Donghae laid in bed, head pillowed on his hands as he stared at the dimly lit ceiling above him, listening to the other sleepers in the hall.  Life in the base was definitely taking some getting used to and he couldn’t help but feel that it was harder for Victoria, more than anyone else.  They’d really only just gotten her back and been here for little more than a week, but it felt like so much longer already.  Even more frustrating was that there really wasn’t anything that he could do for her exactly, nor did he want to intrude on her when she was feeling so…hurt…lost…trapped?

He took another deep breath and let it out slow.  Both of them were stuck underground, unable to return to the life above that they had known before getting involved with each other and he couldn’t help but feel partially guilty for that.  Granted, it had been his sibling’s discovery of her and subsequent introduction that had really precipitated all of this but that was beside the point.  No, it was Atamos really but he veered away from that thought immediately.  It just brought irritation and made him grumpy.

Giving up on sleep at least for the moment, Donghae slipped out of bed, snatched a pair of socks to protect his feet from the cold metal floor and then padded his way to the dining hall area in his pajamas pants and t-shirt.  He wasn’t hungry but there were some things that were good at all times and he knew they had some because Changmin had been rather happy about finding it in stock.  In all honesty, he’d been somewhat surprised himself.

His favorite cook wasn’t in residence when he entered but he didn’t expect the younger man to be at this rather unreasonable hour.  There was always someone present regardless for all the shifts in the base, and Donghae managed a tired smiled for the skeleton crew who greeted him with waves and nods when they noticed him walk in.  Even at two or three in the morning, there were a handful of people clustered around the numerous tables, though they tended to center themselves at one or two for the sake of socializing.

Donghae smiled at them, noticing a couple familiar faces most notably that of the pale haired Seunghyun who was nursing a warm cup of what appeared to be tea.  While that was a good choice under most situations, he was leaning towards something just a little bit sweeter.

Humming under his breath, he snagged two hefty mugs, shatter resistant for good reason, and two foil packets he pulled from the shelves with the other instant teas and coffees, filling them with hot water and stirring quickly.  He would have preferred if they had marshmallows too, or even whipped cream, but it would work in a pinch.  With a silly smile on his face, he retreated from the dining hall, toasting the occupants on his way out, and carefully made it to the cargo area where he knew Victoria would be resting in her perch.

Key was adjusting in his corner and Donghae could hear him breathing, a quiet hissing sound emerging periodically from the dark confines of the sectioned off room.  “Victoria?” he called quietly, shifting from foot to foot and eyeing the steaming mugs in his hand.  He figured she could drink it, but that all depended on her being awake…  “Victoria,” he tried again, just a little bit louder.

He winced when he heard Key hiss and shift before he settled peacefully again.  Feeling slightly foolish, Donghae sighed and looked up once more before he started to shuffle out of the room, rather let down.  “Donghae?” the quiet voice stalled him and he smiled brightly, sad puppy dog eyes gone in an instant as he turned to peer up at the sylph.

“Hi,” he beamed, moving closer so that he could see the golden eyes watching him, pale green hair cascading enchantingly over her shoulders and draping her in its elegance.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, tracing the same strands of hair behind her ear to free her vision.

“I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted sheepishly, feeling just a little bit giddy that she had been awake after all.  “I thought, if you were awake, it might be nice to…talk I guess,” he shrugged, wincing when the one cup almost spilled on him.

 Victoria gave him a warm smile in response and frowned down at the cups in confusion.  “What is that?”

“Oh!  It’s hot chocolate,” he laughed lightly, raising one cup to her.  “Umma used to make it for me and Henry when we were younger.  I promise it’ll make you smile,” he winked, taking a sip and enjoying the sweet, warm heat that flowed down his throat.

Obviously curious, Victoria slipped out of her abode and fluttered down to him, pearlescent wings fanning the air in fascinating patterns.  “It’s warm,” she smiled, clasping her delicate fingers around the thick mug as she settled on the ground in front of him.

“Try a sip,” he urged, watching her with amusement as she hesitantly raised the warm liquid to her lips, smelling it first before she tasted it.

Immediately, a beautiful and delighted smile blossomed on her face and she giggled behind the mug, closing her eyes and ducking her head cutely.  “It is good,” she agreed, trying another sip and holding Donghae’s gaze with her own, blinking slowly.

“I’m glad you like it,” he assured her, brushing a stray strand of hair over her shoulder with his hand, fingers grazing against her skin lightly.

The sylph’s eyes flickered over his shoulder to where Ssshhkeyshiss was sleeping and she reached for his mug carefully.  “Would you care to join me?” she nodded upwards, indicating her enclosed haven.

“If you wouldn’t mind the company,” he bowed politely, giving her the cup and watching her flutter up effortlessly, disappearing inside and then reappearing without the cups in hand.  “But I can’t fly,” he reminded her, gauging the distance to be impossible for him to get up to without help.

“Hold onto me,” she directed softly, sliding her arms around his waist and stepping close, flaring her wings wide so he would know where not to place his arms.

Swallowing his nervousness, Donghae carefully embraced her, feeling her wings flutter against his forearms, grateful she couldn’t see his face because of the flush he knew was there.  His grip tightened slightly when he felt her wings speed up and his feet lifted off the floor.  He couldn’t help but gasp in surprise, peeking over his shoulder to watch the floor recede as the hanging haven drew nigh.

“It’s alright,” she giggled, pivoting them in the air so she could hand him off to the entrance without her wings getting tangled in the greenery.

Donghae laughed at himself, clinging to the supportive vines that completely hid the chain and woodwork frame beneath the growth.  “I guess your wings are stronger than they appear,” he nodded appreciatively, ever so gently caressing one of the relaxed appendages.

Victoria squeaked and whirled around, a flush of color on her cheeks as she pulled her wings behind her and folded to her knees hastily.

“Sorry!” he gasped, surprised by her reaction.

Her flush abated slowly and she played with her fingers in her lap, glancing up at him from under her long lashes.  “No.  It’s alright,” she assured him quietly.  “You just surprised me,” she shook her head, giving her wings a good shake.  “In Braelythe, we only let close friends or family touch our wings.  It is a sign of trust or affection,” she added softly, curling her wings around in front so she could inspect them closely.

“I’m so sorry, Victoria,” Donghae gasped, bowing low and hiding his face in his embarrassment.  “I didn’t-”  He stopped when he felt her hand upon his shoulder, a whisper of wind caressing his face as he felt something brush close.

“I trust you, Donghae,” she told him simply, bringing her wings close so that the tips brushed against his back.

Numbly, he stared at her and then laughed, startling them both as he writhed away from the tickling edges.  “Sorry,” he laughed, gently trying to press the wings away, marveling at their dreamlike appearance at the same time.

“Humans are ticklish too?” she asked with amusement dancing in her golden eyes, reaching out to poke him in the side with a dainty finger.

Donghae yelped in surprise and caught her hand in his with a deft touch, grinning at her delightedly.  “Some of us,” he admitted, unable to even pretend to have a straight face.  Then his eyes narrowed thoughtfully and he asked, “And what do you mean too?”

“Nothing,” she giggled, looking away.  Mischievously, Donghae leaned closer and couldn’t resist running his fingers against her side.  “No!” she squeaked shrilly, laughing with abandon and only weakly deflecting his hands as he continued his attack.  “St…  Stop it!” she laughed so hard it was difficult to get the words out, but her face was glowing with her happiness.

She was beautiful just as she was, but when happy, Victoria truly shined and Donghae felt his breath catch in his throat as he saw that magnificence gleam through.  He was laughing at her reaction by the time they both jumped when they heard the basilisk cough at them.  It was probably supposed to have been the equivalent of clearing his throat but it was more than enough to make them stop and freeze.

Victoria peeked through the entrance and called down quietly, “Sorry Ssshhkeyshiss.  We’ll be quiet,” she offered, waving at him while keeping her eyes carefully averted.

“Oops,” Donghae shrugged, biting his bottom lip as he winced apologetically.

“Thank you,” she surprised him by saying instead, grabbing one of his hands between hers warmly and holding close when she focused on him again.

“For what?” he responded, settling himself more comfortably.

“Making me laugh.  For being here with me.  You make me feel safe,” she murmured, bringing his hand up to her cheek, nuzzling it softly.

He hardly felt like he was someone to make anybody feel safe, considering he was only an artist after all, but if she thought that, then he certainly wasn’t going to argue.  “I’m sorry I can’t do more for you,” he told her after a quiet pause, reaching his other hand up to caress the opposite cheek, letting his fingertips brush against her elf-like ear.

She giggled and shied away from the touch, pointing at him with her index finger, “No.”  Even that crumbled into a giggle and she threaded her hair behind her ear, peering around him at the mugs she’d stashed in the corner to keep them out of the way.  “I believe you wanted me to try the hot chocolate?” she prompted, pointing their location out to him.

“Of course,” Donghae nodded, retrieving them carefully, his footing somewhat unsure on the living floor, and handed her cup back to her.  “Like I said, when me or Henry were sad or feeling upset, umma would make us hot chocolate and then cuddle with us on the couch, and like magic, we would feel better.  Didn’t matter what it was that had made us not happy in the first place, this always did the trick.”

Victoria peered at the murky liquid with a concentrated frown, as if looking at it long enough would reveal the reason behind it.  “But there’s nothing magical about it at all,” she murmured, trying another sip, letting the flavor linger on her tongue with a thoughtful expression before she swallowed and shook her head.  “It’s tasty but it’s not particularly remarkable,” she commented, swirling the cup as Donghae just watched her, trying not to laugh.  “What?” she asked, perplexed when she finally saw him.

Donghae shook his head before he took another sip and explained, “Nothing in our world is magic.  At least not in the way that you know.  But sometimes, we make a little bit of our own,” he winked, sighing contentedly as he let the memories wash over him.

Now it was Victoria’s turn to watch him, head titled to the side, gaze unwavering.  It seemed odd that something so…simple could make one so happy.  Especially when there really wasn’t any magic in it.  She would know.  But watching him, she could imagine why they might think it magic and a warm smile pulled at her lips.  “I see,” she murmured, nodding to herself as she watched him open his eyes to look at her.

“See what?” he asked, setting the half-empty cup aside.

“What you were talking about.  I think,” she gestured, setting her cup down too.  “But I’m curious too,” she pointed at the cup.  “You say there’s no magic in your world but you speak as if you know it.”  Chewing her bottom lip, she crawled forward, aiming for the side his cup wasn’t on, and promptly leaned into him, resting her head against his chest and shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him and snuggled close.

Feeling a flush rise over his face, Donghae held perfectly still and murmured, “Victoria?  What are you doing?”

Completely honest in her response, she answered, “I’m testing.”

Perplexed, he glanced down at her feeling his heart skip a beat when he caught sight of her peaceful expression as she rested against him with her eyes closed.  “Testing what?” he whispered, not wanting to disturb her and break the effect.

“Your explanation of magic, hot chocolate and cuddles,” she smiled, opening golden eyes to peer up at him intently, pale face framed by jade hair.  “This,” she spoke softly, placing her hand lightly on his chest, feeling his heartbeat under her palm, “is what magic feels like.”  She closed her eyes again and took a satisfied breath, exhaling slowly.

Donghae just watched her, realizing how close their faces were after a few very long seconds.  The very things that proved she was not human were also almost painfully attractive and he was certainly not immune to their effect.  Before he could convince himself it was a terrible idea, because it was, he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips against her soft ones, arms enveloping her slender frame loosely.  He kept his eyes open and watched as she blinked in surprise, searching his face but not pulling away either.

Slowly, Victoria smiled against his lips and pulled back enough to whisper, “More magic.  And you thought your world didn’t have any.”

“It’s nothing compared to you,” he spoke, the words coming out without any hesitation.  He ducked his head in embarrassment when he realized what he had said though.

With deliberate intent, Victoria folded her wings around him, draping him in their cashmere softness, and picked his chin up with her fingertips so he would meet her gaze.  “I am born of magic from a world where it is everywhere.  But this thing you make me feel,” she explained quietly, expression intent.  “I cannot find the words I need, but…it is magical to me.”

Donghae searched her face, mesmerized by golden eyes while a wondrous, fragile hope and joy bloomed within him.  Tenderly, he traced his fingers through her hair, sliding his hand around to cup the back of her head so that he could guide her lips back to his.  He closed his eyes and pulled her closer with his arm about her waist, feeling her wings shift around him in turn.

Breathless, he pulled back, feeling light-headed and euphoric.  Maybe it was because she was made of magic, or because of what they’d gone through already, or maybe even because he was foolishly starting to fall for her, but whatever it was, he felt as if he was walking on air.  “I really am glad to have met you, Victoria,” he promised her earnestly, letting his hand linger.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” she asked plaintively, loosening her hold on him with her wings.

“Of course,” he answered without a second thought.

“I’m glad,” she smiled, ducking her head into the crook of his neck and curling close.

Carefully, Donghae leaned back, lowering them both to the unusual surface with her still cradled in his arms.  She kept her wings folded around them, one underneath and the other acting as a shimmery blanket.  One hand rested across his torso and it was that one which he threaded his fingers through and held close, kissing her palm tenderly before he rested them against his chest.  “Good night, Victoria.”

“And you as well, Hae,” she murmured in response, sighing peacefully as she drifted to sleep in the magical feel of his arms.

(a/n: Complete and utter fluff really.  I also tried to fill in that gap between when Henry, Luna and Yesung stopped hearing from him and just after they rescued Victoria from being abducted.

I'm a er for hot chocolate personally but it pales in comparison to cuddles and hugs.  At least for me.  And it's Donghae!  Come on.  lol  So bloody cute...  T_T  <3)