Frosty Wondering
You Took Care Of Us, Now Let Us Take Care Of You
I'm updating this on my sister's old computer because apparently AFF on my Windows 8 laptop is buggy and missing a lot of things. I won't have the next chapter up until maybe between 1-4 days. If there's any mistakes on here, I might clean it up later. So, please, excuse me.
Disclaimer: I don't own pics. Nadda.
Repost: 12/26/13
Frosty Wondering
By the time both you and Luhan had woken up from your blissfully revitalizing nap, the sun was already dipped down a few notches in the far distance, marking it mid-afternoon. Everyone back at Luhan’s house must be worried sick by your delayed return, so the two of you quickly rubbed away the sleep in your eyes and stretched out your rested yet lethargic bodies.
“I guess it’s time to return,” Luhan announced reluctantly, rubbing the nape of his neck. He had to admit, those were the best few hours of his entire life. Just being alone with you completed the reason of his existence in the universe.
But, then again, he wouldn’t mind a couple extra decades with you. He would gladly and unfalteringly grow older with you, just to be by your side, not caring how detracted and wizened your physical features may come to be. Aging was part of life, a component that dissolved the essence of youth and vitality, but, in his eyes, you would always be exceptionally beautiful with each year that brought a wrinkle to your face.
You nodded at him. “Yes.” A sincere smile adorned your lips. “I really enjoyed our little...escapade.”
The telekinesis prince grinned.
Along the way back to his residence, Luhan kept you attached to his side, his skinny arm adhered around your slender waist to press you against his narrow body. His sweet, woodsy scent mingled with your fresh, floral one due to the snug proximity. Your paces were light and leisurely, having not a single care about rushing home. Neither of you spoke during the remaining time spent together, basking in the fitfully relaxing atmosphere. The two of you were like a couple, enjoying each other’s presence without complaint.
Back at the residence hidden deep within the forest, Luhan’s uptight brothers—Xiumin and Yifan—and his worried brothers—Suho and Yixing—scolded him harshly for selfishly ditching the guards. Meanwhile, the servants hastily dressed you in critical preparation for the next part of the trip. Destination: Xiumin’s cold twin mountains in the far northwest.
The train ride was longer than before. The view outside the windows morphed from a sea of green to a blanket of white. An icy condensation cemented the windows and you shivered when you felt the cold of the rapidly decreasing temperature graze your bare cheeks.
The trek to Xiumin’s residence was a bone-rattling journey. Frost nipped at your sniffling noses and chilly winds tried to penetrate your thick winter coats. Boots trudged heavily in hard-packed snow, softer spots in the ground making you stumble unexpectedly.
Feeling like you were abandoned without warning into a permafrost, you wondered how people, much less Xiumin, could like such frigid climates and dangerous weather.
Obviously, the frost prince didn’t mind at all because...well, he was the frost prince. Xiumin might as well declare himself the winter king because he could willingly influence the wintery weather without batting an eyelash. Today’s forecast consisted of average cold temperatures, a moderate precipitation of snow, a stretch of milky-white clouds, and an airy breeze. Everyone exhaled in gratifying relief when they shuffled into Xiumin’s warm house. In the coziness the house provided, you made sure your bag containing the phoenix egg was scooted close to the blazing fireplace tended by Chanyeol.
If it wasn’t obvious enough, the poor fire prince absolutely despised the cold. He was balled up on the bench built around a circular fireplace, his lanky shoulders hunched over and his gangly arms embracing his bent knees. He refused to budge an inch unless you told him there was a volcano next-door. Baekhyun, also sensitive to the cold, joined his unusually unvocal brother by the toasty fire, the pair cocooned in a dozen of blankets even though they still wore their winter coats and hats. In the kitchen, Kyungsoo and the servants heated up hot milk and baked fresh, warm pastries.
Outside in the front of the house, Chen, Tao, Kai, and Sehun enjoyed their chance to play in the snow while Luhan and Yixing watched them. Tao liked stopping time so he could examine the delicately-formed snowflakes midair. Sehun blew huge gusts of ice-cold winds at Kai, loving how he stirred up the snow and mist while trying to practice his powers (and using his brother as a target dummy), but the sneaky prince would just teleport to safety a few paces away. Chen and Yixing were hopelessly outmatched in a snowball fight against Luhan, the older prince using his telekinesis powers to pelt rapid-fire snowballs at his defenseless brothers.
While Suho wove a thick, knitted scarf around your neck, Xiumin and Yifan talked about safety precautions and whatnot off to the side.
“Remember, Xiumin, just because you can handle the cold, doesn’t mean that she can,” Yifan admonished, waggling a finger at the elfin-faced boy.
Xiumin puffed out his chubby cheeks. “I know, I know. Can we go now?”
Kyungsoo bounced over to Xiumin with a thermos pack. “Here, big brother! Your snacks!”
Yifan pinched the ridge of his nose. “Of course,” he sighed.
Xiumin affectionately disheveled Kyungsoo’s neatly-combed hair (who squawked in indignation) then took your gloved hand. “Let’s go now, Princess.”
“Bye, brother!” Suho, Chanyeol, and Baekhyun hollered in farewell. Their attentions were averted when Kyungsoo handed them steaming mugs of hot milk sweetened with a spoonful of honey and a pinch of fragrant spices.
“We don’t have guards?” you asked Xiumin quizzically as the two of you passed what was technically considered his residence’s front yard—which was just a small plot of snow-covered land. His house was cleverly concealed high up in elevation within the mountainside, facing sideways from the sun overhead. An occasional strong wind blew by, making you tremble in your boots.
The frost prince shook his head at your question, his nose slightly pink at the nipping cold, reminding you strikingly of a frost elf with pointed ears and flushed cheeks. “Nope,” he said joyfully. “They don’t like the cold, nor will they be able to follow us well.”
You eyeballed his attire doubtfully. He was sporting a simple winter coat buttoned all the way up to the collar, a wool scarf tucked around his neck, and a pair of snow boots protecting his feet. His hands were stuffed in leather gloves and a traveling pack weighed itself down on his shoulders. Was he really warm in such lightweight gear? Didn’t he feel numb?
You squeezed his hand. “Shouldn’t you be more appropriately dressed for the chilly weather, my prince?”
In contrast to Xiumin, you donned a fitting winter coat that was made from a thick-fibered material and sewn in with a furry hood. On top of your dainty head was a knit-hat, and earmuffs sheltered your sensitive ears. Your small, white hands were stuffed into padded gloves and you wore all-purpose weather boots alongside with two layers of socks.
He shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m fine. I embrace the cold.”
You naturally pouted at his lack of concern for his wellbeing. “If you’re sure...”
Xiumin helped you trudge through the troublesome terrain of snow and led you down a sloping plane to a shoveled path. Located by the snow-cleared curve of what you supposed was the main road was an ornately designed sleigh drawn by two reindeers. Two lanterns already lit with fire hung from the sleigh’s sides. A foldable roof was raised over from the back of the sleigh to the middle, providing a type of shade from the sun and falling snowflakes.
You gasped in amazement, not having suspected of using such an antique-styled form of transportation—but it suited the weather and region to perfection. “Oh, wow! We’re going to ride in that?”
“Yup. And don’t worry, I know how to steer,” Xiumin lightly joked with a toothy grin. The frost prince offered his arm like a gentlemen, letting you use him as a crutch as you yanked your booted foot from out of the snowy ground and stepped up onto the cozy sleigh with plush seating and puffy cushions. Xiumin hopped in after you and grabbed the reins. With a simple flick of his wrist, the reindeers were commanded to canter.
The scene along the road was a winter wonderland of pure whiteness. In the sleigh, you were snuggled up against your fiancé’s side, his free arm tossed around your waist as he guided the reindeers to his choice of destination. The sleigh roved smoothly and steadily on the icy ground, the reindeers speed consistent and rhythmic. You stared at your bleached surroundings that was occasionally spotted with gray of a stone or rock. Above you was a baby blue sky, the glaring sun peeking out from behind thick, floating clouds.
Tiny snowflakes, as lightweight as feathers, fluttered down onto your stiff form. Curious, you held out your gloved palm to catch the fluffy, cold whiteness. Examining the pinches of frost, you registered that snowflakes were just as intricate as you imagined them to be. They were pieces of dot-sized art.
More snowflakes rained down on you in a flurry. You could imagine the jingling ring of bells.
Strange, you thought, considering how snow seemed to be only falling on you.
You glanced sideways at the innocent frost prince. “Prince Xiumin, may I ask why snow is only falling on me?”
“Hm?” He glanced sideways at you, and there was that detectable, mischievous sparkle in his endearing crescent eyes. “What do you mean?” he inquired.
To clarify your point, you indicated the sky with a finger, then motioned at him, and finally waved your hand in a circle at your surroundings.
“It’s only snowing where I am,” you reiterated candidly.
Xiumin grinned. “Snow looks good on you, Princess.”
In response, you scooped up the snow that accumulated on your body and blew it in his cheeky face.
The sleigh was heading upland over a hillock, gradually rising in elevation. Located nearby was the highlands thick with snow-covered trees.
“Is that an opening in the mountain?” you asked as the sleigh slowed down, the reindeer snorting as they scuffed their hooves in the hard snow. Before you, there was an ostentatious cave entrance gaping within the mountainside.
Your fiancé nodded expectantly. “Yes. That’s where we’ll be spending our little outing.” His mouth curved upward widely, showing his acute excitement for his plans with you, and you returned it blithely with a laugh. The frost prince threw his backpack over his shoulder, helped you hop off the sleigh, and ushered you over to the mouth of the snow cave. Inside, the cave’s rocky walls were solidified in slick white ice, your moving reflections blurry and disfigured. Blown-in snow crunched under your boot soles. The tunneled entrance opened up to reveal a wide, spacious interior.
“Wow!” you exclaimed happily, feeling as if you entered a building instead. In the center of the hollow cave was a large, elliptical surface entirely composed of glossy, sleek ice. Bordering it were flat, walkable areas, climbable ledges jutting out the walls.
Setting the packs on the cold ground, you and your fiancé advanced closer to the ice rink. It had a reflective surface also, and you giggled at the marred image of your blob-like face.
Xiumin touched your shoulder. “Princess, ever tried ice skating?”
You considered his query in puzzlement. “Ice...skating? No, I haven’t. We scarcely have large quantities of ice in SHINee.”
The frost prince sported an impish beam. “Well, today is your lucky day. I’ll be teaching you how to skate!”
With his handy-dandy frost powers, Xiumin created improvised ice blades on the bottom of his and your boots. You waddled, unbalanced, as your fiancé urged you over to the ice rink, his hands braced at your sides.
Extending one foot out, you stepped onto the slippery ice, and instantly tumbled forward with a helpless “eep!” But Xiumin caught you on time before you face-planted yourself.
“Don’t worry,” he crooned at you in reassurance. He patted your taut back, coaxing you to relax your rigid form. “I’m here, I’m here.”
“Don’t let go of me,” you squeaked breathlessly, clutching at his arms.
“You have no idea how I’ll interpret that,” he teased. Reddening, you whacked his chest.
At a careful, steady-going rate, you gradually began to develop your skating skills as Xiumin patiently instructed you how to maintain your balance and how to glide. Between the two of you, he was the professional one while you were the novice. For once, it felt nice not to be the experienced individual amongst others. Though, you had to admit, you learned the ropes quite fast. None too soon, you were able to glide along on your own, but you weren’t as dexterous as Xiumin.
Extending your gloved hand, you latched onto Xiumin who reached out for you. The two of you gracefully skated across the ice as if dancing. Your fiancé twirled you unexpectedly, causing you to almost collide into him.
“Princess Aris! Watch this!” Distancing himself from you, the crescent-eyed prince accelerated to execute a complicated spin.
You clapped. “Wonderful! But aren’t you dizzy, now?”
Digging his blades into the ice to curb his spin, Xiumin touched his forehead, visibly swaying. His cheeks were tinged green. “Urgh. Maybe a little.”
Coasting over to him, you cupped his chubby cheeks in your mittened hands and he smiled at you woozily. The two of you shared giggles and affectionately rubbed your cold-nipped noses together.
Later on your feet felt sore, so Xiumin decided it was the perfect time for a snack break. The two of you huddled up against the cave’s wall, backs pressed up against it, perched on a steady ledge. Your fiancé doled out the homemade snacks and hot drinks he had stashed away in his thermos pack. You gratefully sipped your hot tea and scarfed down the delicious pastries. The silly frost prince took the opportunity to devour a bagful of goodies without his family members scolding him for his unhealthiness. Between big bites, he told you funny tales which, combined with the warm food, eased the shivers that racked your body from underneath your winter coat caused by the frigid temperature. As long as Xiumin was attached to your side, you didn’t mind the cold.
“So,” Xiumin began conversationally as he sipped his flask of steamy tea, “how do you like EXO so far, Princess?”
You rhythmically thrummed your fingers against the flask’s cylinder shape as you frankly conceded your opinion. “I love it here. Although your planet is exceptionally modernized and technologically advanced, you adamantly preserve nature. You do that because of the Tree of Life, am I correct?”
“Mm-hm,” he acknowledged with a nod. “It’s really important.”
“I agree,” you concurred wholeheartedly. “I hope this planet prospers for many generations to come. It’ll be interesting to see how the planet grows and adapts in the upcoming years.”
“You see things too much in an analytical way,” Xiumin complained from under his breath. “Just kick that nonsense out of your mind or you’ll get a headache.”
You chuckled heartily and patted his hand that rested on his thigh. “Alright, alright. But honestly, Prince Xiumin, I’m seeing everything...as a future denizen of EXO.”
“Den-i-zen?” your fiancé repeated in mild puzzlement, then understood quickly. “Oh, you mean as an inhabitant. Well, that’s technically correct since you’re going to marry one of us in the future—which will make you the princess of EXO. But, unless you decide to marry Yifan, then you’ll be the queen.” His last sentence was underlined with sour airiness.
You chided him like he did to you: “You see the marriage too much in a competitive way. Just kick that nonsense out of your mind or else I’ll never pick.”
He jolted. “Ah! Don’t walk out of the marriage!”
“Who says I am?” you challenged. “But now that you mention it...”
“ARIS!”
“I jest, Minseok! Calm down!”
Me, the SHINee princess, future wife of an EXO prince, will one day be a denizen of EXO. I hope that one day I will see it come true.
...
UTCOU, NLUTCOU: My last assured repost of my winter break. Here's Chapter 39!
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