Into The Dark Night (14/?)
Title: Into the Dark Night
Author: ms_awkward
Genre: AU, Fantasy, Angst, Romance, Drama, Adventure, Fluff?
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s): HyukHae(main), KyuMin, HanChul, KangTeuk, YunJae, ninja!YeWook
Summary: All they needed was light.
Into the Dark Night
Chapter 14
a/n: Because I update so slowly, I don’t blame you guys for forgetting a lot few details so, and as requested by one of my valued readers, here’s a short recap(?), you can skip it if you’d like ^^
Previously…
“He got away?”
Shindong shifted under Kibum’s scrutinizing stare, he looked ready to explode any second. And an angry Kibum was a scary Kibum.
Shindong nodded weakly.
- ♦ -
“Well, well, well.” A voice Minho knew too well came from behind them, “What do we have here?”
They turned around to see four other Lumici, the one up front had his arms folded and a smirk played on his lips.
It took a while for Minho to find his voice. He gulped and blinked once, twice. “…Heechul hyung?”
- ♦ -
Just as they climbed over the windowsill, Jaejoong’s left foot already on outside ground, Yunho called out, “Wait!” The Lumiciant looked back, eyebrow raised.
“You’re not going to try and stop me, are you?” Jaejoong said, suddenly cautious and grabbing at Jessica’s sword.
“No-” Yunho stood up slowly, fists clenched but a determined look on his face, “take me with you.”
- ♦ -
“Teuk!”
He stumbled hurriedly to the figure that fell to the floor, a hand clutching the bed sheets tightly.
“Teuk, what’s happening? What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
Never before had Kangin seen that kind of pain on Leeteuk’s face, his hand wrapped tightly over his stomach area.
- ♦ -
“My mission is to kill you.”
Taecyeon pulled the sword out of Donghae’s side, and aimed it at the brunette’s heart.
Hyukjae gasped loudly, before breaking into a run, Donghae’s name flowing endlessly from his lips. The sword got closer and closer-no, he wouldn’t make it in time.
No no no no no!
Taecyeon wasted no time thrusting his blade into the frail chest but it never connected.
A hand held the sword in a firm grip, blood dripping down the palm and onto the grass. He was panting, his eyes just as wide and bewildered as Taecyeon’s as he stared at him.
“Siwon?”
-
-
-
His heart was pounding, palms sweating, mind reeling, eyes wide as he felt his pulse bursting through his fingertips, clutching the sword’s hilt.
He’d felt adrenaline before, surely all those S Class missions and near-death experiences have made him more than familiar with the feeling that coursed through his veins. He’d lived with it since training at three years old, used it as a weapon when missions got messy and he needed that extra bout of strength to get the job done.
Adrenaline was his friend.
Or so he thought.
This-this adrenaline felt different. This was raw and crazy and fucking impulsive that for the first time, Siwon acted on instinct and not on his job description.
“Take him and get out of here!” he tore the sword from Taecyeon’s hold and kicked him square in the stomach.
“Siwon, what the hell?!”
“Eunhyuk, go!” He turned to the redhead who now had Donghae in his arms, deathly pale. “Now!”
Hyukjae nodded before swiftly but gently picking him up.
“Oh no you don't!”
Taecyeon lunged at them but Siwon pinned him down in a death grip, his arms locked strongly against the larger man’s neck-where he knew he’d already taken damage.
“Go!”
Hyukjae glanced at Junsu, motioning him to follow. Before they disappeared behind the trees, he looked back at the two figures wrestling messily on the grass, one slowly overpowering the other.
Thank you.
- - -
A firm grip on his shoulder stopped Shindong from moving any further.
“What are you waiting for?” He eyed the pair of beaten up Lumici running through the trees, “It’s our chance! Look at them-I could grab the kid before those two even bat an eyelash!”
Kibum frowned before shaking his head slowly. Even from where they stood, he could tell that the Solis was severely injured.
“Look at the Rife in front.”
“He’s running,” Shindong squinted, “I don’t get it.”
“He’s not just running. He knows where he’s going, numbskull.”
Shindong’s eyes lit up and Kibum had to clamp a hand over his mouth before he could let out the loud ‘Ahhhh!’ he knew was begging to come out. Kibum had long speculated a large group of Central Lumici survived the attack and still reside in the forest.
Following them there was killing two birds with one stone.
Kibum smirked.
Besides, who wanted to play with a broken toy?
- - -
Donghae was growing paler and paler, and Hyukjae knew he was running out of time. He’d tied the wound up with gauze and cloth he’d torn from his cloak to stop the bleeding temporarily but now, even his hands were being soaked in blood. He panted as he ran, Donghae’s hair tickling his neck.
Hyukjae whispered to him stories of running around the city, lampposts, raindrops and butterflies; telling him that he was going to be all right, that the pain was going away soon and that Hyukjae was going to be angry with him for forever if he closes his eyes and leaves him alone.
Donghae whimpered between gasps for air, finding the idea of Hyukjae angry with him so terrifying despite the pain in his side.
“How much further? I don’t think he can’t take anymore of this, Junsu!”
Hyukjae’s first instinct was to aim for any sort of shelter soon as they were far enough from Siwon and Taecyeon-both he and Junsu trying to ignore the grunts of pain that echoed the forest-but was stopped by Junsu saying he knew exactly where to take Donghae, and that he ‘wasn’t late for nothing’.
Hyukjae had no choice but to comply.
“Just a bit more-there!” He pointed to a clearing where a lone Lumiciant stood with his arms crossed. “Jae!”
“Junsu!” He pushed off the wall, “Where’s Donghae? He’s hurt, right?”
“Yeah, but how’d you know? He’s here-”
Jaejoong shoved past him, quickly surveying the redhead holding Donghae in his arms. “I take it you’re the one called Eunhyuk?”
Hyukjae narrowed his eyes, “And who might you be?”
“Give him to me,” Jaejoong reached for Donghae; Junsu’s careful coaxing and the way Donghae leaned into this Lumiciant’s touch with a breathy sigh of ‘hyung…’ convinced Hyukjae to carefully lay him on the grass in front of Jaejoong.
Donghae didn’t let him go far though, raising a hand to clutch blindly for Hyukjae. Hyukjae’s lips twitched into what Junsu suspected to be a smile, before he knelt down and held Donghae’s hand.
Jaejoong gasped quietly when the wound came to view, bandages soaked in red. With a short chant, he lifted glowing hands to place them above it-the wound basking in a faint blue light, Donghae’s face visibly relaxing. Junsu’s eyes popped out of their sockets as he looked from Jaejoong to Hyukjae to Donghae to Jaejoong’s hands to Hyukjae again because the smile was starting to creep him out (he’d forgotten how the idiot looked when he did that), then back to Jaejoong.
“Jae, you’re a genie!”
“All I can do is stop the bleeding for now.” Jaejoong stood up, eyeing Hyukjae who began to panic after Donghae’s hand slackened. “Don’t worry, he’s only asleep. But we need to get him back to the hideout now, Heechul would know what to do.”
Just as he was about to dip down to carry the sleeping brunette, the boy was already in Hyukjae’s arms and unconsciously snuggling to the toned chest. “Lead the way,” Hyukjae says.
Jaejoong raised an eyebrow and debated whether to snag the boy from his arms-damn that mother hen instinct Heechul kept talking about-but settled with ruffling Junsu’s hair because he’d actually really missed the guy, and walked briskly to the hideout.
“Follow me.”
- - -
Was it the way glowing skin suddenly grew pale that made him crack? The eyes that suddenly weren’t so bright anymore? Or was it the sheer unfairness of it all that made Siwon suddenly become such a hypocrite?
After all, he knew Taecyeon was just following orders. Just like he was. Just like what he kept telling Eunhyuk to do. But it made him so…angry.
Killing was nothing new to him, nor should it be to any Elite. That was the point of their title, to do the dirty work, the missions that needed special talents. Siwon had killed before, had beaten people until they were unrecognizable, taken away fathers from families and lovers from lovers, watched the light fade from their eyes as one world was erased, and had even talked to them beforehand, became friendly with them because sometimes, that was the easiest way.
So why, why did this sudden change of orders make him so goddamn angry? It was not unusual for the boss to unexpectedly change his mind, he’d been trained to adapt to all situations, but Donghae seemed like a genuinely good person, he had no idea why he was impulsive all of a sudden and fuck, why did Taecyeon look like he enjoyed it?
Bastard.
So Siwon punched and kicked and held that sword before it pierced Donghae’s heart-otherwise he might’ve really lost it-and helped Hyukjae, of all people, escape, but couldn’t trace even a silver of regret.
But Taecyeon is strong, and Hyukjae had already done a number on him so he knew he stood no chance against this guy. And then, that same sword he’d stopped with his bare hands was now pointed at his own neck and somehow, he didn’t find this situation as unfair as he did when Donghae was in his position.
“I’ve the right mind to kill you right now, you little quisling.”
- - -
To say that Minho was shocked to see that police officer Jaejoong had brought in, dragging a barely conscious Heechul gasping in pain, would be an understatement.
The human told him that he’d been instructed by Jaejoong to bring Heechul over to the infirmary and that he-you are Minho, right? The lookout? Minho didn’t know what a lookout was but nodded anyway-should wait out here with a medical team because Jaejoong was going to arrive with Donghae soon and that he would most probably be injured.
Minho still had trust issues with any of the mundane who suddenly started frequenting their hideout, but at the mere mention of Donghae’s name had him nodding furiously and shouting for Yuri because he needed nothing short of their best healer right now.
True to the human’s word (who decided he was going to wait with Minho despite obvious protest), Jaejoong came into view with two other figures he’d barely spared a glance because there he was-
“Donghae hyung!”
-
-
-
“Ow!”
Brushes and fine-point pens rolled off the table, landing on the ground beside the crouched boy holding his head between two small hands. Tears pricked the corners of his tight-shut eyes, whimpering to himself and feeling around for the pens while cradling the growing bump on his head. Leeteuk hyung would be so angry if any of them got broken.
“Hae!” Heechul ran in, ice pack already in hand, and pulled the boy onto his lap. Gently, he pressed it down on the exact spot Donghae hit his head. “See what happens when you hide god-knows-where instead of attending Meditation class? I’ve told you over and over again how important that is for you.”
Donghae had never liked class, most especially meditation. It was too quiet, too eerie, it made him squirm and quite frankly, it would have been bearable if he at least had a classmate. But no, of course he didn’t. He was alone as always-why was it called ‘class’ anyway?
Donghae knew the things he was being taught were important and all, but Youngbae scolded him last week for falling asleep in the middle of the lesson and it was just so scary.
But he could only nod mutely at Heechul as he felt the ice slowly wet his hair, stars still clouding his vision.
“Heechul hyung…”
The older grunted while raking hands through Donghae’s tresses, inspecting.
“How do you know?”
“Know what?” He squinted at the lump.
“Where it hurts.” Donghae stared up at him, before shrugging, “Even before I tell you, or even when I try to hide it, you know. Before I thought you were just really smart, but now I think you’re an alien.”
Heechul pauses for a moment then sighs.
Donghae’s eyes widen comically.
“So you are an alien?” He whispers.
“What?” The older frowned, “No. Look, Donghae, you have to listen to me. And I mean really listen, all right?”
He nods eagerly and Heechul gives a slight smile before taking a deep breath, “Remember what I told you before? About how you and I were connected?”
“Yes! The string from your heart,” he points to Heechul’s chest, “to mine. And Teukie hyung’s too! Because I’m going to be a Solis just like Teukie hyung is and just like you were…right, hyung?”
“That’s right,” Heechul ruffles his hair, “And so long as we are connected, your pain is mine. It isn’t at the exact same level but I do feel a twinge and-”
Donghae clings to him and hugs him hard, mumbling apologies and promises to not get hurt again because the thought of Heechul and Teukie hyung getting hurt makes him want to cry.
He kind of did.
-
-
-
“Drop trout?”
“Yep.”
“Drop trout?”
“Uh-huh.”
…
“Hahahahahaha! How do you even use that in a sentence? ‘Excuse me, good sir, I have this terrible urge to drop trout. Is your toilet in service?’ Hahahaha! Assquake!” Sungmin paused, glanced at the sleeping form on the bed before breathing in and out, miraculously calming down. Until Kyuhyun whispered ‘trout’ and he was off into fits of laughter.
“Who’s the loud one now?”
Silence as Sungmin paused to seethe.
“At least I don’t play games and shout ‘Fuck I should’ve leveled up my monsters now my skillpoints are down fuck shit goddamn wizards seventy percent fuck my life’ if you’re going to curse, at least get more creative!”
“Says little shrieking princess who flips over every slang word he hasn’t heard about! It’s not even that funny.”
“I do not flip!”
“You're a shrieking princess then.”
“I do not shriek!”
“Honey, I’m owning you left and right today.”
“I’m going to kill you! I’m going to kill you and God will forgive me for it!”
“Oh but you wouldn’t be able to forgive yourself, now would you, Princess?”
“Ssh! You’ll wake him up!”
Kyuhyun slaps the hand clamped over his mouth away, mumbling about how he wasn’t the one shouting profanities, but was promptly ignored as his lover pushed past him towards the bed.
Thick lashes fluttered open, warm brown eyes they worried they’d never see again blinked up at Sungmin and Kyuhyun. It didn’t take long for a weak smile to break out on Donghae’s face.
“Kyumin~”
- - -
“So.”
Hyukjae frowned at the teasing tone of Junsu’s voice, turning to glare at him.
“Woah, hey, I haven’t even said anything yet. Geez.”
He looked away.
“So,” he bit back a growl at how his friend was trying to hold in his laughter and failing miserably, “ ‘Hyukjae’, huh? How cute. You’re on first name basis now. I haven’t heard someone call you that in what, ten years?”
Junsu took a big gulp of water from the bottle Jaejoong had managed to get them. They sat on a bench outside the clinic, the passing Lumici pointing, staring, glaring at them albeit all from a distance. It was obvious their presence was not welcomed. In fact, the only thing that held down the Lumici’s conscience from throwing them out of the hideout was that they’d brought back their Solis.
Although personally, Hyukjae wasn’t convinced with the array of emotions that played on their faces as he brought Donghae in. Some were genuinely relieved, others looked at him as if he were a mere object that had finally been returned to them.
“But I gotta hand it to ya, Hyuk. You sure know how to pick ‘em.” Junsu grinned cheekily, “Kid looks like he dropped right out of the sky! Heck, if he weren’t so hung up on you…”
He glanced at him with a sly grin, wiggling his eyebrows.
Hyukjae scoffed, and punched him in the shoulder; not feeling the least bit threatened because he knew Junsu’s heart already belonged to someone else. He knew he missed him, Hyukjae could see it in his faraway look when he spaced out and thought no one was looking.
“Junsu…” His best friend grunted and Hyukjae smiled wryly before continuing, “Thank you. Really. For everything.”
“Don’t go soft on me now, loverboy. I’m still trying to digest the fact you could actually fall in love,” he held up a hand before Hyukjae could protest, “Don’t make me worry about your mental health now too.”
Hyukjae smiled despite himself.
“Idiot.”
“That’s more like it. And relax,” Junsu eyed his constantly tapping fingers, “he’s going to be just fine. You’ll see.”
“And you?” Hyukjae turned to him, “Are you just fine?” It’s painful, right? Being here.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I am, really.”
Junsu tilted his head up, “I’m over it.”
- - -
Donghae found it difficult to speak or move, difficult to do anything at all. Sungmin’s words had gone in one ear and out the other. His head stayed planted on his pillow, eyelids constantly drooping and slipping in and out of consciousness, of dreams and reality.
His dreams have been becoming more and more vivid. They happened more often now, sometimes even when he isn’t really asleep. Visions attack him and make his head hurt; the people seem so real-like memories.
“…I mean, what could be so special about you, a kid who doesn’t even know what he is?” Taecyeon’s words echoes in his head.
What am I, really?
He heard voices in the room; some he knew, others surreal with varying levels of hushed tones and questions of when Donghae was ever going to wake up. He hears one voice prominent from his dreams, one he knew but didn’t know at the same time. So he stirred and willed his eyes to open but could only so much as see a blur of white skin and jet-black hair before he is pulled back and god, his side just really really hurts.
“He’s bleeding again.”
“Heechul, do something!”
Heechul…hyung…?
“Jess, out of the room.”
“Are you sure? You shouldn’t be doing this too often…”
No… He is hurting, Heechul hyung is hurting…He must be.
“Is that even a question?”
Warmth spreads through his body, it’s easier to breathe, his side stops hurting.
I’ve caused him pain.
- - -
The rain outside grew to a soft murmur against the windowpanes. The room was small but everything about it was eerily familiar. The slightly stained walls with crayon marks on it in random spots, the cupboard in the corner big enough to fit a kid if he crouched enough, the crisp white sheets on his lap that smelled of his dreams at night, the bare floor of hard ground-Donghae was finally able to see them all with his eyes wide open.
He’d been out for quite a while, he could tell with the lethargic lag that came with a long sleep as he brushed his bangs out of his eyes and move to swing a leg off the bed but instantly recoiled at the jab at his side.
“You should rest.”
Brown eyes snapped to the doorway and the moment he caught sight of a familiar shade of red, tears welled up and dripped down his cheek.
Hyukjae rushed inside, placing the glass of water on the bedside and gently wiping a tear of Donghae’s face in one swift motion. A slender finger lifted his chin so chocolate orbs could stare into Hyukjae’s. He gripped the sheets.
“Hey, hey, don’t cry.”
You’re too beautiful to cry.
But the tears kept falling, and whimpers between Hyukjae’s name was all Donghae could manage. His lips jut out into a slight pout and Hyukjae tried not to stare.
“I’m sorry I put you through that.”
Donghae furiously shook his head, trying to form words but his teeth started chattering lightly and his mouth wouldn’t open up.
“I…” he managed after a few moments, “was so a-afraid...I’d lose you.”
Hyukjae lost all resolve and wrapped his arms around the frail body, his hands careful and precise but cold as it rested just below Donghae’s ear and the brunette shivered but snuggled into the pale neck.
It was the first time Hyukjae had felt his life was valued, that whether or not he got out of a fight alive mattered to someone. His mindset was that the mission was first priority; therefore every Rife shall throw away what he or she must to achieve this, even their lives.
He’d long lost his fear of death.
Yet here was this…time bomb, target of almost every power-hungry bastard Hyukjae could think of, worrying about not his own brittle life but of a dispensable Rife’s.
Memories of golden hair and empty eyes made its way.
“Me too.”
“Hyukjae?”
He hummed; running his hands through Donghae’s soft hair bur frowned when he felt him lean back and out of his hold. But then he was staring into those eyes again and frowning was the last thing on his mind.
“Back at the cave-”
Hyukjae colored,
Donghae pouted his lips for a kiss, “-do you remember what we did? I really liked it! Can we do it again? It made me feel nice and my stomach felt funny but-Hyukjae? ”
Hyukjae stared at him wide-eyed. “You…what?”
Donghae jut his lips out more and Hyukjae tried not to look. “Can we do it again?”
Just like that?
This time, Donghae’s eyes grew bright with excitement as he took Hyukjae’s nervous shifting as a sign that he was getting ready. Now it was even harder to say no.
He exhaled, “Close your eyes.”
“Hyukjae, are you okay? You look a bit red-”
“Just close your eyes.”
Donghae happily obliged, closing his eyes and waiting with an eager smile.
Self-control, self-control.
Hyukjae breathed in deep before leaning in, his lips hovering above the other’s. He felt sweet breath waft over his now overly sensitive lips, and gulped.
Curious, Donghae popped an eye open.
“No peaking.”
The eye closed and their lips met in chaste kiss. Hyukjae felt Donghae smile wider into it, “feels nice” he mumbled against the older’s plump lips and Hyukjae almost lost himself in frenzy. He cupped Donghae’s cheek, guiding him closer while he felt arms wrapped feebly around his neck.
He released the sweet softness to lean his forehead against Donghae’s while the latter whimpered at the sudden loss.
Self-control, self-control.
“Hyuk…”
Self-control.
“I’m going to try something, okay?” He cupped Donghae’s jaw on both sides and brought him closer.
Their chests were touching now, and soon as he felt Donghae nod against him, Hyukjae bent down to capture his lips once more but this time, softly nibbling the lower one. Donghae made the sound of a mix between a squeak and a moan at the back of his throat that almost pushed Hyukjae off the edge of his sanity.
Donghae had never felt this before, his cheeks were tingling, his stomach a bundle of nerves, his fingers trembled around Hyukjae’s neck as he tried burying himself further into those enchanting lips. Hyukjae’s nose brushed his cheek as he felt the redhead angle his neck and Donghae couldn’t help but giggle because it tickled and it felt nice and he was just so happy.
Naturally, Hyukjae heard it first-the sound of footsteps in the hall-so he pulled away to see a glowing Donghae with tinted cheeks and a slightly swollen lip. He couldn't find it in himself to release him from his embrace.
Donghae was about to ask him to continue when Hyukjae actually smiled at him and his mind went completely blank, his heart beat loudly against his ribcage.
A clear of the throat by the doorway, “I’m sorry, were we interrupting something?” Sungmin asked though he didn’t seem to be waiting for an answer, smiling suspiciously like a proud mom. There were others with him-besides Kyuhyun, of course-but Donghae didn’t recognize them.
They do look familiar though.
“How are you feeling, Hae?” Kyuhyun stepped in, glaring at Hyukjae who hesitantly let go of the brunette. Donghae hadn’t noticed, beaming and genuinely happy to see his friends again. But he grabbed Hyukjae’s hand, refusing to let the redhead leave his side.
Not that he would.
“Much better now, thank you.”
“That’s great.” Kyuhyun’s glare was now directed at the clasped hands while Sungmin rolled his eyes at him, “because Heechul here has a lot he needs to tell you.”
Heechul?
A tall but slender form waltzed into the room, black hair falling over pale skin as a cat curled up against his feet.
“Hello, Donghae-yah.” His smile was warm, “it’s been a while.” -- ♦
- - -
previous | next
Author: ms_awkward
Genre: AU, Fantasy, Angst, Romance, Drama, Adventure, Fluff?
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s): HyukHae(main), KyuMin, HanChul, KangTeuk, YunJae, ninja!YeWook
Summary: All they needed was light.
Into the Dark Night
Chapter 14
a/n: Because I update so slowly, I don’t blame you guys for forgetting a lot few details so, and as requested by one of my valued readers, here’s a short recap(?), you can skip it if you’d like ^^
Previously…
“He got away?”
Shindong shifted under Kibum’s scrutinizing stare, he looked ready to explode any second. And an angry Kibum was a scary Kibum.
Shindong nodded weakly.
- ♦ -
“Well, well, well.” A voice Minho knew too well came from behind them, “What do we have here?”
They turned around to see four other Lumici, the one up front had his arms folded and a smirk played on his lips.
It took a while for Minho to find his voice. He gulped and blinked once, twice. “…Heechul hyung?”
- ♦ -
Just as they climbed over the windowsill, Jaejoong’s left foot already on outside ground, Yunho called out, “Wait!” The Lumiciant looked back, eyebrow raised.
“You’re not going to try and stop me, are you?” Jaejoong said, suddenly cautious and grabbing at Jessica’s sword.
“No-” Yunho stood up slowly, fists clenched but a determined look on his face, “take me with you.”
- ♦ -
“Teuk!”
He stumbled hurriedly to the figure that fell to the floor, a hand clutching the bed sheets tightly.
“Teuk, what’s happening? What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
Never before had Kangin seen that kind of pain on Leeteuk’s face, his hand wrapped tightly over his stomach area.
- ♦ -
“My mission is to kill you.”
Taecyeon pulled the sword out of Donghae’s side, and aimed it at the brunette’s heart.
Hyukjae gasped loudly, before breaking into a run, Donghae’s name flowing endlessly from his lips. The sword got closer and closer-no, he wouldn’t make it in time.
No no no no no!
Taecyeon wasted no time thrusting his blade into the frail chest but it never connected.
A hand held the sword in a firm grip, blood dripping down the palm and onto the grass. He was panting, his eyes just as wide and bewildered as Taecyeon’s as he stared at him.
“Siwon?”
-
-
-
His heart was pounding, palms sweating, mind reeling, eyes wide as he felt his pulse bursting through his fingertips, clutching the sword’s hilt.
He’d felt adrenaline before, surely all those S Class missions and near-death experiences have made him more than familiar with the feeling that coursed through his veins. He’d lived with it since training at three years old, used it as a weapon when missions got messy and he needed that extra bout of strength to get the job done.
Adrenaline was his friend.
Or so he thought.
This-this adrenaline felt different. This was raw and crazy and fucking impulsive that for the first time, Siwon acted on instinct and not on his job description.
“Take him and get out of here!” he tore the sword from Taecyeon’s hold and kicked him square in the stomach.
“Siwon, what the hell?!”
“Eunhyuk, go!” He turned to the redhead who now had Donghae in his arms, deathly pale. “Now!”
Hyukjae nodded before swiftly but gently picking him up.
“Oh no you don't!”
Taecyeon lunged at them but Siwon pinned him down in a death grip, his arms locked strongly against the larger man’s neck-where he knew he’d already taken damage.
“Go!”
Hyukjae glanced at Junsu, motioning him to follow. Before they disappeared behind the trees, he looked back at the two figures wrestling messily on the grass, one slowly overpowering the other.
Thank you.
- - -
A firm grip on his shoulder stopped Shindong from moving any further.
“What are you waiting for?” He eyed the pair of beaten up Lumici running through the trees, “It’s our chance! Look at them-I could grab the kid before those two even bat an eyelash!”
Kibum frowned before shaking his head slowly. Even from where they stood, he could tell that the Solis was severely injured.
“Look at the Rife in front.”
“He’s running,” Shindong squinted, “I don’t get it.”
“He’s not just running. He knows where he’s going, numbskull.”
Shindong’s eyes lit up and Kibum had to clamp a hand over his mouth before he could let out the loud ‘Ahhhh!’ he knew was begging to come out. Kibum had long speculated a large group of Central Lumici survived the attack and still reside in the forest.
Following them there was killing two birds with one stone.
Kibum smirked.
Besides, who wanted to play with a broken toy?
- - -
Donghae was growing paler and paler, and Hyukjae knew he was running out of time. He’d tied the wound up with gauze and cloth he’d torn from his cloak to stop the bleeding temporarily but now, even his hands were being soaked in blood. He panted as he ran, Donghae’s hair tickling his neck.
Hyukjae whispered to him stories of running around the city, lampposts, raindrops and butterflies; telling him that he was going to be all right, that the pain was going away soon and that Hyukjae was going to be angry with him for forever if he closes his eyes and leaves him alone.
Donghae whimpered between gasps for air, finding the idea of Hyukjae angry with him so terrifying despite the pain in his side.
“How much further? I don’t think he can’t take anymore of this, Junsu!”
Hyukjae’s first instinct was to aim for any sort of shelter soon as they were far enough from Siwon and Taecyeon-both he and Junsu trying to ignore the grunts of pain that echoed the forest-but was stopped by Junsu saying he knew exactly where to take Donghae, and that he ‘wasn’t late for nothing’.
Hyukjae had no choice but to comply.
“Just a bit more-there!” He pointed to a clearing where a lone Lumiciant stood with his arms crossed. “Jae!”
“Junsu!” He pushed off the wall, “Where’s Donghae? He’s hurt, right?”
“Yeah, but how’d you know? He’s here-”
Jaejoong shoved past him, quickly surveying the redhead holding Donghae in his arms. “I take it you’re the one called Eunhyuk?”
Hyukjae narrowed his eyes, “And who might you be?”
“Give him to me,” Jaejoong reached for Donghae; Junsu’s careful coaxing and the way Donghae leaned into this Lumiciant’s touch with a breathy sigh of ‘hyung…’ convinced Hyukjae to carefully lay him on the grass in front of Jaejoong.
Donghae didn’t let him go far though, raising a hand to clutch blindly for Hyukjae. Hyukjae’s lips twitched into what Junsu suspected to be a smile, before he knelt down and held Donghae’s hand.
Jaejoong gasped quietly when the wound came to view, bandages soaked in red. With a short chant, he lifted glowing hands to place them above it-the wound basking in a faint blue light, Donghae’s face visibly relaxing. Junsu’s eyes popped out of their sockets as he looked from Jaejoong to Hyukjae to Donghae to Jaejoong’s hands to Hyukjae again because the smile was starting to creep him out (he’d forgotten how the idiot looked when he did that), then back to Jaejoong.
“Jae, you’re a genie!”
“All I can do is stop the bleeding for now.” Jaejoong stood up, eyeing Hyukjae who began to panic after Donghae’s hand slackened. “Don’t worry, he’s only asleep. But we need to get him back to the hideout now, Heechul would know what to do.”
Just as he was about to dip down to carry the sleeping brunette, the boy was already in Hyukjae’s arms and unconsciously snuggling to the toned chest. “Lead the way,” Hyukjae says.
Jaejoong raised an eyebrow and debated whether to snag the boy from his arms-damn that mother hen instinct Heechul kept talking about-but settled with ruffling Junsu’s hair because he’d actually really missed the guy, and walked briskly to the hideout.
“Follow me.”
- - -
Was it the way glowing skin suddenly grew pale that made him crack? The eyes that suddenly weren’t so bright anymore? Or was it the sheer unfairness of it all that made Siwon suddenly become such a hypocrite?
After all, he knew Taecyeon was just following orders. Just like he was. Just like what he kept telling Eunhyuk to do. But it made him so…angry.
Killing was nothing new to him, nor should it be to any Elite. That was the point of their title, to do the dirty work, the missions that needed special talents. Siwon had killed before, had beaten people until they were unrecognizable, taken away fathers from families and lovers from lovers, watched the light fade from their eyes as one world was erased, and had even talked to them beforehand, became friendly with them because sometimes, that was the easiest way.
So why, why did this sudden change of orders make him so goddamn angry? It was not unusual for the boss to unexpectedly change his mind, he’d been trained to adapt to all situations, but Donghae seemed like a genuinely good person, he had no idea why he was impulsive all of a sudden and fuck, why did Taecyeon look like he enjoyed it?
Bastard.
So Siwon punched and kicked and held that sword before it pierced Donghae’s heart-otherwise he might’ve really lost it-and helped Hyukjae, of all people, escape, but couldn’t trace even a silver of regret.
But Taecyeon is strong, and Hyukjae had already done a number on him so he knew he stood no chance against this guy. And then, that same sword he’d stopped with his bare hands was now pointed at his own neck and somehow, he didn’t find this situation as unfair as he did when Donghae was in his position.
“I’ve the right mind to kill you right now, you little quisling.”
- - -
To say that Minho was shocked to see that police officer Jaejoong had brought in, dragging a barely conscious Heechul gasping in pain, would be an understatement.
The human told him that he’d been instructed by Jaejoong to bring Heechul over to the infirmary and that he-you are Minho, right? The lookout? Minho didn’t know what a lookout was but nodded anyway-should wait out here with a medical team because Jaejoong was going to arrive with Donghae soon and that he would most probably be injured.
Minho still had trust issues with any of the mundane who suddenly started frequenting their hideout, but at the mere mention of Donghae’s name had him nodding furiously and shouting for Yuri because he needed nothing short of their best healer right now.
True to the human’s word (who decided he was going to wait with Minho despite obvious protest), Jaejoong came into view with two other figures he’d barely spared a glance because there he was-
“Donghae hyung!”
-
-
-
“Ow!”
Brushes and fine-point pens rolled off the table, landing on the ground beside the crouched boy holding his head between two small hands. Tears pricked the corners of his tight-shut eyes, whimpering to himself and feeling around for the pens while cradling the growing bump on his head. Leeteuk hyung would be so angry if any of them got broken.
“Hae!” Heechul ran in, ice pack already in hand, and pulled the boy onto his lap. Gently, he pressed it down on the exact spot Donghae hit his head. “See what happens when you hide god-knows-where instead of attending Meditation class? I’ve told you over and over again how important that is for you.”
Donghae had never liked class, most especially meditation. It was too quiet, too eerie, it made him squirm and quite frankly, it would have been bearable if he at least had a classmate. But no, of course he didn’t. He was alone as always-why was it called ‘class’ anyway?
Donghae knew the things he was being taught were important and all, but Youngbae scolded him last week for falling asleep in the middle of the lesson and it was just so scary.
But he could only nod mutely at Heechul as he felt the ice slowly wet his hair, stars still clouding his vision.
“Heechul hyung…”
The older grunted while raking hands through Donghae’s tresses, inspecting.
“How do you know?”
“Know what?” He squinted at the lump.
“Where it hurts.” Donghae stared up at him, before shrugging, “Even before I tell you, or even when I try to hide it, you know. Before I thought you were just really smart, but now I think you’re an alien.”
Heechul pauses for a moment then sighs.
Donghae’s eyes widen comically.
“So you are an alien?” He whispers.
“What?” The older frowned, “No. Look, Donghae, you have to listen to me. And I mean really listen, all right?”
He nods eagerly and Heechul gives a slight smile before taking a deep breath, “Remember what I told you before? About how you and I were connected?”
“Yes! The string from your heart,” he points to Heechul’s chest, “to mine. And Teukie hyung’s too! Because I’m going to be a Solis just like Teukie hyung is and just like you were…right, hyung?”
“That’s right,” Heechul ruffles his hair, “And so long as we are connected, your pain is mine. It isn’t at the exact same level but I do feel a twinge and-”
Donghae clings to him and hugs him hard, mumbling apologies and promises to not get hurt again because the thought of Heechul and Teukie hyung getting hurt makes him want to cry.
He kind of did.
-
-
-
“Drop trout?”
“Yep.”
“Drop trout?”
“Uh-huh.”
…
“Hahahahahaha! How do you even use that in a sentence? ‘Excuse me, good sir, I have this terrible urge to drop trout. Is your toilet in service?’ Hahahaha! Assquake!” Sungmin paused, glanced at the sleeping form on the bed before breathing in and out, miraculously calming down. Until Kyuhyun whispered ‘trout’ and he was off into fits of laughter.
“Who’s the loud one now?”
Silence as Sungmin paused to seethe.
“At least I don’t play games and shout ‘Fuck I should’ve leveled up my monsters now my skillpoints are down fuck shit goddamn wizards seventy percent fuck my life’ if you’re going to curse, at least get more creative!”
“Says little shrieking princess who flips over every slang word he hasn’t heard about! It’s not even that funny.”
“I do not flip!”
“You're a shrieking princess then.”
“I do not shriek!”
“Honey, I’m owning you left and right today.”
“I’m going to kill you! I’m going to kill you and God will forgive me for it!”
“Oh but you wouldn’t be able to forgive yourself, now would you, Princess?”
“Ssh! You’ll wake him up!”
Kyuhyun slaps the hand clamped over his mouth away, mumbling about how he wasn’t the one shouting profanities, but was promptly ignored as his lover pushed past him towards the bed.
Thick lashes fluttered open, warm brown eyes they worried they’d never see again blinked up at Sungmin and Kyuhyun. It didn’t take long for a weak smile to break out on Donghae’s face.
“Kyumin~”
- - -
“So.”
Hyukjae frowned at the teasing tone of Junsu’s voice, turning to glare at him.
“Woah, hey, I haven’t even said anything yet. Geez.”
He looked away.
“So,” he bit back a growl at how his friend was trying to hold in his laughter and failing miserably, “ ‘Hyukjae’, huh? How cute. You’re on first name basis now. I haven’t heard someone call you that in what, ten years?”
Junsu took a big gulp of water from the bottle Jaejoong had managed to get them. They sat on a bench outside the clinic, the passing Lumici pointing, staring, glaring at them albeit all from a distance. It was obvious their presence was not welcomed. In fact, the only thing that held down the Lumici’s conscience from throwing them out of the hideout was that they’d brought back their Solis.
Although personally, Hyukjae wasn’t convinced with the array of emotions that played on their faces as he brought Donghae in. Some were genuinely relieved, others looked at him as if he were a mere object that had finally been returned to them.
“But I gotta hand it to ya, Hyuk. You sure know how to pick ‘em.” Junsu grinned cheekily, “Kid looks like he dropped right out of the sky! Heck, if he weren’t so hung up on you…”
He glanced at him with a sly grin, wiggling his eyebrows.
Hyukjae scoffed, and punched him in the shoulder; not feeling the least bit threatened because he knew Junsu’s heart already belonged to someone else. He knew he missed him, Hyukjae could see it in his faraway look when he spaced out and thought no one was looking.
“Junsu…” His best friend grunted and Hyukjae smiled wryly before continuing, “Thank you. Really. For everything.”
“Don’t go soft on me now, loverboy. I’m still trying to digest the fact you could actually fall in love,” he held up a hand before Hyukjae could protest, “Don’t make me worry about your mental health now too.”
Hyukjae smiled despite himself.
“Idiot.”
“That’s more like it. And relax,” Junsu eyed his constantly tapping fingers, “he’s going to be just fine. You’ll see.”
“And you?” Hyukjae turned to him, “Are you just fine?” It’s painful, right? Being here.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I am, really.”
Junsu tilted his head up, “I’m over it.”
- - -
Donghae found it difficult to speak or move, difficult to do anything at all. Sungmin’s words had gone in one ear and out the other. His head stayed planted on his pillow, eyelids constantly drooping and slipping in and out of consciousness, of dreams and reality.
His dreams have been becoming more and more vivid. They happened more often now, sometimes even when he isn’t really asleep. Visions attack him and make his head hurt; the people seem so real-like memories.
“…I mean, what could be so special about you, a kid who doesn’t even know what he is?” Taecyeon’s words echoes in his head.
What am I, really?
He heard voices in the room; some he knew, others surreal with varying levels of hushed tones and questions of when Donghae was ever going to wake up. He hears one voice prominent from his dreams, one he knew but didn’t know at the same time. So he stirred and willed his eyes to open but could only so much as see a blur of white skin and jet-black hair before he is pulled back and god, his side just really really hurts.
“He’s bleeding again.”
“Heechul, do something!”
Heechul…hyung…?
“Jess, out of the room.”
“Are you sure? You shouldn’t be doing this too often…”
No… He is hurting, Heechul hyung is hurting…He must be.
“Is that even a question?”
Warmth spreads through his body, it’s easier to breathe, his side stops hurting.
I’ve caused him pain.
- - -
The rain outside grew to a soft murmur against the windowpanes. The room was small but everything about it was eerily familiar. The slightly stained walls with crayon marks on it in random spots, the cupboard in the corner big enough to fit a kid if he crouched enough, the crisp white sheets on his lap that smelled of his dreams at night, the bare floor of hard ground-Donghae was finally able to see them all with his eyes wide open.
He’d been out for quite a while, he could tell with the lethargic lag that came with a long sleep as he brushed his bangs out of his eyes and move to swing a leg off the bed but instantly recoiled at the jab at his side.
“You should rest.”
Brown eyes snapped to the doorway and the moment he caught sight of a familiar shade of red, tears welled up and dripped down his cheek.
Hyukjae rushed inside, placing the glass of water on the bedside and gently wiping a tear of Donghae’s face in one swift motion. A slender finger lifted his chin so chocolate orbs could stare into Hyukjae’s. He gripped the sheets.
“Hey, hey, don’t cry.”
You’re too beautiful to cry.
But the tears kept falling, and whimpers between Hyukjae’s name was all Donghae could manage. His lips jut out into a slight pout and Hyukjae tried not to stare.
“I’m sorry I put you through that.”
Donghae furiously shook his head, trying to form words but his teeth started chattering lightly and his mouth wouldn’t open up.
“I…” he managed after a few moments, “was so a-afraid...I’d lose you.”
Hyukjae lost all resolve and wrapped his arms around the frail body, his hands careful and precise but cold as it rested just below Donghae’s ear and the brunette shivered but snuggled into the pale neck.
It was the first time Hyukjae had felt his life was valued, that whether or not he got out of a fight alive mattered to someone. His mindset was that the mission was first priority; therefore every Rife shall throw away what he or she must to achieve this, even their lives.
He’d long lost his fear of death.
Yet here was this…time bomb, target of almost every power-hungry bastard Hyukjae could think of, worrying about not his own brittle life but of a dispensable Rife’s.
Memories of golden hair and empty eyes made its way.
“Me too.”
“Hyukjae?”
He hummed; running his hands through Donghae’s soft hair bur frowned when he felt him lean back and out of his hold. But then he was staring into those eyes again and frowning was the last thing on his mind.
“Back at the cave-”
Hyukjae colored,
Donghae pouted his lips for a kiss, “-do you remember what we did? I really liked it! Can we do it again? It made me feel nice and my stomach felt funny but-Hyukjae? ”
Hyukjae stared at him wide-eyed. “You…what?”
Donghae jut his lips out more and Hyukjae tried not to look. “Can we do it again?”
Just like that?
This time, Donghae’s eyes grew bright with excitement as he took Hyukjae’s nervous shifting as a sign that he was getting ready. Now it was even harder to say no.
He exhaled, “Close your eyes.”
“Hyukjae, are you okay? You look a bit red-”
“Just close your eyes.”
Donghae happily obliged, closing his eyes and waiting with an eager smile.
Self-control, self-control.
Hyukjae breathed in deep before leaning in, his lips hovering above the other’s. He felt sweet breath waft over his now overly sensitive lips, and gulped.
Curious, Donghae popped an eye open.
“No peaking.”
The eye closed and their lips met in chaste kiss. Hyukjae felt Donghae smile wider into it, “feels nice” he mumbled against the older’s plump lips and Hyukjae almost lost himself in frenzy. He cupped Donghae’s cheek, guiding him closer while he felt arms wrapped feebly around his neck.
He released the sweet softness to lean his forehead against Donghae’s while the latter whimpered at the sudden loss.
Self-control, self-control.
“Hyuk…”
Self-control.
“I’m going to try something, okay?” He cupped Donghae’s jaw on both sides and brought him closer.
Their chests were touching now, and soon as he felt Donghae nod against him, Hyukjae bent down to capture his lips once more but this time, softly nibbling the lower one. Donghae made the sound of a mix between a squeak and a moan at the back of his throat that almost pushed Hyukjae off the edge of his sanity.
Donghae had never felt this before, his cheeks were tingling, his stomach a bundle of nerves, his fingers trembled around Hyukjae’s neck as he tried burying himself further into those enchanting lips. Hyukjae’s nose brushed his cheek as he felt the redhead angle his neck and Donghae couldn’t help but giggle because it tickled and it felt nice and he was just so happy.
Naturally, Hyukjae heard it first-the sound of footsteps in the hall-so he pulled away to see a glowing Donghae with tinted cheeks and a slightly swollen lip. He couldn't find it in himself to release him from his embrace.
Donghae was about to ask him to continue when Hyukjae actually smiled at him and his mind went completely blank, his heart beat loudly against his ribcage.
A clear of the throat by the doorway, “I’m sorry, were we interrupting something?” Sungmin asked though he didn’t seem to be waiting for an answer, smiling suspiciously like a proud mom. There were others with him-besides Kyuhyun, of course-but Donghae didn’t recognize them.
They do look familiar though.
“How are you feeling, Hae?” Kyuhyun stepped in, glaring at Hyukjae who hesitantly let go of the brunette. Donghae hadn’t noticed, beaming and genuinely happy to see his friends again. But he grabbed Hyukjae’s hand, refusing to let the redhead leave his side.
Not that he would.
“Much better now, thank you.”
“That’s great.” Kyuhyun’s glare was now directed at the clasped hands while Sungmin rolled his eyes at him, “because Heechul here has a lot he needs to tell you.”
Heechul?
A tall but slender form waltzed into the room, black hair falling over pale skin as a cat curled up against his feet.
“Hello, Donghae-yah.” His smile was warm, “it’s been a while.” -- ♦
- - -
previous | next