Oh gosh, this is the last week of summer for me. I'm gonna cry. I don't want to be a junior!!!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own pics. (You don't have to click the links if you don't want to. Dang, I just can't get enough of beaches.)

Repost: 8/19/13

Lightning Overcomes The Quiet

By the time it passed the eighth hour, you and Baekhyun returned from your picnic. It hadn’t occurred to you how exhausted you were until you entered the house, dog-tired and bleary-eyed, but it didn’t subjugate how blissful you were, especially with your hand intertwined with Baekhyun’s.

“Princess Aris!”

“Princess!”

“ARIS!”

Intruding into the occupied living room, you winced at the loud exclamations. (The princes sure knew how to wear out your name.) Evidence of how the other princes had been amusing themselves while you were gone was scattered across the room—card games, sketches, books, or maybe they had simply talked. There was no time to blink when multiple sets of arms squashed your tiny body. Baekhyun’s hand was ripped away from yours.

“Ah! Chanyeol! Minseok! Zitao! You’re going to crush her!” Yifan scolded, tone authoritative.

“Awww!” they groaned disappointedly. Chanyeol and Xiumin reluctantly released you. Tao only loosened his hold, continuing to cling to you as he nuzzled your cheek. Past the panda’s shoulder, you saw Suho, Yixing, and Chen giving you their sweet welcome back smiles. From behind them, you heard servants saying they had drawn baths for you and Baekhyun.

“Princess!” Kai said excitedly. “We’re havin’ a big sleepova!”

“In here!” Sehun clarified, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

You were now aware of the blanket spreads and fluffy pillows that littered the floor and couches.

“Are you sure you don’t want to sleep in beds?” you asked, concerned. “It might be uncomfortable...”

Personally you didn’t mind sleeping on the floor without comfy bedding. Back home in SHINee, you and your brothers would frequently doze in random places—the roof, the veranda, the gardens, and secret hiding places. Nostalgia stirred in your chest at the heartfelt memories. You discarded those distracting thoughts.

“It’s fine, Princess,” assured Suho. “We don’t mind one night.”

“Alright,” you conceded uncertainly. Afterwards, you were whisked away by the servants to wash up and prep for bed. You donned on a fleece nightwear and walked back to the sleep site. Everyone beamed at your cute outfit and beckoned you closer to their rowdy midst. Sitting crisscrossed on his share of blankets, Luhan reached for your hand and drew you to his side, still hand-locked. Shy Sehun was on your other side, fidgeting. The lamps were dimmed down. The only available illumination was the moonlight cascading from the windows.

Although it was night, they still had the time to chat. You overheard Suho and Yixing whispering about the strange phenomenon that happened to the evening, and they concluded it must’ve been Baekhyun’s doing. Yifan was trying to placate Tao who was scared sleeping in a different setting, while also trying to stop Xiumin from secretly snacking. Baekhyun scarcely set his hands aglow to soothe Tao from the darkness. Chanyeol and Kai were bickering over the best pillows, and Kyungsoo and Chen were softly singing lullabies.

“Does this happen a lot when you all sleep together?” you skeptically asked Luhan in a hushed whisper.

He nodded once. “They don’t make the best roommates.”

Sehun reached over you to tug on Luhan’s sleeve. “Big brotha, can you read me a bedtime storwe?”

“What kind?” Luhan inquired, eyes softening with undisguised fondness. He had the biggest heart for Sehun, you surmised. It didn’t take a genius to figure that out. The same attachment applied to Yifan for Tao, Yixing for Chen, Suho for Kyungsoo, and Kyungsoo for Kai. They definitely had the closest bonds contrary to their other brothers.

“Anyting,” Sehun replied cutely, obviously happy that Luhan was babying him. He loved being showered with attention from the doe-eyed telekinesis prince.

“I’ll help you read,” you kindly offered. In the darkness, the eyes of the twin-resembling brothers sparkled in explicit rapture.

Luhan beckoned with a finger, and a book from a nearby table flew into his hands. Suho saw that and raised a brow.

“Reading a bedtime story?” discerned the water prince. Tao, Kai, and Kyungsoo perked up.

“Ooh! Ooh! Is Princess reading?” Kyungsoo asked with apparent interest. “She readz out loud the best!”

“Of course,” you acknowledged with a smile. Attention sought, everyone crowded together, cuddling as close to you as possible, bodies mashed up in comforters and personal spaces invaded. Luhan propped up some pillows so you and him could rest your backs against it, the opened book balanced on your stomachs so the two of you could read it. His arm was circled over your shoulder as you snuggled against his side. Baekhyun helpfully lit up his hands a tad brighter like a cozy, portable nightlight. Sehun was half-cushioned on the telekinesis prince, habitually gripping his shirt front, his head tucked under Luhan’s chin. The scene was peaceful and picturesque. Your lilting, velvet voice and Luhan’s soft, soprano one filled the quiet night air—and that’s what everyone heard as they drifted off to sleep—the voices of two angels.

...

A new day meant a new schedule of outings. Chen would start the day off.

Clearing up the blankets and pillows, everyone quickly dressed and ate breakfast. It was time to travel to the proceeding destination. Chen told you his residence was located in the southeastern shore, but yes, he governed the entire southern sky.

“Don’t scare her with your power,” Yifan precautiously admonished Chen. The sky guardians shot you concerned glances as you chatted with Baekhyun and Chanyeol animatedly, but occasionally your distracted gaze flickered elsewhere. Kai and Sehun were wildly running up and down the aisle, Suho advising them to please sit.

“She’s not afraid of lightning,” Chen said under his breath.

The flight prince patted his brother’s shoulder. “I know...just be careful, alright?”

Chen nodded. He picked at his nails nervously. His stomach was doing flips and twirls, because it would officially be the first time he was ever alone with you for more than one minute. Noticing his brother’s jitters, Yixing patted Chen’s back comfortingly.

“Relax, relax,” he told the restless boy.

As everyone exited the train, you looked up, noting how for an early morning, the sky was a washed-out pale blue, mottled with thick, lazy clouds which blocked out the sun. Between the empty spaces of the clouds, you caught sight of EXO’s signature Two Moons.

At the train station, it was buzzing with Exotics, who tried vying for your or their princes’ attention. Chen’s second home reminded you of Suho’s, but his was tucked away beside the base of a sea cliff, neighbored by a small meadow from behind.

Everyone unslung their backpacks and roamed the interior of Chen’s home. The owner of the house was giving himself a headache, agonized on how to approach you (and not look like a nervous wreck). He would’ve never taken the initiative if it wasn’t for his brothers’ nosy interference. Yifan and Xiumin doubled teamed the lighting prince, poking and prodding his side to do something. He finally spoke up, voice shaky, “Err...um...c-come with me, Princess Aris!” He inclined his head timidly, and you graciously accompanied him out the door.

Thanks, guys, he acknowledged in his head, glad for the help.

“Bye, you two!” Xiumin chirped playfully, blithely wiggling his fingers in a short farewell as you and Chen parted from the others. Two guards stoically tailed from behind as you and your fiancé strolled down the beach. This beach wasn’t as vibrant or chromatic as Suho’s. Suho’s territory was bright and lively and lush, like a picturesque utopia no one wanted to tear their eyes away from. Whereas here, it was muted, quiet, and serene, like a sweet, embracing dream you didn’t want to wake up from. The sand had this white-ivory hue, and the water was a gray-blue reflection. The sea breeze was nice and balmy, and you could spot other lands from afar. The waves here weren’t as large or dramatic, but low and repetitive.

“You’re thinking of Suho’s domain, aren’t you?” Chen softly asked, voice small.

The sudden question made you blink. He sounded deterred, as if you wounded his pride. “Actually, I’m comparing and contrasting your territories,” you revealed. “Here, it’s more...peaceful.” To emphasize your point, you closed your eyes, enjoying the tranquil air. “I can imagine laying on the sand taking a nap.” You giggled at the silly thought, but you liked it.

Chen’s heart pounded foolishly against his ribcage—on the verge of bursting out of his chest—at your heartwarming words. Ba-dum! Ba-dum! “T-thank you. I-I like the quiet here, too. Not many people pass by.” He kicked at the grainy sand, head ducked to hide his embarrassment. “If Kai’s at his islands, he tries to visit sometimes by teleporting here.”

“That’s nice,” you commented, no lie in your voice. Opening your eyes, you pouted slightly, noting how Chen had not held your hand unlike his previous brothers during their outings. So you took the initiative and twined your fingers through his. Caught off guard, he jumped out of his skin, eyes widening.

“You know, it’s standard for couples to hold hands when they’re out on a stroll,” you , but it was a gentle reminder, to encourage him. “It makes it romantic.”

“I, uh, we’re not...” he stammered, face warming up to the tips of his ears. “Oh, r-right. W-we’re engaged.”

“Calm your heart, Prince Jongdae,” you said soothingly. “Want to rest a bit to talk?”

Clamping his lips to avoid stuttering, Chen nodded. He led the way down the beach until you and he ambled upon a fallen, oddly bent tree.

“I usually sit here on the tree,” he confessed. “It’s very sturdy, and it faces the sea.”

“Perfect!” you chimed. He smiled slightly and helped you climb up onto the horizontal tree. You situated yourself on it while Chen perched agilely beside you, legs dangling over the edge.

Your fiancé pointed out towards the sea, indicating the dark, coin-shaped splotches sparsely dispersed from each other like links on a chain. “You see those pieces of land? Those are Kai’s islands.” He moved his pointing finger to the far left where a tall, scraggy, steaming blob dominated. “And over there is Chanyeol’s volcano.”

“I’ve only ever seen them from afar,” you admitted, surveying the separated pieces of land speculatively. Hm...Prince Chanyeol’s volcano...

A pleasant silence lapsed over you two. The comforting sounds of soft breathing and lapping waves tempted you to close your eyes. Unknowingly, you began to hum a sweet-sounding melody. Chen stared at you admirably, and then a hum resonated from his throat, singing in sync with you, creating a beautiful, musical chorus. You beamed inwardly and continued humming wordless music with Chen.

“Huh?” Suddenly you stopped humming, aware of a small, armored-like insect crawling up a branch and scurrying over to your fiancé. “Prince Chen...”

Reverie broken, he glanced down at his side to be greeted by a scorpion begging for his attention, curling and uncurling its stinger-tail and shifting from leg to leg. “Oh, this is one of the native creatures that live in my region.” Holding out a palm invitingly, the scorpion eagerly scuttled onto his hand. Your fiancé presented you the insect. “Don’t worry, though. They’ll never hurt you because I say so. They listen to me.”

You examined the dangerous but seemingly tame insect. The little fellow hinged and unhinged its pinchers, making prattling sounds. “It kind of looks like a lightning bolt—from its stinger to its pinchers.”

Chen smiled at the clever evaluation. “That’s why it’s called a Lightning Scorpion.”

“Interesting,” you remarked. “No wonder your symbol is a scorpion.”

The Lightning Scorpion made a click, click sound, like it was expressing how proud it was to be its master’s symbol.

The guardian of the Southern Sky blushed modestly. “T-thank you.” He bent over so he could gently deposit the scorpion onto the sand, and it darted off hastily as if he'd told it shoo.

Mood lifted, you and Chen conversed with a familiar, easygoing sense. But later on, Chen glimpsed up at the pale, hazy sky.

“Princess Aris,” he implored cautiously, “you’re not afraid of lightning, right?”

You raised your brows. “No, not really. Although...thunder and lightning can be scary from time to time.” Your gaze penetrated his. “But do you want to know why I’m not scared all the time? It’s because...I know you’ll protect me.”

Ack! I’mgonnadieI’mgonnadieI’mgonnadie! His poor heart twisted and throbbed at your heart-wrenching words. Though his face was pinched and flustered, he mustered up the strength to say, “W-would you mind if I s-showed you something?”

“I don’t mind,” you assured him. The lightning prince hopped off the tree and landed on the soft bed of sand. Judging by what he thought was a safe distance, he stood several dozen meters away from you, idling by the shore. From above, the clouds thickened and knitted together into a silver-gray mesh, rumbling and swirling—the tell-tale signs of a thunderstorm. Chen knelt down on one knee and—inhaling once—pressed his palm into the sand’s grainy surface. Static permeated the moist air. The hair on your arms stood up, and then, suddenly, a thin bolt of lightning roared down from the sky, charged into Chen, and coursed down from his palm into the sand. The ground pulsed, steam hissing from electrocution. Your mouth parted in bewilderment.

Seeming satisfied, Chen dug into the sand and picked up something. He dusted off the item of clinging grain and ran back to you. He held it out to you, pink-cheeked.

“Here, a present.”

You gasped. “So pretty!”

The guardian of the Southern Sky had made lightning glass for you. Since the sand was white, so was the lightning glass—other hues like yellow and lavender blended into the heated material. It wasn’t large, but rather long, easily grasped in Chen’s hand. The shape was irregular, almost crescent-shaped, with smooth, bumpy edges. You handled it delicately, afraid it would break, but it felt compact despite its light weight and semi-translucent appearance.

“I’ll make this into a necklace so I can wear it every day!” you gushed. Chen felt absolutely honored, like he had won the award of the lifetime. You leaned forward to unsuspectingly peck him on the cheek. His eyes widened into saucers. He could die right there. Go straight to heaven.

If you kept a piece of me forever, then I’d die happy.

...