While Ryeowook slept, he also dreamed.  What he dreamt wasn’t always so clear though.  The thoughts and images flitted by in erratic streams and seemingly random occurrences.  Sometimes he was a human kid again, playing with JR in the backyard while their parents looked on; sometimes he was the vampire trying to come to terms with his new life while a less tired Kyuhyun taught him; sometimes he saw friends and familiar faces from strange vantages; and sometimes he didn’t know what he was when he moved through the trees or saw different places and people.

                Other times… he saw nothing.

                But those were few and far between.  And while he did not wake, he was vaguely aware of the way his legs knitted back together; how the bones shifted and settled into place as they should be, little by little.  He felt the healing take place, the warm energies flowing through him and coloring his dreams with life and vibrancy.

                At times, he thought he heard voices – whispers of sound coming from the outside as if someone was talking to him.  ‘I’m back again.  Just checking on you.  Like I said I would.  We’re doing alright here.  Things are slow but the Guardians are helping us get back on our feet.  And more people are coming every other day or so.  I think this might be a city soon, really.’  With the voices, Ryeowook could begin to dream of the place he was being told about.

                Trees grew tall and strong, filled with life and the promise of shade and shelter.  More homes were carved out of living wood, shaped by thoughts and gentle hands.  Those that were in the way were shifted, crawling through the earth to make room for other developments.  Gardens took root and the survivor’s camp became a home.

                ‘He’s doing so well, Wookie.  You’d be so proud of him.  He might not have told you yet, but he’s even found a friend from the latest group of stragglers coming in.  She’s very pretty and very kind.  I think you’ll like her.  The people are coming together even better than any of us hoped and the Guardians are happier for it.

                And you’ll be happy to know the wolves are doing good too.  They’ve all come out of their changes and it’s taking some getting used to, but most of them are happy.  Oh!  Luna told me to tell you hi.  When her and Karam came out of the Guardians, Junhong was there to help them out.  They are so cute together.  He’s even teaching her how to read and write more now.  We found a few things to help with books and writing stuff and it’s coming together.

                It really is amazing, Wookie.  Everyone is healing and things are just… working out.  Finally.  Even Seunghyun is coming around.  Well, it’s hard to tell sometimes since he decided to be a wolf.  The Alphas struggled with that the most I think.  But you can see for yourself when you wake up.  I know you’ll be happy and proud of what we’ve done.’

                The camp grew ever outward and up.  Natural illumination in the form of glowing mosses and ‘light grass’ became common.  Warm air flourished in the vicinity of the camp, held in by rampant foliage growth and the heat naturally generated by the Guardians, the people, and the fire within.  Sunlight began to filter through the canopy on a more regular basis.  And people coexisted with the Guardians – connected or not, wolves, and what small creatures they began to collect and tame from the outside world: other survivors of the madness they’d all faced.

                ‘JR suggested I come talk to you if I needed someone.  He said you were a good listener.  Not that you weren’t when you were a, you know, human and not a tree.  Not that you’re actually a tree.  Just inside it.  I know.  Anyway.  Ken’s all mopey because Rin is still spending more time with Ji.  He needs to get over it.  Poor bastard.  But I think we might actually have a chance though, you know?  Hyukjae doesn’t come out as often as he used to and I think he’s ready too.

                We haven’t really been able to get much of a flying thing going yet, but the Guardians can travel pretty fast when they want and the way they talk across the country is amazing!  Just the other day we got word of another city to the northeast.  Those damn Parks managed to make it there somehow or other.  And Henry and Jongup think there are more that just haven’t spoken up yet.  It’ll be even better when they figure out how to talk on the other side of the world.  Just wait.  There are Guardians in the water too.  Huge things like you wouldn’t believe!  And we think they’ll be able to help with some kind of boat travel or something.  Wouldn’t that be neat?  But yeah.

                Things are tough but we’re making it.  Minsoo’s doing his best to keep his word and the Kims to the north agreed to follow Mir’s example.  I think things are gonna be alright.  Somehow.  Yeah.  So thanks for listening.  JR was right.  Oh.  He misses you too.  Don’t keep him waiting too long.’

                The water was beautiful.  Sparkling and blue and teaming with tiny, new life, it thrummed with energy.  Occupied by massive, slow moving behemoths that spent their time anchored to the ocean floor or drifting in the open water, it was another world below the surface.  Currents shifted and temperatures changed minutely.  Rivers no longer tasted of poison and the clouds above began to peel away, revealing the untainted breath of the sun.

                In snippets of awareness, Ryeowook kept tabs on the world beyond while sequestered in the dark.  Silence reigned there for a long time, interrupted only by the musings of the outside.  But then…

                Beat.

                Beat.

                Beat.

                Beat.

                A slow and steady thumping sound began.  Unconsciously, Ryeowook moved closer to the sound and he realized only belatedly that he could hear Kyuhyun’s heart beating.  Breath filled his lungs and he knew he was alive as well; he simply could not hear his own beating within his chest.  Warmth filled him at the realization and he continued dreaming.

                ‘Hey old man.  It’s been a while.  Didn’t know I’d wake up like this but… it’s nice.  I’m guessing it was Wookie’s idea.  Good call, kid.  It feels different, you know?  I keep feeling like I’m forgetting something important and half the time I am.  I can’t remember anything much like I used to and that’s taking some getting used to, but damn it’s good to eat normal food again.  And the sun!  Holy , you’re gonna be surprised when you wake up.  They even got a new kind of wine they’re making.  Pretty damn tasty.  And dangerous.  I haven’t been up that long but I’m pretty sure it’s responsible for a few of the pregnant women running around down there.

                They’re starting families though.  It’s kind of awesome.  Seeing the little ones running around with some of the wolves.  Jieun’s kid is getting so big and now Sunny and Siwon have one too.  Even the wolves have pups and they play with the kids like family.  You should see the litter Seunghyun and Hyoyeon had.  I know, right?  No one saw that coming, but she softened him right up.  He’s like a changed wolf.  I swear he was actually playing the other day.  Never thought I’d see that from him.

                What’s even better is that the Guardians are like giant babysitters too.  You should see em with the kiddies.  It’d make even you smile, Kyu.  Grumpy bastard.  Oh and you’re in for a surprise too, Wookie.  Your baby brother’s a daddy!  Dunno if he’s had a chance to tell you that yet.  He’s been a little busy.  Heh.  But anyway.  Just wanted to drop by and let you know how things were going.  You might hear from N or some of the others before too long.  Looks like you’re some of the last to wake up.  Lazy, sleepy heads.’

                More voices did come in for a little while… until they just stopped.  Or maybe he stopped hearing them when the dreams became more consistent and steady.  Like a timeline played out in a movie, Ryeowook watched himself as a baby crawling on the floor in their living room.  His parents beamed at him and he cooed and giggled as he explored curiously.  Time moved on, he got older, and the memory was lost.

                But then he saw his baby brother, tiny and squalling in the crib.  Such a noisy little thing, but so cute and precious.  He didn’t know it then, but he would give nearly anything to make sure nothing bad would ever happen to him.  They grew up together, several years apart and their relationship shifting over time, but always friends.  Getting through school, coming out to JR and their parents, helping his brother through breakups with his girlfriends and gushing about his own boyfriends, meeting Henry in high school and becoming fast friends, going on to college together, and then moving in different directions when they graduated.

                It was all there in vivid detail.  Brief phone calls and the odd monthly visit with his family; emails to Henry on a fairly regular basis; working insane hours at a job he didn’t hate but didn’t like either; flying out to spend two weeks in a much needed vacation…

                Everything changed then.

                Kyuhyun.

                His heart thumped in his chest and his belly clenched at that, conflicted over their first meeting versus how he would come to feel about the vampire.  Silver eyes in the moonlight.  Slightly long fingernails and that infuriatingly smug smirk.  He remembered Henry being attacked and then he himself was kidnapped.

                Becoming half-turned and slowly beginning to understand what that meant.  Meeting Kangin and N and Hyosung and Himchan and so many other things.  Losing his parents but finding JR.  Hating the vampires and the wolves in equal measure until he had reason not to: the world going to hell with everyone trying to kill everyone.

                Victoria dying to save his brother.  Him and Kyuhyun being infected.  Turning at last.  The look on JR’s face.  Understanding what Kyuhyun faced in being a Cho.  Seeing their terrible history.  Learning he was more human – more vulnerable – than his façade let anyone see.  Realizing just how important he was for the other vampire.

                Being confused about how he felt.

                Hating humans for the bombing of their world.

                Struggling to survive day by bay; feeling the constant bite of hunger; shivering underground hiding in a hole; worrying about everyone all the time.  But he’d never been alone though.  Whether he wanted him there or not, Kyuhyun had been by his side all that time.  He was the steady presence at his back; the hand to hold onto when he needed one; the voice whispering reassurance in a time when he had little hope.

                His kidnapper, captor, protector, teacher, friend, lover…

                Kyuhyun’s arms were the ones that held Ryeowook when he was weak.  His lips that taunted first and then promised such things that he never really believed he’d find in someone else.  His need that turned to love which Ryeowook reciprocated in full.

                He remembered their night together where everything had simply and finally clicked into place, the memory magical in his mind.  It was the perfect joining of two imperfect parts; the balance he so desperately needed as much as Kyuhyun needed him.  And even when they’d been tested again with the near tragedy of the cave in, Kyuhyun had still been there: holding him, protecting him, loving him.  Like he did even now.  All that was left now was to wake up.

27 AG (After the Guardians)

                Taking a deep breath as the last of his many memories faded to the back of his mind, Ryeowook slowly opened his eyes.  It was dark inside and he blinked slowly, trying to pull the strands of conscious thought around him.  “Kyu?” he whispered, hearing the steady heartbeat under his ear and the gentle whisper of his breath in his lungs.

                Before the other man could respond, if he was even awake, Ryeowook heard a low creaking sound, followed by rustling as the vines around them pulled back, caressing warm, bare skin as they retreated.  A seam of light appeared in front of them and Ryeowook winced, holding his hand up to shield his face from the unexpected sight.  Oh so slowly, the seam peeled back like an eye opening for the first time in too long.

                Lowering his hand carefully, Ryeowook gasped in the back of his throat, mesmerized by the sight beyond.  Blue skies stretched before him as far as his eyes could see, the canopy of the sky paired with a sea of vibrant green below.  And it was warm where the rays of the sun caressed his flesh.  Oh so warm and he’d almost forgotten how it felt…  Tears beaded on his lashes, threatening to obscure his vision.

                “Kyu,” he whispered breathlessly, brushing his hand against the uncovered chest beside him.  When he didn’t get an immediate answer, he finally managed to tear his gaze from the wondrous view, eyes briefly tracking a small flock of dark colored birds as they rose up and flew above the trees.

                His heart swelled and a warm smile pulled at his mouth when he saw the other man sleeping peacefully still, his chin resting on his chest.  The hair had grown much too long since he’d last laid eyes on him, but the dark strands had filled in what had been burned off before.  His face was no longer marred by the touch of too much heat and his unclothed body revealed a pale expanse of healed flesh and bones.  All was as it should be, from the top of his bowed, sleeping head to the tips of his slightly curled toes.

                A flash of color in his periphery showed Ryeowook that his hair was longer than it should have been too, the strands reaching well past his shoulders.  He brushed them back and leaned close to the sleeping man, cupping Kyuhyun’s cheek with his warm palm.  “Kyuhyun,” he called softly, brushing his thumb under the eye with tender care.

                With a slight intake of breath, Kyuhyun stirred.  His brown eyes cracked open, peeking through long lashes as he squinted from the bright light.  Gasping, his eyes snapped open the rest of the way, panic flashing through them as he immediately tried to hide from the sun with his hands rising as if to ward it off.

                “Easy!” Ryeowook called, grabbing Kyuhyun’s face with both hands so the other man would have to look at him.  “It’s alright, Kyu,” he promised, searching his lover’s face intently.

                “Wookie,” Kyuhyun whispered, taking a shaky breath as he finally saw the other man.  The wild panic was still there, but it was receding the longer they looked at each other.

                “It’s me,” Ryeowook nodded encouragement, watching the rest of the fear bleed out of Kyuhyun.  It was replaced with wonder and a heart fluttering warmth instead.

                Without saying a word, Kyuhyun moved his hands, one clinging to Ryeowook’s wrist lightly while the other reached out to touch his face with the gentlest of caresses.  He swallowed, the sound loud in the near silence, and exhaled another trembling breath.  “I was afraid I would wake to find you were just a dream.”  One tear beaded in his eyes before spilling down his cheek, followed by another from the other eye, but Kyuhyun did not blink.

                “I’m not a dream,” Ryeowook whispered, catching Kyuhyun’s hand in his so he could press his lips against it, feeling the warmth of the palm against his mouth.  “I’m right here.”  Only then did Kyuhyun close his eyes, more tears falling down his cheeks.  Ryeowook couldn’t help but cry too, overwhelmed by his lover’s reaction.  “I’m right here,” he murmured again, wiping away the tears on one side of Kyuhyun’s face.

                The other man nodded mutely, swallowing again before he opened his eyes and reached out to pull Ryeowook into his arms, hugging him tight against his chest.  “I dreamt of you for so long,” he admitted, speaking softly against Ryeowook’s head.

                “And I you,” Ryeowook nodded, curling up as close as he possibly could, his heart hammering against his ribs, warmed through and through by the heat of their skin and Kyuhyun’s reaction.

                Bathed in the sun’s light, Kyuhyun held him for what seemed like an eternity and but an instant at the same time.  He was just fine with staying there too, wrapped in the protective arms circled around him.  But then Kyuhyun relaxed enough to gently grab his face and guide their lips together with all the tenderness he could have hoped for.  The kiss was soft and salty and warm.  Eyes closed and just feeling each other, their lips danced as emotions washed over them like waves: happiness, elation, love…  For them, time stopped until they had to pull back to breathe.

                Panting for breath, Kyuhyun blinked in astonishment.  “I’m alive.”

                “It worked,” Ryeowook beamed, just as winded but elated and floating on cloud nine.

                “I have a heartbeat,” he mumbled, just staring at the other man.  “I’m breathing.  Wookie, I can feel the sun,” he exclaimed with a wondrous look blooming in his eyes.  “I can feel the sun,” he trembled again with new tears appearing in his gaze.  Like a child seeing something for the first time with his mouth partially open, Kyuhyun pulled his sight away from Ryeowook to watch his hand extend into the sunlight.  The brilliant illumination danced on his pale skin as he turned his limb over, and a smile appeared on his face while a laugh bubbled from his throat.  “It’s so warm,” he whispered as if to himself.

                Ryeowook felt tears in his eyes, overwhelmed by seeing Kyuhyun’s reaction.  “Yeah,” he agreed, reaching out to thread their fingers together so they could feel it at the same time.

                Kyuhyun looked down at him and had to wipe at his eyes just so he could see better.  “Come on,” he sniffed, clutching the smaller hand to his chest as he shifted forward to try and climb out of the enclosure.  Ryeowook just nodded in agreement, his other hand reaching to steady himself on the opening.

                Slowly, like invalids getting used to walking again, they cautiously eased out of the boule with wobbly but whole legs and not a stitch of clothing on them.  Ryeowook would have been more concerned except he was enthralled by Kyuhyun and the other man’s reaction to everything.

                Kyuhyun pulled Ryeowook into the crook of his body and stared straight up, bathing in the glory of the day.  “I forgot how it could feel,” he whispered in awe, his body still trembling with emotion.

                “You’re human again,” Ryeowook reminded him, gently calling the other man’s attention back.

                He simply nodded and in understanding and then looked at Ryeowook, his gaze soft and warm.  “Thank you,” he breathed with as much sincerity as he could muster.

                “Thank you,” Ryeowook smiled back, biting his lip as he tried to stem the oncoming tears.

                “God I love you,” Kyuhyun murmured, drawing the other man into another kiss as he held his body close.

                Long, supple fingers tangled in Ryeowook’s hair and he gripped Kyuhyun’s body tight, fingertips pressing hard into the other man’s back.  Their mouths moved in tandem and tongues tasted the other’s lips over and over again.  It was a different kind of need that consumed them then.  Ryeowook knew he just needed to feel Kyuhyun against him; needed to know this wasn’t a dream as Kyuhyun had feared it might have been; and he needed to feel loved because it was what he already felt for the other man.

                And Kyuhyun answered that need, drowning out any sense of worry with his passion and affection.  Even when they stopped kissing, the answer was still obvious as Kyuhyun just held him close, face buried in his neck as he breathed in the smell of him.  “I love you too,” Ryeowook cried softly, laughing in emotional relief as he tried to catch his breath, his arms locked in place around his lover.

                Neither wanted to let go of the other.  That much was obvious.  But they were equally startled when they heard someone clearing their throat nearby.  Ryeowook was just as surprised as Kyuhyun when neither of them had even heard the person approach.  At least Kyuhyun reacted defensively, pulling Ryeowook behind him with awkward, human grace, ready to fight if need be.

                It was hardly necessary.  “Hey Wookie,” an older JR waved with a bemused smile on his face and a pair of what looked like robes over his arm.  “Kyu,” he added with a nod towards the taller man.

                “JR?” Ryeowook stared in wide-eyed wonder from around Kyuhyun’s body.  Gone was the worried, younger brother he’d last seen.  In his place was an aging man with black, shoulder length hair, confident brown eyes complete with wrinkles, and a figure that had filled out with age.

                “Welcome back,” he greeted, taking a hesitant step closer, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

                “JR!” Ryeowook shouted, bolting from around Kyuhyun to throw himself at his brother.  The other man caught him easily, his frame a bit sturdier than the last time, and held him tight.  “What happened to you?” he asked, pushing back so he could get a better look at his younger brother.  “You got old,” he blinked, looking up and down the ‘younger’ man from a closer vantage point.

                “And you didn’t,” JR chuckled with tears sparkling on his lashes, mirth dancing in his eyes as he reached for a robe to hand off to him.  “Here,” he urged with a sniff, glancing at Kyuhyun who slowly made his way over as well.

                “Thank you,” Ryeowook grinned sheepishly, swallowing hard as he put the warm, large robe on with trembling haste.  His fingers shook in his excitement and he couldn’t get the ties done until JR helped him with a laugh.  “How did you know?  How much time has gone by?  What’s…” he trailed off with a broad smile and nearly breathless with all the questions bubbling inside of him.

                JR didn’t answer him at first.  He just looked at his brother and pulled him in for another hug.  “It’s good to see you, Wookie,” he whispered, gaze flickering up to include Kyuhyun in that as well.

                “It’s so good to see you too,” Ryeowook agreed, pulling back to marvel at the change in his sibling again.

                Finished with tying his robes with more success, Kyuhyun stepped close to grab Ryeowook’s hand and thread their fingers together when the other man stepped away just enough.  “I’m gonna guess you’re not the only thing that has changed,” he smirked, trying to recall his persona from a different time.

                It lacked the predatory hardness that had always been there before though and JR simply smiled back at him.  “You could say that,” he agreed with a nod, shifting his attention to beam back at his brother.  “Come on.  When the Guardians let us know you were waking up, everyone wanted to come up and see you,” he chuckled with a shrug.  “Well, maybe not everyone but after the other vampires came out as the day they were born, we figured one person would be good and being your brother has some perks,” he winked.

                “Up?  Oh yeah…” Ryeowook laughed once with a hesitant look at the edge of the platform they were on.  “How did we…?” he trailed off, looking at JR for an answer while he edged closer to see if he could get a glimpse down.

                “The Guardians,” JR snorted in amusement.  “They shaped the platform here to get you in the sunlight with the hope that it would help the healing process.  And it would give you the best view for miles around when you woke up,” he explained honestly, taking Ryeowook’s other hand and giving it a firm squeeze.

                “It’s amazing,” Ryeowook exclaimed in delight.

                “Wait until you see what’s below the canopy,” JR winked, drawing a raised brow from Kyuhyun who simply opted to listen for the moment.  “Oh.  And before I forget.  You’ve got a niece and a nephew dying to meet you so be ready,” he added before they’d gone more than a step towards the spiral staircase leading down.

                At Ryeowook’s surprised stare, Kyuhyun barked a laugh and shook his head.  “So Kangin wasn’t pulling your leg.”

                “You have kids?!” Ryeowook beamed with poorly veiled excitement.

                “And one grandchild,” he confirmed with pride.  “Wait until you see their wolf companions,” he added with a twinkle in his eyes.  Ryeowook practically squealed in delight and Kyuhyun squeezed his hand with a smile on his face.

                “So how old are you now?” he couldn’t help but ask with a hint of his old self shining through.

                “Forty six,” he pointed at the former vampire seriously, daring him to say something.

                “Still a baby,” Kyuhyun laughed once, though an amused smirk found itself on his face anyway.

                “Yeah, yeah,” JR waved dismissively, returning his attention to his wide-eyed sibling.  “We should hurry though.  If we take too long, N will come looking for us.  Still a mother hen to everyone,” he whispered behind his hand with a wink.

                “I’m not surprised,” Kyuhyun sighed, seeming to enjoy the sensation.

                “Let’s go then!” Ryeowook urged, tugging at both their hands.  “I have a niece and nephew to meet.  And a grandniece or nephew!  And how’s Henry?  Oh!  What about Kangin?” he started to ramble as JR grinned and led the way towards a set of stairs with a wooden railing where it appeared as if the barrier had been grown instead of built.  Kyuhyun contentedly held Ryeowook’s hand, their fingers still intertwined as they made their way down, listening with a gentle smile on his face.  “How are the wolves?  What did you mean by wolf companions?  Did everyone change?  Did everyone make it?  Who’s your wife?!”

                “Calm down, Wookie,” JR laughed with a glance over his shoulder.

                “But this is so exciting!” Ryeowook bounced on the balls of his feet, looking back at Kyuhyun with delight and energy dancing in his eyes.  His energy didn’t quite match his current physical ability and his knees nearly buckled, making him stumble.  Both JR and Kyuhyun moved to steady him at the same time, wearing identical expressions of concern that quickly faded when they realized what had happened.

                “Easy, Wookie,” JR chuckled with a shake of his head as he looked over his brother.  “The change might take a little time to get used to,” he shrugged with an apologetic air.  “The other vampires went through it too.”

                “It’s strange,” Kyuhyun admitted, brushing the backs of his fingertips against Ryeowook’s cheek.  “I think I did forget what it was like to be a human.”

                “It’s a whole new world for you both,” JR confirmed as they started to make their way below the canopy, winding down the grown in staircase that spiraled around the massive trunk.  “In more ways than one,” he couldn’t help but add as they began to take in the spectacle.

                A veritable city of actual tree houses and people appeared below them.  Voices started to call out as they became visible and Ryeowook grinned upon seeing the crowd awaiting them.  Before they got too far, he slowed just enough to look back at Kyuhyun, their hands still tightly held.  “Together, right?” he asked with a smile, eyes searching Kyuhyun’s face.

                There was no hesitation when he answered either.  “Always,” Kyuhyun promised, bringing Ryeowook’s hand to his lips so he could kiss the back of it, his eyes shining with sincerity.

                Content with that answer and filled with the excitement of what was to come, Ryeowook nodded and let himself be pulled along, surrounded by the love of his brother and of Kyuhyun, the former vampire who had stolen his blood, his person, and then his heart.  Feeling the hand linked with his and the never ending flow of love and support from him, Ryeowook was okay with that.

                Now, after everything, they had each other.  That was enough for him.

(a/n: And of course I can't leave it like that.  Yes, there is one more chapter coming up to give us a better look at the world they're waking up in.  And hopefully some more KyuWook time that I know I've been kind of short on these past few chapters.  It probably won't be rated but I do intend to give them a little more of a spotlight before we fade out.  I hope you've enjoyed this last update and I hope even more that you look forward to the epilogue.  It's been interesting but I've certainly had a good time watching this play out.  Thank you all for sticking with me and supporting this whole process.  You guys are awesome and have an excellent day!)