A World Without - Epilogue
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
"Look out below!"
HyungJoon shrieked and disappeared just before a ton of scrap metal and dust crashed into the ground where he had been standing. When he reappeared, the halfling glared up at the redhead standing on top of the crumbling building. "Watch where you're dumping those!" he yelled.
"I think he was aiming for you on purpose," HyunJoong chuckled, watching with amusement from the side as HyungJoon turned his best pout onto their leader, earning a kiss.
"It's your own fault for standing around and not helping," YoungSaeng called as he carried a few pots of plants past them.
"He's not doing anything either!" HyungJoon announced, pointing at JongWoon accusingly. The featherfolk blinked at him from his perch on a ledge.
"Because he'd end up bringing the whole structure to the ground if he tried," YoungSaeng replied, laughing at the indignant squawk from his boyfriend.
"Guys, we're just about ready!" KyuJong's voice floated through the ruins. They all picked up a few pieces of the metal JungMin had dropped from the roofs before heading in the direction of his voice.
By the time they arrived at the edge of the ruins, JungMin was already there and helping KyuJong drag a large slab of stone into place. The griffin's wing had healed slowly, but finally a year later he was able to fly around to his heart's content.
It had taken them a while to work their way back to Seoul. After the escape, all four caravans involved had been forced to leave Korea completely for some time. HyunJoong's group took refuge in Japan, while JungSu's caravans were split between America and China.
After communicating with the Order through spells and letters, it had been agreed to pardon KyuJong on the condition he remain with the caravan, who would monitor him closely for the duration of his human life. The agreement was only good on paper; there would always be those who hated humans for what they had done, and the caravan often found themselves under attack by those acting outside the Order's decree. But it was better than nothing.
Finally, three years later they were back in South Korea. JongWoon flew back and forth between his caravan and their own to visit YoungSaeng, and the two had finally talked over why YoungSaeng had broken up their relationship in the first place. No one knew the details of whatever deal they'd worked out, but they both couldn't be happier so they didn't ask.
At some point, HyunJoong and HyungJoon were caught making out inside the caravan, and that secret was out as well. Though really, none of them were surprised. After HyungJoon nearly died in the fight against the hellhounds three years ago, HyunJoong hardly let the halfling out of his sight. And they all knew they could rely on the drow to keep him out of harm's way in the future.
The only thing that hadn't happened was between JungMin and KyuJong. Sure, they were technically together and had been ever since they broke KyuJong out of the Order's clutches. But they hadn't seemed to actually talk about it, about what it meant, about the undeniable problems that would rise up. KyuJong would die eventually, and JungMin was expected to help continue the griffin race. Maybe they just didn't want to give a name to what they had, so that they wouldn't have to deal with it.
Once the whole caravan plus JongWoon had gathered, JungMin, YoungSaeng and HyunJoong pulled the heavy rock slab up into a standing position. It was as wide and tall as their caravan, and weighed a ton. Once it was up, YoungSaeng positioned his plants around it and directed the vines and baby trees to take root. The plants would help keep the rock in place with time.
Once he was done, HyungJoon, KyuJong and JungMin started to position the metal pieces they'd gathered around in front of the rock. With HyunJoong's direction, and JungMin bending any pieces that needed to be curved, they got the scraps into the shape of a peace sign, a sign that hadn't been used since the Last War.
Once it was stamped down into the ground and anchored there with the roots of YoungSaeng's plants, they turned their attention to the rock slab. HyunJoong crouched down in front of it and murmured under his breath, using spells to carve into the base the same peace symbol.
Once he was done that, the group recited what they had decided to engrave on the rock's surface.
Here lies what used to be a beautiful city of change and life. A city that will be missed by humans, elves, sprites, featherfolk, felinefolk, griffins, dragons, nymphs, and everything in between.
We can't erase the mistakes of the past. No one can. We have all made mistakes. Mistakes that lead to pain, to tears, to death. But we can learn from those mistakes and grow stronger.
Nothing will change if we don't decide to change it ourselves.
From now on, we will work for a world of peace. A world without bloodshed, without grieving families, without fear.
And all who step into this world will be given a fresh start away from the sins of the past, so that we can learn the true meaning of forgiveness.
Everyone deserves another chance.
***********************
KyuJong wandered absently through the trees, looking up at the leaves that protected him from the harsh sun. Smiling a little, he kept walking with his head up, arms out to catch the breeze.
He only stopped when he bumped into someone, gaze directed downwards once again. They skimmed past red locks of hair and met with smiling golden eyes, before his lips were claimed in a kiss.
With no idea what time it was or how much of it had passed while they stood there, KyuJong wrapped his arms around the griffin and felt JungMin's arms around his neck in return, kissing long and deep before separating for air, then coming back for more.
When they finally stopped, KyuJong pulled JungMin down to sit on a large rock, the griffin's arms refusing to leave his neck. That was perfectly fine by him.
"Where are we going now?" the human murmured, burying his nose in the soft crimson hair.
"No idea," JungMin chuckled. "I think one of the other caravans is heading to Jeju Island. Maybe we can hitch a ride."
"Sounds like fun," KyuJong agreed, smiling. "A vacation."
The griffin nodded, nuzzling him lightly. After a moment, his smile faded. "Hey..."
"Hm?" KyuJong opened his eyes, having closed them at some point. "What's wrong?"
JungMin shifted slightly, and KyuJong sat up a little straighter to look at him.
"I know we never really...talked about this..." the redhead started awkwardly. "But it isn't really...it's hard for a human and a griffin to be like this. Dating." While JungMin seemed to find talking no problem most of the time, he was having considerable difficulty getting his words out now. "Our life spans are different, and I'm hardly...human, really, it's just an illusion. This is just an illusion." He motioned at himself.
KyuJong raised an eyebrow, hiding his amusement as he watched JungMin ramble.
"I'm just thinking that it might not be best for us to date because, well, it wouldn't make you very happy right? I won't be able to be with you all the time, and it's really going to mess us both up in the end, and maybe we shouldn't, even though I really, really want to, I just don't-MPFH!"
Finally deciding to give the poor guy a break, KyuJong leaned forward and pressed his lips firmly against the redhead's. JungMin flailed for a moment, trying to get his point across, before KyuJong all but saw his brain conclude 'screw it' and he responded properly.
Only once they were both completely out of breath did KyuJong pull back, eyes dancing. "Since when do you care about things like that?" he asked, smiling. "Don't worry about it, okay?"
"...Eh?" JungMin seemed to take a moment to remember what they were talking about. "But-"
"I love you," KyuJong told him flatly, and that shut the griffin up completely. "Take it or leave it."
JungMin stared at him for a long moment. Just when KyuJong was about to ask him if he was still breathing, he suddenly had an armful of griffin and was knocked clean off the rock. They hit the ground hard, but KyuJong gave up protesting the rough treatment in favor of returning the energetic kiss that the redhead was giving him.
Maybe JungMin wasn't particularly good with the words that mattered...three words in particular...but the loving and unhesitating touch of their lips spoke far more than a few words in any language ever could.
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******************************************
And another story done~!!! XDDD It's been forever since I actually finished something...
Hope everyone enjoyed~!!! Please leave me a comment, comments are loved <333 I like seeing how many people are reading XD.
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
"Look out below!"
HyungJoon shrieked and disappeared just before a ton of scrap metal and dust crashed into the ground where he had been standing. When he reappeared, the halfling glared up at the redhead standing on top of the crumbling building. "Watch where you're dumping those!" he yelled.
"I think he was aiming for you on purpose," HyunJoong chuckled, watching with amusement from the side as HyungJoon turned his best pout onto their leader, earning a kiss.
"It's your own fault for standing around and not helping," YoungSaeng called as he carried a few pots of plants past them.
"He's not doing anything either!" HyungJoon announced, pointing at JongWoon accusingly. The featherfolk blinked at him from his perch on a ledge.
"Because he'd end up bringing the whole structure to the ground if he tried," YoungSaeng replied, laughing at the indignant squawk from his boyfriend.
"Guys, we're just about ready!" KyuJong's voice floated through the ruins. They all picked up a few pieces of the metal JungMin had dropped from the roofs before heading in the direction of his voice.
By the time they arrived at the edge of the ruins, JungMin was already there and helping KyuJong drag a large slab of stone into place. The griffin's wing had healed slowly, but finally a year later he was able to fly around to his heart's content.
It had taken them a while to work their way back to Seoul. After the escape, all four caravans involved had been forced to leave Korea completely for some time. HyunJoong's group took refuge in Japan, while JungSu's caravans were split between America and China.
After communicating with the Order through spells and letters, it had been agreed to pardon KyuJong on the condition he remain with the caravan, who would monitor him closely for the duration of his human life. The agreement was only good on paper; there would always be those who hated humans for what they had done, and the caravan often found themselves under attack by those acting outside the Order's decree. But it was better than nothing.
Finally, three years later they were back in South Korea. JongWoon flew back and forth between his caravan and their own to visit YoungSaeng, and the two had finally talked over why YoungSaeng had broken up their relationship in the first place. No one knew the details of whatever deal they'd worked out, but they both couldn't be happier so they didn't ask.
At some point, HyunJoong and HyungJoon were caught making out inside the caravan, and that secret was out as well. Though really, none of them were surprised. After HyungJoon nearly died in the fight against the hellhounds three years ago, HyunJoong hardly let the halfling out of his sight. And they all knew they could rely on the drow to keep him out of harm's way in the future.
The only thing that hadn't happened was between JungMin and KyuJong. Sure, they were technically together and had been ever since they broke KyuJong out of the Order's clutches. But they hadn't seemed to actually talk about it, about what it meant, about the undeniable problems that would rise up. KyuJong would die eventually, and JungMin was expected to help continue the griffin race. Maybe they just didn't want to give a name to what they had, so that they wouldn't have to deal with it.
Once the whole caravan plus JongWoon had gathered, JungMin, YoungSaeng and HyunJoong pulled the heavy rock slab up into a standing position. It was as wide and tall as their caravan, and weighed a ton. Once it was up, YoungSaeng positioned his plants around it and directed the vines and baby trees to take root. The plants would help keep the rock in place with time.
Once he was done, HyungJoon, KyuJong and JungMin started to position the metal pieces they'd gathered around in front of the rock. With HyunJoong's direction, and JungMin bending any pieces that needed to be curved, they got the scraps into the shape of a peace sign, a sign that hadn't been used since the Last War.
Once it was stamped down into the ground and anchored there with the roots of YoungSaeng's plants, they turned their attention to the rock slab. HyunJoong crouched down in front of it and murmured under his breath, using spells to carve into the base the same peace symbol.
Once he was done that, the group recited what they had decided to engrave on the rock's surface.
Here lies what used to be a beautiful city of change and life. A city that will be missed by humans, elves, sprites, featherfolk, felinefolk, griffins, dragons, nymphs, and everything in between.
We can't erase the mistakes of the past. No one can. We have all made mistakes. Mistakes that lead to pain, to tears, to death. But we can learn from those mistakes and grow stronger.
Nothing will change if we don't decide to change it ourselves.
From now on, we will work for a world of peace. A world without bloodshed, without grieving families, without fear.
And all who step into this world will be given a fresh start away from the sins of the past, so that we can learn the true meaning of forgiveness.
Everyone deserves another chance.
***********************
KyuJong wandered absently through the trees, looking up at the leaves that protected him from the harsh sun. Smiling a little, he kept walking with his head up, arms out to catch the breeze.
He only stopped when he bumped into someone, gaze directed downwards once again. They skimmed past red locks of hair and met with smiling golden eyes, before his lips were claimed in a kiss.
With no idea what time it was or how much of it had passed while they stood there, KyuJong wrapped his arms around the griffin and felt JungMin's arms around his neck in return, kissing long and deep before separating for air, then coming back for more.
When they finally stopped, KyuJong pulled JungMin down to sit on a large rock, the griffin's arms refusing to leave his neck. That was perfectly fine by him.
"Where are we going now?" the human murmured, burying his nose in the soft crimson hair.
"No idea," JungMin chuckled. "I think one of the other caravans is heading to Jeju Island. Maybe we can hitch a ride."
"Sounds like fun," KyuJong agreed, smiling. "A vacation."
The griffin nodded, nuzzling him lightly. After a moment, his smile faded. "Hey..."
"Hm?" KyuJong opened his eyes, having closed them at some point. "What's wrong?"
JungMin shifted slightly, and KyuJong sat up a little straighter to look at him.
"I know we never really...talked about this..." the redhead started awkwardly. "But it isn't really...it's hard for a human and a griffin to be like this. Dating." While JungMin seemed to find talking no problem most of the time, he was having considerable difficulty getting his words out now. "Our life spans are different, and I'm hardly...human, really, it's just an illusion. This is just an illusion." He motioned at himself.
KyuJong raised an eyebrow, hiding his amusement as he watched JungMin ramble.
"I'm just thinking that it might not be best for us to date because, well, it wouldn't make you very happy right? I won't be able to be with you all the time, and it's really going to mess us both up in the end, and maybe we shouldn't, even though I really, really want to, I just don't-MPFH!"
Finally deciding to give the poor guy a break, KyuJong leaned forward and pressed his lips firmly against the redhead's. JungMin flailed for a moment, trying to get his point across, before KyuJong all but saw his brain conclude 'screw it' and he responded properly.
Only once they were both completely out of breath did KyuJong pull back, eyes dancing. "Since when do you care about things like that?" he asked, smiling. "Don't worry about it, okay?"
"...Eh?" JungMin seemed to take a moment to remember what they were talking about. "But-"
"I love you," KyuJong told him flatly, and that shut the griffin up completely. "Take it or leave it."
JungMin stared at him for a long moment. Just when KyuJong was about to ask him if he was still breathing, he suddenly had an armful of griffin and was knocked clean off the rock. They hit the ground hard, but KyuJong gave up protesting the rough treatment in favor of returning the energetic kiss that the redhead was giving him.
Maybe JungMin wasn't particularly good with the words that mattered...three words in particular...but the loving and unhesitating touch of their lips spoke far more than a few words in any language ever could.
******************************************
******************************************
And another story done~!!! XDDD It's been forever since I actually finished something...
Hope everyone enjoyed~!!! Please leave me a comment, comments are loved <333 I like seeing how many people are reading XD.