cook smiles, chuckling politely, at a loss for words. 

When those words leave Johnny’s mouth, Ten straightens up, glazy look in his eyes long gone and exchanged for determination. Johnny smirks, noticing the change in Ten’s demeanor and extends a hand. “I’m Johnny.” 

The cook wipes off his hands on a rag lying nearby and shakes Johnny’s hand. Johnny gestures at Ten. “This is my best friend, Ten.” 

The cook turns to Ten to shake his hand as well, smiling. 

Ten blushes slightly when their hands linger a bit after shaking. 

The cook smiles. “My name is Taeyong.”