(HunHan) Pretty little Lies like stars in the sky (part 4)
part 3
When Sehun next wakes up, he finds that almost all of his strength has returned and it is significantly easier to function. He sits up abruptly, startling the man sitting next to him on the edge of the bed.
“Where’s Luhan?” is the first thing Sehun asks. He feels anxious without the archangel by his side, and he can scarcely recall the events from earlier.
“He’s still at the meeting,” the man answers, smiling warmly. “You sleep deeply. I’m surprised Xiumin’s power was able to affect you as much as it did.”
“Xiumin?” Sehun repeats.
“You had quite a morning. Lay down, it’s best not to exert yourself,” the man says, gently placing one hand on Sehun’s shoulder.
“Who’s Xiumin?” Sehun asks, stiffly refusing the man’s attempts to help him lay back down. “And who are you?” He pauses a moment to stare at the man, realization setting in. “You’re the healer, aren’t you. Yixing?” The man smiles at his name, nodding. “But I thought you were a unicorn...?”
“I have many forms,” Yixing says. His voice contains a musical quality that makes Sehun’s body tingle with warmth. “I resume my human form when my magic is not direly needed.” He successfully manages to push Sehun back onto the bed and draws the blankets up to the human’s chin.
“But who’s-?”
“Xiumin is one of the higher demons,” Yixing explains. “His first power is frost. His second power is what caused your panic attack earlier; he has the ability to cause inexplicable fear using the auras of creatures. If he does not recognize an aura, he will lock onto it and squeeze the life out of it.”
A violent shudder runs down Sehun’s spine as he remembers the illogical horror he’d felt earlier. If this Xiumin has such an ability, Sehun does not particularly want to meet him.
“He’s not a bad demon,” Yixing chuckles as if reading Sehun’s thoughts. “He has recently acquired his second power and does not have full control over it yet.” The human gazes skeptically at him. “When Luhan returns, he will take you to see Xiumin. It will do him good to recognize the aura of a human.”
Sehun nods in vague understanding. “So the meeting you mentioned, the one Luhan’s at, what’s it about?” The urge to sit up again overtakes him, the blanket falling limply down into his lap as Yixing sighs amusedly.
“I’m surprised they didn’t require your attendance, honestly. They are discussing the means of sending you back to the human realm,” the healer tells him. “Perhaps Luhan will explain when he gets back.” Anxiety once more grips Sehun, though he’s not sure why. “I’m also surprised you’ve managed to stay so calm throughout your stay here. The consequences of being sent back to the human realm.... Surely it must weigh very heavily on your conscience.”
“..... What?” Sehun mutters, heart pounding loudly in his ears. “What consequences? What are you talking about?” Yixing’s eyes widen and for once his smile falters, showing momentary guilt and fear.
“You mean...” his voice softens significantly and he quickly glances toward the door as if hoping someone would suddenly stride in and come to his aid. “... They didn’t tell you...?”
“Tell me what?” Sehun demands, making to get up, but to Yixing’s great relief, the door opens to reveal both Luhan and Kris, who enter and hurry to Sehun’s side.
“Sehunnie, you’re awake!” Luhan exclaims, pulling the human into a tight hug and burying his face in his chest. “How are you feeling? Are you OK? Did Yixing take good care of you?” The archangel shoots the healer a pointed stare, breaking into a laugh when Yixing waves his hands and nods frantically.
“I’m fine,” Sehun says, attempting and failing to pull out of Luhan’s iron grip.
“Really?” Kris asks, cocking an eyebrow at Yixing. “He didn’t suffer any subsequent attacks? No lingering bursts of even the faintest terror?”
“Not that I noticed,” the healer replies, clearing his throat when his voice comes out unsteady. “He slept soundly until just a few minutes ago.”
“And how is your strength, Sehun?” Kris addresses the human, leaning forward to press warm fingers to his forehead. “Xiumin must have only barely scratched your aura.”
“I told you, I’m fine,” Sehun says, slightly annoyed. “But Yixing said-”
“Luhan, why don’t you take him to see Xiumin now?” the healer interrupts, offering a strained smile when Sehun glares at him.
“Yes, yes of course!” Luhan nods fervently, helping Sehun out of the bed. “But Sehunnie, are you sure you’re OK?”
“If I have to repeat myself again....” Sehun mutters, frowning when Luhan laughs lightly. “But Yixing said-”
“Xiumin should be on the second level, most likely in the kitchen. He’s usually helping out with one thing or another,” Yixing hastily cuts in, smiling again as Sehun’s glare intensifies. “I should really get back to my station, now.” With that, he bows his head and flees from the room.
“Come on, Sehunnie,” Luhan whispers, guiding the younger male in the direction of the door, Kris following just behind them.
Sehun can’t shake the feeling that has taken root in the pit of his stomach; there’s something Luhan and the others aren’t telling him. Something important.
Yixing is right; they do find the higher demon in the kitchen, and he comes out with Luhan after a moment of explanation.
Xiumin is the exact opposite of intimidating. In fact, the more Sehun looks at him, the more he starts to resemble some sort of food, like a dumpling. Well, except for the fact that he’s crying, since Sehun is pretty sure dumplings can’t cry. Unless that’s some magical detail about the underworld, in which case-
“I’m so sorry,” the dumpling- er, Xiumin wails. He’s actually really pitiful, in the way that Sehun kind of wants to sit him down and feed him candy or something.
“It’s OK, Xiumin,” Luhan says reassuringly, patting the poor demon’s back. “You didn’t know any better. Everyone makes mistakes.”
“But I knew there was a human in the underworld, Lord Zitao made the announcement on the first day of Dims Week, and yet I still stupidly attacked without thinking!” Xiumin sniffs loudly, wiping his nose on the sleeve of his robe. “I’m so worthless! Useless! A complete waste of space!”
“No you’re not, Xiumin. Sehun is fine now,” Kris says, gesturing to the human. “See? He’s fine.”
“I’m fine,” Sehun reiterates, if only to make the demon stop berating himself. Xiumin looks at him through tear-filled eyes before giving one last sniffle and drying his eyes with his sleeve.
“Are-are you sure?” he asks uncertainly. “You’re-you’re not traumatized? You don’t hate my guts? You don’t think I’m a horrible creature that doesn’t deserve to live-”
“No,” Sehun cuts him off. “Actually, I just think you look like a dumpling.” Xiumin stares at him while Luhan laughs.
“That’s what I think!” Luhan beams. “See, Xiumin? Everything’s fine!” Xiumin offers a slightly put-out look but nods his head. “Now all you have to do is recognize his aura and you’ll never make that mistake again!”
“I know, I know,” the higher demon nods again. “Your name is Sehun, right?” He looks at the human curiously. “Please give me your hand so I may sense your aura.”
Sehun holds out his hand, flinching slightly as the demon’s touch revives a hint of the fear he’d felt before. Fingers grazing Sehun’s palm, the demon closes its eyes and takes a deep breath.
The room goes deafeningly quiet, as if the sound has been suddenly extinguished like a candle light blown out by a gust of air, and Sehun’s skin begins to burn where Xiumin is grasping his hand. The burning sensation spreads swiftly throughout his body before fading as quickly as it had come, leaving a soft tingling in its wake. The sound returns the moment Xiumin lets go of Sehun.
“That was.... odd,” the human mutters, drawing his hand back and inspecting it like he’s only seeing it for the first time. “What did you do, exactly?”
“I took a piece of your aura,” Xiumin says with a toothy grin. “With this, I’ll be able to recognize the aura of humans. Since your aura is good and pure, it will allow me to determine whether or not I should attack.”
“Good job, Xiumin,” Kris smiles. “You did very well this time.”
“What do you mean this time?” Sehun questions nervously.
“Well,” Kris scratches the tip of his nose, avoiding Sehun’s gaze, “The last being whose aura he examined... was left unconscious for almost a week afterward.” Sehun’s eyes bug out of his head and Xiumin lets out a strangled noise from the back of his throat.
“Don’t tell him about that!” the higher demon pleads. “It was only because his aura was nearly nonexistent and it took me practically the whole day just to locate it and extract it without killing him!”
“Wha- I- who-” Sehun sputters, going limp as Luhan snakes his arms around the human’s waist to support him.
“It was Kai,” Kris fills in, an underlying reluctance in his tone. “That was a long time ago, though.”
“Yes it was, and I’d very much like to avoid thinking about it if that’s all right with you!” Xiumin huffs, folding his arms across his chest. “Now, I don’t know if there’s anything else you need from me, but I need to go. I was helping Suho cook the rest of the leftover numbers from fishing.”
“By all means, don’t let us keep you,” Luhan nods, offering a small smile as Xiumin storms back towards the kitchen. He sighs once the higher demon is gone, grip around Sehun tightening as he glares at Kris. “Smooth, Kris, really. Why did you have to bring that up?”
“I didn’t mean-” Kris starts, clicking his tongue in annoyance. “It was an accident, OK? Forget I said anything.” He sighs and looks over his shoulder before taking a step away from Luhan and Sehun. “There are things I need to attend to. Bring Sehun back to your room. He should probably rest a bit more.”
“I was already planning on doing that,” Luhan snaps, releasing Sehun to intertwine their fingers. “Come on, Sehunnie, let’s go.”
“Why is it so bad that he brought up the, um...” Sehun asks, voice trailing off as he lets Luhan lead him down the hallway.
“I’m not supposed to talk about it,” Luhan replies decidedly, efficiently ending the conversation.
Sehun tries on multiple occasions to ask about the consequences Yixing had mentioned. It hasn’t left his mind, and he’s scared because Luhan hasn’t spoken to him about it. But each time he opens his mouth, Luhan is there, kissing the words away and shushing him, telling him to rest and not think about anything right now.
He falls asleep to the steady rhythm of Luhan’s lips pressing against his own, his mind clouded with Luhan, Luhan, Luhan. It is a light, dreamless slumber that disorients him when the following morning arrives.
The first thing he notices is that Luhan isn’t there. His heart sinks for a moment before he notices the second thing: Kai’s face on the wall opposite of him.
“Wh-what are you doing?” he asks groggily, sitting up and stretching. “And how long have you been there?”
“Eh, an hour maybe,” Kai says indifferently. “You make some funny faces while you’re sleeping, did you know?” Sehun frowns at him. “What? It’s the truth.”
“You didn’t answer my first question,” Sehun points out.
“Am I obligated to answer every question you ask or something?” Kai retorts, the rest of his body materializing from the wall as he crosses the room and stands in front of the bed, gazing at Sehun with narrowed eyes. “I heard you met Xiumin.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen your whole body,” Sehun says.
“I also heard,” Kai continues, eyes narrowing further, “that someone carelessly mentioned things which aren’t supposed to be mentioned.”
“How should I know?” Sehun sighs, yawning and blinking away any lingering sleep. “I’m a guest here, how should I know what’s supposed to and not supposed to be mentioned?”
“I’m only saying this because I figured you’d be curious,” Kai shrugs, seating himself on the edge of the bed. “I mean, it seems like a lot goes on behind your back.” Sehun stops mid-yawn.
“What do you... Do you know about...?” he questions eagerly, swallowing when a smirk tugs at the corners of Kai’s mouth.
“Maybe, maybe not,” he shrugs again, complacently this time. “It depends on what you can offer me in return for the information.”
“Kai, I have two days left here before I’m sent back to the human realm. You better tell me what you know,” Sehun demands. Kai’s smirk instantly turns into a scowl and he gets up from the bed to pace a few steps.
“Oh, you humans are no fun,” he sighs, bottom lip jutting out in a pout “I don’t feel like telling you. It’ll be boring if I just tell you.” Sehun glares at him. “Why don’t you guess? Guessing would make it fun.”
“This isn’t a joke!” Sehun says frustratedly. “I don’t have time to play your stupid games!” Kai stomps his foot and makes a whimpering noise like a puppy getting kicked in the gut.
“Well, fine. If you make out with me, I’ll tell you,” he says, smirk returning as he faces Sehun and folds his arms, ignoring the incredulous look on the human’s face.
“You can’t be serious,” Sehun mutters, shaking his head and releasing a short breathy laugh.
“What? You’re hot,” Kai says as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Ugh, but it’s really your only redeeming feature. How does Luhan put up with you? You’re so boring.”
“Enough already!” Sehun exclaims. “If you’re not going to tell me anything, then get out!”
“But!” Kai stomps his foot again.
“How does anyone put up with you?” Sehun snarls, “You’re so annoying. I bet everyone was so relieved when you were passed out for a week!” Kai’s eyes widen and his expression darkens.
“Who do you think you are-?!” He clears the distance between him and Sehun in two large strides, leaning dangerously close to Sehun’s face, a menacing look in his eyes. “How dare you speak of that time! How dare you!” The human swallows hard but holds strong, determination keeping him from shrinking away from the being in front of him.
“Why?” he asks. “What’s so bad about speaking of it?” Kai growls, revealing pointed teeth.
“What’s so bad-” Kai shakes his head, pulling back and walking a few steps back. He stays silent for a few moments before eerie laughter bubbles over his lips, sending involuntary shivers down Sehun’s spine. “What’s so bad, you ask,” Kai gasps between keening giggles. “What’s so bad!”
In an instant, he is back in front of Sehun, grinning wickedly. “You want to know? Fine. I’ll tell you everything. Listen carefully, pretty boy, ‘cause I’m only going over it once.” Sehun is unable to stop himself from gulping nervously.
“You want to know what Luhan’s been hiding from you? What they talked about at those meetings that you conveniently weren’t invited to? What the consequences of being sent back to the human world are?” Kai questions almost hysterically. “There’s a reason they didn’t tell you anything. You could say it’s because they care about you, because they didn’t want you to worry, but they went behind your back.
“So you really want to know, huh? What they went through the trouble of hiding from you?” Sehun nearly forgets how to move, but barely manages to nod his head. “It’s your memory, human. When you’re sent back to the human realm, you lose your memory, of the underworld and its inhabitants.”
Sehun’s heart stops. “M-my memory?” he repeats weakly, breath catching in his throat. Does that mean all of the times he’d shared with Luhan - Luhan in general - will be permanently erased from his mind?
“Sad, isn’t it?” Kai laughs, his voice showing anything but remorse for the situation. “You and your precious Luhan will no longer recall each other’s names, faces; everything will be lost! It’s worse than Romeo and Juliet!”
Sehun looks from Kai to the door and back, like somehow Luhan will come bursting in to prove the hysteric demon wrong. He wishes Luhan were there. He wishes Luhan would have told him something, anything!
Had the archangel known this whole time what their fate would be?
“Ah, perhaps you regret it now, your desire to know,” Kai says, feigning sympathy. “Many people do. Even when the truth is Lies.” Sehun’s eyes widen, realization hitting him like a freight train.
“You’re- you’re a Lie, aren’t you!” he gasps, flinching when Kai lets out a barking laugh.
“Good, you’re a smart one. I don’t have to give away too much,” the demon says, grin spreading wider and wider. “Yes, I’m a Lie. I was caught by Lord Zitao, and for that, I must stay in the castle, forced to tell the truth, forced to do as he commands.” Kai’s smile slowly fades, replaced by a melancholic stare.
“I am not like the other demons. I cannot do what I want or go where I please; I do not have any special sort of power; I merely exist. And you-” he stops, eyes narrowing as he looks at Sehun. “You are just a pathetic little human who knows nothing.” He falls silent a moment, gaze unfocusing.
“It is because I am a Lie that we are not supposed to mention that time. Xiumin could not find my aura because I do not have one. He drained nearly all of my life source while searching for it, and for what?” Again, he looks right at Sehun. “I really have dealt with enough ignorance.”
Finally, Kai stays quiet, head buried in his hands. Sehun can’t help feeling sorry for him. He’s not sure why, especially when he finally understands the magnitude of his situation; all of the things Luhan never told him; the reason Luhan had been acting so strangely.
But there is something helpless in the demon’s words.
“I’m-” Sehun begins, but Kai shakes his head.
“Sorry,” the demon murmurs. “I’m sorry.” He looks at Sehun once more, ruefully. “It was not my place to tell you these things. I am sorry.” Slowly, he backs away, figure melting into the wall. “Luhan will be back soon. He went to get your breakfast.” Soon the only thing left is Kai’s contorted face.
“I’m sorry,” he says one last time. Then he is gone.
part 5