Kai teleported to the Fire Castle with a heavy heart. He sighed before walking down to the castle's aisle. Its red carpet felt sticky against his boots. But he managed to kneel down before the royalties.

"Kim Jongin. Duke of the Teleportation Kingdom." he introduced himself before standing straight.

"A pleasant day to you, Kai." the King greeted with a smile akin to Chanyeol, "What brings you here?"

"A pleasant day to you also, Sir. I'm here to deliver news from the Earth Kingdom." he claimed.

"The Earth Kingdom? From what I've known, the kingdom had messengers to proclaim that." the Queen asked, eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"It's true, as a matter of fact, the Earth Kingdom needed more messengers to deliver this urgent news, I came to volunteer myself." Kai spoke.

Chanyeol suddenly came in of sight, positioning himself beside his throne, "Proceed." he said seriously.

"Just now, their Duke collapsed and fell into an unknown illness. Their Healers couldn't do anything. Their messengers went to the Kingdom of Life to ask for help and also to the other kingdoms to deliver the news to every Healers that who might be able to cure the King's son, will be granted a reward they deserve."

It felt like a thorn was picked from his heart after announcing it. Kai was dreadfully worried about Kyungsoo's condition and hearing his name was making his body wince.

"My," the Princess reacted, "call the Fire Healers immediately. Sent messengers to every houses." she urged her parents.

"That's right, eomma. I'll go to the Earth Kingdom to check how he is." Chanyeol went to the Queen.

"Alright," the King responded, "do what is must."

The Fire Royalties and even their whole ruling gentry did their part in helping their neighbor kingdom that became more like a kindred to them. Chanyeol talked to Kai in private about the details at the castle's backyard.

"So, for all these days you've been not visiting me, it's because you were busy about Kyungsoo?" Chanyeol asked, shifting his gaze at him.

Kai gazed at the sky while shifting himself on the bench where he sat with Chanyeol. Sought before he spoke, "Hyung is so beautiful."

"Kai! Why the hell are you here again?!"

Kai laughed at the whiny face of the tiny one.

"One more of your nonsense, I'll push you off this tree!"

He swung back to the branch from being upside down and face facing Kyungsoo. Kai climbed down a branch and sat in front of Kyungsoo. He mused about the glowing face of the latter and propped himself on his elbows to get nearer to the other's face.

"I just wanted to see you." Kai tried to smile sweetly but it somehow ended up looking like a ert because Kyungsoo screamed.

"Get off me!" he shouted, "Get. Off. Me!"

Kai made a confused face, backing away, "But I'm not holding you."

Kyungsoo rolled his eyes, making an annoyed sound, "Whatever Kai. Don't you have anything to do aside from mocking me?"

"I never wanted to mock you, I just-"

The branch of where Kai was sitting suddenly snapped, sending Kai rolling injured on the ground. Kai thought something must've been broken on him.

No. Kai couldn't believe, he might not be right but no, it was happening.

Kyungsoo was laughing at him. It was the first time that he saw Kyungsoo's smiling lips that formed into a heart. It was so beautiful.

Kai felt like he was on cloud nine after seeing his face, smiling wryly and swooning after that.

Chanyeol agreed, "Yes. I know. You've been attracted by him at the very first day you met him."

"And not just that," Kai continued, "he's very considerate, kind, thoughtful.."

Kai's vision spun after he opened his eyes, laying sight on his ultimate crush above him.

"Kai!" he exclaimed, "You're awake!"

He tried to sit up in joy, but his back and head felt so painful, making him yelp before falling back on the bed.

"No, no. Shh.." Kyungsoo comforted him back to his lying position, shifting his blanket properly, "Does something hurts? What hurts?" he asked worriedly.

Oh , Kai thought, is this real? Am I dead?

"Kai?"

"M-My spine, it burns." he answered, closing his eyes tight in pain.

"Just wait alright? The Healers will be here in a minute." Kyungsoo brushed his hair up with his fingers.

Oh god, I must be dead.

"Am I dead?" Kai suddenly asked.

Kyungsoo's eyes widened for a split second, shrugging, "No. You're not."

"I must be in this state always." Kai closed his eyes, feigning weakness.

"Why?" he asked with that oh-kai-what-happened-to-you tune again that made him smile.

"Because you were worried about me. I felt so loved. I wish I could fell off a tree everyday."

Kyungsoo smacked Kai's head using the hand he used in brushing his hair.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed, looking at Kyungsoo again.

"Who says I'm worried?!" he glared down at Kai before stomping away.

"What happened to him?" Chanyeol asked, shifting his position to look at Kai's face directly, "How did he just collapsed? And when?"

Kai frowned, "I don't know," he said, "yesterday, he was showing some signs of chest discomfort then just a while ago he passed out while enduring one."

He added, "I know it was something related to the bandages."

"Bandages?"

Kai looked at Chanyeol, "At your coronation day, I noticed him having bandages under his Duke uniform."

Chanyeol seemed to ponder about something, a few seconds before he got it.

"He was showing discomfort those times, I know I approached him, asking if he was alright. He said, he was." Chanyeol shared.

"Really?" Kai asked, "What do you think happened to him?"

"I don't know."

.*.

"By night, we will go to the Light Kingdom as I promised."

Baekhyun beamed up, "Really?" he cooed, jumping in joy.

Chanyeol laughed at him. However, his attention was suddenly drawn to the distinctive discussion at the Royal Hall. Chanyeol grabbed his hand and rushed before the lobby.

"A pleasant day to you also, Sir. I'm here to deliver news from the Earth Kingdom."

"The Earth Kingdom?!" Baekhyun suddenly shouted, corresponding a soft hush from Chanyeol.

Chanyeol held his arms and while looking into his eyes he said, "Just stay here."

Baekhyun nodded with his lips pursed. Chanyeol ran to the direction of the thrones. He has been debating whether to listen or not. Baekhyun thought that it would be another meeting outside the palace or whatever that he would not like.

"Proceed."

But still, he took his mask out and eavesdropped at the serious matter they've been talking about.

"Just now, their Duke collapsed and fell into an unknown illness."

Baekhyun was shaken. A shocked what came out of his mouth.

Their Duke? Kyungsoo?

"Their Healers couldn't do anything. Their messengers went to the Kingdom of Life to ask for help."

Tears were forming inside his eyes as he felt his world was crumbling down. He's sick, his friend was sick and he wasn't able to do anything. Those tears escaped his eyes, not wanting to hear any of it anymore, running away as far as he could to cry his regrets out.

He should've met him before.

"So, for all these days you've been not visiting me, it's because you were busy about Kyungsoo?"

He heard Chanyeol asked him with that raspy whisper tune. Baekhyun hid behind the bush, crouching til he's not seen. He's going to eavesdrop again.

He heard about the stories of that guy he knew was Kai. He heard about his love for Kyungsoo and the bandages thing. The thing about the bandages made his heart pang in worry. Baekhyun couldn't take any of this.

"Your Highness. Your suit is ready."

"Right. I'll be going Kai. I'll meet you here."

After the fading footsteps, Baekhyun knew that the Duke was alone. He peeked above the bush, noticing that the man was grave and silent and tears were falling. It gave him a second thought that to stop what he's planning but he couldn't ease it.

Being visible, he hauled Kai despite of their height difference and pinned him at the wall by grasping his collar.

Revealing himself, "Tell me about Kyungsoo." he ordered, glaring up at the man.

Kai was panting in shock, perhaps. There was something shimmering in his eyes. It was painted with palettes of exhaustion, stress and desperation that makes Baekhyun soften his grip on the man. Kai was crying. But there was the look of spite in sudden intrusion.

Kai took grip on his hands then Baekhyun tightened his grip on him again, "Who are you?" he asked, eyes serious and weary in a way that it's demanding.

"It doesn't matter, I want to know about Kyungsoo." Baekhyun snapped back, sniffing as he tried to bite back tears.

Kai's face turned into a curious and in an examining way, stepping forward as Baekhyun stepped backward in confusion.

"You must be Baekhyun." he recognized.

Baekhyun's eyes widened, swallowing hard, "H-How did you know me? I mean, Kyungsoo told you about me?"

"No." Kai answered, gazing at Baekhyun intensely, "Who are you and you made Kyungsoo like that?" he asked, though it sounded more like an accusation.

"W-What?" Baekhyun blinked many times, he was starting to shiver, "What do you mean?"

"There must be something about you why Kyungsoo was muttering your name while he was delirious." Kai raised up an eyebrow, leaning down to get nearer to his face.

Because of that, he felt much smaller and wanted to shrink at the scene.

"Baekhyun?"

Perhaps not.

"Chanyeol!" he exclaimed, he couldn't help but to ran to him and to burry his face at his chest, "I-I.." he started to cry because he was scared.

"You know him?" Kai asked with a hint of spite.

He felt Chanyeol's hand tighten on his waist in a secure grip. Baekhyun felt much safer inside his embrace.

"What's the matter? Had you two met before-"

"Had Kyungsoo and him met before?"

Baekhyun was surprised at the sudden cut in of Kai that made Chanyeol look at him. After seconds, he stared at him in an assuring way and released his hold. Baekhyun sighed before pulling away.

"Was Kyungsoo looking for me?"

He turned to face Kai who was also staring at him.

"I bet you were that best friend or the brother to him that he had been looking for."

.*.

Kai cleared the hospital wing of any servants and Healers before they visited Kyungsoo. It was past dusk and Chanyeol was worrying about Baekhyun. He honestly felt sad for him since he must be happy this Christmas Eve. Also, to Kyungsoo, for Lay wasn't able to wake Kyungsoo up.

He was watching him sleep beside Kyungsoo. Chanyeol was two beds away and beside Kai that must be watching Kyungsoo too.

"Baekhyun must be tired of crying." Kai chucked lightly.

Chanyeol stared at Baekhyun's sleeping face. His cheeks were a bit of red from crying. His lips were in a pout that made him look adorable. It brought him a tiny smile seeing how cute he was.

"Yeah." he agreed, remembering that he was crying while waiting for Kai about the secret visiting hours.

Kai lay himself on the bed, sighing, "We were planning to go at the Healer's Kingdom to see their flower fields, buy some Christmas gifts and go back here to give them away." he sat up again and looked at Kyungsoo, "But I think we'll just go out if he's already fine."

"I think it would be enough if you're going to stay here until Kyungsoo awakens. Take good care of him." Chanyeol said as an advice, receiving a nod from Kai.

Chanyeol suddenly perked up at Kai's words, recalling the gift he was supposed to give Baekhyun, "We got the same plan too. But we're going at the Light Kingdom."

"Light Kingdom?" Kai reacted in disbelief, "For Christmas?"

Chanyeol groaned at his reaction, "He requested that."

"Is he a Light? Where did he came from that he didn't know what happened to his own kingdom?"

"You came from the Ices?!"

Baekhyun hushed Chanyeol.

"Promise me, don't ever tell anyone where I came from. The Ices will be after me and I don't know what would happen."

"He is," Chanyeol cleared his throat as a sign to change the topic, "he lived at our kingdom, he was curious, perhaps."

"Oh hyung. You had too much to tell me after all of this." Kai tsked, poking Chanyeol's cheek playfully.

Chanyeol waved his hand away, "Also you. I need to know more of your relationship with Kyungsoo." he challenged back.

"Fine." Kai smirked in challenge, making Chanyeol wanted to slap him and laugh at him.

Chanyeol slowly walked to Baekhyun, woke him up gently and told him that they'll go to the Light Kingdom.

"Yah. Let's go to the Light Kingdom. Maybe it would cheer you up."

Baekhyun muttered, "What about Kyungsoo?" he asked, half-asleep.

"Kai's going to take care of him." Chanyeol held him at his arms to help him to stand up.

Baekhyun opened his eyes fully and seemed to notice Kai beside Kyungsoo that he agreed to go.

Chanyeol giggled at how Baekhyun looked like, "Look at you with those swollen eyes. You look so cute."

Baekhyun frowned at Chanyeol even more.

Chanyeol laughed even louder, "I was just trying to make you smile." he reached out a hand while looking at him.

Baekhyun did wore a small smile after that and took his hand.

They both exploded in flames and was transported to the kingdom Chanyeol never expected to look like that.

"Are you sure that this is the Light Kingdom?"

They observed the place they were right now. Everything was dark. Only lights from the houses gave light but it was not enough to illuminate the wide street where they were. There were no cars where there must be. The buildings of the urbanized city was all black. Everything was in silence like they've lived like this for years.

"They said they used stars as light posts." Baekhyun said sadly, looking around.

Chanyeol looked down, sighing in sympathy, "It must be the effect of the war."

Chanyeol noticed Baekhyun became more sorry instead of being cheered up. He ambled to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"We could go back," giving him a pat, "if you don't like it here." he suggested.

"No." Baekhyun said, sounding determined, "I like it here," he wiped his tears with his arm, he ran further, "this kingdom just need something."

Baekhyun turned around to look at Chanyeol. Chanyeol could see he was serious about what he's planning to do, so he nodded and gestured to go on.

Baekhyun shouted, "Their Christmas must be full of light!"

The Light Kingdom was the center of the biggest galaxy of stars near their world. It is where the stars collect and form a cluster. That's what gave the kingdom a dim light. The stars must go down and give light. But there was none.

Baekhyun raised his palm up as if catching raindrops using it.

Unexpectedly, it was raining.

It's now raining with star-like orbs that never reached the ground. Chanyeol couldn't help but to gape at the sight. The shower followed Baekhyun as he walked and danced around the street. Now, the street glowed from the balls of light that hung in the air like light posts and Christmas lights.

Baekhyun was laughing and jumping while raising his hands up in the air.

Chanyeol didn't know he was smiling while watching him.

That boy dancing below the starlight.

 

He is fragile.

He is different.

He is amazing.

He is a hero.

He is beauty.

He's a Light.

His name is Baekhyun.

And he thinks he's the most beautiful thing ever.

 

Chanyeol thinks he's falling in love.

.*.

Chanyeol was laughing, "What have you done? It's raining of stars!" he exclaimed, lying down on the ground.

Baekhyun giggled as he stared at the starlights by the water. They were sitting near the riverbank as he got exhausted by running around like a child. He felt so happy and contented that he had just gave light and beauty to the kingdom.

His eyes shifted to the dark path he was seeing that was at the other side of the river.

Wait, if there's a river. There's a bridge.

The Light bridge.

"Chanyeol, Chanyeol, Chanyeol!" Baekhyun shook Chanyeol's arm until he sat up.

"What? What is it?" Chanyeol asked, laughing.

Baekhyun pointed excitedly at the dark side of the scenery, "I want to know what's in there! There must be a bridge, right?"

Chanyeol's smile faded slowly, "What do you expect of the Light bridge? It's made of wood? It must be made up of rainbows or..I don't know." he shrugged his shoulders.

.*.

"It rained stars! That just means one thing!"

Chanyeol could hear faint celebrations and laughter from afar.

"Why don't we figure out? Let's build it with rainbows!" Baekhyun exclaimed happily.

"No, Baekhyun."

His attention was being caught by the crowd of Lights coming by.

"But why?" Baekhyun frowned.

"A Light Royalty has come!"

"Let's check the Light bridge!"

"Just no, Baekhyun. Let's go home."

"If the Light bridge is built once again, the heir must be here!

"Why? Why are we going home?"

"Baekhyun. Let's go." Chanyeol said firmly, pulling him up from the ground.

Baekhyun struggled, "No. I want it here!"

"You can't be here!"

"Look!"

"Who's there?"

"Why? Why?" he whined then he gasped, he must have heard the Lights awaken, "There were Lights! Chanyeol, I'll-"

"-no! Baekhyun! Let's go!"

"But Chanyeol, I-"

Chanyeol pulled Baekhyun with a force that made him look at him with those shocked eyes.

"We are going home."

In one blink, they were back at the Fire Kingdom, at his own room and both panting from shouting.

"What's wrong with you?!" Baekhyun cried at Chanyeol.

"Baekhyun, there's nothing wrong with me. I just-"

"You just what?! You just want to pull me far away from my own kingdom?!"

"No! I wasn't planning anything like that!"

"Then why?! Why did you do that?! There were Lights out there! Chanyeol! We need to go back!"

Baekhyun was pulling Chanyeol towards the door while Chanyeol was trying to make him still and to not get close to the door.

"We can't go back there!"

"Chanyeol! Listen to me!"

"It's not your responsibility!"

"It's my kingdom!"

"You're not a royalty of the Lights!"

"Even though! I belong there!"

Chanyeol grasped Baekhyun's arm roughly, stopping him from making more movements.

"You don't belong anywhere, Baekhyun! Don't you understand that?! So, we are not going ANYWHERE!"

.*.

His furious resonant voice echoed in the room. It was a lion's roar in front of him. Baekhyun finally trembled in fear. He pulled away from Chanyeol slowly. He was hurt. It hurts him inside.

He didn't expect Chanyeol to shout at him like that. What hurts the most was what he had said to him. Baekhyun doesn't want to look at his eyes because it looked like what he was scared of. His eyes were angry. He was scary. He had hurt him. He looked away.

Of all of the people he could hear that from, why from him?

After small gasps and tears fallen, he gazed back at Chanyeol with the hardest stare he could give.

"You're overly persistent." he breathed shakily, "That you even forgot how to listen."

Baekhyun shifted his sight to his mask, laying on the bedside table. He grabbed it before turning back on Chanyeol. Leaving for good.

Turning back felt like turning away from his life.

.*.

"I could see the Fire Prince wandering so freely, even in your own kingdom, Your Majesty."

The Ice Queen laughed evilly, "Just let him do that, who knows he might be one of those casualties from our Christmas gift to everyone."

She stood up and walked to the window that shows the view of the Fire Kingdom.

"I've heard no news of possible attack of the archfoe, Your Majesty, even their allies."

"Yes, " she chanted, smiling wickedly, "I've heard that their strongest ally was busy about their special patient."

The Queen turned to his loyal servant, "Christmas Day is perfect, imagine them being so happy with hot and fresh foods served at their tables and celebrating." sighing spitefully, "No one knows, they'll all end up frozen."

"About the boy that you were looking for, I can't see him anywhere." the servant added nervously.

"Oh." she said, "It's alright, my son promised me that he will bring him to me. Don't be bothered."

She dropped a bag of gold at the servant's hands before it bowed away.

She glanced at the enemy kingdom once more, saying, "Tomorrow is bye-bye."

 

 

 

***

Started: April 1, 2017

Finished: April 12, 2017

A/N: I have nothing to say. O.o I found the next chapters hard to write, but I'm sure it would be exciting and angsty? Well, just keep reading and feel free to comment. ^^ Thank you and lots of looovvee! <3

Yeo_Na