Tree Huggers 1/2
Title: Tree Huggers (1/2)
Pairing: Donghae/Hyukjae, Hyukjae/Donghae
Rating: R
Genre: AU, fantasy, fluff, romance, angst, and a little bit of smut for the perverts.
Summary: Donghae doesn't realize he's been destroying something very precious until he meets Hyukjae, someone who crashes into his life and changes it in less than twenty four hours.
A/N: Inspired by growing up in the forest, moving to the city, and watching the very few trees around me disappear. Also inspired by Hyukjae reminding me of Legolas.
-
Donghae is listening to his client ramble. The tree is in the way, it's obstructing the view, it's ugly, everything about it is horrible, it simply has to go. He gets it, really, he just doesn't understand why this woman has to repeat the same reasons to him continuously as if he doesn't understand.
“Ma'am, I understand. The tree will be out of your way by this evening,” Donghae assures her.
“Good. I've already given you your pay, I expect every trace of that tree to be gone by the time I return. If not, I won't be afraid to call my lawyer.” The woman walks away and heads straight to her car without giving Donghae a second glance.
Donghae doesn't mind the rudeness, or rather he's getting paid enough that he isn't allowed to complain about it.
He gathers his tools from his truck and glances up at the tree. Had the woman called it ugly? It is beautiful to Donghae. It is a common tree, he recognizes it as a species that blooms with white flowers in spring, keeps green leaves throughout the summer and turns a deep red in the fall. He frowns a little, watching several white petals drift from the flowers currently gracing the tree. He doesn't want to cut it down, it's far too pretty.
Donghae sighs and pats the tree. “I'm sorry,” he whispers, “I kind of need the money. And even if I didn't, that crazy bitch would hire someone else to cut you down.”
He stops talking to the tree after he starts feeling crazy and he begins his job. It's too large of a tree to cut down all at once, he'll have to do it in sections. Measuring in his head, he guesses that he'll only need to remove the top half before he can safely cut down the rest and remove the stump.
He climbs to the top using a cable and easily removes the thin top of the tree, watching white petals and green leaves scatter as it crashes rather gracefully to the ground. He makes his way back down and carefully saws the bottom half of the tree, letting it fall safely to the ground.
Now the hard part. He stretches a little before digging around the stump, finding its roots. The roots are deeply burrowed into the ground and he groans because he knows that means this job will take him longer than he had expected.
It takes an hour for him to dig the roots up entirely and his back aches from handling the shovel. Just as he's turning to get water from his truck, something catches his eye.
A bright patch of something amongst the leaves, far too bright to be a flower. He edges closer and gasps when he realizes that the bright patch is blond hair connected to a head connected to a body. A very naked male body.
How could someone have been in the way? He checked thoroughly to make sure everything was safe and there was no way someone had hidden in the tree.
He rushes and kneels at the side of the man, trying to ignore the lack of clothes.
“Hey! Hey are you okay?” Donghae asks desperately, patting the man's cheek, trying to wake him.
The man doesn't move and Donghae panics. He checks for a pulse. Still breathing, just not moving.
“Fuck, I'm going to jail,” Donghae curses as he runs to his truck for his phone.
He shakily dials for an ambulance as he returns to kneel next to the man but the man is gone. He looks around, digging through leaves, looking around and under his truck. No one. He closes his phone. Did he imagine it? Did the tree have some kind of hallucinogenic in its leaves?
Donghae scratches his head. He's just tired. Or someone was playing a prank on him. Either way, he quickly cleans up his mess, managing to cut and fit all of the tree, including the stump into the back of his truck. He fills in the large hole left by the tree and makes sure, just as the woman had demanded, that there isn't a single remnant of the tree in sight.
After taking a very thorough search to make sure there was no one hiding around the property, Donghae climbs into his truck to drive home. He rubs his eyes to make sure he's awake and that his vision isn't faulty before he actually begins to drive.
He'll have to dispose of the tree later. He doesn't work for a company so there's no specific method of disposal. Sometimes he sells it as firewood, other times he uses it as his own. He keeps souvenirs from some trees, a leaf or a petal, in a small scrapbook. He'll never admit it to anyone, though. He calls himself weird enough on his own, he doesn't need others telling him as well.
He knows he'll keep a flower from this tree.
He parks his truck and gets out, stretching his sore limbs before heading around to the back of his truck to pick a flower. He stops when he hears something coming from the mess of tree limbs. It sounds like a soft sob. Donghae holds his breath.
“H-hello?” He calls softly, peering into his truck, waiting for movement.
The sobbing stops. There is a small rustle and the same patch of bright blond hair Donghae had seen earlier rises from a mass of leaves.
Donghae can only stare. It's the same man, still naked, fringe covering his eyes but not the tears on his cheeks or his quivering jaw. His skin is pale and smooth, not a trace of hair on his body except for his head. Donghae looks closely and notices the tiniest hint of pointy ears poking out from the man's hair.
He lets out the breath he's been holding and it comes out shakier than he'd intended. “U-um... are you okay?”
The man looks up at him, eyes barely visible under his fringe, and his voice is nothing but a whisper.
“You killed my tree.”
“Your tree?” Donghae asks. “I... did you live there? Was that woman your mom or something? She hired me to cut it down and... I think she mentioned that she lived alone....” he trails off.
“Woman...” the man starts, raising his shaking voice slightly, “she hated me. I could feel it. She wanted me dead, gone. What did I do wrong?”
Donghae frowns, wondering what the hell is happening. He's about to speak again when he notices that the man is covered in multiple cuts and deep, purple bruises.
“You... fell out of a tree. And you probably hit your head. We need to get you to a hospital.”
“No!” The man shouts, letting his tears fall again and curling his knees to his chest.
Donghae, thinking that this man had to be an escaped mental patient, forms an idea.
“Okay, no hospital. Will you at least come inside and let me look at your cuts and give you some clothes?” He asks.
He would lure the man inside and attend to his wounds. He'd ask for a moment and he'd call the hospital. They'd come to pick him up and Donghae could go to sleep. It is already turning dark and Donghae is exhausted.
He waits for a response from the man who seems to be looking him over, wondering if he can trust him.
The man nods slowly. Donghae pulls off his jacket and puts it in the man's lap, clearing his throat.
“You should keep that around your waist or else you'll be arrested for indecent exposure.”
The man frowns, confused for a moment before he manages to flimsily wrap the jacket around his waist. Donghae helps him out of the truck and quickly gets him through his front door before anyone can see him. Donghae turns to set his keys down and switch the lights on.
“Okay, the first aid kit is in the bathroom, so...” Donghae stops talking when he turns back and notices that the man is naked again, his jacket on the ground.
“Bathroom...” the man says, “that is where you release bodily fluids, correct?”
“Um.... y-yes?” Donghae almost chokes on his own tongue. He ties his jacket securely around the man's waist before helping him to the bathroom. It's a small room and there's barely enough space for Donghae to kneel in front of the man after helping him sit on the toilet.
“Your cuts are probably full of dirt so this will sting a little,” Donghae warns, gently applying peroxide to a cut on the man's leg.
The man seems to whimper a little but remains perfectly still, letting Donghae clean all of his wounds. The last cut is on the man's forehead. Donghae carefully reaches up to brush the hair from the man's face and their eyes meet. Donghae blinks at the man's eyes, dark brown with a ring of an emerald-like glow around them.
“Your eyes... they're really... pretty...” Donghae manages, still staring.
There is only a stare in return for his compliment and Donghae shakes himself from his trance, applying peroxide and a small bandage to the cut on the man's head. He takes the chance to look at Hyukjae's ears but can't seem to see them through his hair.
“There. Um. Can you excuse me for a moment?” Donghae asks, slipping out of the room and heading to the phone before the man can answer.
He's just about to call the hospital when suddenly the phone is taken from his hand and he whirls around to see the man frowning at him.
“You cannot call the hospital,” he says, “you said you would not.”
“I...” Donghae sighs, “I know what I said but come on, you must have a concussion after falling out of that tree. You have to see a doctor!”
“I do not need a doctor! You killed my tree. You did it. You can help me. A doctor cannot.”
“Yeah... okay, I'll help you,” Donghae nods, humoring the obvious mental patient in front of him as he reaches for the phone again.
The man glares at him and suddenly disappears into thin air. Donghae widens his eyes, then rubs them, then looks around, knowing that disappearing was not normal.
Donghae doesn't remember hitting his head on anything, so maybe the tree really did have some kind of hallucinogen in its leaves. He cautiously makes his way around his small apartment, searching for any trace of the man. He hears a clatter in the kitchen and rushes to find the source of the noise.
The man is on the floor, cradling his ankle and whimpering.
“It hurts! You did this! Make it go away!” The man yells at Donghae.
“I didn't do anything! You're crazy! I'm crazy! What are you?!” Donghae yells back, thoroughly confused.
The man immediately turns calm, staring at Donghae.
“I am sorry, I have not introduced myself. I am Hyukjae, and I am a forest sprite.”
Donghae sinks to the floor in defeat. A forest sprite. Donghae needs his phone, he'll call the mental institution this time.
“You stole my phone. Give it back so I can get you some help. Some nice people will come and they'll help you realize that you're just a little special.”
Hyukjae glares at him again, harder this time.
“I am not a fool. I will not allow myself to be taken away by medical specialists. They cannot help me. I have told you,” he pauses to blink slowly, “Lee Donghae. Only you can help me.”
“My name... that's my name. How do you know my name? Did you look through my phone?” Donghae asks, eyes wide.
Hyukjae groans seemingly in frustration, locking eyes with Donghae.
“I am a forest sprite. I cannot tell you more until you believe me and you promise to help me. I can allow a small demonstration to prove my identity to you.”
Donghae thinks for a moment and shrugs. Sure, a demonstration, he could afford to let this day get a little worse.
“Okay. Prove it to me, forest sprite.”
Hyukjae disappears again.
“Oh come on! Okay, it's a cool trick, I'll admit that I want you to teach me how do it but that's all it is! It's a trick!” Donghae screams, not believing his own words.
Hyukjae reappears and kneels beside Donghae, holding a clenched fist in front of his face.
“How about this, Lee Donghae?” Hyukjae asks softly, slowly uncurling his hand to reveal a small seed.
Donghae wants to roll his eyes until he notices a soft glow around the seed. He glances at Hyukjae, noticing the green around his eyes growing brightly. The seed cracks slightly, a small green strand emerging from inside it. The strand grows into a small stalk, roots sprouting from the bottom, leaves and multicolored flowers blooming along its sides.
The strange plant stops growing, its small, green roots curled around Hyukjae's hand, swirling around his fingers. It's a strange plant, like a small green bush covered in several different types of flowers.
Donghae wants to tell Hyukjae that it's just another trick but he can't even find the words. He can smell a mixture of of lavender, jasmine, and rose scent drifting from the plant. It calms him. He looks into Hyukjae's eyes, the glow around them dim again.
“You believe now, Lee Donghae,” Hyukjae says softly, clearly not a question.
Donghae nods, eyes moving from Hyukjae back to the plant.
“How... how did you do that?” He asks, watching the leaves on the plant move, almost as if a breeze was dancing around the room.
“Forest sprites can manipulate nature but only in small ways. This is my own creation. I took a simple seed from a flower and let it mingle with another. It allowed me to manipulate it, and so I made this. Do you like it?”
Donghae keeps staring and nods slowly.
“It's beautiful...” he says, clearing his throat to continue, “this isn't some joke, right? There's no one hiding with a camera, waiting to come out and call me an idiot?”
Hyukjae smiles for the first time.
“I promise you there is nothing like that. I can explain everything to you,” he promises.
“Please! I'm so confused!” Donghae whines a little, rubbing his throbbing temples.
“Does your head hurt?” Hyukjae asks, gently moving Donghae's hands out of the way, replacing them with his own.
Donghae doesn't have time to answer. Hyukjae gently massages his temples, making him groan slightly and close his eyes as the pain starts to fade.
“Do you have some sort of magic?” Donghae asks, almost falling asleep from the comfort of Hyukjae's hands.
“Not exactly. It is only the power of nature. I suppose you could say nature is... inside of me. However this,” Hyukjae says, referring to his hands on Donghae's temples, “is simply the work of skilled hands.”
Donghae opens his eyes and raises an eyebrow.
“Did Hyukjae the forest sprite just make a joke?” He asks, a smile in his voice.
Hyukjae removes his hands and returns the smile.
“Perhaps.” He says. “You are tired. You should sleep. I can explain everything in the morning.
Donghae nods and stands, frowning at Hyukjae's lack of attire.
“I take it forest sprites don't have clothes? You're pretty skinny and you're not much taller than me so you should fit into my clothes. You can't go around naked,” he mumbles.
Donghae leads Hyukjae to his bedroom. He picks out an appropriate shirt with a koala printed on it paired with simple pajama pants and allows Hyukjae to change in the bathroom. He changes into his own pajamas and lays in bed while he waits.
“He's taking too long... maybe he doesn't know how to put them on...” Donghae mutters to himself.
Oh well, he'd figure it out, right? Donghae is too comfortable to move and he already feels himself drifting off. He falls asleep so quickly that he doesn't hear Hyukjae coming out from the bathroom.
-
Donghae hardly remembers what had happened the night before so it's not a surprise when he wakes up and screams at the sight of a naked Hyukjae in bed next to him.
“I gave you clothes!” He screams, quickly pulling a blanket to cover Hyukjae's lower body and scrambling away from him.
“I... was not sure how to put them on...” Hyukjae says almost shyly and it makes Donghae frown.
“I didn't mean to yell at you,” Donghae says, moving a little closer, “I was just shocked. I can help you put them on.”
Hyukjae smiles, seemingly embarrassed as he sits up, careful to keep the blanket around his waist. Donghae thinks, for a short moment, that having a gorgeous, naked man in his bed isn't that bad.
“Hold your arms up, like this,” Donghae instructs, holding his arms straight up in the air.
Hyukjae copies the move and Donghae almost laughs at the curious expression on Hyukjae's face as he slips the koala t-shirt over Hyukjae's head. He shows Hyukjae how to put pants on and lets him do it on his own, refusing to see Hyukjae's bare lower half again.
When Hyukjae is completely dressed, Donghae excuses himself to take a shower, letting Hyukjae look around. He showers off the dirt and things that must have made their way into his hair from the tree he'd cut down. Hyukjae's tree. He frowns a little at the thought.
He dries off and dresses himself quickly, curious as to what Hyukjae is doing. He finds the forest sprite sitting in a chair close to the window, tapping on the glass.
“Hyukjae?” He calls out. “Are you okay?”
Hyukjae nods and removes his fingers from the window. “Can you open this for me?” He asks.
Donghae laughs and unlocks the window, pulling it up and letting a breeze into the room. Hyukjae scoots close enough to rest his cheek on the windowsill and he smiles softly. Donghae watches for a while, thinking of Hyukjae almost like a dog sticking its head out of a car window.
“Are you... hungry? Wait... do you eat?” Donghae asks and the forest sprite's head pops up from its spot on the windowsill.
“I drink water. And I eat the sun,” Hyukjae says, playfully reaching out and pretending to pluck the sun from the sky.
Donghae laughs at the childish display and ruffles Hyukjae's hair. He blinks and slowly runs his hair through Hyukjae's hair again.
“Your hair is really soft... I'd ask what shampoo you use but I'm assuming you don't need to wash at all.”
“My hair? It does not need to be washed. I do not become unclean, nor do I smell. Ah, I have much to explain to you!” Hyukjae says, an excited smile on his face.
“Can we talk over breakfast?” Donghae asks, rubbing his empty stomach.
“Breakfast... a morning meal. Lunch is an afternoon meal, dinner is an evening meal. Although humans seem to break this routine and eat whenever it is convenient.”
Donghae laughs at the description and makes his way into the kitchen, pouring himself a bowl of cereal and making his way back to sit in a chair near Hyukjae.
“So,” he says, “you're eating right now? Should I get you some water to go with your meal?”
“I do not need water now, I can wait until it rains... I am like a plant.”
Donghae almost chokes on his cereal laughing at the statement.
“Well I did find you in a tree... do you think you could explain everything to me? I mean as much as you can right now. I guess I can learn everything else along the way.”
Hyukjae thinks for a moment, staring outside before turning to Donghae.
“I am a forest sprite. Forest sprites are born when a human plants a tree with the intent to make the world a better place. Unfortunately, more trees are destroyed than they are planted. Forest sprites grow like humans, although we are not visible to human eyes until the trees that we are bound to are... dead.” Hyukjae frowns before continuing. “We live off of the weather, drinking the rain and absorbing the sun, much like a plant. We do not need human care, we only need the care of the forest. Animals see us but do not fear us, they know our intentions are good. We exist to protect the forest, keep sickness away from plants and animals, make nature beautiful so that humans might preserve it a while longer. It does not always work. Some humans see more beauty in a skyscraper than they do a great Sitka Spruce. When a human happens to destroy a tree that a forest sprite is bound to, the forest sprite becomes visible to the world. Humans do not often see us at all. We are meant to run, into the forest, away from humans... because you are like murderers...”
Donghae is staring, frowning, his long forgotten cereal turning soggy.
“I'm sorry...” he whispers, feeling a sting behind his eyes, “I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I...” he doesn't know how to continue.
“Donghae... do not feel sad. I knew that you were not dangerous. You spoke to me. You were thinking that I was beautiful. You told me that you were sorry, that if you did not destroy me, then someone else would. I am glad that it was you...”
Donghae refuses to acknowledge the tear on his cheek as he speaks.
“But you're not going to die, right? You said that I could help you. I can save you, can't I?” He asks desperately.
Hyukjae gives him a smile and a nod.
“You can. There are ways to save a forest sprite from death. We do not often seek help because we are scared and those of us who are brave enough to confront a human do not usually end up surviving...”
“Please, just tell me what I have to do, I'll do it, I promise!” Donghae almost yells, clearly anxious.
“You must plant a tree, Lee Donghae. My tree. There is a special seed buried amongst my flowers. I traveled here with it, to know that it was safe. If you plant the tree and let it grow, then I will be saved.”
“That's... all I have to do?” Donghae blinks several times, effectively clearing his tears.
“Yes. You must keep the tree here. After the tree has grown enough for it to survive on its own, you may plant it in the wild, somewhere safe.” Hyukjae explains.
Donghae sniffles and nods. “Okay. Let's plant it now, then!”
Hyukjae smiles until his eyes crinkle and Donghae is about to laugh at him when there is a knock on the door. Hyukjae looks scared as Donghae stands.
“Don't worry, probably just a neighbor or friend,” Donghae says, making his way to the door and opening it.
“Yah! You!” Donghae's friend, Heechul, exclaims. “You didn't tell me you had another job. I needed more firewood.”
“Firewood?” A small voice comes from behind Donghae.
Heechul blinks at the man standing behind Donghae, wearing Donghae's pajamas.
“You didn't tell me you got a boyfriend, either! You've been busy,” Heechul says with a slight smirk.
“Whoa, no, he's not my boyfriend and that is not firewood. You can't have it. It's special. Go away.” Donghae says, blocking Heechul's view of Hyukjae.
“Yeah, sure, not your boyfriend. Which explains him wearing your pajamas and not having a car in the driveway.”
Donghae lets out a frustrated sigh and glares at Heechul.
“He's a friend and we have business to discuss so if you don't mind...”
Heechul could take the hint, he just doesn't want to.
“Alright. He's not your boyfriend,” he says, looking to Hyukjae, “maybe he can be mine. He's pretty cute.”
“Cute?” Hyukjae blinks, looking at Heechul curiously.
Donghae sees Hyukjae looking at Heechul's smirking face and he can't help the angry words that come out of his mouth.
“He's mine. If you even think about touching him I'll cut your dick off with my chainsaw.”
He slams the door in Heechul's face, hearing him laugh through the door and turns to a very frightened and confused Hyukjae.
“Cut his... reproductive parts... you... why would you do that?” He asks.
Donghae frowns, panicking, unsure of how to explain anything that has just happened.
“I... he's a player! He wanted to... well, do things... with you... um... sexual things?” Donghae tries to explain.
“Why would he do that?”
“Because you're kind of ridiculously gorgeous?” Donghae says it as if it's obvious and only receives a stare in return.
“You mean that I am attractive to humans?” Hyukjae asks and Donghae swears he sees a blush on the forest sprite's cheeks.
“Well... yeah. The first thing I saw of you was your body and... it's amazing. You're thin but muscular and...” he clears his throat to keep himself from thinking about Hyukjae's naked body, “your face is handsome too. Your jaw and your lips... and your eyes are really beautiful...”
Donghae feels like he's daydreaming but the man he's describing is standing in front of him.
“Th-thank you, Donghae, for the compliment.” Hyukjae stutters and Donghae blinks out of his trance.
“Did you.... you stuttered! Your speech has been so perfect this whole time, even when you yelled at me but you stuttered!” Donghae exclaims, pointing a finger in Hyukjae's direction.
“Lee Donghae do not be mean to me!” Hyukjae practically whines.
Donghae can't help it. He walks to Hyukjae and physically squishes his cheeks, cooing to him.
“You really are cute!”
“I am not! I am odd!” Hyukjae exclaims, pulling away from Donghae's grip.
“There is nothing odd about you. You're perfect,” Donghae says honestly.
“No! I... my... my ears are funny....” Hyukjae says so quietly that Donghae barely hears him.
“Your ears? Oh! I thought I saw... are they... pointy?” Donghae asks, trying to move closer to see them as Hyukjae backs away.
Hyukjae frowns and covers the sides of his head with his hands.
“Don't come any closer!” Hyukjae yells and Donghae delights in hearing him break his formal speech pattern.
“Hyukjae,” Donghae coos playfully, reaching his arms out and wiggling his fingers to tease the forest sprite, “I want to see your ears!”
“No!” Hyukjae yells again as he backs up too far and falls back onto Donghae's couch.
Donghae takes the opportunity to pounce on Hyukjae, holding both of his hands above his head and blowing his hair away from his ear. Hyukjae squirms and yells but Donghae is too entranced by Hyukjae's ear to pay him any attention. It's incredibly pointy, just how he would imagine an elf's ear to be. It isn't weird in any way to Donghae, in fact he thinks it makes Hyukjae cuter.
Donghae is so close that he smells Hyukjae. A fresh scent of earth after it rains and wild fruits and flowers. It's nearly intoxicating. Without realizing it, he leans in and places a quick kiss to the tip of Hyukjae's ear.
Hyukjae stops squirming and looks up at Donghae.
“Y-you... was that... a kiss?” He asks, eyes wide and curious.
Donghae is blushing this time, trying to find a way to explain to Hyukjae what the kiss was.
“Your ear... is really cute... I couldn't help myself, I had to... kiss it,” he says, voice lowering as he watches Hyukjae's eyes staring into his own.
“Oh....” Hyukjae whispers back, “I am still unsure about things like this...”
“I can teach you,” Donghae says instinctively, biting his tongue to keep anything else from spilling out of his mouth.
“Teach me? About... kissing? Is it not something that humans do as a form of intimacy?” Hyukjae asks.
Donghae catches on to the feigned innocence in Hyukjae's voice. Hyukjae knows what kissing is. Hyukjae is playing with Donghae.
“Yes...” Donghae responds slowly, his face dangerously close to Hyukjae's. “It's something humans do when they like each other.”
Hyukjae swallows and Donghae watches his throat move with hungry eyes.
“Do you like me, Donghae?” Hyukjae asks, the innocence in his voice completely faded.
Donghae stares at the absolutely beautiful man under him, practically begging to be kissed. His eyes travel to Hyukjae's lips and he almost moans, wondering how soft they must be.
“I...” Donghae starts, searching Hyukjae's green-ringed eyes, “I think I do... which is why we need to get up and plant that tree so you can live.”
It takes all of the restraint that Donghae has in his body to let go of Hyukjae and stand. He clears his throat and straightens his shirt, turning away from Hyukjae.
“Oh... Donghae, I'm so sorry, I... don't know what came over me.” Hyukjae says and Donghae can sense the confusion rapidly growing in his voice.
“Hyukjae... fuck. No, I'm sorry. I can't take advantage of you like that. I mean, you're a forest sprite...”
Hyukjae's eyes widen as a pained look washes over his face.
“I... I know that I am different. I am sorry for all of this. You are a human and you cannot want me. It is human nature to reject things that are different and I understand. It is my fault and I apologize.” Hyukjae says, returning to his very formal and cold speech.
“Wait... no! No, Hyukjae,” Donghae says, turning to face Hyukjae, “I'm not saying that I don't want you because of what you are. I'm an idiot for phrasing it like that. I only meant that you're new to all of this. I can't... go too far with you because I feel like I'm taking advantage of you, like I'm hurting you. I... I do like you. I mean, it's a little weird for humans to like each other this quickly but... you're so cute. And I've already seen you naked. And I practically know your life story. So... I want to like you, but I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of you. I want you to know more about human life so that you can understand me...”
The pain is gone from Hyukjae's face and he nods, smiling slightly.
“I understand. But... I'm not sure what will happen to me after you plant the tree in the wild. I know that I must stay with the tree until it is ready... no one has told me what happens after that...” Hyukjae admits, frowning.
“Well...” Donghae says, letting the information sink in, “I guess we'll hope for the best and find out together?”
The smile returns to Hyukjae's lips and he nods.
“We need to plant the tree before I die.” Hyukjae says coldly, his face serious.
“Oh! Oh my god!” Donghae yells, running to get his shoes and looking around for a pot to plant the tree in.
He stops when he hears a shrill laugh coming from Hyukjae. He turns slowly, watching the forest sprite clutch his stomach and roll around in laughter.
“Payback for looking at my ears!” Hyukjae says through his laughter and yelps when Donghae makes his way over and tickles his sides.
Hyukjae laughs harder and pushes Donghae's hands away, begging for him to stop until he does.
“If you don't stop playing around we'll never get this tree planted!” Donghae says, sticking his tongue out at Hyukjae before heading to the door.
Hyukjae grins and follows him, suddenly jumping on his back and clinging to him like a monkey.
“I don't have shoes. Carry me.” He demands.
Donghae can't really say no so he laughs and carries the surprisingly light Hyukjae out the door.
“So you've gone your whole life without clothes but you can't walk without shoes now?” Donghae teasers.
“I could but I wanted to be carried.” Hyukjae admits coolly and Donghae laughs again, setting Hyukjae down on the side of his truck.
Hyukjae frowns, reaching a hand out to brush over the leaves of his tree, his home. Donghae bites his lip as a wave of guilt comes over him.
“Hey... we'll plant a new tree, everything will be okay...” Donghae says, trying for comforting words.
Hyukjae manages a small smile before reaching into the branches to pull out a small flower. He cups it in his hands and holds it out to Donghae.
“The seed is in here. I saw some planting pots inside? I was disappointed with your lack of house plants but one of the pots is vacant due to your lack of care so I suppose it's a good thing,” Hyukjae says, his voice light and teasing enough to make Donghae pout.
“I'll never let another plant die because of you.”
“Then I am a very successful forest sprite.”
They smile at each other and Donghae is about to carry Hyukjae back inside when they hear a throat being cleared behind them.
“First you lie and tell me you don't have a boyfriend and then you don't even introduce him to me. And you didn't give me my firewood. I thought we were friends, Donghae.”
Donghae is about to respond to Heechul rudely but Hyukjae speaks first.
“Your name is Heechul, correct?” Hyukjae asks, not giving Heechul a chance to answer before he continues. “Donghae and I are quite busy. He's going to teach me things about human intimacy that I am unfamiliar with and I plan to teach him a great deal in return. The threat earlier about your reproductive parts disappearing should not be taken lightly, Donghae is quite possessive.”
There's a teasing lust laced in Hyukjae's voice and his words make Donghae shiver. Heechul stares at them, unsure how to respond. So he walks away. Donghae isn't sure what to say either so he marches straight back to his apartment, locking the door and setting Hyukjae down as soon as they're both inside and gently pins the forest sprite against the nearest wall.
“I think you know a little more than I thought,” Donghae says, leaning towards Hyukjae.
“Oh, did I not mention that I often left my perch to observe human behavior?” Hyukjae asks, tilting his head slightly, using the same fake innocence from earlier.
“You...” Donghae can't even think of what he was going to say when he feels Hyukjae's lips against his own.
Soft, softer than any human's skin could possibly be and so incredibly gentle that it makes Donghae gasp before he kisses Hyukjae back. First kisses are supposed to be sweet and light but Donghae deepens the kiss as Hyukjae urges him with a soft moan. Donghae is about to lose his mind as he presses Hyukjae into the wall and slides his tongue over Hyukjae's plump bottom lip.
Hyukjae suddenly pushes Donghae away and blinks at him with wide eyes.
“D-did I do something wrong?” Donghae asks, panting slightly.
“No! I... I almost did... I nearly crushed it...” Hyukjae says, holding the forgotten flower delicately in both of his hands.
Donghae watches Hyukjae bring the flower closer to his face and whisper an apology against its petals.
“I... I'll get the pot,” Donghae says, rushing to find the pot and forget about his kiss with Hyukjae.
He fills a planting pot with soil and grabs a bottle of water before returning to Hyukjae who is now siting at the window again, cupping the flower in his hands. He looks up and smiles at Donghae before plucking a seed from inside the flower and gently pushing it into the soil with his thumb.
“There... just give it a little water and place it on the windowsill,” Hyukjae instructs.
Donghae does as he's told and pours a small amount of water into the pot, watching the soil absorb it. They both watch, almost expecting the plant to grow before their eyes and Donghae laughs when he realizes what they're doing.
“Come on, we have a few days before anything grows, let's talk,” Donghae says, taking Hyukjae's hand and pulling him to sit on the couch.
“Are we going to talk about... the kiss?” Hyukjae asks, innocence real this time.
“Yeah, I... I liked it. A lot. Your lips...” Donghae says, reaching up to run a thumb over Hyukjae's bottom lip, “they're so soft... and your hair is soft... your skin is soft... Hyukjae, you're so perfect.”
Donghae talks about Hyukjae as if he's a crush he's longed to be with for years and it makes Hyukjae smile.
“It flatters me that you think I'm perfect... and I enjoyed our kiss too... it was... really warm.”
Donghae grins at Hyukjae's words and pecks his cheek.
“Oh! There was still one thing I wanted to ask you,” Donghae says, continuing when Hyukjae nods, “you're obviously magical, you can't convince me otherwise, so what else can you do? You can disappear and make things grow... but what else?”
Hyukjae frowns as he thinks.
“I don't think I can do much now that my tree is dead... I feel weaker than I used to... each time I disappeared, it hurt more...”
Donghae thinks back, remembering when Hyukjae had sat on the floor and held his ankle, yelling from the pain. He leans down and pulls Hyukjae's pants up, revealing a deeply bruised ankle.
“Hyukjae! No more magic. You're weak, you need to rest, okay?” Donghae says sternly and Hyukjae nods.
“I'll grow stronger with the tree but right now I'm very vulnerable... I couldn't sleep last night... I wanted to wake you and talk to you but you looked peaceful so I left you alone.”
Donghae frowns harder and pulls Hyukjae into a hug.
“You can wake me whenever you need to. If you're tired, you can take a nap. I'll stay with you...” Donghae says, gently rubbing Hyukjae's back as he nods.
Donghae gets both of them up, helping Hyukjae to bed, keeping him off of his bad ankle.
“Your bed is really soft,” Hyukjae comments once they're both lying in bed, facing each other.
“It's a really cheap bed. I couldn't afford a better one,” Donghae says, reaching a curious hand to play with a strand of Hyukjae's hair.
“Money... does your job pay a lot?” Hyukjae asks, eyes closing from Donghae's touch.
“No... some jobs pay a lot, some don't. Which is why I sell firew-” Donghae stops when Hyukjae's eyes open.
“Firewood. You mentioned it to your friend earlier... would you have sold my tree to him if I hadn't been here?”
Donghae frowns but he nods, unable to lie to Hyukjae.
“I need the money to survive... but I can't continue my job anymore, not after meeting you. I cut down trees for a living. I never knew that I was doing something so terrible. It was just a job I started because I didn't have an education to do more... I'm probably the worst person for a forest sprite to trust.”
Hyukjae smiles at him and takes his hand, pressing a kiss to his knuckles.
“You're the best person for a forest sprite. We exist to try and make people preserve nature and I've successfully made you change. It makes me proud, like I've fulfilled my duty.”
Donghae smiles back and squeezes Hyukjae's hand.
“Oh... Donghae, are you sure it's okay for me to sleep in your bed, with you?” Hyukjae asks.
Donghae thinks, looking down at both of their bodies before nodding.
“As long as you're comfortable with it, it's fine. I don't exactly let people stay in my bed often but I'll make an exception for my adorable forest sprite.”
Hyukjae blushes a little before snuggling into Donghae's bed and falling asleep the second his eyes close. Donghae stares in astonishment and laughs quietly before nuzzling Hyukjae's hair and falling asleep next to him.
-
Donghae is sitting up in bed, flipping through his scrapbook when Hyukjae wakes up.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Donghae says cheerfully, watching the sleepy Hyukjae's eyes widen.
“Morning? Did I sleep that long?” He asks, panicked, and Donghae laughs.
“No! It's just an expression... you did sleep for a long time though, almost nine hours, it'll be dark soon.”
Hyukjae frowns.
“I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to sleep that long!”
“Don't apologize for sleeping, silly!” Donghae says, scooting closer to Hyukjae. “Here, I wanted to show you this.”
Hyukjae rubs the sleep from his eyes and sits up to lean his head on Donghae's shoulder. It's so strange for Donghae to be so close to someone after less than twenty four hours of being acquainted but everything with Hyukjae falls into place so easily. Donghae smiles and leans his head against Hyukjae's, spreading the book out across both of their laps.
“Even though I cut trees down for a living, I still admire them a lot. Whenever I cut down a tree that left an impression on me, I'd take a leaf or a blossom, sometimes a twig in the winter, and I keep them in this book. I hope it's not weird or gross to you... I really wanted to share it.”
Hyukjae pulls the book closer, slowly flipping through the pages, running his fingers across the entries. Donghae peers at his face and is surprised to find that he's smiling. He tilts Hyukjae's chin up, looking at him curiously.
“It's wonderful, Donghae. You cared about them, the trees. None of them were bound with a forest sprite, you didn't harm anyone. But I'm glad that you cared enough to write about them...”
Donghae can only look at Hyukjae's smile for a few seconds longer before he leans in to kiss it.
Hyukjae is still smiling as he moves the scrapbook out of the way and swiftly straddles Donghae's hips, sliding his hands from his neck to his cheeks, caressing them gently. Donghae's hands find their way up Hyukjae's shirt, his fingers slowly sliding against the soft skin, pushing the fabric up further.
Donghae can't remember ever being so turned on by such simple touches. His body has never reacted so eagerly before, craving more of an incredibly innocent but lustful Hyukjae.
“Donghae,” Hyukjae breathes out against Donghae's lips, “no stopping this time, please, I want you...”
Donghae responds by pulling Hyukjae's shirt over his head and running his lips down his chest, kissing every inch of skin his mouth can find. He feels Hyukjae shiver when he runs a tongue over his nipple, simultaneously reaching beneath him to grope his ass.
“D-Donghae,” Hyukjae moans and his voice is so sweet and wanting that Donghae flips them, pushing Hyukjae against the mattress and slipping the borrowed pajama pants down his hips and off of his body completely.
Hyukjae shivers and gasps out a moan when he feels Donghae's hand suddenly grasp his cock. He moans for Donghae, gripping his shoulders and thrusting into his warm hand.
Donghae thinks he could come just watching Hyukjae, his bare body writhing on the bed, completely smooth and glowing from the dim sunset light pouring in through the window.
“Fuck, Hyukjae...” Donghae groans, finally pulling back to rid himself of his clothes, watching Hyukjae's chest rise and fall with rapid breaths.
“Donghae,” Hyukjae whimpers, letting his hands roam down Donghae's body, so different from his own.
Donghae's skin is darker, naturally tan from the sun, his hands are rougher from working every day. Hyukjae almost giggles at the patches of hair on his body but his thoughts are gone completely from his mind and replaced with lust when Donghae kisses him again.
Hyukjae moans into the kiss, distracting Donghae by slipping his tongue into his mouth as he slides a hand down his own body and pushes one finger past his entrance, slowly fingering himself.
Donghae pulls away when he feels Hyukjae shiver and looks down, watching as Hyukjae stretches himself with a second finger and moans. This time Donghae does almost come at just the sight of Hyukjae and he has to bury his face against Hyukjae's neck to distract himself. But Hyukjae's neck is warm and his rapid pulse makes Donghae harder.
Frustrated, and more turned on than he's ever been in his life, Donghae latches himself onto Hyukjae's neck, sucking at the spot where his pulse beats beneath his skin and Donghae feels Hyukjae's moan getting caught in his throat.
Donghae reaches between them, gripping Hyukjae's hand and pushing his fingers deeper, delighting in Hyukjae's strangled cry of pleasure.
Without words, Hyukjae tells Donghae that he's ready by removing his hand and stroking Donghae's cock.
“I... impatient, don't want it to hurt,” Donghae pants out, finally gazing into Hyukjae's eyes.
“You won't hurt me. Donghae, just, I need you inside of me, p-please,” Hyukjae pants back desperately, guiding Donghae's cock to his entrance.
Donghae bites his lip and sits up, sliding his hands along Hyukjae's smooth thighs and gently gripping his hips before pushing into him. He watches Hyukjae's face contort with pain before it turns to pleasure and suddenly they're moaning against each other's lips, locking eyes, and Donghae knows he is making love to the most gorgeous creature on the planet.
He slows his suddenly rapid hips, rolling them carefully, watching Hyukjae squirm beneath him, feeling his nails drag down his back and his thighs tighten around him. He's cruel, teasing him, just to watch him writhe in pleasure and impatience.
Hyukjae's moans are begging him to speed up and yet pleading for more teasing. Hyukjae clenches around Donghae, making himself tighter, teasing back.
Donghae curls his fists in the sheets beneath them, keeping the same slow pace but thrusting hard into Hyukjae, letting the bed crash into the wall. Hyukjae is moaning his name so loud and Donghae is chanting “yes” repeatedly against his lips, wanting the world to know that Hyukjae is his.
He can't help it, his thrusts grow rapid again, slamming the bed into the wall harder, the noise pounding in his ear and he realizes that his eyes have not left Hyukjae's. He wonders if either of them have even blinked.
Hyukjae's nails are digging into Donghae's back and he pulls one of Donghae's hands from his hip and wraps his fingers around his length, rocking into his hand. Donghae moans, feeling Hyukjae throbbing against his hand, so close to coming for him. He watches Hyukjae's body twitch, his mouth opening to scream but Donghae slides his tongue against Hyukjae's, swallowing his scream as they both come suddenly. Donghae thrusts through his orgasm, letting the bed hit the wall once more before he collapses against Hyukjae, gathering him into his arms protectively.
Hyukjae whimpers against him, stroking his hair, kissing along his neck and shoulder, giving any kind of affection he can manage with Donghae's arms tightly around him.
“Donghae,” Hyukjae whines, his voice filled with too many emotions for Donghae to decipher.
Donghae pulls away to look at Hyukjae, still trying to catch his breath, pushing a sweaty lock of hair from Hyukjae's forehead.
“Donghae... it's my turn,” Hyukjae whines again and Donghae stares at him in disbelief.
“Your turn? You mean...?”
Hyukjae grins and flips them over with incredible strength, straddling Donghae for the second time that night. He moves his hips slowly, Donghae's cock still inside of him, making both of them moan.
“I want to fuck you,” Hyukjae whimpers.
Donghae wants to tell Hyukjae that he's the sexiest being in existence and that he can do whatever he'd like but his words are caught in his throat as he watches Hyukjae slowly lift himself, Donghae's come dripping from his entrance.
“So dirty...” Hyukjae complains but it sounds so sexy to Donghae.
Donghae's hands twist in Hyukjae's hair when he feels soft lips around his cock and an even softer tongue slide against his length, solely for the purpose of cleaning it.
When Hyukjae deems that it's clean, he pulls away and licks his lips before parting Donghae's legs further and pushing his tongue into Donghae's entrance. Donghae lets out the loudest moan of his life, feeling a tongue inside of him, somehow stretching him, preparing him.
“H-Hyukjae, fuck, just, fuck me!” He practically yells, screaming out in pain when Hyukjae obliges and swiftly thrusts into Donghae.
Hyukjae soothes the pain by accurately pressing against his prostate, rubbing it gently, and the tears in Donghae's eyes are from the overwhelming pleasure.
Hyukjae knows exactly how to touch him, when to push harder, thrust faster, he sees it in Donghae's eyes, what Donghae wants. He could make Donghae come within seconds but he has far too much fun listening to Donghae moan for him, beg him, call him beautiful, sexy.
When he's had his fun, when his mind is full of Donghae's moans and lustful eyes, he gives in, hitting Donghae's prostate at just the right angle, watching him come over his own hand as he strokes himself to his release. The sight pushes Hyukjae to the limit and he spills inside of Donghae before falling against him and quickly drifting off to sleep.
-
Part 2