Sorry for the late repost. I was busy and I keep getting headaches. Hi to new subbies and please comment your thoughts.

Disclaimer: I do not own pics.

Repost: 9/18/13

Feed Guilt To The Flame

Chanyeol was excited over-the-moon! Why? Because he could finally show you his volcano, that’s why!

Unfortunately, his glee was rained upon by his brothers who weren’t so thrilled by the prospect of you walking on a dangerous landform that could erupt any minute (most likely because of Chanyeol). The fire prince pouted, proclaiming his volcano was erupt-free.

Normally you should’ve been scared or curious about your next outing, but in reality you were uncharacteristically anxious, stimulated by impatience. You’ve been meaning to go to Chanyeol’s volcano since the beginning. For a purpose. It was part of your ‘treasure hunt’, a real quest for a particular item. This item could only be found on the volcanic island.

During the train ride, Chanyeol was being lectured and admonished about danger protocols and safety regulations. Too bad the fire prince tuned out his brothers’ nagging, shooting you wide grins instead.

“Maybe I should go with them...” Yixing suggested uncertainly, his forehead creasing, worry etched on his cherubic face.

“NO!” Chanyeol instantly objected, jabbing an opposing finger at the healer. “It’s MY alone time with Aris!”

“With guards,” Suho clipped in. The lanky, baby-faced fire lover deflated at the unwanted reminder, but immediately regained his vigor, undaunted.

“Don’t you dare,” Yifan sternly said, “take her to see any of the phoenixes. You might not know what will happen if you bump into them.”

“Puh-leaze,” Chanyeol flippantly said with a haughty eye-roll. “Phoenixes won’t hurt me or Aris. They listen to me.”

“Not exactly...” Baekhyun murmured.

“Last time didn’t go so well,” Xiumin recollected with a displeased frown. “You almost made the volcano erupt.”

Chanyeol’s shoulders deflated again. He jabbed a wild, accusing finger at his unhelpful brothers. “Stop blaming me! I was FIVE when dat happened! LEAVE ME ALONE!” He dashed off dramatically and glomped your arm, interrupting the conversation you were having with Luhan. The telekinesis prince shot Chanyeol an annoyed look.

Kai peeked out the window, sensing the slow deceleration of the train. “We’re here!”

The train station was mostly deserted, save the occasional loads of transport. When you stepped off of the station platform, your feet thumped onto dark, hard-packed ground. The area was stuffy, an occasional breeze lifting away the dust-suffused air. You clearly detected smoke, earth, ash, and heat.

Definitely a volcano.

Minus you and Chanyeol, everyone else headed in the opposite direction to the fire prince’s home for shelter. Taking your hand enthusiastically, Chanyeol led you and the two guards towards the base of the volcano.

“Wow,” you gaped, realizing how massive the steaming heap of earth was. The heat finally registered, tiny beads of sweat budding at your hairline. Chanyeol obviously appeared unaffected. His grin was as broad and as silly as ever.

“So, where are we going?” you drawled during the hike up the volcano. You tried to sound naturally curious.

Chanyeol beamed at you. “Up the volcano. To the tippy top of it.”

Since the guards were out of earshot, you asked of him, “Are you...is there a chance we might see the phoenixes? I’ve never seen one before. We don’t have those in SHINee.”

Your question made him halt, and he raised a brow at you. “You...you want to see one?” He sounded baffled, but impressed. “My brothers say it’s not a good idea, but...” He wrinkled his nose like a twitching rabbit, contemplating. A second passed and he smiled at you mischievously, a conspriational finger to his lips. “I’ll see if I can track one down, but don’t tell my brothers.”

That was Chanyeol—always up for an adventure and easy to accept a challenge.

Leaning closer to him, you whispered, “What about the guards?”

“I really don’t know,” admitted the fire prince, troubled by the slight problem. The guards would hamper his idea of fun. “We can outrun them,” he suggested.

You held up a finger; it sparked with magic. “How about I make them fall asleep with a spell? It should last.”

Chanyeol’s grin was brazen. “Now you’re talkin’.”

You and Chanyeol decided to commence the plan right away. The two of you hid behind a lump of rock and waited with bated breath. The guards shuffled up the slanted plane, trying to futilely locate you two. They paused several meters away, peering left and right, still unaware of your presences. As stealthy as a fox, you snuck out from behind the boulder and inched forward with light footsteps, cautious of loose stones and dust. You raised a perilous hand, eyes sharpening in focus. Dainty fingers glowing in your signature blue-white magic, you aimed the spell at the unsuspecting guards. With a single word, the guards felt their bodies grow heavy and numb, eyes drooping close. They dropped to the ground like flies, snoring soundly. At least the base of the volcano had some patches of weeds, making the ground comfy enough for the slumbering guards.

Your fiancé applauded manically. “Bravo! Bravo!”

You curtsied humbly. “Why, thank you!” You permitted a tiny giggle. “Now, let’s go!”

Hands interlaced, you and Chanyeol traveled up the volcano expeditiously. It had some bumpy paths and lopsided planes, but it was nothing you couldn’t handle. You and your fiancé arrived at the upper lip of the broiling vat of lava. Steam billowed up from the mouth—a vapor of thick, hissy gray. The heat was blistering but Chanyeol seemed to absorb the heat away from you.

You eyed the crusty ground. “Are those...plants?”

Chanyeol nodded. “Mm-hm.” He knelt down to uproot a limp flower, its dangling petals fluttering in the wind as if spreading its wings to fly. Straightening up, he offered it to you with a coy smile. “This is a Fire Wing. They say they came from the fallen feathers of phoenixes, but it’s been proven they only grow in hot, steamy places with hard ground.”

You took the Fire Wing, observing the six wavy-edged, blood-red petals tinted with orange streaks. “It’s very beautiful.” It fascinated you endlessly—flowers. Flowers would always catch your undeniable interest. The princes indubitably knew that, ergo they showered you with all kinds of flowers.

Raising yourself to your tippy-toes, you tenderly pressed a kiss to Chanyeol’s jaw. “Thank you, Chanyeol.”

He yanked at his collar furiously, wondering if his powers were malfunctioning because the heat was killing him. “Phew, is it just me or is it getting hotter?”

You stowed the rare flower away in your bag. Then Chanyeol urged you closer to the mouth of the breathing landform, and your eyes widened at the deep aperture. Down below you could vaguely see the scorching gold-red lava cloaked by eye-sizzling steam.

Chanyeol picked up a random chuck of black rock and examined it intently. “Hm...it’s light-weight and has a chalky texture.” His hands were dirtied and you smothered your giggles at his thoughtlessness. The fire prince continued to snatch up different rocks, survey them, and then present his findings to you. He listed various attributes about them, too engaged in his hobby to take a breather. You gave up and kept the smaller chunks at his insistence. That made him smile at you like you were a priceless gemstone.

The undisguised affection made you bloom with happiness, but also brought you down with weariness. Having so many people who adored you, cared for you, and even loved you smacked you hard in the chest. It was your duty to return the love—to make them happy. Indefinitely.

Right, you thought obstinately, your expression momentarily serious, but Chanyeol was oblivious, his back to you as he marched forward. My biggest wish is to keep them safe and happy. That’s all I want.

Even if that meant you weren’t.

It startled you when Chanyeol’s chin jerked up suddenly, falling silent, attentively listening to something he could only hear (you imagined his ears twitching like a bat’s). His brows scrunched together thoughtfully.

“What is it?” you whispered to him, on high alert. Your hand tightened around his.

Leaning down, he whispered back, “I think I sense a phoenix. Not far from here.”

Anticipation seized your heart. “Really? Are we allowed to go see it?”

“Not really,” replied the fire prince recklessly, wearing his trademark goofy grin. “But I can—and so can you if I’m near.”

Your fiancé turned around to lead the way, but you impulsively blurted out, “Wait, I have a question!” He looked at you curiously. “Phoenixes can talk, am I correct?”

He nodded in response, but on second thought, added, “Only to people they want to, though. They’re all big and mighty—kind of like the dragons. But phoenixes are wiser and goodnatured.” He tugged on your entwined hands. “Let’s go.”

Situated on one side of the volcanic island was a set of rugged cliffs and rock formations, neighbored by a miniature rise of a mountain. Some trees and weeds grew there, but not a lot. Heading that way, the volcano shrank from behind you.

You could feel it—a powerful presence, a rumble, a hum. It was like someone was breathing, their breaths resonating throughout the open crevices and hollow caverns. The air was warm here, but had a peculiar feeling to it. It wasn’t warmth radiating from the sun or from a volcano, but rather—how could you explain this?—like you were hovering your hand over a lamp, the warmth gentle and regulated. The odd source of heat and that mysterious hum sunk into your skin, giving you the creeps. You shivered ironically.

“Shhh,” cautioned Chanyeol, finger to his lips. Both of you edged closer to a mouth of a scary fissure squished between two compressed rock walls. Inside the fissure was completely dark, the lip of the cave jagged and cracked. That only made it less welcoming.

“The phoenix is in there?” You sounded mind-boggled.

Your fiancé bobbed his head vigorously. “Just one, I think. It must be sleepin’.”

Your nerves were frenzied, reacting to a powerful presence. Now would be a good time...

“Prince, I need to tell you something,” you vocalized. You beckoned at him subtly, and he unwittingly leaned closer despite the smushed proximity. Your plush lips brushed his cheek. Your velvet voice made him blush.

A breath. “Go to sleep for me.”

The spell affected the fire prince immediately. His grip on your hand loosened, and his body slumped forward, but you caught him with your short, slim arms, his head narrowly making contact with the rock wall. Your fiancé was softly snoring as you propped him up against the wall in a slouched sitting position. A ledge was housed over you two, so he would be safely hidden from view. You brushed aside his fringe covering his slack face. Your expression was gentle as it was regretful.

“I’m sorry,” you apologized sincerely. “But I need to go in alone. Just sleep for now, dear. I’ll be right back.” You pecked his cheek in a short farewell and stood up, ready for any consequences.

You trudged into the dark fissure.

To keep ahold of your bearings, you counted the seconds that passed in your head. Although you could overcome the problem with the darkness with a simple spell, you were adamant not to alarm any creatures hidden in the shadows or giveaway your position. You had to appear non-hostile and amicable.

Underneath your feet, your self-conscious tread disturbed loose dirt and random pebbles. You kept moving forward, one hand trailing against the rough wall to ensure direction. The desolate cave was so warm...and a vast unknown.

Your footsteps stuttered to an abrupt stop when a voice—soft and clear—rang inside your head.

What are you doing here? Wandering in my nest all alone?

You wouldn’t admit it, but you were flabbergasted. Not once had a foreign voice that was derivative from magic invade your mind before. Swallowing the lump in your throat, you found your voice; it was small and meek, echoing in the shroud of darkness. “H-hello? A-are you the phoenix that lives here?”

Yes, I am. But as I asked, why are you here? Are you the one who made the Prince fall asleep? His heat signature is irregular.

“Yes, yes, that was me,” you inserted bluntly, casting the questions aside. “But please listen, I have an urgent request that cannot wait. I must have your undivided attention and full consideration. I came here specifically for your help. You see, I am Princess Aris of SHINee.”

Ah, the princes’ betrothed one. I hear you are exceptionally intelligent and beyond wise. So, what you request of me must be worth my time.

You nodded, not sure if the phoenix saw that. “What I’m about to tell you pertains to EXO and the princes as well. So all I beg of you is to listen to my full story and consider my request.”

The phoenix was silent for a minute before replying, Alright, then, child. Speak your mind.

This was it. Inhaling a deep breath, you began to illustrate your tremendous tale and your intentions in clear, precise words, knowing the phoenix was studiously listening. The last matter you proposed to the phoenix was what you wanted from it.

There was a pregnant pause. You shifted uneasily, afraid to move or speak.

Finally, the phoenix made this sound that resembled a sigh. The beast’s tone conveyed how unconvinced it was, saying, I acknowledge how...thorough your plan is, but what you want from me...I don’t think I can give up. I don’t want to give up my child—my chick.

You pursed your lips in grim understanding. “I know—and I’m sorry for even asking, but...from what I predict about future—about what will happen in the future—EXO will be...”

I understand the dire situation, but my child... The bird let the sentence dangle hopelessly.

“Will be very helpful and in capable hands,” you vouched, no doubt or indecision clouding your tone. “I know it may not grow up with you like you originally planned, but please, this is about EXO and the princes. EXO is your home. The princes are your rulers. Without your corporation, they may cease to exist in the near future. Your kind may be wiped off the planet.”

The phoenix sounded withdrawn and defeated. You may be no fortune teller, but you possess great insight, young child. If you had not been born, I would wonder who could stand against the ruin that is the future. It seems I have no choice but to acquiesce to your request...despite how it will affect me.

Suddenly you could see and you winced at the burst of light. A second later, you gasped.

The cave was actually larger than it felt—a huge pocket of emptiness. You were puny compared to the width and height of the hollow cavity—like an ant in a cup. Beyond your reach was a raised portion of ledges with jagged edges.

Perched upon the uppermost tier, as if seated on a high throne, was a phoenix. The phoenix was as large as a private space shuttle. The bird’s entire being was enveloped in a brilliant scorch of red-orange flames, flaring and flickering. Her blaze of flames lit up the whole cave as if she was a sun. She had emblazoned her flames when unfurling her wings, now she folded her wings against her plump, compact body. The phoenix had a long, pointed golden beak and orb-shaped emerald eyes. Those emerald eyes conveyed how intelligent and cunning she was. You assumed the phoenix had toned down her temperature so the cave wouldn’t be so hot.

Come here, child.

Your body listened and you carefully approached the base of the ledge. To be able to see the very top of the cliff, you had to crane your neck all the way up. your lips, you began to agilely climb upward, five levels overall. You paused a few kilometers away from the magnificent creature, her warmth sinking into your skin, her radiance blinding you, spotting your vision. Squinting, you spotted the phoenix’s nest not far away. There was a hollow opening in the rock wall behind the bird. The nest was comprised of a mixture of ash, soft dirt, and heat-soaking rocks. In the mound of ash, you discovered something was buried there. Three bronze-colored eggs the size of a newborn baby.

Pick one, instructed the mother bird, her voice a pained whisper. She was mourning on the inside. Guilt ate at your conscious.

“I’m sorry,” you mumbled as you crossed over to the eggs. Giving them a onceover, you reached out to unearth the nearest egg and hugged it securely to your small chest. The bronze shell was warm and smooth, shining in the glorious light of its mother. You turned around and bowed your head low at the mother bird. “I swear on my life that nothing will come to harm your child. My plan will succeed or at least overcome the impending problem.”

Emerald gems gazed down at you speculatively. You hold much promise and meaning in your words. I have no choice but to believe you—and to put my trust in you. I hope your plan prevails above all things. The prince will soon stir from his sleep. You must go.

You nodded, swallowing thickly. Your bout of guilt had yet to subside, but you must forge on. You bowed once more, expressing your utmost gratitude. “Thank you so much for support and sacrifice. You won’t regret this—I promise.”

...

Swimming in the sea of darkness, a distinctive velvet voice cooed his name.

“Prince Chanyeol. Prince! Priiiiiince! ...Chanyeol.” A hand shook his shoulder gently.

“Urrrff,” groaned the drowsy fire prince. His eyes finally fluttered open to your relief. He awoke with your angelic face mere centimeters from his. He instantly reddened at the proximity. Any closer, and he would’ve accidentally touched your lips with his.

“Princess Aris!” he exclaimed and bolted upright, nearly scraping the back of his head to the wall behind him. He was propped up against a rock wall, safely hidden under a ledge. You were sitting cross-legged at his side, hand still placed on his shoulder.

“Calm down, Prince Chanyeol,” you soothed him. “You passed out. Why didn’t you tell me you were exhausted?” You his pink cheek in a worried manner. He flushed a deeper shade of red.

Chanyeol gulped and pressed his fingers to his heavy head. Did bricks replace his brain? “I-I don’t remember. Was I tired?” His forehead creased as he thought back. He remembered everything up until you and he were standing before the mouth of the cave.

“I waited as you slept,” you stated in a matter-of-fact tone. “Too bad we couldn’t see the phoenix.”

That made Chanyeol wallow with guilt. “I-I’m sorry. I promise to show you next time.”

You smiled at him sweetly, erasing his remorse. “It’s fine, Prince. Your health is more important. We should probably head back—the guards should be awake by now. They might be searching for us. You were out for about an hour.”

Your ashamed fiancé looked away from you, full of regret and embarrassment. “R-right.”

The two of you emerged from under the covering and retracted your steps back to the open area by the volcano. Your hand was cupped dearly in Chanyeol’s as he fervently apologized and made incessant promises to you. You placated the fire prince, trying to change the subject to get his mind off. Clueless Chanyeol didn’t discern why your bulging bag was bulkier than before, assuming perhaps it was stuffed with too many trinkets that accumulated from your outings. You had replaced some things into your pockets so the phoenix egg could fit inside your bag. Your hand absently trailed into the bag to rub the smooth, warm shell with your fingertips.

I will save EXO. If not, then prevent it from at least disappearing. I promise this.

...