The field is never how it appears in the instructional videos. It’s less gory and less hectic, the use of guns and bombs having all but become extinct when users of supernatural powers were discovered, and now all it takes is a simple flick of the wrist or a blink of an eye to dispose of someone’s life without the mess that used to accompany it.   But sometimes, there are those few who live for the big action scenes, crave the spontaneous bursts of feeling and the rush of adrenaline that comes with it, some who wish the field appeared how it did whenever the instructional videos were first recorded years ago. And after surviving so many years in the facility, Baekhyun has long come to terms with Jongdae being one of these people.   Jongdae would be the one to dive in head-first in the field, instantly sending electrical currents surging through the air the moment he sees suspicious movements, and Baekhyun would always admire him from afar, admire his courage and smile affectionately when the small chips they were given as weapons fly through the air before the electrical charges inside sets itself off.   Bursts of light fill the night sky, Baekhyun momentarily mesmerized by them until he hears Jongdae’s call from across the field. It snaps him back into motion, running out from his position behind a cluster of trees to create illusions across the entire area. His eyes glow faintly at his usage, hands flying out to create beautiful mirages and reel in the remaining flickers of light, before commanding the small flashes to grow within the moon’s beams surrounding them.   Within no time, he has snakes of light crawling through the grassy field and attacking anyone within the vicinity who isn’t Jongdae or himself. It doesn’t take much effort, but he can only cover the ground with this technique, Jongdae taking over the sky with bolts of lightning that attack those hiding in the trees.   A different beam of light flies past them, Jongdae falling to the ground immediately, as Baekhyun swipes his hand to the side to try and absorb it. It doesn’t work. Parts of the beam break through his barrier and Baekhyun yelps as he tries to avoid the hit, spinning out of the way and listening as crackles of electricity circle him instead, negating the light particles lingering in the air. They didn’t think these enemies had the same weapons as those from the West.   “Light,” Jongdae suddenly calls, running up to him. He turns instantly when he’s close enough, placing himself back-to-back with Baekhyun to make sure they’re protected on all sides. Jongdae feels warm against him. “Let’s finish this.”   Baekhyun’s heart speeds at the nickname, lights growing brighter around them, and he makes sure to command a snake to lightly bite Jongdae’s leg behind him when he hears the other’s chuckles of amusement right next to his ear.       Their relationship has always been strange from the start, Jongdae bashfully looking over at Baekhyun when they were children before accidentally releasing a spark of electricity towards him in his anxiety, yet it’s what has kept them together all this time. Their natural affinity for each other has only made them stronger within the facility, eventually coming to know the other inside and out despite the numerous attempts at preventing their partnership from developing any further than necessary.   It’s how Jongdae catches Baekhyun easily when they return from their task, Jongin watching them worriedly as Baekhyun doubles over to try and control his nausea. Traveling by teleportation never gets any easier on him, no matter how many times he goes through this almost every day.   “Hey,” Jongdae quietly calls out, trying to steady Baekhyun on his feet even though his legs feel like they’re about to give out from under him. Jongin is on stand-by, watching intently, in case he needs to fetch Yixing to help him out once more. “Breathe,” Jongdae quietly instructs, Baekhyun’s fingers twisting into the black material of his uniform. “Baekhyun.”   Baekhyun looks up at the call of his name, momentarily dazed as stars flash in his vision. “I know,” he murmurs in return, closing his eyes briefly to quell the dizziness overcoming him. They don’t have time to wait until his symptoms subside. “We have to give the report.”   The Glass Room they’re in is exactly how it’s expected to be. The walls made of glass provide little privacy and the limited amount of furniture doesn’t provide enough comfort. It stresses Baekhyun out to be in a room where he feels like he’s on display for every one to see, gaze falling to the side to see his vision swim momentarily before it clears and he sees other soldiers walking through the glass hallways, staring at them blankly before moving on.   It makes him feel inadequate every time he returns, unable to contain the nausea and dizziness threatening to take him down, but Jongdae has always been there to reassure him that it’s fine. It’s what keeps him essentially human when the rest have been brought down to their roots, only taught to accept any words thrown at them and to withstand anything that could bring them discomfort. It’s why Jongdae always stays next to Baekhyun during the toughest times, trying to bring along another soldier they deem close with, because Baekhyun has always been the light at the end of a dark tunnel.   “He will be fine,” Jongdae quietly declares, Baekhyun tearing his gaze away from the glass walls to stare at him instead. “Jongin, thank you.”   A shuffle to his side alerts Baekhyun of Jongin’s otherwise silent presence, still appearing apprehensive because of his current situation. Jongin has always been sensitive to those he transports and Baekhyun wonders why he doesn’t simply escape the situation, take what he wants and leave without a trace.   “It’s always an honor,” Jongin answers, a small smile blooming on his face. The black X on his neck screams loudly in the otherwise clear room when he turns, signifying his mark for a high escape risk. “I will be heading to my quarters now.”   Jongin leaves without another word, walking away by foot instead of using his power