♦ ♦ ♦ Chapter Twelve ♦ ♦ ♦

Despite their different appearances, Baekhyun was absolutely sure that it were Taemin and Minho who first descended the stairs, followed by two other men. Baekhyun didn't look at them much, instead preferring on inching closer to the front, hand entwined with Chanyeol's, as he let his eyes take note of every single detail on Taemin and Minho.

"Taemin? Minho?" He started, and the two said person perked up at the mention of their names, a curious glint in their eyes.

Chanyeol suddenly pulled him back, shaking his head  furiously at his boyfriend. The taller male wrapped a protective arm around his shoulders, and Baekhyun frowned at him lightly.

"That's just Taemin and Minho. What's wrong?"

"They're the Taemin and Minho of this era, you shorty. Have you forgotten?" Chanyeol reminded him, and Baekhyun gasped softly in realization.

He looked back at Taemin, who had started humming in an approving tone. He grinned at Baekhyun, and the rest of Shinhwa promptly huddled closer with EXO in an attempt to shield them from harm. Taemin waved his hand dismissively.

"Calm down, guys. That guy...he knows us, Chanyeol?" He gestured towards Baekhyun, and Baekhyun felt Chanyeol tighten his grip around him.

"He knows your ancestors....sort of." Chanyeol mumbled quietly, and Taemin grinned even wider, totally amused.

"Cool! May I talk to hiiim??" Taemin half-whined and half-begged, and Minho snorted beside him.

Suho cleared his throat suddenly, stepping forward and aligning himself with Shinhwa. He had an albeit irritated frown on his face as he directed his gaze at Onew, who was behind his men (and was hiding something behind him, Suho couldn't tell).

"Onew-sunbae, what brings you here?" Suho asked, quickly killing whatever light atmosphere Taemin and Baekhyun had initiated a few moments ago.

Onew took a deep breath before reaching up, taking off his cap. He ran his hand through his blonde locks haphazardly, successfully messing them up and giving his serious exterior a rather carefree touch. He locked gazes with Suho before speaking.

"You and your men."

Suho clenched his jaw at the answer. Behind him, EXO readied themselves for whatever was about to come as they watched, with bated breath, how Onew carefully walked down the steps. The girl behind him was now visible, and only Baekhyun let out a soft gasp of recognition upon seeing her. Onew only stopped as he reached Suho, a mere few feet separating them. Suho clenched his fists at the side, and got the shock of his life when Onew suddenly held out a hand, seemingly for a handshake.

"We'll help you."

As Onew's hand hung in the air awaiting physical contact, Suho could only gape in utter confusion. Even Shinhwa, who was previously in their perfect defensive stances, now gawked at Onew, stances faltering. Chen was the first one to speak, his voice cautious and measured, but hinted with hopefulness.

"Gramps, I think this is the part where you shake his hand and we all party."

It was awkward, to say the least.

Just a few minutes ago, the men of EXO and Shinhwa were all set with the idea that HQ was after them, and they had also guessed that SHINee would be the one that would do the deed. They had been so engrossed with the idea of powering up and facing HQ that the simple thought that others might hold the same ideals as them never occurred.

Sitting down on stools morphed by Minwoo from the ground, SHINee awaited their hoobaes' reply. On a bench facing SHINee, Suho sat with Chen and Lay, while Xiumin stood behind Chen. Kris and Tao were perched on a table not far from the bench, while the rest leaned on the walls. Shinhwa had left them to their devices, but the other teams knew that the veteran group was just in another part of the hideout, eavesdropping.

"So. Uh. Help?" Suho started, his voice coming out more like a squeak. Lay placed a comforting hand on the small of his back.

"Yes. Help. We want to help you." Onew repeated, and Chen couldn't help but roll his eyes despite his anxiety.

"Can you leaders please stop with the roundabout style? It's very dragging." He quipped, slightly annoyed.

"Right. R-right. Uh...I'm sorry, but this is just...very hard for me and the rest of my men to process." Suho admitted warily, standing up from his seat and proceeding to pace back and forth.

"We know, and we won't blame you if you can't trust us yet. After all, we are known as Ko Hyunjung's dogs. A very unfortunate reputation, if you ask me." Minho interjected, finally speaking for the first time ever since they arrived.

"Well, you were very good at sniffing us out." Chen couldn't help but smirk at his own supposed pun, causing Taemin, Minho and Jonghyun to chuckle.

"Chen, stop playing around. This is serious." Kris snapped at him, and Chen scowled before bowing his head, grumbling something to himself.

"So?" Onew asked again, sounding a little impatient.

"What?" Suho blinked, and Kris finally had enough.

"Jesus Christ, this is so annoying. Onew-sunbae, we really don't know what to answer you, but for now, we'll accept the offer." Kris hastily said, his words ringing of finality. Suho spluttered at him, obviously not comfortable with the idea.

"B-but, Kris, we don't know if they're telling the truth!" Suho protested, and before Kris could argue with him, the little girl from earlier popped out from nowhere, her hand raised in the air and her eyes glowing in an eerie blue light.

"They're telling the truth, Suho-oppa!" She chirped confidently, and Onew couldn't help but smile from his position.

Suho and Kris looked at each other before quirking an eyebrow at the girl. "And we would believe you...why?"

"Because I'm friends with Baekhyun-oppa. I'm Ae-In." She explained calmly, her gaze falling on a surprised Baekhyun clinging onto Chanyeol.

"M-me?" Baekhyun squeaked, and he cleared his throat before repeating what he said. Ae-In smiled warmly at him.

"Yeah, you, oppa! We're friends, aren't we? Friends don't lie to each other, so I'll say it again, but to you, Baekhyun-oppa. They're telling the truth." Ae-In clasped her hands behind her back, smiling as her gaze flitted back and forth between Suho, Kris, Baekhyun and Onew.

"Is this true, Baekhyun? You know this girl?" Kris asked seriously, and Baekhyun found himself nodding hurriedly.

"Hmm...well, we really don't have any choice right now so...here's to hoping that you guys are saying the truth and you're not helping us on a suicide mission. Sunbae, we'll accept the offer." Suho finally said, offering his hand for a handshake.

Onew grinned before taking his hand. Beside him, Taemin, Minho and Jonghyun visibly relaxed. They all took off their caps, ruffling their hairs and leaning back in their seats.

"Here's to us working as a team." Onew answered Suho. Suho could only hope that what they did was right.

"By the way, sunbae...why are you helping us?" Tao suddenly asked, and everybody returned their gaze on Onew, who just shrugged his shoulders.

"It's a long story. Taemin, go tell them."

^{A/N: Long time no updateeeeuuuu! This is getting so random =)))))))}