From the Soul to the Song - Verse Twenty Eight
AN Don't worry about the slight change in title, just see the authors note at the end for more information.
From the Soul to the Song
Book One: Melody of the Ensouled
Verse Twenty Eight
“Thank you for everything,” Leeteuk said, bowing gracefully.
“You are welcome. We only hope that you have the skills necessary. Best of luck to you and know that you are welcome here whenever you choose,” Vidyagauri told them gently.
“Thank you,” Leeteuk replied with a smile.
“Ah, you kids shouldn’t do too badly,” Chanita smirked.
Beside them Henry pulled away from a hug with Sangita smiling. “Player,” Sangita said seriously, “Never forget that all you need to do is ask and all of the Songs of Creation will answer.”
“I won’t,” Henry replied, although if he were honest with himself he had no idea what Sangita was talking about.
“Alright, let’s get this show on the road,” Leeteuk ordered turning to face the rest of his group. They were arranged in a loose line as they would be if they were heading up onto the stage. Zhou mi, Henry, and Kibum were hanging slightly back as they had been when they had first been pulled from Earth. The rest of the members were dressed in their concert outfits and ready to go. They had guessed at the way their hair styles had been and with several combined efforts, felt that they managed to get reasonably close. Leeteuk was sure they would still have some puzzled stylists when they got back, despite their efforts.
“I swear I was right here,” Sungmin said puzzled.
Kyuhyun shook his head, “No I am positive you were up one step and two more to the left.”
In front of them Eunhyuk and Donghae were practically vibrating with energy and Heechul looked at the both of them and rolled his eyes. He elbowed Hankyung in the side lightly and whispered, “The kids are never going to bed tonight,” before smirking. Hankyung smiled back.
“It’s fine,” Leeteuk insisted, moving further to the front of the line. He adjusted the microphone on his head and the packs at his waist. Taking one more look over the group, he nodded. “Alright, we are ready.” Vidyagauri nodded and lifted her hand.
“You might want to close your eyes,” Heechul said with a smirk. This time every single member listened to his advice. Vidyagauri waved her hand and the fifteen members of Super Junior disappeared from Sanctuary.
“I don’t envy them,” Chanita said softly.
“I only pray they return safely,” Vidyagauri replied.
“Don’t worry,” Yunho’s said suddenly as he walked into the clearing. “They breed us strong in Korea.” They shared a nod and a smile.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
This time the sensation of traveling from one place to the next wasn’t quiet as unnerving. Leeteuk still felt the strange displacement in his stomach but other than that he didn’t feel as though he were going to be sick. Not like last time. The moment that they had settled it was immediately obvious that they were back. He could hear the screaming of fans, feel the press of the members and staff around him.
“Come on!” one of the staff urged gesturing them forward. He hurried, under their direction, up to the stage. He didn’t need to look to see that the members were all gathered around him as they filed onto the dark stage and took their places. His breathing quickened as excitement bubbled up in him. The break in Sanctuary and learning about their new abilities had been wonderful but this was what he loved to do. This is what he had been born to do. Lights filled the stage and the music started, with a smile, Leeteuk began to perform.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
Kibum stood just off stage with Henry and Zhou mi watching the members as they began to dance the first number. He missed this, he realized. Maybe not specifically the singing or dancing, but the being with the other members, the entire idea of moving as a group, of functioning as one, he missed having that already.
He watched the members move through formations that were, by now very familiar. A frown fell across his face as Donghae stumbled once, then a few moments later again. He studied the form of his Weaver and was surprised to see his breathing much heavier then normal and his face contorted in pain. It was simply the amount of training that they had gone through for this moment that kept him going.
Frantically Kibum scanned the rest of the group. They seemed to be fine, with the exception of Yesung. The man looked like he could hardly dance and was gritting his teeth the whole time. It was certainly a good thing that the first set of songs was prerecorded; Kibum didn’t think the two would be able to sing if they weren’t.
He looked around and located a staff member with a headset that could talk to the earpieces the members wore. “Can I borrow that?” he asked. When he received a puzzled look he pulled it from her head anyway and grabbed the pack it was attached to. He ignored her protest as he placed it firmly on his head and hurried back to where he could see the members on stage.
“There is something wrong with Yesung and Donghae,” he said softly into the mouth piece. “I think they are hurt. I don’t think all the loud music is helping,” Kibum choose his phrasing very carefully because he knew that there would be other people who would be able to hear him but it should be enough for the members to understand the problem.
Sure enough, Eunhyuk immediately touched Donghae’s arm with worry before the dance took him to a different part of the stage. Donghae looked marginally better for a moment, but a moment later the relief had faded from his face.
Henry shot Kibum a worried look and the older man shook his head. There were too many people around for him to explain his suspicions.
“What is wrong?” one of the managers in charge of the concert asked Kibum.
Kibum pointed, “I think Donghae and Yesung are hurt. Look at the way they are dancing.”
The manger studied them for a moment and then nodded. “We are going to give us a bit of an extra pause in the show, run one of the other clips after this song. Guys you need to come off stage as soon as you are done, so we can take a look at you,” the manager spoke quickly into his headset. Kibum nodded his satisfaction and handed the stolen headset back to the woman it belonged to with an apologetic smile.
The moment the song ended and the lights fell, Kibum bolted onto the stage. He nearly crashed into Donghae in his haste to reach the man, but Donghae didn’t care. He fell into Kibum’s arms trembling. Carefully he lifted Donghae into his arms, and Eunhyuk grabbed the man’s hand. “You hurt your ankle pretty badly,” he instructed softly. “You don’t know what is wrong but it hurts, alright?”
Donghae managed to nod weakly and he buried his head in Kibum’s shoulder as he carried him of stage. “Kibum,” he moaned. “It hurts. There is too much.”
“I know. Shh. Just focus on Eunhyuk and me. We love you very much Donghae,” he murmured to the man as he tried to project as much love and comfort as he could to the other man. He longed to kiss Donghae, because he knew the more they were touching skin to skin the stronger Donghae could feel him, but his words seemed to work anyway. Donghae relaxed the smallest bit in his arms.
The moment they were off the stage they were surrounded by staff. A trainer gestured to the side and he carried Donghae where he was told. Kibum set him in a chair but didn’t leave his side. Eunhyuk settled in a chair beside him. “It’s his ankle,” Kibum told the trainer. The man nodded and carefully removed Donghae’s shoe before examining the area. Eunhyuk was leaning close and speaking softly to Donghae. Judging by the man’s white knuckled grip on his hand it didn’t matter what he was saying only that he was speaking.
Kibum kneaded the back of Donghae’s neck as he glanced over at Yesung. The man was sitting in a chair with a trainer examining his ankle. His head was tipped back and leaning against Ryeowook’s stomach. Zhou mi stood beside him holding his hand. The rest of the members were gathered near ignoring the people who fussed over their hair and makeup.
“Stupid,” Leeteuk cursed himself quietly. “How could we forget about Yesung’s Song hearing and Donghae’s empathy?” It was clear that he was angry with himself for not realizing it.
“It’s not your fault,” Kangin said as he ran a hand down Leeteuk’s back soothingly.
Kyuhyun was biting his lip in concentration. “Kangin, can you put a shield around the entire stage, it doesn’t have to be a strong one and things can pass through it,” he muttered as if he was forming the idea as he went. “How about this? Could you make a shield that would simply alert you if anyone walked through it but wouldn’t stop them?”
Kangin thought about it for a moment and then nodded. “I should be able to do that. Why?”
“A shield would be made from Leeteuk’s Song with the direction of your Song. I’m hoping that to feel emotions or hear other Songs they would have to pass through that barrier and that it would mute them a bit. Sort of take the edge off.”
Kangin nodded, and guided Leeteuk with a small push of his hand. “Come on, I need to see what I’m doing.”
The trainer finished wrapping Donghae’s ankle and slipped his shoe back on. “Are you alright to continue?” Donghae nodded. “Alright,” the trainer agreed and moved off to report to the manager.
Kibum helped Donghae stand and walked with them over to where the rest of the members had already gathered. Ryeowook was pressed up against Yesung’s side under the disguise of Yesung needing his physical support. “Eunhyuk,” Kibum said softly. “Touch him as much as you can. When you aren’t touching him focus on how much you love him, want him, anything. Take those feelings for him and push them out to him. He will need it.” Eunhyuk nodded his understanding. A moment later they were ushered onto stage again.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
The first five minutes of the show had been pure and utter agony for Yesung. The moment they had reappeared on Earth he had heard the sound of thousands of Songs all pressing at him. He didn’t even have time to even think about taking their power for himself, as he was quickly overwhelmed with pure pain. It was as if someone was driving a stake directly into his brain while simultaneously pouring molten metal down his throat. It was agony at its finest and he had no idea how he managed to dance the first number. All he knew was pain.
Ryeowook’s Song had been there almost immediately after the pain started, sweet and soothing, and he had let it curl around him, but it was like trying to hear a kitten purr from across the room when the room was full of screaming children. Still he had closed his eyes and fought back his body’s reaction.
When they had been hurried back on stage after the brief break, Yesung was positive this was going to be the worst night of his life. He was surprised to feel Kangin and Leeteuk’s Songs tied together at the edge of the stage. The Weaving brushed against his skin and he was tempted to stand there in the entryway of something familiar, but Ryeowook urged him forward gently and he went.
Once he was on stage, he realized that what he was hearing sounded like it was sound coming to him underwater, there but muted. The only Songs he could hear clearly were of the eleven other members in the immediate area. He reveled in the sound of the Songs that he had once thought too loud and too much for him. Now their familiarity was the best thing he had heard all day. Ryeowook’s Song was louder now, easier to hear, and he sighed as it curled within him.
“Yesung?” Ryeowook asked softly, just before they began again.
“I’m alright,” he answered and he was. He could stand the sound of the Songs even if they felt like sand paper on already raw skin. Anything was better than the sharp pain he had been feeling earlier.
He found that as the show progressed, it got easier to ignore the Songs of the people around them and to only listen to those of his group. Yesung made it a game, to dart from person to person and see how much louder they got when he touched them. Ryeowook’s Song became deafening, but that was fine with him. Yesung would rather hear his Song any day. Curiously enough, Siwon’s Song was the same volume no matter if he was touching the man or not. Yesung found that strange and comforting at the same time.
The game he played, the shield, and the love of his members, were the only things that got him through the concert.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
It was only after their second encore, when they had been allowed to change and escape to their bus that Donghae was able to sigh in relief. “I feel so violated,” he mumbled as he practically crawled into Kibum in the back of the bus. As it was he was as much in the man’s lap as he could possibly manage. When Kibum saw that none of the other people in the bus were looking, he leaned in and stole a quick, passionate kiss.
Yesung and Ryeowook were in front of them to the left and Yesung had immediately tipped their seats back and curled up with his head on Ryeowook’s stomach. He had glared at Leeteuk when the man had opened his mouth to say something about the awkwardness of Ryeowook’s shirt being pushed up and Yesung’s head on his bare stomach, but if anyone could get away with it, it was Yesung.
There was a great deal of chatter from the members as they tried to maintain the air they always had after a show, one of exhausted excitement. “Our fans are creepy,” Donghae announced.
“How so?” Sungmin asked.
“Half of them were just completely excited to be there, but the other half want one or more of us sexually, intensely,” Donghae replied.
Sungmin blinked. “I thought you knew that. I mean I thought that was why you did your dancing and smirking and excessive petting and hip thrusting.”
“I did. I mean I do. It just different feeling what they are. I feel so gross,” Donghae moaned.
“But it’s getting better now?” Eunhyuk asked worriedly.
Donghae nodded. “Yeah. I know what I am feeling again. Back there I couldn’t have told you what I was feeling. I could have barely told you what you two were feeling and I always know what you guys are feeling.” The man acted as if the last fact had bothered him more than anything else and Kibum pulled him fully onto his lap and ran his hands over Donghae’s body, soothing him.
“We would never stop loving you,” Kibum whispered, placing a kiss on Donghae’s cheek.
“I know,” Donghae said quietly as he swallowed the feelings that made him want to cry. Eunhyuk slid closer and wrapped an arm around Donghae as well.
“Kibum couldn’t make me stop loving you and I’m not about to stop now,” Eunhyuk told him.
Donghae nodded and closed his eyes, resting his head against Kibum’s body. By the time they got to the hotel he was fast asleep and Kibum carried him into their hotel room. He carefully undressed the man before tucking him under the covers and crawling in after him. Eunhyuk slipped into the room and joined them a minute later. Kibum smiled and pulled Donghae closer and touched Eunhyuk’s shoulder affectionately before closing his eyes and letting himself relax.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
It was a good thing - Leeteuk decided the moment they returned to the hotel - that their staff were well used to them switching from one room to another. The members had a history of mixing and matching however they felt at any given moment, so one saw anything odd as several of the members suddenly shifted their rooms from the pattern they had picked earlier that morning. Even though the staff would think of it as that morning, to the members it was days ago and he was surprised they could even remember where they had been planning to say originally.
Leeteuk knew he was going to have to have a conversation with everyone about that because while Yesung, Ryeowook, Kyuhyun and Sungmin might be able to get away with sharing each other’s beds in their dorms, someone would notice if Eunhyuk or Donghae tried. Heechul spent so much time in Hankyung’s room anyway; Leeteuk figured that they had probably been sharing a bed for a long time without getting caught. Still they would have to put a limit on the number of times it could occur in a week.
He hissed and jumped away when he felt lips against the back of his neck. Spinning, he found Kangin standing behind him with confusion written on his face. “Jungsoo?” Kangin questioned.
“What are you thinking,” Leeteuk whispered frantically. “What if someone walked in? That would end our careers, you know that.”
“No will come in. The door is locked. Why are you being so paranoid all of the sudden?” Kangin asked. He took a step forward and Leeteuk sighed. He found he didn’t really have an answer. It just seemed that everything that had happened in Sanctuary was a wonderful dream but now that they were back in the real world it was over. It only took a bit more coaxing until Kangin was able to gather the man into his arms.
“When did this get so comfortable,” Leeteuk mused quietly as his hands drifted around Kangin’s lower back.
“Probably sometime after we were one in every sense of the word,” Kangin said with a smirk.
Leeteuk swatted him on the back and pulled away. “Come on. Let’s go to bed.”
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
August faded into September as they fell back into their normal routines as if they had never left. Yesung and Donghae found that everywhere they went they were so much more aware of people but nothing was as horrible as that first concert after they returned.
In fact their abilities began to become something of a game. Yesung took great amusement in numbering how many people were in a room or declaring when someone was coming. It was all the more amusing to him when it was someone whose Song he knew and he could great them by name before they even showed their face. For the most part he didn’t have much trouble with the desire to take any other Song. He found he had no need for the extra power and Ryeowook’s song was more than enough for him. It became easier and easier to resist the pull of other Songs as long as Ryeowook was with him.
A few days after they returned to their dorm, Donghae had taken to reporting the moods and feelings of everyone. The other members realized that verbalizing them helped him deal with the overwhelming amount of feelings, still the entire thing got slightly annoying every now and again.
Kibum’s visits to their dorm got fewer and farer between as his acting career picked up. He still made every effort to call and talk to both Donghae and Eunhyuk whenever he could, but it was clear that his absence was wearing on both men. Early in September, Donghae had given up all pretences of sleeping in his own room and instead moved to spend every night in Eunhyuk’s room. None of them were looking forward to the time when half of their members would leave for China.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
“Heechul quit eyeballing my suitcase,” Hankyung said as he threw a pair of pants into the mentioned object. “You aren’t going to be able to fit in it no matter what you do.”
Heechul scowled and picked up a pair socks, “You don’t need all of these anyway. If you just put some of these back in your drawer I’ll fit.”
“Heechul,” Hankyung said with a sigh. He curled his fingers around the hand holding his socks and pulled Heechul close. “Look it’s only for a while. We’ll be back and forth so I’ll see you enough.”
“They work you too hard,” Heechul declared, hugging Hankyung as if he never wanted to let him go.
“You only have a problem with it because it leaves me too tired for sex,” Hankyung answered with a smirk.
“Damn right,” Heechul agreed and neither one of them mentioned the real reason they hadn’t been physically intimate since their return or since Hankyung’s death for that matter.
Hankyung laughed. “It still doesn’t mean that you will fit in my suitcase.”
Heechul sorted. “Why would I want to ride with your underwear all the way to China? No thank you. I’ll just have Yesung teleport me there.”
“Really? You think he is your slave that will do your bidding?” Hankyung asked amused.
“Of course. You all are my slaves, you just don’t know it,” Heechul said with mock sweetness as he patted Hankyung.
Hankyung laughed, “I’ll show you slave,” he declared as he hoisted Heechul over one shoulder.
Heechul shrieked, “No! Bad slave! Put me down, slave!”
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
“Are you sure you will be alright if I’m not here?” Ryeowook asked Yesung for the third time in the last five minutes.
Yesung smiled and handed the man a neatly folded stack of clothing. “I am sure. I’ll be fine.”
“But what if someone brushes up against you and their Song gets too loud, I won’t be here to-” Yesung cut off his tirade with a firm press of lips. Instinctively Ryeowook melted into the kiss and they shared the contact for a moment. When Yesung pulled away, Ryeowook looked as though he couldn’t decide if it was worth getting irritated at the man or not.
“You are starting to fret like Leeteuk,” Yesung said with a smile.
Ryeowook grinned at that. “I think if Leeteuk makes Kyuhyun or Donghae store power in one more item, they are going to kill him, he already made them take an entire bag dedicated to the odds and ends.” The moment they had realized that half of their group would be leaving and essentially separating all of their teams, Leeteuk had begun working himself into a panic about their safety.
Since they had returned they hadn’t had any issues with dark ones at all, yet they knew that didn’t mean that they wouldn’t eventually. With the teams split it would be the perfect time to attack. Yesung was strong enough by himself to be alright and with stored power Kyuhyun and Donghae would be able to hold whatever it was off long enough that the rest of them could get there.
“As long as Kyuhyun doesn’t use the power to stuff someone in a box of air before they even get to China.” Yesung’s words produced the desired laugh in Ryeowook and the man finished packing his suitcase.
He zipped it closed and turned to face Yesung again. “I worry about you,” he said softly.
“You always worry about me. I’ll be fine. Look,” Yesung stepped forward and grabbed Ryeowook’s hand. He kissed the palm lightly before laying it over the left side of his chest and his heart. “You are in here. Your Song is always inside me. It’s been with me so much that I don’t think I could ever forget what it sounded like. Besides I will always be able to hear you anyway.” He dropped Ryeowook’s hand and lifted his shirt. There, through the flesh at his navel, was a small silver ring.
“When did you get navel pierced?” Ryeowook asked, his eyes narrowing.
“Today,” Yesung said with a smirk. “I’ve had the ring for a while though, and I’ve been filling it with your Song. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier, but it helps me to focus without having to touch you. As long as I don’t use its power, it will be there the entire time you are gone.”
Ryeowook sighed and nodded and Yesung dropped his shirt back down and opened his arms. “Now come here and say goodbye properly.” Ryeowook smiled then, and stepped forward eagerly into the circle of his embrace.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
Eunhyuk was glad that Donghae had packed his suitcase the night before, because it would have been difficult to do so with the way he was clinging. “Are you sure? I can see about maybe getting my schedule changed or something,” Eunhyuk insisted.
Donghae shook his head. “No, Leeteuk needs you to be at all the different filmings with him, and you have your radio show. I’ll be alright. I’ve been getting used to Siwon. He can keep me calm when you aren’t there. No matter what the situation is, I always feel love and caring coming from him.”
“Are you sure because I could try?”
“I’m sure,” Donghae paused when the door opened and then in the next moment he was across the room and in the arms of the man who had entered. “Kibum! I didn’t think you would make it.”
Kibum kissed him possessively, pulling him as close as he could possibly get. “I just managed to get some time off in time to see you.”
“I’m glad you did. I’ve missed you,” Donghae said softly, their lips meeting in a kiss once more. Donghae wanted nothing more than to stand there all day and taste Kibum on his tongue but he knew that he would have to be leaving soon. Soon, however was five minutes away, and he lead Kibum over to Eunhyuk’s bed where the other man waited for them. Kibum greeted Eunhyuk with a quick kiss before the trio settled on the bed together to say goodbye to one another as best they could.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
“What are you watching?” Leeteuk asked Heechul when he returned from his schedule the next evening.
Heechul smiled as if particularly proud of himself. “I had their manger tape their first performance and e-mail it to me. It’s not bad. Hankyung is a bit out of line on this one form, Donghae misses a step and Zhou mi hits a flat where he isn’t supposed to but other than that it’s good.”
Leeteuk smiled and shook his head settling behind Heechul as the man watched the video again. A minute later his phone rang, and he picked it up and flipped it open. Heechul looked at him curiously as he listened to the person on the other end. After only a few words, Leeteuk’s face became unreadable and he said shortly, “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
With a sharp snap he closed his phone, ending the call and stared at it for a minute. Heechul gave him a questioning look. “Kangin was involved in an assault today,” Leeteuk said through clenched teeth. “No one knows what is happening with it. I have to go.” He gathered his keys and his coat and was out the door before Heechul could reply.
Verse Twenty Nine
Masterlist
Character Information
AN: So I'm not exactly thrilled at how some of this flows, it isn't as smooth as I would like in some scenes but other scenes I really like... A little bit of date-wise information for all of you. Super Junior were taken from Earth on August 2nd, 2009 and returned not even a second later Earth time, the same day. That would make it the second day of their Super Show II Japan stop. This chapter takes us all the way to Kangin's assault, which happens on September 16th, 2009.
As for the change in title, I'm sure you all noticed that this thing says 'Book One: Melody of the Ensouled' now. That is the new official title of this story while 'From the Soul to the Song' has just become the title of the series (yes you read that right). I am currently tossing around three options for the next book. What I plan to do is write small teasers for each and then leave it for you all to vote on which you would like to read first (first as in they are all going to be written at some point). So we will get to that probably on the last chapter of this one. Don't worry there are still somewhere around ten more chapters to go on this first book.
Also in honor of leaving Sanctuary finally I want to do another round of drabbles! So this time these drabbles will all be set in 'From the Soul to the Song' universe and more specifically Sanctuary. So if there is something that you wanted to see but didn't, request it! If there was a scene you wish I hadn't cut off, request it! If there was something you were always curious to see played out, request it! If you have never commented before but you really have something you want to see, request it! I think you all get the picture. ^_^ Ready! Set! Go!
From the Soul to the Song
Book One: Melody of the Ensouled
Verse Twenty Eight
“Thank you for everything,” Leeteuk said, bowing gracefully.
“You are welcome. We only hope that you have the skills necessary. Best of luck to you and know that you are welcome here whenever you choose,” Vidyagauri told them gently.
“Thank you,” Leeteuk replied with a smile.
“Ah, you kids shouldn’t do too badly,” Chanita smirked.
Beside them Henry pulled away from a hug with Sangita smiling. “Player,” Sangita said seriously, “Never forget that all you need to do is ask and all of the Songs of Creation will answer.”
“I won’t,” Henry replied, although if he were honest with himself he had no idea what Sangita was talking about.
“Alright, let’s get this show on the road,” Leeteuk ordered turning to face the rest of his group. They were arranged in a loose line as they would be if they were heading up onto the stage. Zhou mi, Henry, and Kibum were hanging slightly back as they had been when they had first been pulled from Earth. The rest of the members were dressed in their concert outfits and ready to go. They had guessed at the way their hair styles had been and with several combined efforts, felt that they managed to get reasonably close. Leeteuk was sure they would still have some puzzled stylists when they got back, despite their efforts.
“I swear I was right here,” Sungmin said puzzled.
Kyuhyun shook his head, “No I am positive you were up one step and two more to the left.”
In front of them Eunhyuk and Donghae were practically vibrating with energy and Heechul looked at the both of them and rolled his eyes. He elbowed Hankyung in the side lightly and whispered, “The kids are never going to bed tonight,” before smirking. Hankyung smiled back.
“It’s fine,” Leeteuk insisted, moving further to the front of the line. He adjusted the microphone on his head and the packs at his waist. Taking one more look over the group, he nodded. “Alright, we are ready.” Vidyagauri nodded and lifted her hand.
“You might want to close your eyes,” Heechul said with a smirk. This time every single member listened to his advice. Vidyagauri waved her hand and the fifteen members of Super Junior disappeared from Sanctuary.
“I don’t envy them,” Chanita said softly.
“I only pray they return safely,” Vidyagauri replied.
“Don’t worry,” Yunho’s said suddenly as he walked into the clearing. “They breed us strong in Korea.” They shared a nod and a smile.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
This time the sensation of traveling from one place to the next wasn’t quiet as unnerving. Leeteuk still felt the strange displacement in his stomach but other than that he didn’t feel as though he were going to be sick. Not like last time. The moment that they had settled it was immediately obvious that they were back. He could hear the screaming of fans, feel the press of the members and staff around him.
“Come on!” one of the staff urged gesturing them forward. He hurried, under their direction, up to the stage. He didn’t need to look to see that the members were all gathered around him as they filed onto the dark stage and took their places. His breathing quickened as excitement bubbled up in him. The break in Sanctuary and learning about their new abilities had been wonderful but this was what he loved to do. This is what he had been born to do. Lights filled the stage and the music started, with a smile, Leeteuk began to perform.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
Kibum stood just off stage with Henry and Zhou mi watching the members as they began to dance the first number. He missed this, he realized. Maybe not specifically the singing or dancing, but the being with the other members, the entire idea of moving as a group, of functioning as one, he missed having that already.
He watched the members move through formations that were, by now very familiar. A frown fell across his face as Donghae stumbled once, then a few moments later again. He studied the form of his Weaver and was surprised to see his breathing much heavier then normal and his face contorted in pain. It was simply the amount of training that they had gone through for this moment that kept him going.
Frantically Kibum scanned the rest of the group. They seemed to be fine, with the exception of Yesung. The man looked like he could hardly dance and was gritting his teeth the whole time. It was certainly a good thing that the first set of songs was prerecorded; Kibum didn’t think the two would be able to sing if they weren’t.
He looked around and located a staff member with a headset that could talk to the earpieces the members wore. “Can I borrow that?” he asked. When he received a puzzled look he pulled it from her head anyway and grabbed the pack it was attached to. He ignored her protest as he placed it firmly on his head and hurried back to where he could see the members on stage.
“There is something wrong with Yesung and Donghae,” he said softly into the mouth piece. “I think they are hurt. I don’t think all the loud music is helping,” Kibum choose his phrasing very carefully because he knew that there would be other people who would be able to hear him but it should be enough for the members to understand the problem.
Sure enough, Eunhyuk immediately touched Donghae’s arm with worry before the dance took him to a different part of the stage. Donghae looked marginally better for a moment, but a moment later the relief had faded from his face.
Henry shot Kibum a worried look and the older man shook his head. There were too many people around for him to explain his suspicions.
“What is wrong?” one of the managers in charge of the concert asked Kibum.
Kibum pointed, “I think Donghae and Yesung are hurt. Look at the way they are dancing.”
The manger studied them for a moment and then nodded. “We are going to give us a bit of an extra pause in the show, run one of the other clips after this song. Guys you need to come off stage as soon as you are done, so we can take a look at you,” the manager spoke quickly into his headset. Kibum nodded his satisfaction and handed the stolen headset back to the woman it belonged to with an apologetic smile.
The moment the song ended and the lights fell, Kibum bolted onto the stage. He nearly crashed into Donghae in his haste to reach the man, but Donghae didn’t care. He fell into Kibum’s arms trembling. Carefully he lifted Donghae into his arms, and Eunhyuk grabbed the man’s hand. “You hurt your ankle pretty badly,” he instructed softly. “You don’t know what is wrong but it hurts, alright?”
Donghae managed to nod weakly and he buried his head in Kibum’s shoulder as he carried him of stage. “Kibum,” he moaned. “It hurts. There is too much.”
“I know. Shh. Just focus on Eunhyuk and me. We love you very much Donghae,” he murmured to the man as he tried to project as much love and comfort as he could to the other man. He longed to kiss Donghae, because he knew the more they were touching skin to skin the stronger Donghae could feel him, but his words seemed to work anyway. Donghae relaxed the smallest bit in his arms.
The moment they were off the stage they were surrounded by staff. A trainer gestured to the side and he carried Donghae where he was told. Kibum set him in a chair but didn’t leave his side. Eunhyuk settled in a chair beside him. “It’s his ankle,” Kibum told the trainer. The man nodded and carefully removed Donghae’s shoe before examining the area. Eunhyuk was leaning close and speaking softly to Donghae. Judging by the man’s white knuckled grip on his hand it didn’t matter what he was saying only that he was speaking.
Kibum kneaded the back of Donghae’s neck as he glanced over at Yesung. The man was sitting in a chair with a trainer examining his ankle. His head was tipped back and leaning against Ryeowook’s stomach. Zhou mi stood beside him holding his hand. The rest of the members were gathered near ignoring the people who fussed over their hair and makeup.
“Stupid,” Leeteuk cursed himself quietly. “How could we forget about Yesung’s Song hearing and Donghae’s empathy?” It was clear that he was angry with himself for not realizing it.
“It’s not your fault,” Kangin said as he ran a hand down Leeteuk’s back soothingly.
Kyuhyun was biting his lip in concentration. “Kangin, can you put a shield around the entire stage, it doesn’t have to be a strong one and things can pass through it,” he muttered as if he was forming the idea as he went. “How about this? Could you make a shield that would simply alert you if anyone walked through it but wouldn’t stop them?”
Kangin thought about it for a moment and then nodded. “I should be able to do that. Why?”
“A shield would be made from Leeteuk’s Song with the direction of your Song. I’m hoping that to feel emotions or hear other Songs they would have to pass through that barrier and that it would mute them a bit. Sort of take the edge off.”
Kangin nodded, and guided Leeteuk with a small push of his hand. “Come on, I need to see what I’m doing.”
The trainer finished wrapping Donghae’s ankle and slipped his shoe back on. “Are you alright to continue?” Donghae nodded. “Alright,” the trainer agreed and moved off to report to the manager.
Kibum helped Donghae stand and walked with them over to where the rest of the members had already gathered. Ryeowook was pressed up against Yesung’s side under the disguise of Yesung needing his physical support. “Eunhyuk,” Kibum said softly. “Touch him as much as you can. When you aren’t touching him focus on how much you love him, want him, anything. Take those feelings for him and push them out to him. He will need it.” Eunhyuk nodded his understanding. A moment later they were ushered onto stage again.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
The first five minutes of the show had been pure and utter agony for Yesung. The moment they had reappeared on Earth he had heard the sound of thousands of Songs all pressing at him. He didn’t even have time to even think about taking their power for himself, as he was quickly overwhelmed with pure pain. It was as if someone was driving a stake directly into his brain while simultaneously pouring molten metal down his throat. It was agony at its finest and he had no idea how he managed to dance the first number. All he knew was pain.
Ryeowook’s Song had been there almost immediately after the pain started, sweet and soothing, and he had let it curl around him, but it was like trying to hear a kitten purr from across the room when the room was full of screaming children. Still he had closed his eyes and fought back his body’s reaction.
When they had been hurried back on stage after the brief break, Yesung was positive this was going to be the worst night of his life. He was surprised to feel Kangin and Leeteuk’s Songs tied together at the edge of the stage. The Weaving brushed against his skin and he was tempted to stand there in the entryway of something familiar, but Ryeowook urged him forward gently and he went.
Once he was on stage, he realized that what he was hearing sounded like it was sound coming to him underwater, there but muted. The only Songs he could hear clearly were of the eleven other members in the immediate area. He reveled in the sound of the Songs that he had once thought too loud and too much for him. Now their familiarity was the best thing he had heard all day. Ryeowook’s Song was louder now, easier to hear, and he sighed as it curled within him.
“Yesung?” Ryeowook asked softly, just before they began again.
“I’m alright,” he answered and he was. He could stand the sound of the Songs even if they felt like sand paper on already raw skin. Anything was better than the sharp pain he had been feeling earlier.
He found that as the show progressed, it got easier to ignore the Songs of the people around them and to only listen to those of his group. Yesung made it a game, to dart from person to person and see how much louder they got when he touched them. Ryeowook’s Song became deafening, but that was fine with him. Yesung would rather hear his Song any day. Curiously enough, Siwon’s Song was the same volume no matter if he was touching the man or not. Yesung found that strange and comforting at the same time.
The game he played, the shield, and the love of his members, were the only things that got him through the concert.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
It was only after their second encore, when they had been allowed to change and escape to their bus that Donghae was able to sigh in relief. “I feel so violated,” he mumbled as he practically crawled into Kibum in the back of the bus. As it was he was as much in the man’s lap as he could possibly manage. When Kibum saw that none of the other people in the bus were looking, he leaned in and stole a quick, passionate kiss.
Yesung and Ryeowook were in front of them to the left and Yesung had immediately tipped their seats back and curled up with his head on Ryeowook’s stomach. He had glared at Leeteuk when the man had opened his mouth to say something about the awkwardness of Ryeowook’s shirt being pushed up and Yesung’s head on his bare stomach, but if anyone could get away with it, it was Yesung.
There was a great deal of chatter from the members as they tried to maintain the air they always had after a show, one of exhausted excitement. “Our fans are creepy,” Donghae announced.
“How so?” Sungmin asked.
“Half of them were just completely excited to be there, but the other half want one or more of us sexually, intensely,” Donghae replied.
Sungmin blinked. “I thought you knew that. I mean I thought that was why you did your dancing and smirking and excessive petting and hip thrusting.”
“I did. I mean I do. It just different feeling what they are. I feel so gross,” Donghae moaned.
“But it’s getting better now?” Eunhyuk asked worriedly.
Donghae nodded. “Yeah. I know what I am feeling again. Back there I couldn’t have told you what I was feeling. I could have barely told you what you two were feeling and I always know what you guys are feeling.” The man acted as if the last fact had bothered him more than anything else and Kibum pulled him fully onto his lap and ran his hands over Donghae’s body, soothing him.
“We would never stop loving you,” Kibum whispered, placing a kiss on Donghae’s cheek.
“I know,” Donghae said quietly as he swallowed the feelings that made him want to cry. Eunhyuk slid closer and wrapped an arm around Donghae as well.
“Kibum couldn’t make me stop loving you and I’m not about to stop now,” Eunhyuk told him.
Donghae nodded and closed his eyes, resting his head against Kibum’s body. By the time they got to the hotel he was fast asleep and Kibum carried him into their hotel room. He carefully undressed the man before tucking him under the covers and crawling in after him. Eunhyuk slipped into the room and joined them a minute later. Kibum smiled and pulled Donghae closer and touched Eunhyuk’s shoulder affectionately before closing his eyes and letting himself relax.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
It was a good thing - Leeteuk decided the moment they returned to the hotel - that their staff were well used to them switching from one room to another. The members had a history of mixing and matching however they felt at any given moment, so one saw anything odd as several of the members suddenly shifted their rooms from the pattern they had picked earlier that morning. Even though the staff would think of it as that morning, to the members it was days ago and he was surprised they could even remember where they had been planning to say originally.
Leeteuk knew he was going to have to have a conversation with everyone about that because while Yesung, Ryeowook, Kyuhyun and Sungmin might be able to get away with sharing each other’s beds in their dorms, someone would notice if Eunhyuk or Donghae tried. Heechul spent so much time in Hankyung’s room anyway; Leeteuk figured that they had probably been sharing a bed for a long time without getting caught. Still they would have to put a limit on the number of times it could occur in a week.
He hissed and jumped away when he felt lips against the back of his neck. Spinning, he found Kangin standing behind him with confusion written on his face. “Jungsoo?” Kangin questioned.
“What are you thinking,” Leeteuk whispered frantically. “What if someone walked in? That would end our careers, you know that.”
“No will come in. The door is locked. Why are you being so paranoid all of the sudden?” Kangin asked. He took a step forward and Leeteuk sighed. He found he didn’t really have an answer. It just seemed that everything that had happened in Sanctuary was a wonderful dream but now that they were back in the real world it was over. It only took a bit more coaxing until Kangin was able to gather the man into his arms.
“When did this get so comfortable,” Leeteuk mused quietly as his hands drifted around Kangin’s lower back.
“Probably sometime after we were one in every sense of the word,” Kangin said with a smirk.
Leeteuk swatted him on the back and pulled away. “Come on. Let’s go to bed.”
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
August faded into September as they fell back into their normal routines as if they had never left. Yesung and Donghae found that everywhere they went they were so much more aware of people but nothing was as horrible as that first concert after they returned.
In fact their abilities began to become something of a game. Yesung took great amusement in numbering how many people were in a room or declaring when someone was coming. It was all the more amusing to him when it was someone whose Song he knew and he could great them by name before they even showed their face. For the most part he didn’t have much trouble with the desire to take any other Song. He found he had no need for the extra power and Ryeowook’s song was more than enough for him. It became easier and easier to resist the pull of other Songs as long as Ryeowook was with him.
A few days after they returned to their dorm, Donghae had taken to reporting the moods and feelings of everyone. The other members realized that verbalizing them helped him deal with the overwhelming amount of feelings, still the entire thing got slightly annoying every now and again.
Kibum’s visits to their dorm got fewer and farer between as his acting career picked up. He still made every effort to call and talk to both Donghae and Eunhyuk whenever he could, but it was clear that his absence was wearing on both men. Early in September, Donghae had given up all pretences of sleeping in his own room and instead moved to spend every night in Eunhyuk’s room. None of them were looking forward to the time when half of their members would leave for China.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
“Heechul quit eyeballing my suitcase,” Hankyung said as he threw a pair of pants into the mentioned object. “You aren’t going to be able to fit in it no matter what you do.”
Heechul scowled and picked up a pair socks, “You don’t need all of these anyway. If you just put some of these back in your drawer I’ll fit.”
“Heechul,” Hankyung said with a sigh. He curled his fingers around the hand holding his socks and pulled Heechul close. “Look it’s only for a while. We’ll be back and forth so I’ll see you enough.”
“They work you too hard,” Heechul declared, hugging Hankyung as if he never wanted to let him go.
“You only have a problem with it because it leaves me too tired for sex,” Hankyung answered with a smirk.
“Damn right,” Heechul agreed and neither one of them mentioned the real reason they hadn’t been physically intimate since their return or since Hankyung’s death for that matter.
Hankyung laughed. “It still doesn’t mean that you will fit in my suitcase.”
Heechul sorted. “Why would I want to ride with your underwear all the way to China? No thank you. I’ll just have Yesung teleport me there.”
“Really? You think he is your slave that will do your bidding?” Hankyung asked amused.
“Of course. You all are my slaves, you just don’t know it,” Heechul said with mock sweetness as he patted Hankyung.
Hankyung laughed, “I’ll show you slave,” he declared as he hoisted Heechul over one shoulder.
Heechul shrieked, “No! Bad slave! Put me down, slave!”
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
“Are you sure you will be alright if I’m not here?” Ryeowook asked Yesung for the third time in the last five minutes.
Yesung smiled and handed the man a neatly folded stack of clothing. “I am sure. I’ll be fine.”
“But what if someone brushes up against you and their Song gets too loud, I won’t be here to-” Yesung cut off his tirade with a firm press of lips. Instinctively Ryeowook melted into the kiss and they shared the contact for a moment. When Yesung pulled away, Ryeowook looked as though he couldn’t decide if it was worth getting irritated at the man or not.
“You are starting to fret like Leeteuk,” Yesung said with a smile.
Ryeowook grinned at that. “I think if Leeteuk makes Kyuhyun or Donghae store power in one more item, they are going to kill him, he already made them take an entire bag dedicated to the odds and ends.” The moment they had realized that half of their group would be leaving and essentially separating all of their teams, Leeteuk had begun working himself into a panic about their safety.
Since they had returned they hadn’t had any issues with dark ones at all, yet they knew that didn’t mean that they wouldn’t eventually. With the teams split it would be the perfect time to attack. Yesung was strong enough by himself to be alright and with stored power Kyuhyun and Donghae would be able to hold whatever it was off long enough that the rest of them could get there.
“As long as Kyuhyun doesn’t use the power to stuff someone in a box of air before they even get to China.” Yesung’s words produced the desired laugh in Ryeowook and the man finished packing his suitcase.
He zipped it closed and turned to face Yesung again. “I worry about you,” he said softly.
“You always worry about me. I’ll be fine. Look,” Yesung stepped forward and grabbed Ryeowook’s hand. He kissed the palm lightly before laying it over the left side of his chest and his heart. “You are in here. Your Song is always inside me. It’s been with me so much that I don’t think I could ever forget what it sounded like. Besides I will always be able to hear you anyway.” He dropped Ryeowook’s hand and lifted his shirt. There, through the flesh at his navel, was a small silver ring.
“When did you get navel pierced?” Ryeowook asked, his eyes narrowing.
“Today,” Yesung said with a smirk. “I’ve had the ring for a while though, and I’ve been filling it with your Song. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier, but it helps me to focus without having to touch you. As long as I don’t use its power, it will be there the entire time you are gone.”
Ryeowook sighed and nodded and Yesung dropped his shirt back down and opened his arms. “Now come here and say goodbye properly.” Ryeowook smiled then, and stepped forward eagerly into the circle of his embrace.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
Eunhyuk was glad that Donghae had packed his suitcase the night before, because it would have been difficult to do so with the way he was clinging. “Are you sure? I can see about maybe getting my schedule changed or something,” Eunhyuk insisted.
Donghae shook his head. “No, Leeteuk needs you to be at all the different filmings with him, and you have your radio show. I’ll be alright. I’ve been getting used to Siwon. He can keep me calm when you aren’t there. No matter what the situation is, I always feel love and caring coming from him.”
“Are you sure because I could try?”
“I’m sure,” Donghae paused when the door opened and then in the next moment he was across the room and in the arms of the man who had entered. “Kibum! I didn’t think you would make it.”
Kibum kissed him possessively, pulling him as close as he could possibly get. “I just managed to get some time off in time to see you.”
“I’m glad you did. I’ve missed you,” Donghae said softly, their lips meeting in a kiss once more. Donghae wanted nothing more than to stand there all day and taste Kibum on his tongue but he knew that he would have to be leaving soon. Soon, however was five minutes away, and he lead Kibum over to Eunhyuk’s bed where the other man waited for them. Kibum greeted Eunhyuk with a quick kiss before the trio settled on the bed together to say goodbye to one another as best they could.
~♪~♪♫♪~♪~
“What are you watching?” Leeteuk asked Heechul when he returned from his schedule the next evening.
Heechul smiled as if particularly proud of himself. “I had their manger tape their first performance and e-mail it to me. It’s not bad. Hankyung is a bit out of line on this one form, Donghae misses a step and Zhou mi hits a flat where he isn’t supposed to but other than that it’s good.”
Leeteuk smiled and shook his head settling behind Heechul as the man watched the video again. A minute later his phone rang, and he picked it up and flipped it open. Heechul looked at him curiously as he listened to the person on the other end. After only a few words, Leeteuk’s face became unreadable and he said shortly, “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
With a sharp snap he closed his phone, ending the call and stared at it for a minute. Heechul gave him a questioning look. “Kangin was involved in an assault today,” Leeteuk said through clenched teeth. “No one knows what is happening with it. I have to go.” He gathered his keys and his coat and was out the door before Heechul could reply.
Verse Twenty Nine
Masterlist
Character Information
AN: So I'm not exactly thrilled at how some of this flows, it isn't as smooth as I would like in some scenes but other scenes I really like... A little bit of date-wise information for all of you. Super Junior were taken from Earth on August 2nd, 2009 and returned not even a second later Earth time, the same day. That would make it the second day of their Super Show II Japan stop. This chapter takes us all the way to Kangin's assault, which happens on September 16th, 2009.
As for the change in title, I'm sure you all noticed that this thing says 'Book One: Melody of the Ensouled' now. That is the new official title of this story while 'From the Soul to the Song' has just become the title of the series (yes you read that right). I am currently tossing around three options for the next book. What I plan to do is write small teasers for each and then leave it for you all to vote on which you would like to read first (first as in they are all going to be written at some point). So we will get to that probably on the last chapter of this one. Don't worry there are still somewhere around ten more chapters to go on this first book.
Also in honor of leaving Sanctuary finally I want to do another round of drabbles! So this time these drabbles will all be set in 'From the Soul to the Song' universe and more specifically Sanctuary. So if there is something that you wanted to see but didn't, request it! If there was a scene you wish I hadn't cut off, request it! If there was something you were always curious to see played out, request it! If you have never commented before but you really have something you want to see, request it! I think you all get the picture. ^_^ Ready! Set! Go!