Color Codes

Suho   Baekhyun   Chanyeol   D.O.   Kai   Sehun   Kris   Xiumin   Luhan   Lay   Chen   Tao

Before Luhan had the chance to protest that it did matter the younger pulled him close into a passionate kiss. Almost instantly forgetting about Sehun’s injured hand, Luhan pulled away slightly  wearing the biggest dorky smile.

“It’s nice to have my little ray of Senshine back.”

“Hyung you’re such a dork!”

“Me? What about you Mr yehet?”

“You said it was cute!”

“It is, but it’s still dorky... Just like that pout.”

Quickly pecking the younger’s adorable pout, Luhan smiled innocently as he noticed something sharp digging into his lower back.

“Hey Sehunnie, are you holding something?”

“Your waist.”

“Seriously Sehun, are you holding something?”

With a look of reluctance, Sehun brought his arm back to show the elder the card he had in his hand.

“What’s that?”

“The next clue, I was going to show it to D.O. and Kai when they came back.”

Interrupted by a gentle knocking on the door, Luhan reached over and pushed it open to reveal Kai and D.O. behind it.

“Hey Sehun, we just wanted to see how your hand was.”

“I-it’s fine, still sore from that evil antiseptic though.”

“So you did let him use it? ...Luhan hug him for us.”

“Gladly~”

“Oh, this was left on our window...”

Handing D.O. the card as he elbowed Luhan playfully, they couldn’t help the look of concern that occurred as they watched Kai and D.O. read the note.

“With burning coal and spitting flames, the clean freak will need to get his hands dirty.”

“What does it mean?”

“It means... poor Xiumin is in the cab.”

“The cab?”

“Well yeah, this must have originally been a steam train... even if it’s fitted with a modern engine the tender should still be there.”

“Yes, but there is still the problem of getting there.”

“The train is still stationary, we can get off at the dining car and walk up.”

“...I hadn’t thought of that.”

Smiling as they left Luhan to try and convince Sehun to tell him what happened to his hand, Kai slipped his hand into D.O.’s as they left the car. Surprised by the younger’s action, D.O. stopped mid step and stared at their now interlocked fingers.

“Hyung, are you okay?”

“U-huh...”

“Are you sure?”

“...W-when this is all over, are you really going to tell me what’s bothering you?”

“Of course I am, why would you think otherwise?”

“It just feels like you’re looking for excuses not to tell me.”

“You think because I don’t want to lose any of our members I’m looking for excuses?”

“No I-I...”

“Well then what?”

“...What’s wrong with me? Eleven months I’ve never made you cry and tonight that’s just about all I’ve managed to do.”

“Hyung listen to me, I promise I will tell you and I’ll even answer any questions you have but please can it wait until after we find Xiumin, Baekhyun, Chen and Chanyeol?”

“Okay.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I know you’ll keep your promise.”

Pecking the elders’ cheek with a warm smile, Kai turned to open the door they had originally boarded the train by. Expecting the door to swing open, Kai continued moving until he collided with the door.

“Are you okay?”

“Ugh, I’d be better if you weren’t laughing hyung.”

“I’m sorry, it was just so cute.”

“Cute is ‘aww’ not laughing!”

“Oh no don’t pout, that’s even cuter!”

“Fine... how do we get to Xiumin?”

“...Can we go back thirty seconds to the pout, suddenly it doesn’t seem that painful.”

“Hyung please?”

“I’m sorry, m-maybe we could try a window?”

“I don’t think any of them open... wait do you still have that key?”

“The one that Kris dropped? Yeah it’s in my pocket, why?”

“I’m just thinking wasn’t there a door in the kitchen?”

“Yeees?”

“Maybe the key opens that, then we can get off the train to find Xiumin.”

“Even if it did open it, why would Kris have it?”

“Maybe he didn’t know he did, I mean he doesn’t remember being put in a fireplace so he wouldn’t remember someone slipping a key into his pocket.”

“Fair enough, let’s go.”

Walking back through the trashed dining car, Kai stepped over smashed glass as he asked airily.

“Hey hyung, what exactly did you do in here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well when we went into the kitchen it was pristine and when we came back it was like this.”

“...I-I was annoyed with myself for upsetting you so I kicked a chair and had a little stumble.”

“Wait that’s what the crashes were?”

“Oh... you heard that?”

“Of course I did... a-are you okay?”

“I was a little surprised but I’m fine.”

Looking sceptically at the elder they entered the kitchen, the murky shadows sent a chill up their spines and this time Kai grabbed D.O.’s hand earning a surprised yelp from the elder.

“S-sorry hyung, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Now who’s laughing at the cute thing?”

“If you do say so yourself.”

“I can see it in your eyes Kai, don’t try and deny it.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t. Can you please try the key so we can get out of here?”

“Are you scared?”

“No...”

A sudden clang from behind them startled Kai making him drop the elders hand to wrap his arms tightly around D.O.’s ribs.

“No?”

“No, I-I just really wanted to hug you?”

“Hmm, I suppose I shouldn’t complain about that.”

Will a sly smile D.O. pushed the door open as a look of relief crossed the younger’s face. Sliding through the small gap the door was able to open, D.O. jumped off the train before turning to help Kai down. Smiling almost happily as they walked alongside the train, they looked up at the engine swimming in the moonlight.

“Why couldn’t we have to do this during the day?”

“Because it would be too late and we’d have lost four members?”

“...Okay then why does it have to look so creepy?”

“T-to put us off looking for Xiumin?”

“Is it working?”

“No!”

Watching as Kai made his way into the engine D.O. rushed to join him not wanting to be left by himself. Looking around the small cab, they couldn’t help notice the barely lit flame dancing in the firebox.

“Well that explains why we stopped.”

“Shouldn’t there be a driver?”

“...Did you have to say that?”

“Why?”

“Because now I’m thinking even if we do get everyone back we’re still stuck on a train with who or whatever did this and we’re stuck here.”

“Ah... sorry.”

Trying to pout but quickly falling back to his smile, a little light bulb flashed above Kai’s head as he his heels and started pulling at a dark hatch at the back of the cab. Realising what the younger was doing D.O. quickly rushed to help him. After ten minutes the hatch jolted up and a dozen lumps of coal tumbled free. Looking from the coal at their feet to where it fell from Kai turned pale as he saw a hand amongst the carbon. Reaching out to take the hand, the icy touch that greeted him almost brought him to tears. Staring in disbelief as the fingers twitched and slowly gripped his hand back, they quickly pushed the coal away to reveal a worryingly still Xiumin. Pulling him free, D.O. quickly wrapped his arms around the elder trying not to jump at how cold he was.

“Hyung are you okay? Should we call manager hyung?”

“I’m f-f-fine, just c-cold.”

“Come on we should get you back to your room, a nice warm duvet and Suho’s famous honey water will have you back to normal in no time.”

“I don’t know, the hugs kinda nice.”

“Kai’s right, the flame will go out really soon then we’ll all be freezing.”

“Okay, I wouldn’t want Chen to worry...”

With a soft sigh Kai took Xiumin’s other hand and squeezed it gently.

“Listen hyung, there’s something you need to know... we don’t know where Chen is.”

“...What?”

“I’m sure he’s safe, but he’s currently missing.”

“M-missing?”

“Yeah, but I promise we’ll find him.”

“I want to help.”

“Hyung you’re not well, you should rest!”

“No! I want Chen back... I-I’d rather be ill and know he’s safe.”

“We have no hope of changing your mind, do we?”

“None whatsoever.”

“...Fine. We need to find the next clue, we’re going to run out of time soon.”

“Where would it be though, it’d have to be somewhere the flame couldn’t burn it.”

“Well where could the flame never reach?”

Sitting in silence for a moment, they watched as the dying flame danced across the shadows. Releasing Xiumin’s hands, Kai stood up and walked over to the still open hatch at the back of the cab. Crawling into the coal and awkwardly lowering the hatch on himself, he was startled when D.O. shouted and immediately raised it again.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing?!”

“I-I-I...”

“You saw what happened to Xiumin in there, why would you decide to crawl in and trap yourself?!”

“Hyung please stop yelling.”

“...No, no I’m sorry, really I am. Please don’t cry.”

“Why did you crawl in there Kai?”

“B-because, I thought the clue would be on the inside of the door.”

Watching as a look of realisation sank into D.O.’s features quickly followed by one of embarrassment, Kai quietly looked over his knees waiting to see what would happen next.

“Okay... I’ll close it to let you look but I’m opening it again after five seconds no ifs ands or buts, got it?”

Nodding slightly, Kai watched as D.O. reluctantly lowered the door enveloping him in darkness. Slowly feeling his way forward towards the door, Kai felt a sharp pain run along his index finger and almost pulled away until realising what caused the pain and pulled the card free. Just as the card left the door, it raised and allowed the light to flood back in highlighting the tears threatening to fall.

“Kai... baby are you okay?”

Sliding back into the cab and handing the card to Xiumin, D.O. saw that Kai’s hand was bleeding and pulled the younger close holding him tight as Xiumin read what was on the card.

“A powerful voice and a gentle soul, if left any longer and he may find a new high note.”

“How does that tell us where he is?”

“...K-Kai you promised we’d find him.”

“We will hyung, we just... wait, he’s in the norebang!”

“How do you know that?”

“Well he has to be this side of the rooms and where else would you hide him?”

“I suppose that makes sense... Xiumin what do you think?”

“I-I think if Kai say he’s in the norebang then he’s in the norebang.”

“Come on, let’s get back to the cars its getting creepy in here.”

Watching the two elders share a look that showed they agreed, Kai couldn’t supress the smile that quickly spread across his lips as D.O. took his hand. Following D.O. out of the cab, they all walked along the rails practically pushing each other as they tried to stay close. Reaching the door to the kitchen car, they slipped inside and a startled Kai found himself sandwiched between D.O. and Xiumin.

“H-hey guys, I like hugs but not as much as I like breathing. What’s up with you two?”

“There’s... there’s something in the shadows.”

“Hyung?”

“He’s right, something ran across the room.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t Lay getting a snack?”

“N-no it couldn’t have been Lay.”

“Why?”

“Wrong height.”

“Which way?”

“Shorter.”

“...Huh... okay guys I really need to breathe!”

“Sorry Kai.”

“It’s okay hyung. Come on, let’s go find Chen.”

“Okay...”

Smiling reassuringly as Xiumin released his now sore ribs, Kai began walking towards the dining car when he realized D.O. was still holding onto his waist.

“Hyung, is everything alright?”

“Uhuh...”

“D.O. whatever it was it’s gone now, he’ll be fine.”

“Okay... I-I suppose it wouldn’t try anything with three of us, especially with you here hyung.”

“Yeah that’s why I was left to freeze back there.”

“Isn’t that assuming it was the same person you saw that put you out there?”

“Well whoever it was better hope I don’t find out who they are, if you hadn’t found me when you did... well, let’s not dwell there.”

“Hyung I’m sorry we didn’t find you sooner, i-it was my fault.”

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

“It’s not! You didn’t put him there, you didn’t know he was in more danger than the others, it’s not your fault.”

“No, but if I hadn’t been so stupid and just told you what was wrong we’d have found him quicker.”

“Kai we wouldn’t have found him at all if you hadn’t been amazing and got the door to the kitchen open to find Suho. I don’t care that you haven’t told me, the fact you found virtually everyone by yourself is incredible and more than makes up for it right now.”

“Uh, I’m just gonna step next door and give you two a minute.”

Pausing for a moment to let Xiumin leave, Kai struggled to meet the elder’s gaze as he mumbled.

“Do you really think that?”

“I do, without you I wouldn’t have found anyone so no matter what you think none of them would be safe right now without you.”

“But...”

“But nothing! Listen, you’re entitled to keep stuff from me, and even if I don’t always show it I respect that. In fact I’m glad you haven’t told me because I’m willing to bet we’d still be sitting in our room talking about it, please trust me when I say everyone we’ve found is safe right now because of you.”

Not sure how to react, Kai stopped thinking and leaned in close to the elder. Hesitating before their lips could meet, D.O. raised a hand to Kai’s neck and closed the gap. Pulling the elder closer as the kiss became deeper, Kai suddenly pushed D.O. away startled.

“I-I’m sorry, I know your still mad I-I shouldn’t have...”

“No... don’t be, I started it.”

“Does this mean I’ve done something to redeem myself?”

“Perhaps...”

“Well that’s reassuring... come on, I think we’ve left Xiumin worrying long enough.”

Nodding slightly, Kai took D.O.’s hand as they turned to join Xiumin in the dining car. Looking around and seeing no sign of Xiumin, they walked through the car and found him sitting in the booth that he and Chen had shared hours before with a single tear track glittering in the moonlight.

“Hyung...”

“Oh, hey guys. A-are you two okay now?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s kinda obvious something’s happened between you.”

“No it isn’t.”

“Yeah it is, Suho worked it out in like two minutes after we got him out the cupboard.”

“Is that what he wanted to talk to you about?”

“Yeah...”

“Did you tell him?”

“That he was right something is up, yes I did.”

“That’s not what I was asking.”

“Then what?”

“...Let’s go find Chen.”

Watching as D.O. turned and left the car without another word, Xiumin looked up at Kai confused.

“You do know what he was asking, right?”

“...Yeah, but he’d be mad that I told Suho when I won’t tell him.”

“Ah... well I won’t say anything to him, but you should tell him before he finds out the wrong way.”

“I know, I am going to tell him when everyone’s safe.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Okay, lets catch up with D.O. he’ll be wondering where we are.”