An early update for you guys. Yashyi I hope you are happy about this. Aren't I awesome? Enjoy.

 

 

Walking briskly down the corridor, Kai tried to avoid as many people as he could. He especially didn't want anyone that was likely to report to his father to spot him. He didn't want to to see Heechul. Kai would avoid him for as long as he could. His mom and siblings mattered the most. And he had seen them. Both Hyoyeon and Junmyeon had been there by Taeyeon's side, through all the pain, just like Kai had done. If not for the fact that it would be dangerous for Taehyung to be in Lyfe, Kai was certain his brother would be there, too. But Heechul hadn't. Kai wasn't even sure he cared enough to ask how his daughter was doing. Whether the clutch had been born, active or dud. Thankful Taeyeon had been able to pull through the complications. Had laid her three fine eggs, which was a lot, considering how female dragons were becoming infertile. Kai just wanted to quickly finish up and leave Lyfe. Wanted– needed to be back on Storm. An uneasiness had settled deep inside, gnawing at him since the moment he woke. It was intense, to the point that Kai didn't know what to make of it. His golden dragon had been restless, pacing unrelentingly, causing a damn headache to the human part. It was as though his dragon was sending him a message. Kai just wished to go back to his ship in the fastest way possible. It was like something bad was happening or yet to happen and he was needed to stop it. Though he had radioed his ship not long ago, but something told him, his soldiers might not be honest with him. The only being he could trust was Zach and Yixing. And both Kai and Zach were too far apart for their bond to work. He needed to leave soon. Alas there was something equally important he needed to do. To see Eunhyuk. He couldn't come and leave without seeing the elf and knowing he was alright. But more than that, Kai wanted to confirm what Taehyung had said about Sehun. Thinking of Sehun. His mind involuntarily wandered back to the night before and he couldn't help the small smile that curved his lips. By the time he had seen his brother and Yoongi off the ship, it had been late into midnight, and Sehun had slept when he entered his cabin. The elf had been laying on the floor wearing Kai's clothes that he was certain was courtesy of Zach. He’d changed into soft clothes for bed. The thin cotton shirt left little to the imagination, and the short pants gave a view of his calves and thighs that Kai couldn't bear thinking about.  With a sigh, Kai picked him up and took him to the bed, surprised that Sehun didn't even stir. It was only when he was laid down that Sehun jerked–but didn't wake– mumbling something about not wanting to be touched. "Sleep well knowing I wouldn’t touch you even if my was on fire and you were…made of…water.” He grimaced. Not his finest jest, but it had been done the trick. Sehun had curled on his side, reminding Kai of a small animal, protecting his vulnerable parts even in slumber. His hair spread like blue ink over the pillow. Kai watched Sehun sleeping face for a moment—those long, blue lashes, mouth relaxed, his brow unfurrowed. Kai wondered what Sehun would do if he crawled in with him, gathered him up and said, “Shhh, I just wanted to hold you. Go back to sleep.” Probably incinerate my soul or drink my blood dry. And Kai was scared that he would probably let Sehun. He shouldn't be thinking about things like that. Kai shut his eyes. It should not be this easy for him to turn my innards to mush. Am I falling in love with him? Have I lost my mind? Kai had enough experience to know the absurdity of becoming attached to someone he’d met for days, someone that would never want anything to do with the likes of him. Still... It felt so good to feel something. What if Sehun wasn’t an elf? Kai asked himself. What if he was just an ordinary man he'd met the at space station? An ordinary man who was looking for a good time. What would Kai expect? Kai had no trouble answering that question, because he’d lived it. I’d expect to coax him, give him some good experiences, and send him on his way. Soon he’d find someone else—a better match for his temperament and for his station in life. Kai had always known that finding a permanent match for himself would be nearly impossible Kai had resisted the urge to Sehun's hair. Sehun was enough of a distraction without saying a word. He needed to stop looking at the elf or would do something that he would regret later on. It was fortunate a message of Taeyeon's birth complications had stole his attention away from Sehun. Kai had spent almost an hour, listing what and not to do, to Zach. And had repeatedly told him not to let Sehun out of sight. "Can't you let him go?" Zach had asked, eyes on Sehun's sleeping form. "Back to his ship?"  Kai shook his head. "I can't do that." "Can't or won't?" Kai didn't answer to that, because he didn't know what to say, thus he had ignored Zach's pointed glares as he existed his cabin. He should get to his sister as soon as he could. And hyperspace was the best option, to reach there faster. Kai brought himself out of his thoughts, as he pushed the door open. Eunhyuk was sat as usual by the tree, he snapped his head toward Kai, surprised at the sight of him, then he smiled. "Kai!" He said. "What a pleasant surprise." Kai's attention was caught by the lush healthy green leaves of the tree, and he couldn't suppress his gasp. That certainly wasn't how he had last seen it  "When did this happen?"  Eunhyuk followed his line of sight and his smile widen. "What happened was phenomenal. Remember the day you came to visit me last?"  Kai nodded, it was the same night he had left Lyfe and only returned yesterday. "It was almost dawn when I had sounds that woke me up. At first I was confused, but then I noticed the glow coming from the tree, his leave growing fast, his roots healing, everything was happening so fast before my eyes. I do not know how long it took, but I was probably a couple of hours before it stops." He took a deep breath. "Nothing happens for days, weeks. It did not improve nor decline, until yesterday, it continues to grow for another moment, then stopped for hours and continue again for a short while. It hadn't grown since after that." It was really strange, Kai thought. It's healing patten didn't seem to make sense. Eunhyuk went on."I was very eager to share it with you, but you seemed to be no where in the palace." He opened his palms and bright green tendrils of magic flowed from the tree to his hands. "My connection to it is stronger, almost as it's used to be. Which means  the other replicas are healing too." He seemed happy, and Kai found himself sharing that happiness. "Whatever you did that day is helping it, greatly." Though Kai wasn't sure he did much, because he was sure as hell, it had nothing to do with him, he hadn't even been on the planet for a few weeks, he nodded nevertheless. "I am glad I could help." He walked closer eyes on the tree, taking it in. The tree was truly different. Almost fully healed. Kai had no doubt, it would heal with no time. He was tempted to use his magic to help it complete the process, however he was reluctant because he wasn't sure how it would react. And Kai was scared to undo the progress being made. Kai didn't realize he was close by, until he heard Eunhyuk's taking a sharp breath that caused him to look at the elf, now a few inches away. The elf was staring at Kai with wide eyes, almost disbelieving as he stumbled backward. Kai automatically reached out to steady him but that only seem to make the elf even more frantic. Confused and hurt, Kai tilted his head. "Are you alright?" he asked. As If suddenly realizing his own behavior, Eunhyuk paused, eyes going to Kai's neck as if searching for something. A moment pass, neither of them say a word, then Eunhyuk seemed to regain his composure, as he tore his eyes away from Kai's neck, giving a jerky nod. "I am fine." He strained out. When Kai gave him a look that showed how inconvenienced he was the elf added, almost stumbling in his words. "I just suddenly feel lightheaded, but I am fine now truly. "He gave a half hearted smile. "So where have you been. I really miss you, next time do not leave like that without a word." It was clear he didn't want to talk about whatever it was that just happened, and Kai didn't push, even though he was curious as . "I've been on the ship, and handling military business."  "Ah." the elf nodded moving to take a seat, his movements lacking its usual grace. "I heard your sister has given birth." Kai raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?" It wasn't a common knowledge and Kai knew no Dragon would come give Eunhyuk that message even if it were. "I am an elf Kai." The elf made gesture with his hands."I speak to nature, especially now that the tree is healing. My power is stronger." Right. That explained it.  Kai went to join him and didn't miss the way the elf took a lungful of Kai's scent, a frown on his face, body tense, as if willing himself not react more than the way he had done. "She has tree eggs." Ignoring the strangeness, Kai told him. "That's wonderful. You have my congratulations." He glanced at Kai briefly. "So what have you been up to?" "Dealing with Elfin pirates." Now was a good time to test what Taehyung had told him. Eunhyuk tensed even more beside him, but Kai went on pretending not to notice "remember the guy I told you about? I caught him, and he's on my ship right now." A harsh pant escaped the elf. Kai suspected it was instinctive."What do you plan to do with him?" Kai shrugged, observing Eunhyuk's every move. "I don't know, he's been terrorizing us for years, maybe hand him over to father. I bet he'll be–" "You cannot." Eunhyuk practically shouted, shooting his to feet, his body shook so hard that for a moment Kai feared he was about to collapse. "Why not?" He let out. "I- I mean–" the elf was struggling for the right words to say. "You know how your father is when it comes to elves. He might probably kill him to send a message or set an example." Kai bit the inside of his cheeks."Then so be it." The thought of Sehun dead didn't sit well with him, but Kai had to grit his teeth if he was going to get the truth out of Eunhyuk. The elf gaze at Kai as if he couldn't believe what he just heard. "I thought you're different from Heechul?" Now his voice was low, Kai wouldn't have caught what he said without his dragon senses. "I am." Kai said. "But he must be brought to justice." "Justice?" Eunhyuk scoffed. The elf was loosing his composure again, a look on him that Kai had never seen before. "Then what should we elves do to you dragons in the name of justice? If you people hadn't taken our planet, killed and enslaved many of our people, he wouldn't have done what he did. Have you ever stopped for a moment to think what you took from him?" He was practice vibrating. This was the closest Kai had seen him showing anger. Eunhyuk was always reserved, it was had to know what he feeling. Kai tried to ignore the pulse of satisfaction, knowing he was close to finding out."Perhaps do you know this elfin pirate personally?" He held his breath, waiting. At that, Eunhyuk snapped his head to look at Kai, shaking his head vigorously, some of his composure returning."How could I when I've been here for over two decades, not even allowed to take a step out of this place?" He motioned around with his hands. "Him being an elf is enough reason to resent the dragons, do all what he has to do." Kai nodded at that, an uncomfortable silence stretched out. He allowed Eunhyuk to catch his breath before he said "His name is Sehun." He watched as Eunhyuk reeled back, as if the mere sound of Sehun's name form Kai was the greatest offense. Eunhyuk caught himself just before he hit the tree behind him, a deep emotion on his face."Sehun!" He repeated the name, a fond smile tugging his lips, probably not even realizing he was doing it. "He is a brave boy, I guess." His hand went to his stomach as if reliving the memory of carrying a child, mumbling something Kai couldn't catch. Kai bit back a gasp, as realization dawned on him. Without a doubt, Taehyung had said the truth. Sehun was truly Eunhyuk's son. "He is." He agreed, turning his gaze away, unable to watch all the different emotions Eunhyuk wore. He suddenly realized despite all, Eunhyuk didn't really trust him completely, probably never did at all. Kai had thought they were close enough for the elf to tell him about Sehun. A part of him didn't blame him. After all Eunhyuk as a father was only looking out for his son, wanting to keep him safe, because no matter what, Kai was a dragon and the elf would have a hard time believing Kai's loyalty wasn't with his father. But the other did, Kai had trusted Eunhyuk with everything, with something even his mom wasn't aware of. But since he chose to keep Kai in the dark, Kai decided, it was best keep the knowledge of Eunhyuk and Sehun's relationship to himself. "I will not deliver him to my father." He said, barely recognizing his own voice. He cursed at himself for being weak. Eunhyuk gaze at him with hope in his eyes. "You would not? Why the sudden change of heart?" Kai shrugged, scrubbing his face with a hand "I never intended to do that." "Why?" The elf looked skeptical, which only proved he didn't trust Kai. "If I were in Sehun's boots I might probably do the same. I understand his hatred" And he did. The fact that he wasn't even born when the dragons took over Lyfe didn't excuse him. Kai was able to exist because of his father's cruelty. "So I am gonna let him go and won't say a word about it to my father." Eunhyuk opened his mouth, and closed it several times. He seemed to be battling with something, as though about to confess, yet reluctant. Kai didn't push, he sat there patiently waiting. "Kai i-" he began but trailed off. "What is it? You have something to tell me?" He prompted, now he was aware he was the one that looked hopeful. Hoping for Eunhyuk to trust him with his son's identity. And Kai would prove to him, his trust hadn't been misplaced. "Nevermind" Eunhyuk shook his head. "I need your help." He said instead. Kai's shoulder slumped, but he nodded. Eunhyuk had never asked for anything from him. This was a first and he would do everything in his power to help. "What do you need me to do?" "I believe that someone from my court had betrayed me In the past. Perhaps do you know any elf that is living comfortably with or away from the Dragons?" Kai frowned, Truth was; he didn't know much about the purge, he hadn't been there when it happened while his siblings had been young to truly understand things. It was hard to get specific information, when the dragons–probably by his father's orders– were tight lipped about it."None I could think of." One person came to mind, but Kai discarded the notion. It couldn't be said the elf was living comfortably, since he still served the dragons. His service was different, not in the way other elves were used to. "But I will look into it." Kai promised. Eunhyuk rewarded him with a smile. "I knew I could count on you." But not with your son. He thought sadly. Kai gave a jerky nod. "You're a good boy. Do not ever change." Kai hummed absent mindedly, rising to pull out his com device when it vibrated inside his pocket. It was message from his ship, from one of his soldiers Yixing. The only silver dragon on the ship, that was also their healer. General you need come back now. is going down, I don't know what to do. Kai shot to his feet, racing to the exit without waiting to say one more word to Eunhyuk. *** Being held by two strong hands that felt as though a boulders were being sat on his shoulders, Sehun lowered his head down as his captors walked him to where ever they were taking him. He hard murmurs and exclama