I've been focusing on this as of the late because 1.) I got a writer's block for LMKY and 2.) I felt guilty for leaving this alone for so long. I even went back for a few chapters to fix mistakes.

Reminder: No stealing or copying or translating or plagiarizing my fic! I will make your life miserable if you do...

Repost: 7/19/15

A Sister Who Cares

Those promised three days swiftly went by like the always moving wind. To you, it felt exceptionally fast, as if an hour had only been a minute.

In those days of waiting, it would’ve been a lie to say that you hadn’t continued to cry.

Your beautifully-shaped eyes had become puffy and red, rimmed with faint lilac crescents under them that indicated lack of sleep. It wasn’t that you wept every moment for hours on end. No, it was unpredictable and uncalled for when tears would suddenly run down your wan face. You would quickly stifle the sobs soon after and quell the twisting knot of sorrow by holding it down with sheer will.

Just because you had time to lament, it didn’t mean that it had been the only thing you did.

The spare three days that remained to be wholly you had been chiefly spent with Eunsun. Since you were cultured with formalities and knowledge considered ‘alien’, Eunsun diligently put her time and effort into teaching you how to become more ‘human.’ It was a time-consuming process to drill anything and everything into your brain; you learned basic greetings, present-day slangs, respectful formalities, common rules of society, and the differences of certain religion. When taking a break from studying, Eunsun showed you all kinds of local food and even instructed you on how to cook.

However, through all the bookwork and TV browsing and cooking lessons, you’d been quiet and numb, unable to give thorough verbal responses when asked something, although you had studiously listened when spoken to. On the inside, it was as if your body had been an empty husk of an abandoned shell, your limbs like jelly and bones like sticks. In short, you had been a living zombie.

The pri—your brothers were still deep asleep under your spell, as you had intended it to be. As a matter-of-fact, they barely moved a muscle, dreaming fitfully within a safe, tranquil atmosphere. Sometimes you would spend a few minutes watching them sleep with a wistful, tender look plastered across your face. If a blanket was kicked away, you tucked it back in. If someone looked disturbed in their sleep, you their forehead until they hushed under your comforting touch.

Meanwhile, all the bags and items that you and the boys had brought along had been safely stored away in a hard-to-access place of your doing. The royal jewelry box and the two mythical eggs had been especially concealed under tight-lipped secrecy. Nothing would foil your plans set in stone for the future. Nothing.

Recently, when Eunsun was preparing to fill out the adoption papers, you helped her with names and birthdays.

Names so precious to your entire being were murmured in your caressing, velvety voice.

“Minseok, Luhan, Yifan, Joonmyun, Yixing, Baekhyun, Jongdae, Chanyeol, Kyungsoo, Zitao, Jongin, Sehun...”

Eunsun glanced up from the papers to you speculatively. “You never told me about their names or who their parents are,” she stated with a questioning lilt in her tone.

“All of them are brothers as they share the same father, but the king has two wives,” you explained in a small, contained voice. “Six sons each from one queen. So the full-blooded brothers are...” You rearranged the papers so that Queen Ming’s sons were separated on one side of the table while Queen Kyungsoon’s sons were on the other. Your eyes held so much fondness in them as you said, “Kyungsoo was named after his mother—Kyungsoon. He’s practically the mirrored duplicate of her based on shared personalities and looks. On the contrary, I would say that Yifan is like his mother Ming.”

Eunsun pursed her lips in vexation as she skimmed over the names. “It’ll be difficult to signal them out individually from an outsider’s point of view—there’s too many of them. Maybe we should give them nicknames or some kind of label to make it easier to call them out...”

Putting the suggestion into consideration, you stared thoughtfully at the two piles of divided papers, the one concerning your adoption placed lonesomely in its own spot. “How about...EXO-M for the sons of Queen Ming and EXO-K for Queen Kyungsoon’s?” you proposed delicately.

Eunsun blinked in moderate surprise at your choice of conclusion. “EXO? As in EXO Planet? Is it in your definition or in mine?” she asked.

You looked at her, almost amused under your bland, indifferent mask. “Both alien and human.”

Eunsun’s lips curved upward at your attempt at humor. She chuckled goodnaturedly. “I like it. Actually, in the future, I can imagine them as a popular group of schoolboys, so their group names will come in handy then.”

You only hummed in agreement, having understood what she meant since she had already explained the school system in this country.

Gathering all of the papers together, with yours on top, Eunsun neatly shuffled them into a stack, then securely clipped them together. She nodded in satisfaction. “Okay, so all we need left is their identification pictures, but I won’t do that until they wake up.”

“They should be awake by tomorrow morning,” you informed her softly after glancing solemnly at the clock hung up by the calendar.

“I guess I could refer to tomorrow as the start of our new lives together, huh?” Eunsun asked gently, recognizing your wistful expression as it made its reappearance.

You nodded faintly, eyes downcast. “Yeah,” you conceded, using the human term correctly like you were taught, but in a very depressed tone. “Tomorrow, I am Kim Aris, not Princess Aris of SHINee World.” Sunlight from the nearest window highlighted your pale, withdrawn face when you stood up. Closing your eyes, you inhaled shakily, as if nervous.

“And the EXO princes are my brothers.”

Like during every mention of them, a sparkling tear fell, but no more would fall after today.

The last day of waiting. The last day of truth.

...

“Urrrrrmmm,” Chanyeol groaned incoherently as his conscious slowly resurfaced. He flopped over onto his back, and his wayward arm smacked Baekhyun, who was lying beside him, in the stomach.

“Oof!” Baekhyun grunted, sitting up abruptly at the force. The morning sunlight disoriented him as he blearily opened his eyes, making him blink repeatedly. He touched his spinning head, woozy. “Urgh, my head hurts...” Vision focusing, the skinny boy scanned his surroundings and realized that he was stuffed into a cramp bedroom with eleven other boys, bodies and pillows and blankets piled senselessly together. The bedroom itself was unfamiliar and plainly decorated. Cinnamon brown eyes widened in shock and confusion.

“Where...where am I?” Baekhyun whispered, afraid to wake up the other boys.

Baekhyun nearly jumped from his spot when he heard someone yawn loudly beside him. Arms emerged from under the mashed up covers as the person stretched out their limbs. The owner of those arms sat up mechanically and rubbed at their drowsy eyes.

“Mmm, I felt like I slept for a century,” Suho whined under his breath. “What am I? A hibernating bear?”

“Wh-who are you?” Baekhyun asked fearfully, gawking.

Suho blinked in quizzical alarm at the already woken boy. “Me? I’m Suho.” His brows scrunched down. “And who are you?”

“AAAAAH!” someone screamed, which effectively jolted the immobile bodies of the other boys awake.

Upon hearing that distressful scream—who belonged to Tao, judging by the voice—and the ruckus afterwards, you rushed upstairs and barged into the bedroom.

“WHERE AM I?” Tao shrieked, on the verge of breaking down into helpless tears because he didn’t know who these people around him were or why he was here with them. The panda-eyed boy hid behind a fluffy pillow, clutching it tightly to his chest as if it was his lifeline.

Oh, dear. I think the spell worked a little too well, you thought despairingly. The princes didn’t recognize each other at all. Their own brothers.

“C-calm down,” Yixing placated soothingly, his natural nurturing instincts kicking in as he disregarded his own trepidation to extend his care for others. Tao allowed the older boy to pat his back in a comforting manner, but he still whimpered, distraught.

“What’s going on here?” Yifan muttered, peering around the room, at the eleven boys, and to you in a suspicious, puzzled manner. He blushed automatically at the sight of you and then inwardly chided himself for not knowing why.

“I’M THARED!” Sehun wailed, already sobbing. “I WANT MY MOTHER!”

You cringed at that, not because of the little prince’s earsplitting volume, but because he had said the word mother. It was instinctive—the knowledge that he had a mother, especially since it was engraved into his being that he was loved by one. But with the memory swipe...how did he reflexively assume he still had one? He couldn’t possibly remember his mother, so it had to be an impulsive reaction of his to call out for her.

His actions instinctive, Luhan scooted closer to comfort the inconsolable boy, bringing Sehun onto his lap to hug him and rock him back and forth. “Shhh. Shhh. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Don’t cry. No one will hurt you.” Feeling safer, Sehun clung desperately to Luhan, burying his upset face in the older boy’s chest.

“Um, guys?” you spoke up in a soft, tentative voice, unsure on how to break the ice. “Please, calm down, will you? I’ll explain everything if you do.”

Many of the princes stared at you like you were a kidnapper or a villain. Kyungsoo’s cute, owl-like eyes were impossibly bigger from fright. Xiumin was dumbfounded and speechless, mouth agape. Chen, who felt shy and lost, was hiding under a blanket like it was his shelter. Chanyeol still looked drowsy, yawning in ignorance and uncaring of the peculiarity of the current situation at hand here.

Kai narrowed his dark coffee eyes at you suspiciously, disregarding how pretty you were. “Who are you?” he demanded gruffly. “What do you know?”

Jongin, arrogant and stubborn as ever, you dryly thought. For all their sakes, you decided to get straight to the point.

“Don’t be so scared or so distrustful of each other—because you’re all brothers, and I’m your older sister, Aris.”

...

“Hold on for a moment. So let me sum all of this up,” Yifan said deliberately, his calculating eyes sharply fixed on you as if to force you to spill all your secrets. You had to admit that you felt strongly compelled to, but you obstinately withheld the urge. “We all have the same father, but half of us share a different mother. Our parents either disappeared or died in the years before, and since then, we’ve been on the run as orphans, enduring a life on the streets together.” He pointed at Eunsun, who was standing patiently off to the side, with a finger without looking at her. “And this woman took us in just recently?”

You nodded at his neat summarization. “Yes, that’s the basics of it.”

Yixing scratched his head, utterly confounded. “I find that extremely hard to believe. I don’t understand how we’re brothers when we don’t even recognize each other.”

Where they were all gathered in the living room downstairs, everyone stole perplexed glances at each other, the simultaneous action conveying how they all agreed to Yixing’s remark. The boys seemed skittish and unsure in their own skin. The more timid ones like Chen, Kyungsoo, and Sehun had their nervous gazes planted to the floor, their bodies stiff and sunken in.

You sounded incredibly distraught and pained as you said, “For the past few years, we’ve been living in miserable conditions. When Eunsun found us, it was raining badly, and we all had passed out from exertion and hunger. We nearly caught hypothermia and could’ve died if she hadn’t taken us in and treated us. That’d been a few days ago. Somehow, amongst us, I recovered first, while the rest of you remained in a coma-like state. I think it’s because of your young bodies and weakened immune systems.”

Eunsun wanted to give you an award for your astoundingly believable acting skills. Unlike you, none of the boys were able to sense her amazement because of the placid expression she wore with a small, reassuring smile.

Luhan furrowed his brows. “I don’t remember much...”

Shaking your head, you told him, “It doesn’t matter. If you try to remember, you’ll just get a headache from all those painful memories.”

“But why should we trust you?” Suho prodded like an inquiring detective.

Only after he said those words did Suho realize the answer when he met your eyes with his own. Your stunning eyes...so full of emotion, of depth, of experience...and of love. Those eyes were warm and soft as they gazed wholeheartedly at him—actually, at all of them. You knew them better than they knew themselves.

“I swear that I am your sister,” you whispered earnestly, ignoring the knots forming in your stomach. “We didn’t exactly have the best childhood, neither do I remember much, but I know we’ve been together since the beginning.”

The very beginning.

Now some of them relaxed, convinced of your relation with them and comforted that someone who was responsible and caring was watching over their wellbeing like a guardian angel. All of the empty holes that had been dug up were now filled in.

Eunsun clapped her hands lightly, garnering everyone’s attention. “Is anyone hungry? You were asleep for so long I wasn’t sure whether or not to take you boys to the hospital. But I bet you’re starving now, and it’s a good thing I have tons of food.”

Lively Chanyeol eagerly raised his hand. “I do! I do! I want food!”

“Me, too!” Xiumin exclaimed, jumping to his feet. Some of the boys followed suit, crowding into the kitchen. Eunsun hurried to serve the food for the ravenous boys.

You bent your knees to lower yourself to Tao’s eye-level, seeing that the panda-eyed boy had yet to make a move. He was dazzled by the sight of a serene beauty before him, mere centimeters away. “Are you hungry?” you asked him in a motherly way. “Eunsun is a great cook, and I also helped.”

Cheeks pinking, Tao nodded dazedly. “Y-yes, please,” he peeped. He let you take his hand and guide him over to the noisy kitchen. Having also stayed behind, Yifan followed after you two, wary and observant.

Just like that, as if automatic, the princes were now your brothers. Not only that, they had converted from being troubled aliens to clueless humans. There was no choice but for them to accept the situation presented upfront, completely unaware that they actually had another alternative beforehand. But this was easier. It was quicker. It was for the best.

...

Weeks later, it was confirmed that Eunsun would be allowed to be their adoptive mother. While juggling work at the bakery, Eunsun went out shopping, spending money on clothes, toys, books, and bedroom furnishing. Her moderately-sized two story house only had three bedrooms, one being the master bedroom where she slept, and she insisted that a teenage girl should never be roomed with boys. So, to solve the problem, she had cleaned out and rearranged the largest storage closest the house had to be transformed into a small, fitted bedroom for you, furnished with a simple twin-sized bed and a dresser. The boys, as planned beforehand, would be split up into the other bedrooms as EXO-K and EXO-M. Two bunk beds and a pair of twin-sized beds were situated in each room, crammed along with dressers, shelves, and trunks to accommodate everyone’s needs. Space was minimal, but satisfaction was achieved.

All the boys were also encouraged to learn school-related subjects. Eunsun was the self-appointed teacher as she instructed her soon-to-be sons and you, her soon-to-be daughter, in reading, writing, history, and mathematics. She was rusty, not exactly certified nor trained, but she did her utmost best. It was nearing the end of summer vacation, and she hoped to enroll you all for school right after. But, to be able to do that, she had to ease all of you of your peculiar, old-fashioned speech.

As for the boys, because they were brothers, the long since established inherent bond within them naturally made it an easier task for them to get familiar and associate with one another. Additionally, the observant ones like Suho and Yixing noticed how you were already comfortable with all of them. You would voluntarily run your fingers through Sehun’s hair or have your arm pressed closely with Kai’s. In return, the boys gradually or instantly succumbed to your tenderness. Tao, for example, had immediately adored you and would like to sit on your lap. Before you knew it, the boys were fighting over you and vying for your attention. The older ones, like Yifan and Luhan, couldn’t figure out why their hearts would flutter crazily when you focused your attention on them. It was unsaid that you were beautiful, but there was something else about you than just a face or trait that tickled them in the back of their minds, like a past memory...

On the last day of summer vacation, you had snuck out onto one of the rooftop platforms just outside the window nearest to your bedroom. It wasn’t that high, being that it was set above the first story, but the open-aired space was welcoming nonetheless. Sitting, you were reclined against the wall, one leg stretched out while the other was bent. You peacefully watched the wonderful view of how Seoul transitioned at this time of day. Cars whizzed by on the streets. Occasional dog barks echoed in the air. The playful breeze danced by. In the distance, over the tops of high buildings, the sun was setting, orange-red streaks painting the sky until the sun’s rays would eventually recede. Clouds had begun to clear up, allowing you to see the sky above, but, disappointingly enough, only a few stars were visible.

Eyes dim, you stared up at the darkening ultraviolet sky forlornly.

Past those cluster of stars and only a bit further than that are two twinkling stars—twins. I guess I could call them sister stars, but they’re more like sister planets. The one on the left is SHINee World, and the one on the right is EXO Planet.

Now pulling up your legs to tuck them against your chest, you rested your chin on the top of your knees, expression distant and somber.

My home. Their home. Our home. Up there, not here.

“Noona?”

You were fished out from your nostalgic reverie upon that upbeat call for you. A head poked out from the window on your left. Bright cinnamon brown eyes landed on you.

“Hey! There you are, noona!” Baekhyun said cheerfully, his trademark eye-smile impossible to miss when it lit up his face so exquisitely. Recently, along with the rest of his brothers, he’s been more chipper and lively. But it felt like ages since you’ve last seen him smile delightfully like that. So bright and pure like the glorious sun.

Like his power.

Apparently no one knew about their power, and it was evident that their bodies didn’t know either. Their powers were now dormant deep inside them. Permanent? You had no clue. It was an unpredictable and delicate matter to discern. But so far, none of the boys were freaking out about having ‘super powers.’ Your guess was, when you had stolen and sealed away their memories within their badges, it had been like a switch that caused their powers to become inactive. Whether that was the case or not, it was for the best. The boys couldn’t be ‘human’ if they possessed powers.

“Why are you out here?” Baekhyun asked when you hadn’t replied to his greeting, only staring at him with those dreamy eyes of yours. “Isn’t it dangerous?”

“It’s only dangerous if you make it out to be,” you said wisely, but then your lips twitched into a grin. “Besides, I can handle dangerous.” Which is totally true, you inwardly mused. “But as long as you’re careful and steady, it’s okay to be out here.”

Baekhyun’s fine coral lips mouthed oh. “Can I join you?”

“Careful and steady,” you reminded him as he eased onto the platform and scooted closer to you. He sat cross-legged, no space separating you two.

“Wow!” he sang blithely, enjoying the view and the descending sun. “So pretty!”

You chuckled lightly. “I’ve seen better, but nothing is ever the same.”

But despite your words, there could be an inkling of the same. It was like back on EXO when you were visiting Baekhyun’s hills with him only. Then, he had done something exceptionally phenomenal for you—convert evening into nighttime. He had presented you a breathtaking sunset to enjoy dinner with, had showed you the marvelous extent of executing his power, and had showered you with the warm, sparkling glow of his light.

Definitely better.

Now you were sitting with him here on this roof, gazing at the city’s wide landscape, bathed in the warm light of a sunset that he was unaware that he could control, and you were also older than him.

So much could change in so little time.

“Do you like watching sunsets?” Baekhyun asked you curiously before a sweet smile adorned his face. “Because I do.”

“Yes, I certainly do, too,” you agreed, then involuntarily added, “Because nature is art.”

Weren’t those the words you had said to him not long ago? And yet, it felt too long ago. It was like a faded memory. One you could not catch ever again.

Baekhyun seemed puzzled by your poetic remark but otherwise smiled in agreement. “Yeah, it sure is. Maybe I should try painting it.” He laughed heartily, thinking how silly it would end up being if he attempted to paint something as beautiful as a sunset with his measly abilities.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” you told him encouragingly, wrapping an arm around his slim form. Giggles erupted from him when you pretended to nibble his cheek. “A bright boy like you can do anything.”

“Anything?” he asked.

You nodded. “Anything.”

You can do anything, you thought adoringly as Baekhyun snuggled up against your side. Like make me smile or save a planet. As long as you try your best.

I should know. Looking at my life, anything was possible.

...