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Castle in the Sky 5/?
Determined to finish this a s quick as possible :) :) :) 5,000 words this time around.
*
The sensation of real sunlight on skin was nothing like how Donghae imagined. It felt a bit like someone pressing warm kisses all over the bits of him were that were exposed and it caused a pleasant thrill to run down his spine.
Siwon was carrying him piggyback out of the Castle so he didn't have to walk on his bad knee and Donghae tilted his head back to look up at the sky. The real sky. It was possibly the most beautiful thing Donghae had ever seen; blue stretching for as far as he could see, clouds smattered around randomly, and no canvas. No faintly visible outline or Light or any artificial representation of any kind.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Siwon asked knowingly.
"Breathtaking," Donghae said, and he couldn't wait to see more.
"Wait until is rains. Or snows. It's the most moving experience."
Rain Donghae knew a little about. It rained artificially in the Dome, when the crops needed watering or when the earth began to dry up. Snow Donghae had heard whispers of, but had never actually seen. He suddenly wanted to more than anything else.
"Look what the cat dragged in," a voice drawled, a Donghae tore his eyes from the skyline, curious.
A man with a shaved head was standing with arms crossed, smirking at Kibum and Siwon as they made their way towards him. Donghae glanced at Ryeowook (following Henry like he was some sort of human shield) and found his friend looking decidedly nervous.
"Shut up," Kibum growled, "You said to hurry up, so we hurried."
"That is some rough damage. Gonna cost a pretty penny to fix it."
"His fault," Kibum spat, pointing an accusing finger at Donghae, "and he's going to pay me back, so I need you to draw up the documents for him to stay on my Castle."
The man drew nearer and Donghae gripped Siwon hard as he saw the Outlier uniform.
"I'm Kangin," the man said, "Ooh, look at that face. You can hit me, if you want," the man smirked again, "if you can, I mean."
Donghae chose to glare.
Kangin shrugged, "Whatever." He turned back to Kibum, "you have a list for me?"
Henry stepped forward and pulled out some papers which Kangin glanced over for a few seconds. He hummed to himself, seemingly not noticing as Eunhyuk and Hangeng started to unload empty crates.
"Usual shit I see," he finally commented, "I'll have Leeteuk sign off on it by tomorrow."
"I appreciate it," Kibum ground out, clearly already annoyed by Kangin's gruff attitude. "I would also appreciate some medicine so that I can tend to his knee."
Kangin glanced from Kibum to Donghae's knee and then back again, "Sure. You know where they are."
He stalked off, list of supplies still in hand.
"Don't mind him," Siwon whispered, "he has to be brusque with us."
Donghae didn't even want to try and work out what that meant, especially since trying to understand it would mean that some of his attention had to be taken from the sky. Siwon set him down carefully and he wobbled before Kibum grabbed him. Siwon helped Donghae onto Kibum's back, setting his legs carefully over Kibum's arms until he found a comfortable position.
"You're stronger than you look," Donghae commented, trying not to be distracted by the subtle muscles in Kibum's arms.
The Captain rolled his eyes. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises. You!" He turned his attention to Ryeowook, who jerked sharply, "Help them unload, and then start on the kitchen. Nows our chance to dump all the crap that we don't need."
Ryeowook nodded and followed Henry back up the ramp.
Kibum didn't say anything else, and Donghae found that he didn't mind. He got to stare in awe around him at the pristine houses built of wood and metal and canvas with glass windows and cotton curtains. And the sky. Donghae could not stop staring at the sky.
"Is it always this beautiful?" He found himself whispering.
Kibum laughed, as short, throaty sound that rumbled against his chest. "If you mean the street, than no. If you mean the sky...than yes. I prefer the night sky, myself, but it is always beautiful, no matter how much light there is or where the light is coming from.”
"You can see the stars?" Donghae asked hopefully.
"Yeah," Kibum said, "As long as it's not too cloudy.”
Donghae hummed in excitement as Kibum paused to readjust Donghae's body. "Am I very heavy?" Donghae asked.
"No," Kibum replied, "It's fine. We're almost at the med center."
It was only a couple more steps before they entered a white building and Kibum hurried them past a the few beds that were occupied. He carefully let Donghae slip off his back and onto the edge of a bed before hurriedly drawing a curtain around them to block any onlookers. "Take your pants off."
Donghae blinked.
"Or I can cut them," Kibum said, "your choice."
Donghae deliberated for a moment and then slowly unbuttoned the light canvas that he wore, and with Kibum's help, tugged them over his injured knee and off entirely.
Kibum sat down in front him with a med kit and a bunch of medicine and tools that looked extraordinarily intimidating.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” Donghae asked, eyeing the needle Kibum was filling.
"Pinch," Kibum said, before Donghae could take a breath and whatever had been in the shot was emptied into his body.
"Ow."
Kibum tossed it into the trash and started to carefully undo the butterfly bandages that had been holding the long cut together. They had held it remarkably well. “Not bad,” Kibum nodded, “Not bad at all.”
“Were you expecting it to be otherwise?”
“Henry did a good job cleaning it,” Kibum said appreciatively, “and no, I wasn’t. And yes, I know what I’m doing. Part of the requirement for owning a Castle is a little medical training.”
Donghae winced less and less as Kibum gave the healing wound a thorough wash and doused it liberally in heavy duty antiseptics. “Did you numb my knee?” he finally asked, when he realized that he could barely feel Kibum’s fingers.
“Yes. You’ll thank me in a few minutes.”
“Why?”
Kibum took out a needle, sterilizing it, and Donghae shut his eyes in understanding. There was something far too weird about not being able to feel your skin being poked full of holes while you could see it happening in front of you.
Kibum wrapped Donghae’s leg in a fresh bandage when he finished. “We need to change this every morning and night like Henry did; if I forget, you have to do it.”
Donghae nodded.
“We’ll get you some clothing too,” Kibum tossed Donghae’s ripped pants into the trash, “but for now, you’ll have to wear these surgeon’s pants.”
They were soft and cottony and Donghae was sure they looked slightly ridiculous, but they felt nice and they covered him up so he didn’t complain.
They said nothing for the first ninety percent of their journey back, Donghae watching the houses and people in interest, carefully balanced on Kibum’s back.
“I can walk,” Donghae offered as Kibum paused to shift Donghae’s weight.
“You only think that because you can’t feel your knee right now,” Kibum said, “Siwon’s meeting us outside the Castle, he’ll take you back in. I have a few errands to run.”
Siwon was indeed standing idly at the Castle entrance; how he knew that he was supposed to wait, Donghae didn’t know, but there he was, carefully easing Donghae on his own back as Kibum walked back into the village.
As Siwon attempted a form of awkward conversation, Donghae couldn’t help the fleeting thought that Siwon’s arms were not at all as comfortable as Kibum’s. And his back wasn’t quite as warm. And he smelled different, Donghae noted with a tentative sniff.
“Are you smelling him?”
Hangeng stood just inside the doorway.
“No,” Donghae denied, because telling the truth would be a Very Bad Thing. Especially with how territorial Hangeng was looking. “I’m just taking a few deep breaths.”
Hangeng eyed him suspiciously, but beckoned and Donghae almost fainted in relief when he led them into a furnished room. Siwon let Donghae down carefully on the bed and the pilot sighed happily, intent on squeezing every soft surface that he could.
“Rest for now,” Hangeng said, “and Siwon will come get you for dinner.”
“Ryeowook?” Donghae asked.
“He’s cleaning.”
“I should help.”
“No,” Hangeng said, “you need to heal. Rest and we’ll get you in a little bit.”
Donghae closed his eyes as the door shut and pulled the blankets and pillows around himself snugly. It didn’t take long for sleep to come and he dreamt of blue skies and twinkling stars the entire time.
He woke blearily to Kibum poking at his shoulder. “We’re going to Kangin’s. Come on.”
It took a few moments to focus his brain and when he finally could see properly, Kibum was holding out some clothing to him. “These should fit.”
Donghae managed his shirt fine, but it took Kibum’s help to get the pants on correctly. “I feel like I ought to tell you that you have nice muscles,” Kibum said, completely out of the blue, as Donghae fastened the fabric at his waist.
What. “Oh. Um. Thanks. So do you.”
Kibum looked terribly amused. “You haven’t seen mine.”
Donghae stared for a moment before gesturing a little wildly, “Your...arms,” he said, “Lovely arms.”
Kibum laughed and then they didn’t say anything else. Which was fine, Donghae thought, as Kibum lifted him, because it wasn’t like he had anything to say to Kibum. No, nothing at all. He was perfectly happy to compliment muscles, being the men that they were, and there was no need for anything else.
Kibum transferred Donghae to Siwon as they left the Castle, and the pilot only half listened as Henry explained to Ryeowook what they were going to eat at Kangin’s.
Kangin who had a house outside the village was very nice and Donghae tuned the rest of the words out entirely. Instead, he watched Kibum walk ahead of the rest of the group and tried to notice if the rest of Kibum’s muscles were as nice as the ones in his arms. And it wasn’t weird. Not at all.
Because of that he sort of missed looking at everything between the Castle and Kangin’s house, but he didn’t particularly mind. It wasn’t as if he had been staring at something awful. Quite nice, in fact. Yes, Kim Kibum was quite nice.
Something flicked his forehead; Hangeng stood in front of Siwon, eyeing him. “Let go of Siwon,” he instructed, “we’re here.”
“Oh,” Donghae swallowed as Siwon let him down offered an arm so he could hobble a few steps to the door, “sorry. I guess I fell asleep.”
Hangeng just rolled his eyes.
Kangin's home wasn't in the village, yet neither was it in the Outlier compound. Donghae couldn't help but stare a little at the enormity of it. Mostly made of stone, which Donghae found to be terribly odd, it was set in the middle of sprawling gardens and grounds that looked horribly expensive. This house could most likely fit two times the amount of people that had arrived.
They met at the door by a grinning man, a dimple creasing one cheek. He embraced Kibum, who didn't look very pleased, but smiled as he was squeezed enthusiastically.
Mei-yin's hair was stroked ("Have you been good?"), Hangeng was assaulted like Kibum, as were Henry and Eunhyuk. Siwon's cheeks were patted since his arms were full and then the man was giving Donghae a thorough once-over.
"You must be Donghae," he turned to Ryeowook who was standing nearby, his hand latched onto Donghae's sleeve. "And Ryeowook?"
"Yes," Donghae said.
"I'm Leeteuk. You're both welcome here. Kangin's inside, come on, we've got so much food it's ridiculous."
Leeteuk ushered them in and Siwon helped Donghae into a chair so he could take his shoes off. Eunhyuk and Henry tumbled in after everyone with their bags for the evening.
Mei-yin latched herself onto Siwon as soon as Donghae let go as if she was offended that he was all of a sudden getting more attention than she was. Donghae heard a snort and looked up to see Kibum roll his eyes as he caught her movements. They shared a knowing grin before they realized what they were doing and hurriedly looked away. Donghae had absolutely no reason to smile at Kibum. Muscle appreciation only.
There was a loud swear that emitted from somewhere in the house seconds before a loud crash was heard.
Leeteuk's smiled faltered. "Idiot," he muttered, but the tone of voice was rather fond.
Kangin appeared a moment later, and Donghae was momentarily taken aback. It was definitely the same Kangin, but his entire demeanor was different.
"Hi," he said, "Leeteuk come and help, the bookcase just fell over."
"Did it fall over or did you bump into it?"
Kangin winced, "Well, I was sort of chasing the Terror of My Life..."
Leeteuk sighed and pushed Kangin aside, "Why do I have to fix these things for you. You're the strong one."
Kangin pouted; Donghae gaped.
Kangin caught his stare. "Oh," he said cheerfully, "hello. Donghae, right? Sorry about earlier; I have a reputation to uphold and I can't really be seen being sympathetic to Castle folk, or Dome dwellers. I swear I'm generally a very nice person."
"Can we come in or not?" Kibum asked irritably and Kangin ushered them inside hurriedly, grabbing a few bags and setting them further inside the house.
"Youngwoon!" came Leeteuk's voice, "Youngwoon, what the hell?"
"If you'll excuse me," Kangin said with something of a leer on his face, "drinks are in the fridge, we'll be right out."
"Right," Kibum growled, immediately helping himself and going to brood by the stove.
Ryeowook poked his head into the fridge and started to pull out drinks for everyone. Donghae tapped his fingers on the stone countertop (and his good foot on the stone floor while he stared at all the stone around him,) and tried to calm himself. All this sitting was not good for him; he was an active person.
There was something of a yelp that sounded suspiciously like Leeteuk and another crash. And then Donghae turned around to stare at where the noise seemed to be coming from as a high pitched squeal rang out that was most certainly neither Kangin or Leeteuk.
Hangeng let out a sigh and tugged Mei-yin out of the kitchen, "Come on, let's get your bag to your room, missy. It's straight to bed after we have dinner."
Donghae glanced at Ryeowook and found his friend looking slightly guilty. Donghae almost scoffed because it wasn't their fault that Mei-yin had decided to visit them, but he thought better of it. Siwon followed them, Mei-yin latching onto his arm again and trying to convince him to let her stay up with everyone.
Leeteuk entered a second after, not at all looking surprised that three guests had disappeared. He actually seemed supremely frustrated and was muttering to himself about the incompetence.
Donghae shot Henry a questioning glance, because he didn't want to look at Kibum.
"Don't ask," Henry whispered.
A second later, just as Henry turned away to take a drink from Ryeowook (blushing furiously,) Kangin came in, grinning madly and carrying a child on his hip.
"Too many people," Donghae muttered.
"Look at you, you've gotten so big," Eunhyuk was immediately cooing at the girl, ignoring Kangin's attempts to push him away.
"Move," Kangin growled, "she doesn't like you anyway."
Eunhyuk pouted and started to pull a few funny faces making the child break out into giggles.
"Do you want to hold her?" Kangin asked pleasantly, and Eunhyuk immediately retreated. "That's what I thought. This is Soojin," he introduced, "Terror and Light of my Life."
Soojin hid her face, mumbling hello into her father's neck.
"Hey," a woman's voice said, and Donghae gave up on trying to keep everyone straight as another woman entered, her stomach swelling out from her body in a way that could only mean pregnancy.
Kangin slid an arm around her, "and this is Taeyeon. The wife." He gently rubbed at Taeyeon's belly before saying, "and the son to be."
"Daughter," Taeyeon insisted.
Kangin rolled his eyes and shifted Soojin, introducing Ryeowook and Donghae respectively.
"The one with the hurt knee, right?" Taeyeon asked, "I have some old crutches, if you'd like them. They're pink, but they should work well. I'll dig around in the attic after supper."
The thought of being able to walk around on his own again, albeit in a handicapped way, was incredibly enticing. Color pink be damned. "Yes, please."
"You are not going to dig through the attic," Kangin said, "I'll find them."
Taeyeon attempted to argue but Kangin held a hand over her mouth until she stopped wiggling. "You are so much like your daughter it's not even funny," he informed her, and she stuck her tongue out at him, for which she received a firm pat on her bottom.
The look that passed between them made Donghae feel decidedly awkward.
"Okay, into the dining room before the food gets cold," Leeteuk bustled everyone out, pushing insistently at Kangin's shoulder and Taeyeon's ass. Donghae did a double take.
"Don't think too hard," Kibum's voice said in his ear. An arm was offered and Donghae took it, limping a few steps into Kangin's dining room.
The table, Donghae noted was glass and he was sure he wanted to stare at it forever. In fact, he would have, had there not been the most lovely feast spread out in front of him, and his stomach rumbled quietly, barely noticeable over Leeteuk and Kangin's light bickering.
"Thanks," Donghae muttered once he was sitting in a chair; Kibum just waved him off, nonchalant as ever.
Hangeng and Siwon came in just after Ryeowook handed Donghae a plate of food.
"Where's Mei-yin?" Leeteuk asked.
"Washing her hands," Siwon replied, returning the hug that Leeteuk had apparently been waiting to give him.
He walked over to Kangin and pulled Soojin from him, tickling her gently as she laughed, trying to catch his fingers.
"I swear she likes you more than anyone else in the entire world," Taeyeon bemoaned, accepting a plate of food from Leeteuk.
"Nonsense," Siwon said dismissively, "you like your parents much better, don't you?"
Soojin nodded, smiling as Hangeng came over to take her from Siwon and give her a proper hug.
Donghae looked away from the hugging and greeting, focusing instead on his meal. It was very yummy, very homey, and for some reason it made him want to cry. This was all very nice. They were all sweet, all very kind and welcoming, but it wasn’t what he had expected. They were still Outliers. And he hated them because of it, and he didn’t particularly want to.
“Do you like your food cold?”
Kibum was sitting beside Donghae eyeing the food that had been hardly touched.
“Oh. No,” Donghae said with a small smile, “not really.” He picked at his dinner, aware that Kibum was watching him suspiciously, but unable to fake any sort of exuberance.
“Is something wrong?” Kibum finally asked, after Donghae had picked up and put down the same piece of meat at least five times. “I know it’s a little overwhelming. Or were you expecting more?”
Donghae allowed a little sigh to escape his lips. “I don’t know what I was expecting.”
Kibum reached over with his chopsticks, picked the piece of meat, and shoved it into Donghae’s mouth. “Eat. We have a lot left to explain to you yet, so don’t think this is it.”
Donghae gave a half hearted grin as he tried not to choke on the meat that had been shoved down his throat.
He wondered despairingly what else there was to tell. He wasn’t even sure if he understood what he had already been told and if anything else would make a difference.
*
Mei-yin attempted to drag out dinner for as long as possible. No doubt, Kibum thought, due to the bedtime threat imposed earlier in the day. He was thankful for that, if he was going to be honest with himself. It would be easier to talk about everything without her there, especially since she didn’t know everything and no one wanted her to know everything. At least not yet.
He left for some fresh air when Hangeng started to look slightly murderous and when he came back both Siwon and Mei-yin were gone. Hangeng was pinching the bridge of his nose and Kibum decided not to ask.
“You missed a shouting match,” Donghae informed him.
“I really didn’t want to know.”
“Oh. Well, you do now.”
Kibum heaved a sigh. “Come on,” he lifted Donghae to his feet, offering an arm. “There are stars for you see. And I have a lot to explain.”
“I do have questions,” Donghae acknowledged, looking elated at the prospect of seeing a black sky, “Ryeowook?”
“Henry’ will talk to him. Let’s go.”
They left relatively unnoticed, half the room intent on reassuring Hangeng that Mei-yin wouldn’t be rebellious forever (Soojin included, in her own, strange little way,) and Kibum helped Donghae out onto the balcony.
He let the man have his space as he stared up, drinking in the black space and bright spots of light. He knew what it was like. Knew that there was nothing in the world that compared to feeling a real breeze, a real ray of sunshine. He knew there was nothing like seeing the moon hanging swollen among stars.
Tears were streaming down Donghae’s face and Kibum walked up hesitantly, handing him a handkerchief. “So beautiful,” Donghae breathed, unable to look away, even as he tried to wipe his eyes, “so, so beautiful.”
His hands shook and Kibum took the handkerchief back, wiping Donghae face for him. “It is.”
“Why...why keep people from this?” Donghae gasped, and Kibum knew that if he could look away from the sky, Donghae would be glaring at him, piercing him right down to his soul. “Why keep them hidden from all this beauty? I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I,” Kibum responded softly.
Donghae took a shuddering breath, finally facing Kibum. His nose was slightly red, tears tracks shining in the moonlight despite Kibum’s attempts at wiping them away.
“But you’re an Outlier.”
“I’m the owner of a Castle,” Kibum corrected, “there’s a difference.” He took Donghae’s hand and tugged him towards some chairs. “Let me explain.”
Donghae sat down gingerly and Kibum helped him to lift his leg up. Donghae reclined the chair after a few moments of trying to figure out how it worked and then stared up. Kibum smiled for a minute, admiring the way the moonlight sunk into Donghae’s hair and reflected off his face.
He waited for a breath or two, before lying in a chair of his own saying, “It’s best that I start with Heechul.”
“Mei-yin mentioned him,” Donghae said, “he’s inheriting something?”
“Sort of,” Kibum said, “Heechul is the son of the Outlier leader. He has a...strange interest in the Domes and Castles. He’s something of a genius when it comes to Castles and he and his two...well. The other two members of his crew built all the Castles that there are. Which I suppose,” Kibum said wryly, “is why it takes so long to fix them. There’s only three people who are really good at it. He’s unpredictable. No one knows where he’s going to be; he pops up randomly and we all have to wait until he decides to grace us with his presence if we have something important to tell him.”
“So he hides?”
“I have absolutely no idea,” Kibum admitted, “If I knew where he went, I would follow and drag his ass back. Leeteuk and Kangin do all the grunt work that he’s supposed to do. Not that they mind. They are both important and influential within Outlier circles, so no one really cares.”
“Are they...” Donghae started, “I’m a little confused by them.”
Kibum knew what Donghae was asking. “They’re together,” he said, “But it’s complicated, and not necessarily in a bad way, at least that anyone can tell. Kangin had to get married, because of who he is and his Outlier position, but it was slightly problematic for him due to the fact that he loves Leeteuk.”
“So...Taeyeon? And his kids?”
“Taeyeon’s been his best friend since forever,” Kibum said, “and so she agreed to marry him knowing that by doing so, he would be able to love Leeteuk and she would get the kid she always wanted. And because it’s Kangin and he has a sense of duty and family, he cares for them. I’m not exactly certain on the whole story, but a few years ago I left Regnum to make a run and Kangin and Leeteuk were together. Then, I came back and walked in on Leeteuk kissing Taeyeon up against the wall while Kangin watched. And then she got pregnant and had Soojin. And it’s all very confusing.”
“Are...all three of them are together even though Kangin and Taeyeon are married?”
Kibum turned his head and found Donghae watching him. “You’re not allowed to tell anyone,” he said, “But Leeteuk told me today that he thinks Taeyeon’s pregnant with his child this time.”
“Kangin doesn’t know?” Donghae asked.
“Oh, I’m sure if Leeteuk’s suspicious, then so is Kangin. He won’t mind, if that’s what you’re wondering. They are all together. I think. It’s not quite as clear cut as Heechul’s...situation.”
Donghae raised an eyebrow.
“You just have to meet him,” Kibum said, and then tentatively asked, “Tell me about yourself, Lee Donghae. Who are you?”
Kibum gave Donghae what he hoped was a reassuring smile. It took a few moments, and Donghae looking back up at the sky before he said anything.
Kibum just listened. Listened to Donghae explain his life and his hardships, and how damn difficult it had been to live in a place where no one believed you because you could see things that they couldn’t. He talked about his family and his father being dragged away and his mother wasting away in front of him and how much he hated the Outliers. And Kibum didn’t blame him. He couldn’t.
“They took everything from me. And now I learn that they’ve been keeping this from me,” he gestured to the sky, “and it makes me even more mad. It really, really pisses me off.”
Kibum stayed silent for another moment before saying, “what if I told you that everyone in this house thought the same way you did?”
“I’m not really sure I would believe you.”
Kibum chuckled.
Donghae looked back at him. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” Kibum nodded, “Everyone here has had something precious of theirs taken from them. Except for Kangin and Heechul, because they grew up as Outliers and wanted for nothing. But Kangin had Leeteuk who lost his family, and Heechul’s just special.”
“You know,” Donghae murmured, “I came up here dreaming...hoping that there was a resistance. The Castle, to me, represented freedom; represented a way out. If your telling me the truth, then I glad.”
His grin bordered on ferocious.
“It’s not a rebellion, Donghae,” Kibum said gently, and inwardly winced as Donghae’s face fell, “That’s not what we are.”
“Then what are you?”
“Just a group of angry people waiting for the current leader to die so that Heechul can take over and change everything.”
Donghae blinked at him like Kibum had been speaking in gibberish.
“What?”
“It was a rebellion at first. But then Heechul got wind of it and he dropped in on us, to put it nicely, and informed us that his father was terminally ill and he’d appreciate it if we waited so that as few people as possible died. And we agreed. Because rebellion means that more families are torn apart and that’s what we’re trying to prevent.”
“But why keep people from this?” Donghae demanded, “There are so many people, so many Dome dwellers as you call them, who suffer every single day because of the Outliers. Why turn away the chance to help them?”
“Because it isn’t going to be for long. Terminally ill means that he will die. Heechul says soon. Within the year. To us, it’s not worth the risk of even one person dying so that we can get rid of a leader who’s reign is going to end anyway. Also, Heechul will not back us up if we fight.”
Donghae snorted. “He sounds weak.”
“He’s not. His support is important. He has the respect of a lot of important Outliers and they’ll listen to him when the time comes. If he isn’t on our side, then anything we do is completely useless.”
Donghae groaned. “I really, really, wanted to kick some Outlier ass.”
Kibum reached over and patted Donghae’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. We’d be happy to have you with us, if you decide to stay. The more people we have to help, the better. Think about it.”
Donghae gazed back out at the sky, and Kibum could already see his wheels turning. “I’ll send Ryeowook out if Henry’s done talking with him.”
“Thanks,” Donghae said.
Kibum stood, stretching, cracking his neck. He was surprised when Donghae reached out to grasp his hand. “I...I really don’t know what I’m doing here. What am I supposed to think?”
Kibum returned the grip before bending down and shocking them both by pressing his lips to Donghae’s. “You tell me,” he whispered.
I’m crazy, he thought as he walked away. I’m quite possibly the most insane person alive. What the hell did I just do?
~~~~
More babies. I can't even help myself. :) QMi and Heechul are appearing next. I am excited because they will be spectacular in all their brilliancy and debauchery. Also, is this too slow? Seriously, this was supposed to be a oneshot lol. I'm such an overachiever.
Finally, please note Kibum's arm in my icon. I could stare forever. Forever, I tell you.
*
The sensation of real sunlight on skin was nothing like how Donghae imagined. It felt a bit like someone pressing warm kisses all over the bits of him were that were exposed and it caused a pleasant thrill to run down his spine.
Siwon was carrying him piggyback out of the Castle so he didn't have to walk on his bad knee and Donghae tilted his head back to look up at the sky. The real sky. It was possibly the most beautiful thing Donghae had ever seen; blue stretching for as far as he could see, clouds smattered around randomly, and no canvas. No faintly visible outline or Light or any artificial representation of any kind.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Siwon asked knowingly.
"Breathtaking," Donghae said, and he couldn't wait to see more.
"Wait until is rains. Or snows. It's the most moving experience."
Rain Donghae knew a little about. It rained artificially in the Dome, when the crops needed watering or when the earth began to dry up. Snow Donghae had heard whispers of, but had never actually seen. He suddenly wanted to more than anything else.
"Look what the cat dragged in," a voice drawled, a Donghae tore his eyes from the skyline, curious.
A man with a shaved head was standing with arms crossed, smirking at Kibum and Siwon as they made their way towards him. Donghae glanced at Ryeowook (following Henry like he was some sort of human shield) and found his friend looking decidedly nervous.
"Shut up," Kibum growled, "You said to hurry up, so we hurried."
"That is some rough damage. Gonna cost a pretty penny to fix it."
"His fault," Kibum spat, pointing an accusing finger at Donghae, "and he's going to pay me back, so I need you to draw up the documents for him to stay on my Castle."
The man drew nearer and Donghae gripped Siwon hard as he saw the Outlier uniform.
"I'm Kangin," the man said, "Ooh, look at that face. You can hit me, if you want," the man smirked again, "if you can, I mean."
Donghae chose to glare.
Kangin shrugged, "Whatever." He turned back to Kibum, "you have a list for me?"
Henry stepped forward and pulled out some papers which Kangin glanced over for a few seconds. He hummed to himself, seemingly not noticing as Eunhyuk and Hangeng started to unload empty crates.
"Usual shit I see," he finally commented, "I'll have Leeteuk sign off on it by tomorrow."
"I appreciate it," Kibum ground out, clearly already annoyed by Kangin's gruff attitude. "I would also appreciate some medicine so that I can tend to his knee."
Kangin glanced from Kibum to Donghae's knee and then back again, "Sure. You know where they are."
He stalked off, list of supplies still in hand.
"Don't mind him," Siwon whispered, "he has to be brusque with us."
Donghae didn't even want to try and work out what that meant, especially since trying to understand it would mean that some of his attention had to be taken from the sky. Siwon set him down carefully and he wobbled before Kibum grabbed him. Siwon helped Donghae onto Kibum's back, setting his legs carefully over Kibum's arms until he found a comfortable position.
"You're stronger than you look," Donghae commented, trying not to be distracted by the subtle muscles in Kibum's arms.
The Captain rolled his eyes. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises. You!" He turned his attention to Ryeowook, who jerked sharply, "Help them unload, and then start on the kitchen. Nows our chance to dump all the crap that we don't need."
Ryeowook nodded and followed Henry back up the ramp.
Kibum didn't say anything else, and Donghae found that he didn't mind. He got to stare in awe around him at the pristine houses built of wood and metal and canvas with glass windows and cotton curtains. And the sky. Donghae could not stop staring at the sky.
"Is it always this beautiful?" He found himself whispering.
Kibum laughed, as short, throaty sound that rumbled against his chest. "If you mean the street, than no. If you mean the sky...than yes. I prefer the night sky, myself, but it is always beautiful, no matter how much light there is or where the light is coming from.”
"You can see the stars?" Donghae asked hopefully.
"Yeah," Kibum said, "As long as it's not too cloudy.”
Donghae hummed in excitement as Kibum paused to readjust Donghae's body. "Am I very heavy?" Donghae asked.
"No," Kibum replied, "It's fine. We're almost at the med center."
It was only a couple more steps before they entered a white building and Kibum hurried them past a the few beds that were occupied. He carefully let Donghae slip off his back and onto the edge of a bed before hurriedly drawing a curtain around them to block any onlookers. "Take your pants off."
Donghae blinked.
"Or I can cut them," Kibum said, "your choice."
Donghae deliberated for a moment and then slowly unbuttoned the light canvas that he wore, and with Kibum's help, tugged them over his injured knee and off entirely.
Kibum sat down in front him with a med kit and a bunch of medicine and tools that looked extraordinarily intimidating.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” Donghae asked, eyeing the needle Kibum was filling.
"Pinch," Kibum said, before Donghae could take a breath and whatever had been in the shot was emptied into his body.
"Ow."
Kibum tossed it into the trash and started to carefully undo the butterfly bandages that had been holding the long cut together. They had held it remarkably well. “Not bad,” Kibum nodded, “Not bad at all.”
“Were you expecting it to be otherwise?”
“Henry did a good job cleaning it,” Kibum said appreciatively, “and no, I wasn’t. And yes, I know what I’m doing. Part of the requirement for owning a Castle is a little medical training.”
Donghae winced less and less as Kibum gave the healing wound a thorough wash and doused it liberally in heavy duty antiseptics. “Did you numb my knee?” he finally asked, when he realized that he could barely feel Kibum’s fingers.
“Yes. You’ll thank me in a few minutes.”
“Why?”
Kibum took out a needle, sterilizing it, and Donghae shut his eyes in understanding. There was something far too weird about not being able to feel your skin being poked full of holes while you could see it happening in front of you.
Kibum wrapped Donghae’s leg in a fresh bandage when he finished. “We need to change this every morning and night like Henry did; if I forget, you have to do it.”
Donghae nodded.
“We’ll get you some clothing too,” Kibum tossed Donghae’s ripped pants into the trash, “but for now, you’ll have to wear these surgeon’s pants.”
They were soft and cottony and Donghae was sure they looked slightly ridiculous, but they felt nice and they covered him up so he didn’t complain.
They said nothing for the first ninety percent of their journey back, Donghae watching the houses and people in interest, carefully balanced on Kibum’s back.
“I can walk,” Donghae offered as Kibum paused to shift Donghae’s weight.
“You only think that because you can’t feel your knee right now,” Kibum said, “Siwon’s meeting us outside the Castle, he’ll take you back in. I have a few errands to run.”
Siwon was indeed standing idly at the Castle entrance; how he knew that he was supposed to wait, Donghae didn’t know, but there he was, carefully easing Donghae on his own back as Kibum walked back into the village.
As Siwon attempted a form of awkward conversation, Donghae couldn’t help the fleeting thought that Siwon’s arms were not at all as comfortable as Kibum’s. And his back wasn’t quite as warm. And he smelled different, Donghae noted with a tentative sniff.
“Are you smelling him?”
Hangeng stood just inside the doorway.
“No,” Donghae denied, because telling the truth would be a Very Bad Thing. Especially with how territorial Hangeng was looking. “I’m just taking a few deep breaths.”
Hangeng eyed him suspiciously, but beckoned and Donghae almost fainted in relief when he led them into a furnished room. Siwon let Donghae down carefully on the bed and the pilot sighed happily, intent on squeezing every soft surface that he could.
“Rest for now,” Hangeng said, “and Siwon will come get you for dinner.”
“Ryeowook?” Donghae asked.
“He’s cleaning.”
“I should help.”
“No,” Hangeng said, “you need to heal. Rest and we’ll get you in a little bit.”
Donghae closed his eyes as the door shut and pulled the blankets and pillows around himself snugly. It didn’t take long for sleep to come and he dreamt of blue skies and twinkling stars the entire time.
He woke blearily to Kibum poking at his shoulder. “We’re going to Kangin’s. Come on.”
It took a few moments to focus his brain and when he finally could see properly, Kibum was holding out some clothing to him. “These should fit.”
Donghae managed his shirt fine, but it took Kibum’s help to get the pants on correctly. “I feel like I ought to tell you that you have nice muscles,” Kibum said, completely out of the blue, as Donghae fastened the fabric at his waist.
What. “Oh. Um. Thanks. So do you.”
Kibum looked terribly amused. “You haven’t seen mine.”
Donghae stared for a moment before gesturing a little wildly, “Your...arms,” he said, “Lovely arms.”
Kibum laughed and then they didn’t say anything else. Which was fine, Donghae thought, as Kibum lifted him, because it wasn’t like he had anything to say to Kibum. No, nothing at all. He was perfectly happy to compliment muscles, being the men that they were, and there was no need for anything else.
Kibum transferred Donghae to Siwon as they left the Castle, and the pilot only half listened as Henry explained to Ryeowook what they were going to eat at Kangin’s.
Kangin who had a house outside the village was very nice and Donghae tuned the rest of the words out entirely. Instead, he watched Kibum walk ahead of the rest of the group and tried to notice if the rest of Kibum’s muscles were as nice as the ones in his arms. And it wasn’t weird. Not at all.
Because of that he sort of missed looking at everything between the Castle and Kangin’s house, but he didn’t particularly mind. It wasn’t as if he had been staring at something awful. Quite nice, in fact. Yes, Kim Kibum was quite nice.
Something flicked his forehead; Hangeng stood in front of Siwon, eyeing him. “Let go of Siwon,” he instructed, “we’re here.”
“Oh,” Donghae swallowed as Siwon let him down offered an arm so he could hobble a few steps to the door, “sorry. I guess I fell asleep.”
Hangeng just rolled his eyes.
Kangin's home wasn't in the village, yet neither was it in the Outlier compound. Donghae couldn't help but stare a little at the enormity of it. Mostly made of stone, which Donghae found to be terribly odd, it was set in the middle of sprawling gardens and grounds that looked horribly expensive. This house could most likely fit two times the amount of people that had arrived.
They met at the door by a grinning man, a dimple creasing one cheek. He embraced Kibum, who didn't look very pleased, but smiled as he was squeezed enthusiastically.
Mei-yin's hair was stroked ("Have you been good?"), Hangeng was assaulted like Kibum, as were Henry and Eunhyuk. Siwon's cheeks were patted since his arms were full and then the man was giving Donghae a thorough once-over.
"You must be Donghae," he turned to Ryeowook who was standing nearby, his hand latched onto Donghae's sleeve. "And Ryeowook?"
"Yes," Donghae said.
"I'm Leeteuk. You're both welcome here. Kangin's inside, come on, we've got so much food it's ridiculous."
Leeteuk ushered them in and Siwon helped Donghae into a chair so he could take his shoes off. Eunhyuk and Henry tumbled in after everyone with their bags for the evening.
Mei-yin latched herself onto Siwon as soon as Donghae let go as if she was offended that he was all of a sudden getting more attention than she was. Donghae heard a snort and looked up to see Kibum roll his eyes as he caught her movements. They shared a knowing grin before they realized what they were doing and hurriedly looked away. Donghae had absolutely no reason to smile at Kibum. Muscle appreciation only.
There was a loud swear that emitted from somewhere in the house seconds before a loud crash was heard.
Leeteuk's smiled faltered. "Idiot," he muttered, but the tone of voice was rather fond.
Kangin appeared a moment later, and Donghae was momentarily taken aback. It was definitely the same Kangin, but his entire demeanor was different.
"Hi," he said, "Leeteuk come and help, the bookcase just fell over."
"Did it fall over or did you bump into it?"
Kangin winced, "Well, I was sort of chasing the Terror of My Life..."
Leeteuk sighed and pushed Kangin aside, "Why do I have to fix these things for you. You're the strong one."
Kangin pouted; Donghae gaped.
Kangin caught his stare. "Oh," he said cheerfully, "hello. Donghae, right? Sorry about earlier; I have a reputation to uphold and I can't really be seen being sympathetic to Castle folk, or Dome dwellers. I swear I'm generally a very nice person."
"Can we come in or not?" Kibum asked irritably and Kangin ushered them inside hurriedly, grabbing a few bags and setting them further inside the house.
"Youngwoon!" came Leeteuk's voice, "Youngwoon, what the hell?"
"If you'll excuse me," Kangin said with something of a leer on his face, "drinks are in the fridge, we'll be right out."
"Right," Kibum growled, immediately helping himself and going to brood by the stove.
Ryeowook poked his head into the fridge and started to pull out drinks for everyone. Donghae tapped his fingers on the stone countertop (and his good foot on the stone floor while he stared at all the stone around him,) and tried to calm himself. All this sitting was not good for him; he was an active person.
There was something of a yelp that sounded suspiciously like Leeteuk and another crash. And then Donghae turned around to stare at where the noise seemed to be coming from as a high pitched squeal rang out that was most certainly neither Kangin or Leeteuk.
Hangeng let out a sigh and tugged Mei-yin out of the kitchen, "Come on, let's get your bag to your room, missy. It's straight to bed after we have dinner."
Donghae glanced at Ryeowook and found his friend looking slightly guilty. Donghae almost scoffed because it wasn't their fault that Mei-yin had decided to visit them, but he thought better of it. Siwon followed them, Mei-yin latching onto his arm again and trying to convince him to let her stay up with everyone.
Leeteuk entered a second after, not at all looking surprised that three guests had disappeared. He actually seemed supremely frustrated and was muttering to himself about the incompetence.
Donghae shot Henry a questioning glance, because he didn't want to look at Kibum.
"Don't ask," Henry whispered.
A second later, just as Henry turned away to take a drink from Ryeowook (blushing furiously,) Kangin came in, grinning madly and carrying a child on his hip.
"Too many people," Donghae muttered.
"Look at you, you've gotten so big," Eunhyuk was immediately cooing at the girl, ignoring Kangin's attempts to push him away.
"Move," Kangin growled, "she doesn't like you anyway."
Eunhyuk pouted and started to pull a few funny faces making the child break out into giggles.
"Do you want to hold her?" Kangin asked pleasantly, and Eunhyuk immediately retreated. "That's what I thought. This is Soojin," he introduced, "Terror and Light of my Life."
Soojin hid her face, mumbling hello into her father's neck.
"Hey," a woman's voice said, and Donghae gave up on trying to keep everyone straight as another woman entered, her stomach swelling out from her body in a way that could only mean pregnancy.
Kangin slid an arm around her, "and this is Taeyeon. The wife." He gently rubbed at Taeyeon's belly before saying, "and the son to be."
"Daughter," Taeyeon insisted.
Kangin rolled his eyes and shifted Soojin, introducing Ryeowook and Donghae respectively.
"The one with the hurt knee, right?" Taeyeon asked, "I have some old crutches, if you'd like them. They're pink, but they should work well. I'll dig around in the attic after supper."
The thought of being able to walk around on his own again, albeit in a handicapped way, was incredibly enticing. Color pink be damned. "Yes, please."
"You are not going to dig through the attic," Kangin said, "I'll find them."
Taeyeon attempted to argue but Kangin held a hand over her mouth until she stopped wiggling. "You are so much like your daughter it's not even funny," he informed her, and she stuck her tongue out at him, for which she received a firm pat on her bottom.
The look that passed between them made Donghae feel decidedly awkward.
"Okay, into the dining room before the food gets cold," Leeteuk bustled everyone out, pushing insistently at Kangin's shoulder and Taeyeon's ass. Donghae did a double take.
"Don't think too hard," Kibum's voice said in his ear. An arm was offered and Donghae took it, limping a few steps into Kangin's dining room.
The table, Donghae noted was glass and he was sure he wanted to stare at it forever. In fact, he would have, had there not been the most lovely feast spread out in front of him, and his stomach rumbled quietly, barely noticeable over Leeteuk and Kangin's light bickering.
"Thanks," Donghae muttered once he was sitting in a chair; Kibum just waved him off, nonchalant as ever.
Hangeng and Siwon came in just after Ryeowook handed Donghae a plate of food.
"Where's Mei-yin?" Leeteuk asked.
"Washing her hands," Siwon replied, returning the hug that Leeteuk had apparently been waiting to give him.
He walked over to Kangin and pulled Soojin from him, tickling her gently as she laughed, trying to catch his fingers.
"I swear she likes you more than anyone else in the entire world," Taeyeon bemoaned, accepting a plate of food from Leeteuk.
"Nonsense," Siwon said dismissively, "you like your parents much better, don't you?"
Soojin nodded, smiling as Hangeng came over to take her from Siwon and give her a proper hug.
Donghae looked away from the hugging and greeting, focusing instead on his meal. It was very yummy, very homey, and for some reason it made him want to cry. This was all very nice. They were all sweet, all very kind and welcoming, but it wasn’t what he had expected. They were still Outliers. And he hated them because of it, and he didn’t particularly want to.
“Do you like your food cold?”
Kibum was sitting beside Donghae eyeing the food that had been hardly touched.
“Oh. No,” Donghae said with a small smile, “not really.” He picked at his dinner, aware that Kibum was watching him suspiciously, but unable to fake any sort of exuberance.
“Is something wrong?” Kibum finally asked, after Donghae had picked up and put down the same piece of meat at least five times. “I know it’s a little overwhelming. Or were you expecting more?”
Donghae allowed a little sigh to escape his lips. “I don’t know what I was expecting.”
Kibum reached over with his chopsticks, picked the piece of meat, and shoved it into Donghae’s mouth. “Eat. We have a lot left to explain to you yet, so don’t think this is it.”
Donghae gave a half hearted grin as he tried not to choke on the meat that had been shoved down his throat.
He wondered despairingly what else there was to tell. He wasn’t even sure if he understood what he had already been told and if anything else would make a difference.
*
Mei-yin attempted to drag out dinner for as long as possible. No doubt, Kibum thought, due to the bedtime threat imposed earlier in the day. He was thankful for that, if he was going to be honest with himself. It would be easier to talk about everything without her there, especially since she didn’t know everything and no one wanted her to know everything. At least not yet.
He left for some fresh air when Hangeng started to look slightly murderous and when he came back both Siwon and Mei-yin were gone. Hangeng was pinching the bridge of his nose and Kibum decided not to ask.
“You missed a shouting match,” Donghae informed him.
“I really didn’t want to know.”
“Oh. Well, you do now.”
Kibum heaved a sigh. “Come on,” he lifted Donghae to his feet, offering an arm. “There are stars for you see. And I have a lot to explain.”
“I do have questions,” Donghae acknowledged, looking elated at the prospect of seeing a black sky, “Ryeowook?”
“Henry’ will talk to him. Let’s go.”
They left relatively unnoticed, half the room intent on reassuring Hangeng that Mei-yin wouldn’t be rebellious forever (Soojin included, in her own, strange little way,) and Kibum helped Donghae out onto the balcony.
He let the man have his space as he stared up, drinking in the black space and bright spots of light. He knew what it was like. Knew that there was nothing in the world that compared to feeling a real breeze, a real ray of sunshine. He knew there was nothing like seeing the moon hanging swollen among stars.
Tears were streaming down Donghae’s face and Kibum walked up hesitantly, handing him a handkerchief. “So beautiful,” Donghae breathed, unable to look away, even as he tried to wipe his eyes, “so, so beautiful.”
His hands shook and Kibum took the handkerchief back, wiping Donghae face for him. “It is.”
“Why...why keep people from this?” Donghae gasped, and Kibum knew that if he could look away from the sky, Donghae would be glaring at him, piercing him right down to his soul. “Why keep them hidden from all this beauty? I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I,” Kibum responded softly.
Donghae took a shuddering breath, finally facing Kibum. His nose was slightly red, tears tracks shining in the moonlight despite Kibum’s attempts at wiping them away.
“But you’re an Outlier.”
“I’m the owner of a Castle,” Kibum corrected, “there’s a difference.” He took Donghae’s hand and tugged him towards some chairs. “Let me explain.”
Donghae sat down gingerly and Kibum helped him to lift his leg up. Donghae reclined the chair after a few moments of trying to figure out how it worked and then stared up. Kibum smiled for a minute, admiring the way the moonlight sunk into Donghae’s hair and reflected off his face.
He waited for a breath or two, before lying in a chair of his own saying, “It’s best that I start with Heechul.”
“Mei-yin mentioned him,” Donghae said, “he’s inheriting something?”
“Sort of,” Kibum said, “Heechul is the son of the Outlier leader. He has a...strange interest in the Domes and Castles. He’s something of a genius when it comes to Castles and he and his two...well. The other two members of his crew built all the Castles that there are. Which I suppose,” Kibum said wryly, “is why it takes so long to fix them. There’s only three people who are really good at it. He’s unpredictable. No one knows where he’s going to be; he pops up randomly and we all have to wait until he decides to grace us with his presence if we have something important to tell him.”
“So he hides?”
“I have absolutely no idea,” Kibum admitted, “If I knew where he went, I would follow and drag his ass back. Leeteuk and Kangin do all the grunt work that he’s supposed to do. Not that they mind. They are both important and influential within Outlier circles, so no one really cares.”
“Are they...” Donghae started, “I’m a little confused by them.”
Kibum knew what Donghae was asking. “They’re together,” he said, “But it’s complicated, and not necessarily in a bad way, at least that anyone can tell. Kangin had to get married, because of who he is and his Outlier position, but it was slightly problematic for him due to the fact that he loves Leeteuk.”
“So...Taeyeon? And his kids?”
“Taeyeon’s been his best friend since forever,” Kibum said, “and so she agreed to marry him knowing that by doing so, he would be able to love Leeteuk and she would get the kid she always wanted. And because it’s Kangin and he has a sense of duty and family, he cares for them. I’m not exactly certain on the whole story, but a few years ago I left Regnum to make a run and Kangin and Leeteuk were together. Then, I came back and walked in on Leeteuk kissing Taeyeon up against the wall while Kangin watched. And then she got pregnant and had Soojin. And it’s all very confusing.”
“Are...all three of them are together even though Kangin and Taeyeon are married?”
Kibum turned his head and found Donghae watching him. “You’re not allowed to tell anyone,” he said, “But Leeteuk told me today that he thinks Taeyeon’s pregnant with his child this time.”
“Kangin doesn’t know?” Donghae asked.
“Oh, I’m sure if Leeteuk’s suspicious, then so is Kangin. He won’t mind, if that’s what you’re wondering. They are all together. I think. It’s not quite as clear cut as Heechul’s...situation.”
Donghae raised an eyebrow.
“You just have to meet him,” Kibum said, and then tentatively asked, “Tell me about yourself, Lee Donghae. Who are you?”
Kibum gave Donghae what he hoped was a reassuring smile. It took a few moments, and Donghae looking back up at the sky before he said anything.
Kibum just listened. Listened to Donghae explain his life and his hardships, and how damn difficult it had been to live in a place where no one believed you because you could see things that they couldn’t. He talked about his family and his father being dragged away and his mother wasting away in front of him and how much he hated the Outliers. And Kibum didn’t blame him. He couldn’t.
“They took everything from me. And now I learn that they’ve been keeping this from me,” he gestured to the sky, “and it makes me even more mad. It really, really pisses me off.”
Kibum stayed silent for another moment before saying, “what if I told you that everyone in this house thought the same way you did?”
“I’m not really sure I would believe you.”
Kibum chuckled.
Donghae looked back at him. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” Kibum nodded, “Everyone here has had something precious of theirs taken from them. Except for Kangin and Heechul, because they grew up as Outliers and wanted for nothing. But Kangin had Leeteuk who lost his family, and Heechul’s just special.”
“You know,” Donghae murmured, “I came up here dreaming...hoping that there was a resistance. The Castle, to me, represented freedom; represented a way out. If your telling me the truth, then I glad.”
His grin bordered on ferocious.
“It’s not a rebellion, Donghae,” Kibum said gently, and inwardly winced as Donghae’s face fell, “That’s not what we are.”
“Then what are you?”
“Just a group of angry people waiting for the current leader to die so that Heechul can take over and change everything.”
Donghae blinked at him like Kibum had been speaking in gibberish.
“What?”
“It was a rebellion at first. But then Heechul got wind of it and he dropped in on us, to put it nicely, and informed us that his father was terminally ill and he’d appreciate it if we waited so that as few people as possible died. And we agreed. Because rebellion means that more families are torn apart and that’s what we’re trying to prevent.”
“But why keep people from this?” Donghae demanded, “There are so many people, so many Dome dwellers as you call them, who suffer every single day because of the Outliers. Why turn away the chance to help them?”
“Because it isn’t going to be for long. Terminally ill means that he will die. Heechul says soon. Within the year. To us, it’s not worth the risk of even one person dying so that we can get rid of a leader who’s reign is going to end anyway. Also, Heechul will not back us up if we fight.”
Donghae snorted. “He sounds weak.”
“He’s not. His support is important. He has the respect of a lot of important Outliers and they’ll listen to him when the time comes. If he isn’t on our side, then anything we do is completely useless.”
Donghae groaned. “I really, really, wanted to kick some Outlier ass.”
Kibum reached over and patted Donghae’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. We’d be happy to have you with us, if you decide to stay. The more people we have to help, the better. Think about it.”
Donghae gazed back out at the sky, and Kibum could already see his wheels turning. “I’ll send Ryeowook out if Henry’s done talking with him.”
“Thanks,” Donghae said.
Kibum stood, stretching, cracking his neck. He was surprised when Donghae reached out to grasp his hand. “I...I really don’t know what I’m doing here. What am I supposed to think?”
Kibum returned the grip before bending down and shocking them both by pressing his lips to Donghae’s. “You tell me,” he whispered.
I’m crazy, he thought as he walked away. I’m quite possibly the most insane person alive. What the hell did I just do?
~~~~
More babies. I can't even help myself. :) QMi and Heechul are appearing next. I am excited because they will be spectacular in all their brilliancy and debauchery. Also, is this too slow? Seriously, this was supposed to be a oneshot lol. I'm such an overachiever.
Finally, please note Kibum's arm in my icon. I could stare forever. Forever, I tell you.