Despite my efforts in calming Sungmin down, the atmosphere was still tense in the headquarters. Kyuhyun still hadn’t come back, and Zhou Mi refused to come in case Kyuhyun did. Ryeowook somehow convinced Henry to come and stop by, so I was glad that at least he came. The worst thing about this all was that I couldn’t explain anything to Zhou Mi without revealing our secrets, and some things are meant to be kept secret. Eunhyuk and Donghae were laughing and talking with each other, but I could tell that it was all strained. I could also tell that they wanted everybody to loosen up. Ryeowook came through the door with a container in his hands.

“I bought cookies at the bakery in town.” He said softly, innocently handing it out to us. I smiled and reached for one, nibbling on it as I saw everyone relax. I almost wanted to laugh how such a simple thing like cookies were able to make everyone lighthearted. However, Sungmin didn’t even bother. He just flipped a page in his novel and acted like nobody was there. Eunhyuk sighed and went around the couch to stand next to him.

“Loosen up, Min. Grab a cookie and enjoy it.” His voice died when Sungmin threw a threatening glare at him. I snickered and turned away before anyone noticed. At least Sungmin was somewhat back to normal, and that was enough to brighten my spirits. As if confirming my thoughts, he glanced up at me and shot a small half-smile before turning back to his book. I was already feeling a lot better with his new attitude towards me.

In a spirited mood, I stood up to go get something to drink when Siwon stopped me. He grinned widely and leaned in close, telling me about his plans into my ear. I broke into a smile and nodded eagerly, the both of us slipping out of the door without much attention.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Hankyung oppa!” Soyeong cried out. She pushed out her chair and started running towards me so quickly; I barely had time to even take a breath when I walked into the orphanage. I laughed and knelt down, managing to capture her into a hug. I forgot how tiring little kids could be. They were like little bundles of energy that never had an off button, and Soyeong was no exception.

“I missed you.” She whined, pulling away. I smiled and ruffled her hair.

“I did too, Soyeong. It’s nice to see you again.” I said cheerfully. I also forgot how cute little kids could be. Siwon playfully nudged my arm.

“It seems like you’re liked around here.” He whispered into my ear. I shrugged and gently pushed Soyeong into the direction of the table, where she had been eating. I turned to him and smiled.

“I honestly like being around children.” I said truthfully. He motioned me outside into the small backyard.

“They usually let out the kids after they’re done eating.” He explained. He then chuckled randomly and patted my shoulder.

“Good luck helping me. It’s harder than you think to supervise them for about half an hour.” I shrugged and grinned.

“At least it’s a good way to pass time.” I suggested. At that moment, as if answering my question, the little orphans came rushing out of the kitchen, laughing and tumbling over each other in the field. I couldn’t help but laugh with them. They were entertaining, to say the least. Beside me, Siwon groaned and rubbed his neck.

“Just watching them is making me tired.” He moaned, sitting down on the ground. I chuckled and sat down next to him, watching two boys chase each other in a game of tag.

“But they’re fun to watch.” I said cheerfully. He nodded in agreement, watching the children whiz past him. All of a sudden, something crashed into me, sending me toppling to the ground. When I heard a familiar giggle, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Hankyung oppa! Siwon oppa!” Soyeong cried out in joy. Before I could even get up, she had her small hand around me and Siwon’s wrists, pulling us up onto our feet. I was dizzy with the amount of energy she had.

“Siwon oppa told us that he’d show us some of his martial arts! And you learned martial arts since you were a child, so show me!” Siwon chuckled and gently pushed her hands off his wrist.

“I didn’t know you told her.” I shot him a look and smiled wryly.

“Neither did I,” I mumbled. “But I guess I could show you some moves.” I said, turning towards her. Siwon exaggeratingly crossed his legs and clapped his hands together, grinning like a child.

“Do a butterfly kick!” I laughed a flicked him in the forehead before doing so.

This was how our half an hour with the orphans turned out. I would have never guessed they would actually be interested in something like martial arts. I occasionally pulled Siwon up to do examples with me, but it turned out that he did taekwondo instead of martial arts. So I guess you could say that I found out new information about him that I never knew before.

When the children were ushered back inside, I was on the ground laughing on my side. Siwon hovered over me and waved his arms helplessly.

“It’s true!” I managed to catch my breath and sat up.

“I still can’t believe you broke Leeteuk’s nose by accident!” I stood up, wobbling a little from the haze of laughter. Siwon glared at me, smiling.

“I really don’t know my own strength!” He protested. I followed him inside and leaned against the corner of the room.

“It’s not too hard to believe considering how you look.” I scoffed. When he glared at me, I widened my eyes and continued the conversation. “Hey, at least you don’t act macho to other people. Don’t worry, I like that.” I added. He smirked and leaned against the wall with one hand, lightly pushing me in the shoulder.

“And what do you mean by that?” He said with fake interest. I only gave a tight smile and crossed my arms. He imitated my position and cocked his head slightly, seeing me eye to eye. The faint laughter from the orphans that once rang in my ears suddenly drowned out in my ears.

“Take it however you want to.” I said stubbornly. He slid closer towards me until his elbow noticeably touched my arm, triggering a sudden amount of blood rushing to my head.

“What if I take it in a good way?” He said softly. It was getting hard to concentrate with him moving his hand to the spot on the wall right beside my head. The change in atmosphere was making me lightheaded, so I forced myself to take a breath before answering.

“I told you to take it however you wanted to.” I breathed. He smirked and slipped an arm around my waist. I vaguely remembered him saying something, but his warm touch was distracting enough. That and the only sound in my head was the pounding of blood from my chest. My eyes automatically fluttered shut when his hand brushed the side of my neck as he leaned closer.

“Siwon, he stole my brush and won’t give it back!”

“But, but Siwon hyung! She was the one who kept teasing me about liking Yuki!”

Siwon pushed me away so hard I crashed into the wall behind me. He stared from me to the children, and back at me reluctantly with a hand over his mouth. I was so surprised about what just happened I hit the floor with barely any thought. The kids in front of us were too busy arguing to notice anything strange. The boy kept holding a pink brush out of the girl’s reach, leading to a clamor of voices.

“He’s a liar! I never did anything like that!”

“Look who’s lying right now!”

“Jerk!”

“Oh you’re never getting this back now.”

As the boy ran off, the girl pouted and dug her nails into Siwon’s skin. He winced and a look of pain flashed across his face as he was dragged down the hallway. It happened so fast, all I could do was stare after them in shock. I closed my eyes and banged my head back against the wall, adding to the pain all along my back. I almost wanted to laugh. Almost. I heard the light patter of footsteps coming my way, stopping right in front of me. When I opened my eyes, I saw the curious eyes of Soyeong staring at me.

“What are you doing on the floor?” She asked. I lolled my head to the side and stared at her innocent face. My eye twitched in frustration.

Soyeong blinked. I sighed and shook my head.

“I don’t even know Soyeong.” I chuckled. She gently helped me up, and when she touched my skin she furrowed her eyebrows in worry.

“You’re hurt. Here, we have some ice packs in the freezer if you’d like.” I tried protesting but she firmly held her grip around my wrist.

“Trust me, you’re hurt. I know a lot more than you think when I touch people’s skin.” She beamed, and I was at a loss for words as she led me to the kitchen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Hey, we’re back!” Siwon called out, kicking the door open. We were welcomed with silence and all the lights out.

“Or not.” I mumbled. I checked the time in disbelief.

“It’s thirty minutes until curfew.” Siwon shrugged and closed the door again.

“No wonder the hallways are so quiet.” Siwon murmured. 

“I guess we lost track of time at the orphanage.” I said, stepping out into the hallway. 

“Oh, it’s okay. You like being there anyways.” Siwon said happily, reaching to a stop where we went into separate directions.

“I have to say that Soyeong is my favorite from that place. Although some of the other kids are annoying.” I said with a tight smile. Siwon chuckled and scratched his head, still not facing me.

“Speaking of which, I need to tell you something.” I turned my head curiously and stared at him interestedly.

“Yeah?” Siwon slowly his heel with a smirk on his face. I widened my eyes as he wrapped a hand around the lapels of my shirt and pulled me in for a kiss.

I felt something crack in me as I felt his mouth move around mine. The taste was indescribable. 

Intoxicating.

I automatically raised my hands to his neck, the want growing every second. I pressed up against him, my fingers tangling in his black hair. I didn’t realize how much I needed this all along. This is what I wanted, and when that strange burning feeling spread throughout my body, the feeling of happiness was replaced with another overpowering feeling that I could not name. Then it hit me.

It wasn’t something that was supposed to be named; it was just there, waiting to come out. It was then and there when I realized that it was a strange connection that I couldn’t even explain.

There was something far deeper than the so-called relationship between us. It was much more meaningful than I ever imagined. People who first meet them know them as regular human beings, but I was different. I knew about their abilities. I knew the mystery and the magic that lay deep inside each of them, including me. What was happening at that very moment was all meant to be. 

What was happening at that very moment was the connection that couldn’t be a mistake. It was like magic.

Before I could continue thinking, he pulled away with a sigh and let go. Without another word, he turned around and paused before walking off into the direction of his room.

“I did take it in a good way. Just saying.” He said casually, disappearing around the corner. After a moment of silence, I smiled unbelievably and laughed for the heck of it. I definitely wasn’t going to let anyone or anything ruin the last few hours of my day.

However, I never would have expected what happened in my bed that night.