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Castle in the Sky 7/8
By the time Donghae actually found someone to tell, everyone already knew. Ryeowook and Henry had also been down in the market area (Donghae tried not wonder why he hadn't seen them,) and had gotten back to Kangin’s faster than Donghae.
Hangeng was in the middle of a panic attack, unable to move from his seat the table and scarily close to hyperventilation. Siwon sat beside him, murmuring into his ear and rubbing a soothing hand up and down his back. Donghae didn't know how Siwon was able to remain so calm.
Heechul didn't look pleased either, and was pacing up and down the length of the kitchen. Donghae stayed away from him, lest the other man was looking for someone to blame for the whole incident, which he know doubt was.
Donghae settled himself by Kibum, as much as he didn't want to, and let the crutches lie on the floor beside him.
"We can't just go after her," Kangin was saying, "There are procedures; you all know this. I'll ask around and find out where she was taken, it won't be long."
"But she's a runaway," Hangeng moaned into his arm, his words half-muffled, "They'll take her straight back to...they'll definitely be skipping the whole beginning process."
"They still have to register her, enter her data in," Heechul said, exchanging a look with Kangin, "she knows better than to spill out information in a setting like that, it'll take a lot for them to get her to talk."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Hangeng whispered, and Donghae had a flash back of his father being pressed for information, being forcefully hauled away from his family in a manner very similar to Mei-yin.
"We'll find her," Kangin promised, already slipping on his shoes, "I swear to you that we will find her. Stay here, do not go out,, and make sure you eat." He caught the eyes of everyone in the room and pointed to Hangeng and Siwon, "Make sure that they stay here and that they both keep their energy up."
Heechul followed him out.
It was a few seconds before Hangeng began sobbing uncontrollably and Donghae had to look away as Siwon held him tight, his own tears slipping out of his eyes as he tried to give all the comfort he could.
"It won't take Heechul long," Kibum finally said, "Hankyung, it'll be fine. She'll be fine."
"All I've done is yell," Hangeng hiccuped, "No one wonder she left. She probably doesn't even want to be here anymore."
"Hangeng, Geng, Geng, Geng," Siwon crooned.
Donghae reached down for his crutches, sensing that he didn't need need to hear the rest of the conversation.
Kibum apparently had the same idea because he followed Donghae into a sitting room and collapsed next to him on the couch.
"What did Hangeng mean," Donghae asked, "when he said that Mei-yin's a runaway?"
When Kibum didn't say anything Donghae looked over at him and found Kibum staring, swallowing nervously as he licked his lips.
"Hello?" Donghae asked and Kibum shook himself.
"Sorry, what?"
Donghae sighed, an attempt to not dwell on the fact that Kibum had been staring. He repeated his question and Kibum let out a sigh.
"Long story short," he explained, "Mei-yin was a slave for one of the Outliers. A beast of a man, really. He hates Heechul. Mei-yin was so young, like maybe four or five when she was bought from the Cotton Dome. It was the youngest slavery sale ever and Heechul was appalled. He tried for several years to buy Mei-yin so he could set her free. Heechul eventually kidnapped her, of sorts, and since he couldn't take care of her because it would look really suspicious, Hankyung and Siwon adopted her."
"The man didn't suspect Heechul?"
"He did. Took him to the courts and everything, but Heechul was very careful and very thorough. The man made a fool of himself."
"So, everyone's assuming the man's been searching for her and has now found her. And that's why Hankyung's a wreck and Siwon can't say anything but ‘Geng’?”
Kibum nodded, "Something like that. I'm not sure how he would know what she looked like now. He probably had an artist extrapolate on old portraits."
"How long was Mei-yin with Heechul for?"
"He hid her on his Castle for a few months until he was sure that Hankyung and Siwon would definitely take her. She...wasn't happy at first, about leaving him to go be with Hankyung and Siwon. She really loves him."
Donghae let his eyes fall shut and he contemplated this new stream of information. Heechul probably could find her, it was just a matter of getting her back...
There was a light brush on fingertips on Donghae's arm and he opened his eyes in time to see Kibum;s face before he was buried in a hug.
“I--just---I just need--" he started.
Donghae took a breath before pulling Kibum close. He felt the Captain shudder, "We were so close to her," Kibum breathed, "as much as she drives us crazy, we all love her."
"It's fine," Donghae said, finding hair to stroke and a middle to squeeze. It was fine. Because they could forget this too, when Kibum felt strong again. They were good at that.
*
Several hours passed with no news.
Hangeng had taken to pacing the entire house. Siwon was sitting rather stoically on a couch with a cup of tea, the only signs of his distress being his white knuckles and tight mouth.
Kibum had fallen asleep. On Donghae's shoulder. Another thing to forget when he woke. Donghae supposed he ought to be thankful that everyone was too worried to tease.
Leeteuk was wandering aimlessly, sometimes staring out the window, sometimes disappearing into his study, and Donghae didn't particularly want to know what he was doing in there.
Taeyeon was attempting to cook, but she was so distraught that Ryeowook took pity on her and pushed her down next to Siwon. She fished out a lollipop to sate her ever present craving for sugar and pouted around it.
She didn't even come out of her stupor when Soojin came walking into the room, her little chin wobbling, tears running down her face.
Donghae was surprised when she ignored her mother and instead came over to him.
"What's wrong?" he asked, scared to death of the tears.
"Fish," she said.
"What's wrong with the fish?" Donghae asked.
She let out a pathetic cry, waking a disgruntled Kibum who just narrowly missed falling off the sofa as he jerked uncharacteristically.
"It's-stuck-to-the-fil-ter," she gasped after every syllable and Donghae had to remind himself that it was a sad event, because in a weird way, it was funny.
"Oh, Soojinnie," he patted her on the head, wishing he could lift her into his lap for a hug. He gave a very pointed stare to Kibum.
The Captain sighed dramatically, but not wanting a repeat performance of earlier that morning, he hoisted Soojin up and allowed her to squeeze tight.
Kibum patted Soojin's head in a very awkward manner and it wasn't long before Siwon was walking over and taking her, rolling his eyes at Kibum's relieved look. He whispered softly to her, looking pleased that he had something to do.
"Tears are scary," Kibum said, when Donghae looked back and he found that he couldn't argue. Especially not when Kibum returned his head to Donghae's shoulder. Having nothing better to do, Donghae rested his head against Kibum's and fell asleep.
When he woke, he was hugging a pillow to his body, immediately aware of Kibum's missing body heat. He pushed himself upright and stretched before grabbing his crutches and heading into the kitchen.
From the gloomy looks on everyone's face, Heechul and Kangin were still not back. But everyone was eating, and Donghae frowned as his stomach rumbled.
"No one wanted to wake you," Ryeowook explained, "Come and sit."
Donghae shook the fog from his brain and sat heavily next to Ryeowook, mumbling his thanks as his plate was piled with food. He ate mechanically, shoveling the food in until he was about to burst. Had he been awake, he was sure he would have noticed the taste.
Taeyeon excused herself first, taking Soojin with her. The girl was sniffling, no doubt still sad about losing one of her fish.
Henry was next, giving Ryeowook's shoulders a gentle squeeze as he headed towards his room.
Donghae glanced at Kibum who was picking dejectedly at his rice. He nudged the Captain's foot. "You need to eat."
Kibum sighed.
"And Kangin was worried about Hankyung," Donghae said as he cast an eye at Hangeng and Siwon's empty plates.
Hangeng gave a rueful chuckle that sounded very hollow. It led to an awkward silence between the five of them before Ryeowook finally stood and started to clear plates. “I’ll get yours Donghae,” he said.
“Thanks,” the pilot smiled, “I think I’m going to go to bed. I’m tired and I have nothing better to do.”
He left Kibum staring at his half mound of rice dejectedly and Hangeng and Siwon leaving the table hand in hand, their faces still white with fear. He passed Soojin’s room and saw Taeyeon reading a book to her. She seemed interested and for a little while, distracted from her broken heart.
Donghae wished that he had something to distract him as well. Something to distract him from Mei-yin, Outliers, and Kibum. Especially Kibum. Because Donghae was so, so bad at forgetting. He didn’t know how Kibum was doing it. Hadn’t he been the one to initiate the kiss? Hadn’t he wanted it? It was like Donghae was some sort of cripple siren that with a wave of a crutch could render a man speechless.
Kibum had acted like he had liked it, up until asking Donghae to forget it. Donghae had liked it too; he still did, and that was the problem.
The image of Kibum bending over him, a halo of stars around his body, was forever burned into Donghae’s brain. Just there, hovering in his mind’s eye, intent on torturing him ruthlessly.
The feel of Kibum’s lips on his, of his hand in Donghae’s hair, of his tongue tracing his lower lip hadn’t left either and every time Donghae remembered, he shuddered. He wanted to feel it again. He wanted to kiss back. He wanted everything--wanted Kibum.
He ran through the same train of thought for at least a half hour, laying on his bed and staring at the ceiling before coming to a conclusion.
He didn’t want to forget.
*
There were several reasons why Kibum hadn’t been able to finish his supper. Certainly he was worried about Mei-yin, and he felt bad for Soojin and her dead fish. But really, sitting so close to Donghae impeded his ability to function properly, because all he wanted to do was kiss him senseless. Or something. Anything.
He hadn’t wanted to forget, but Donghae hadn’t kissed back. Donghae hadn’t said anything. Donghae hadn’t tried to talk after Kibum walked out. And Kibum knew what that meant: Donghae didn’t care.
And so he had said, “Let’s forget it.” Like the idiot he was.
Idiot, idiot, idiot. Heechul would laugh himself silly when he heard.
He lay on his bed for an hour, berating himself, throwing pillows, flopping uselessly on the bed before someone knocked on his door. He ignored it, but the person on the other side opened the door anyway.
It was Donghae. Sexy, muscular, sweet, sexy, beautiful, funny, sexy sexy Donghae. “Yes?”
Donghae dropped his crutches onto the floor when he reached the bed and Kibum scooted back, trying to get away. Donghae apparently took it as an invitation and heaved himself up onto the bed. "What are you doing?" He asked as Donghae pushed close, their noses all but brushing.
"I don't want to forget," Donghae said.
"What?" Heavens above what. What are you doing. Why are you doing this to me?.
"I don't want to forget that you kissed me. I don't want to forget that you have nice muscles or that you fell asleep on me or that you cried all over me or...anything. I don't want to forget it. Please."
Kibum had a hundred thoughts running through his mind, the least of which was Donghae your leg, dammit. Be careful of your leg and that you're practically leaning on it. But wait. Why do I care? Why do I care about this man and his health and his general well-being. Kim Kibum why did you kiss him and start this mess in the first place?
"Kibum," Donghae whined, and he was pouting. Pouting like a five year old and Kibum didn't have it in him to refuse.
Idiot.
"Okay," Kibum breathed, "Okay, we don't have to forget."
"You won't take it back later?" Donghae drove his finger into Kibum's pectoral muscle and made him wince.
"What? No. Ow. Shit. Does this mean I can kiss you again?"
Donghae slammed his body weight into Kibum (and subsequently into the pillows and mattress and headboard) and Kibum vaguely wished that Donghae had kissed like this the night before. Because it was the most wonderful thing ever.
"Knee," he tried to articulate, but Donghae just ignored him, far too interested in his mouth.
Kibum gave a mental shrug as his arms tightened around Donghae's neck. Working on Donghae's knee meant spending time alone with him, and if the self-proclaimed pilot was up for self-sabotage, who was Kibum to argue?
*
Donghae woke, blearily and sluggishly, to Kibum poking his cheek. “Hnnnnnstopit. Kibum.”
"You drooled something awful. On my pillow."
Donghae shot up and hurriedly wiped at his mouth, feeling a horrible blush creep across his face.
"Normally I'd be pissed, but it was cute."
"Thanks?"
"You're welcome," Kibum smiled.
And this was it. That awkward moment after the fact in which Donghae got to see whether or not Kibum kept his promises. Whether or not Kibum would lean in to kiss him good morning or ask him all over again to forget.
"Heechul just got back," Kibum said, still smiling brilliantly, "He found Mei-yin."
"Oh! Oh that's, that's great."
"Yeah well, not really," Kibum's grin faltered a little, "We have to launch a sting operation of sorts to get her back."
"Oh," Donghae said, his mood falling even lower, "I guess I won't be much use then."
"You can come anyway. We need someone to fly us in there."
"You think I'm a shitty flier."
"Here's a chance to prove yourself," KIbum's eyes ran up and down Donghae's body, "Though, if I do say so myself, if you fly like you kiss I guess I'll have to eat my own words."
Donghae didn't know what to say to that.
"Let's not tell anyone yet,” Kibum asked, "Let's wait until this is done with."
Tell them what? Donghae wanted to scream. Was there something? Something beyond spending the night kissing the living daylights out of a man you hardly knew? They weren't Henry and Ryeowook. Kibum hadn't left marks. They hadn't done anything warranting marks, as nice as that would have been.
So he supposed he was fine with not telling anyone, because he really didn't have anything to say.
"Sure," Donghae said.
Kibum leaned in and Donghae decided that thinking past kissing was just too much for his brain to handle.
"I need to look at your knee," Kibum said when he broke for air and as always, helped Donghae peel his pants away and carefully undo the bandaging.
If Kibum noticed how particularly evident it was that Donghae liked kissing, he didn't say anything, commenting only on how nicely the wound was healing, despite the recent stress.
Dognhae tried not to gag as Kibum slathered on more on the icky antiseptic and wrapped new gauze around it securely.
"There. That should be fine until tonight."
Donghae heaved himself up and they walked out into the kitchen together where the atmosphere was much better than it had been last night.
"Were you weaving the damn gauze, Kibum?" Kangin asked as soon as he saw them, "What the hell took you so long?”
"Sorry," Kibum said, "Donghae doesn't wake well."
Kangin shot a very suspicious look between the two of them as if to say why was he sleeping in your bed? but Soojin was pulling insistently at his arm so he turned away.
"Fish died," she said very sadly.
"I'm sorry," Kangin said, distractedly petting her head. His eyes were on Hangeng, watching as Siwon continuously soothed him with touches and words, telling him soon. We'll get her soon, wait until everyone's ready.
"Where's Heechul?" Hangeng demanded, waving off Siwon's hands impatiently.
"Making it easier for us. We'll leave when he calls and tells us that we can go. Sit down. You're going to make everyone dizzy."
Stress and Hangeng did not mix well, Donghae noted, and he shoved it into a filing cabinet at the back of his brain under Things That May One Day Save Your Life.
Kibum pushed him down into a chair and set a bowl of rice in front of him. "Eat. You're gonna need the energy."
Donghae did as he was told, comforted by Kibum's presence at his side. I hope, he found himself wishing, that there is something here. Something more than kissing. Something more than touching. Because I feel more. And I really like it. Kibum’s hand brushed against his thigh and Donghae almost choked. Please let there be something more.
“Sungmin and Shindong will be here in a bit. We’ll take their Castle to the Outlier compound and then we’ll have Donghae and Kibum fly you two,” Kangin nodded to Hangeng and Siwon, “and Kyuhyun and Zhou Mi to the compound in two outercraft.”
“What about Ryeowook and I?” Henry asked.
“I’ll stay here,” Ryeowook said almost automatically.
“No,” Kangin said, “You’re both going to be on Sungmin’s Castle. We’ll need someone to keep an eye out on the communications equipment.”
“I don’t know how to use it.”
“I’ll show you on the way,” Henry assured him, “It’s easy.”
Ryeowook didn’t look convinced.
The sound of the front door opening and closing echoed as Ryeowook sighed and everyone turned. Kyuhyun and Zhou Mi trudged in, lugging suspicious looking bags. Kyuhyun was grinning manically.
“Guns for everyone!” He announced happily and Ryeowook dove behind Henry’s shoulder with a squeak.
“Where’s Heechul?” Hangeng demanded.
“Wrapping a few things up.” Kyuhyun continued to smile in an eery, very unpleasant way. “Who wants an automatic?”
*
Kyuhyun’s joy at the prospect of blowing things up died as soon as he found out that Donghae was going to be flying him into the Outlier compound. “Who’s very shitty idea was that?” he demanded.
“Shitty!” Soojin said, grinning at everyone.
“Kui Xian!” Zhou Mi said, horrified.
Kangin and Leeteuk both reached out to whack at Kyuhyun’s head. “Ow! Hey! It’s not my fault that she says bad things. You’re supposed to teach her!”
Kangin reached out to whack him again. “Soojin,” he said firmly, “Do not ever say that word again. It’s very, very bad.”
“Why he say?” Soojin asked, pointing to Kyuhyun.
“He’s very, very bad,” Leeteuk said, still glaring daggers at Kyuhyun who didn’t look miffed in the slightest, “Don’t be bad, Soojinnie.”
“Forget,” Soojin promised.
Kangin ruffled her hair.
“Sungmin’s here!” Taeyeon’s voice floated in from the mudroom and both Henry and Eunhyuk were up and dashing out of the room. Kyuhyun also looked pleased but he trundled out at a more leisurely pace.
There was indistinct laughter and some shouting and a loud bang against a wall that had Kibum snorting. “Should I be afraid?” Donghae asked.
“Only if you piss him off. He’s a bitch of a fighter.”
Donghae eyed the guns spread out over the table and wondered if holding one would make him look tougher. He almost laughed when Sungmin waltzed into the room hanging off of Kyuhyun and Zhou M and smiling widely. Donghae was reminded of Heechul.
“You must be the shitty pilot.”
Kibum burst out laughing and Donghae fished for words that just weren’t there.
Kangin was spluttering from where Soojin asked, “Min bad too?”
Sungmin’s face faltered, “Oh. I didn’t see you, Soojin. Oppa didn’t say that, okay?”
“Why can’t you be like that?” Zhou Mi demanded of Kyuhyun, poking incessantly at his side; Kyuhyun just snorted.
“Is everyone ready? Heechul’s staying far away so no one can blame him, but he’s sending Yesung. We should get everything loaded before he gets here.”
It didn’t take long to get everyone onto Sungmin’s Castle and load supplies (guns). They had a few scares with passing Outlier guards but because Kangin was there, no one really gave them a second glance.
Having made it into the Castle, Donghae went straight into Sungmin’s holding bay to look at his outercraft. They weren’t bad. They were new and shiny and Donghae figured that maybe with a little love they wouldn’t be half bad.
“What do you think?” Kibum asked.
“They need to be broken.”
Kibum raised an eyebrow.
“Broken in. Like a new pair of shoes. But they’ll be just fine.” He rested his head on the cool metal and shut his eyes, taking a moment to breathe. He felt an arm--Kibum’s--wrap around him and a chin dig into his shoulder. “Mmm.”
“I’m sorry I teased you about being a bad flier. I’m sure you’re good.”
“You’ll just have to see,” Donghae replied.
Kibum chuckled low as he turned Donghae around, finding his lips. Donghae allowed himself to melt a little bit, seeing as Kibum was holding him upright anyway.
“So is this what goes on your Castle, Kibum? I guess Heechul taught you more than anyone realized.”
Kibum pulled away slowly.
Sungmin was leaning on the doorframe, grinning broadly and fiddling with the edge of a cap.
“New hat?” Kibum asked wryly.
“The best cotton you’ve ever laid eyes on,” Sungmin said, “we’re taking off in a few seconds, are you happy with these?”
“Yes,” Donghae and Kibum said at the same time.
“Great.” Sungmin cocked his head as seemed to give Donghae a close inspection. “Those crutches...did you get them from Taeyeon?”
“Yes.”
“I thought I recognized them. I painted them for her, once upon a time.” He trailed off, a dreamy expression crossing his features before shaking his head. “Well, glad you like everything in here and that it’s up to your specifications. Ryeowook’s already taken over my kitchen so dinner in a bit and then we’ll be at the Compound and we can get down to business.”
“Thanks,” Kibum said.
Sungmin waved over his shoulder as he walked out, jamming his cap onto his head happily.
“Sungmin’s from the cotton Dome. It didn’t take him long to adopt cotton clothing once he realized that he could wear it whenever he wanted.”
Donghae nodded, the glass around his neck suddenly feeling very heavy.
“Come on, let’s head back upstairs. Yesung should be here anytime.”
Kibum ambled away and Donghae followed, wishing that he didn’t have to walk with crutches so that he could hold onto Kibum’s hand.
*
The first thing that Donghae saw when he entered the kitchen was a petrified Ryeowook. “He’s here,” the thief squeaked.
“Who?” Donghae asked, throwing a curious glance around. The only person he saw was a less than skinny man making quick work of the cookies Ryeowook had brought on board.
Ryeowook abandoned a very confused Henry to hide behind Donghae. Well.
“Who?” Kibum asked.
“It’s just Yesung,” Henry said, “Ryeowook caught sight of him talking to Sungmin and he just started to have a panic attack.”
Donghae ran his eyes up and down Cookie Man. He tried to be subtle, but he supposed he ought to have learned that Kibum noticed everything.
“That’s Shindong,” Kibum said. “Where’s Yesung?”
“With Sungmin,” Henry said, “Reuniting.”
Kibum pulled a face.
Ryeowook whimpered, “I knew this was a bad idea. A very, very, bad idea.”
Donghae had no idea why Ryeowook was freaking out. “Show me,” he demanded and they left the kitchen, a curious Kibum and Henry following.
The Castle was similar to Kibum’s and Heechul’s. Donghae wished that he could brush his fingers against the dark wood, wished that he could pause to breathe on the glass and see his warped reflection the metal.
But he was on a mission and Ryeowook’s fingers digging into his arm kept him moving.
“I still don’t know who you’re talking about,” Donghae grumbled.
Ryeowook seemed to have lost the ability to speak because he only urged them all forward. When they reached the control room, Ryeowook pushed him towards the door that was open a crack and Donghae peeked through it, aware of Ryeowook pressing up against his back. “It’s him.”
Donghae didn’t see anything at first.
“Oh for heaven’s sake, it’s just Sungmin and Yesung,” Henry pushed the door open all the way and Ryeowook let out a quiet meep.
Donghae saw Sungmin first, pressing a man up against the wall, grinning into a kiss not unlike the one Donghae had shared with Kibum a minutes earlier. Then he got a good look at the man and he felt his heart drop into his stomach and his face pale.
“See,” Ryeowook groaned, at the same time Kibum shouted, “Yah!”
Sungmin detached his lips and leaned back, smiling broadly. “Oh, hello. Did you need something?”
Donghae just stared. “You,” he finally said, dropping a crutch unintentionally onto Henry’s foot as he pointed, finger shaking in his fury. “You piece of shit.”
Sungmin blinked and then his eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“Donghae,” Kibum warned.
“Ryeowook?” the man still pinned to the wall asked, “Ryeowook is that you?”
Donghae ground his teeth and wrapped an arm around his own back awkwardly to hold Ryeowook tight. Bastard. Bastard, bastard, bastard of an Outlier Guard who had lied and said that his name was Jongwoon. Who maybe was lying to everyone else, who had ripped Ryeowook’s heart into little shreds, and who had almost blown Donghae into oblivion.
“What is going on?” Sungmin demanded, finally stepping away, “have you met before?”
Donghae gritted his teeth as Jongwoon straightened his clothes and stared sheepishly at the floor.
“You could say that.”
~~~~~~~
I planned to drag this out a little longer, but![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
kpop_olymfics has officially begun and I want as much time as possible to devote myself to that. *stresses*
Not sure when the last bit will come. Hopefully soon....but if not, I beg your patience.
<3
Hangeng was in the middle of a panic attack, unable to move from his seat the table and scarily close to hyperventilation. Siwon sat beside him, murmuring into his ear and rubbing a soothing hand up and down his back. Donghae didn't know how Siwon was able to remain so calm.
Heechul didn't look pleased either, and was pacing up and down the length of the kitchen. Donghae stayed away from him, lest the other man was looking for someone to blame for the whole incident, which he know doubt was.
Donghae settled himself by Kibum, as much as he didn't want to, and let the crutches lie on the floor beside him.
"We can't just go after her," Kangin was saying, "There are procedures; you all know this. I'll ask around and find out where she was taken, it won't be long."
"But she's a runaway," Hangeng moaned into his arm, his words half-muffled, "They'll take her straight back to...they'll definitely be skipping the whole beginning process."
"They still have to register her, enter her data in," Heechul said, exchanging a look with Kangin, "she knows better than to spill out information in a setting like that, it'll take a lot for them to get her to talk."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Hangeng whispered, and Donghae had a flash back of his father being pressed for information, being forcefully hauled away from his family in a manner very similar to Mei-yin.
"We'll find her," Kangin promised, already slipping on his shoes, "I swear to you that we will find her. Stay here, do not go out,, and make sure you eat." He caught the eyes of everyone in the room and pointed to Hangeng and Siwon, "Make sure that they stay here and that they both keep their energy up."
Heechul followed him out.
It was a few seconds before Hangeng began sobbing uncontrollably and Donghae had to look away as Siwon held him tight, his own tears slipping out of his eyes as he tried to give all the comfort he could.
"It won't take Heechul long," Kibum finally said, "Hankyung, it'll be fine. She'll be fine."
"All I've done is yell," Hangeng hiccuped, "No one wonder she left. She probably doesn't even want to be here anymore."
"Hangeng, Geng, Geng, Geng," Siwon crooned.
Donghae reached down for his crutches, sensing that he didn't need need to hear the rest of the conversation.
Kibum apparently had the same idea because he followed Donghae into a sitting room and collapsed next to him on the couch.
"What did Hangeng mean," Donghae asked, "when he said that Mei-yin's a runaway?"
When Kibum didn't say anything Donghae looked over at him and found Kibum staring, swallowing nervously as he licked his lips.
"Hello?" Donghae asked and Kibum shook himself.
"Sorry, what?"
Donghae sighed, an attempt to not dwell on the fact that Kibum had been staring. He repeated his question and Kibum let out a sigh.
"Long story short," he explained, "Mei-yin was a slave for one of the Outliers. A beast of a man, really. He hates Heechul. Mei-yin was so young, like maybe four or five when she was bought from the Cotton Dome. It was the youngest slavery sale ever and Heechul was appalled. He tried for several years to buy Mei-yin so he could set her free. Heechul eventually kidnapped her, of sorts, and since he couldn't take care of her because it would look really suspicious, Hankyung and Siwon adopted her."
"The man didn't suspect Heechul?"
"He did. Took him to the courts and everything, but Heechul was very careful and very thorough. The man made a fool of himself."
"So, everyone's assuming the man's been searching for her and has now found her. And that's why Hankyung's a wreck and Siwon can't say anything but ‘Geng’?”
Kibum nodded, "Something like that. I'm not sure how he would know what she looked like now. He probably had an artist extrapolate on old portraits."
"How long was Mei-yin with Heechul for?"
"He hid her on his Castle for a few months until he was sure that Hankyung and Siwon would definitely take her. She...wasn't happy at first, about leaving him to go be with Hankyung and Siwon. She really loves him."
Donghae let his eyes fall shut and he contemplated this new stream of information. Heechul probably could find her, it was just a matter of getting her back...
There was a light brush on fingertips on Donghae's arm and he opened his eyes in time to see Kibum;s face before he was buried in a hug.
“I--just---I just need--" he started.
Donghae took a breath before pulling Kibum close. He felt the Captain shudder, "We were so close to her," Kibum breathed, "as much as she drives us crazy, we all love her."
"It's fine," Donghae said, finding hair to stroke and a middle to squeeze. It was fine. Because they could forget this too, when Kibum felt strong again. They were good at that.
*
Several hours passed with no news.
Hangeng had taken to pacing the entire house. Siwon was sitting rather stoically on a couch with a cup of tea, the only signs of his distress being his white knuckles and tight mouth.
Kibum had fallen asleep. On Donghae's shoulder. Another thing to forget when he woke. Donghae supposed he ought to be thankful that everyone was too worried to tease.
Leeteuk was wandering aimlessly, sometimes staring out the window, sometimes disappearing into his study, and Donghae didn't particularly want to know what he was doing in there.
Taeyeon was attempting to cook, but she was so distraught that Ryeowook took pity on her and pushed her down next to Siwon. She fished out a lollipop to sate her ever present craving for sugar and pouted around it.
She didn't even come out of her stupor when Soojin came walking into the room, her little chin wobbling, tears running down her face.
Donghae was surprised when she ignored her mother and instead came over to him.
"What's wrong?" he asked, scared to death of the tears.
"Fish," she said.
"What's wrong with the fish?" Donghae asked.
She let out a pathetic cry, waking a disgruntled Kibum who just narrowly missed falling off the sofa as he jerked uncharacteristically.
"It's-stuck-to-the-fil-ter," she gasped after every syllable and Donghae had to remind himself that it was a sad event, because in a weird way, it was funny.
"Oh, Soojinnie," he patted her on the head, wishing he could lift her into his lap for a hug. He gave a very pointed stare to Kibum.
The Captain sighed dramatically, but not wanting a repeat performance of earlier that morning, he hoisted Soojin up and allowed her to squeeze tight.
Kibum patted Soojin's head in a very awkward manner and it wasn't long before Siwon was walking over and taking her, rolling his eyes at Kibum's relieved look. He whispered softly to her, looking pleased that he had something to do.
"Tears are scary," Kibum said, when Donghae looked back and he found that he couldn't argue. Especially not when Kibum returned his head to Donghae's shoulder. Having nothing better to do, Donghae rested his head against Kibum's and fell asleep.
When he woke, he was hugging a pillow to his body, immediately aware of Kibum's missing body heat. He pushed himself upright and stretched before grabbing his crutches and heading into the kitchen.
From the gloomy looks on everyone's face, Heechul and Kangin were still not back. But everyone was eating, and Donghae frowned as his stomach rumbled.
"No one wanted to wake you," Ryeowook explained, "Come and sit."
Donghae shook the fog from his brain and sat heavily next to Ryeowook, mumbling his thanks as his plate was piled with food. He ate mechanically, shoveling the food in until he was about to burst. Had he been awake, he was sure he would have noticed the taste.
Taeyeon excused herself first, taking Soojin with her. The girl was sniffling, no doubt still sad about losing one of her fish.
Henry was next, giving Ryeowook's shoulders a gentle squeeze as he headed towards his room.
Donghae glanced at Kibum who was picking dejectedly at his rice. He nudged the Captain's foot. "You need to eat."
Kibum sighed.
"And Kangin was worried about Hankyung," Donghae said as he cast an eye at Hangeng and Siwon's empty plates.
Hangeng gave a rueful chuckle that sounded very hollow. It led to an awkward silence between the five of them before Ryeowook finally stood and started to clear plates. “I’ll get yours Donghae,” he said.
“Thanks,” the pilot smiled, “I think I’m going to go to bed. I’m tired and I have nothing better to do.”
He left Kibum staring at his half mound of rice dejectedly and Hangeng and Siwon leaving the table hand in hand, their faces still white with fear. He passed Soojin’s room and saw Taeyeon reading a book to her. She seemed interested and for a little while, distracted from her broken heart.
Donghae wished that he had something to distract him as well. Something to distract him from Mei-yin, Outliers, and Kibum. Especially Kibum. Because Donghae was so, so bad at forgetting. He didn’t know how Kibum was doing it. Hadn’t he been the one to initiate the kiss? Hadn’t he wanted it? It was like Donghae was some sort of cripple siren that with a wave of a crutch could render a man speechless.
Kibum had acted like he had liked it, up until asking Donghae to forget it. Donghae had liked it too; he still did, and that was the problem.
The image of Kibum bending over him, a halo of stars around his body, was forever burned into Donghae’s brain. Just there, hovering in his mind’s eye, intent on torturing him ruthlessly.
The feel of Kibum’s lips on his, of his hand in Donghae’s hair, of his tongue tracing his lower lip hadn’t left either and every time Donghae remembered, he shuddered. He wanted to feel it again. He wanted to kiss back. He wanted everything--wanted Kibum.
He ran through the same train of thought for at least a half hour, laying on his bed and staring at the ceiling before coming to a conclusion.
He didn’t want to forget.
*
There were several reasons why Kibum hadn’t been able to finish his supper. Certainly he was worried about Mei-yin, and he felt bad for Soojin and her dead fish. But really, sitting so close to Donghae impeded his ability to function properly, because all he wanted to do was kiss him senseless. Or something. Anything.
He hadn’t wanted to forget, but Donghae hadn’t kissed back. Donghae hadn’t said anything. Donghae hadn’t tried to talk after Kibum walked out. And Kibum knew what that meant: Donghae didn’t care.
And so he had said, “Let’s forget it.” Like the idiot he was.
Idiot, idiot, idiot. Heechul would laugh himself silly when he heard.
He lay on his bed for an hour, berating himself, throwing pillows, flopping uselessly on the bed before someone knocked on his door. He ignored it, but the person on the other side opened the door anyway.
It was Donghae. Sexy, muscular, sweet, sexy, beautiful, funny, sexy sexy Donghae. “Yes?”
Donghae dropped his crutches onto the floor when he reached the bed and Kibum scooted back, trying to get away. Donghae apparently took it as an invitation and heaved himself up onto the bed. "What are you doing?" He asked as Donghae pushed close, their noses all but brushing.
"I don't want to forget," Donghae said.
"What?" Heavens above what. What are you doing. Why are you doing this to me?.
"I don't want to forget that you kissed me. I don't want to forget that you have nice muscles or that you fell asleep on me or that you cried all over me or...anything. I don't want to forget it. Please."
Kibum had a hundred thoughts running through his mind, the least of which was Donghae your leg, dammit. Be careful of your leg and that you're practically leaning on it. But wait. Why do I care? Why do I care about this man and his health and his general well-being. Kim Kibum why did you kiss him and start this mess in the first place?
"Kibum," Donghae whined, and he was pouting. Pouting like a five year old and Kibum didn't have it in him to refuse.
Idiot.
"Okay," Kibum breathed, "Okay, we don't have to forget."
"You won't take it back later?" Donghae drove his finger into Kibum's pectoral muscle and made him wince.
"What? No. Ow. Shit. Does this mean I can kiss you again?"
Donghae slammed his body weight into Kibum (and subsequently into the pillows and mattress and headboard) and Kibum vaguely wished that Donghae had kissed like this the night before. Because it was the most wonderful thing ever.
"Knee," he tried to articulate, but Donghae just ignored him, far too interested in his mouth.
Kibum gave a mental shrug as his arms tightened around Donghae's neck. Working on Donghae's knee meant spending time alone with him, and if the self-proclaimed pilot was up for self-sabotage, who was Kibum to argue?
*
Donghae woke, blearily and sluggishly, to Kibum poking his cheek. “Hnnnnnstopit. Kibum.”
"You drooled something awful. On my pillow."
Donghae shot up and hurriedly wiped at his mouth, feeling a horrible blush creep across his face.
"Normally I'd be pissed, but it was cute."
"Thanks?"
"You're welcome," Kibum smiled.
And this was it. That awkward moment after the fact in which Donghae got to see whether or not Kibum kept his promises. Whether or not Kibum would lean in to kiss him good morning or ask him all over again to forget.
"Heechul just got back," Kibum said, still smiling brilliantly, "He found Mei-yin."
"Oh! Oh that's, that's great."
"Yeah well, not really," Kibum's grin faltered a little, "We have to launch a sting operation of sorts to get her back."
"Oh," Donghae said, his mood falling even lower, "I guess I won't be much use then."
"You can come anyway. We need someone to fly us in there."
"You think I'm a shitty flier."
"Here's a chance to prove yourself," KIbum's eyes ran up and down Donghae's body, "Though, if I do say so myself, if you fly like you kiss I guess I'll have to eat my own words."
Donghae didn't know what to say to that.
"Let's not tell anyone yet,” Kibum asked, "Let's wait until this is done with."
Tell them what? Donghae wanted to scream. Was there something? Something beyond spending the night kissing the living daylights out of a man you hardly knew? They weren't Henry and Ryeowook. Kibum hadn't left marks. They hadn't done anything warranting marks, as nice as that would have been.
So he supposed he was fine with not telling anyone, because he really didn't have anything to say.
"Sure," Donghae said.
Kibum leaned in and Donghae decided that thinking past kissing was just too much for his brain to handle.
"I need to look at your knee," Kibum said when he broke for air and as always, helped Donghae peel his pants away and carefully undo the bandaging.
If Kibum noticed how particularly evident it was that Donghae liked kissing, he didn't say anything, commenting only on how nicely the wound was healing, despite the recent stress.
Dognhae tried not to gag as Kibum slathered on more on the icky antiseptic and wrapped new gauze around it securely.
"There. That should be fine until tonight."
Donghae heaved himself up and they walked out into the kitchen together where the atmosphere was much better than it had been last night.
"Were you weaving the damn gauze, Kibum?" Kangin asked as soon as he saw them, "What the hell took you so long?”
"Sorry," Kibum said, "Donghae doesn't wake well."
Kangin shot a very suspicious look between the two of them as if to say why was he sleeping in your bed? but Soojin was pulling insistently at his arm so he turned away.
"Fish died," she said very sadly.
"I'm sorry," Kangin said, distractedly petting her head. His eyes were on Hangeng, watching as Siwon continuously soothed him with touches and words, telling him soon. We'll get her soon, wait until everyone's ready.
"Where's Heechul?" Hangeng demanded, waving off Siwon's hands impatiently.
"Making it easier for us. We'll leave when he calls and tells us that we can go. Sit down. You're going to make everyone dizzy."
Stress and Hangeng did not mix well, Donghae noted, and he shoved it into a filing cabinet at the back of his brain under Things That May One Day Save Your Life.
Kibum pushed him down into a chair and set a bowl of rice in front of him. "Eat. You're gonna need the energy."
Donghae did as he was told, comforted by Kibum's presence at his side. I hope, he found himself wishing, that there is something here. Something more than kissing. Something more than touching. Because I feel more. And I really like it. Kibum’s hand brushed against his thigh and Donghae almost choked. Please let there be something more.
“Sungmin and Shindong will be here in a bit. We’ll take their Castle to the Outlier compound and then we’ll have Donghae and Kibum fly you two,” Kangin nodded to Hangeng and Siwon, “and Kyuhyun and Zhou Mi to the compound in two outercraft.”
“What about Ryeowook and I?” Henry asked.
“I’ll stay here,” Ryeowook said almost automatically.
“No,” Kangin said, “You’re both going to be on Sungmin’s Castle. We’ll need someone to keep an eye out on the communications equipment.”
“I don’t know how to use it.”
“I’ll show you on the way,” Henry assured him, “It’s easy.”
Ryeowook didn’t look convinced.
The sound of the front door opening and closing echoed as Ryeowook sighed and everyone turned. Kyuhyun and Zhou Mi trudged in, lugging suspicious looking bags. Kyuhyun was grinning manically.
“Guns for everyone!” He announced happily and Ryeowook dove behind Henry’s shoulder with a squeak.
“Where’s Heechul?” Hangeng demanded.
“Wrapping a few things up.” Kyuhyun continued to smile in an eery, very unpleasant way. “Who wants an automatic?”
*
Kyuhyun’s joy at the prospect of blowing things up died as soon as he found out that Donghae was going to be flying him into the Outlier compound. “Who’s very shitty idea was that?” he demanded.
“Shitty!” Soojin said, grinning at everyone.
“Kui Xian!” Zhou Mi said, horrified.
Kangin and Leeteuk both reached out to whack at Kyuhyun’s head. “Ow! Hey! It’s not my fault that she says bad things. You’re supposed to teach her!”
Kangin reached out to whack him again. “Soojin,” he said firmly, “Do not ever say that word again. It’s very, very bad.”
“Why he say?” Soojin asked, pointing to Kyuhyun.
“He’s very, very bad,” Leeteuk said, still glaring daggers at Kyuhyun who didn’t look miffed in the slightest, “Don’t be bad, Soojinnie.”
“Forget,” Soojin promised.
Kangin ruffled her hair.
“Sungmin’s here!” Taeyeon’s voice floated in from the mudroom and both Henry and Eunhyuk were up and dashing out of the room. Kyuhyun also looked pleased but he trundled out at a more leisurely pace.
There was indistinct laughter and some shouting and a loud bang against a wall that had Kibum snorting. “Should I be afraid?” Donghae asked.
“Only if you piss him off. He’s a bitch of a fighter.”
Donghae eyed the guns spread out over the table and wondered if holding one would make him look tougher. He almost laughed when Sungmin waltzed into the room hanging off of Kyuhyun and Zhou M and smiling widely. Donghae was reminded of Heechul.
“You must be the shitty pilot.”
Kibum burst out laughing and Donghae fished for words that just weren’t there.
Kangin was spluttering from where Soojin asked, “Min bad too?”
Sungmin’s face faltered, “Oh. I didn’t see you, Soojin. Oppa didn’t say that, okay?”
“Why can’t you be like that?” Zhou Mi demanded of Kyuhyun, poking incessantly at his side; Kyuhyun just snorted.
“Is everyone ready? Heechul’s staying far away so no one can blame him, but he’s sending Yesung. We should get everything loaded before he gets here.”
It didn’t take long to get everyone onto Sungmin’s Castle and load supplies (guns). They had a few scares with passing Outlier guards but because Kangin was there, no one really gave them a second glance.
Having made it into the Castle, Donghae went straight into Sungmin’s holding bay to look at his outercraft. They weren’t bad. They were new and shiny and Donghae figured that maybe with a little love they wouldn’t be half bad.
“What do you think?” Kibum asked.
“They need to be broken.”
Kibum raised an eyebrow.
“Broken in. Like a new pair of shoes. But they’ll be just fine.” He rested his head on the cool metal and shut his eyes, taking a moment to breathe. He felt an arm--Kibum’s--wrap around him and a chin dig into his shoulder. “Mmm.”
“I’m sorry I teased you about being a bad flier. I’m sure you’re good.”
“You’ll just have to see,” Donghae replied.
Kibum chuckled low as he turned Donghae around, finding his lips. Donghae allowed himself to melt a little bit, seeing as Kibum was holding him upright anyway.
“So is this what goes on your Castle, Kibum? I guess Heechul taught you more than anyone realized.”
Kibum pulled away slowly.
Sungmin was leaning on the doorframe, grinning broadly and fiddling with the edge of a cap.
“New hat?” Kibum asked wryly.
“The best cotton you’ve ever laid eyes on,” Sungmin said, “we’re taking off in a few seconds, are you happy with these?”
“Yes,” Donghae and Kibum said at the same time.
“Great.” Sungmin cocked his head as seemed to give Donghae a close inspection. “Those crutches...did you get them from Taeyeon?”
“Yes.”
“I thought I recognized them. I painted them for her, once upon a time.” He trailed off, a dreamy expression crossing his features before shaking his head. “Well, glad you like everything in here and that it’s up to your specifications. Ryeowook’s already taken over my kitchen so dinner in a bit and then we’ll be at the Compound and we can get down to business.”
“Thanks,” Kibum said.
Sungmin waved over his shoulder as he walked out, jamming his cap onto his head happily.
“Sungmin’s from the cotton Dome. It didn’t take him long to adopt cotton clothing once he realized that he could wear it whenever he wanted.”
Donghae nodded, the glass around his neck suddenly feeling very heavy.
“Come on, let’s head back upstairs. Yesung should be here anytime.”
Kibum ambled away and Donghae followed, wishing that he didn’t have to walk with crutches so that he could hold onto Kibum’s hand.
*
The first thing that Donghae saw when he entered the kitchen was a petrified Ryeowook. “He’s here,” the thief squeaked.
“Who?” Donghae asked, throwing a curious glance around. The only person he saw was a less than skinny man making quick work of the cookies Ryeowook had brought on board.
Ryeowook abandoned a very confused Henry to hide behind Donghae. Well.
“Who?” Kibum asked.
“It’s just Yesung,” Henry said, “Ryeowook caught sight of him talking to Sungmin and he just started to have a panic attack.”
Donghae ran his eyes up and down Cookie Man. He tried to be subtle, but he supposed he ought to have learned that Kibum noticed everything.
“That’s Shindong,” Kibum said. “Where’s Yesung?”
“With Sungmin,” Henry said, “Reuniting.”
Kibum pulled a face.
Ryeowook whimpered, “I knew this was a bad idea. A very, very, bad idea.”
Donghae had no idea why Ryeowook was freaking out. “Show me,” he demanded and they left the kitchen, a curious Kibum and Henry following.
The Castle was similar to Kibum’s and Heechul’s. Donghae wished that he could brush his fingers against the dark wood, wished that he could pause to breathe on the glass and see his warped reflection the metal.
But he was on a mission and Ryeowook’s fingers digging into his arm kept him moving.
“I still don’t know who you’re talking about,” Donghae grumbled.
Ryeowook seemed to have lost the ability to speak because he only urged them all forward. When they reached the control room, Ryeowook pushed him towards the door that was open a crack and Donghae peeked through it, aware of Ryeowook pressing up against his back. “It’s him.”
Donghae didn’t see anything at first.
“Oh for heaven’s sake, it’s just Sungmin and Yesung,” Henry pushed the door open all the way and Ryeowook let out a quiet meep.
Donghae saw Sungmin first, pressing a man up against the wall, grinning into a kiss not unlike the one Donghae had shared with Kibum a minutes earlier. Then he got a good look at the man and he felt his heart drop into his stomach and his face pale.
“See,” Ryeowook groaned, at the same time Kibum shouted, “Yah!”
Sungmin detached his lips and leaned back, smiling broadly. “Oh, hello. Did you need something?”
Donghae just stared. “You,” he finally said, dropping a crutch unintentionally onto Henry’s foot as he pointed, finger shaking in his fury. “You piece of shit.”
Sungmin blinked and then his eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“Donghae,” Kibum warned.
“Ryeowook?” the man still pinned to the wall asked, “Ryeowook is that you?”
Donghae ground his teeth and wrapped an arm around his own back awkwardly to hold Ryeowook tight. Bastard. Bastard, bastard, bastard of an Outlier Guard who had lied and said that his name was Jongwoon. Who maybe was lying to everyone else, who had ripped Ryeowook’s heart into little shreds, and who had almost blown Donghae into oblivion.
“What is going on?” Sungmin demanded, finally stepping away, “have you met before?”
Donghae gritted his teeth as Jongwoon straightened his clothes and stared sheepishly at the floor.
“You could say that.”
~~~~~~~
I planned to drag this out a little longer, but
kpop_olymfics has officially begun and I want as much time as possible to devote myself to that. *stresses* Not sure when the last bit will come. Hopefully soon....but if not, I beg your patience.
<3
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Of course Sungmin painted those crutches xD
and yay for semi-Kihae!
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and YES. KIHAE. <3
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<3
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This was such a good chapter. And Kibum and Donghae. <3 So sweet. The little snark comments and Kyuhyun cheerily saying Who wants an automatic made me LOL so hard too.
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Anyway. :) <3
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Zhou Mi walks into his closet to find all his speshul speshul things replaced with guns.
D:
Got carried away...^^;
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hannie stressing - and Hae I hope you do remember that fact
Mei-yin!!!!! ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!
*STRESSSSSSSS*
and Kibum and Donghae. hehehe^^ adorablenesss
Mi and sadistic kyu is irresistable!!! oh my goodness, Kyu is just amazing. XD
and Sungmin just cracks me up. XD
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I made everyone insane in this and it was sooooo mcuh fun <3
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p/s:Sorry that I've just commented now, but really this fic like a treasure!After a broken laptop, this should be the right cure to my broken heart;
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Reading this make me so so so so happy! But too bad you're ending it soon~
I laughed so much when KyuHyun turned up, he's just so hilarious and just him. And *squeals* YEMIN?! You do know how to make me happy~
So is Yesung part of the good-guy circle too?
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I know I'm ending it too soon...but olymfics is EATING ME. Plus other stuff... So.
Yemin was not planned. At all. My fingers were just...typing and all of a sudden I was like. WAIT. WHAT. THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. Literally. But I'm glad that it pleased you.
<3
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YeMin is a lovely rare-pairing :(
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<3