[EXO] the reason i live is you
title: the reason i live is you
pairing: kai/d.o friendship and suho/d.o ; baekhyun/chanyeol friendship ; kris/lu han friendship
genre: friendship
summary: Three deleted scenes from 'Compatibility'. (Pacific Rim AU)
a/n: you're like an angel ; hurry and save me ; shine on me in the darkness
first: you’re like an angel (kai/d.o , suho/d.o)
The screams from the hospital bay were still ringing in Kyungsoo’s ears, despite having happened nearly two hours ago. His hands were shaking, still trembling at great speed, making dissecting a near impossible task. Taking off his latex gloves, Kyungsoo stepped back and examined his handiwork so far.
The second Kaiju, which Jongin had named Surprise (Kyungsoo thinks they need to stop giving Jongin naming rights) was nowhere near done being analyzed, but Kyungsoo felt sick looking at the monster. Nearly five years of being a scientist, three of which he was at the Nagasaki base, and he still couldn’t get his disgust of the Kaijus out of his head. Today this one nearly killed three of his friends. He couldn’t forgive that, even if it was dead.
Motioning for another staff member to take over, he hurried out the room and down the hall, his eyes blinking fast. They still didn’t get word back on the three, though he knew that Yixing had recovered enough to at least walk around, though he was slightly dazed when they put him on the gurney for the hospital. It could be a mild concussion, or internal bleeding in the skull. Kyungsoo shuddered at the thought. There was a reason why he was a Kaiju researcher instead, despite his utter hatred for the beasts.
He stopped outside the technician’s room, where Jongin was, directing a group of workers on drilling in a new armor plate onto the Cosmic Phoenix. Kyungsoo kind of admired that. It was less then two hours since it was drastically ripped off from an attack, yet the other was already preparing for the next one.
If there would be a next one for the team that rode it. He didn’t need to analyze the Kaiju’s claws to know how damaging they were, and stiffened at the thought of Chanyeol.
Jongin had noticed him, and waved him over. “Kyungsoo!” He signaled for his team to take a break, walked over and wrapped his arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulder, bringing him closer to his side. “Thank goodness I ordered this extra metal plates. Now all that’s left is to reattach the Empress’s arm, but that’ll be a bitch cause it's a Chinese Jaeger and they use some weird-ass metal alloy for their joints…”
“Mhm…” Kyungsoo leaned into Jongin, taking in the comforting rose butter smell. He could feel his nerves slowly calming down. “Where's the Rangers?” he asked. Jongin turned and grinned down at Kyungsoo.
“Well Xiumin and Chen are resting, two Kaiju fights in a row can be pretty exhausting. Luhan and Tao left for Hong Kong about an hour ago, and Sehun’s in his room at the moment. Hey, by the way, great call about Sehun back then.” Jongin’s eyes lit up. “I mean, Sehun and Lu don’t have the best compatibility rate, but they got something, and were a great assist to Shadow, plus-“
“Where’s Suho?” Jongin stepped back in amusement.
“I’m right here by the way, and I’m fine, thanks for asking,” Jongin joked dryly, but sympathetically smiled down at Kyungsoo. “He’s at LOCCENT right now, probably reevaluating all his life choices.”
“I-Is he okay?”
“The old man hasn’t died from stress yet, if that’s what you’re asking.” Kyungsoo collapsed into a chair, gasping in relief.
Jongin took the seat next to him, resting his elbows on his knees. “You okay there?” Kyungsoo nodded rapidly.
“I-I’m just worried b-because of what he told us, with the whole Sehun situation. Do you think anything’s going to happen because…?” he drifted off, but Jongin nodded.
“Suho’s strong, Kyungsoo, he can take anything that’s thrown at him.” Jongin twisted his bracelet. It was a gift from Kyungsoo, who had it made from the scrap metal ripped from the Exotic Love’s last run, along with the Kaiju it took down. To anyone else, it would seem like a pretty crappy gift, but Jongin had cried upon receiving. There was too much sentimental value.
“Don’t worry too much about him, he’s gonna know how to handle this. Suho’s smart, he can probably argue his way out of anything.” Jongin took Kyungsoo’s hands, which were shaking again.
“I should have never made that suggestion, its only going to cause more problems for him,“ Kyungsoo whimpered. Jongin squeezed tighter.
“Hey hey hey, if you didn’t suggest Sehun, we would probably still be arguing what to do right now at the LOCCENT center. So you essentially saved us all man.”
“But at what cost? Suho’s going to be in so much trouble, aren’t we all going to be? What’s going to happen what is the government going to d-“
“Hey Hey…” Jongin suddenly leaned forward, placing a light kiss on Kyungsoo’s forehead. “Take a deep breath hyung.” The sudden switch to Korean surprised Kyungsoo. Despite being a team of mostly Korean’s, everyone used English instead for easier communication with the diversity of workers. Hearing Korean was comforting, a gesture that made their conversation more personal, more emotional.
“You know, someone once complimented me for becoming a technician despite all the opposition I faced.” Jongin smiled wistfully, continuing to run his hand through Kyungsoo’s hair, relaxing the other. “He said he admired that about me, how I overcame obstacles and pushed forward in my life. While I’m thankful for the praise, I don’t think it’s really that commendable, ‘cause really, don’t we all face difficulties in our lives? Everyone here is a living example.
“Suho hyu-… Joonmyun-hyung’s been through a lot too.” Kyungsoo froze. No one ever called Suho by his real name anymore.
Jongin continued, “His whole life’s been hurdle after hurdle ever since he decided to join the Jaeger program. Yet, he just jumped over each and everyone one of them, and kept running ahead, faster then all of us. I’m not lying when I say Suho hyung’s strong. He’s had so many hardships, yet he’s fought through them all with a stupid smile on his face.” Kyungsoo chuckled at that.
“Maybe what that person said was right. Maybe I am admirable for overcoming obstacles. But so are you. And Lu, and Xing, and Kris. And the Shadow duo. Just look at Tao, everything that happened at Hong Kong and he can still stand being at a base, as a doctor no less? That’s admiration right there.
And well Suho? He’s… He’s my source of inspiration. I want to be at least half as spirited as he is, that would be the best thing that could happen to anything.
So maybe what this guy meant is that really, everyone has something admirable inside them. They just have to fight for it, to show that they can really handle the power that they have. And well, you don’t have to worry Kyungie, because Suho’s done more then fight for it, he’s overcome it, taken control of it, and made that strength his own.” Jongin sighed, taking Kyungsoo’s head into his arms, hugging the other tightly into his chest.
“Sounds like a smart guy.” Kyungsoo sniffled, but smiled weakly. He could always count on Jongin to make him feel better. The other had always been a younger brother to him, someone that Kyungsoo could take care of and scold, but always know that he could rely on through times like this.
“Yeah well, he’s in his room right now probably stupidly bragging to himself in the mirror, so I don’t think smart is a really good term to use…” Kyungsoo let out a small chuckle. Jongin grinned.
“So instead of thinking up crazy things and worrying yourself to death like you always do-” Kyungsoo smacked the others arm but grumpily accepted the truth. “-why don’t you go be with Suho right now? He’s strong, yes, but he still needs someone to hug him and kiss him good luck. You and Kris know him best, and well cause Kris isn’t here…”
“-I should be there.” Kyungsoo finished Jongin’s sentence, nodding. Jongin grinned, patting the other on the head.
“Make sure Sehun isn’t going through an emo phase right now for me? It’s about time he realized what he just did and the consequences.” Kyungsoo pushed Jongin’s hand off, giving him a stern look. Jongin let out a small chuckle.
“More like partying it up in there. That guys such a Jaeger groupie, I bet he completely forgot about his dad.” Jongin shrugged his shoulders as he walked backwards out into the hallway.
Kyungsoo watched him go, before calling out, “Jongin?” The other peeked back through the doorframe.
“You are strong.” He smiled at the other. “One of the strongest people I know. Thank you.” Jongin gulped, his face at a loss, before he grinned a teasing look.
“Just make sure to give Suho a reeeeeeeaaally biiiiiiiiiiig kiss for good luck, Kyungie~” he sang out, and just nearly avoided the model Jaeger that came flying at his head.
All the lights were still on, but the LOCCENT center was silent, void of everyone but Suho, who sat at the window, staring out at the Exotic Love. Kyungsoo cleared his throat to call attention, but the other male didn’t even budge.
“Hey…” Kyungsoo whispered, stepping up behind Suho. He wrapped his arms around Suho’s neck, and the other finally reacted, rubbing at Kyungsoo’s arm, before wheeling up another chair.
“You okay?” He asked wearily, and Kyungsoo smiled. Of course the Marshall would ask about Kyungsoo first. That was one of the traits Kyungsoo loved most about him.
“Yeah, Jongin cheered me up.” Kyungsoo blushed shyly.
Suho hummed in approval. “I knew we hired that kid for a reason.” Kyungsoo let out a chuckle.
“Other then being a technician?”
“Yeah, cause he does a shit job at that.” Kyungsoo burst out in even more giggles. It was a private joke between the three, considering Jongin was one of the best in his field, proven more then once before.
He finally calmed down enough, turning back up towards Suho’s face. “Are… you okay… hyung?” he asked hesitantly, switching to Korean. Suho blinked at him.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Kyungsoo nodded slowly, throwing a slight glance at the giant Jaeger. Suho saw.
“I’m just glad she’s getting some air again,” he sighed, smiling wistfully up at the Love. “Been a while since she’s been out of the house, you know?”
Kyungsoo didn’t really. He wasn’t here long enough for that. But looking over at Suho, how the elder’s eyes misted with memories as he continued to stare out at the sleek Jaeger, he wished he did. Suho tend to keep his feelings and thoughts, locked up inside, no matter how much everyone else could see it hurt him to. Kyungsoo longed to open that part of Suho up, to delve deeper into the memories that hurt Suho, the things he felt burdened by, and especially what made him happy.
(A part of him hoped he would find himself in that last part.)
Suddenly, his chair was wheeled sideways, clashing with Suho’s. “Stop looking so sad, only I have the right.” The other male joked, wrapping his arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulder and drawing him closer. Kyungsoo leaned against Suho, taking in the soft lavender scent.
There was so much that Kyungsoo wanted to happen between him and Suho. But for now, sitting there in silence, his head on Suho’s shoulder, as the two looked out at the four Jaegers, which stood tall and proud against the rising sun, a promise of a new day…
They had all the time in the world.
WORD COUNT 1918
second: hurry and save me (baekhyun/chanyeol)
Baekhyun hated hospital walls with a passion.
The white color seemed to glare down at him, engulfing his body and muddling his brain. The room was silent save for the steady beeps from the cardiac monitor by his bedside. The rhythmic sounds did nothing to calm his nerves; rather, it sent his mind into even more of a panicked frenzy.
He sat up, groaning at the onslaught of pain it brought to his spine. The anesthetic was wearing off, an aching feeling returning to his legs. Dazedly, he looked around the confined hospital room he was in. A cafeteria tray with a half eaten sandwich and coffee cup sat alone on the table near the door, a clear indication that someone had been there recently.
It can’t be Chanyeol, he hates ham with a passion, maybe it-
Baekhyun’s eyes widened. Chanyeol!
In a flash, his feet went flying out of his bed, the cold tile of the floor sending shocks through his body. Tottering towards the door, he ran out blindly, ignoring the increasing strain on his still injured legs. The pain was nothing to him compared to the fear of not knowing Chanyeol’s state. Was he awake? Hurt? In a coma?
“Hey there roadrunner, slow down for a second.” Two strong arms cut into his frantic stumbles, wrapping around his waist and steadying him, comforting pats slowing Baekhyun’s rapidly beating heart. It felt like Chanyeol, but Baekhyun disappointedly looked up at Kris instead.
“Where's Chanyeol?” He didn’t expect the other to answer, but instead to brush him off like everyone else, telling him to return to his room to rest. It wasn’t fair. Kris got to stay by Yixing’s side, and he couldn’t even know if Chanyeol had died or not.
On the other hand though… maybe he didn't want to know that.
There was no answer from Kris, the silence deafening. Baekhyun’s apprehension bubbled inside again. NO. Eyes wide with fear, he grabbed onto the other, who stood there emotionless.
“Where. Is. He.”
“H-He’s fine.” Kris’s tone didn't match his words, but Baekhyun still let out a gasp of relief at the words. The fleeting panic faded away.
Kris looked down at Baekhyun with weary eyes. “I just came from his room. He’s alive and breathing, but it seems like he’s still in a coma. The doctors say his chances are good, but it’s been two hours and-“
“Which room?” Kris fell silent again, and for a split second, Baekhyun felt like the other wasn’t going to tell.
Kris sighed, but gave a weak smile. “Third door on the left.” He let out a small chuckle. “You deserve to know. If there’s anyone that he’d want to see by his side when he wakes up, it’s you. Or a pizza delivery guy.” Baekhyun giggled at Kris’s attempt at lifting the mood, his own spirits rising.
“Thanks Kris!” He turned to sprint to the room, but paused mid step. Turning back, Baekhyun asked hesitantly, “H-How’s Yixing?”
Kris didn’t answer, but his smile widened, as he motioned to the door opposing Baekhyun’s hospital room. Peering inside, Baekhyun let out a gasp of surprise before his own grin grew.
“Luhan, I’m still going to propose-“
“No! I can’t let you! She won’t be as good as I am! How is she going to know which pain medication you need to take in the morning? How much rest you need at night to be fully functional? You nearly died! How is she going to handle the physical training you’re going to need on your legs? She won’t know how to cook your eggs in the morning either!”
“Luhan, I don’t even like eggs.”
Yixing was up and well, a serene yet slightly exasperated look on his face. He was patting Luhan’s head, which was currently perched on Yixing’s left shoulder, arms tightly around Yixing’s waist as the other bawled loudly of how “You can’t leave me! I need to get a leash for you!”
“I don’t think so.”
“They’ve been like that for hours, it gets sickening to see after a while.” Kris waved at Yixing, who mouthed ‘save me!’ Baehkyun laughed.
“It's heartwarming to see,” he moved away from the door, whispering a ‘sorry’ at Yixing, who flipped his middle finger in return. “But… thanks for sitting in me and Chan’s room.” He gestured towards Kris’s half finished tray.
Kris smiled. “Someone had to be there when you woke up. Now, go do the same for Chanyeol. But please, nothing like those two. I don’t want to have to pry you off of him too.”
Baekhyun smirked in return. “No promises!” Kris flicked him on the head, before entering Yixing’s room to pull Luhan off the other. Baekhyun ran off to his own partner’s room.
The lights were off, but when he turned it on, the sight of Chanyeol on the bed was enough to make his heart hurt again. How long as he been lying here alone?
“Chanyeol?” he whispered softly, tiptoeing to the bedside. There was no response.
Taking his hand, Baekhyun continued, “Chan, you can’t give up okay? I’m sorry I failed to protect you back then, but you see how much I need you right? So please, don’t leave me-“
“Who said I was going to leave you?” Baekhyun froze mid sentence. Groaning, Chanyeol turned his head, smiling wide and clear at Baekhyun despite the fog from oxygen mask obscuring Baekhyun’s view.
“We still need to hold our double wedding remember?” Baekhyun crunched his nose in confusion, and Chanyeol sighed. “You know, me and Dara, you and Taeyeon, they can’t say no this time you know, cause, well, we just saved Korea.” He ended with a grin so wide, that Baekhyun couldn’t help but do the same.
“And then we would try to set up Kris with Jessica, because they’re both suppose to be the tall and chic ones but are actually the dorky dumbasses-“
“-and also play a trick on Suho and Kyungsoo, by playing a video of their moments instead of ours at the banquet-“
“-only for Suho to propose Mamma Mia-esque to Kyungie-“
“-but then Kyungsoo would reject him because apparently he liked Kris instead-“
“-which would start a cat fight between him and Jessica, which we would turn into a food fight instead-“
They both fell back in laughter, Chanyeol’s deep roar with Baekhyun’s kitten giggles. It was the same old wild joke the pair shared, continuing the retell over and over all while adding more. They had boatloads of them, ever since they were trainees sharing a bed back in the Jaeger Academy, before they had been matched up and the subsequent finding out of their blood relations. What started out as an argument over who was the best idol girl group (which Baekhyun still says is Girl’s Generation) became disagreements over Jaeger models. It turned into days in and out of beating each other up in fighting practices only to return to their rooms and engage in “of high importance” competitions over who had the most KO’s in Call of Duty. It was two boys who didn't know of their fated connection to each other, only to become the closest of brothers to each other, the feeling of soul mates deep in their bond.
“Why were you still asleep though when I came in? Kris thought you were in a coma!” Baekhyun changed the subject.
Chanyeol took his oxygen mask off and cracked his neck. “Simple, you loud ass voice woke me up.” Baekhyun slapped him on the shoulder. “Yah! Seriously though, it was because you came in.” His face suddenly turned solemn. Baekhyun paused.
“I wanted…”Chanyeol started, not looking at Baekhyun. “I didn’t want to wake up until I knew you were okay. What if I woke u and the first thing Kris told me was you were de- in a coma? How could I live after hearing that?”
“I didn’t want to see Kris, or Lu or even Tao. I didn’t want to see a nurse or a doctor, no matter how pretty they are here. I wanted to see you Baekhyun. Because if you’re not okay, how can I be fine? So when you stepped in here, gosh, you don’t know how relieved I was. That I didn’t have to plan a fun- a hospital ward to set you up in, you know, while you’re in a coma.”
Baekhyun sat there, stunned at Chanyeol’s words. Chanyeol had always been a relaxed type of guy, living life in a carefree manner filled with jokes and humor. Hearing such emotion-filled and heartfelt words came as a shock, yet oddly enough, they were soothing to hear.
Especially since -as Baekhyun thought back to moments ago, waking up to an empty bedside with no knowledge of where Chanyeol was- Baekhyun had felt the same way.
“Hey Chanyeol?” Baekhyun quietly said.
“Hmm?”
“Let’s…” he paused. Chanyeol looked up at him. “After you get out of the hospital, let’s not return back to base. For like a little while I mean!” He quickly added in response to Chanyeol’s shocked protest. “Like, a vacation. A long vacation. Bigger then a week, maybe even longer then a month. We’ll take the first plane out f here to somewhere far, far, far away from the pacific rim, somewhere like… somewhere like Europe! I’ve always wanted to go there!”
Chanyeol’s face had softened into a smile. “And what would we do there?” he asked.
Baekhyun looked up at Chanyeol, his eyes glimmering as he answered, “We-We can just tour every country in Europe! Like-like London, and Paris, and Spain and Switzerland and Iceland and Germany and-and… sightseeing! The Buckingham Palace and Eiffel Tower and the giant thingy in Rome-“
“The Colosseum?”
“Yeah that and well we can go skiing in Switzerland and play soccer in Barcelona and well… we’ll just keep having fun you know, having fun as if we were just two normal twenty year olds and not- well…” he trailed off, but Chanyeol understood.
Baekhyun couldn’t imagine any other life then being a Ranger, yet sometimes, the intensity of it all frightened him. It had just started as a young boy being drawn in by the heroic propaganda of the Jaeger Program, entering the Academy with wide eyes and big dreams, only for him to be thrown into a world dominated by chance and terror. The only constant in his life was Chanyeol, and the idea of losing him… Baekhyun just wanted confirmation that the other would stay by his side forever.
“Okay.” Chanyeol broke the silence with his simple proclamation. He placed his hand on top of Bakehyun’s, rubbing his finger over the small callous between Baekhyun’s thumb and pointer. Baekhyun blinked.
“Let’s go to Europe together. The playful tone in Chanyeol’s voice finally triggered Baekhyun’s teardrops, causing them to roll down his cheeks.
“We’ll go everywhere and do everything there is to do and have as much fun as we can.” Chanyeol wiped at Baekhyun’s eyes, clearing the tears from his face. Baekhyun already felt his mood cheering up. It was true that his life was a whirlwind of uncertainties, if he would be able to live to see another day, or if death would come from around the corner and seize him. However, with Chanyeol there besides him - Baekhyun felt he had enough strength to face it all.
Suddenly, Chanyeol’s smile turned into a smirk, as he added, “I’ve always wanted to go to a Spanish nude beach-“
Smack!
“Sh-Baek!”
“We need a nurse here! I accidently smacked the patient on the stomach!”
“Accidently my ass you b-“
(15 minutes later:
Baekhyun looked down at the drowsy Chanyeol, drugged with painkillers to reduce the throbbing in his chest.
“Thanks,” he said quietly. “For always cheering me up.” Chanyeol cracked open one eye, a soft smile rising on his lips.
“I don’t want to see your sad face anymore.” He replied. Baekhyun blinked away tears, a grin appearing on his own face.
“You’re ugly when you cry, no one ever wants to see that-“
Baekhyun smacked him again.)
WORD COUNT 2014
third: shine on me in the darkness (kris/luhan)
The sounds in the Drivesuit Room were familiar, yet it felt strange not to feel the customary weight of a suit in conjunction with the noise. Kris stepped back, throwing a glance over Luhan’s body for anything disarray. His eye caught on Luhan’s right boot, which was unstrapped. That could easily cause an accident; a possible slip up on the step pad which could throw a person off. (Like Yixing.) Kris bent down.
“I think you’re all set, Sehun’s already in the Love’s cockpit, we should hurry.” He pressed down hard on the clamp, ensuring it was in place.
“Go with Xing on the first flight out of here okay?” the soft tone of Luhan's voice was comforting to Kris’s ears, yet he stood defiantly at Luhan’s words.
“I should wait for you-“
“Get on that plane Yifan.” Kris flinched. He hardly used his real name, and hearing it from Luhan added to his indisputable request.
Pressing the door button, it hissed and opened as Luhan continued, “I don’t know how long it’ll take to take the Kaiju down if we even - I mean, you should be with Xing, he needs you more then I do right now.” He turned and began walking out the Drivesuit room.
“Luhan wait.” Luhan paused and looked up at Kris with a weary smile.
“Mhm?” There were very few times when Kris saw that look on Luhan, as if his baby face had aged dozens of years. It reminded him that despite Luhan’s playful actions and childish demeanor, he was still he eldest amongst the three of them and the real leader of the Empress team, which placed a lot more on Luhan’s shoulders then either Kris or Yixing could ever imagine.
“小心.” Kris whispered. (Be safe.) We need you.
Luhan grinned. “不担心.” He replied.
Don’t worry.
WORD COUNT 309
guess where all the titles are from
pairing: kai/d.o friendship and suho/d.o ; baekhyun/chanyeol friendship ; kris/lu han friendship
genre: friendship
summary: Three deleted scenes from 'Compatibility'. (Pacific Rim AU)
a/n: you're like an angel ; hurry and save me ; shine on me in the darkness
first: you’re like an angel (kai/d.o , suho/d.o)
The screams from the hospital bay were still ringing in Kyungsoo’s ears, despite having happened nearly two hours ago. His hands were shaking, still trembling at great speed, making dissecting a near impossible task. Taking off his latex gloves, Kyungsoo stepped back and examined his handiwork so far.
The second Kaiju, which Jongin had named Surprise (Kyungsoo thinks they need to stop giving Jongin naming rights) was nowhere near done being analyzed, but Kyungsoo felt sick looking at the monster. Nearly five years of being a scientist, three of which he was at the Nagasaki base, and he still couldn’t get his disgust of the Kaijus out of his head. Today this one nearly killed three of his friends. He couldn’t forgive that, even if it was dead.
Motioning for another staff member to take over, he hurried out the room and down the hall, his eyes blinking fast. They still didn’t get word back on the three, though he knew that Yixing had recovered enough to at least walk around, though he was slightly dazed when they put him on the gurney for the hospital. It could be a mild concussion, or internal bleeding in the skull. Kyungsoo shuddered at the thought. There was a reason why he was a Kaiju researcher instead, despite his utter hatred for the beasts.
He stopped outside the technician’s room, where Jongin was, directing a group of workers on drilling in a new armor plate onto the Cosmic Phoenix. Kyungsoo kind of admired that. It was less then two hours since it was drastically ripped off from an attack, yet the other was already preparing for the next one.
If there would be a next one for the team that rode it. He didn’t need to analyze the Kaiju’s claws to know how damaging they were, and stiffened at the thought of Chanyeol.
Jongin had noticed him, and waved him over. “Kyungsoo!” He signaled for his team to take a break, walked over and wrapped his arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulder, bringing him closer to his side. “Thank goodness I ordered this extra metal plates. Now all that’s left is to reattach the Empress’s arm, but that’ll be a bitch cause it's a Chinese Jaeger and they use some weird-ass metal alloy for their joints…”
“Mhm…” Kyungsoo leaned into Jongin, taking in the comforting rose butter smell. He could feel his nerves slowly calming down. “Where's the Rangers?” he asked. Jongin turned and grinned down at Kyungsoo.
“Well Xiumin and Chen are resting, two Kaiju fights in a row can be pretty exhausting. Luhan and Tao left for Hong Kong about an hour ago, and Sehun’s in his room at the moment. Hey, by the way, great call about Sehun back then.” Jongin’s eyes lit up. “I mean, Sehun and Lu don’t have the best compatibility rate, but they got something, and were a great assist to Shadow, plus-“
“Where’s Suho?” Jongin stepped back in amusement.
“I’m right here by the way, and I’m fine, thanks for asking,” Jongin joked dryly, but sympathetically smiled down at Kyungsoo. “He’s at LOCCENT right now, probably reevaluating all his life choices.”
“I-Is he okay?”
“The old man hasn’t died from stress yet, if that’s what you’re asking.” Kyungsoo collapsed into a chair, gasping in relief.
Jongin took the seat next to him, resting his elbows on his knees. “You okay there?” Kyungsoo nodded rapidly.
“I-I’m just worried b-because of what he told us, with the whole Sehun situation. Do you think anything’s going to happen because…?” he drifted off, but Jongin nodded.
“Suho’s strong, Kyungsoo, he can take anything that’s thrown at him.” Jongin twisted his bracelet. It was a gift from Kyungsoo, who had it made from the scrap metal ripped from the Exotic Love’s last run, along with the Kaiju it took down. To anyone else, it would seem like a pretty crappy gift, but Jongin had cried upon receiving. There was too much sentimental value.
“Don’t worry too much about him, he’s gonna know how to handle this. Suho’s smart, he can probably argue his way out of anything.” Jongin took Kyungsoo’s hands, which were shaking again.
“I should have never made that suggestion, its only going to cause more problems for him,“ Kyungsoo whimpered. Jongin squeezed tighter.
“Hey hey hey, if you didn’t suggest Sehun, we would probably still be arguing what to do right now at the LOCCENT center. So you essentially saved us all man.”
“But at what cost? Suho’s going to be in so much trouble, aren’t we all going to be? What’s going to happen what is the government going to d-“
“Hey Hey…” Jongin suddenly leaned forward, placing a light kiss on Kyungsoo’s forehead. “Take a deep breath hyung.” The sudden switch to Korean surprised Kyungsoo. Despite being a team of mostly Korean’s, everyone used English instead for easier communication with the diversity of workers. Hearing Korean was comforting, a gesture that made their conversation more personal, more emotional.
“You know, someone once complimented me for becoming a technician despite all the opposition I faced.” Jongin smiled wistfully, continuing to run his hand through Kyungsoo’s hair, relaxing the other. “He said he admired that about me, how I overcame obstacles and pushed forward in my life. While I’m thankful for the praise, I don’t think it’s really that commendable, ‘cause really, don’t we all face difficulties in our lives? Everyone here is a living example.
“Suho hyu-… Joonmyun-hyung’s been through a lot too.” Kyungsoo froze. No one ever called Suho by his real name anymore.
Jongin continued, “His whole life’s been hurdle after hurdle ever since he decided to join the Jaeger program. Yet, he just jumped over each and everyone one of them, and kept running ahead, faster then all of us. I’m not lying when I say Suho hyung’s strong. He’s had so many hardships, yet he’s fought through them all with a stupid smile on his face.” Kyungsoo chuckled at that.
“Maybe what that person said was right. Maybe I am admirable for overcoming obstacles. But so are you. And Lu, and Xing, and Kris. And the Shadow duo. Just look at Tao, everything that happened at Hong Kong and he can still stand being at a base, as a doctor no less? That’s admiration right there.
And well Suho? He’s… He’s my source of inspiration. I want to be at least half as spirited as he is, that would be the best thing that could happen to anything.
So maybe what this guy meant is that really, everyone has something admirable inside them. They just have to fight for it, to show that they can really handle the power that they have. And well, you don’t have to worry Kyungie, because Suho’s done more then fight for it, he’s overcome it, taken control of it, and made that strength his own.” Jongin sighed, taking Kyungsoo’s head into his arms, hugging the other tightly into his chest.
“Sounds like a smart guy.” Kyungsoo sniffled, but smiled weakly. He could always count on Jongin to make him feel better. The other had always been a younger brother to him, someone that Kyungsoo could take care of and scold, but always know that he could rely on through times like this.
“Yeah well, he’s in his room right now probably stupidly bragging to himself in the mirror, so I don’t think smart is a really good term to use…” Kyungsoo let out a small chuckle. Jongin grinned.
“So instead of thinking up crazy things and worrying yourself to death like you always do-” Kyungsoo smacked the others arm but grumpily accepted the truth. “-why don’t you go be with Suho right now? He’s strong, yes, but he still needs someone to hug him and kiss him good luck. You and Kris know him best, and well cause Kris isn’t here…”
“-I should be there.” Kyungsoo finished Jongin’s sentence, nodding. Jongin grinned, patting the other on the head.
“Make sure Sehun isn’t going through an emo phase right now for me? It’s about time he realized what he just did and the consequences.” Kyungsoo pushed Jongin’s hand off, giving him a stern look. Jongin let out a small chuckle.
“More like partying it up in there. That guys such a Jaeger groupie, I bet he completely forgot about his dad.” Jongin shrugged his shoulders as he walked backwards out into the hallway.
Kyungsoo watched him go, before calling out, “Jongin?” The other peeked back through the doorframe.
“You are strong.” He smiled at the other. “One of the strongest people I know. Thank you.” Jongin gulped, his face at a loss, before he grinned a teasing look.
“Just make sure to give Suho a reeeeeeeaaally biiiiiiiiiiig kiss for good luck, Kyungie~” he sang out, and just nearly avoided the model Jaeger that came flying at his head.
All the lights were still on, but the LOCCENT center was silent, void of everyone but Suho, who sat at the window, staring out at the Exotic Love. Kyungsoo cleared his throat to call attention, but the other male didn’t even budge.
“Hey…” Kyungsoo whispered, stepping up behind Suho. He wrapped his arms around Suho’s neck, and the other finally reacted, rubbing at Kyungsoo’s arm, before wheeling up another chair.
“You okay?” He asked wearily, and Kyungsoo smiled. Of course the Marshall would ask about Kyungsoo first. That was one of the traits Kyungsoo loved most about him.
“Yeah, Jongin cheered me up.” Kyungsoo blushed shyly.
Suho hummed in approval. “I knew we hired that kid for a reason.” Kyungsoo let out a chuckle.
“Other then being a technician?”
“Yeah, cause he does a shit job at that.” Kyungsoo burst out in even more giggles. It was a private joke between the three, considering Jongin was one of the best in his field, proven more then once before.
He finally calmed down enough, turning back up towards Suho’s face. “Are… you okay… hyung?” he asked hesitantly, switching to Korean. Suho blinked at him.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Kyungsoo nodded slowly, throwing a slight glance at the giant Jaeger. Suho saw.
“I’m just glad she’s getting some air again,” he sighed, smiling wistfully up at the Love. “Been a while since she’s been out of the house, you know?”
Kyungsoo didn’t really. He wasn’t here long enough for that. But looking over at Suho, how the elder’s eyes misted with memories as he continued to stare out at the sleek Jaeger, he wished he did. Suho tend to keep his feelings and thoughts, locked up inside, no matter how much everyone else could see it hurt him to. Kyungsoo longed to open that part of Suho up, to delve deeper into the memories that hurt Suho, the things he felt burdened by, and especially what made him happy.
(A part of him hoped he would find himself in that last part.)
Suddenly, his chair was wheeled sideways, clashing with Suho’s. “Stop looking so sad, only I have the right.” The other male joked, wrapping his arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulder and drawing him closer. Kyungsoo leaned against Suho, taking in the soft lavender scent.
There was so much that Kyungsoo wanted to happen between him and Suho. But for now, sitting there in silence, his head on Suho’s shoulder, as the two looked out at the four Jaegers, which stood tall and proud against the rising sun, a promise of a new day…
They had all the time in the world.
WORD COUNT 1918
second: hurry and save me (baekhyun/chanyeol)
Baekhyun hated hospital walls with a passion.
The white color seemed to glare down at him, engulfing his body and muddling his brain. The room was silent save for the steady beeps from the cardiac monitor by his bedside. The rhythmic sounds did nothing to calm his nerves; rather, it sent his mind into even more of a panicked frenzy.
He sat up, groaning at the onslaught of pain it brought to his spine. The anesthetic was wearing off, an aching feeling returning to his legs. Dazedly, he looked around the confined hospital room he was in. A cafeteria tray with a half eaten sandwich and coffee cup sat alone on the table near the door, a clear indication that someone had been there recently.
It can’t be Chanyeol, he hates ham with a passion, maybe it-
Baekhyun’s eyes widened. Chanyeol!
In a flash, his feet went flying out of his bed, the cold tile of the floor sending shocks through his body. Tottering towards the door, he ran out blindly, ignoring the increasing strain on his still injured legs. The pain was nothing to him compared to the fear of not knowing Chanyeol’s state. Was he awake? Hurt? In a coma?
“Hey there roadrunner, slow down for a second.” Two strong arms cut into his frantic stumbles, wrapping around his waist and steadying him, comforting pats slowing Baekhyun’s rapidly beating heart. It felt like Chanyeol, but Baekhyun disappointedly looked up at Kris instead.
“Where's Chanyeol?” He didn’t expect the other to answer, but instead to brush him off like everyone else, telling him to return to his room to rest. It wasn’t fair. Kris got to stay by Yixing’s side, and he couldn’t even know if Chanyeol had died or not.
On the other hand though… maybe he didn't want to know that.
There was no answer from Kris, the silence deafening. Baekhyun’s apprehension bubbled inside again. NO. Eyes wide with fear, he grabbed onto the other, who stood there emotionless.
“Where. Is. He.”
“H-He’s fine.” Kris’s tone didn't match his words, but Baekhyun still let out a gasp of relief at the words. The fleeting panic faded away.
Kris looked down at Baekhyun with weary eyes. “I just came from his room. He’s alive and breathing, but it seems like he’s still in a coma. The doctors say his chances are good, but it’s been two hours and-“
“Which room?” Kris fell silent again, and for a split second, Baekhyun felt like the other wasn’t going to tell.
Kris sighed, but gave a weak smile. “Third door on the left.” He let out a small chuckle. “You deserve to know. If there’s anyone that he’d want to see by his side when he wakes up, it’s you. Or a pizza delivery guy.” Baekhyun giggled at Kris’s attempt at lifting the mood, his own spirits rising.
“Thanks Kris!” He turned to sprint to the room, but paused mid step. Turning back, Baekhyun asked hesitantly, “H-How’s Yixing?”
Kris didn’t answer, but his smile widened, as he motioned to the door opposing Baekhyun’s hospital room. Peering inside, Baekhyun let out a gasp of surprise before his own grin grew.
“Luhan, I’m still going to propose-“
“No! I can’t let you! She won’t be as good as I am! How is she going to know which pain medication you need to take in the morning? How much rest you need at night to be fully functional? You nearly died! How is she going to handle the physical training you’re going to need on your legs? She won’t know how to cook your eggs in the morning either!”
“Luhan, I don’t even like eggs.”
Yixing was up and well, a serene yet slightly exasperated look on his face. He was patting Luhan’s head, which was currently perched on Yixing’s left shoulder, arms tightly around Yixing’s waist as the other bawled loudly of how “You can’t leave me! I need to get a leash for you!”
“I don’t think so.”
“They’ve been like that for hours, it gets sickening to see after a while.” Kris waved at Yixing, who mouthed ‘save me!’ Baehkyun laughed.
“It's heartwarming to see,” he moved away from the door, whispering a ‘sorry’ at Yixing, who flipped his middle finger in return. “But… thanks for sitting in me and Chan’s room.” He gestured towards Kris’s half finished tray.
Kris smiled. “Someone had to be there when you woke up. Now, go do the same for Chanyeol. But please, nothing like those two. I don’t want to have to pry you off of him too.”
Baekhyun smirked in return. “No promises!” Kris flicked him on the head, before entering Yixing’s room to pull Luhan off the other. Baekhyun ran off to his own partner’s room.
The lights were off, but when he turned it on, the sight of Chanyeol on the bed was enough to make his heart hurt again. How long as he been lying here alone?
“Chanyeol?” he whispered softly, tiptoeing to the bedside. There was no response.
Taking his hand, Baekhyun continued, “Chan, you can’t give up okay? I’m sorry I failed to protect you back then, but you see how much I need you right? So please, don’t leave me-“
“Who said I was going to leave you?” Baekhyun froze mid sentence. Groaning, Chanyeol turned his head, smiling wide and clear at Baekhyun despite the fog from oxygen mask obscuring Baekhyun’s view.
“We still need to hold our double wedding remember?” Baekhyun crunched his nose in confusion, and Chanyeol sighed. “You know, me and Dara, you and Taeyeon, they can’t say no this time you know, cause, well, we just saved Korea.” He ended with a grin so wide, that Baekhyun couldn’t help but do the same.
“And then we would try to set up Kris with Jessica, because they’re both suppose to be the tall and chic ones but are actually the dorky dumbasses-“
“-and also play a trick on Suho and Kyungsoo, by playing a video of their moments instead of ours at the banquet-“
“-only for Suho to propose Mamma Mia-esque to Kyungie-“
“-but then Kyungsoo would reject him because apparently he liked Kris instead-“
“-which would start a cat fight between him and Jessica, which we would turn into a food fight instead-“
They both fell back in laughter, Chanyeol’s deep roar with Baekhyun’s kitten giggles. It was the same old wild joke the pair shared, continuing the retell over and over all while adding more. They had boatloads of them, ever since they were trainees sharing a bed back in the Jaeger Academy, before they had been matched up and the subsequent finding out of their blood relations. What started out as an argument over who was the best idol girl group (which Baekhyun still says is Girl’s Generation) became disagreements over Jaeger models. It turned into days in and out of beating each other up in fighting practices only to return to their rooms and engage in “of high importance” competitions over who had the most KO’s in Call of Duty. It was two boys who didn't know of their fated connection to each other, only to become the closest of brothers to each other, the feeling of soul mates deep in their bond.
“Why were you still asleep though when I came in? Kris thought you were in a coma!” Baekhyun changed the subject.
Chanyeol took his oxygen mask off and cracked his neck. “Simple, you loud ass voice woke me up.” Baekhyun slapped him on the shoulder. “Yah! Seriously though, it was because you came in.” His face suddenly turned solemn. Baekhyun paused.
“I wanted…”Chanyeol started, not looking at Baekhyun. “I didn’t want to wake up until I knew you were okay. What if I woke u and the first thing Kris told me was you were de- in a coma? How could I live after hearing that?”
“I didn’t want to see Kris, or Lu or even Tao. I didn’t want to see a nurse or a doctor, no matter how pretty they are here. I wanted to see you Baekhyun. Because if you’re not okay, how can I be fine? So when you stepped in here, gosh, you don’t know how relieved I was. That I didn’t have to plan a fun- a hospital ward to set you up in, you know, while you’re in a coma.”
Baekhyun sat there, stunned at Chanyeol’s words. Chanyeol had always been a relaxed type of guy, living life in a carefree manner filled with jokes and humor. Hearing such emotion-filled and heartfelt words came as a shock, yet oddly enough, they were soothing to hear.
Especially since -as Baekhyun thought back to moments ago, waking up to an empty bedside with no knowledge of where Chanyeol was- Baekhyun had felt the same way.
“Hey Chanyeol?” Baekhyun quietly said.
“Hmm?”
“Let’s…” he paused. Chanyeol looked up at him. “After you get out of the hospital, let’s not return back to base. For like a little while I mean!” He quickly added in response to Chanyeol’s shocked protest. “Like, a vacation. A long vacation. Bigger then a week, maybe even longer then a month. We’ll take the first plane out f here to somewhere far, far, far away from the pacific rim, somewhere like… somewhere like Europe! I’ve always wanted to go there!”
Chanyeol’s face had softened into a smile. “And what would we do there?” he asked.
Baekhyun looked up at Chanyeol, his eyes glimmering as he answered, “We-We can just tour every country in Europe! Like-like London, and Paris, and Spain and Switzerland and Iceland and Germany and-and… sightseeing! The Buckingham Palace and Eiffel Tower and the giant thingy in Rome-“
“The Colosseum?”
“Yeah that and well we can go skiing in Switzerland and play soccer in Barcelona and well… we’ll just keep having fun you know, having fun as if we were just two normal twenty year olds and not- well…” he trailed off, but Chanyeol understood.
Baekhyun couldn’t imagine any other life then being a Ranger, yet sometimes, the intensity of it all frightened him. It had just started as a young boy being drawn in by the heroic propaganda of the Jaeger Program, entering the Academy with wide eyes and big dreams, only for him to be thrown into a world dominated by chance and terror. The only constant in his life was Chanyeol, and the idea of losing him… Baekhyun just wanted confirmation that the other would stay by his side forever.
“Okay.” Chanyeol broke the silence with his simple proclamation. He placed his hand on top of Bakehyun’s, rubbing his finger over the small callous between Baekhyun’s thumb and pointer. Baekhyun blinked.
“Let’s go to Europe together. The playful tone in Chanyeol’s voice finally triggered Baekhyun’s teardrops, causing them to roll down his cheeks.
“We’ll go everywhere and do everything there is to do and have as much fun as we can.” Chanyeol wiped at Baekhyun’s eyes, clearing the tears from his face. Baekhyun already felt his mood cheering up. It was true that his life was a whirlwind of uncertainties, if he would be able to live to see another day, or if death would come from around the corner and seize him. However, with Chanyeol there besides him - Baekhyun felt he had enough strength to face it all.
Suddenly, Chanyeol’s smile turned into a smirk, as he added, “I’ve always wanted to go to a Spanish nude beach-“
Smack!
“Sh-Baek!”
“We need a nurse here! I accidently smacked the patient on the stomach!”
“Accidently my ass you b-“
(15 minutes later:
Baekhyun looked down at the drowsy Chanyeol, drugged with painkillers to reduce the throbbing in his chest.
“Thanks,” he said quietly. “For always cheering me up.” Chanyeol cracked open one eye, a soft smile rising on his lips.
“I don’t want to see your sad face anymore.” He replied. Baekhyun blinked away tears, a grin appearing on his own face.
“You’re ugly when you cry, no one ever wants to see that-“
Baekhyun smacked him again.)
WORD COUNT 2014
third: shine on me in the darkness (kris/luhan)
The sounds in the Drivesuit Room were familiar, yet it felt strange not to feel the customary weight of a suit in conjunction with the noise. Kris stepped back, throwing a glance over Luhan’s body for anything disarray. His eye caught on Luhan’s right boot, which was unstrapped. That could easily cause an accident; a possible slip up on the step pad which could throw a person off. (Like Yixing.) Kris bent down.
“I think you’re all set, Sehun’s already in the Love’s cockpit, we should hurry.” He pressed down hard on the clamp, ensuring it was in place.
“Go with Xing on the first flight out of here okay?” the soft tone of Luhan's voice was comforting to Kris’s ears, yet he stood defiantly at Luhan’s words.
“I should wait for you-“
“Get on that plane Yifan.” Kris flinched. He hardly used his real name, and hearing it from Luhan added to his indisputable request.
Pressing the door button, it hissed and opened as Luhan continued, “I don’t know how long it’ll take to take the Kaiju down if we even - I mean, you should be with Xing, he needs you more then I do right now.” He turned and began walking out the Drivesuit room.
“Luhan wait.” Luhan paused and looked up at Kris with a weary smile.
“Mhm?” There were very few times when Kris saw that look on Luhan, as if his baby face had aged dozens of years. It reminded him that despite Luhan’s playful actions and childish demeanor, he was still he eldest amongst the three of them and the real leader of the Empress team, which placed a lot more on Luhan’s shoulders then either Kris or Yixing could ever imagine.
“小心.” Kris whispered. (Be safe.) We need you.
Luhan grinned. “不担心.” He replied.
Don’t worry.
WORD COUNT 309
guess where all the titles are from