Woori's POV
Finishing our gatherered rations, I and my son, Yuan, doesn't have a choice but to get out of our hiding spot to find another safe place.
But unlucky as I am, I chose a wrong route, putting myself and son in sure danger, as that path happened to have a unknown, wandering.
The moment the creature turned to us, I was so sure that it was the end for me and the young, Yuan, so I held him in my arms tight, instinctively shielding him from its attack while muttering how sorry I am and how much I love him, already promising him that we will be meeting his mom and older sisters soon.
But then, I heard brusque voice, echoing from somewhere, obviously trying to get the unknown's attention off me and my poor boy.
"When it goes and find me, hid somewhere!preferablynot on a same space, just tell the kid to stay quiet and still, and I'llpromise to keep you guys safe. But Woori? You owe something after this!" The unknown man then said, still out of sight, making me ask myself, of who could it beto address my name so casually.
Knowing it is no time to be daydreaming, I just did what it said, putting Yuan in a safer place while reminding him to be still and quiet, like the it said, before I hid myself somewhere close, making sure I could jump in, if I think he is in danger or something.
Came after 10 minutes or so, I then heard metals clinking, and its getting closer and closer. I was ready to jump in when I saw a buff-tattoed man, intently approaching my son's location, and as it finally opened the car door, scooping my son on his arms, I tried to launch an attack, but he easily dodged it, and caught me in his arms instead.
"Is that the proper way to say thankyou?Still naive and pretty impulsive, aren't you, Seo Woori?" It said, once again addressing me in a casual manner, finally making me look at its face.
But there, I froze, seeing an absolute familiar face, a face of someone whom I never thought I could look at this close again, my first love and my first and last boyfriend, because I got married to Yuan's Mom.
"What? cat got your tongue?" It teased, with a smirk on his faceas he giddily bounced my son on his strong arms.
I blushed and pouted at his teasing, but somehow, I couldn't be angry at him, in fact, it made me feel at ease that I have met someone familiar, I just can't mutter a word now, because of all people, why does it have to be him, "why does is to be you, Lee Seoksoo." I murmured in the back of my mind.
Then, Yuan started yawning, and that made me follow, seeing that, Seoksoo then grabbed me by the waist and whispered to my ear.
"Where are you guys headed to? It's late and it's not safeout here, especially not when you got a plus one that needs to be carried around." He murmuredquietly.
Only then I managed to speak. "We don't really have a place to go, I was just hoping to find us some safe place for the nightbut we stumbled on that path." I admitted, gently petting my son's hair who's actually already drifting on his arms.
Nodding, he then pulled me closer, his hot breath now tickling the sensitive skin onmy neck.
"Come with me then, there's a refugee camparound the area, it could give you guys a safe place to stay, food and sanitary rations, and finally, I could finally take what you owe me."He murmured again,this time it was huskier and full of intent, sending shivers to my spine.
Of course, I was adamant to say yes, as I don't know what his ulterior motives are, but my eyes drifted to Yuan, and the flashback from earlier encounter with an unknown, made me realize how powerless I am to protect him and it gnawed me.
"Okay, we'll come with you. ButI have one condition... Y-you can't tell anyone about us before, not anyone, especially not Yuan." I mumbled shyly, as I don't want to put my son on some awkward position, especially not now when everything around him is already a mess.
Looking at me carefully like he was inspecting me, he groaned gruffly. "Look, I know I was a bastard back when we dated, but really, Iam not that petty tojust out you with anyone, especially not with this little man of yours. He deserves better."He repliedwith a thoughtful tone.
Nodding appreciatively, I let out a relieved sigh and like we are in a family date or something, we walked together, heading towards the refugee camp as he held Yuan close as it slept.
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Seoksoo's POV
As we walked in the middle of the night, I couldn't help but to steal glances to Woori, not in a pervy a type, but more on an admiring way.
I mean, back when we dated, all I can remember is him whining like some girl because I don 't give him enough attention, or he is jealous with someone.
But now, he look so calm and collected, still with that naivety and impulsivity, but I can tell, he had grown into some mature man, enough to have a family of his own, which I think I will never be ready for.
Then, as we approached the camp, I remembered something, the reason why I got to help them back then...
"Say, after the earthquake, did you noticed some changes in you?" I figured to ask.
He then looked at me, obviously clueless, so I probed some more. "Like some unusual abilities, specifically mental ones, clairvoyance? telepathy? telekinesis? or something?"
But he shook his headand looked at me, before stopping from walkingto reveal his lower back on me, making me see a tattoo-like mark on it and on its center, lies a tiny gem, confirming my suspicion.
"I don't have any of that, but I had this mark after that earthquake, and I swear that it isn't a tattoo!" Hesaid, all defensive, as he fixed his shirt.
And instead of making fun of his defensiveness, I replied with nostalgic affirmation. "I know, you've always been afraid of needles, but hey, I know something about that mark, and I know few people on the campwith it too."
Then, he looked at me, his eyes lighting up, probably relieved that it makes him not so different with the people on the camp, but I know myself what would happen when an esperless guide entered there...
He would be tested for compatibility with other unguided espers and he would be asked to choose one of them, and that totally doesn't sit right with me, so I'll take my shot.
Reaching for his hand, I clasped it with mine, then I look into his eyes and murmured "Woori...that mark on your back makes you a guide... Once we arrived and I told them that youare one, they will sure test your compatibility with unguided espers like me, and it will involve a lot of physical touch from people you don't know. I want to save you from all of that trouble, since we have a history, so what do you say if I told them that you are my guidenow?" I asked in the sincerest way I can.
But then he looked at me with questioning eyes. "But what is actually aguide? an esper? and why doesthe tests for compatibility involves physical touch? Don't you think I should know more before I say yes?" He asked.
Getting his point, I nodded. "Well, guess I need to explain, but you do know that I am bad with my words, so bear bear with me." I warned before explaining everything that he needs to know.
Done with the explanation, I give him time to absorb the details, and as I know that it is a big choice for him to make, I sat on the gutter with him, still cradling his son on my arms.
Then, I heard him groan. "So, what I owe you for saving us back there is a guiding session, am I right?" He asked, his eyes boring into my soul like I am some pervert, but I just nod, not planning to get into his bad side right now.
He kept his silence for few minutes more, before he stood up and looked at me, his eyes blazing with something. "Fine, I'll do it, I'll be your guide. But, just to be clear, we're not getting back together, we're still exes, I am just your guide, nothing else." He stated, his voice unusually firm, like he was keeping me in arms length.
With that, I just nod, but deep inside, I am hurt, I mean, I know how we ended was bad, real bad, but I didn't expected him to hold a grudge on me like this.
But irregardless, he still said yes to be my guide, so I am still thankful. All I need now is to make it back to his heart, and I knew it myself, I won't be letting him go this time...
"You're mine, Seo Woori, always been, and will always be."