A World Without - Chapter Seven
Name: A World Without
Fandom: SS501 (appearances by Super Junior)
Pairings: KyuMin, 2HJ, 2YS, friendship!KyuSaeng, friendship!MinSaeng
Total Word Count: 33, 000
Chapters: 7/7 + Epilogue
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Post-Apocalyptic themes, violence
Genre: Adventure, Romance, and a bit of Crack stirred in
Prompt: "A kiss is a lovely trick, designed by nature, to stop words when speech becomes superfluous."
Summary: 40 years after humankind was deemed to have lost one chance too many, the world is still struggling to recover from the effects of the Last War. With humans now exist after being systematically wiped out, and the powerful Order overlooking all, it looked like they would finally be able live in peace. That was before a small caravan of Healers discover something in the ruins that will turn their views on atonement and suffering for the sins of the past upside down.
A/N: This is for my bestie forever, ziippers <3 Originally a one-shot, that idea kinda...died. I'm so sorry, it hardly even relates to the prompt or anything anymore @.@;;; Hope you still like it anyways? <3 /sheepish/ Updates will be every two days. Thank you to the always amazing curionenene for betaing, ILYBB~~~ <3333
It was the following night when they put their plan into action.
Even after arriving at the medieval-style castle in the early afternoon, they all decided it was in their best interest to attempt the infiltration after sunset. Once there were enough shadows to conceal them, KiBum and HyungJoon slipped in through a crack in the doors and started to map out the inside of the castle for them. JungSu listened for their whispers on the wind and carried them back so that they could all hear their evaluation.
"The dungeons are two floors below ground. KyuJong is being held in the one farthest from the entrance," KiBum's voice reached them. "There are pairs of guards stationed throughout, for a total of 12 in the dungeons and 6 on the higher levels. There are two guards at each gate."
"Not many people are talking about him, but we figured out they scheduled his execution for tomorrow morning," HyungJoon continued after a long pause. "Apparently they used spells to verify his answers to their questions , and he came out as being truthful. This is the only chance we'll have at getting him out."
"Why can't they just walk in there and pull him out?" JongWoon asked, blinking. "They're in the place right now, no one can see them."
JungSu relayed the question, and they waited for a response.
It was KiBum who answered. "We may be unnoticed by the majority of those here, but the guards in the dungeons are highly trained. They would be able to see us even while shadow walking. There would be also no way to sneak KyuJong out past them even if we got through. We have to be careful, not reckless."
As the sun slowly set over the horizon, preparations were laid out. They ran through scenarios, worked out rendez-vous locations, and practiced in case they ran into trouble. Then, finally, they rested. There was nothing any of them could do before the moon was high in the sky.
Yawning and fighting back the exhaustion that came with the sun setting, YoungSaeng walked around the campsite in an effort to stay awake. Everyone else had crashed, with the exception of HyunJoong, KyuHyun and YoungWoon, who were talking quietly in a corner.
Slowly he meandered his way towards the forest at the edge of the clearing, walking among the trees. YoungSaeng brushed his hand along the strong trunks he passed by, greeting each plant and drawing the strength that they offered once they sensed what the group was about to do. Trees were forgiving. They had forgiven the humans as soon as the leaves returned to their branches.
"What are they saying?"
YoungSaeng opened his eyes slowly, looking back towards the camp. JongWoon walked up to meet him, the breeze blowing through his hair. His wings were folded neatly behind him.
"..." After a moment, the hamadryad smiled. "They are wishing us luck."
"Something we'll probably need a lot of," JongWoon laughed, going to sit down on a large rock. YoungSaeng stood there for a moment, just watching him. The featherfolk smiled and motioned at him, and the other man returned the smile with a small one of his own before sitting down next to him.
"We'll get him back," JongWoon said determinedly, and YoungSaeng's smile widened.
"We will."
Nodding, JongWoon looked over at YoungSaeng with a grin. The grin slowly faded into a wistful expression. "I miss you, you know," he said quietly.
Sobering, YoungSaeng looked away.
"Are you...absolutely sure we could never work out?"
YoungSaeng nodded slowly, not daring to look at him. "I'm certain," he whispered. "I don't feel anything for you more than friendship."
"..." JongWoon continued to try catching his eyes. "Are you sure?"
The hamadryad nodded sharply.
"Look at me and say it."
He couldn't turn his head.
"YoungSaeng, you know as well as I do that this idea of breaking your friend out could kill all 20 of us," JongWoon said quietly, the only sounds those of his voice and the gentle breeze. Even the crickets had fallen silent in the face of such undeniable truth. "If I'm going to be killed, please give me some sense of peace and look at me when you're turning me down."
There was no response for a long moment. Then YoungSaeng turned his head a little, looking at JongWoon out of the corner of his eyes. Finally he drew in a shaky breath and turned to face him fully.
JongWoon leaned in and kissed him softly.
And there was no way he could lie to himself anymore.
*****************************
"All set?"
The small group gathered nodded, checking over their weapons and clothing one last time. The others had already gone ahead, securing their positions.
The plan was simple in theory, nearly impossible in reality, but it was the only shot they had. After going through the entire castle, HyungJoon and KiBum had pieced together the safest route for them to follow both there and coming back. Most of those who were going in would be able to blend into the crowd and escape through their own means once give a chance, so there was no concern there. The trouble was getting KyuJong out with them, the human prisoner sticking out like a sore thumb.
There were some complaints with the plan. It had been generally agreed that JungMin should not be among those going to free the human, as he would probably start bashing heads in at the slightest complication. So he was to cover their escape instead, and listen in for any sudden changes to the plan. YoungSaeng had volunteered to take JungMin with him; he was to work with the trees surrounding the castle in the event something happened.
In the end, HyunJoong, HyungJoon, SungMin and HeeChul had been chosen to go inside. HyunJoong and HeeChul were both former Scouts, and while the drow was unable to show his face due to the recent run-in with the Scouts, HeeChul was free to use his status to his advantage. HyungJoon would sneak by in the shadows, with SungMin manipulating his illusions to mask what they were doing. JungSu would relay information through the winds and KiBum would give a constant status report from different areas of the castle. KyuHyun and RyeoWook were in charge of keeping the guards at their chosen entrances and exits distracted. DongHae and HyukJae were all too happy to cover their escape by creating chaos elsewhere in the castle. That left the rest of them on back-up, stationed at various spots in and out of the castle.
Even with the 20 of them, there was too much possibility for failure. There were over a hundred people inside the castle, most of them perfectly able to fight. They were vastly outnumbered.
But it was the only shot they had.
When the moon reached it's highest point in the sky, the guards at the southern gate were drawn into wakefulness by two different things. One guard heard a smooth voice whispering in his ears, tantalizingly beautiful and holding layers of seduction with a practiced ease. The other saw a mysterious figure gliding through the darkness, white against black and beckoning.
It took little effort for RyeoWook to lure his chosen guard away from his post, same as a full yuki-onna would draw weary travelers off the beaten path in winter before killing them. KyuHyun's target didn't need to be moved; he had sunk to the ground in a full trance, unaware of the shadow the incubus had taken hovering around his form.
Once they were well gone, the small group of four slipped in through the unwatched gate, blending into the corridors beyond. HyungJoon ran on ahead through the shadows to make sure the way to the dungeons was still clear. HeeChul wandered openly, chatting with those he met and making sure those around the other two were distracted enough they wouldn't notice a drow and illusionist pair who had no business in the castle.
"HyungJoon says the way is clear," JungSu's voice whispered in their ears, SungMin nodding absently at nothing in particular.
With HeeChul trailing along behind, they started towards the dungeons. Here came the tricky part. They needed to get past the guards. This was where SungMin's illusions and HyunJoong's knowledge on the Scouts came in handy. It was only a matter of repeating what they had practiced over and over again outside before they both resembled two of the Scout Elite to a tee, SungMin's illusions so precise even a master would be hard picked to tear them apart.
"We are here to see the prisoner," HyunJoong said sharply to the guard standing at the entrance to the dungeons, who instantly snapped to attention. There was only one prisoner these men of authority would pay a visit too.
And even HyunJoong's voice was manipulated so thoroughly it was impossible to tell he wasn't really who he appeared to be.
Of course, this was all betting on HeeChul being able to warn them if the real Elite decided to pay a visit.
"We are under orders not to let anyone see him, sir," the guard replied, but his voice was nervous in the face of HyunJoong's knowing stare. Behind the drow, SungMin was doing his best to appear as regal as his illusion dictated while running through incantations in his mind.
"Orders that are above mine?" HyunJoong raised an eyebrow. "I will inform the Order of my visit shortly, but my time is limited and you have already wasted precious minutes with your inquiries." His tone was clipped and polished, just as the voice of the man he was impersonating. He'd worked under the man for years...he knew what he was like to those below his concern.
As expected, the guard caved and let them through with a 90 degree bow. They walked through the dungeons of the castle with their heads held high, ignoring those around them.
So far, so good.
When they reached KyuJong's cell, they instructed the guard to unlock the door and leave them. Inside, HyunJoong's heart twisted as he saw the state KyuJong was in.
He hadn't been tortured; the Order was far above that. There was a bed that looked decent, the remains of food and water on a small table, and even a small window, though spelled and far too small to be of any use. But he was chained to a corner of the room so that he couldn't leave, the chain coming just short of the door. The only time he would ever leave this room was to walk to his death.
Looking up as they entered and the door was closed behind them, KyuJong watched them warily, skin an ashen grey and shadows under his eyes indicating a sleepless night.
The second they were alone, SungMin hurried to throw up spells for any guards watching to make it look like they were talking to KyuJong, the echo of faint, non-understandable murmurs sounding near the doorway. KyuJong jumped at them, and then stared in shock as the illusions around the two young men fell away and revealed them for who they were.
"Why are you here?" he whispered, voice hoarse.
"To break you out, of course," HyunJoong said simply, keeping his voice low. He looked at SungMin, who wiped sweat from his brow. "You alright?"
"Just great," the illusionist panted, exhausted by the intensity of the illusions he'd needed to cast.
"Okay. HyungJoon?"
"Present," the halfling said, popping up out of the shadows beside them. He'd followed them into the cell, taking advantage of SungMin's illusions to hide his presence. In his hands he carried a special clipper used to saw off iron. Without further delay, he went to KyuJong's side and crouched down, working at the chain attached to one foot.
KyuJong looked at them all, eyes wide as tears slowly gathered. "You're really..."
HyunJoong stepped over and messed up his hair. "Come on. Before JungMin busts a vein waiting."
The human's smile grew brighter, especially when there was a faint clink from around his feet. HyungJoon stood up, grinning widely with the severed end of the chain in his hand. "Ready to get out of here?"
"Yes," KyuJong breathed, smiling widely, wiping at his eyes before he stood up straighter, new determination in his expression.
Here came the hard part: getting KyuJong out alive.
"SungMin is going to cover you in illusions, alright?" HyunJoong murmured, as the illusionist started to bring back up the spells that disguised them as two of the Elite. "They will make you invisible to those around us, but only if you stay right behind him. If you move too far away, he can't cover you."
"We'll have to get out quickly," SungMin put in, rubbing his temples. "I have to make the illusions strong so they won't register as magic, and it's draining me."
KyuJong nodded, swallowing thickly. Once SungMin was ready, the human stepped up behind him, placing his hands lightly against the man's back, and to all appearances disappeared into thin air.
HyungJoon walked all around SungMin to make sure there was no part of KyuJong sticking out, before nodded. "It's good."
"Let's go then," HyunJoong said as SungMin weaved one last illusion to make it look like KyuJong was still in his cell, curled up on the bed in a fetal position.
That was what might give them away. Anyone who took a closer look would see 'KyuJong' was floating an inch above the bed, and he had no shadow. But SungMin was too drained to be any more precise than that, and when they got out of range the illusion would fade whether he worked to keep it there or not. The only thing they could do was move quickly and hope DongHae and HyukJae's distractions worked.
"All clear still," JungSu whispered in their ears as they left the cell, HyunJoong nodding curtly to the guards before walking back to the dungeon door. He could feel SungMin's strength fading, counting down the seconds until they reached the door.
The second they were out, HeeChul was there to clear the corridor as subtly as he could. SungMin released the illusions on everything except the spell keeping KyuJong invisible, sagging slightly at the loss of energy. KyuJong supported him subtly from behind.
"Still good?" HyunJoong murmured, lips barely moving.
"So far," JungSu replied, but he sounded tense.
SungMin and HyunJoong exchanged looks. "What's going on?" HyunJoong asked.
"KiBum...may have spotted the real Elite you were impersonating. Heading this way."
"...Uh oh," SungMin whispered.
They had to move. "HyungJoon, keep an eye out for them," HyunJoong said quietly, knowing the halfling was somewhere in the shadows nearby. KyuJong tightened his grip on the back of SungMin's shirt unconsciously, and quickly let go when he realized he was making visible bunches in the fabric.
They were back on the main floor when suddenly JungSu's voice was back, and he was definitely panicking now.
"They found out KyuJong's escaped, hurry!"
The group tried to speed up as much as possible, but the hallways were suddenly clogged with people, making it impossible. They still hadn't been spotted, so they had no choice but to move as subtly as possible.
"The exit's cut off. KyuHyun and RyeoWook were found out," JungSu reported a minute later, and they stopped.
"Where do we go now, then?"
There was silence for a moment, then it was KiBum's voice in their ears. He must be close enough nearby for JungSu to channel his voice to them.
"The floors above us are still relatively clear. Head up. They've started to scan the main floor for him, so hurry."
Finding the nearest staircase, they started towards it just as guards appeared at the other end of the hallway. JungSu was rambling now; HyukJae and DongHae were delayed in getting in, the added security giving even the sprites trouble. Their distraction wouldn't come for another few minutes.
They were starting up the stairs when one of the Scouts from the ruins spotted HyunJoong and recognized him. With a shout, all attention was suddenly focused right at them.
SungMin reached back and pulled KyuJong along hurriedly, but a wave of power forced the illusionist to his knees in the middle of the staircase, a cry leaving his lips. The illusion covering KyuJong wavered and disappeared.
"There he is!"
"Get him!"
Shouts of Latin rang across the floor as HyunJoong hauled SungMin back to his feet and hurried on. KyuJong ran along after them, and came up short when an arrow whizzed by his nose. All color drained out of his face.
Apparently it didn't matter if he was alive when they got him back.
Snapping out of the daze, he ran after HyunJoong and SungMin, clearing the staircase and finding some level of peace on the floor above. It was only a matter of seconds though; he knew they were being followed. Looking around, he spotted the other two waiting for him at the far end of the corridor. They could get out there, they could make it...
Then he hit an invisible wall, bouncing right off it and falling to the ground with a yelp of surprise.
Pushing himself back up, KyuJong stared as HyunJoong ran to him, only to be brought up short as well. The drow reached out and pressed a hand against the wall separating them, and KyuJong could see his lips moving as he tried to bring it down, but no sound reached him. When HyungJoon materialized in alarm, KyuJong paled when he realized the halfling was on the other side of the barrier as well, leaving him alone.
Trying to decide what to do, KyuJong yelped when a cold hand closed around his wrist and he whirled around to see a young man he faintly recognized materializing out of the shadows, holding on to him.
"This way, hurry," KiBum said, and pulled KyuJong along in a different direction.
"Keep going up," JungSu instructed. "YoungWoon, SiWon and the others are distracting those on the lower levels, but there's still people chasing you, hurry!"
"What about HyunJoong, HyungJoon and SungMin sshi?" KyuJong panted.
"They'll be find, they can get out there. HeeChul's mingled with the crowd, so he'll be able to get out unnoticed as well. Just keep running!"
It seemed like the best advice in the world at this point. KyuJong forced himself to run faster.
They kept going higher as exit after exit was cut off. Finally, KiBum led him to the base of one of the towers and stopped. "I'll hold back anyone who follows you as long as I can. Hurry."
"Where am I supposed to go when I reach the top?" KyuJong asked, face pale despite the physical exertion.
"YoungSaeng and JungMin are on their way. Just go!"
Jumping at the urgency in the normally calm man's voice, the human turned and ran up the tower's spiraling staircase. Up, and up, and up.
JungSu's voice rang in his ears, keeping up a running commentary of what was happening. HyunJoong, HyungJoon and SungMin were out safely. SiWon was injured. KyuHyun and RyeoWook have reported in, the incubus all but unconscious after a sharp blow to the head. DongHae and HyukJae were setting up their distractions to give the others enough time to escape.
Then, as he reached the top of the tower, KiBum was overpowered and had to be pulled out by HeeChul. The Scouts were coming.
KyuJong hurriedly slammed the door at the top of the tower shut and bolted it. Hopefully it would buy him just a little more time. Once that was done, he looked around. Half the tower was exposed to the sky outside, wind blowing at him and throwing his hair into his eyes. JungMin and YoungSaeng were nowhere to be found.
Swallowing and walking over to the edge, KyuJong peered out and saw the hamadryad. YoungSaeng had coaxed a large oak into bending for him, branches stretching out towards the tower. He was climbing up carefully, hoisting himself further into the branches.
Suddenly there was a thump beside him and KyuJong whirled around, ready to deck the Scout who'd snuck onto the tower from the outside when he was pulled into a firm embrace and warm lips pressed against his own.
Eyes widening, KyuJong slowly relaxed and wrapped his arms around JungMin's waist, heart in his throat as he returned the very sudden but not unwelcome in any way kiss. The griffin pulled him as close as he could, fingers twining into KyuJong's hair and tugging lightly. It said something that KyuJong was able to forget, even for a moment, that he was just a staircase and a door away from dying.
"Oh no..."
JungSu's voice snapped them both back into the present, JungMin breaking the kiss and looking across the darkness outside. "JungSu?"
"They found our camp," the air elementalist replied, voice laced with panic. "Sorry, you're on your own now." All sense of JungSu in the air disappeared as the other man turned his attention towards the assault happening right in front of him.
JungMin ground his teeth slightly. "Okay. YoungSaeng's coming to get you, I'll hold the Scouts back if they get this far." His golden eyes promised pain for the first person to break through that door.
Nodding, KyuJong drew in a shaky breath and watched YoungSaeng draw level with them in the tree. Swaying, the hamadryad mouthed something and the tree shifted again, stretching out to reach the tower completely. Using one thick branch to balance on, YoungSaeng started out to them, beckoning with one hand to guide another branch along behind him for KyuJong to use as a handhold. Not everyone was capable of balancing on a single branch like it was a tightrope.
Not far away, the small campsite they had taken up was under attack. There were only six guards, but the small amount of people still at the camp was having trouble keeping up. Zhou Mi weaved invisible nets and threw them over whoever he could, Henry setting a guard who got too close on fire. JongWoon had disappeared just before the fight started, probably to cover for YoungSaeng. JungSu blew another guard straight into a tree, praying one of the others would get back soon. He'd just gotten word that DongHae and HyukJae's distraction was underway before he was distracted, which meant some of the others would be back any second now as they cleared the castle.
From the corner of his eyes, he could barely make out the oak tree YoungSaeng manipulated growing higher in the inky darkness, silhouetted by the moonlight. Just about there...
Suddenly he spotted one of the guards taking aim at his friend's caravan with a spelled arrow, and his eyes widened when he realized what he was aiming to do.
Hurriedly he sent a burst of wind just as the arrow was released, but it was charmed to fly straight. He was only able to shift it a little to one side so that, when it punctured the walls of the caravan, it shot through the branches of YoungSaeng's tree rather than pierce its trunk.
KyuJong's eyes widened as he saw YoungSaeng suddenly turn as white as a sheet and clutch at his chest before slipping off the branch and plummeting to the ground. "YoungSaeng!"
He couldn't breathe. His heart had stopped in his chest, and his arm felt like it was on fire. When he realized he was falling, YoungSaeng tried to reach out for any plants nearby, but his mind was too numb to grasp at them. KyuJong's voice echoed around him as he shut his eyes and waited to hit the ground.
Small hands closed around his wrists and YoungSaeng screamed as pain shot through him, his descent suddenly halted and nearly ripping his arms out of his sockets. The sudden jolt seemed to restart his heart, and he gasped for breath, feeling the air around him humming.
"Dammit Saengie, you're heavier than you look!"
Eyes finally snapping open, YoungSaeng looked up. JongWoon had grabbed him and beat the air hard with his wings to slow his fall, zipping away from the castle and towards the forest.
YoungSaeng was placed neatly on his feet before JongWoon crashed into the bushes beside him with a shriek.
Staggering and managing not to fall over, the hamadryad panted and clutched at his chest. Once he realized his heart was beating again, and the pain in his arm had dulled to an angry throb that slowly shifted into numbness, he stumbled over to where JongWoon had somehow managed to tangle his wings in the berry bushes.
Sinking to the ground next to the featherfolk, YoungSaeng just looked at him for a long moment. "...What is it with you and crash landings?" he whispered finally, eyes glassy even as he smiled brightly and helped JongWoon disentangle himself before wrapping his arms around the dazed man.
High above the ground, YoungSaeng's tree was receding back to it's original state, the hamadryad's hold on it broken. KyuJong swallowed thickly. "What now?"
JungMin chewed on his lower lip. There was no way he was losing KyuJong now.
"...How do you feel about flying without a harness?"
The human stared at him, remembering the many times he would have fallen off the griffin's back if it hadn't been for the spell holding his legs in place. But they had no time to get a spell done; there was pounding at the door, and it was only a matter of seconds before it would break.
No sooner had he said 'okay' than JungMin had shifted into his griffin form, clothing tearing and falling to the floor in shreds as he flared out his wings.
"Hurry!"
KyuJong tried to remember how he'd been hoisted up onto the griffin's back before, JungMin crouching down so he could climb up and lie down in a way that wouldn't disturb the griffin's large wings. Swallowing thickly, he felt his heart pounding in his chest. "Am I on properly?" It felt highly dangerous with his legs free of the spells that kept him from slipping to his death.
There was a loud crack from the door.
"No time, hang on!"
The human had just enough time to wrap his arms around the griffin's neck and shut his eyes before JungMin threw himself off the tower.
His heart jumped into his throat as they fell a short distance before JungMin beat his wings hard, lifting them back up. KyuJong yelped as his legs slipped to one side, and the griffin had to throw himself into a barrel roll to keep the human on his back.
"Are you still there?"
"So far," KyuJong panted, head spinning from the 360 degree roll.
Suddenly they were under fire. JungMin hadn't pulled out of range from the tower yet. The Scouts were trying to shoot them down.
Cursing mentally, JungMin swerved to try and avoid the spelled arrows, but was forced to straighten out when KyuJong nearly fell off again. The griffin screeched when an arrow punctured one of his wings, and they dropped before he managed to straighten out again and darted towards the forest.
"Min, are you okay?!" KyuJong yelled as the griffin's wingbeats became less coordinated and more frantic, JungMin fighting to level out as they ducked below the tree line.
"No, shit, I can't land. You're going to have to let go...now!"
KyuJong cried out when the griffin suddenly tipped to one side, his grip disappearing as he dropped a few feet before landing unceremoniously in a pile of leaves.
Coughing on a leave and wincing against the steady ache in his body from the rough landing, a loud crash met his ears and he froze. When there was no further noise, he pushed himself up out of the leaves despite the pain of a twisted wrist and looked around for JungMin. It was clear where the griffin had landed; he'd taken out quite a few plants.
"JungMin?" he called, staggering to his feet and heading over. When he saw the griffin collapsed on the ground with the arrow-pierced wing twisted in a way that it definitely should not be, his heart stopped for a moment. "Min?" he called quietly, scared he'd either managed to knock himself out upon impact, or was dead.
A faint hiss left the griffin before golden eyes slowly opened. "Not one of my best landings." JungMin's voice was laced with pain, but he was alive.
Giving a shaky smile, KyuJong made his way over. "Your...your wing, is it...?"
"Probably broken." The griffin tried shifting and KyuJong jumped when JungMin cried out. "Y...Yeah, broken." The griffin sank back to the ground.
Swallowing thickly, KyuJong staggered over. "I'll get the arrow out, all right?" He got himself as close to the wing as possible without jostling it. "This is going to hurt."
"Just do it." JungMin covered his beak with both paws.
Striping the feathers off the end of the arrow, KyuJong braced himself before pulling the shaft all the way through. JungMin's shriek of pain made his chest constrict, but he got it over with as quickly as possible, dropping the arrow like it was poison.
"What...What now?" JungMin didn't even look like he could move.
"Give me a second..." Panting, JungMin shut his eyes.
There was nothing for a minute, and then suddenly JungMin's form shifted, shrinking. KyuJong's eyes widened. "You shouldn't shift back with a broken-" Then he cut himself off because JungMin's wings weren't disappearing into his body, but staying out until he lay on the ground in his human form, a noise of pain escaping him when he shifted and jostling the wing by accident.
KyuJong stepped closer, and watched JungMin slowly push himself up into a seated position, pain in his eyes from the broken wing but more manageable now that he wasn't sprawled awkwardly across the forest floor. "Are you okay?" the griffin asked.
Nodding mutely, the human scooted closer as tears gathered in his eyes. Finally he leaned across the distance and pressed his lips firmly against JungMin's, the griffin parting his lips in response. Sometimes there was no need for words. They both understood what this was without a single syllable spoken.
"There they are! Hey, I found them!"
HyungJoon's voice echoed through the forest and they slowly pulled apart, looking at each other for a long moment before glancing in the direction the voices had come from just as JongWoon burst through the trees happily.
And then promptly turned into a tomato and whirled around with a squeaked "I didn't see anything!"
Wondering if he was talking about the kiss, KyuJong looked back at JungMin and turned into a tomato himself when he realized JungMin was still very much naked. "We...should get you clothes."
"...Oh." JungMin went a little red. "Maybe."
HyunJoong appeared then, and apparently had the foresight to bring clothes because he tossed a pair at JungMin. "Stop scarring the children," the drow teased. The griffin grumbled but hurriedly pulled the pants on either way. After they saw the state of his wing, a shirt seemed more painful than it was worth.
YoungSaeng and HyungJoon joined them as KyuJong and JungMin stood up. The hamadryad's arm hung limply by his side but he was smiling nonetheless.
"Is everyone alright?" KyuJong asked, unwilling to move too far from JungMin.
"No one was killed," HyunJoong smiled. "YoungWoon, KyuHyun and KiBum were injured quite a bit, and SungMin's probably going to pass out and not wake up for days, but everyone's fine."
The human exhaled in relief, leaning against JungMin a little. "Thank God..."
Watching the griffin and human shift closer together, HyunJoong smiled absently and turned to the others. "Let's get going. We need to clear the forest before dawn, and then we can start working on the worst injured."
YoungSaeng nodded, and eyed JongWoon darkly when the featherfolk poked at his motionless arm. "Is it broken?" JongWoon wondered, brow furrowed in concert.
"No, it's just so numb I can't even feel it," YoungSaeng sighed. "And it looks even weirder when you poke at it, so please stop."
"But you can't feel it," JongWoon said with a smile, poking at it again. He dodged the swat by YoungSaeng's good hand before leaning in for a quick peck and skipping away.
Cheeks burning red, YoungSaeng avoided HyungJoon and HyunJoong's questioning looks and missed the smiles that followed.
When they turned their attention back to JungMin and KyuJong and found them locked at the lips, HyunJoong just laughed and settled in to wait for them to remember they had to come up for air eventually.
Fandom: SS501 (appearances by Super Junior)
Pairings: KyuMin, 2HJ, 2YS, friendship!KyuSaeng, friendship!MinSaeng
Total Word Count: 33, 000
Chapters: 7/7 + Epilogue
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Post-Apocalyptic themes, violence
Genre: Adventure, Romance, and a bit of Crack stirred in
Prompt: "A kiss is a lovely trick, designed by nature, to stop words when speech becomes superfluous."
Summary: 40 years after humankind was deemed to have lost one chance too many, the world is still struggling to recover from the effects of the Last War. With humans now exist after being systematically wiped out, and the powerful Order overlooking all, it looked like they would finally be able live in peace. That was before a small caravan of Healers discover something in the ruins that will turn their views on atonement and suffering for the sins of the past upside down.
A/N: This is for my bestie forever, ziippers <3 Originally a one-shot, that idea kinda...died. I'm so sorry, it hardly even relates to the prompt or anything anymore @.@;;; Hope you still like it anyways? <3 /sheepish/ Updates will be every two days. Thank you to the always amazing curionenene for betaing, ILYBB~~~ <3333
It was the following night when they put their plan into action.
Even after arriving at the medieval-style castle in the early afternoon, they all decided it was in their best interest to attempt the infiltration after sunset. Once there were enough shadows to conceal them, KiBum and HyungJoon slipped in through a crack in the doors and started to map out the inside of the castle for them. JungSu listened for their whispers on the wind and carried them back so that they could all hear their evaluation.
"The dungeons are two floors below ground. KyuJong is being held in the one farthest from the entrance," KiBum's voice reached them. "There are pairs of guards stationed throughout, for a total of 12 in the dungeons and 6 on the higher levels. There are two guards at each gate."
"Not many people are talking about him, but we figured out they scheduled his execution for tomorrow morning," HyungJoon continued after a long pause. "Apparently they used spells to verify his answers to their questions , and he came out as being truthful. This is the only chance we'll have at getting him out."
"Why can't they just walk in there and pull him out?" JongWoon asked, blinking. "They're in the place right now, no one can see them."
JungSu relayed the question, and they waited for a response.
It was KiBum who answered. "We may be unnoticed by the majority of those here, but the guards in the dungeons are highly trained. They would be able to see us even while shadow walking. There would be also no way to sneak KyuJong out past them even if we got through. We have to be careful, not reckless."
As the sun slowly set over the horizon, preparations were laid out. They ran through scenarios, worked out rendez-vous locations, and practiced in case they ran into trouble. Then, finally, they rested. There was nothing any of them could do before the moon was high in the sky.
Yawning and fighting back the exhaustion that came with the sun setting, YoungSaeng walked around the campsite in an effort to stay awake. Everyone else had crashed, with the exception of HyunJoong, KyuHyun and YoungWoon, who were talking quietly in a corner.
Slowly he meandered his way towards the forest at the edge of the clearing, walking among the trees. YoungSaeng brushed his hand along the strong trunks he passed by, greeting each plant and drawing the strength that they offered once they sensed what the group was about to do. Trees were forgiving. They had forgiven the humans as soon as the leaves returned to their branches.
"What are they saying?"
YoungSaeng opened his eyes slowly, looking back towards the camp. JongWoon walked up to meet him, the breeze blowing through his hair. His wings were folded neatly behind him.
"..." After a moment, the hamadryad smiled. "They are wishing us luck."
"Something we'll probably need a lot of," JongWoon laughed, going to sit down on a large rock. YoungSaeng stood there for a moment, just watching him. The featherfolk smiled and motioned at him, and the other man returned the smile with a small one of his own before sitting down next to him.
"We'll get him back," JongWoon said determinedly, and YoungSaeng's smile widened.
"We will."
Nodding, JongWoon looked over at YoungSaeng with a grin. The grin slowly faded into a wistful expression. "I miss you, you know," he said quietly.
Sobering, YoungSaeng looked away.
"Are you...absolutely sure we could never work out?"
YoungSaeng nodded slowly, not daring to look at him. "I'm certain," he whispered. "I don't feel anything for you more than friendship."
"..." JongWoon continued to try catching his eyes. "Are you sure?"
The hamadryad nodded sharply.
"Look at me and say it."
He couldn't turn his head.
"YoungSaeng, you know as well as I do that this idea of breaking your friend out could kill all 20 of us," JongWoon said quietly, the only sounds those of his voice and the gentle breeze. Even the crickets had fallen silent in the face of such undeniable truth. "If I'm going to be killed, please give me some sense of peace and look at me when you're turning me down."
There was no response for a long moment. Then YoungSaeng turned his head a little, looking at JongWoon out of the corner of his eyes. Finally he drew in a shaky breath and turned to face him fully.
JongWoon leaned in and kissed him softly.
And there was no way he could lie to himself anymore.
*****************************
"All set?"
The small group gathered nodded, checking over their weapons and clothing one last time. The others had already gone ahead, securing their positions.
The plan was simple in theory, nearly impossible in reality, but it was the only shot they had. After going through the entire castle, HyungJoon and KiBum had pieced together the safest route for them to follow both there and coming back. Most of those who were going in would be able to blend into the crowd and escape through their own means once give a chance, so there was no concern there. The trouble was getting KyuJong out with them, the human prisoner sticking out like a sore thumb.
There were some complaints with the plan. It had been generally agreed that JungMin should not be among those going to free the human, as he would probably start bashing heads in at the slightest complication. So he was to cover their escape instead, and listen in for any sudden changes to the plan. YoungSaeng had volunteered to take JungMin with him; he was to work with the trees surrounding the castle in the event something happened.
In the end, HyunJoong, HyungJoon, SungMin and HeeChul had been chosen to go inside. HyunJoong and HeeChul were both former Scouts, and while the drow was unable to show his face due to the recent run-in with the Scouts, HeeChul was free to use his status to his advantage. HyungJoon would sneak by in the shadows, with SungMin manipulating his illusions to mask what they were doing. JungSu would relay information through the winds and KiBum would give a constant status report from different areas of the castle. KyuHyun and RyeoWook were in charge of keeping the guards at their chosen entrances and exits distracted. DongHae and HyukJae were all too happy to cover their escape by creating chaos elsewhere in the castle. That left the rest of them on back-up, stationed at various spots in and out of the castle.
Even with the 20 of them, there was too much possibility for failure. There were over a hundred people inside the castle, most of them perfectly able to fight. They were vastly outnumbered.
But it was the only shot they had.
When the moon reached it's highest point in the sky, the guards at the southern gate were drawn into wakefulness by two different things. One guard heard a smooth voice whispering in his ears, tantalizingly beautiful and holding layers of seduction with a practiced ease. The other saw a mysterious figure gliding through the darkness, white against black and beckoning.
It took little effort for RyeoWook to lure his chosen guard away from his post, same as a full yuki-onna would draw weary travelers off the beaten path in winter before killing them. KyuHyun's target didn't need to be moved; he had sunk to the ground in a full trance, unaware of the shadow the incubus had taken hovering around his form.
Once they were well gone, the small group of four slipped in through the unwatched gate, blending into the corridors beyond. HyungJoon ran on ahead through the shadows to make sure the way to the dungeons was still clear. HeeChul wandered openly, chatting with those he met and making sure those around the other two were distracted enough they wouldn't notice a drow and illusionist pair who had no business in the castle.
"HyungJoon says the way is clear," JungSu's voice whispered in their ears, SungMin nodding absently at nothing in particular.
With HeeChul trailing along behind, they started towards the dungeons. Here came the tricky part. They needed to get past the guards. This was where SungMin's illusions and HyunJoong's knowledge on the Scouts came in handy. It was only a matter of repeating what they had practiced over and over again outside before they both resembled two of the Scout Elite to a tee, SungMin's illusions so precise even a master would be hard picked to tear them apart.
"We are here to see the prisoner," HyunJoong said sharply to the guard standing at the entrance to the dungeons, who instantly snapped to attention. There was only one prisoner these men of authority would pay a visit too.
And even HyunJoong's voice was manipulated so thoroughly it was impossible to tell he wasn't really who he appeared to be.
Of course, this was all betting on HeeChul being able to warn them if the real Elite decided to pay a visit.
"We are under orders not to let anyone see him, sir," the guard replied, but his voice was nervous in the face of HyunJoong's knowing stare. Behind the drow, SungMin was doing his best to appear as regal as his illusion dictated while running through incantations in his mind.
"Orders that are above mine?" HyunJoong raised an eyebrow. "I will inform the Order of my visit shortly, but my time is limited and you have already wasted precious minutes with your inquiries." His tone was clipped and polished, just as the voice of the man he was impersonating. He'd worked under the man for years...he knew what he was like to those below his concern.
As expected, the guard caved and let them through with a 90 degree bow. They walked through the dungeons of the castle with their heads held high, ignoring those around them.
So far, so good.
When they reached KyuJong's cell, they instructed the guard to unlock the door and leave them. Inside, HyunJoong's heart twisted as he saw the state KyuJong was in.
He hadn't been tortured; the Order was far above that. There was a bed that looked decent, the remains of food and water on a small table, and even a small window, though spelled and far too small to be of any use. But he was chained to a corner of the room so that he couldn't leave, the chain coming just short of the door. The only time he would ever leave this room was to walk to his death.
Looking up as they entered and the door was closed behind them, KyuJong watched them warily, skin an ashen grey and shadows under his eyes indicating a sleepless night.
The second they were alone, SungMin hurried to throw up spells for any guards watching to make it look like they were talking to KyuJong, the echo of faint, non-understandable murmurs sounding near the doorway. KyuJong jumped at them, and then stared in shock as the illusions around the two young men fell away and revealed them for who they were.
"Why are you here?" he whispered, voice hoarse.
"To break you out, of course," HyunJoong said simply, keeping his voice low. He looked at SungMin, who wiped sweat from his brow. "You alright?"
"Just great," the illusionist panted, exhausted by the intensity of the illusions he'd needed to cast.
"Okay. HyungJoon?"
"Present," the halfling said, popping up out of the shadows beside them. He'd followed them into the cell, taking advantage of SungMin's illusions to hide his presence. In his hands he carried a special clipper used to saw off iron. Without further delay, he went to KyuJong's side and crouched down, working at the chain attached to one foot.
KyuJong looked at them all, eyes wide as tears slowly gathered. "You're really..."
HyunJoong stepped over and messed up his hair. "Come on. Before JungMin busts a vein waiting."
The human's smile grew brighter, especially when there was a faint clink from around his feet. HyungJoon stood up, grinning widely with the severed end of the chain in his hand. "Ready to get out of here?"
"Yes," KyuJong breathed, smiling widely, wiping at his eyes before he stood up straighter, new determination in his expression.
Here came the hard part: getting KyuJong out alive.
"SungMin is going to cover you in illusions, alright?" HyunJoong murmured, as the illusionist started to bring back up the spells that disguised them as two of the Elite. "They will make you invisible to those around us, but only if you stay right behind him. If you move too far away, he can't cover you."
"We'll have to get out quickly," SungMin put in, rubbing his temples. "I have to make the illusions strong so they won't register as magic, and it's draining me."
KyuJong nodded, swallowing thickly. Once SungMin was ready, the human stepped up behind him, placing his hands lightly against the man's back, and to all appearances disappeared into thin air.
HyungJoon walked all around SungMin to make sure there was no part of KyuJong sticking out, before nodded. "It's good."
"Let's go then," HyunJoong said as SungMin weaved one last illusion to make it look like KyuJong was still in his cell, curled up on the bed in a fetal position.
That was what might give them away. Anyone who took a closer look would see 'KyuJong' was floating an inch above the bed, and he had no shadow. But SungMin was too drained to be any more precise than that, and when they got out of range the illusion would fade whether he worked to keep it there or not. The only thing they could do was move quickly and hope DongHae and HyukJae's distractions worked.
"All clear still," JungSu whispered in their ears as they left the cell, HyunJoong nodding curtly to the guards before walking back to the dungeon door. He could feel SungMin's strength fading, counting down the seconds until they reached the door.
The second they were out, HeeChul was there to clear the corridor as subtly as he could. SungMin released the illusions on everything except the spell keeping KyuJong invisible, sagging slightly at the loss of energy. KyuJong supported him subtly from behind.
"Still good?" HyunJoong murmured, lips barely moving.
"So far," JungSu replied, but he sounded tense.
SungMin and HyunJoong exchanged looks. "What's going on?" HyunJoong asked.
"KiBum...may have spotted the real Elite you were impersonating. Heading this way."
"...Uh oh," SungMin whispered.
They had to move. "HyungJoon, keep an eye out for them," HyunJoong said quietly, knowing the halfling was somewhere in the shadows nearby. KyuJong tightened his grip on the back of SungMin's shirt unconsciously, and quickly let go when he realized he was making visible bunches in the fabric.
They were back on the main floor when suddenly JungSu's voice was back, and he was definitely panicking now.
"They found out KyuJong's escaped, hurry!"
The group tried to speed up as much as possible, but the hallways were suddenly clogged with people, making it impossible. They still hadn't been spotted, so they had no choice but to move as subtly as possible.
"The exit's cut off. KyuHyun and RyeoWook were found out," JungSu reported a minute later, and they stopped.
"Where do we go now, then?"
There was silence for a moment, then it was KiBum's voice in their ears. He must be close enough nearby for JungSu to channel his voice to them.
"The floors above us are still relatively clear. Head up. They've started to scan the main floor for him, so hurry."
Finding the nearest staircase, they started towards it just as guards appeared at the other end of the hallway. JungSu was rambling now; HyukJae and DongHae were delayed in getting in, the added security giving even the sprites trouble. Their distraction wouldn't come for another few minutes.
They were starting up the stairs when one of the Scouts from the ruins spotted HyunJoong and recognized him. With a shout, all attention was suddenly focused right at them.
SungMin reached back and pulled KyuJong along hurriedly, but a wave of power forced the illusionist to his knees in the middle of the staircase, a cry leaving his lips. The illusion covering KyuJong wavered and disappeared.
"There he is!"
"Get him!"
Shouts of Latin rang across the floor as HyunJoong hauled SungMin back to his feet and hurried on. KyuJong ran along after them, and came up short when an arrow whizzed by his nose. All color drained out of his face.
Apparently it didn't matter if he was alive when they got him back.
Snapping out of the daze, he ran after HyunJoong and SungMin, clearing the staircase and finding some level of peace on the floor above. It was only a matter of seconds though; he knew they were being followed. Looking around, he spotted the other two waiting for him at the far end of the corridor. They could get out there, they could make it...
Then he hit an invisible wall, bouncing right off it and falling to the ground with a yelp of surprise.
Pushing himself back up, KyuJong stared as HyunJoong ran to him, only to be brought up short as well. The drow reached out and pressed a hand against the wall separating them, and KyuJong could see his lips moving as he tried to bring it down, but no sound reached him. When HyungJoon materialized in alarm, KyuJong paled when he realized the halfling was on the other side of the barrier as well, leaving him alone.
Trying to decide what to do, KyuJong yelped when a cold hand closed around his wrist and he whirled around to see a young man he faintly recognized materializing out of the shadows, holding on to him.
"This way, hurry," KiBum said, and pulled KyuJong along in a different direction.
"Keep going up," JungSu instructed. "YoungWoon, SiWon and the others are distracting those on the lower levels, but there's still people chasing you, hurry!"
"What about HyunJoong, HyungJoon and SungMin sshi?" KyuJong panted.
"They'll be find, they can get out there. HeeChul's mingled with the crowd, so he'll be able to get out unnoticed as well. Just keep running!"
It seemed like the best advice in the world at this point. KyuJong forced himself to run faster.
They kept going higher as exit after exit was cut off. Finally, KiBum led him to the base of one of the towers and stopped. "I'll hold back anyone who follows you as long as I can. Hurry."
"Where am I supposed to go when I reach the top?" KyuJong asked, face pale despite the physical exertion.
"YoungSaeng and JungMin are on their way. Just go!"
Jumping at the urgency in the normally calm man's voice, the human turned and ran up the tower's spiraling staircase. Up, and up, and up.
JungSu's voice rang in his ears, keeping up a running commentary of what was happening. HyunJoong, HyungJoon and SungMin were out safely. SiWon was injured. KyuHyun and RyeoWook have reported in, the incubus all but unconscious after a sharp blow to the head. DongHae and HyukJae were setting up their distractions to give the others enough time to escape.
Then, as he reached the top of the tower, KiBum was overpowered and had to be pulled out by HeeChul. The Scouts were coming.
KyuJong hurriedly slammed the door at the top of the tower shut and bolted it. Hopefully it would buy him just a little more time. Once that was done, he looked around. Half the tower was exposed to the sky outside, wind blowing at him and throwing his hair into his eyes. JungMin and YoungSaeng were nowhere to be found.
Swallowing and walking over to the edge, KyuJong peered out and saw the hamadryad. YoungSaeng had coaxed a large oak into bending for him, branches stretching out towards the tower. He was climbing up carefully, hoisting himself further into the branches.
Suddenly there was a thump beside him and KyuJong whirled around, ready to deck the Scout who'd snuck onto the tower from the outside when he was pulled into a firm embrace and warm lips pressed against his own.
Eyes widening, KyuJong slowly relaxed and wrapped his arms around JungMin's waist, heart in his throat as he returned the very sudden but not unwelcome in any way kiss. The griffin pulled him as close as he could, fingers twining into KyuJong's hair and tugging lightly. It said something that KyuJong was able to forget, even for a moment, that he was just a staircase and a door away from dying.
"Oh no..."
JungSu's voice snapped them both back into the present, JungMin breaking the kiss and looking across the darkness outside. "JungSu?"
"They found our camp," the air elementalist replied, voice laced with panic. "Sorry, you're on your own now." All sense of JungSu in the air disappeared as the other man turned his attention towards the assault happening right in front of him.
JungMin ground his teeth slightly. "Okay. YoungSaeng's coming to get you, I'll hold the Scouts back if they get this far." His golden eyes promised pain for the first person to break through that door.
Nodding, KyuJong drew in a shaky breath and watched YoungSaeng draw level with them in the tree. Swaying, the hamadryad mouthed something and the tree shifted again, stretching out to reach the tower completely. Using one thick branch to balance on, YoungSaeng started out to them, beckoning with one hand to guide another branch along behind him for KyuJong to use as a handhold. Not everyone was capable of balancing on a single branch like it was a tightrope.
Not far away, the small campsite they had taken up was under attack. There were only six guards, but the small amount of people still at the camp was having trouble keeping up. Zhou Mi weaved invisible nets and threw them over whoever he could, Henry setting a guard who got too close on fire. JongWoon had disappeared just before the fight started, probably to cover for YoungSaeng. JungSu blew another guard straight into a tree, praying one of the others would get back soon. He'd just gotten word that DongHae and HyukJae's distraction was underway before he was distracted, which meant some of the others would be back any second now as they cleared the castle.
From the corner of his eyes, he could barely make out the oak tree YoungSaeng manipulated growing higher in the inky darkness, silhouetted by the moonlight. Just about there...
Suddenly he spotted one of the guards taking aim at his friend's caravan with a spelled arrow, and his eyes widened when he realized what he was aiming to do.
Hurriedly he sent a burst of wind just as the arrow was released, but it was charmed to fly straight. He was only able to shift it a little to one side so that, when it punctured the walls of the caravan, it shot through the branches of YoungSaeng's tree rather than pierce its trunk.
KyuJong's eyes widened as he saw YoungSaeng suddenly turn as white as a sheet and clutch at his chest before slipping off the branch and plummeting to the ground. "YoungSaeng!"
He couldn't breathe. His heart had stopped in his chest, and his arm felt like it was on fire. When he realized he was falling, YoungSaeng tried to reach out for any plants nearby, but his mind was too numb to grasp at them. KyuJong's voice echoed around him as he shut his eyes and waited to hit the ground.
Small hands closed around his wrists and YoungSaeng screamed as pain shot through him, his descent suddenly halted and nearly ripping his arms out of his sockets. The sudden jolt seemed to restart his heart, and he gasped for breath, feeling the air around him humming.
"Dammit Saengie, you're heavier than you look!"
Eyes finally snapping open, YoungSaeng looked up. JongWoon had grabbed him and beat the air hard with his wings to slow his fall, zipping away from the castle and towards the forest.
YoungSaeng was placed neatly on his feet before JongWoon crashed into the bushes beside him with a shriek.
Staggering and managing not to fall over, the hamadryad panted and clutched at his chest. Once he realized his heart was beating again, and the pain in his arm had dulled to an angry throb that slowly shifted into numbness, he stumbled over to where JongWoon had somehow managed to tangle his wings in the berry bushes.
Sinking to the ground next to the featherfolk, YoungSaeng just looked at him for a long moment. "...What is it with you and crash landings?" he whispered finally, eyes glassy even as he smiled brightly and helped JongWoon disentangle himself before wrapping his arms around the dazed man.
High above the ground, YoungSaeng's tree was receding back to it's original state, the hamadryad's hold on it broken. KyuJong swallowed thickly. "What now?"
JungMin chewed on his lower lip. There was no way he was losing KyuJong now.
"...How do you feel about flying without a harness?"
The human stared at him, remembering the many times he would have fallen off the griffin's back if it hadn't been for the spell holding his legs in place. But they had no time to get a spell done; there was pounding at the door, and it was only a matter of seconds before it would break.
No sooner had he said 'okay' than JungMin had shifted into his griffin form, clothing tearing and falling to the floor in shreds as he flared out his wings.
"Hurry!"
KyuJong tried to remember how he'd been hoisted up onto the griffin's back before, JungMin crouching down so he could climb up and lie down in a way that wouldn't disturb the griffin's large wings. Swallowing thickly, he felt his heart pounding in his chest. "Am I on properly?" It felt highly dangerous with his legs free of the spells that kept him from slipping to his death.
There was a loud crack from the door.
"No time, hang on!"
The human had just enough time to wrap his arms around the griffin's neck and shut his eyes before JungMin threw himself off the tower.
His heart jumped into his throat as they fell a short distance before JungMin beat his wings hard, lifting them back up. KyuJong yelped as his legs slipped to one side, and the griffin had to throw himself into a barrel roll to keep the human on his back.
"Are you still there?"
"So far," KyuJong panted, head spinning from the 360 degree roll.
Suddenly they were under fire. JungMin hadn't pulled out of range from the tower yet. The Scouts were trying to shoot them down.
Cursing mentally, JungMin swerved to try and avoid the spelled arrows, but was forced to straighten out when KyuJong nearly fell off again. The griffin screeched when an arrow punctured one of his wings, and they dropped before he managed to straighten out again and darted towards the forest.
"Min, are you okay?!" KyuJong yelled as the griffin's wingbeats became less coordinated and more frantic, JungMin fighting to level out as they ducked below the tree line.
"No, shit, I can't land. You're going to have to let go...now!"
KyuJong cried out when the griffin suddenly tipped to one side, his grip disappearing as he dropped a few feet before landing unceremoniously in a pile of leaves.
Coughing on a leave and wincing against the steady ache in his body from the rough landing, a loud crash met his ears and he froze. When there was no further noise, he pushed himself up out of the leaves despite the pain of a twisted wrist and looked around for JungMin. It was clear where the griffin had landed; he'd taken out quite a few plants.
"JungMin?" he called, staggering to his feet and heading over. When he saw the griffin collapsed on the ground with the arrow-pierced wing twisted in a way that it definitely should not be, his heart stopped for a moment. "Min?" he called quietly, scared he'd either managed to knock himself out upon impact, or was dead.
A faint hiss left the griffin before golden eyes slowly opened. "Not one of my best landings." JungMin's voice was laced with pain, but he was alive.
Giving a shaky smile, KyuJong made his way over. "Your...your wing, is it...?"
"Probably broken." The griffin tried shifting and KyuJong jumped when JungMin cried out. "Y...Yeah, broken." The griffin sank back to the ground.
Swallowing thickly, KyuJong staggered over. "I'll get the arrow out, all right?" He got himself as close to the wing as possible without jostling it. "This is going to hurt."
"Just do it." JungMin covered his beak with both paws.
Striping the feathers off the end of the arrow, KyuJong braced himself before pulling the shaft all the way through. JungMin's shriek of pain made his chest constrict, but he got it over with as quickly as possible, dropping the arrow like it was poison.
"What...What now?" JungMin didn't even look like he could move.
"Give me a second..." Panting, JungMin shut his eyes.
There was nothing for a minute, and then suddenly JungMin's form shifted, shrinking. KyuJong's eyes widened. "You shouldn't shift back with a broken-" Then he cut himself off because JungMin's wings weren't disappearing into his body, but staying out until he lay on the ground in his human form, a noise of pain escaping him when he shifted and jostling the wing by accident.
KyuJong stepped closer, and watched JungMin slowly push himself up into a seated position, pain in his eyes from the broken wing but more manageable now that he wasn't sprawled awkwardly across the forest floor. "Are you okay?" the griffin asked.
Nodding mutely, the human scooted closer as tears gathered in his eyes. Finally he leaned across the distance and pressed his lips firmly against JungMin's, the griffin parting his lips in response. Sometimes there was no need for words. They both understood what this was without a single syllable spoken.
"There they are! Hey, I found them!"
HyungJoon's voice echoed through the forest and they slowly pulled apart, looking at each other for a long moment before glancing in the direction the voices had come from just as JongWoon burst through the trees happily.
And then promptly turned into a tomato and whirled around with a squeaked "I didn't see anything!"
Wondering if he was talking about the kiss, KyuJong looked back at JungMin and turned into a tomato himself when he realized JungMin was still very much naked. "We...should get you clothes."
"...Oh." JungMin went a little red. "Maybe."
HyunJoong appeared then, and apparently had the foresight to bring clothes because he tossed a pair at JungMin. "Stop scarring the children," the drow teased. The griffin grumbled but hurriedly pulled the pants on either way. After they saw the state of his wing, a shirt seemed more painful than it was worth.
YoungSaeng and HyungJoon joined them as KyuJong and JungMin stood up. The hamadryad's arm hung limply by his side but he was smiling nonetheless.
"Is everyone alright?" KyuJong asked, unwilling to move too far from JungMin.
"No one was killed," HyunJoong smiled. "YoungWoon, KyuHyun and KiBum were injured quite a bit, and SungMin's probably going to pass out and not wake up for days, but everyone's fine."
The human exhaled in relief, leaning against JungMin a little. "Thank God..."
Watching the griffin and human shift closer together, HyunJoong smiled absently and turned to the others. "Let's get going. We need to clear the forest before dawn, and then we can start working on the worst injured."
YoungSaeng nodded, and eyed JongWoon darkly when the featherfolk poked at his motionless arm. "Is it broken?" JongWoon wondered, brow furrowed in concert.
"No, it's just so numb I can't even feel it," YoungSaeng sighed. "And it looks even weirder when you poke at it, so please stop."
"But you can't feel it," JongWoon said with a smile, poking at it again. He dodged the swat by YoungSaeng's good hand before leaning in for a quick peck and skipping away.
Cheeks burning red, YoungSaeng avoided HyungJoon and HyunJoong's questioning looks and missed the smiles that followed.
When they turned their attention back to JungMin and KyuJong and found them locked at the lips, HyunJoong just laughed and settled in to wait for them to remember they had to come up for air eventually.