[E17] CAUGHT IN A COMET'S TAIL (6/7)

[kaisooaufest]

Prompt Code:#E17
Title: Caught In A Comet's Tail



They are both lying in bed, propped up against the headboard. Now that they’re all clean again Kyungsoo feels content, that is until he remembers something. Kyungsoo cups Jongin’s cheek. “Jongin, I need to know something.” Jongin tilts his head to show that he’s listening. “What we just did, what we’ve been doing, is it considered casual in your culture? Or does it mean something else?”

It’s a question that’s seriously been bugging Kyungsoo lately and he really needs an answer soon or else he’ll probably just continuing overthinking everything. Jongin smiles at him, forest green swirling around the edge of his eyes. “Something else?”

Kyungsoo chews on his lip. “Like something special.” Jongin hums in understanding. “Because for a human, we can consider it both depending on the situation and who you’re doing it with.”

Jongin gives him a slightly bewildered look. “Humans have casual sex?”

Kyungsoo blushes. “Yeah sometimes.” He’s going to leave out all of the college stories then. Jongin doesn’t need to know about all that.

The Daknae lays on his back and stares up at the ceiling, deep in thought. “Well, to be honest sex isn’t a big deal to my people. We never really participate in it unless it’s for reproductive reasons.” Kyungsoo gives him a questioning look, because if he remembers correctly Jongin was usually the one to initiate things between them. Jongin chuckles at his suspicious expression. “I know what you’re thinking, but really, I’m telling the truth. The reason why I wanted to have sex with you was because I knew it can be how your people show affection, to make the other person feel special and loved. I wasn’t sure if you realized my intentions or not so I figured I should keep trying until you did. Guess I should have been more direct about it.”

Kyungsoo swears his heart misses a beat. “So you mean…?”

Jongin turns and smiles at him. “I really like you Kyungsoo. Does my dear Lead Commander, perhaps, like me back?”

Kyungsoo snorts and light smacks his chest. “Don’t call me that when I’m still naked for God’s sake. It makes me feel like a dirty old man.” Jongin laughs loudly, the sound almost reminding him of a dying seal. Kyungsoo laughs too and reaches over between them to take Jongin’s palm into his own. “But yes, Jongin. I really like you too.”

🌠

Kyungsoo has his ear pressed to Jongin’s chest an hour or so later, listening to his strong heartbeats. According to Jongin, he has two hearts. He was momentarily disturbed when Kyungsoo told him he only had one, whispering something about how aliens can be so strange. The Lead Commander loves the irony in that because in his eyes, Jongin’s the strange alien, not him.

Jongin is playing with his fingers nervously. Kyungsoo’s been waiting for the last hour and a half for him to say something, but all there is silence. Kyungsoo glances at the clock on his nightstand reading the standardized time for their sector of the solar system. Kyungsoo inwardly groans when he sees he’s going to have to get up in a few hours. He supposes he could tell Minseok that he’ll come in late, but then again the Lieutenant will probably just get nosy and ask why and he would rather save himself from that unpleasant experience.

“Kyungsoo?” The Lead Commander lifts his head to look at Jongin’s face. He has such an anxious and frightened look in his eyes, the irises taking on a clear mix of silver and amber. “I-” he bites his lip harshly and Kyungsoo feels his heart lurch at the sight. “I need to show you something.”

Kyungsoo nods and Jongin shifts a bit, signalling he wants to get up. Kyungsoo lets him, getting up as well. Jongin tongues his cheek and looks at Kyungsoo like he’s contemplating something. “Let’s get dressed first.”

They both dig through Kyungsoo’s drawers to find suitable clothing, Kyungsoo not putting on his uniform but instead just grabbing a loose fitting t-shirt and some jeans. Jongin decides to just put on what he was wearing earlier, his black, tight fitting undershirt and dark wash pants another crew member named Chanyeol had lended him. Kyungsoo puts on his shoes and Jongin does the same. When they’re both ready, the Lead Commander looks at him curiously. “Now what?”

Jongin timidly steps forward and wraps his arms tightly around his waist, leaning his head against Kyungsoo’s hair. “Hold on tight,” he says in his ear. Kyungsoo grips onto Jongin with all his might. There’s a loud ripping sound and soon Kyungsoo is enveloped in darkness.

What feels like seconds later, they are both standing in the middle of some sort of pathway. Kyungsoo gapes at the inky grey walls towering meters above him. There’s a stagnant smell in the air as well, like its stale. Jongin watches him as he slowly puts the pieces together in his mind. “Do you remember this place?”

Kyungsoo nods and steps toward the wall, letting his palm touch the cool stone before retracting it. “Yeah but this was just a dream.” He turns to look back at Jongin, the dull light coming from who knows where making it hard to see the tiny details of his face. It reminds him of what Earth had looked like at dusk during some sort of storm. Dark and dreary, different shades of grey and white decorating the world around it. “This is a dream….right?”

Jongin sighs, getting that look again, like the world is resting on his shoulders. Gently, he puts a hand to the small of Kyungsoo’s back. “This way.”

They walk for what seems like hours, seemingly in circles. Kyungsoo vaguely realizes that they’re in some sort of maze. How did they even get here? “Is this even possible?” he whispers to himself more than anything, but Jongin answers anyway.

“All of it is possible. Come on, we’re almost there.” The Daknae laces Kyungsoo’s fingers with his own and leads him down the pathway, a heavy fog setting over them as the walk. Eventually they enter a familiar clearing filled with multiple cloaked figures all huddled together in miscellaneous groups. Call him crazy, but Kyungsoo swears none of the figures have even moved from their spots since the last time he was here in his dream. Well, what he thought was a dream. Apparently, this is somehow all real so they must be too.

The thought strikes a chord in Kyungsoo as he turns to look at Jongin with wide eyes, his mouth feeling like it’s filled with cotton. Jongin is just observing him as Kyungsoo takes in everything and draws his own conclusions. He briefly glances to the middle of the clearing and then back to Kyungsoo. The Lead Commander tears his eyes from Jongin to look at the same spot. He notices what looks to be a corner of some sort of carving in the ground, the rest of it obscured by the sand-like sediment covering the whole area.

He walks to it hesitantly, a bit creeped out at all of the cloaked figures just standing there, hunched over and doing nothing. He gets on his knees and wipes the sediment away until the entire carving is shown, the Lead Commander giving a loud gasp as he recognizes it almost immediately.

He can barely breathe. Right in front of him, is the same symbol he had seen in the caves where the Daknaes previously lived. It was a complex looking maze, the middle holding a strange triangle with crooked lines running in a circle and a dot in the very middle. He’s so shocked that he barely registers that Jongin had walked up beside him. When he does, he looks up at him in utter confusion. “Jongin. What is all this?”

The Daknae heaves a heavy sigh and sits beside Kyungsoo on his knees too, staring down at the symbol. The people around them don’t pay them any mind, seemingly in some sort of daze as they just pace around aimlessly. Jongin opens and closes his mouth repeatedly, looking for the right words. Kyungsoo stares at Jongin softly, patiently and reaches out to grasp his hand. He gives a small squeeze of encouragement.

Jongin swallows thickly. “Do you remember how I told you everyone in my race is born to carry out a specific duty? That our life path is chosen for us at birth?” Kyungsoo nods and Jongin hesitates, but then bows his head in shame.

“They celebrated me,” he said, so quietly Kyungsoo could barely hear even in the silent area. “They threw a ritual feast in my honor because I was supposed to save them all. But I was too young. Most people that have my job are trained until they are much, much older. I didn’t understand anything and because of that, I still haven’t been able to carry out my duty.”

Kyungsoo squeezes his hand again to show that he’s listening. Jongin seems to be at a complete loss at what else to say, getting a bit choked up as he looks at the hooded figures around them. “They’ve been here for so long, Kyungsoo. So long.”

Kyungsoo looks around at the figures. “So then these people..”

Jongin nods, looking back down at his lap. “They are what is left of the Daknaes besides myself. I was taught by the elders that every couple centuries or so the Daknae people relocate to another planet. We don’t like to stay in one place too long because we don’t want to harm the planet we live on. We see it as if we are the guests and the planet is our host. We never overstay our welcome. It’s wrong in our culture to take advantage of a planet like that just for its resources. But the last planet my people chose to inhabit…” he trailed off for a few seconds, blinking multiple times.

Kyungsoo feels his heart tug when he sees a few tears fall from Jongin’s eyes. His irises are a glowing silver, the sparks of greyish color pulsing at the skin around his eyes. “They were so sick Kyungsoo. It took some time, but so many fell ill. So many died.” Kyungsoo tongued his cheek silently. It’s strange because he and his team found no traces of bodies at the excavation site. Jongin seems to sense his thoughts and gives him a grim look. “I was about seven earth-years old when I had to bring their bodies here and leave them at the far corners of the maze.”

Kyungsoo’s face morphed into a horrified expression almost instantly. “They made a child transport dead bodies?!”

Jongin swallowed harshly again and wiped his eyes, pulling his hand from Kyungsoo’s to press it to his face and will himself to stop the tears from flowing. Kyungsoo scoots closer to him and wraps his arm around his shoulders, bringing him to his chest. Jongin’s body is shaking a bit but he’s not sobbing yet. Kyungsoo just rubs his back soothingly. “I’m sorry Jongin. I shouldn’t have said it that way-”

Jongin shakes his head frantically. “N-No you’re right. But they had no choice. I’m the only one who had the power to get them here. There was no other way. We couldn’t leave the bodies there either. It goes against what we stand for. We are not supposed to leave anything behind.”

Kyungsoo nods, holding Jongin tightly and rocking them back and forth. Jongin tries to calm his breathing by taking deep breathes. Kyungsoo just kisses the crown of his head and hums under his breath. Jongin seems to relax after that, focusing on the sound of the Lead Commander’s honey sweet voice humming a small tune he made up on the spot.

When Jongin pulls away and sits up again, Kyungsoo smiles at him. Jongin gives him a weak smile in return before looking at the symbol in front of them. Kyungsoo figures they should move onto a topic a bit different now. “Jongin? Where exactly are we?”

Jongin looks at the high rising walls encompassing the open area in a hexagonal shape. “Realistically speaking? I have no idea. Maybe some sort of alternate universe or something. I haven’t found any signs of life but then again I haven’t walked the entire maze. The, uh,” he visibly cringes, “the bodies disappear though.”

Kyungsoo feels shivers run up his spine at the thought. Dead bodies disappearing on their own? No thanks. He’s a wuss when it comes to anything horror related. “That’s….comforting.”

Jongin chuckles quietly. “Yeah I don’t like the idea of it either. There’s a sort of mythology that goes along with this place, how the Daknae first started using it to transport their people across the galaxy. It’s a bit of a long story though.”

Kyungsoo’s eyebrows raise. Now this is right up his alley. “I’m willing to listen if you want to tell me, Jongin. You know I won’t force you to tell me anything.”

Jongin gives him a fond look. “I know. That’s what I like so much about you, Hyung.”

Kyungsoo smiles at the ‘hyung’ part. “Go ahead then. I’m all ears.”

Jongin licked his lips nervously. “It’s about a Daknae named Kojung. Back in his time, the Daknae people were much like humans in their earlier years. Primal and unable to leave their planet without the proper resources. At the time, they worshipped the Gods of Nature. One of them was named Hyejin, a river Goddess that was responsible for giving the Daknaes clean water so they could live their lives comfortably. Kojung was at the river one day getting water when Hyejin appeared to him. She had never interacted directly with the people before and she was curious. Kojung and Hyejin spent multiple days together during the night when they thought everyone else was sleeping. Kojung fell in love with her and her with him.”

The Lead Commander continues giving Jongin a comforting smile, watching Jongin stare intensely at the ground as he tries to recall the rest of the story. “Hyejin often missed him during the day and was tired of only being able to see him in the middle of the night, so she granted him special powers. These powers allowed him to travel between the two worlds. The one he and his people lived in, and this one.” Jongin gestures to the inky grey walls around him.

“They were happy for a while, but then there was a solar flare from a nearby star and the Daknae people were facing mass extinction. Kojung started bringing everyone he could to this place to save them. Hyejin was outraged at first but Kojung begged her to give them sanctuary. She eventually agreed, and told him she would bless this maze so they would stay alive until they found a more suitable home.”

Jongin looks at the particularly small hooded figure moving by him. Kyungsoo notes that it vaguely looks like a small child. “From then on the Daknae people have used this place as a method of transportation. We worship Kojung and Hyejin as our saviours and believe the Goddess watches over us because she knows how much her lover cared for his people.”

Kyungsoo takes a second to absorb it all. “So then how did your people get the idea to start moving every so often?”

“It was something Kojung turned into law once they had begun to rebuild their colony on their new home. He and Hyejin really turned our culture around and made it a lot more selfless.”

Kyungsoo hummed, giving Jongin a curious look. “Does that mean you’re a descendant of Kojung then? You have his powers so it would only make sense.”

Jongin laughs at the thought. “No definitely not. I don’t even know if Kojung has any descendants. Hyejin couldn’t bear children since she was a Goddess. I’m just one of the lucky few that won the lottery I guess.”

Kyungsoo makes a face at that and Jongin just shrugs. “Whenever the Daknae people need to relocate or are in some sort of danger, a child will always be born with Kojung’s power. It’s one of the reasons the Daknae race firmly believes Hyejin is still watching over them.”

Kyungsoo thinks hard about it. The only thing that he can’t piece together is how Kojung could have possibly gotten off the planet alone. Unless, of course, he had some sort of help. Kyungsoo blinks. “Wait Jongin. How did you get off HR-2245? Are your powers that strong?”

Jongin has that sad look again and Kyungsoo’s angry at himself for even opening his mouth. “I’m supposed to be stronger but I was never trained. The other people like me were able to travel between worlds but I’m only able to come here. The elders had to get me help from a time traveler.”

The Lead Commander narrowed his eyes. No fucking way. “Was his name Kim Jongdae?”

Jongin looked at him a little surprised. “Yeah how did you know?”

Kyungsoo facepalms. “He’s the one I talked with in order to get information on your people since he was the only witness that could help out with the case.” So Jongdae had known what happened to the Daknaes the entire time. But why didn’t he share it? From what Kyungsoo remembers, he seemed just as confused as the rest of his crew about the matter. Maybe he was sworn to some sort of secrecy. But then again, he’s the one that filed the report that the Daknae people had gone missing. Kyungsoo feels his head throb. He’s going to have a killer headache come morning.

The Daknae plays with his hands and shifts a bit, probably uncomfortable to be on his knees for so long. “Yeah Jongdae helped us out a lot. After the ritual, I was so alone. I had to bring all of my people here and go back to an abandoned city that was once my home. Jongdae took care of me though. He took me in for a few years and brought me everywhere he went. I’m not good with time travel though, so eventually he brought me to live at his house on Earth. I stayed there for a few months until someone saw me and thought I was trespassing so I had to leave. I used some of the money Jongdae left me and hitched a ride to Saturn’s moon base.”

“How did you end up back on Dakartius-” Jongin looks at him immediately and Kyungsoo puts his hand to his mouth quickly, sputtering out incoherent noises.

Jongin holds Kyungsoo’s hands and gives him a soft look. “It’s okay Kyungsoo.” The Lead Commander looks at him hesitantly. The last thing he wants to do is upset the Daknae when he’s already an emotional mess, even if he doesn’t show it on the outside.

Jongin plays with his hands, the both of them falling into silence. The only sounds filling the room are of the hooded figures scuffing their feet on the floor as they walk drearily without purpose. Jongin just watches them morosely. “A much older version of Jongdae called me and told me that he filed a report with the Intergalactic Government Space Agency and they sent it to you guys so you could open a case on it. He thought I needed help finding a proper planet so I could bring my people back, so he took matters into his own hands. I was so pissed off with him because I told him to stay out of it, but he refused to listen. I stole some trader’s ship and left to try to destroy the city before your people got to it first. When I got there, you were all already set up and I was at my wits end on what to do. I couldn’t let you study that city so I bombed it and well, I guess the rest is history.” Jongin purses his lips. “Funny,” he says. “I wonder if he knew I would meet you.”

The Lead Commander blinks repeatedly and tries to let everything fulling sink in. He rubs his eyes and shakes his head. “Wow.”

The other male gives him a wary smile. “I’m overwhelming you, aren’t I?”

Kyungsoo shakes his head. “No it’s fine. It’s just a lot to take in.” He makes eyes contact with Jongin. “I’m also still pretty convinced this is just a dream and I just passed out after we had sex.”

Jongin shakes his head. “Unfortunately you’re very much awake and this is very real.”

Kyungsoo lets out an uneasy sigh, looking around worriedly at the heavy fog settling into the open area. He’s suddenly reminded of the disappearing bodies Jongin had told him about and he grips the Daknae’s arm. “Do you think we could go back to the room? I’m-uh. It’s a bit creepy in here all of a sudden.”

Jongin doesn’t look the slightest bit phased by the eery fog but nods anyway, pulling Kyungsoo close. A loud ripping sound rings in Kyungsoo’s ears and his vision goes black.

🌠

In a flash, they are back to their room aboard the research facility. Kyungsoo feels a heavy weight lifted off his chest at the feeling of being back in his own room. He looks up at Jongin, who is still holding him closely, his eyes mixing with several colors. A dull silver practically glows around the pupil while yellows and oranges swirl with blacks and greys, as if they were dancing. The Lead Commander’s never seen his eyes filled with so many emotions like this.

He reaches up tentatively and puts his palm to his cheek, Jongin leaning into his touch automatically. “Jongin?”

“I need your help,” his voice is so broken and defeated. “Jongdae was right. I can’t do this on my own. I’ve tried to talk to the elders while they were in the maze but they never answer me, they just stand there and watch me suffer. I don’t want to fail Kyungsoo. I don’t want to be the reason my people die out.”

Kyungsoo hugs him tight, letting out a deep sigh. “It’s okay Jongin. I’ll help you, I promise. But we have to tell my superiors about this.”

Jongin pulls away, looking at him with panic in his eyes. “But we can’t. I’m not allowed-”

“Jongin if we tell the Intergalactic Peace Corps about this, they will have to help. This is what they are here for. We need them in order to make sure that we find your people a suitable planet where they won’t get sick again.”

Jongin looks so torn but nods in the end. “Okay but I can’t tell them everything I told you. My culture is not meant to be shared with others.”

Kyungsoo tilts his head and gently brushes the Daknae’s platinum blonde hair out of his eyes. “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you share all this with me then?”

Jongin blushes a bright red and avoids eye contact, his eyes brightening with a pale peach. He puts his palm to Kyungsoo’s chest, right where his heart should be. “To me, you are Daknae at heart and I lo-” Jongin cuts himself off, his cheeks getting redder, “I like you.”

Kyungsoo smiles so much it hurts, his eyes even tearing up a bit. He attacks Jongin with a bear hug, the Daknae letting out a small ‘oomph’ when their bodies collide. “Thank you Jongin,” he says quietly, his voice wobbly. “That means so much to me.”

Jongin chuckles and wraps his arms around him, kissing his forehead and sighing happily.

🌠

“This is Lead Commander Do Kyungsoo of the SS-Pytheas with Private Kwon Jihye interviewing Kim Jongin, a member of a race known as Daknae. Let’s begin.”

All three of them are huddled in a small interrogation room located on board Kyungsoo’s ship. Originally Kyungsoo wanted to bring Minseok in on this, but he figured he would just ask inappropriate questions if given the chance. He did straight up ask Jongin if he’s even big enough to satisfy Kyungsoo. In front of one of the generals of the research base. Needless to say, he tries to avoid having Minseok anywhere near the Daknae in public. He has no filter sometimes.

The air around them is a lot more relaxed than the last time Kyungsoo tried to interview the Daknae. Instead of ice blue eyes glaring holes into his soul, he has gentle orange hues looking at him contently. They both agreed last night that Jongin would be interviewed the next day to file a report just as Jongdae did in the beginning. This time, though, Kyungsoo can have the report expedited and have the Intergalactic Peace Corps help them right away. Since it deals directly with Kyungsoo’s case, there’s no way any of his superiors can reject it.

Jihye looks through some questions she wrote down and reads them over, not sure where to start. Kyungsoo is sitting beside her with Jongin sitting opposite of them both. He’s mostly here to oversee the interview and make sure Jihye doesn't ask any pressing questions. It was one of the main reasons Jongin was scared to participate, but Kyungsoo assured him he would take care of it. He’s just glad Jongin trusts him enough to do that now. Had it been a little less than a month ago, he probably would have just spit in the Lead Commanders face for even suggesting it.

Jihye looks up at Jongin, a little nervous-probably from stories she’s heard about him- but Jongin just gives her an encouraging smile. She licks her lips. “Why don’t we start off with why you’re here today?”

“I’m here to officially ask for help for my people.”

She narrows her eyes in question. “Your people?”

Jongin proceeds to go into detail about what happened before the Daknaes disappeared, how they had gotten very sick because of the planet they traveled to, to which Jihye fires out another question. “You mean they got sick from Dakartius?”

Kyungsoo is about to shoot the question down when Jongin sighs. “Dakartius is not a sole planet. It is a belief. A principle that if you treat a planet right, it will treat you right as well. I’m not sure why, but the planet made my people sick, so no. This was not Dakartius. It was just a host planet at the time. My people are like nomads. We don't like staying in one place too long because then we are no better than thieving parasites, so we relocate every few centuries. That’s all I’m permitted to say about that subject though.”

Jihye nods in understanding and to Kyungsoo’s relief, stays clear of the subject from then on.

The interview continues on without any sort of hiccups. Jongin tells her that he knows where his people are but he can’t move them anywhere unless it’s to a new planet that could suit their needs. Jihye nods and doesn’t ask anymore, obviously sensing the Daknae probably wouldn’t tell her.

She brings out a medical form and slides it towards Jongin. “If everything you’re saying is true, then your people are in great danger. We’re going to do all that we can to help you as quick as possible. This is a form stating all of the necessary tests we will have to do. Bloodwork, tissue samples- the whole nine yards.” Jongin picks it up and looks at it with a frown. “There are a few other tests we’ll have to run on you as well. For example, we have to measure your oxygen intake levels as well as your ability to adjust to different temperatures. We have hundreds of planets on file so we’ll look at all of your test results and help narrow down a few options that could support a Daknae like yourself.”

Kyungsoo hides his snicker behind his hand when he sees Jongin’s frown deepen even more. He probably hates tests like this. When he wipes the grin off his face, he speaks up. “And let me just say for the record that all of these tests will be destroyed as soon as we close up this case.” Jihye gives him a bewildered look. “The Daknae people are a very closed off culture and we should respect that.”

Jongin gives him a grateful look from across the metal table they are sitting at, his eyes swirling with pinks and oranges. Kyungsoo just gives a small nod back, a ghost of a smile on his lips. Jihye, oblivious to the two’s obvious staring, looks at her notes. She reaches out and takes the medical form from in front of Jongin. “Well now, let’s try to get some of this information out of the way while you’re still here.”

Jihye spends the next ten minutes or so asking typical questions like average life expectancy and such. Kyungsoo was on the verge of falling asleep sitting up when he felt a light kick from his shin. Kyungsoo jolts a bit and sees Jongin glaring at him as if saying ‘If I can’t sleep you can’t either’. Kyungsoo just sighs, peaking at the next row of questions on the medical sheets. He blushes as he sees ‘Relationships, Reproduction, and Sexual Drive’.

Jongin sends him a funny look but Kyungsoo just shakes his head. He swears he will strangle him if he says anything inappropriate. He just counts his blessings Minseok isn’t here to ask these questions.

Jihye looks up at him after writing her notes on the Daknae’s medical chart. “So a few of these questions may seem a bit personal but bear with me, okay?” At Jongin’s nod, she continues. “What is a relationship between two Daknaes like? Are they very loving and emotional towards each other or are couples not a big deal in your culture?”

Jongin leans back in his chair. “Between my people, we show acts of love or affection but not in the same way most cultures do. We still hold hands or hold each other’s physical selves- our bodies, but that’s it. Something like sex isn’t thought of as anything else but a method of reproduction since my people’s women have a very very high fertility rate. Even between males, sex is almost non-existent. Instead, we use the emotions displayed with our souls. I think I remember reading that humans have a saying, that the eyes are the window to the soul. For us, this is true.”

Kyungsoo looks at him carefully, knowing exactly what the next question would be. “And what would you do if you were to couple with someone of another race? One with say, a higher sex drive?”

Jongin sends Kyungsoo with a smug look, green and orange swirling together in his eyes. “Let’s just say my people are very good at adapting.” Kyungsoo feels himself blush to the roots of his hair, thanking whatever supernatural being out there that Jihye is too engrossed in writing Jongin’s answers down. Jongin just winks at him but looks at Jihye innocently when she raises her head to ask another question.

The rest of the interview process goes by painfully slow because of all of the detail that had to go into the medical form, but after an hour or so, they’re finally done. Jihye tells Jongin she’ll have his tests scheduled for tomorrow and to just show up at the hospital ward when he can in the morning. Jongin agrees begrudgingly and both men bid the Private good bye.

Kyungsoo stands beside the Daknae as they watch Jihye walk away, Jongin’s file in hand. He looks at Jongin to see he has an uneasy expression on his face, dull silver seeping into his eyes. Kyungsoo takes his hand into his own. “What’s wrong?”

Jongin keeps staring ahead at the worker’s retreating figure. “I just feel like I’m betraying my people by doing this.”

Kyungsoo stands in front of him so the Daknae tears his eyes from the now empty hallway to the Lead Commander’s dazzling smile. “I’m going to make sure none of this becomes public Jongin. I trust Jihye. She is very loyal and won’t tell anyone what we talked about in there. Now cheer up. Let’s go get something to eat before I have to go back to work.”

Jongin rolls his eyes. “I swear all you ever do is eat. I read an article that if you’re not careful, whatever you eat will go straight to your thighs.”

Kyungsoo glares at him. “Are you calling my thighs fat?”

Jongin’s lips quirk into a smug half-smirk. “No, actually I’m very fond of your thighs. You should already know this.”

Kyungsoo frowns at the twinkle in Jongin’s eye, forest green suffocating and overtaking any other color present. “I hate you sometimes. Come on, I’m hungry.” Jongin just chuckles and lets himself be dragged away.

🌠

The days pass by slowly. Jongin has been busy taking all of his tests and Kyungsoo’s been just as busy briefing his superiors on the Daknae’s situation. Of course, they try to ask more prying questions just as they did before, but Kyungsoo always deflects them. He’s told them no more than what’s in the report Jongin officially filed. At first they seemed a little hesitant to use their resources on helping Jongin since there was so little information they were being given about the matter, but General Tzastr went through the whole spiel about how this is exactly what the Intergalactic Peace Corps stands for. Usually Kyungsoo would have internally rolled his eyes at the other man’s ‘inspirational’ speech about how it’s their duty to stand by those in need, but right now he can’t help but to feel eternally grateful towards the old man.

Because he got his superiors to come on board with him for this case, all of Jongin’s tests were expedited and the Lead Commander was given his test results only a couple days after the Daknae had taken them. From there, the Lead Commander and his team worked hard to configure a list of suitable planets to present to Jongin. Kyungsoo was surprised to see that the planet his father owned was one of seven that fitted best for Jongin’s people.

He wasted no time and called his father to tell him he and a ‘friend’ were going to take a small vacation at their family planet. His father was unhappy to hear his son was just taking off and leaving work to spend time with a ‘friend’, but agreed anyway. Kyungsoo was ecstatic by the time he hung up the phone. His crew members around him grinned triumphantly, saying they’d organize a small ship now so they could leave in a few days. Kyungsoo readily agrees, about to get up and help them when Minseok puts a hand to his chest to stop him.

He gives the Lead Commander a sorry look. “General Seokjin wants you to stay here when Jongin goes out to visit the potential planets.”

Kyungsoo frowns. “But what if he gets in a skirmish with the Intergalactic Government Space Agency? Some of the planets we found are out by rebel territory. What if they think he’s a rebel again?”

Minseok looks at him warily. “That’s why they’re sending Lead Commander Park to accompany him.”

Kyungsoo blinks. Once. Twice. “What?!”

Minseok cringes at the intensity of his voice. “Okay Soo, I know what you’re thinking, but it won’t be so bad! Look at the brightside! Now you can focus on officially closing the case and even have a bit of downtime to yourself while Jongin’s off exploring the cosmos.”

“Lead Commander Park almost got his entire ship blown up because he was keeling over at the sound of a warlord’s funny voice, Minseok. Where the fuck is the brightside in this?”

Minseok held up his hands. “Okay so he’s not the brightest star in the galaxy, but he’s still good at his job. He’ll take care of Jongin and our crew-”

Kyungsoo’s eyes went wide in fury. “He’s taking our crew too?! Why can’t he take his own?!”

“They all kind of went on vacation last week so he’s on his own. Plus our crew is familiar with Jongin and the little bits of Daknae culture he shared with us.”

“That’s exactly why you and I should be going! Not Park!”

Minseok gives him a helpless look. “I tried to argue about it Soo, but they wouldn’t listen to reason. They want us to stay here.”

Kyungsoo’s heart is racing in frustration. This is so wrong. What if something happens and things go south real quick? That ship will be carrying precious cargo and they don’t even know it. If something happens to Jongin, the rest of his people are done for. The main fear for him, though, is the fact that he could possibly say goodbye to Jongin and never see him again. There is a war going on outside of these walls. Nowhere is safe anymore.

He sighs dejectedly and Minseok puts his hand on his shoulder, giving a small squeeze. “He’ll be okay Kyungsoo. Just have faith in him.”

He has faith in Jongin. It’s that asshole Park Chanyeol he can’t stand the thought of. In fact he’s pretty sure Jongin’s going to want to strangle him an hour into the flight. Kyungsoo feels that after just having to sit next to him in official meetings.

Minseok gives him a smile. “I’ll see you later okay?

Kyungsoo nods. “Yeah. See you.” Minseok walks away, leaving the Lead Commander to slump in his chair. He was really hoping to go with Jongin to this planet. He hopes the Daknae isn’t too disappointed about it.

He gets up and cleans up, papers and holopads lie across the table in the research lab in a clumped mess. He grabs the holopad containing the list of planets for Jongin to look at and lays it aside so he can organize everything else. When he’s satisfied with the multiple neat piles he’s made, he calls it a day and heads back to his room. It’s a bit late and he missed dinner, but he doesn’t have an appetite now, especially when Lead Commander Park passed by him and waved enthusiastically. Kyungsoo just glared. He knows it’s childish of him, but he can’t help it. He’s still pretty miffed that his superiors would choose Park over him.

Eventually he makes his way to his room and is greeted by an anxious Jongin practically bouncing foot to foot. When Kyungsoo breaks the news that they have found a list of planets for Jongin to visit, the Daknae practically leaps in joy. He goes straight up to the Lead Commander and twirls him around. Kyungsoo giggled at how the orange in his eyes spread to the surrounding skin, sparking there with such a high intensity it almost looks like the color is literally coming out of his pores.

He hates to be the bearer of bad news, but the moment Jongin starts talking about how great it will be with just the two of them and a few members of the crew, Kyungsoo stops him. He heaves a heavy sigh and looks down. “Jongin I can’t go with you.”

Jongin gives him a hurt look. “But Kyungsoo-”

Kyungsoo smiles sadly at him, reaching out and stroking his cheek. “My superiors want me to stay here and finish my work. They’ll be sending another Lead Commander to accompany you.”

Jongin frowns. “But I want you to come with me.”

Kyungsoo shrugs. “I can’t do anything about it, Jongin. Minseok already tried. I will call you every day though. You can tell me all about the planets you visit. I’d love to hear all about it.”

Jongin groans, pulling him in by the waist. “That’s not the same, though,” he mumbles. They stand in silence for a bit before Jongin sighs. “How long will my trip be?”

Kyungsoo swallows. He forgot about this part. “To visit all of the planets we found for you?” Jongin nods. “About three months or so. Time’s a little distorted out there. I promise you won’t come back to me and find an old man instead.”

He tries to joke but Jongin doesn’t even release a chuckle. He stands there frozen, looking at Kyungsoo with such big puppy eyes that it makes Kyungsoo’s heart ache. More so than the thought of having Jongin away from him for so long. Jongin just pouts and hides his face in Kyungsoo’s neck. He sighs loudly and wraps his arms around Kyungsoo’s torso. The Lead Commander returns the hug, leaning his chin on the Daknae’s shoulder.

“I guess this just means we’ll have to spend as much time together as we possibly can before I leave.” Jongin’s words are muffled against his neck, the vibrations tingling Kyungsoo’s throat.

The smaller hums. “I have some leave built up so I’ll take tomorrow and the next day off. Minseok probably won’t mind. He’ll cover for me.”Jongin hugs him tighter, his shoulders tense. Kyungsoo rubs his hands up and down his back soothingly. “You’ll be fine Jongin. I know you will.” Jongin doesn’t answer. Instead, he just continues to bask in Kyungsoo’s honey sweet scent.

🌠

It’s the night before Jongin’s departure and Kyungsoo is currently standing in the bathroom listening to Jongin read him miscellaneous quotes from the book he borrowed from the library. He’s on the bed, propped up by some pillows and has Kyungsoo’s reading glasses on, having fun trying to make out the blurry words. Kyungsoo just rolls his eyes. “You’re going to get a headache, you idiot.”

Jongin just ignores him and continues reading, drawing out the words like a kindergartener learning to read for the first time. Kyungsoo just wets his toothbrush and squishes his toothpaste onto the bristles. He hears Jongin giggle to himself out in the bedroom, smiling at the sound. It’s amazing how much he and Jongin have progressed over such a short time. Even Jongin has come out his shell, now eating with Kyungsoo’s crew members when the Lead Commander has to work late or even going and pestering Minseok when he’s bored and knows he can’t bother Kyungsoo. He tries to pinpoint exactly when they started coming around to each other and makes a face. It was the night Jongin trashed his room and he went to go sleep in the medical station.

He spits out his toothpaste. “Hey Jongin?”

“Yeah?” Jongin answers in Kyungsoo’s native language. Kyungsoo was teaching him a bit of Korean earlier that day. The Daknae can speak it just fine since Jongdae had apparently tried teaching it to him when he was younger, but for some reason he can’t quite grasp the characters just yet. Kyungsoo just smiles at the informality. ‘Cute.’

“I’m just curious. What made you finally come around and start opening up to me?” Kyungsoo continues brushing his teeth, watching Jongin from the doorway.

The Daknae closes the book he was reading and takes off the lenses on his face, folding them and carefully putting them on the nightstand nearby. “To be honest, I’m not sure. I just remember being so angry at everything at the time- how I still didn’t know how to bring my people back, how I was stuck on a ship with people I thought just wanted me for my knowledge of my people- I took it out on your room after you left. It was afterwards that I realized how horrible I was being. I started thinking back to what Jongdae had told me when I left the former Dakartius, how he said that one day I would find someone that loved me and cared for me more than myself. It was then that I realized that I finally found that person.” He looked up at Kyungsoo. “I realized that you were the one that would actually take care of me. I felt horribly guilty after that and ran to the bathroom as soon as I heard you outside the door.”

Kyungsoo hummed and turned around to spit out his toothpaste again, rinsing his mouth this time. He shuts the water off and Jongin continues. “I wasn’t exactly sure what to do when I got out of the shower either. I’m sorry I was still kind of an asshole at first.

Kyungsoo snorts from the bathroom. “You’re always an asshole, I’m used to it,” he singsongs as he pats his mouth and chin dry with a towel. When he comes out, he sees Jongin giving him a judging face. Kyungsoo just cracks a grin and flops into bed next to him.

Jongin stares down at him. “When you wouldn’t answer me back then, I felt like I used up all of my chances with you so I got angry again. But then you said that we needed a break to clear our heads or whatever. I got scared when you started talking about me staying in the room by myself. I thought you walking out that door would be the end. I stayed up all night. I knew the only thing I could do was try to go look for you but I was afraid the nurses would scream if I showed up at the medical station on my own, so I waited for you in the cafeteria.”

Kyungsoo smiles up at him. “You have no idea how relieved I was to see you in the cafeteria.”

Jongin chuckles. “Yeah and then you shoved a banana down my throat. Should have seen the signs sooner.” He shakes his head in mock shame.

Kyungsoo gives him a suspicious look. “What are you talking about?”

“About how you seem to just love seeing your dick in my mouth.” Kyungsoo sputters and tries to hide under the covers. Why does he have to say it like that? Can a black hole just swallow him up now?

Jongin laugh rings loudly, the sound high pitched and weird, but music to Kyungsoo’s ears. He pulls at the covers but Kyungsoo whines and refuses to come out. Jongin seems to get an idea and ducks under the covers as well. He cuddles up to the Lead Commander despite the fact he’s trying to crawl away. Kyungsoo just laughs and Jongin does too, both of them listening to the sound of each other’s breathing.

Kyungsoo moves his head slightly to get a glimpse of Jongin’s eyes, seeing swirls of orange and pinks mixing together beautifully, the skin around his eyes sparking a familiar peach color.

Kyungsoo stares at them, mesmerized. “Jongin?” he asks softly, afraid that if he speaks too loudly he’ll ruin the comfortable atmosphere surrounding them.

“Yeah Hyung?”

“What do each of the colors in your eyes mean?”

Jongin hums, thinking. “Green is the color for playfulness. Fun. Teasing.”

“Blue is the color for anger. Frustration. Disgust.”

“Purple is for fear. Severe anxiousness. Like you’re scared out of your mind.” Kyungsoo thinks he’s only seen purple in Jongin’s eyes once since they met. The color was a deep amethyst and only showed itself for a few seconds before fading away. He guesses it must be an extreme emotion.

“Amber is for worry. Distress. Panic. It’s not as severe as purple though. It’s more of a step under it.”

Kyungsoo nods slightly to show he’s listening. “Orange?”

Jongin smiles, drinking in all of Kyungsoo’s features. “Orange is happiness. Relaxation. Content.”

Kyungsoo bites his lip. “And pink?

A wide smirk grows across his face. He crawls on top of him and kisses him deeply, the human closing his eyes immediately and kissing back. The kiss is too short for his liking, a soft popping sound ringing in his ears when Jongin disconnects their lips. “What do you think, my dear Lead Commander?”

Kyungsoo’s eyes flutter open to see Jongin’s hooded gaze. Pinks and peaches swirling together and glowing vibrantly, the skin around his eyes sparking like it’s always done when they get into a position like this. Jongin leans down again, this time swiping his tongue in and brushing it against the room of his mouth. Jongin cups his face delicately, lovingly.

Pink.

Love. Passion. Want. Need

🌠

Jongin grabs Kyungsoo’s hand and stares at it, tracing the lines on his palm. Kyungsoo sighs at the feeling. Jongin brings his hand to his mouth and gently kisses the knuckles, Kyungsoo’s feeling like his heart’s going to burst out of his chest at the gentle act. “I wish my eyes changed like yours, because they would be glowing with that same peach color that you have right now.”

Tonight was different from the last couple times they had sex. Tonight they made love. They took their time, just simply feeling each other and enjoying being so intimate again. It wasn’t about finishing quickly, Kyungsoo didn’t even focus on the pleasure. All he could look at was Jongin above him, holding him so sweetly and delicately, kissing him so lovingly.

Kyungsoo’s had plenty of sex before but it never felt this special, like the start of something new and utterly beautiful. Kyungsoo inwardly cringes. Someone slap him now. He refuses to become a cheesy romantic. He’ll never hear the end of it from Minseok if he ever finds out.

Jongin’s entire face seems to brighten, giving Kyungsoo a dazzling smile. “So I’m doing well then? Proving myself to you? You wouldn't believe how many articles and books I’ve read on human behavioral patterns just so I could seem normal to you.”

Kyungsoo pulls him in close and kisses the crown of his head. “You’re doing wonderful Jongin. You take really great care of me.”

Jongin hums in contentment and buries his face into Kyungsoo’s collarbone, contradicting his previous words because the Lead Commander is pretty sure he has never met any human in his life that liked to bury their face in someone's neck this much. But that’s okay. It just adds to Kyungsoo’s long list of ‘Just Jongin Things’, right next to refusing to wear socks. Kyungsoo’ll never understand the other’s aversion to wearing them. Whenever he tries to give them to him, Jongin just gives him a pointed look. Needless to say he always loses that battle.

Kyungsoo plays with his hair. “You know Jongin, for us to work, I need to know about you too. I don't want you going through all these changes just for me while I sit here and do nothing in return.” Kyungsoo feels the Daknae’s eyelashes caress his skin as they flutter open. “How does a Daknae show affection?”

“Actually, we aren't all that different from humans to be honest, so trust me when I say I’m not going through too many changes. We like a lot of physical touch, but sex isn't really held that high. Usually we use our emotions in our eyes to show affection. If your partner’s eyes glow or spark certain colors, it means they deeply care for you. It’s like our way of professing our love each time.” Jongin draws small patterns on Kyungsoo’s bare stomach. “Honestly I think humans would have less messy relationships if they were like Daknaes. They would know exactly what everyone is feeling instead of trying to rely on complicated body language or tone of voice. People say things they don't mean but a Daknae’s eyes will always show their emotions pouring from their heart.”

Kyungsoo smiles. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

They both sit in silence, the atmosphere suddenly shifting. Jongin sighs, his breath tickling his neck. “I’m going to miss you.”

Kyungsoo’s heart aches a bit and he feels a tight sensation in his chest. “I’m going to miss you too.” Jongin gives him a sad look. “Just be careful out there. There’s a few planets that are close to the rebellion and the Intergalactic Government Space Agency is always looking for someone to imprison, but you know that already.”

Jongin’s lips purse. “I actually was involved in the rebellion for a short time. They were the ones who taught me how to make a bomb.”

Kyungsoo facepalms. “Why would you tell me that? Oh my God. I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that because I’d have to report you to my superiors.”

Jongin laughs and drapes his arm across his chest, his head resting just above his heart. “You wouldn’t report me. Who else is going to satisfy your needy ass?” Kyungsoo snorts. “But I promise I’ll be careful out there.”

Kyungsoo kisses his head, his lips coming in contact with his soft hair. “Let’s sleep now. We have to get up early tomorrow.”

Jongin makes a deep, longing noise in the back of his throat but says nothing else. Kyungsoo plays with his hair for the next hour to try to put him to sleep since traveling does take a lot out of a person, but he still feels Jongin’s long eyelashes blinking against his bare chest.

Neither of them sleep that night.

Part 7