"Chen, what are you scared of?"

He froze mid-lift of the barbell in his hands and turned to me, his eyes wide. I was here again, here in the training room late in the afternoon, watching him work away with complete abandon. He wasn't challenging himself in particular. He seemed as though he were trying to continue on naturally, not bothering to even think about anything else. As though nothing were troubling him, he pushed onward. His eyebrows would furrow downwards every time I would walk in on him and his lips would part to address the issue he must have known I had come to him about only to close uselessly. He would give up on explaining anything because to him, nothing had to be explained. Everything was fine. I had watched him for around four days now, so I had more than enough time to notice these things.

Yet, not once had I addressed him with a question about his "fears." About what "scared" him so much that he was ineffective in a fight when put on the spot. Today though, I couldn't simply watch anymore. I couldn't simply watch as he pushed himself without really advancing in any one particular direction.

He didn't like it, my question that is. I didn't need to read his thoughts to figure that one out. He displayed his dislike of it as he laid down the barbell at his feet and turned back, grabbing his small towel and water bottle before facing me again and bowing. He bowed as he spoke lowly, his voice seeming so distant now, "I am going to retreat to my quarters, your highness. I will see you at dinner."

And he left, just like that. He "retreated." He ran away from me. I have to say, just like he didn't like my prying, I didn't like his obvious avoidance of me just now. I stood up from the bench I was sitting on and exited the training room as well, hastening my steps so that I could catch up to him. He wasn’t walking that fast so it didn’t take long until I arrived at his side in the hallway.

“Chen.” I called out to him as I stared on at his profile. His refused to look at me as he stalled his stride, stopping right there.

Usually, he was talkative. Not the happy-go-lucky kind of talkative but the rough kind of talkative. The kind of talkative person that found fault in many things yet never said harsh words unless it was necessary. And he knew how to smile. He knew how to smile and though I had only seen it a few times during our meals together and whilst he would train with the other guardians, he still did. He still did when he wasn’t thinking about the very thing I wanted to talk to him about. The thing I wanted him to talk to me about. His “fears.”

I took a deep breath, having no clue what to say now that the situation had arrived at this point. But, I had to say something. He was waiting for me, for my next words. He may not be looking at me or acknowledging me but he was still standing there, not looking as though he had the intention to retreat at the moment. That meant I had a chance. A chance that my voice decided to take whether I knew what I was going to say or not, “I’m here for you. I know that’s so cliché sounding and obvious but, it’s true. I’m not here just for Exo planet and it’s Exotians, I’m here for the guardians. For you.”

He stood there, as motionless as a statue as he continued to face away from me. It was so tempting, unbelievably tempting, to just read his thoughts. To figure him out with a simple lowering of my guard. It’d be easy. And that’s why I won’t do it. Because it would be easy. And Chen’s “fear” isn’t easy. If it were, it wouldn’t be conflicting him as it is now.

As I peered over, trying to see his expression, to gauge his reaction to my words that flowed from my lips awkwardly, he began to walk forward again. He started off down the hallway once more, taking a left at the first hallway that branched off of it. I knew this hallway. It was the one closest to the training room and the kitchen. It was one of the two halls that contained the guardians’ rooms. Down this particular hallway were rooms belonging to Kris, Xiumin, Lay, Chen, and Tao.

I couldn’t simply give up. I couldn’t put this off any longer. I couldn’t allow him to continue to his self-confliction while I watched from the sidelines. At that thought, my feet took me forward, following him until we were outside of his bedroom door. He did an about face suddenly, startling me a bit. Before I could get a single word out, he bowed again. He then pivoted, pulling his face from my view as his hand gripped around the handle of the door.

"Whatever it is, you can talk to me about it. You can.” I blurted as he opened the door and took a step inside.” He paused again, which meant I must be getting through to him right? Just a little bit? "You can." I asserted one last time before the door to his room clicked closed behind him.

"What's wrong?”

I watched as Kai rounded the kitchen island I was sitting at. Since I was at a loss of what to do now regarding Chen, I decided to come here. To come here and inhale the smell of dinner that was currently cooking in front of me. There was no one watching it, D.O. having left a little while ago, and no one in the room but me until now. Until now when Kai entered, checking on the heavenly smelling food in front of me. Most likely, D.O. asked him to.

I questioned if I should tell Kai what was bothering me only for a second before I decided I needed to tell someone, even if it didn’t help the situation, "Chen won't talk to me."

Kai turned around to face me, leaning back against the counter. He raised an eyebrow as his arms crossed themselves against his chest. I knew what he would say before he said it, "Then, just read his mind."

"That would be like an invasion of his privacy." I answered back, only to have him stifle a laugh as he turned around again, focusing back on the cooking food that was nearing completion with each passing minute.

I couldn’t see his facial expression, but I didn’t have to. I could picture that deadpan look on his face as his shoulders shrugged, "You read mine all the time though."

I breathed out, propping my elbow up on the table before resting my chin in my open palm, "That's because you rarely speak with your lips." And I was right because as he pivoted back towards me once more, a grin on his face, his voice echoed within the recesses of my mind.

It's more fun this way though.

It’s not fun for me though convincing him to stop was not worth the time. He liked this method better, oddly. If he liked it, I’d indulge him in it. That didn’t make my inner struggle on what I could do for Chen any easier to figure out though. I had a feeling talking to Kai wouldn’t help, but I couldn’t tell D.O. about it. Maybe it was because I knew telling Kai wouldn’t change anything. Maybe I just needed someone to share it with without having to think about what they might try to do to help me. I would appreciate the help of course, but this is something I needed to figure out.

I sank my head back down onto the cool countertop of the kitchen island, wondering if I should just take a step back today and think about it tomorrow. But, I couldn’t ignore it. I couldn’t put it off. It was put to the forefront of my mind once more as another guardian entered the kitchen and noticed my obvious confliction.

"What's wrong?" Sehun directed not towards me but towards Kai.

Kai answered without a moment’s hesitance, "Chen won't talk to her highness."

I could see Sehun leaning over to take a peek at me, his answer the same as Kai’s as though it were the most obvious thing in all of Exo planet, "Just read his mind."

I groaned before slipping my head off of the counter and slumping out of the kitchen. Talking to Sehun and Kai only made me feel as though reading Chen’s mind was the only answer. And I didn't want it to be. I want him to talk to me about it. I guess that's too much to ask when we've barely known each other a week. But, still, I want him to confide in me. I want him to trust me enough to let me know what's going on in that head of his without me having to forcibly probe his brain for the answer. I respected him enough to not want to do such a thing. I can only hope he sees that.

"Your highness?"

When I looked up from my feet, Suho was standing there with his head tilted, his eyebrows furrowing downwards at my weary expression.

"Suho, hello." I greeted politely, putting a smile on my face. It wasn't fake. It may have been because Suho's power was water that being near him was like taking a bubble bath in lukewarm water. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.

Suho stood there, not saying anything for a few seconds before suddenly, his face lit up with a smile again, "Let me show you something." He held out his hand, gesturing for me to take hold of it. What was hesitation in the face of Suho's serene smile? It was pointless, that's what it was. It was pointless and not once did it cross my mind to do so as I slipped my fingers into his palm.

I had never seen something like this before. This. This sight that presented itself in front of me, displaying all of its natural beauty and spilling from itself an inviting aroma. An aroma that left me entranced as I gripped tightly onto Suho’s hand that was still in mine. He’s the one who brought me here. Here, to where a spectrum of colors had laid claim. Here, where from the ground sprung up life. Life in its most tenacious and resilient form.  Here, to the guardian’s garden. The garden within the Hall of the Protectors.

Such a sight felt revealing. I wanted to avert my eyes but I couldn’t. I had seen gardens before in the city. Like the one Suho tended to on the rooftop the day we met, I had seen gardens before. But, never had I seen one so beautiful. So naturally living on without a single clue as to the dusted gray landscape of the city above. Without a single clue as to how the gardens like itself in purpose above ground are shades of deep green and faded blues, yellows, reds, pinks, and oranges. Without a single clue as to the harsh reality of the long stretches of dark grey dirt fields that stretch out over the horizon if you were to look past the city limits. The city was full of life, but it was a gray stained life. Pollutants rotted every building and every garden above ground.

I had never seen it this way before. I had never thought once that the city above ground, on the surface of Exo planet, was so dirty. So soiled by it’s own design. I never once thought this until now, as I looked on at the haven that lay beneath the city, here in the Hall of the guardians. The haven that was this garden.

If my self of just a few weeks ago had heard what I was thinking now, I would call myself crazy. Crazy for thinking there was anything wrong with the city. With Exo planet. But now, it seems like there is, doesn’t it?

“Your highness.”

When I looked up, I found D.O. there. Here must have been where he went, here to the garden he had told me about, after he left the kitchen earlier. His eyes were wide, the space between his eyebrows wrinkled as his brows furrowed downwards. I didn’t understand his sudden worrisome look but it wasn’t long until he supplied me with an answer that allowed me to.

“You’re crying.” D.O. murmured, his voice a low whisper. Lay approached as well, having been tending to tomatoes that grew along the walls, covering the white surface with its green leaves.

“Are you hurt? What’s wrong?” Lay comforted as he took my other hand in his, checking my pulse so that he could ascertain what was wrong with me.

Physically, nothing was wrong. Nothing at all. Mentally, I felt fine. I felt fine yet the tears that streamed down my cheeks didn’t stop. They didn’t stop even as Suho tugged me gently to him and embraced me, rubbing my back with his palm to soothe me.

“I’m sorry, your highness. I thought you would be happy. I’m sorry.” Was all I heard as Suho held me to him. And my mind was washed over with warm water, sweeping away all of the worries that piled up within that one moment.

Worries I didn’t know the root of at the time.

Dinner was delicious, as usual. I’m still trying to work up to the diary products but I feel like I’m getting there. Slowly and steadily getting there. I wasn’t pressured to tonight though. Tonight, it seems the news of me crying in the garden got around. Everyone was treading on thin ice, being careful of every single word they uttered. A part of me didn’t like it but a part of me did. Because that meant I didn’t have to explain myself. At the current point in time, I have no idea why I cried. Though, I had another matter that pressed me more than that one. Luhan wasn’t at dinner again, something I had gotten used to and was okay with. However, neither was Chen.

Which brings me to my current situation as I sat on the couch of the gathering room in the Hall of the guardians, my knees pulled to my chest as Kris played chess with Xiumin in front of me, both of them sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table. Tao watched them, a sort of referee because apparently Kris didn’t know the rules all too well. Xiumin, who usually played with Chen whom had been in his room since he closed the door on me, was left without a partner until Kris volunteered to play him. If that already didn’t give away how the game was going, Xiumin was dominating. However, Kris seemed to not care in the least. Instead, he was more focused on me, his thoughts having entered my mind for the fifth time since they began.

Chen has been dealing with this for a long time. So, I’m not going to tell you not to interfere. But, I want you to, your highness. Even if he keeps on skipping dinner, you have to be the one to push him to conquer his fears.

But, I still didn’t know what his fears were. Were they of getting hurt? Of hurting others? Any assumption seemed too light, too easy. And like I said before, Chen’s fears seem far from easy.

“Check.” Xiumin pulled Kris’s attention away from me and back to the game as he positioned his bishop in direct line of Kris’s king. Kris moved his King without a second thought, not bothering to think over his options first. Xiumin was visibly frustrated as he moved his rook and spoke again, “Check.” The process repeated itself two more times, irritating Xiumin who had to chase a dodging Kris until Kris moved again and Xiumin breathed a sigh of relief, “Checkmate.” He had trapped Kris’s king two ways, putting an end to the game, “You’re not taking this seriously.”

Tao responded to his comment as he scowled, “Who can pay attention to the game when her highness isn’t feeling well?”

Xiumin sighed as he reached out with his index finger, knocking over Kris’s king with a single flick, “I know. But, it’s not like I can help.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye before diverting his gaze, dropping it to the chessboard instead.

“It’s okay, Xiumin. It’s something I have to figure out. You help me just by being here for me.” I couldn’t help but feel that as time went by, my words grew more and more cheesy sounding. To think I just said such a thing as him being here is enough yet meant every word. It’s unthinkable, that’s what it is. It’s another sign that I’m changing and I’m fine with it. “Can I play?” I asked, pointing down at the chessboard, not wanting to have them dwell on how I felt any longer. It was depressing to see them worried about me.

Xiumin followed the direction my finger was pointing before his eyebrows rose upwards, “You know how to play?”

“No.” I replied bluntly, causing both him and Kris to crack a laugh. And that was much better seeing the sullen look on their faces.

“I’ll help you win, your highness.” Tao patted down on coffee table with a smile on his face.

“Who said I’m going to lose?” Xiumin questioned the confident looking Tao, his jaw slack.

“I did.” Tao affirmed, “Just now.”

And Kris and Tao cracked a smile at Xiumin’s expense. And I couldn’t help but smile at the fact that I had relieved them of their worries for a little bit. Now if only I could relieve me of my own.

It was nighttime. It was nighttime and he visited again, as he had been doing since that first night four days ago. Luhan visited again. But, despite the comforting sight of the deep blues and coral green lights reflecting on the walls of my room, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have. Luhan noticed this. I could tell because of his words that drew me out of the daze I was in as I stared up at the bright moon beyond the window of my room.

 “Your highness, I do not have any advice for you nor will I claim I know what’s best for you. If you want my advice however, I am willing to give it.” I turned to him slowly, my hands gripping onto my upper arms as they crossed against my chest. I was greeted by the sight of that same translucent orb floating mid-air. But, despite not being able to see through it, to see Luhan face to face, I could image it. I could imagine the firm look on his face, the compassion that coated his eyes and his voice as he spoke, “I cannot assure you it will be to your liking but, I can still provide it to you should you request it.”

Should I ask Luhan for advice? The answer came to me as clear as day in my mind, “It may be ignorant to not ask for it, but I don’t want to. I’ll figure it out. Even if it takes me all night.”

There was a pause. There was a pause even though Luhan rarely paused. When we would talk, mostly about life in the city above us, about the stores and the people, he rarely paused. Yet, here he was, silence passing between us for a long while before the orb in front of me shook slightly. It stirred just a bit, and I knew something had happened. “I’m sure you will find it. However, we unfortunately do not have that long.” I waited. I waited as he continued on, asking more of me than I knew at the time but that I would soon find out. “Your highness, no matter what the future holds, you must remain strong in face of it. You are our pillar of strength now. We need you to remain firm. Do you understand?”

I nodded, responding with both my body language and my voice, “Yes.” I did understand. I thought I did. I thought I did even as a sudden banging on my door caused me to flinch before Chanyeol ran inside, apologizing profusely before uttering a sentence that forced me to push forward, erasing all hesitance I had still about being the Seeress of Exo.

“Baekhyun. He’s-”

A/N:

Can anyone say filler chapter? Filler chapter! That's what this is because the next one is going to be much more exciting. 

Am I getting you pumped for the next chapter while also making you impatient about having to wait for it? Maybe.

But, I can assure you I always keep my promises! (Most of the time.)

What happened to Baekhyun? We'll find out next time!